Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2014 / The study seeks to determine whether the introduction of Performance Management System (PMS) in Mbombela Local Municipality (MLM), Mpumalanga Province has effects on service delivery. Municipalities tend to focus mainly on complying with legislative requirements of having an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and PMS other than implementing the IDP and PMS to enhance the delivery of services to the community. The annual performance reports of MLM for the financial year 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 indicates performance targets in which some were achieved while in some cases the municipality failed to achieve. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) introduced the Performance Management Framework in municipalities with the aim of empowering communities to demand better services and hold municipalities accountable. In this regard a literature review was undertaken. In the literature review, it became evident that communities have displeasure in the delivery of services such as electricity, water, sanitation and roads. Further findings in the study indicate that the introduction PMS in MLM has not led to positive change in the delivery of services. Recommendations made in the study for MLM to enhance service delivery through PMS, include cascading PMS to all employees in MLM, change management and communication strategy. Further issues of alignment and integration of the IDP processes, budget, PMS, monitoring, evaluation and training on the formulation of Key Performance Areas and Key Performance Indicators are recommended.

Thesis (MPA) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / The proposed study intends to establish how procedural the reward system is being implemented in the Limpopo Department of Health and Social Development and whether claims of bias are founded. The study is intended to determine the system’s influence on the organization’s ability to track poor performance and manage it. Also providing a refreshed view of the current pitfalls in the implementation of the program therefore providing indications of remedial action to recover the purpose of the PMDS. To assess the impact of Performance Management practices and explore best implementable practices which lead to effective performance management system and best service delivery by the Limpopo Department of Health and Social Development. Qualitative research approach using interview schedule for HR and line managers was utilised. The findings are that the system can not be linked to employee output but an obvious benefit is employee rewards.

Thesis (MPH.) --University of Limpopo, 2012 / The purpose of the research was to explore the factors that affect the performance of nurses in the Makhuduthamaga Sub-district. The Research Design was quantitative descriptive. The population consisted of all categories of nurses working in the eighteen clinics of the Makhuduthamaga Sub-district that render a 24-hour service, seven days a week. The Stratified Random sampling technique was used to obtain the sample. Data were collected by means of designed performance instrument questionnaires. The study revealed that nurses were dissatisfied with their work, something that had a tremendous influence on their performance.

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2006

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2006 / Numerous programmes addressing performance assessment in the workplace have been designed and implemented in various organizations. In South Africa, public institutions have employed various appraisal systems with mixed results. A new tool for performance assessment has been designed and implemented since 2003 (for the past three years). This tool is called Performance Management Development System (PMDS).This study is based on the performance assessment of women in managerial positions, in the Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality, Capricorn District, Limpopo Province. It explores the views of women managers on the challenges they are faced with, the type of support they receive, the effects of PMDS on work performance and the extent of institutional intervention at workplace. The qualitative techniques were used on the population of 180 women managers. The sample size of 114 was selected using random sampling method. The findings indicate the need to improve Performance Management and Development Systems (PMDS) and Performance Instruments (PIs) in order to create an environment conducive to better performance standards of women managers.

Thesis (M. Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2013 / Recent changes in the allocation of land through the results of land redistribution have compelled members of communities to form committees, that is, Communal Property Associations (CPAs) that would be responsible for managing the claimed land. The Maruleng Local Municipality was not excluded from this process. Five of the CPAs have been formed under the above mentioned municipality to manage claimed land. The research investigated the impact of performance management on the Moletele CPA’s performance at Maruleng Local Municipality of the Limpopo Province. The management of Moletele CPA was not without challenges, problems such as lack of resources, adequate training programmes, lack of clear policy and objectives were also found in the study. This research also seeks to investigate why Moletele CPA is performing better than the other CPAs in the municipality. In order to understand the total context of the challenges faced by Moletele CPA, an empirical research and interviews were conducted to collect data from the members of Moletele CPA. The findings of the study suggest that a lack of resources and relevant training programmes are contributing negatively towards the performance of the Moletele CPA in particular, and other CPAs in general. To conclude, the study revealed that performance management is not determined by one factor, but other challenges such as clarity of policies and cooperation amongst stakeholders also contribute towards the success of the Moletele CPA ;hence the recommendations made in chapter five.

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / This study is an investigation of managing the performance of section 57 managers in South Africa, with special reference to municipalities within the Capricorn District Municipality in Limpopo province. This research was necessitated by the fact that even though there has been an adoption of the Performance Management System in order to speed up service delivery and transformation, performance management still remains grossly inadequate, in the South African public sectors especially in local government. This point out that in spite of the existing policy framework governing the management of performance in municipalities, most municipalities in South Africa are still struggling to perform efficiently and effectively. The problem statement provided a foundation within the aim and the objectives were explained. Contextualisation of the study was based on the existing legislative, theoretical and conceptual perspective that apply to performance management. The study also outlined the research method (only qualitative research method was used) and the technique used as a data collection method was the interviews. The researcher presented, analysed and interpreted the research findings where the researcher employed the use of figures and descriptive analysis to present data. In drawing conclusions it became clear that there were problems hampering the performance of Section 57 manager in municipalities within the Capricorn District Municipality. The main problems were identified to be lack of dedicated and qualified personnel to perform the function of PMS, lack of training and rewards to motivate senior managers who far exceed the set targets. Therefore to eliminate these problems recommendations were also suggested to assist municipalities in carrying out their developmental mandate this include among others, proper consideration of training need, continuous evaluation of senior managers performance, and the provision of rewards to employees who performed above the level expected.

Thesis ( M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2015 / This study was undertaken with the purpose of investigating the implementation of performance management in the Mbombela Local Municipality. This is a quantitative case study. The objective is to assess how Performance Management is implemented and used as a developmental tool to ensure and speed up service delivery in the municipality. Purposive and random sampling has been used to collect data and SPSS was applied to analyze data. The research revealed that Performance Management has not been implemented at all levels of employment. The study recommended that Performance Management should be implemented at all levels of employment and feedback should be given to employees promptly in order to improve their performance. In-service training is offered to employees to improve their performance and bring about understanding of their appraisal system. All employees must be motivated, trained and encouraged to share the same norms, values and organization objectives. The Municipal Manager should be the engine in terms of ensuring that Performance Management is implemented throughout the municipality to ensure quick service delivery to the committees

Abstract not available

This study was conducted to determine if alternative heating times and slower cooling times, other than those defined by FSIS, could be utilized and still comply with FSIS performance standards. Large (10.43 to 12.25 kg), cured bone-in hams (n = 190) and large (greater than or equal to 9.07 kg), uncured beef inside rounds (n = 180) were utilized in a two-phase study. Phase 1 of the study investigated the effect of alternative lethality parameters on toxin production of Staphylococcus aureus and log reduction of Salmonella Typhimurium and coliforms. Both the hams and roast beef were subjected to 1 of 10 treatments defined by varying final internal product temperatures (48.9 degrees C, 54.4 degrees C, 60.0 degrees C, 65.6 degrees C, or 71.1 degrees C) and smokehouse relative humidities (50% or 90%). Phase 2 investigated the effect of alternative stabilization parameters on log growth of Clostridium perfringens. Stabilization treatments extended the times taken to reduce internal product temperature from 54.4 degrees C to 26.7 degrees C and from 26.7 degrees C to 7.2 degrees C (ham) or 4.5 degrees C (beef), independently. Further, a control treatment following current FSIS, Appendix B guidelines was conducted for ham, and a "worst case" scenario was assessed for both products. The "worst case" treatment evaluated the effects of cooling products at room temperature (approximately 22.8 degrees C) in place of normal cooling procedures in a temperature controlled environment. Results of the study showed at least a 6.5-log10 reduction in S. Typhimurium across all lethality treatments for both products. Further, coliform counts also were reduced significantly, and S. aureus toxin kits returned negative results for toxin production for all treatments of ham and roast beef. Stabilization showed less than 1-log growth of C. perfringens for any treatment, with the exception of the "worst case" scenario for roast beef. As expected, > 1 log growth of C. perfringens was found for uncured roast beef maintained at room temperature for cooling. This study supports that there are multiple time and temperature combinations, other than those currently provided by FSIS, which may be utilized for cooking and cooling large roast beef and bone-in ham products while still meeting FSIS lethality and stabilization microbiological performance standards.