In South Africa, legislation dictates that employees must be developed resulting in the need to identify candidate's development capability. As such, it is essential to be able to measure the learning potential of candidates. In practice, cognitive ability has been linked to the complex process of job performance. This study aimed to determine whether learning potential can be used as a predictor of job performance. The Learning Potential Computerised Adaptive Test (LPCAT) was utilised to measure learning potential and job performance was measured through a promotion ratio (taking job knowledge and tenure into account). The moderator variables were investigated. A sample of 135 technical employees was drawn. The data was statistical manipulated reporting various significant relationships confirming the internal reliability of the LPCAT and indicating a strong significant relationship between learning potential and job performance. Variables such as learning potential, job grade and tenure are significant when predicting job performance. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / MA (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The challenge of satisfying the demand for basic services in the current dispensation has intensified. It is anticipated that once this initial challenge has been overcome, the tide will turn and secondary services such as transfer of ownership of forestry plantations will become the new challenge. The quest for efficient and effective service delivery is paramount, regardless of whether services delivered are basic or not. This research investigation puts performance management (which focuses on individual and organisational performance), as a necessity for service delivery. The focus was on service delivery within the Chief Directorate: Forestry in the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. The findings demonstrated that the presence of performance management and other supporting systems does not guarantee automatic improvement in service delivery. The distinction is how effective an organisation can apply performance management in conjunction with a complete set of functional policies, systems and instruments to improve its impact on service delivery. / Public Administation / M.Tech. (Public Management)

This study investigates the constraints and success factors in the implementation of the third performance management system (PMS) for the Namibian public service from 2006 to 2014. It was purported to be implemented in 2006. However, various government publications reported that its implementation process was poor or slow. The study also made a contribution to the discussions regarding individual performance agreements by politicians. The review of the existing literature revealed that at the time of this study no academic research was conducted in the Namibian public service considering the PMS implementation process in totality. Furthermore, the conditions or factors of an effective policy and performance management system implementation which had been identified helped the researcher to decide on the focus of the study. Methodologically, the study uses an implementation research design which focused on process evaluation using the mixed method approach. During phase one, data was collected using a diagnostic tool to determine the status of the PMS implementation. The results of phase one guided the interviews conducted during phase two that provided an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon under investigation. A purposive sampling method was applied in selecting nineteen respondents who participated in this study. Documentary sources were used during all the phases of the study. The main findings of the study are: notable achievements in terms of the PMS design and its implementation, with four Offices, Ministries and Agencies (OMAs) and Regional Councils (RCs) being identified as most successful at the time of the study. Internal leadership commitment proved to be the main success factor. However, the PMS was not implemented fully because it did not meet the requirements of an effective one. The study recommends to establish the PMS unit in each OMA and RC, integrate the PMS with all aspects of human resources, simplify the PMS forms, formulate a PMS policy for Namibian politicians, apply the templates and implementation modalities of an individual performance agreement of political executives, formulate a social contract for the constituency councilors in the Government of the Republic of Namibia, and introduce a Constituency Development Budget (CDB) to support the implementation of the social contract. / Public Administration / D.P.A.

Based on literature, a theoretical model was developed for viable performance consisting of eight constructs whilst the trust model of Martins (2000) was used to measure four organisational trust constructs. Exploratory factor analysis was used to extract the constructs, and structural equation modelling was employed to validate the models against the data. An empirical model for viable performance resulted in a solution with seven constructs and organisational trust with five constructs. The two empirical models were unified into a model of viable performance and trust resulting in a measurement model where all 12 constructs were shown. Significant levels of internal consistency were measured. The resulting measurement model was tested for group differences, and no significant differences were found, indicating that the assessment can be used across different groups. It was concluded that the aim to construct and test an integrated and comprehensive theoretical framework of viable performance and trust was achieved and the resulting Viable Performances and Trust Indicator (VPTI) was validated as an assessment to be used across groups. Organisations can thus use the framework and VPTI assessment tool with confidence to assess performance and trust across different biographical groups. Future researchers can build on this exploratory study to refine the scales and apply the measurement model within the wider context of South Africa or as a globally accepted model. / IndustriaI and Organisational Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (IndustriaI and Organisational Psychology)

This dissertation investigates the relationship between work performance and the sense of coherence, using the salutogenesis approach and the influence of employees' biographical variables on work performance. The sense of coherence construct is discussed and conceptualised in terms of its comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness. Similarly, work performance is discussed and conceptualised in terms of its dimensions and dynamics. The integration of the literature study characteristics such as the cognitive, affective, conative and interpersonal characteristics were discussed. The research was conducted among 80 employees at a banking institution. The quality of life questionnaire and performance appraisal ratings were used. The relationship between biographical variables such as age, marital status, gender, qualifications, tenure, functional department and work performance were investigated. The results confirmed the empirical investigation that there was not a significant relationship between work performance and SOC. However, a significant relationship was found between job category and work performance, and between age and work performance. Finally, recommendations made for future research included using a bigger sample size in order to improve the generalisation of the findings to other organisational environments, and to further determine the relationship between other aspects of work performance (not just the KPAs) such as the human attributes of work performance and SOC. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The objective of the research was to investigate an improvement in job performance when role-play is used as a training and assessment tool in a sales call centre environment. The research was conducted by means of a competence assessment used at different stages (Quality Assurance Performance Management Questionnaire). The final stage was two weeks after the learners who had qualified to be sales agents had entered a real working environment. At this final stage, calls were retrieved and rated against the Quality Assurance Performance Management Questionnaire (QAPMQ). A sample of 40 novice sales agents (learners) were selected and randomly divided into the control and experimental groups. The research findings indicated that if planned well, role-play can be an effective training and assessment tool. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Comm. (Industrial & Organisational Psychology)

The purpose of this research has been to investigate the relationships between team building, salutogenesis and performance. Team building was investigated by focusing on the directive and interactive dimensions of • climate • supervisory support • team work. Salutogenesis was investigated by focusing on the concepts of • sense of coherence • locus of control • self-efficacy. Work performance was investigated by focusing on • performance measurement criteria • self-appraisal as a cognitive mediator between performance and salutogenesis. In the literature survey a performance model was postulated to explain the relationships between team building, salutogenesis and performance. The personality profile of the optimal functioning individual in the context of the performance model was compiled from the personality profiles of the optimal functioning team member, the optimal functioning individual and the optimal performing individual. In the empirical investigation a sample (N = 245) of mine employees completed a battery of questionnaires using computerised data collection. The battery was subjected to item-test correlations, Cronbach alpha coefficient measurements and factor analyses, to establish the reliability and structure of each questionnaire. lntercorrelations were calculated and analysed to test the relationships between the dimensions, and concepts. Following this, the factor analysis of a five factor model established the relationships between the dimensions and concepts of team building, salutogenesis and performance. Finally, LISREL-analyses were performed to test the conceptual structure of the relationships. The empirical findings indicate that team building forms a construct based on directive and interactive dimension of climate, supervisory support and team work. Salutogenesis forms a construct and it includes the incorporation of work performance as a concept of salutogenic orientations. The relationship between the constructs was confirmed using LIS REL-analysis, thus validating the integration of the dimensions and properties within each construct into the properties of a performance model; and the personality profiles within each construct into the personality profile of the optimal functioning individual. The empirical results were integrated with the literature review. Team building and salutogenic orientations are integrated into a performance model which explains the relationships between the work environment, the behaviour of the individual and his/her performance within the context of the work environment. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Industrial Psychology)

This qualitative study set out to investigate the extent to which the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) has been implemented for service delivery by South African Metropolitan Municipalities. The Ekurhuleni Municipality, City of Johannesburg (CoJ) and City of Tshwane (CoT), which together form the Gauteng Metropolitan Municipalities (GMMs), were used as multiple cases for this study. A good performance management system should cover activities relevant to the adoption of a performance measurement tool such as the BSC, which was developed by Kaplan and Norton in 1992. These two authors published a framework integrating different components of performance management and measurement system, namely strategy, vision, mission, objectives, measures, targets and strategic initiatives. In short, the BSC framework is the key for its successful implementation, which is evaluated according to the achievement of targets. The problem addressed in the study was the lack of a proper performance management system, as well as the poor design and inappropriate manner of implementing the BSC by the GMMs. The objectives of the study were to examine principal elements such as performance management activities, performance measurement framework, design and implementation of the BSC following the original framework developed by Kaplan and Norton (1992), as well as its impact on the outcomes of service delivery performance. Objectives, measures, targets and initiatives were the core elements for evaluating the municipalities’ performance management, as well as their implementation of the BSC. Moreover, the attainment of targets was the key for examining performance outcomes or the impact of the BSC on service delivery performance. In order to reach the above-mentioned objectives, a literature and document review, including municipalities’ policies and annual reports, were conducted for collecting relevant data. This review involved content analysis, and data were presented in the form of tables and charts. Finally, credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability were used to measure the validity and reliability of the findings. The results showed that the performance management (PM) activities of the GMMs were not adequate for implementing the BSC. Naturally, the selection of measures and targets was catered for through the policy of the Ekurhuleni Municipality, as well as the City of Johannesburg (CoJ). However, the setting of objectives, selection of measures, and setting of targets were all part of the performance management framework of the City of Tshwane (CoT). The BSC was intended to be used as a performance measurement framework for the Metropolitan Municipalities of Johannesburg and Tshwane. Nevertheless, the instrument was poorly implemented by these municipalities. Although the BSC was not adopted by the Ekurhuleni Municipality, the principal activities integrated into the BSC framework were implemented for its service delivery. In addition, during the 2011-2012, 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 financial years, the achievement status of targets was not determined for the Ekurhuleni Municipality. This was also the case for the CoT during 2011-2012. However, the full-achievement, non- achievement, partial-achievement and over-achievement of targets were well defined for the City of Johannesburg during all three financial years under study. In the same way, such finding was indicated only for the two last financial years for the City of Tshwane. The findings of the study indicated that the implementation of the BSC within the Metropolitan Municipalities of Johannesburg and Tshwane did not comply with its original framework. This is due to the lack of an adequate performance management system, which in turn affects performance measurement. Before adopting a performance measurement framework, there should be an appropriate performance measurement system in place to ensure its success. Consequently, future research should focus more on the investigation of standard requirements for measuring performance, especially in the public sector. / Management Accounting / M. Phil. (Accounting Sciences)

Existem muitas evidências da efetividade dos estudos prospectivos na iniciativa privada, no entanto, esta afirmação não pode ser extrapolada para a realidade do setor público. Atualmente, pesquisadores da área prospectiva buscam compreender como os estudos de futuro são utilizados na análise de políticas públicas, e qual sua efetividade em todo o processo. Hipóteses relacionadas aos ciclos políticos não explicam totalmente os resultados não alcançados com a prospectiva, pois alguns governos que perduraram no poder também não obtiveram resultados satisfatórios. Evidencia-se que os estudos prospectivos são utilizados na etapa inicial da análise de políticas públicas, ou seja, na formação de agenda, não avançando de forma mais veemente para as demais etapas do processo. Diante deste contexto, o problema que norteou esta tese pode ser assim caracterizado: como a abordagem prospectiva poderia ser mais efetiva no desenvolvimento de políticas públicas? Nesse sentido, esta tese tem como objetivo propor uma abordagem prospectiva que seja mais efetiva no desenvolvimento de políticas públicas. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório-descritivo, na forma de um estudo de caso (Setor de Software da Região Metropolitana de Curitiba). Ao todo foram entrevistados 68 atores, sendo 34 empresários e empreendedores do setor de software e 34 atores relacionados à política setorial (policy makers). Como resultado, destaca-se a necessidade de uma abordagem mais concreta, baseada no conceito da Proatividade Realista, ou seja, uma prospectiva factível e alinhada ao contexto político-institucional. O estudo evidencia que há a necessidade de aproximação entre os grupos de interesse (policy makers e policy users), reduzindo as divergências de entendimento do processo de desenvolvimento de políticas públicas setoriais. A falta de conhecimento das questões institucionais que envolvem as políticas públicas cria uma prospectiva idealista, baseada em anseios e lamentações. Finalmente, sugere-se uma alteração no modelo prospectivo, com a inserção de uma etapa de validação do estudo junto aos policy makers e o estabelecimento de um processo de governança. / There is much evidence of the effectiveness of prospective studies (Foresight) in the private sector. However, this statement may not be extrapolated to the reality of the public sector. Currently, researchers from prospective area want to understand how future studies are used in the policy analysis, and what is its effectiveness in the whole process. Hypothesis related to political cycles do not fully explain the not achieved results with Foresight because some governments that remained in power also did not obtain satisfactory results. Prospective studies are used in the initial stage of policy analysis, in other words, on the agenda setting, not advancing consistently to the remaining steps of the process. Given this context, the issue that guided this thesis can be characterized as: how the prospective approach could be more effective in developing public policies? In this sense, this thesis aims to propose a prospective approach more effective in the development of public policies. This is an exploratory-descriptive study, in the form of a case study (Software Sector of the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba). Sixty-eight actors were interviewed: 34 business owners and entrepreneurs of the software sector and 34 actors related to sectoral policy (policy makers). The results indicated the need for a more concrete approach based on the Realistic Proactivity concept, in other words, a foresight approach feasible and aligned with the political and institutional context. The study also shows that there is a need of approach stakeholders (policy makers and policy users), reducing differences in understanding the development process of sectoral public policies. Lack of knowledge of institutional issues involving public policies creates an Idealistic Foresight approach, based on wishes and lamentations. Finally, a change in the prospective model is suggested, with the insertion of a study validation stage by the policy makers and the establishment of a governance process.

Existem muitas evidências da efetividade dos estudos prospectivos na iniciativa privada, no entanto, esta afirmação não pode ser extrapolada para a realidade do setor público. Atualmente, pesquisadores da área prospectiva buscam compreender como os estudos de futuro são utilizados na análise de políticas públicas, e qual sua efetividade em todo o processo. Hipóteses relacionadas aos ciclos políticos não explicam totalmente os resultados não alcançados com a prospectiva, pois alguns governos que perduraram no poder também não obtiveram resultados satisfatórios. Evidencia-se que os estudos prospectivos são utilizados na etapa inicial da análise de políticas públicas, ou seja, na formação de agenda, não avançando de forma mais veemente para as demais etapas do processo. Diante deste contexto, o problema que norteou esta tese pode ser assim caracterizado: como a abordagem prospectiva poderia ser mais efetiva no desenvolvimento de políticas públicas? Nesse sentido, esta tese tem como objetivo propor uma abordagem prospectiva que seja mais efetiva no desenvolvimento de políticas públicas. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório-descritivo, na forma de um estudo de caso (Setor de Software da Região Metropolitana de Curitiba). Ao todo foram entrevistados 68 atores, sendo 34 empresários e empreendedores do setor de software e 34 atores relacionados à política setorial (policy makers). Como resultado, destaca-se a necessidade de uma abordagem mais concreta, baseada no conceito da Proatividade Realista, ou seja, uma prospectiva factível e alinhada ao contexto político-institucional. O estudo evidencia que há a necessidade de aproximação entre os grupos de interesse (policy makers e policy users), reduzindo as divergências de entendimento do processo de desenvolvimento de políticas públicas setoriais. A falta de conhecimento das questões institucionais que envolvem as políticas públicas cria uma prospectiva idealista, baseada em anseios e lamentações. Finalmente, sugere-se uma alteração no modelo prospectivo, com a inserção de uma etapa de validação do estudo junto aos policy makers e o estabelecimento de um processo de governança. / There is much evidence of the effectiveness of prospective studies (Foresight) in the private sector. However, this statement may not be extrapolated to the reality of the public sector. Currently, researchers from prospective area want to understand how future studies are used in the policy analysis, and what is its effectiveness in the whole process. Hypothesis related to political cycles do not fully explain the not achieved results with Foresight because some governments that remained in power also did not obtain satisfactory results. Prospective studies are used in the initial stage of policy analysis, in other words, on the agenda setting, not advancing consistently to the remaining steps of the process. Given this context, the issue that guided this thesis can be characterized as: how the prospective approach could be more effective in developing public policies? In this sense, this thesis aims to propose a prospective approach more effective in the development of public policies. This is an exploratory-descriptive study, in the form of a case study (Software Sector of the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba). Sixty-eight actors were interviewed: 34 business owners and entrepreneurs of the software sector and 34 actors related to sectoral policy (policy makers). The results indicated the need for a more concrete approach based on the Realistic Proactivity concept, in other words, a foresight approach feasible and aligned with the political and institutional context. The study also shows that there is a need of approach stakeholders (policy makers and policy users), reducing differences in understanding the development process of sectoral public policies. Lack of knowledge of institutional issues involving public policies creates an Idealistic Foresight approach, based on wishes and lamentations. Finally, a change in the prospective model is suggested, with the insertion of a study validation stage by the policy makers and the establishment of a governance process.