Masters Degrees (School of Public Leadership)
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- ItemModelling the environmental and socio-economic impacts of controlling the invasive prosopis tree in Witbank, Northern Cape, South Africa(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Sishuba, Lungisa; Mudavanhu, Shepherd; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.ENGLISH SUMMARY: The invasive Prosopis species are regarded to be one of the major invasive alien plant species causing environmental disturbances in Witbank under the Orange River water catchment areas in the Northern Cape Province. This invasive alien plant species is responsible for many concomitant and deleterious impacts on the environment, amongst them excessive water consumption, reduction in stream flow, invasion of grazing lands, displacement of native plant species and an environmental nuisance but to mention a few. On the other hand, the invasive Prosopis tree also offers beneficial effects which include, a feed source for livestock, pharmaceutical properties, raw material for making flour and an energy source in the form of firewood. As a result, the management of Prosopis species is a contentious issue that leads to a dilemma when trying to strike a balance between the negative and the positive effects emanating from this alien invasive plant species. Thus, a system dynamics model (i.e., the WITBANK-PROSOPIS model) was developed to assess the environmental and socio-economic implications of clearing the invasive Prosopis species in Witbank, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. Five scenarios were simulated for the purposes of this study, and important insights that can potentially aid decision makers were emphasised. The study concluded by recommending that value added products that make use of Prosopis biomass be incorporated in future assessments.
- ItemEvaluating the implementation of environmental, social and governance factors in the mining sector : a case study of Namibia(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Shilongo, Genovefa Magano; Crookes, Douglas J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.ENGLISH SUMMARY: Over the years the demand of sustainability disclosure has grown and companies are moving away from disclosing only based on financial performance. With the demand of investors for companies to consider environmental, social and governance factors in their operation and decision making. The mining companies have obligation to disclose on financial and non non-financial instruments to stakeholders. Sustainable mining suggests that mining companies consider the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in their business strategies. This warranted the research study to assess the progress made in Namibia as literature review reveal that there are few studies on the integration of ESG practices. Thus, this study explores the extent of ESG consideration in the mining sectors to estab lish the nature of ESG indicators adopted and the driving force thereof. This research employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches to answer the research questions. The desktop research was conducted using secondary data from archival data source. In confirming whether ESG is integrated in the mining sector, the research conducted content analyses of sustainability reports using the categorisation of themes as per the Global reporting initiative indicators. The study found that, the Namibian mining industry have considered ESG practice within their operation to some extent as most of the mining companies have integrated and disclosed on ESG metrics. Many of the examined mining companies have published sustainability reports on the s trategies and progress made toward environmental and social factors. Although the regulations are silent on the ESG, the focus in on adopting and integrating sustainable development goals. Therefore, the driving force of ESG in the sector to maintain good reputation, attract investor and complying with regulation. Although, the ESG integration in the sector is lucrative, the regulator needs to adopt ESG in the regulatory framework and create awareness in order to promote ESG and leap long term effect which leads to achieving Sustainable development goals.
- ItemAn exploratory study of an organisational strategy and organisational structure using the miles and snow typology : a case for a national government department(Publisher: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Vilakazi, Nhlanhla; Ndevu, Zwelinzima; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.ENGLISH SUMMARY: The challenges encountered by the public service to formulate and implement their organisational strategy should motivate senior management to improve the processes for fulfilling the organisational mandate. To ensure that public sector organisations achieve this, there needs to be alignment between the strategy and the organisational structure. The Covid-19 pandemic and the national lockdowns impacted the government’s economic direction, and the local economic focus and efficiency were severely impacted. This has led the National Treasury to review its economic growth estimates, as significant fiscal disruptions were experienced by the department. Despite the significant efforts made to improve the economy over the past 10 years and the introduction of key budgetary pronouncements, the National Treasury reported that it has failed to provide meaningful benefits to address countrywide poverty, social inequalities and unemployment. Using the Miles and Snow typology, the purpose of this research was to explore the process followed by a public sector organisation to formulate and implement an organisational strategy and to determine whether the organisational structure is aligned with the strategy. The research objectives were formulated to answer the question posed. These objectives were realised by applying a mixed-methods approach involving both qualitative and quantitative strategies. The perceptions of the sampled respondents within a national government organisation were explored and analysed to understand how they viewed the processes followed to formulate and implement an organisational strategy. The research used a non-probability sampling strategy with purposive sampling based on the assumption that the selected middle and senior management respondents would provide the best data to achieve the objectives of the study. The collection of data was done using a structured and open-ended questionnaire. The questionnaire was an online self-administered tool in which 35 respondents participated. The study found that the national department based in Gauteng follows the Miles and Snow typology regarding strategy orientation. The strategy orientation followed by this department is a defender strategy, as also found in other studies on local authorities in some parts of Europe countries. The perceptions of the employees in this sampled organisation also revealed that there were formal processes to formulate and implement the organisational strategy. However, the respondents revealed that lower-level officials were not involved in this process. The study revealed that the employees saw the organisational structure as a divisional structure centred on bureaucratic administrative processes, which delays strategic decision-making and implementation and discourages the adoption of innovative ideas. The research acknowledged the contribution of the Miles and Snow typology in the public sector. Public service managers should establish internal mechanisms that encourage innovative ideas such as automation of work streams and effective deployment of staff, aimed at transforming government and improving public service.
- ItemExploring the barriers to training and development of medical doctors in the public health system : a case for Free State Academic Hospitals(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Mtakati, Sipho Samuel; Van der Berg-Ross, Ashlene; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.ENGLISH SUMMARY: The study explores barriers to the training and development of medical doctors in the public healthcare system using Free State academic hospitals, Pelonomi tertiary and Universitas central, as reference. Human resources form part of the public healthcare system pillars because of the labour intensity of the system. It is natural that, among others, the cadre of medical doctors, as part of human resources, is essential for the survival of the public healthcare system. The rationale for the study emanates from the necessity to improve the training and development of medical doctors in the public healthcare domain and to develop literature in the realm of training and development for medical doctors in the public healthcare system. The literature review captures theories, definitions and divergent views of scholars and academics on the training and development of medical doctors in the public healthcare system. The legislative framework highlights the importance of legislation that has an impact on the training and development of medical doctors in the public healthcare system. The structure and mandate of the Free State Department of Health are explained in detail. The research methodology and design of the study include both mixed method research. After satisfying the ethical requirements, four senior managers of the Free State Health Department were interviewed and thirty-three medical resident doctors – of a target population of forty-eight – of Pelonomi tertiary and Universitas central hospitals completed a questionnaire. The interview participation and questionnaire completion were 100 per cent and 69 per cent respectively. The study revealed that barriers to the training and development of medical doctors in the public healthcare system, with reference to Free State academic hospitals, do exist. These barriers relate to the following: a lack of capacity for the training and development of the Free State Department of Health; a weak partnership between the Free State Department of Health, the University of the Free State medical school and other similar public healthcare facilities (academic hospitals); limited time due to high patient volumes; a shortage of staff; overtime calls per medical doctor; limited resources for training and development; a shortage of consumables and medical equipment, and COVID-19 has worsened the challenges. The study concludes with recommendations that are aimed at addressing the barriers and challenges revealed by the study. The study recommends the following: training and development of the Free State Department of Health must be capacitated; the Free State Department of Health’s partnership with the Free State University medical school, and other similar public health facilities (academic hospitals), must be intensified and all other identified challenges must be addressed as recommended in the final chapter of the study.
- ItemPolitical instability affects service delivery : an assessment of Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality from 1994-2017(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Mboneni, Asanda; Mantzaris, Evangelos; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.ENGLISH SUMMARY: Political instability leading to internal conflict has negatively affected the well-functioning of the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality. This study was aimed at assessing the effects of political instability. This study employed a qualitative research method and a case study research design. Data was collected using both primary and secondary sources, primary data was collected using interviews. Thematic analysis was utilised for data analysis. The stud was aimed at determining the factors that have led to ineffective service delivery in local government since 1994, to identify the impact of political instability and its role to local municipality clashes as well as to understand the effects of political instability on service delivery within Dr Beyers Naude local municipality. The study revealed that the main factor that has led to ineffective service delivery is the system of cadre deployment coupled with lack of finance within the municipalities. The study has also revealed that political instability within the municipality has had a negative impact within the municipal as it has led to sabotaging of different officials because they don’t belong to a certain faction crippling the delivery of services. The people interviewed included the political leadership and administrative management indicated that lack of separation between politics and administration within the local government setup has contributed unethical tendering and supply chain management processes. In addition, the manipulation of overtime by employees, poor communication with the residence, non-compliances and poor attendance in meetings. The study recommends several measures to minimise the political instability that affects service delivery including restructuring of the economy, clear distinction between the State and the Party, clear roles and responsibilities of office bearers in municipalities, and building strong institutions.