In 2002 New Zealand�s government set out to "accelerate" the nation�s "transformation into a knowledge society" (Ministry of Education, 2002a, p. 16). Underpinning the development of this so-called 'knowledge society' was a new approach in the way tertiary education was funded. This included introducing a new contestable model of research funding called Performance-Based Research Funding (PBRF). The research reported here was conducted at a critical juncture in the ongoing development and implementation of PBRF because it captures the experiences of fifteen academics as they encounter PBRF and the Quality Evaluation exercise for the first time. Their experiences of the inaugural 2003 Quality Evaluation exercise were examined using a discourse analysis approach informed by Michel Foucault�s (1926-1984) ideas of 'subjection' and 'governmentality'. 'Subjection' occurs when individuals shape their identities by responding to the multiple discourses that are available to them at any particular time and within any historical context (Foucault, 1969). 'Governmentality' refers to a particular instrument, technique or activity that guides and shapes conduct by producing a compliant human subject capable of supporting the interests and objectives of the state (Foucault, 1994a). In the case of academics this might mean conforming to PBRF policies and practices and participating in the development and transformation of a new 'knowledge society'. In this thesis I examine the potential for PBRF to reshape and redirect the nature of research and suggest that some assessment elements of the 2003 Quality Evaluation were flawed and, as a result, a number of participants in this study were now making decisions about their research that appeared contrary to their best interests. I also investigate PBRF as a field of compliance and argue that the Quality Evaluation exercise represents a technology of government that targets the activities and practices of New Zealand�s research academics with the effect of manifesting a more docile and compliant academic subject. I then question PBRF�s impact on the career aspirations and opportunities of academics and claim that the PBRF Quality Evaluation framework has already shifted from being a mechanism for distributing funds for research to one that identifies and rewards the most 'talented' researchers via institutional appointments and promotions. Finally, I interrogate the pursuit and practice of academic freedom and argue that as a consequence of PBRF, a number of participants in this study have positioned themselves in ways that could diminish and constrain their traditional rights to academic freedom. PBRF has the potential to locate academics within a new status-driven hierarchy of professional validation whereby the Quality Evaluation exercise will purportedly measure, evaluate and reward the most 'talented' researchers and the 'best' research. In this thesis I argue that the PBRF Quality Evaluation framework operates as a form of disciplinary power exercised as part of an international trend of intensifying audit and assessment practices in higher education. In this sense, I claim that PBRF exists as an instrument of governmentality capable of constituting a new type of academic subject by significantly shifting the way academics will have to think and conduct their professional selves in relation to their work and research.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, 2003. / A thesis presented to the University of Western Sydney in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Includes bibliography.

Thesis (Ph. D.) - University of Göttingen, 2004.

Thesis (MEd)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / Many schools in the Western Cape Province of South Africa have opted to change from a fee-paying school to that of no-fee paying school, due to the small or no income of funding received annually from learners from poor economic backgrounds. The study aimed to investigate whether this school fee system was able to successfully address barriers which the previous system was unable to, and for this reason I addressed the stakeholders who are involved in the implementation of this no-fee school policy. This study aimed to explore the experiences of teachers and parents at the no-fee school well after its transition from feepaying. In summary, the study examined whether the no-fee allocated funds per learner were able to improve the school performance indicators (school facilities, resources, teacher complement, pass rates, infrastructure, etc.), since the change took place. The study applied a qualitative case study methodology to realize its purpose. I used purposeful sampling to select one newly declared no-fee school. From this school, one principal, six teachers and four sets of parents were interviewed on their experiences regarding this policy. Semi-structured interviews and observation with document analysis were triangulated to collect and enrich the data. The study revealed that this no-fee school was able to address the needs of the poor in the Lotus River historically disadvantaged community.

The aim of the study is to determine the extent of Total Quality Management training by the government business support institutions in the enterprise development of Small Medium Micro Enterprises in Buffalo City Metro area. The study reflects on the Total Quality Management elements and enterprise development activities by the government institutions located in the Buffalo City Metro area. The researcher conducted literature review to ascertain what does Total Quality Management training entails. The study discussed the enterprise development services offered by the Government business support agencies in Buffalo City Metro. The empirical study conducted determined the views of Small Medium Micro Enterprises assisted by government business support service towards Total Quality Management. The researcher collected quantitative data from the judgemental sample using five point linkert scale questionnaire. The study achieved the response rate of 52.5 percent. Descriptive statistics of the data was analysed using MS Excel, and the internal consistency or reliability was determined using SPSS software. The data achieved the Chronbach’s Alpha co-efficient of 0.879. The research finding has certain limitations, and these limitations provide opportunities for further research studies. The limitation of this study was the fact that the sample was judgemental. It is possible that if another sampling method is used, it could arrive at a different conclusion. The results from the study indicate that the government business support institutions in Buffalo City area do not provide total quality management training. Although it was not a focus of the research, the study found that the three government institutions also located in Buffalo City Metro area are not used by the Small Medium Micro Enterprises. Government business support institutions need to offer total quality management training as part of enterprise development.

Thesis (MPAM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / The study explored the challenges faced by the law enforcement agencies on illicit tobacco smuggling across South Africa and Zimbabwe at the Beitbridge port of entry. Literature states that globally law enforcement agencies are faced with a huge challenge at the borders in controlling the trade of tobacco product: South Africa has no exemption on this matter. This mini-dissertation analyses the effectiveness and efficiency of law enforcement and the control of illicit trade of tobacco product at Beitbridge port of entry. The lack of operation coordination strategies and workload within law enforcement agencies were fully examined with a view to come up with appropriate measures to improve control at research area. The South African Government tobacco control policy has been in place since the early 1990’s with legislative instruments requiring mandatory health warning labels on tobacco products, banning public and underage smoking. Porous borders and corruption of officials working at the boarders are the exacerbating illicit tobacco. An explanatory qualitative method design was used in this study which helped to gather data to explain the phenomenon in more depth. The chosen study area of this research is the Beitbridge port of entry which is situated in the far North of the Limpopo Province of South Africa. A purposive sample was used in the study to select participants in the following law enforcement agencies, namely SAPS, SARS and SANDF. Improved working collaboration between SAPS, SARS and SANDF and other stakeholders will immensely benefit the society and government. The qualitative study method was done in this research. The research sample was the law enforcement officers responsible for curbing the illicit trade of tobacco product in a multidisciplinary approach at the Beitbridge border post from the three departments, which are SAPS, SARS and SANDF. The data was only collected from the South African side of Beitbridge not from Zimbabwean side. Thematic analysis was then used to analyse the findings. Permission to conduct the study was sought from relevant authorities, ethics of informed consent, confidentiality and voluntarily participation were utilised. The following themes emerged during the data analysis: access to the border and also to the policies as well as to the members of selected departments working at the Beitbridge border post. The responses from the findings were analyses based on the interview guide used to collect data. The respondents confirmed that though there are coordinated efforts to prevent, combat and detect illicit cigarettes there is a need for adequate resources like storage facilities, sniffer dogs and scanners at the border. Based on the responses received, it was concluded that there is an existence of some form of coordination of activities relating to operations at the border within the law enforcement agencies responsible for curb illicit trade.

The focus of the study was to observe changes brought about by the implementation of Chapter 2 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 in local jurisdictions of government when the disposition of federal funds were under local control. The study investigated the extent to which the six expressed intentions of Chapter 2, ECIA legislation were realized in 154 local education agencies in the state of Mississippi two years after implementation. Specifically, the six legislative concerns were to: * Reduce the amount of paperwork without reducing the quality of programs, * Equalize the distribution of federal funds without reducing the benefits to specific target populations, * Increase local discretion without diminishing prior program commitments to the original national priorities, * Increase the role of private education without raising the constitutional issue, * Reduce reporting and evaluation requirements without a commensurate loss of accountability, and * Reduce the constraints on SEAs in the planning of federally funded projects and programs without a loss of perceived quality in those programs. Data sources collected for analysis included: a mail survey, interviews with state and local school personnel, and supportive documents from both the state education agency and local school districts. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. From the study it was concluded that, while the goals of Chapter 2, ECIA legislation were admirable, they were replete with unintended consequences. Further, while many of the legislative objectives were met at the national level several of the objectives had differing effects in a state like Mississippi which exerted little SEA influence. / Ph. D.

The study focuses on the extent to which the “no fee” policy affects the financial management and support for educational programmes at “no fee” secondary schools in Mpumalanga. The “no fee” policy derives from the Education Laws Amendment Act (Act No. 24 of 2005) according to which the levying of mandatory fees have been abolished at public schools that are declared “no fee” institutions. The State has subsequently assumed the role of funding these “no fee” schools in order to create greater access to quality education and to improve the supply of educational resources as well as equipment in the impoverished schools. The findings of the research study eventually led to the recommendations that are presented as guidelines for the SGBs, principals as well as education authorities on the management of “no fee” schools. / Further Teacher Education / M.A. (Education Management)

South Africa began with the ‘no-fee’ school policy (NFSP) implementation on 01 January 2007. The policy abolished mandatory school fees in public ordinary schools to make basic education available to poor learners in the country. However, critics argued that the NFSP implementation made poor schools poorer and needed researched. This prompted an exploration on “No-fee schools’ inability to address the needs of the poor in Limpopo” The researcher randomly sampled ten ‘no-fee’ primary schools for the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and documentation. Interviewees were principals, treasurers and chairpersons of school governing bodies from the schools studied. The collected data were analysed through inductive techniques. The study discovered that the no-fee schools were unable to address the needs of the poor in Limpopo. The study concluded with recommendations for empowering no-fee schools on addressing the needs of the poor in Limpopo and for topics on future research. / Thesis (M. Ed. (Educational Management))

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The theme of this study is an investigation of the financing issues of Universities, with specific reference to the Graduate School of Business of the University of Stellenbosch. The goal of the study is to determine what influence the successful or non-successful completion of studies at the Management School have on the subsidies that the University of Stellenbosch, and therefor the Business School, receive from the state. The following critical factors influence the University's revenue from subsidies. Firstly, time plays a role. It is a fact that when a student is successful in obtaining a degree within the minimum period or longer, or not al all, this directly influences the funding of the University, and therefor also that of the specific department, because each cost unit at University and Faculty level is directly influenced by the number of enrolled students who successfully complete their credits. The principles of the subsidising of instruction inputs and outputs causes that it is more important for the university that students attain their specific credits and therefor their degrees in the minimum prescribed period of time, rather than eventually attaining their degrees. If a student enroll for a number of credits in a specific year, but he does not attain those credits that year, it means that the university will effectively only receive half of the normal subsidy amount, because subsidy will not be calculated for the next year for success. The second factor is the demographic profile of students. Because of the entry of previously disadvantaged communities, and their bigger demand and need for training, there will in future be more and more pressure on the funding principles and the subsidies that universities receive from the government. This will force universities to find ways to support students, and encourage them to attain their degrees within the prescribed time frame, without compromising standards. The third factor is that the central government does not pay the subsidies that it should pay in terms of the so-called subsidy formula. These factors make it imperative that enrolled students should attain their degrees as soon as possible. This study focuses therefor on the so-called subsidy formula and how the success ratio of MBA-students impact on the financing of current expenditure of the Business School of the University of Stellenbosch. In order to make recommendations on which actions the Business School needs to take in the light of successful completion of studies, the following work method was followed. Various personnel of the Administrative Department of the University of Stellenbosch (US), as well as the Business School of the University of Stellenbosch (USB), was interviewed to determine how the formula is used within the framework of the University, as well as to obtain information and statistics on the study patterns of students of the USB. A study was conducted of previous, the current and future funding formulae. Personal interviews were conducted with people at the Management School of the University of Potchefstroom to compare their MBA-course with that of the USB. The most important finding of this study is that Universities should do everything in their power to ensure that students successfully obtain their course credits within the prescribed minimum period, as the subsidy payable for non-successful students are half of that payable for successful students. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tema van hierdie studie is 'n ondersoek na die finansieringsvraagstukke van universiteite, met spesifieke verwysing na die Bestuurskool van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Die doelwit van die studie is om te bepaal watter invloed die afstudering of nie-afstudering van studente aan die Bestuurskool (USB) het op die subsidie wat die Universiteit van Stellenbosch, en uiteindelik die Bestuurskool, van die Staat ontvang. Die volgende kritieke faktore beïnvloed die Universiteit se inkomste uit subsidies. Eerstens speel tyd 'n rol. Dit is 'n feit dat indien 'n student suksesvol binne die minimum tydperk of langer afstudeer, of glad nie, dit 'n direkte invloed op die befondsing van die Universteit, en uiteindelik die befondsing van die departement het, omdat elke koste-eenheid op Universiteits- en Fakulteitsvlak direk geraak word deur die getal ingeskrewe studente wat hulle krediete suksesvol voltooi. Die beginsels ten opsigte van die subsidiëring van instruksie-insette en -uitsette veroorsaak dat dit belangriker is vir die universiteit dat studente hulle spesifieke krediete en dus hulle grade binne die voorgeskrewe minimum periode moet behaal, eerder as dat hulle uiteindelik grade moet behaal. Indien 'n student inskryf vir 'n aantal krediete in 'n sekere jaar, maar nie in daardie jaar sy krediete behaal nie, beteken dit dat hy effektief net die helfte van sy normale subsidiebedrag vir die universiteit beteken, aangesien daar vir die volgende jaar nie weer subsidie bereken kan word ten opsigte van sukses nie. Die tweede faktor is die demografiese profiel van studente. Die toetrede van die voorheen agtergeblewe gemeenskappe, en hulle groter eise en behoefte aan opleiding, veroorsaak dat daar in die toekoms meer en meer druk op die befondsingsbeginsels en die subsidie wat universiteite van die staat ontvang, gaan wees. Dit sal universiteite noodsaak om wyses te vind om studente te ondersteun en aan te moedig om hulle grade binne die voorgeskrewe tyd te behaal, sonder om standaarde te verlaag. Die derde faktor is dat die sentrale regering vir die afgelope paar jaar al, nie die volle subsidies betaal wat hy behoort te betaal ingevolge die sogenaamde subsidieformules nie. Hierdie faktore noodsaak dit dat ingeskrewe studente dus so vinnig as moontlik moet afstudeer. Die studie fokus derhalwe op die sogenaamde subsidieformule en hoe die suksesratio van MBA-studente impakteer op die finansiering van lopende uitgawes van die Bestuurskool van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Ten einde aanbevelings te maak oor watter optredes die Bestuurskool in die lig van suksesvolle afstudering behoort te neem, is die volgende werkswyse gevolg. Onderhoude is gevoer met verskeie persone verbonde aan die Administratiewe Departement van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch (US), sowel as die Bestuurskool van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch (USB), om te bepaal hoe die formule binne die raamwerk van die Universiteit toegepas word, asook om inligting te opsigte van die afstuderingstendense van studente aan die USB te bekom. Daar is 'n studie gedoen ten opsigte van vorige, die huidige en toekomstige subsidieformules. Die respondent het ook onderhoude gevoer met persone verbonde aan die Bestuurskool van die Potchefstroomse Universiteit vir Christelike Hoër Onderwys om vergelykings te tref tussen hulle MBA-program en die van die USB. Die belangrikste bevindings van hierdie studie is dat Universiteite alles in hulle vermoë moet doen om te verseker dat studente hulle kursuskrediete op tyd suksesvol voltooi, aangesien die subsidie betaalbaar ten opsigte van nie suksesvolle studente die helfte beloop van die subsidie wat betaal sal word vir 'n suksesvolle student.