Authors:Norman T. Nhede; Adrino Mazenda, Tyanai Masiya Abstract: Background: With technology now being embedded in almost every business, it can be argued that the advancement in technologies has brought the world at the cusp of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). This article, focuses on developing countries, with specific reference to South Africa. Competition in the provision of goods and services, as well as constant changes in the preferences of customers, has resulted in the need for the public service to come up with novel skills and strategies in the use of modern technologies aimed at improving service delivery.Aim: Firstly, the article identifies the critical drivers for advanced technological changes, and the opportunities and challenges of embracing the 4IR. Secondly, it makes suggestions on how South Africa’s public service can enhance its preparedness to embrace technological changes in order to harness the opportunities and mitigate the impact of the 4IR.Methods: The study followed a qualitative approach, using secondary documents, analysing and providing insight on embracing the 4IR in the public service.Results: This study established that South Africa is amongst the countries that have not yet fully embraced the digital transformation of the economy. The public service should utilise technology to help solve service delivery challenges. Employees need to possess relevant skills to enhance service delivery.Conclusion: The article concludes that comprehensive and robust education, including training and development programmes suitable for the public service, needs to be developed, in keeping with the 4IR’s requisite skill requirements. The government needs to align its human-resource policies to the 4IR. PubDate: Thu, 12 May 2022 07:00:00 +020
Authors:Tawanda Nyikadzino; Shikha Vyas-Doorgapersad Abstract: Background: The national development roadmap of the Zimbabwean government emphasises devolution as a fundamental plank in alleviating poverty and regional inequalities. However, the government is grappling with the transition to a devolved government system.Aim: This article aimed to explore the critical success factors for guiding the devolution process in Zimbabwe.Setting: The research is descriptive in nature and provides a detailed analysis of the devolution processes in Zimbabwe.Methods: The article is theoretical, and considered a qualitative, descriptive research approach.Results: The article argues that devolution has the potential to achieve the intended benefits if implementation fundamentals are in place.Conclusion: The article provides the political, fiscal, legislative, and institutional reforms critical for the successful implementation of devolution. These reforms are complementary and mutually reinforcing in facilitating the transition to a devolved government system. PubDate: Wed, 20 Apr 2022 07:00:00 +020
Authors:Refiloe L. Thokoa; Vinessa Naidoo, Tessie H.H. Herbst Abstract: Background: The study rests on the idea that the National Treasury (NT) impacts direct service delivery at the country level through its budget preparation and budget implementation monitoring processes. Both processes are meant to ensure that departments are appropriately resourced, and should, therefore, be able to achieve objectives contained in their performance plans. The study focuses on the service quality provided by the NT in performing these functions.Aim: To provide insights on the level of service quality provided by NT to national government departments and the role of expectations in its measurement.Setting: The study was conducted in Pretoria, and respondents were employees in the Administration Division of national government departments.Methods: The study followed a quantitative approach and used primary data which was collected between October and December 2019. The mean (µ), standard deviation (SD), gap analysis, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Scheffe’s test as a post-test were the key statistical techniques used.Results: Service quality was found to be appropriate based on both the SERVQUAL and SERVPERF models. More positive results are however observed when service expectations are excluded as guided by the latter. Service expectations were found to be an unstable factor in the measurement of service quality.Conclusion: An online service quality review system to be established by NT in support of the New Public Management movement. The NT to ensure that external marketing media, which impact service expectations, are realistic. PubDate: Thu, 31 Mar 2022 07:00:00 +020
Authors:Moses M. Gasela Abstract: Background: Creating an enabling organisational culture in an organisation is important for a successful strategy implementation, yet the influence of organisational culture on organisational performance in South African (SA) public entities is unknown.Aim: This study aimed to determine the influence of organisational culture on organisational performance during strategy implementation in schedule 3 public entities in the Northern Cape (NC) province.Setting: The schedule 3 public entities at the provincial level, in terms of organisational culture, leadership, corporate controls, strategy alignment, strategy implementation and organisational performance.Method: The survey design and a semi-structured questionnaire were used to collect data from a random sample of 38 respondents, comprising 32 senior managers of the public entities and six executives from three NC Provincial Government Departments. Data were analysed using regression analysis and document analysis.Results: Based on the perceptions of the respondents, it was found that organisational culture does not affect the organisational performance during strategy implementation. The existing organisational culture does not support strategy implementation, and this is negatively affecting organisation performance in the public entities.Conclusion: The findings reveal that organisational culture does not affect the organisational performance during strategy implementation in the schedule 3 public entities in the NC province. In some cases, the cultures would be able to facilitate strategy implementation, but they cannot because of a lack of financial and human capital resources. Hence, the issues around resources need to be addressed for the entities to meet their strategic objectives and management should make appropriate interventions to promote a healthy organisational culture that will support strategy implementation. PubDate: Fri, 25 Mar 2022 07:00:00 +020
Authors:Jerome J. Patience; Danielle Nel Abstract: Background: Local government as the sphere of government that directly impacts the lives of communities must create a milieu of interacting with communities in terms of planning, execution and the monitoring and evaluation of the success or failure of its programmes. Local government has a moral and a legislative duty to involve communities thereby extending and deepening democratic and accountable government processes.Aim: This study aimed to analyse how democratic and accountable governance can assist in creating sustainable processes of involvement of its communities. Local government is government’s main contributor to the socio-economic growth and development, not only of a country but more so, its people. The article emphasises improvement in the current processes of community involvement in strategic planning and the execution of such plans in general and at the city of Ekurhuleni (COE) in particular. It further aims to indicate to the city that its processes are not taking into account communities’ feelings of self-worth, humanity and identity.Setting: Within the COE, situated in the Gauteng province of South Africa (SA).Methods: The study followed a qualitative approach in terms of the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) and the network governance theory served as the theoretical framework.Results: The findings indicate that communities and community bodies who are to serve as actors in collaboration with the city in their planning and execution processes experience alienation from council, councillors and even ward committees and their members. Community actors are of the opinion that councillors only know them during their election campaigns, and when elections have come and gone, councillors are gone as well.Conclusion: Recommendations include that when dealing with community affairs there should be no political party affiliation and that councillors must know that communication is a two-way tool that should benefit all parties. Councillors are to commit themselves to the improvement of community members’ lives and socio-economic upliftment. PubDate: Mon, 28 Feb 2022 13:32:36 +020
Authors:Tando Rulashe; Edwin O.C. Ijeoma Abstract: Background: The South African public sector still faces numerous challenges of public accountability and corruption 26 years post the establishment of a democratic government and a free society. These challenges are mainly found in the local sphere of government which is the heart of where service delivery takes place.Aim: This article aimed to examine the public accountability strategies and mechanisms being used at the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape province whilst giving a conceptual view of how corruption and maladministration adversely affected the municipality and province.Setting: This study was conducted at the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa.Method: The study adopted an explanatory sequential design based on a mixed-methods approach where data was collected through questionnaires and secondary documents. Data was analysed through a comparative lens and thematic analysis. A total sample of 47 participants was chosen through a purposive sampling technique.Results: The key findings of the study revealed that there is a lack of communication between local government and the residents. As well as poor implementation of accountability mechanisms and capacity issues, that is, lack of training and resources amongst others contributed to the ailing public accountability and service delivery issues.Conclusions: Conclusions drawn reflect a municipality that is struggling with huge backlogs on service delivery. Furthermore, public accountability mechanisms exist but implementation is a challenge. Recommendations included enhanced community engagement and participation, capacity building and skills development, the promotion of individual independence of the community, enhancement of resources and infrastructure and the enhancement of the Public Participation Unit. PubDate: Thu, 24 Feb 2022 13:55:12 +020
Authors:Mulatu F. Zerihun; Mariann P. Mashingo Abstract: Background: In South Africa, poor service delivery has been a major problem in many municipalities, partly because of corruption, political patronage and skills deficits at local administrative levels.Aim: This study aimed to critically assess the extent of service delivery deficit and find ways to improve service delivery in the study area and beyond.Setting: This study is framed on the ideals of theory of social contract that states the relationship between the state and society. In this line, this study highlights Weber’s theory of bureaucracy and the new public management (NPM) that gets its theoretical foundations from public choice and principal–agent theories.Methods: The study used primary data collected from 120 respondents. A descriptive quantitative method was used using questionnaire and content analysis of official documentations.Results: The study finds that residents in the study area are not satisfied with the level of current municipal services provided. In addition, the study reveals that the municipality does not generate enough funds because of non-payment for the services rendered that will substantially reduce basic municipal services provision. Furthermore, contrary to the common belief that rural municipal residents demand free services, this study finds that residents are willing to pay modest fees for the quality services rendered.Conclusion: The residents in the Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality (DR JSMLM) value essential services such as water and electricity more than other services. The status of service delivery in the municipality is rated poor. However, the residents still believe that there are possibilities for the improvements in the service delivery if the municipality adheres to its Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for the years ahead. PubDate: Thu, 17 Feb 2022 14:45:02 +020
Authors:Kaizer Nyatsumba; David Pooe Abstract: Background: At its formation, Kenya Airways (KQ) was poorly capitalised and its management team highly inexperienced. The airline’s financial and related performance deteriorated from the early years, thus affecting the airline’s financial health and its reputation negatively. In an effort to correct matters, KQ went through four turnaround situations over the years.Aim: This article explores experiences and challenges associated with the KQ implementation of its turnaround strategies.Setting: The study is based on KQ, which has seen one turnaround between 2004 and 2016.Method: The article adopted a qualitative research approach using a case study research design. Eleven participants were purposively selected for the interviews. Documents were also used as sources of data. Thematic data analysis was used as a form of content analysis.Results: Seven themes emerged from the primary data analysis. These include: employee involvement, exogenous factors, high operational and debt servicing costs, management-union conflict, debt restructuring, nationalisation and leadership.Conclusion: The study concludes that the kind of leadership required during turnaround situations differs from when the company is on autopilot. During turnaround times, the chief executive officer (CEO) needs to exercise the authority recommended in the literature and that the shareholder and the board needs to give them the necessary space to exercise such authority. PubDate: Mon, 14 Feb 2022 13:39:32 +020
Authors:Keoagile C. Kobedi; Elana Swanepoel, Marius Venter Abstract: Background: To address poverty and unemployment, local government implemented programmes, such as the Community Work Programme (CWP), aimed at empowering the community through the provision of employment and skills to provide a safety net to the poor by allowing them to earn a monthly wage.Aim: This study aimed to investigate the CWP’s contribution towards employment or job creation within Region 1 of the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality community, specifically in Erasmus and Soshanguve.Setting: A CWP was started 11 years ago in the City of Tshwane, in Region 1 – Erasmus and Soshanguve. It provides wages to 2000 people.Method: A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire with a face-to-face interview of 219 respondents.Results: The results reveal that the CWP is contributing financially to the well-being of the participants, but the latter tend to stay with the CWP and do not progress to permanent employment. Although some participants intend to start their own business, it seems they lack the skills.Conclusion: Although participants benefited financially and socially, it seems that limited skills were acquired, particular entrepreneurial skills relevant to starting an own business venture. It is recommended that the data be further analysed with regard to the level of satisfaction and skills capacity development by the CWP. PubDate: Mon, 31 Jan 2022 07:00:00 +020
Authors:Sibusiso M. Zuma Abstract: Background: Essential medicines are important in the provision of healthcare services. In order to promote effective management of diseases, essential medicines should be consistently available at various healthcare service points. However, in several parts of South Africa and other African countries, there are challenges with essential medicines provisioning, as evidenced by public health sector stock-outs occurring when patients visiting the healthcare services do not get all the medicine prescribed for their health conditions. This research investigated the problems involved in the provision of essential medicines in order to propose strategies that will reduce medicine stock-outs.Aim: This study aimed to investigate the problems involved in the provision of essential medicines within the district healthcare services in order to propose strategies to promote reduction in medicine stock-outs.Method: A qualitative exploratory research design was utilised. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews with pharmaceutical managers identified as information-rich participants, as they have first-hand experience in the provision of essential medicines. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results: The study identified the various aspects including inadequate appointment of post-basic pharmacist assistants and manual medicine stock management systems have a negative impact on medicines provisioning in the public health sector. Rural health facilities experience more challenges with essential medicines provisioning.Conclusion: Based on the challenges identified, the study concludes that a comprehensive strategic framework should be implemented including placement of Post-Basic Pharmacist Assistants in the primary healthcare facilities and deployment of electronic medicine stock management system to facilitate consistent provisioning and availability of medicines in particular for the rural health facilities. PubDate: Mon, 31 Jan 2022 07:00:00 +020
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