Masters Degrees (School of Public Leadership)

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Alternative service delivery strategies : the use of collaborative partnerships
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04) Kernelle, Nicole; Burger, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
ENGLISH SUMMARY: Collaborative partnerships, such as public-private partnerships (PPPs), outsourcing, public-voluntary sector partnerships (PVSPs), and shared services are all partnerships that are implemented to enable improvement in service delivery. Local government is the sphere that is the closest to communities in terms of service provision. It is their responsibility to provide services that are efficient, effective, economical, and sustainable; however, municipalities in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) face numerous challenges in a complex environment. The challenges are mainly attributed to a lack of finance and capacity. A prominent and viable option for local government is therefore to engage in collaborative partnerships to fill the resource gap dominating the public sector in the RSA. The aim of the study is therefore to explore collaborative partnerships in terms of service delivery, assess their viability, as well as explore constraints. As such, it follows a highly qualitative approach and provides an explorative discussion of service delivery and especially collaborative partnerships in South African municipalities. It presents findings on the status and viability of collaborative partnerships, as well as the pros and cons of each selected collaborative partnership. The study commences by providing an overview of the study and a brief background of the local government environment and the need for the study. It provides the bases for the two key themes present throughout the study, namely, service delivery and collaborative partnerships. The literature review and the legal framework are divided into these two themes, displaying the shift within the public sector that is forcing innovative and alternative mechanisms to optimally use public sector resources. The South African policy and legislative framework respond to the needs of its communities and the external forces driving the country to transform service delivery mechanisms. The researcher explores collaborative partnerships in the sphere of local government and explores the environment by conducting expert interviews. In culmination, the explorative study provides findings on the viability and status of collaborative partnerships. It contributes to and aims to improve the conditions and challenges in the local government environment as the study provides an in-depth understanding of current realities.
An Analysis Of Indigenisation And Economic Empowerment In Zimbabwe.
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12) Marazanye, Kudakwashe; Burger, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: School of Public Leadership.
ENGLISH SUMMARY : Zimbabwe’s Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Programme, (IEEP), is one of similar programmes implemented by most former colonies meant to address socioeconomic inequalities. It falls within the same category as economic nationalism, which is also popular in Third World countries which are endowed with abundant natural resources. The IEEP has courted a lot of controversy with opponents arguing that the programme is a populist one which will destroy the economy in the same way Zimbabwe’s land reform before it did. However, the government of Zimbabwe touts the programme as a major pillar of poverty reduction in the country. For empowerment programmes in the mould of the IEEP to reduce poverty, they need to be broad-based and avoid elite empowerment. This research sought to unpack the IEEP, and inquire into the possible impediments to the success of the IEEP. The research also sought to find out how other countries had implemented and fared in the implementation of similar programmes. Ultimately, the research sought to discover conditions necessary for the success of programmes such as the IEEP and make recommendations for the adoption of such conditions for the success of Zimbabwe’s IEEP. The findings reveal that generic empowerment programmes like the IEEP, are indeed necessary in former colonies like Zimbabwe to address inherited socio-economic inequalities which may pose a threat to social stability if left unattended. However Zimbabwe’s IEEP in its current form may not succeed in its aims. It is the conclusion of the research that the IEEP is not comprehensive enough, has too short an implementation time frame, among other weaknesses which may militate against its success. Using the experiences of the implementation of empowerment programmes elsewhere, the research makes recommendations on how the programme and its manner of implementation can be improved upon if the programme is to achieve its stated objectives. The recommendations mainly relate to lowering the indigenisation targets, attracting FDI, getting the buy-in of all stakeholders among other recommendations.
Assessing the distribution and utilisation of education funds in the Northern Cape
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03) Martin, Derek; Burger, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
ENGLISH SUMMARY: This study focused broadly on the School Funding Norms (SFN) and the effect of this policy on the resource allocation framework of schools. The Northern Cape Education Department (NCED) was used as a case study to explore the extent to which the SFN affects decisions taken by the provincial government in the allocation of funds to schools with ever-increasing learner numbers. These funding allocations, being considered at a time of adverse economic conditions in the country, led to government introducing cost containment measures. This meant that the continuous demand for additional resources by the NCED would hardly be met. The research was mainly based on a non-empirical study of quantitative data obtained from the NCED to determine the financial management systems used by the department in order to allocate funds to the schools under its jurisdiction. This included all the legislative, regulatory and policy instruments at the department’s disposal as well as all the reporting documents through which it accounts. The study also looked at literature concerned with development theories, which included a socio-economic statistical overview, the role of education in development, as well as perspectives on public finance management. Exploring the socio-economic realities of the Northern Cape in relation to the country was especially important, given that the SFN policy is geared towards directing resources to poor and underprivileged schools. The financial management practices of the NCED are also examined in chapters 4 and 5 of the study. One of the key elements is the issue of learner numbers in the province as a major cost driver of the department’s budget. The budget allocation to education as one of government’s key priorities was also an important factor. The amount of funding received by the NCED for the provision of education services in the province has been steadily rising over the years in accordance with increasing learner numbers. While learner numbers increased from 208 877 in 1998 to 285 494 in 2014, the education budget grew substantially from R965 million in 2000/01 to R4.44 billion for the 2013/14 financial year. The NCED received the highest allocation, followed by the Department of Health. Most of the education budget was spent on personnel costs, which amounted to over R3 billion in 2014/15. A major portion of the budget was also taken up by transfer payments to schools. While an amount of R160 million was earlier budgeted for transfer payments to schools, this budget item grew to over R400 million in 2013/14, mainly as a result of an increase in the number of no-fee schools. The number of public schools that received funding from the NCED in 2014/15, for example, stood at 550 with over forty mainly no-fee schools receiving over a million rand each. Allocations were also made to special schools, independent schools and Grade-R institutions, including grants for the Nutrition Programme. Reports from the office of the Auditor-General, however, indicate that there was a lack of sufficient controls within the NCED as well as inadequate capacity to effectively monitor expenditure. It also found that schools did not always submit their audited financial statements as required. The study thus concludes that the NCED did not do enough to address inefficiencies in the system.
Education policy to prospects of a developmental state in South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011-12) Mahada, Livhuwani Paul; Burger, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The relevance of education to economic growth has been widely debated. The thesis argues that education is the core factor in knowledge and skills provision, which assist in production and economic growth and serves as a foundation to the realization of a developmental state. The thesis looks at the prospects of South Africa constructing a developmental state against its education system. The aim was to look at whether education policy in South Africa assists its quest to construct a developmental state. The research is guided by the specific research questions that wanted to look at different literature on what a developmental state is and what characterizes it. It further looked at whether education influences the construction of a developmental state and whether in South Africa education is responding well to the quest of constructing a developmental state. The study depends heavily on literature review, comparative study and interview. The literature study conceptualized and also presented characteristics of a developmental state from the perspective of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan (The Asian Tigers) and the South African context. Japan and South Korea’s perspective was compared with the South African one. The literature review also indicated the role of education in economic growth. The findings of this research from the comparative analysis indicated that South Africa is taking a totally different approach in its process of constructing a developmental state. Its process is underpinned by democratic values, non-industrialization approach, weak bureaucracy and interventionist approach. The process of constructing a developmental state is supported by various mechanisms and policies such as the New Growth Path (NGP). The challenge with the NGP is that it conceded to the fact that there is a serious need to improve in education and levels of skills in the country as they are a fundamental prerequisite for achieving many of the goals in the growth path. The contention is that both basic and higher education must equip all South Africans to participate in the country’s democracy and economy and must do more to meet the needs of national and international development imperatives. Again, the success of the NGP depends on major improvements in education (both basic and higher education) and skills levels which education is presently not providing. Education and skills are preconditions that should prepare South Africans to participate in economy so that the country should realize “broad-based development” through any means that will ensure economic growth. However, the education system and the skills based in the country are not responding well to assist in the fully realization of the NGP. This has negative effect to the prospects of growing the economy. The research highlights the relevance and role education plays in the economic development of a country. It highlights the challenge South Africa is faced with in its quest to construct a developmental state particularly with its education policies. With education being regarded as a significant propeller of economic growth, South Africa falls short in comparison to other countries, particularly the Asian Tigers. South Africa falls short mainly in the provision of education that provides the skills required in the modern economies. This means that there is a gap the education system in South Africa is failing to fill. Therefore the prospects of constructing in a developmental state in South Africa will continually face challenges if the education system within the country is not turned around to provide for the required skills.
An evaluation of oversight and accountability by the fourth Parliament of the Republic of South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12) Mbete, Luvuyo; Burger, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
ENGLISH SUMMARY : Internationally oversight and accountability are regarded as two sides of the same coin, which are essential in ensuring that the electorate receives public value through service delivery and good governance. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa obliges Parliament to ensure that mechanisms are in place for the executive to account in Parliament and Parliament to be able to maintain oversight on the executive’s actions and/ or lack of action. The main aim of this study is to evaluate whether the oversight and accountability mechanisms employed by the fourth Parliament of the Republic of South Africa are effective and if members of Parliament understand their role, function and mandate in overseeing the executive, thus holding the executive accountable for its actions and/ or lack of action. Once the research problem and the rationale of the study are provided, an overview of the research design and methodology is given. The study proceeds to discuss the theoretical context on oversight and accountability and conveys the state of oversight and accountability in a number of selected international Parliaments to provide a limited international perspective on oversight and accountability. The study proceeds to explore the application of oversight and accountability within the South African context with the main focus being on the South African model of oversight and accountability, policy framework for oversight and accountability, and the mechanisms for conducting oversight and accountability employed by the fourth Parliament. The study then provides an in-depth discussion on the research design and methodology to given an understanding of the hypothesis, conceptualisation and key variables. The discussion also includes issues of measurement, sampling methods and the research methodology that discusses the data collection methods, data capturing and data analysis. It concludes by considering the limitations of the study. In order to provide evidence to support or disprove the hypothesis, an investigation was conducted on the mechanisms employed by the fourth Parliament in exercising its Constitutional mandate to oversee the executive and hold it to account. Two semi-structured questionnaires were administered to members of Parliament and managers that dealt with oversight and accountability during the fourth Parliament and the responses were processed by means of content analysis, consisting of tabulating the occurrences of content units by characterising the meaning in a given body of discourse in a systematic and quantitative fashion. From the findings, it is clear that challenges regarding how the mandate of oversight and accountability is implemented should be addressed and the results of Parliament’s efforts to oversee the executive need to be supported with stronger systems to ensure effective oversight and accountability. Although the negative factors outweigh the positive factors, some positive factors are identified. Generally, the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa is the policy base that informs the institutional processes and programmes on oversight and accountability. In terms of the Parliamentary mandate to oversee the executive members of Parliament understand the mandate and are supported with a budget in each financial year to oversee the executive. The programme of the fourth Parliament is not aligned to the established time frames for certain processes of the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act no 9 of 2009. Members of Parliament enjoy immunity from prosecution and detention when in the chamber when it comes to issues of conduct. The fourth Parliament Constitutionally understood legislative, policy and strategic framework matters, but there is no policy in place as an integral aspect of Parliament’s strategic plan in relation to oversight and accountability, which reflects gaps in business planning and specific implementation activities. The institution lacks an administrative unit to carry out oversight and accountability implementation plans. No institutional arrangements for the oversight of state institutions such as the South African Reserve Bank exist. There are no processes and guidelines for interaction and engagement of members of Parliament with ministers on issues of public concern. Parliament does not have electronic or manual systems in place for oversight and accountability. There is no database management system and tracking system, e.g. for resolution tracking. Parliamentary debates, including questions and replies by the executive, are identified as of poor standard. With regard to petitions, there are no formal regulations in place to formally process submitted petitions and no standardised processes to submit petitions. The role of committees is important in Parliamentary oversight, but the findings indicate that the quality of reports that are produced by committees is of concern and contributes negatively to effective oversight of the executive. The quality of contributions in the preparation of the national budget is good and important. Parliament does not give enough value to the reports of Chapter 9 institutions and the time allocated for engagement with the institutions is not adequate. The role of the opposition to hold the executive accountable is not exclusive. The findings reveal that the electoral system hinders effective oversight. In addition, there are challenges in the implementation of an effective monitoring and evaluation system. The analysis of the findings and the main challenges identified provides sufficient evidence for the hypothesis of the study, namely that the oversight and accountability mechanisms employed by the fourth Parliament were ineffective and that members of Parliament did not understand their role, function and mandate in overseeing the executive and thus fails in holding the executive accountable for its actions and/ or lack of action. The study concluded by providing a number of recommendations for addressing the challenges emanating from the analysis of the findings in order to enhance oversight and accountability. Only once the recommendations are implemented, it will be possible for the mechanisms employed by Parliament to generate effective oversight and thus ensure executive accountability.
An evaluation of selected housing strategies with special reference to Khayelitsha
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000-12) Nkwenkwezi, Thandabantu Sydney; Burger, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis attempts to provide alternative solutions to housing and developmental problems faced by the government in South Africa's urban/metropolitan areas in general and in Khayelitsha in particular. The root causes of the problems have been identified and linked to urbanisation-related government policies of the past. The Group Areas "urban model of development" influenced the planning, management and development (spatial policies) in the urban/metropolitan areas. The rural-urban migration process through the migrant labour system during the industrialisation period was engineered by the "Corporate State" and consolidated by the introduction of tax systems and laws regulating land ownership by the African people (Natives). These have impoverished the African people both in rural and urban/metropolitan areas. The existing gap in development between rural and urban/metropolitan areas, in particular in the peri-urban areas, is evident in persistent poverty and unemployment as effects of the conditions which generate increased migration. In this context, Khayelitsha is used as a case study to illustrate study variables (urban policies and management, rapid urbanisation and their impact on housing and development) at grassroots level. Comparison is made undertaken between South African housing and developmental problems and those of other developing countries. Tanzania and Zimbabwe as African countries and former British Colonies (African connection) have been chosen for this purpose. Data were gathered through questionnaires, interviews and participatory observation. This makes the study objective, but also subjective. The research concludes that there is a need to devote more resources to rural development programmes accompanied by decentralisation strategies. This will help to reduce the gap between rural and urban development. It is hoped that the information contained in this thesis will provide a basic background to meet the social and economic challenges by addressing housing and developmental problems, in Khayelitsha in particular and South Africa in general.
An evaluation of the implementation of sStrategic sourcing in the Western Cape Government
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03) Mars, Samantha-Lee; Burger, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
ENGLISH SUMMARY : The current weak economic environment has warranted that government reassess its spending behaviour as there is less revenue to cover all of the policy primacies. Strategic sourcing, as a procurement methodology, can guarantee savings of between 3-5% per annum whilst public sector projects have averaged savings of as much as 28%. Strategic sourcing is described as the process of crafting and organising networks of supply in line with the strategic and operational objectives of the organisation whereas the public sector has adopted the definition that refers to “a collaborative and structured process of critically analysing an organisation’s spending and using this information to make business decisions about acquiring commodities more efficiently and effectively”. Whilst, it has been extensively applied in the private sector, limited application of strategic sourcing has been seen in the public sector. The research was therefore intended to augment the literature by evaluating how strategic sourcing was implemented by the Provincial Treasury in the Western Cape Government (WCG). The research design comprised a literature review and a qualitative case study. The Delphi Group methodology was used given its ability to provide informed consensus from expert panellists. The first round of the Delphi study consisted of an online, Likert-type scale questionnaire denoted of themes of key success factors for strategic sourcing whilst the second round comprised a brainstorming workshop with the Provincial Treasury strategic sourcing team and the strategic sourcing management consultants. The study revealed that whilst strategic sourcing formed part of the objectives of the Provincial Treasury, there was no Top Management involvement in the execution of strategic sourcing and no Chief Procurement Officer to champion strategic sourcing in the Western Cape Government. It was also found that no structural reorganisation occurred with the implementation of strategic sourcing in view of the fact that the function had to be performed in addition to other existing roles and responsibilities. The predominant compliancy focus of the directorate, responsible for strategic sourcing, was also found to be counter-intuitive to the innovative, business-oriented role that is sought by strategic sourcing. From a governance perspective, gaps included a lack of an organisation-wide steering committee to oversee the implementation of strategic sourcing, lack of a benefits-tracking mechanism and the need for increased supplier involvement in the execution of strategic sourcing. The implementation of strategic sourcing did however succeed in orienting the WCG to procurement spend analysis, created an awareness of strategic sourcing and increased the uptake of business intelligence and technology. The key recommendations from the research included that provincial departments, as opposed to the Provincial Treasury, spearhead the implementation of strategic sourcing. That the Provincial Treasury appoint a Chief Procurement Officer to champion provincial strategic sourcing strategies and efficiency goals in line with cost containment targets. That a WCG cross-functional steering committee be established to oversee the development and implementation of strategic sourcing. That a Directorate for strategic sourcing be established as the compliancy focus of the current directorate would continue to detract from the priority that the strategic sourcing function should achieve in view of the drive by the National Treasury to reduce government expenditure. It is concluded that given the intricacies of government and how the gaps in the Provincial Treasury’s implementation mirrored those found in the United States Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative (FSSI), there is a need for future research to be undertaken to develop a bespoke model for the implementation of strategic sourcing in a public sector environment.
Exploring business and owner traits of small and medium enterprises that exhibit increased revenues in South African townships : the case of selected townships in Strand
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012-12) Sondlo, Dumisani; Burger, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Apart from meeting basic customer needs, small and medium enterprises in the townships are a source of employment and livelihood for many. Businesses in the townships of the Strand have mushroomed from a formerly neglected area, like others in various townships throughout South Africa. Yet very little is known about them and their owners. What are their characteristics? What traits distinguish those that make higher revenues from the rest? Many of these small businesses have emerged without government assistance, even though such support is often seen as a non-factor in determining the rate of an enterprise’s growth. Entrepreneurship, as literature often explains, is a dynamic endeavour which requires a business founder to display both determination and skill. Yet very few businesses normally survive the early stages. Many aspects of entrepreneurship need to be practically learned to enable the business to overcome many prevalent obstacles, and thus enable the enterprise to grow and contribute to job-creation. Not all entrepreneurs are alike in their capability to spot an opportunity. Also, entrepreneurs differ in their ability to either steer or set up systems to take an enterprise through its various transitions. Yet still, the financial strategic decisions made at inception stage often influence the rate at which businesses will generate revenues later in existence. Government, both local and national, has a responsibility to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Using a study of spaza and informal trade done in the past by Unisa and by Bojanala Platinum District Municipality as a baseline, this study surveyed 60.6 percent of businesses in the Strand townships that were identified through the database of both Khanyolwethu School and Sinobulumko Business Association. The main areas of focus were – the socio-economic and demographic profile, the physical characteristics, financing, relationship with suppliers, transport, income/turnover and traits that distinguish higher-revenue businesses from others. Analyses through the Mann-Whitney U, the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, the chi-square and the Kruskal-Wallis test then showed that the businesses that tend to make larger monthly revenues are those that are owned by males, using cheque accounts for the business, and those whose main suppliers deliver merchandise to their premises. The businesses that make larger daily revenues were shown to be those that are owned by males, registered with CIPRO, using cheque accounts for the business and those whose owners have Grade 7 to 9 qualifications and above. For government, the results of this study call for a further refining of the criteria used for loaning to businesses in townships, as well as to make the public more aware of the assistance provided by government’s business support agencies. For banks, the study calls for the designing of a ‘Spaza Account’, tailored to the needs and skills level of businesses owners in the townships. Socially, the study calls for the tearing down of all the walls that make it difficult for open trade to take place
Measuring the health of business nodes
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2005-04) Hartshorne, Wendy Anne; Burger, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Sustain. develop plan & management
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa requires sustained economic growth in order to alleviate the poverty of its urban population. This study is based on the hypothesis that in order to sustain the existing "good" infrastructure and secure the "high-quality" human resource base of our country, it is necessary to be proactive with regard to the management of commercial/business nodes in order to ensure that they do not deteriorate or become stifled and/or excluded from delivering their full economic potential/contribution towards the urban economy. This study contains a synopsis of the research conducted by the author on behalf of the City of Cape Town - Economic Development and Tourism Directorate during 2003. The purpose was to develop a uniform model to ascertain and monitor the economic health of business areas within the Cape Town metropole. The research was presented to the City of Cape Town in the form of a protocol, which has subsequently been utilised to establish economic profiles for the Athlone Central Business District, Gatesville/Rylands business centre and Airport Industria. The focus and purpose of the protocol was to place tbe City Council in a position whereby the relative economic health of specific business/mixed-use areas within the Cape Metropolitan Area can be properly assessed, selected interventions made where necessary and results monitored. The point of departure that was adopted from the outset was that the assessment need not just relate to negative trends or indications of economic distress, but that there is substantial merit in assessing nodes that are seemingly "getting it right" or "booming".
An output based evaluation of delivery of land reform in South Africa over the period 1994 - 2010
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011-12) Links, Helga Lucinda; Burger, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Land reform as a topic has engendered universal debate. In certain parts of the world, land reform is seen as the redistribution of property or rights in property for the benefit of the landless, tenants and farm labourers but in others it has been a tool of oppression. Worldwide, land reform arose mainly because of inequalities of resources or in other to control resources. In South Africa, the need for land reform started as early as 1658, where blacks were not afforded equal opportunities as white people and therefore were forced off farm land and properties. Since, 1994 when South Africa’s first democratic Government came into power, one of its goals was to redress the injustices of the past and give back land to the previously disadvantaged people through various land reform programmes. The goal of this study is to evaluate the delivery land reform programmes of South Africa, namely: Land Restitution, Land Redistribution and Land Tenure Reform. The impact of land reform is not measured in this thesis. This research is however focussed on answering the following question: To what extent has land reform achieved its intended output? Land reform in South Africa could be viewed as an act of development, as it focuses on meeting the basic needs of the marginalised and underdeveloped people, which is in turn an objective of development. Marginalised and underdeveloped people as well as communities need land in order to ensure that their living conditions improve. Programme evaluation is used to evaluate land restitution, land redistribution and land tenure reform in order to determine the successes and failures of the land reform programme in South Africa. Land reform has mixed opinions on whether the programmes have been implemented effectively and efficiently. The process has received criticism, even though land has been restored and redistributed to claimants and beneficiaries, it has not been occurring at a fast enough pace.
Public-private partnerships as a delivery option for public schools in the Western Cape
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03) Nugent, Daniel; Burger, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
ENGLISH SUMMARY : The Western Cape is currently experiencing a population explosion alongside rapid urbanisation. This places pressure on the provincial departments involved in the provision of public education infrastructure to meet the demand for schools created by the associated increase in learners. Despite best efforts by the components responsible for delivery, demand is not being met due to a combination of chronic lack of internal resource capacity and inadequate funding. In recent years the national government has taken a keen interest in streamlining infrastructure delivery frameworks. This has led the focus to fall squarely on optimising the traditional infrastructure procurement (TIP) paradigm, specifically in respect to optimising the mode of delivery of public schools, with little being done to similarly optimise alternative procurement models, such as public-private partnerships (PPPs). In order to investigate the alternative procurement method of PPPs, this research report identifies applicable means, modes, critical success factors and regulatory frameworks, with specific reference to the both the provision of public schools and the context of the Western Cape province. Particular consideration is given to conditions in the local public service and construction industry to identify whether the present environment is conducive to the effective delivery of public schools via PPPs. The empirical analysis involves a combination of case study research, as well as quantitative and qualitative data collection of factors critical to the success of the mode in the local context in an effort to identify constraints and propose solutions. Data collection involves a triangulated study beginning with a review of PPPs in South Africa (a secondary data analysis of existing research on local case studies) to identify the contextual factors, which is followed by a quantitative survey to measure these factors in the current local context and, finally, in-depth interviews to investigate the underlying reasons and proposed solutions to address constraints. Key findings include a need for PPP-oriented capacity-building amongst public sector implementing agencies, addressing the shortage of will and advocacy amongst political office bearers due to the perception that PPPs present a significant risk to the public sector, and a need to streamline procurement processes by shifting towards a programmatic procurement model, i.e. moving away from the traditional PPP mode as a vehicle for singular projects, to the implementation of a public-private variant for the delivery of a programme of replicable public education infrastructure projects.
Supply chain management in complex organisations : a case study of JB Marks Local Municipality
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-04) Maila, Z’nakile; Burger, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
ENGLISH SUMMARY: Considering the high levels of demand for accelerated quality service delivery and relating challenges faced by the public sector – in particular municipalities – post-1994, the public sector is required to investigate and address its organisational challenges in order to ensure required efficiencies for service delivery. This research investigates the nature of local government operations to evaluate whether or not local government is, by its nature and operations, a complex organisation. Specific reference is given to JB Marks Local Municipality (JBMLM) and its supply chain management (SCM) functions. The evolutionary phenomenon of the organisation does not exclude public sector organisations, such as local government, which must adapt and evolve in order to survive internal and external environment challenges. The research reveals that municipalities experience the same challenges as other public sector organisations. Factors external to municipalities impact the functioning of local government as an organisation and the functioning of its SCM units. Therefore, one responsibility of local government should be to ensure an in-depth understanding of its environment, including challenges such as those arising from a lack of adequate legislative framework. All efforts must be made to respond to these challenges to prevent external factors from having a detrimental impact on service delivery in local government. The overall mandate of reviewing local government’s legislative framework is aimed at ensuring its resilience and relevance, as this process will enable local government to adopt survival, evolutionary and developmental approaches. The research investigates SCM practices and determines the effect of complexity on the functioning of organisations such as JBMLM, in particular its supply chain functions, and makes recommendations on how to address these challenges. The study follows a quantitative approach, and data collection is conducted via a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire, which was designed based on the literature review, addresses several aspects relating to SCM, complexity and complex organisations. The purpose of the questionnaire is to determine perceptions, experiences, beliefs and expectations of municipal employees, municipal councillors, a representative from the Office of the Auditor-General and community members, with a view to establish the most significant challenges to the optimal functioning of SCM and its associated complexity. In this regard, recommendations are made to empower JBMLM and the general body of local government in South Africa. Results of the study indicate that local government, as a creature of statute, is a complex organisation with characteristics inherent to all complex organisations. The environment of municipalities characterises a heterogeneity and diversity that impacts on their functioning. The uncertainty, instability, chaos and emergence of new patterns and structural challenges within local government explain its complexity and affects its functioning, including departmental subdivisions, sections and units. The ever-changing local government environment, including the instability within and outside its operating environment, contributes to the volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity experienced by this sphere of government and affects its total functioning. SCM is an important factor in and contributor to gross domestic product. Its importance within the internal and external environment of the organisation cannot be overemphasised. The study reveals that a nexus exists between SCM functioning and service delivery within local government and, therefore, failure of SCM has serious implications for municipal service delivery. The results of the study confirm that SCM is influenced by the external environment within which municipalities operate. Considering complexity in organisations, SCM has become a complex function influenced by various factors such as uncertainty brought about by the internal and external environment. The study reveals that there is a bullwhip effect in the SCM of local government, brought about by the effect of the external environment on the SCM process, such as through reliability of suppliers, actions of competitors, quality of products, demand regarding quantities, timing and increased flexibility requirements. A bullwhip effect refers to a SCM phenomenon wherein changes in demand cause challenges within the whole supply chain network. The study identifies that the two elements of the supply chain management framework –demand management and acquisition management – are directly incompatible withthe complex organisation phenomenon. The study recommends that, in order for SCM to succeed, it must adopt some flexibility in responding to internal and external environment challenges. In addition, the study reveals that the regular amendments to the SCM policy directives and legislative framework are indicative of the complexity of SCM as a support and cross-sectional function within the organisation and local government in general. The literature review indicates that SCM literature is dissimilar to public sector and local government SCM. Public sector SCM aims to ensure total compliance with the prescripts of national government objectives while SCM literature focuses on ensuring efficiency and effectiveness within the supply chain and its processes. The supply chain has been part of local government since 2005, when the legislative framework on SCM was introduced. The study reveals that after 13 years in local government SCM is still in a developmental phase and requires constant adjustment to its founding legislation in order to ensure it addresses all unanticipated challenges. Local government is therefore required to adopt a survival, evolutionary and developmental approach to ensure that it remains relevant. It must continuously address its challenges, including its complexity as an organisation.

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