M.A. (Information & Knowledge Management) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

The topic of motivation continues to command substantial attention in the field of industrial or organisational psychology. Motivation has always been an essential factor in managing personnel and is a crucial variable in creating a high performance organization. Public administration research has largely ignored motivation as a topic, contrary to research of private sector management. Nurses represent one of the biggest profession group in South Africa's health care services and forms the vertebrae of the Primary Health Care in South Africa. South Africa has experienced large numbers of nurses immigrating to other foreign countries due to poor working conditions in South Africa. Government has a responsibility of ensuring that there is always a motivational climate in the institutions where nurses work. Several investigations have been conducted by various organisations regarding the state of South African Health Care System, due to a high rate of reported deaths in South African hospitals. Dispatch investigation team in 2005 revealed a number of findings that related to various motivational issues at the Eastern Cape Frere Hospital maternity ward. These motivational issues included but not limited shortage of nurses and doctors; use of interns on night duty without qualified doctors and anaesthetist; a cleaner confirmed to have been seen delivering a baby in the labour ward while wearing a doctor‟s coat, as well as accessing and dispensing medicine; no security to prevent people from wandering the labour ward and the entire maternity section; deaths due to negligence; inappropriate appointment of personnel, a situation causing problems for the nurses; employees complaining of work overload; absenteeism and sick leave leaving one nurse on duty at night in the nursery; lack of equipment like oxygen points, suction catheters, CPAPs and CTG machines, alleged by some nurses to be directly responsible for a number of avoidable deaths; staff shortages thus forcing inexperienced nurses to carry duties beyond their experience; detrimental shortages of labour beds; a general assistant dressed in a green nurse‟s gown rinsing blood-soaked linen before dishing up for, and serving food to patients, still wearing the same clothing. Since the Dispatch investigation and the subsequent investigations by political parties and the National Department of Health, no scientific research or investigation has been done around challenges at Frere Hospital maternity ward. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the levels of staff motivation and staff motivation levels' impact on job performance in the Frere Hospital maternity ward. In conducting this study the researcher explored five motivation theories which are amongst a group of motivational theories that have shaped worker motivation in both the public and private sectors. The study explored Maslow hierarchy of needs, Herzberg two factor theory, Vroom's expectancy theory, Locke's equity theory and Festinger‟s goal setting Theory. These theories were used with a view of gathering an understanding of staff motivation and job performance. The reasons for the researcher to choose these five motivational theories is that they are amongst the most popular theories used by scholars to measure staff motivation and performance both in the private and public sectors. These theories were also used due to their relevance to the organisation investigated. This study followed a quantitative approach and empirical study was conducted using a questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions. The empirical results from the nine sections researched showed some distinct findings, from which the following recommendations were drawn: management should consider employees' involvement during goal setting in the department; management should work towards building in job motivators into the employees’ jobs; management should ensure that there is a reputable performance reward and recognition system in place that is agreed upon with staff, instead of imposing the system; management should support nurses in ensuring that their working conditions and salaries and benefits are improved; and It is therefore the responsibility of managers to ensure that staff are always kept motivated in order to increase job performance.

After a review of the literature relevant to performance management systems both over time and across different types of organizations, this thesis confines its research To a case study of the Role of Performance Management in The Motivation of Employees in an organization. Important insight was gained into the relative importance of the performance management practices to promote desired employee outcomes. In view thereof that a discussion of performance in organizations is incomplete without reference to the construct of organizational culture, this study also provided propositions to prompt further research on the role of performance management in reinforcing a high performance organizational culture. Insightful conclusions were drawn from the results obtained and recommendations are made for future research.

A number of organisations are continuously searching for methods which can be used to improve performance. One such method entails implementing a performance management programme. However, despite a growing body of research that supports the positive impact that effective performance management can have on an organisation’s performance, evidence suggests that organisations in South Africa and elsewhere are not implementing the practices that are recommended by the theory of best practice in Human Resources and performance management (Kock, Roodt & Veldsman, 2002:83). The institutionalisation of performance management in the South African public service after 1994 came as a result of the need to change the legacy of poor performance of the public service (Malefane, 2010:1). This study seeks to examine the effectiveness of the implementation of performance management in the Provincial Treasury, Province of the Eastern Cape (Provincial Treasury). Literature reveals that there is consensus on the view that performance management is a tool that contributes to the effective management of employees in order to yield high organisational performance. Armstrong and Baron (2005 :vii) contend that if performance levels of individuals are raised, better organisational performance levels will follow. According to Dessler, (1997:372) performance management is a systematic approach to managing people, goals, measurement, feedback, and recognition as a way of motivating employees to achieve their full potential in line with the organisation’s objectives. In the South African context, performance management is described in terms of its role and outcome with regard to employee development; hence it is widely referred to by public sector employees as a Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) (Malefane, 2010:7). The Annual Performance Plan (APP) of the Office of the Premier (OTP APP, 2010/11:5) insists that the Eastern Cape Provincial Administration is still plagued with inter alia, a work ethic that is less desirable, weak human capital management culture, poor compliance with policies, lack of accountability and discipline as well as capacity challenges in critical areas which include planning, financial management, monitoring and reporting as well as systematic performance and an inability to respond to identified service delivery challenges. Public sector reforms have been adopted in this province in an attempt to improve performance in order to meet service delivery initiatives. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 30 participants of the Provincial Treasury (employees between salary levels 6 and 8 as well as managers from salary levels 9-13). A qualitative approach was preferred in this study to enhance objectivity which would have vanished if quantitative or experimental strategies were employed. The empirical findings revealed that the employees and the management of this Department perceive that there is no clearly defined purpose of performance management. There is also a feeling that performance management is not useful in identifying under-performers and ineffective in raising the performance of employees. Consequently, it is unable to assist the subordinates to grow. Others felt that performance management is not a developmental tool. It also emerged from the empirical findings of this study that the current rating system does not serve its intended purpose and therefore it should be replaced. Recommendations and suggestions are adopted in this study to address these perceptions.

The study aims to identify which performance appraisal system is currently used in The Cold Chain, how this system compare with the fundamental requirements of a successful appraisal system and what requirements can be adopted to make the way in which Team Leaders are appraised more effective. An introduction into The Cold Chain, the identification of the problem and the relevance of the study is followed by a literature overview of performance management, the role of performance appraisals and the requirements for a successful performance appraisal system. Various appraisal systems, problems associated with performance appraisals and a framework for the development of an efficient system is discussed. Research conducted using a questionnaire sent to Team Leaders in The Cold Chain, delivered results which were analysed and discussed in Chapter four. In addition to biographical information, the function, effectiveness, evaluator involvement, objectives and criteria, requirements for performance appraisals, organisational alignment and evaluator faults were discussed. It was found that the current performance appraisal system in use at Mercor is a trait scale system. A trait scale method of performance appraisals does not reflect measurement against clearly defined job criteria and is difficult to legally defend. The essential elements for successful appraisal systems such as reliability, relevance, sensitivity, uncontaminated information, acceptability, practicality and legality will be present in a 360-degree approach and the implementation of such a system in Mecor was recommended.

Performance management systems help align individual goals and objectives with those of the organisation. The system engages employees and thereby directs them toward achieving the strategic goals of the organisation. The purpose of this research study was to conduct an investigation at a manufacturing jeweller in the Western Cape to establish whether a performance management system would facilitate the achievement of the organisation’s strategic goals and objectives. Preliminary investigations showed that the organisation was using a performance appraisal process which was not effective in facilitating the organisation’s strategic objectives. Based on the initial investigation, this study was undertaken. To achieve the goals of this study, 33 employees of the organisation were presented with a questionnaire based on important key elements of performance management. Responses were received from 31 employees, of which one was from senior management, two from management, three from supervisory staff, and 25 from general staff members. Their responses to the questionnaire were analysed and evaluated and, based on the findings, recommendations were made. The results of the study showed that problems exist in the organisation which impede achievement of its strategic goals. A performance management system would assist the organisation in many of these areas to overcome the identified problems. The results of the study will enable the management of the organisation to design and implement a performance management system to facilitate the achievement of the organisation’s strategic goals.

M.Ed. / This study forms part of a greater, ongoing research project concerning teacher competence and its assessment. The project focuses on researching teacher opinion on teacher competences by the initial research. This research project is a group project initiated to investigate teacher competence, its measurement and the implication thereof for school effectiveness and improvement. The following factors were identified namely the learning environment, professional commitment, order and discipline, educational foundation, reflection, cooperative ability, effectiveness and management styles. What does the basic rights of education mean against the background of the past? Superordinate goals aim at improving matriculation results. The aim is to change the public school into a community school which means increased parental involvement. This could be done by legitimising civic groups. The problem facing the present educational system is to strategise and develop interest, remedy the lack of motivation, increase trust, and develop relevant management skills. The constitution guarantees equal access to basic education. Inequalities in education must be redressed. The principles include the development of independent and critical thinking. The overall aim is lifelong education and training of good quality. This would increase teacher competence. Teachers should Professor Bengu (1995:1) in the Hunter's Report commented that this present education system was the most fractured and inequitable on the face of the earth. Nevertheless the Hunter Report seems safe to assume that the commitment in the White Paper to ten years of free and compulsory education would satisfy the constitutional requirements of the right to basic education at this stage of our country's development. However teachers are seen as "aliens" by the school and community as they do not participate in village or farm life. The professional life of a teacher presents few challenges because they do not have access to ownership of land. Teachers have little legitimacy in their communities. The Hunter Report recommended that public schools entertain a partnership funding approach balancing the demand of the four key principles namely attaining equity, redressing past imbalances, advancing equality and improving efficiency. The Hunter Report suggested that training relevant to personnel should be established by an Educational Management Information System and an Educational Management Training Institute. Factors which could possibly have contributed to the poor matriculation results at the schools were evident in a summary of the Examiner's Reports(Education Bulletin, ex House of Representatives, 1995 : 345). These include many candidates who lack basic examination techniques that should have been taught and consolidated in Standard Nine. All the work in the syllabus was not covered. All this points to some form of teacher

M.Ed. / This study forms part of a comprehensive research project concerning teacher competence and its evaluation. A pilot study had been completed by lecturers from the Education Department at Rand Afrikaans University in 1994/5. An analysis of the data identified eight factors linked to teacher competence. These are: * The learning environment * Professional commitment * Order and Discipline * Educational foundation * Teacher reflection * Co-operative ability * Effectiveness * Leadership In addition to the above, five factors concerning the person evaluating teacher competence were identified. These are: * Invitational feedback * Transparent feedback * Tactful feedback * Credible feedback * Culturally sensitive feedback This research essay is part of the research undertaken on tactful feedback provided by educational managers during teacher evaluation. Tactful feedback has been conceptualised to consist of the following four aspects, namely: clarity, motivation, approach and openness (Bell, 1988:176-177; Montgomery & Hadfield, 1989:105-107). This particular research paper, therefore, focuses on the aspect of clarity in tactful feedback and its implication for the management of teacher competence. In view of the preceding brief introduction, the motivation for this study will be discussed.

Bibliography: pages 85-87. / A simplified cohort survival analysis was used to investigate the academic progression of first-time entering undergraduate students within four large bachelors' degree programmes at the University of Cape Town. The rates of graduation, academic exclusion and voluntary drop-out were quantified in relation to the matriculation authorities and prior matriculation performance of the students within each of the four cohorts. The results of the analyses served to identify specific areas of concern with regard to the internal efficiencies in student progression through each of the four degree programmes, and it is suggested that the availability of information of this type will be essential in the attainment of the institutional transformation goals set out in the 1997 White Paper on the transformation of higher education in South Africa. Significant relationships between the matriculation criteria and the final academic outcomes of students within each cohort were detected using log-near modelling. By means of multiple discriminant analysis, significant predictor variables of the final undergraduate academic outcomes within each cohort were identified. However, the relatively weak discriminatory powers of the multiple discriminant models and the poor predictive accuracy of the associated classification functions suggest the variables included in these analyses did not adequately explain the variability in the final undergraduate academic outcomes of students within the selected cohorts. The extent of the voluntary drop-out phenomenon within each of the cohorts was quantified in relation to matriculation criteria, and further analysis of the cohorts indicated that factors other than academic difficulty appeared to have prompted the greater proportion of the voluntary withdrawals. Those students who had dropped out voluntarily were therefore not included in either the log-linear models or the multiple discriminant analyses.

A dissertation submitted to the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the degree Master of Arts in History by dissertation, 2018 / Why has South Africa failed to institute a teacher evaluation system that produces meaningful results? I aim to contribute to an understanding of why and how various South African post-1994 teacher evaluation policies have failed to become institutionalised and have failed to ensure either robust teacher accountability or professional development. In this dissertation, I examine the history of teacher evaluation in South Africa, in order to understand the evolution of these policies and systems over time. After discussing the legacy of apartheid-era evaluation, I assess three post-1994 policy phases: the 1998 Developmental Appraisal System (DAS), the 2001 Whole School Evaluation (WSE) policies and the 2003 Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS). This historical approach allows me to analyse the successes and failures of these policies in depth and context. Each of these policies has been shaped by, has tried to respond to, and has ultimately failed to confront the challenges of the past. They must also be understood to be a part of a continuous policymaking process, each one building upon and responding to the last. This dissertation contributes to an understanding of why these evaluation policies, despite massive investments of time, energy and resources, and complex and tough negotiations, have repeatedly failed. I argue that a flawed policy process consistently reiterates the same tensions and false assumptions in each new policy, and does not address these fundamental weaknesses. These appraisal policies reflect negotiations and contestations between teacher unions and the state, while the policies themselves and their outcomes further complicate those union-state relationships. The tensions and contradictions within these policies are the product of a policymaking process that tries to cater to mutually exclusive interests. The history of these institutions – teacher unions, the state, collective bargaining bodies – and the relationships between them must be understood in order to grapple with the policymaking environment fully. Further, even as these policies have been renegotiated and redeveloped, they have all failed to engage with the actual realities of teachers and classrooms in the majority of schools in South Africa. The legacy of apartheid education is still manifest in the abilities, attitudes and politics of teachers, and policymakers on all sides of the process have consistently failed to confront that history and propose real strategies for change. / XL2019