Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

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Browsing Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences by browse.metadata.type "Conference Paper"

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
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    Drivers of organisational performance : a state-owned enterprises perspective
    (2013) Mbo, Mbako; Adjasi, Charles
    This paper examines empirical evidence on SOE performance drivers and thus contributes to understanding the literature behind SOE performance as well contributions to policy formulation on such organizations. Data from annual reports of 24 SOEs selected from 9 countries across 7 industries in a regression model empirically estimated using linear mixed model within the framework of longitudinal data analysis. The study finds that in an SOE set up, good firm performance is driven by existence of strong boards, good liquidity position and independent industry regulation. Firm size and age are also found to be positively driving performance whilst gearing levels, government’s involvement in pricing, attempting to cater for all stakeholder interest and financial dependence on government are negatively related to performance of SOEs. Our study brings no conclusive result on the effect industry competition has on SOE performance. We conclude that SOE performance can be explained in terms of the following organizational theories: resource based theory, agency theory, stewardship theory and the public choice theory whereas the stakeholder theory does not hold in an SOE set up.
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    Higher education and the poor in South Africa
    (Stellenbosch University, 2011-09) De Villiers, Pierre
    INTRODUCTION: In the old dispensation the majority of students attending Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) were white. For example, in 1980 74.8% of students were white and only 12.5% were black (de Villiers, 1996: 359). After the first democratic election in 1994 a definite effort was made to ensure that more students of ‘colour’ attend HEIs. However, the cost of attending HEIs over time increased substantially and made affordability of attending these institutions a big issue, especially for the poor. One of the problems that HEIs encountered was that the real state appropriation (subsidy) per student decreased quite considerably over time. To balance their books HEIs increased tuition fees by more than the inflation rate which made affordability for the poor even more problematic. Therefore specific efforts were made to make higher education for the poor more affordable. The introduction of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) scheme was one such initiative. This paper looks at the history of NSFAS since its introduction in the middle 1990s and how it grew and developed over time. It will be discussed who qualifies for a NFSAS award and the requirements that must be met. The demographic profile of the students that received funding will be highlighted as well as the success of students that received NSFAS awards.
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    Investigating the feasibility to remove alpha case from titanium alloys with machining
    (Faculty of Engineering, Department of Industrial Engineering, Stellenbosch University, 2016) Conradie, F. W.; Oosthuizen, G. A.; Sacks, N.
    Titanium as an alloy offers excellent material properties including corrosion resistance, biocompatibility and high specific strength. These properties make titanium alloys highly desirable in demanding applications and specialised industries such as aerospace and orthopaedic prosthesis. However, the formation of a hard and brittle alpha case layer at elevated temperatures requires hot forming processes to be conducted either in inert atmosphere, or vacuum. Alternatively, alpha case could be removed post process by chemical milling which requires high capital costs as well as stringent safety measures. Alternative removal techniques are therefore under investigation and one such option is machining removal which can make use of the already established South African machining industry. Excessive wear due to the hardened alpha case layer results in machining removal not currently being viewed as economically feasible. This investigation therefore focusses on identifying possible machining guidelines for the removal of alpha case from titanium alloys. Thereafter, a comparison is made between machining removal of alpha case with chemical milling in the context of the South African manufacturing industry. It was observed that alpha case is readily removed at all machining conditions and that excessive notching and accelerated wear rates are experienced at high cutting speeds. Wear rates more commonly attributed with titanium machining is observed at lower cutting speeds.
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    Management accountability for enterprise project success
    (PM Global Pty Ltd, 2007) Butler, Martin
    Despite the growth and adoption of project management tools and methodologies, and the recognition of the contribution of project-mature organisations, achieving project success remains a challenge. An extensive literature review revealed different, and even contradictory, views on project success. The literature often focuses on either project success factors or success criteria, but seldom on a comprehensive framework embracing all aspects. Failing to distinguish between project success and project management success has led to increased pressure on project managers to deliver successful projects, although their mandates only empower them to deliver successful project management. It is argued that the complementary nature of various management responsibilities has led to a vague definition of responsibilities, and ultimately accountability, for project success. This paper presents a framework of factors influencing project success. The framework constitutes: (1) the efficient execution of project management; (2) the continuous alignment of project objectives with organisation strategic intent; (3) the optimum allocation of resources to project activities; and (4) the effective operations management realising the benefits from the project deliverables. It is shown that strategic (executive), line (operations), project, program and portfolio managers all have a direct impact on project success and that organisations should hold the respective managers accountable to ensure a comprehensive and integrated work effort resulting in successful projects.
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    A public value approach to collaborative governance implementation in South African municipalities
    (International Institute of Administrative Sciences, 2019-06) Jessa, Fakier; Uys, Frederick M; School of Public Leadership
    The form of governance which prevails in the bureaucratic-hierarchical apparatus of South African municipalities, is characterised by fragmented departmentalism (silos), an inflexible administration, fractured relationships with communities and stakeholders, a skew politicaladministrative interface and resistance to systemic transformation. Such governance attributes discourages (i) open dialogue with communities and stakeholders, (ii) bottom-up innovation and (iii) responsiveness to citizens’ needs, demands and expectations. ‘Corporate’, ‘cooperative’ and ‘good’ governance forms struggle to flourish in municipal environments, exuding unique, inwardly focused institutional constraints relative to most needed effective, accountable and inclusive governance practice and policy. This paper proposes an integrated public service system (IPSS) and the generation of public value (PV), as means to achieve effective, accountable and inclusive governance, focussing on (i) community common objectives, i.e. public interest and public purpose, (ii) stakeholder teams and integrative leaders, operating in a defined, distributive (integrated) network and (iii) collaborative governance, which embrace collaboration between stakeholders as a vehicle for integration, systemic transformation and effectiveness in service delivery. Collaborative governance encompasses the structural and functional aspects of effective, accountable and integrated practices, only when contained a nonlinear system (an IPSS), in synchrony with the propagation of inclusiveness, feedback, efficiency, efficacy, equilibrium, equity, viability, legitimacy, adaptation and sustainability. Collaborative governance is appropriate for municipal engagement with stakeholders, given (i) communities and their support stakeholder teams are engaged in locally based programmes and projects, (ii) civic education for community enablement is prioritised as a primary, inclusive and engagement mechanism, (iii) a viable means to assure continuous focus on the satisfaction of community needs, demands and expectations, social progress, quality of livelihood, quality of life standards, liveability (environmental sustainability) is devised and (iv) the delivery of tangible and nontangible goods and services, i.e. PV, by municipalities to communities is generated. The generation of PV, which involves whole communities, compels the utilisation of collaborative governance in assuring the achievement of accountability, oversight, feedback, inclusivity and transparency in measuring performance outputs, outcomes, adaptation to transformative change and sustainability in generating stable communities. This paper will deal with the critical importance of collaborative governance at the municipal level, the theoretical genesis of PV and similarly, the IPSS. In addition, results from a study conducted by the authors, will show a willingness among senior managers (in 15 municipalities in South Africa) to implement collaborative governance as a daily practice.
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    The sources of South African equity fund performance
    (Portfolio management -- South Africa, 2015-11) Lester, N.; Corubolo, D.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : This paper aims to quantify some of the sources of South African equity fund performance. In particular, it aims to provide insights into the relative importance of sector allocation and stock selection as factors to consider in constructing actively managed portfolios. This analysis is done considering the constraint of a concentrated South African market environment. To partially account for this constraint, an assumption of three equity “super sectors”—financial, industrial and resources—is made. To quantify the sources of equity fund returns, a geometric attribution analysis was conducted on the returns of seven South African equity unit trust funds. An attribution decomposition of the seven funds’ tracking error and volatility was also performed to enable a risk adjustment to be made. The results of these attribution analyses indicated that it is possible to source excess returns through both selection and allocation efforts. Furthermore, the attribution analysis also revealed different levels of success at earning excess returns per sector. South African equity fund managers also demonstrated skill in reducing risk over the sample period, as the majority of the managers were able to reduce portfolio risk relative to the benchmark portfolio, but still source excess returns. It is, however, important to note that these results are influenced by market structure and manager practices.
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    Sustainability and sustainable development as the making of connections : lessons for integrated development planning in South Africa
    (South African Planning Institute, 2006-12) Muller, Anneke
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Africa’s many developmental problems (poverty and environmental degradation) have to be solved in a sustainable way. However, the complex, multi-dimensional concepts of ‘sustainability’ and ‘sustainable development’ (SD) can be interpreted in different and even clashing ways by various interest groups and are often used as ‘spin’ or buzzwords. The many potential meanings include SD as a process or end point/ goal, SD as inter-generational, intra-generational or inter-species equity, SD as separate ecologically or socially sustainable development or as holistic/ integrated economic, social, ecological, institutional, technological and physical development, SD as conservation (the Green Agenda), SD as development (the Brown Agenda); SD as Human Rights (the Red Agenda); SD as Human Development and as democracy/participative development. Even when a certain meaning of SD is promoted (such as for instance SD as inter-generational equity or SD as integration as in many South African policy documents), the practical application of the concept rarely conforms to the meaning that is promoted. One of the conceptions of sustainable development that has the greatest potential for future development in Africa, is that of a collaborative, communicative learning process of ‘making connections’ and linkages between various role-players -experts, disciplines (transdisciplinarity), communities; formal and informal businesses, politicians, officials and civil society (NGOs, CBOs) at local level. ‘Integrated Development Planning’ can potentially play a role in ‘making connections’ and in the construction of local meaning regarding SD. A recent study of completed IDP documents, however, showed a very simplistic and superficial understanding of the concepts of sustainability and SD. These plans also illustrated a lack of knowledge about the theory regarding communicative or collaborative planning and did not try to deal with the underlying conflict regarding the meaning of ‘development’ and therefore were little more than ‘lowest common denominator’ plans. This paper will analyse the meanings given to the concept of SD in IDP documents and from this will recommend some lessons for future planning.
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    A systemic and public value approach to integrated public sector reforms: a case for South African municipalities
    (International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA), 2019-06) Jessa, Fakier; Uys, Frederick M; School of Public Leadership
    The bureaucratic-hierarchical apparatus in municipalities constrain systemic integration (systemic transformation), open dialogue with communities and stakeholders, bottom-up innovation and responsiveness to citizens’ needs, demands and expectations. This paper asserts that the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (17 UN-SDGs) can be realised upon the institution of an integrated public service system (IPSS) generating public value (PV) in municipalities. The emergence of an IPSS is forged upon open systems theory, nonlinear democratic stakeholder networks, collaborative governance and PV theory, vital to citizens’ needs, demands, expectations and broad socio-economic goals. The key outcomes from research undertaken in 15 municipalities the Western Cape region in South Africa, points to a 75% - 100% acceptance range for IPSS and PV generation performance functions and indicators. The actualisation of public sector reform therefore necessitates systemic transformation in the micro sphere of government primarily, where transformative change is essential for social progress and well-being.