Effects of Application of Bowen and Lawler’s (1992) Employee Empowerment Model on Monitoring and Evaluations of Activities in the South African Public Healthcare System

Basing on Bowen and Lawler’s (1992) conceptualization of empowerment as a multi-dimensional management construct, this paper examines the influence of structural and psychological empowerment measures on monitoring and evaluations of activities in the South African public healthcare system. The findings revealed that structural empowerment enhances monitoring and evaluations of public sector activities by providing employees with authority and power to identify and resolve problems at the lowest possible levels. On the other hand, the paper noted that psychological empowerment induces employees’ self-confidence, determination and competence to ensure that public sector activities are effectively accomplished according to prescribed standards and service delivery criteria. In effect, it was argued that the application of these two employee empowerment constructs result into improving monitoring and evaluations of public sector activities, and subsequently the achieving of outlined strategic public healthcare objectives and goals. Keywords; Employee Empowerment; Structural Empowerment; Psychological Empowerment; Monitoring; Evaluations; Public Healthcare System

Integrated Strategies for Mitigating Stock Shrinkage in Retail Enterprises

This study provides a critical analysis of the effectiveness of the strategies for managing the multidimensional nature of stock shrinkage in the contemporary South African retail enterprises. While using a qualitative research method, a meta-synthesis of different core theories on the strategies for managing stock shrinkage in a retail setting was undertaken and triangulated with the approach for managing stock shrinkage in the South African retail enterprises. Findings indicated the effectiveness of the process for mitigating stock shrinkage among retailers to be fraught by poor enforceability of laws against prime sources of stock shrinkage such as fraud and theft by customers, employees, supply chain crews and criminal shoplifters. Results of the analysis also revealed the reliability of in-store security technologies like sensormatic and video surveillance cameras is inhibited by employees’ conspiracies and involvement in activities that cause stock shrinkage. Sadly, it was found that most of the existing theories and practices in the modern South African retail enterprises exhibit only reactive and piecemeal approach to managing stock shrinkage. This paper fills such a gap by postulating a more proactive integrated framework of strategies emphasising the need for managers to consider stock shrinkage as part of the enterprise-wide risk management framework. Other strategies in the framework articulated the essence for improving the remuneration of retail employees, synchronisation of human and technological intelligence systems, and undertaking corporate social responsibility to reduce the emergence of criminal gangs involved in shoplifting. Keywords: integrated strategies; mitigating stock shrinkage; performanc

A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Integrated Framework of Strategic Healthcare Management Control Techniques

While using confirmatory factor analysis, this study examines the implications of an integrated set of feed-forward, concurrent and feedback management control techniques as a predictor for effective monitoring and evaluation of activities in the South African public healthcare system. Findings imply the results of chi-squared..........

Financial Risks Management in Public Sector Organisations

Effectiveness of financial risk management predicts the successful implementation of different government projects and programmes. Empirical facts, however, indicate the existing financial risk management framework is not that effective for enhancing effective identification and mitigation of financial risks in the contemporary complex South African public sector organisations. Using a qualitative research method, this study provides a meta-synthesis of theories and empirical studies on financial risk management in the South African public sector. The motive was to identify the major inhibitors and appropriate financial risk management framework that can be suggested. Despite highlighting the existence of essential regulatory frameworks, findings revealed the effectiveness of financial risk management in the contemporary South African public sector is still constrained by poor culture of financial risk avoidance, poor commitment of managers and political leaders, limited integration of financial risk management measures at municipal levels, weak internal audit systems, and technical loopholes in the existing regulatory frameworks. In addition to relying on the existing regulatory frameworks, it is suggested that public sector risk managers must adopt a comprehensive financial risk management framework coherently integrating essential key success factors encompassing a culture of risk avoidance, risk management structures, training and development, good governance and ethics. Other postulated strategies included the allocation of sufficient resources, integration of risk management in outsourcing, monitoring and evaluation, and the establishment of the financial risk information system. With appropriate environment created after the integration of these key success factors, it is posited that it becomes possible for public sector financial risk managers to successfully apply a six steps’ (step 1: identification of risks, step 2: analysis of the causing factors, step 3: analysis of the likelihood of occurrence, step 4: prioritisation of the identified risks, step 5: formulation and implementation of risk response, and step 6: continuous evaluation of the effectiveness of risk response undertaken) approach for risk identification and management. Keywords: financial risk management; public sector organisations; performance; risk managemen

Strategies for Improving the Implementation of Special Economic Zoning Programmes in South Africa

The misconception has always been that the successful implementation of special economic zones (SEZs) is only predicted by the promulgation of relevant laws and policies prescribing a package of benefits which the willing and capable investment firms in the zones are to enjoy. However, when an analysis of the successes of SEZs in countries such as Korea, China, India, Mauritius, Brazil and Poland is compared and contrasted with an overview of the trends leading to the failure of the four industrial development zones established by the South African government at Coega, East London, Richards Bay and OR Tambo International Airport, it can be concluded that the successful SEZs’ implementation exceeds the mere promulgation of relevant laws and policies. Instead, the practices in the countries of SEZs’ success stories indicate that in addition to the relevant regulatory and policy framework, SEZs’ successful implementation is also influenced by national competitiveness, linkages with the wider local economy through partnership with the local business enterprises and community, the establishment of the relevant governance and management body, constant marketing and promotion, constant investment in infrastructure and resources’ availability. While drawing from these practices, this study posits in its underpinning assumption that considering the conceptual limitations marring the successful SEZs’ implementation in South Africa, the use of the strategic framework in Figure 1 that prescribe for the key strategies that include the outline of the SEZs’ strategic objectives and goals, considering the SEZs’ core strategic determinants, the use of SEZs’ measuring techniques and the application of the appropriate improvement measures would provide the appropriate alternative conceptual framework which can be used for improving the implementation of SEZs in South Africa. In a bid to determine the veracity, validity and reliability of this strategic framework, this paper evaluated different concepts and documents on SEZs’ implementation in countries of SEZs’ success stories and interviewed 50 participants comprising of the managers in the South African Department of Trade and Industry, and the managers of the investment firms in the four industrial zones that encompass Coega, East London, Richards Bay and OR Tambo International Airport. In conjunction to the use of the measures for credibility, dependability and transferability, content and thematic analysis of the different government documents and interview findings produced a framework which is similar and compatible to the strategic framework presented in the underpinning assumption of this research in Figure 1. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the South African Department of Trade and Industry must adopt the strategic framework in Figure 1 as the measure for improving the implementation of the economic zoning programmes in South Africa. Keywords: Special Economic Zones; SADTI; Investments; Framework; Implementatio

The Effects of Benchmarking on the Eastern Cape Municipalities’ Performances

Local government practices reveal that there is skewed use of human resource measures as mechanisms for evaluating, measuring and improving governmental performances. Yet in a number of instances, organizational diagnosis have revealed that shortfalls in governmental performances are not related to human resource related factors, but the kinds of operational systems, processes and work methods in place. It is against such a backdrop that this paper examines the nexus between benchmarking as a system and process improvement mechanism, and its resulting positive effects on improving performances of the municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province. The target population for the study comprised of all the municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province. It is indicated in the Local Government Human Resource Document (2009:19) that there are approximately 11700 municipal employees in the Eastern Cape Province. In order to determine the appropriate and valid sample for the study, Yamane (1967:886)’s formula was applied, with the result that 100 sample respondents were concluded as the representative and valid sample for the study. The desired 100 respondents were drawn into the study using simple random sampling. The principal primary data collection instrument was a questionnaire designed basing on the Likert Scale Style. The Cronbach and Spearman Brown analysis were performed in order to determine the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. The techniques which were used in determining whether the hypothesized benchmarking theory fits the sample data included; the Goodness of Fitness Index (GFI), Parsimony Normed Fit Index (PNFI), Tucker Lewis Index (TLI), Comparative Fit Index (CFI) and RMSEA (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation). Hu and Bentler’s (1995:22) interpretation was used in determining whether the results of GFI, PNFI, TLI and CFI were within acceptable limits of 0 and 1. On the other hand, Wheaton’s (1987:2) and Carmnines and McLver’s (1981:1) arguments were used in assessing whether RMSEA (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation), fell in the acceptable limit of 0.05 and 0.08. Nonetheless, the results of GFI, PNFI, TLI, CFI and RMSEA confirmed that the hypothesized benchmarking model fits well with the observed sample data. Keywords; Benchmarking; Performance; Municipalities; Eastern Cape Provinc

Integrated strategies for creating citizen-centric public sector organisations

Abstract: The establishment of an effective citizen-centric public service system is an iterative process that requires investment in the appropriate e-government technologies and cultural change and transformation. This research evaluates effectiveness of the process for the establishment of a citizen-centric public service in South Africa. Conceptual analysis as a qualitative research technique was used to critically synthesize and triangulate theories for a citizen-centric public service system with the findings of the empirical studies on the implementation of a citizencentric public service in South Africa. Findings indicated South Africa to have made significant strides by adopting relevant policies, legislations and technological frameworks to enhance the use of models such as one-stop-shop and walk-in centres. However, further analysis highlighted the initiatives to establish an effective citizen-centric public service is still inhibited by ineffective seamless integration and synchronisation of activities in government departments and units in different geographical regions. Other challenges were found to be linked to internet connectivity and affordability of telecommunication costs in the rural areas, and lack of change and transformation of the organisational cultural practices. In the light of these challenges, the study postulates a strategic framework emphasizing among others investment in the appropriate e-government technologies and change and transformation of the organisational cultural practices as part of the critical strategies for enhancing the successful establishment of a citizen-centric public service

Technology Enhanced Single View of Customers as a Predictor for Effective Performance of the Modern Banking Institutions

While using confirmatory factor analysis, this paper examines the pivotal factors and values associated with the use of the technology enhanced single view of customers as a predictor for effective performance of the contemporary banking institutions. It is posited in the overriding hypothesis that the effectiveness of the technology enhanced single view of customers and the ability to achieve all its associated business values are significantly moderated by variables encompassing technological compatibility, structural philosophy, executives’ commitment and employee education. Testing and validating this underpinning hypothesis was undertaken according to four main steps; model specification, sample size estimation, data collection, and the calculation of estimates and interpretation of indices. RMSEA (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation) and Chi-squared ( 14x2"> ) analysis did not indicate good model fitness. However, the overall interpretation of the findings revealed most of the incremental fit indices, and the standardised regression weights (factor loadings) and squared multiple correlations co-efficient ( 14r2"> ) to strongly support the overriding hypothesis that the effectiveness of the technology enhanced single view of customers and its ability to influence improvement of the performance of the contemporary banking institutions are predicted by certain four pivotal factors (technological compatibility, structural philosophy, executives’ commitment and employee education). The study concludes with a conceptual framework highlighting critical steps and pivotal factors that banking executives can adopt in the endeavour to ensure the successful development and utilisation of technology enhanced single view of customers. Keywords: banking institutions; performance; single view of a custome

Exploring the applicability of deming’s concept of “continuous improvement” in the contemporary public sector organisations

Abstract: Continuous improvement is a prerequisite for effective performance of the contemporary public sector organisations. This research explores the applicability of Deming’s concept of “continuous improvement” in the contemporary South African public sector organisations. The motive of the study was to identify the major paradoxes and the remedial improvement strategies that can be suggested. Using conceptual analysis as a qualitative research technique, a meta-synthesis of continuous improvement theories was undertaken and triangulated with the results of empirical studies conducted on continuous improvement in the South African public sector organisations. In contrast to the articulation in the continuous improvement theory of Plan-Do- Check-Act, the concept of continuous improvement was found to be overshadowed by over-emphasis of monitoring and evaluation which are also in turn largely saddled by unsupportive cultural practices, ineffective implementation of improvement measures and lack of easily discernible plans. In the context of such paradoxes, the study enriches the existing theories by suggesting a five steps’ (Analyse-Plan- Improve-Measure- Improve) cyclical framework that the public sector managers can emulate as a moderator for undertaking effective continuous improvement in the increasingly contemporary complex and demanding public sector organisations

Structural measures and competencies for effective performance of the Municipal oversight committees

Abstract: Municipal oversight committees are trajectories for effective performance of the contemporary municipalities. This research evaluates structural measures and competencies critical for effective performance of the municipal oversight committees. A conceptual analysis as a qualitative research technique was used to critically analyse theories on the predictors for effective performance of the municipal oversight committees. Theoretical findings were triangulated with the findings of the studies conducted on the effectiveness of the municipal oversight committees in South Africa. Findings indicated the effectiveness of municipal oversight committees is determined by the extent to which the existing relevant legislations and policies create structures and working relationships that permit greater level of accountability, participation and transparency. However, practices in most of the municipalities signify effective accountability, participation and transparency are undermined by the exclusionary interpretation of section 20 (3) of the Municipal Systems Act by the municipal executive mayoral committees. Such exclusionary interpretations cause the exclusion of the municipal councils and Section 79 committees from certain meetings and information. Since councilors are directly elected from the larger society irrespective of the level of education and expertise, the other challenges were also found to be latent in the skills and competencies of councilors to effectively accomplish technically complex activities of the municipal oversight committees. The study concludes with the postulation of a grid of critical structural measures and competencies that can be suggested for improving the performance of councilors and municipal oversight committees