Making qualitative research accessible and acceptable in the scientific management arena: a life-world perspective

Western organizational culture, in part founded on the scientific management (Taylorist) techniques employed by Henry Ford, tends to emphasize the capture and control of explicit forms of knowledge, and technological advancement has encouraged this tendency. This is apparent within hegemonic business practices (e.g. ITIL IT Service Management processes) which emphasize quantitative data collection. In contrast, managers are often frustrated by an inability to take control of tacit forms of knowledge, embodied within the worker and acknowledged as important for organizational success, yet resistant to effective quantitative data collection. As a business school researcher I was faced with the challenge of deciding upon a research method that would enable my interpretations to be both credible within the academic community and accessible and acceptable within the IT Service Management practitioner community. By close observation of specific work activity as it is experienced by the IT support worker, recording as much data as possible relating to the cerebral and sensory experience of the worker, the research attempts to draw diagrammatic patterns that provide some clarity for managers over the forms of knowledge that are used by a worker or team. The paper reflexively considers this qualitative research from the different life-world perspectives of the researcher-perceived academic and practitioner recipients of the research, seeking credibility, accessibility and acceptability across these life-worlds whilst maintaining researcher integrity

Determinants of Effective Public Financial Management in Agricultural Department of North Shoa Zone Administration, Amhara National Regional State

The purpose of this study was to investigate determinants of effective public financial management in Agricultural Department of North Shoa Zone Administration, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. The dependent variable of the study is effective public financial management. Five independent variables were identified including budgeting, accounting and reporting, internal control, external auditing, and leadership. The researcher used descriptive and explanatory research designs to accomplish the research objectives. A response rate of the study was 92.7 %. Cronbach’s alpha technique was used to test the reliability of the instrument. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (correlation and regression) with the help of SPSS version 20. According to the regression results, all of the six independent variables are making 79.2% contributions for effective public financial management in Agricultural Department of North Shoa Zone Administration. The study found that Budgeting, accounting and reporting, internal control, external auditing, and leadership have significant effect on effective public financial management of Agricultural Department of North Shoa Zone Administration. Based on the results of the study the researcher concluded that leadership is the most influential variable of effective PFM in this department followed by internal control and budgeting. Then, the researcher recommended that the Agricultural Department of North Shoa Zone Administration should understand the contributions of these five variables collectively significant for the effectiveness of public financial management. Finally, the researcher recommended further research by the other researchers including other public organizations of North Shoa Zone Administration. Keywords: Public Financial Management, Budgeting, Internal control, Leadership, Auditin

Managing ineffective secondary schools in Lejweleputswa district

Thesis (M. Ed.) Humanities)) -- Central University of Technology, Free state, 2013In this study, the researcher used literature review and empirical investigation to: * establish management styles that are adopted in both effective and ineffective secondary schools; * examine the main causes of secondary schools’ ineffectiveness; and * determine and recommend guidelines for the effective implementation of participative management styles in ineffective secondary schools. The research method consisted of an investigation in which a sample of two hundred educators in Lejweleputswa district in the Free State was involved. In order to determine the effective ways of managing ineffective secondary schools, each respondent completed a questionnaire. The empirical research was undertaken to gather information that could provide answers to the following research questions: * What management styles are adopted in both effective and ineffective secondary schools? * What are the main causes of ineffectiveness in secondary schools? * In what way can participative management styles change the status of ineffective secondary schools? The literature survey conducted by the researcher showed that leadership styles that are used as a measure for the effective management of secondary schools are effective. Effective management is developed and enhanced with the use of various leadership styles. The empirical investigation shows that: * educational activities presented are learner-centred * learner development is promoted through a well-designed academic programme * learner performance is regularly monitored * schools show appreciation for learners’ effort and success * learning environments are learner-friendly * educators are involved in decisions that have an effect on their employment * educators work together as co-workers to improve on their teaching practices * educators are provided with opportunities to upgrade their teaching skills * school management teams (SMT) delegate authority to their subordinates * educators turn teaching and learning into challenges that promote creative problem-solving skills * educators work effectively with parents and the community * educators do not work in isolation * there is no lack of social interaction among educators * educators do not find it difficult to control classroom events The researcher provided recommendations for the above findings. The recommendations were highlighted in chapter five. These recommendations proved to promote effective ways of managing ineffective secondary schools

Can Aspiring CEOs Mitigate Firm\u27s Earnings Management?

This study investigates the role of subordinate managers in monitoring myopic CEOs’ actions to mitigate the earnings management practices. Subordinate managers have longer horizon in the firm compared to the CEO and they have the power to withdraw their contributions to the firm, which will negatively affect the generation of cash flow in the current period. In this study, the researcher uses the mean age difference between the top four subordinate managers and the incumbent CEO as a proxy for the difference in appropriation horizon between the CEO and his/her subordinates. The findings suggest that internal governance, exercised by subordinate managers, can reduce the earnings management of the firm. In addition, the researcher finds that as the CEO age (CEO horizon) increase (decrease); it is more likely that the CEO will manage earnings. Furthermore, the results show a negative relationship between subordinate managers’ power and earnings management. These results suggest that the powerful subordinate managers can provide effective monitoring to constrain and counterbalance the potential self-serving actions of the CEOs, otherwise, their ability to monitor the CEO is weak and internal governance would be less effective. Moreover, the researcher shows that internal monitoring is more effective in firms that require a higher degree of firm specific knowledge and skills. The findings are robust after controlling for other governance mechanisms and across different earnings management models and internal governance measures

The place and role of effective classroom management in the improvement of Mathematics education in Gauteng province

This study explores the feelings, perceptions and experiences of Mathematics educators as they use classroom management to improve Mathematics education in the sampled four secondary schools in the Gauteng province. The main research question was to understand the place and role of effective classroom management in the improvement of mathematics education. In answering this question, the researcher collected data through purposively and conveniently selected four schools in Gauteng province. The researcher engaged the Mathematics head of department and Mathematics educators of participating schools to conduct face-to-face semi-structured interviews with heads of departments, and focus group discussions with Mathematics educators. Data was also collected through limited observation of different administrative aspects in Mathematics classrooms. Data collected was thematically analysed. The data analysis resulted in four main themes emerging. Overall, it was identified that Mathematics educators are expected to perform multiple tasks which necessitate good classroom management skills thereby enhancing an improvement in the performance of learners. From the data obtained, analysed and discussed, the study established that good Mathematics teaching cannot be separated from effectively managing classes, and that effective classroom management is a necessity in Gauteng province. Several elements which enhance effective classroom management were found to be, possession of relevant and adequate resources in the form of material and physical or material, educator professional skills and characteristics, parental and school management support as well as positive learner participation. it was seen that educators were facing several challenges which interfere with their efforts to restore and maintain an organised teaching–learning environment.Educational Management and LeadershipPh. D. (Educational Management

Comparative study on assessing employee performance management system in the provincial ministry of local government: Northern and North Western Provinces in Sri Lanka

The effective management of human resources depends on the mechanism that an organizations has. In this range Employee Performance Management (EPM) System has turned into popular. Most of the government organizations in Sri Lanka continue traditional method of performance appraisal system. In this view, the researcher selected the Ministry of Local Government of Northern Province and North Western Province to do the comparative study on EPM systems. The analysis revealed that both Provinces are adopting EPM practices at moderate leve

Effective Change Management for Sustainable Development in Higher Education Institutions

This study scrutinized the prevailing platform wherein change management is being practiced in Ethiopian Higher Education Institutions (EHEIs) as per the theoretical argument of implementing change programs with their long-term consequences in mind.  In this study the researcher investigated the change management protocol of Ethiopian Higher Education Institutions (EHEIs) since the education sector is identified as the key to unlocking the economic potentials of the country. However, the sector is earnestly constrained by a number of factors which include, but not limited to, poor change management protocols. Hence, in this study the researcher aspired to make a theoretical contribution to the body of knowledge related to change management protocols in EHEIs. In view of that, this research is fundamentally designed to observe the change management protocol of EHEIs; and put forward change management practices that bring about sustainable development in the institutions and beyond.  Thus, the study primarily focused on identifying effective leadership styles to be followed during periods of change and how it can generate positive change that helps the attainment of sustainable developmental goals in EHEIs. The paper also discussed leaders’ roles and deeds for effective management of change. A qualitative approach based on an extensive review of relevant literature is used to draw conclusions and recommendations. Accordingly, comprehensive enquiry of the data collected for the purpose of this study revealed that the development of new knowledge or insights that have the potential to influence behavior is the most important success factor for effective sustainable development. On the other hand, failure to progressively institutionalize change initiatives is the core cause why change initiatives often fail in EHEIs. The research findings, therefore, disclose that organizational learning should take place within the wide institutional context of inter-organizational relationships and an organization’s acquisition of understanding, know-how, techniques and practices of any kind of change and by any means need to be stimulated. Conclusively, the paper stresses that effective leadership is the key to success of every organization, for EHEIs to achieve sustainable development, the senior management of the institutions have greater role to play. Turning institutions to learning organizations and adoption of transformational leadership style are recommended for effective change management process. Keywords: Adaptation, Change Management, Organizational Learning, Organizational Leadership, Sustainable Development DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-7-03 Publication date: April 30th 202