Masters Degrees (Information Science)

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https://scholar2.stb.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/628

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 249

The application of knowledge management frameworks in the public service of South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Booi, Bulelwa Cynthia; Maasdorp, Christiaan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Information Science.
ENGLISH SUMMARY: Several government departments in South Africa (SA) are implementing Knowledge Management (KM) frameworks. However, there is little academic research about actual KM practices and therefore it is not clear how the proposed KM frameworks will improve KM in the public sector. The thesis describes how government departments in South Africa are implementing knowledge management practices and seeks to determine whether and how KM frameworks are applied by government departments and to assess the current state of KM practices. This thesis described KM practices in the public sector of South Africa using a validated KM Assessment Tool (KMAT), developed by Botha & Fouche (2001). KMAT measures the key dimensions to be considered when establishing knowledge management maturity in an organization. Since KMAT was developed to assess corporations, the formulation of its statements had to be adapted slightly so that they would make sense to KM practitioners in the public sector. The thesis is aimed at providing the basis for the formulation, articulation and implementation of knowledge-based strategies, organization culture, value, structure and processes. The KMAT assessment model makes it possible to identify trends in KM practices, to identify good practices and to provide the public sector with opportunity for self-assessment and benchmarking. The thesis employs a qualitative approach for the purpose of obtaining in-depth understanding and description of the practices of KM in the public sector. Three national government departments that practice knowledge management were the cases studied. Two focus-groups with junior and middle management and three semi-structured interviews with senior managers of the selected departments were conducted. In addition, secondary documentary data from various sources such as government strategic plans, websites and KM strategic frameworks helped to inform the interpretation of the findings. The findings indicate that the departments recognized the importance of KM to the extent that some had formulated KM strategies. However, some were not yet approved by management of the departments. In all departments, KM is practiced as a broad construct; the boundaries are not clearly defined and as a result, KM is implemented in an ad hoc manner. Whilst KM practices are encouraged within departments, such practices are virtually non-existent between departments. There is a limited sharing culture within the departments as well as between departments.
Enterprise content management and administrative efficiency : the adoption of electronic records management at the Western Cape provincial government
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Dingayo, Nomaza; Maasdorp, Christiaan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Information Science.
ENGLISH SUMMARY: The purpose of the study was to establish the perceived benefits of Enterprise Content Management (ECM) implementation in the Western Cape Government (WCG), investigate the impact on administrative processes and determine the effect on electronic records management. The study evaluated whether enterprise content management could improve administrative efficiency in government departments. Eight Records, Information and Knowledge Managers of the eight selected departments where Enterprise Content Management has been implemented, together with one Project Implementation Manager were selected and interviewed. Purposeful and convenience sampling was used in selecting these experts from different departments. Document analysis and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data and thematic content analysis was used to analyse it. The study revealed that implementing an Enterprise Content Management system can lead to, among other things, an increased compliance environment and increased opportunities to tap into many areas of expertise, such as Information Technology, Records Management, and Knowledge Management, all while supporting the department’s overall goals. This study concludes that enterprise content management needs to align and support the department’s business processes to ensure its effectiveness. The study also revealed some barriers faced by Western Cape Government in achieving full implementation and benefits of the system. Some of the barriers included inadequate funding, lack of management support, inadequate implementation of ECM in selected departments, delayed implementation of Advanced Electronic Signatures. Recommendations made in the study suggest that Western Cape Government should invest and support full implementation of ECM when it is introduced in a department, enabling access to all employees across the organisation to ensure full impact of the system. Another key recommendation is that Implementors of projects need to engage Senior Managers, especially the Heads of Department of different WCG departments, to boost their buy-in and support of the system. Further studies may be beneficial for WCG once all thirteen departments have fully implemented ECM.
Information orientation : a critical analysis of state-owned enterprises in South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Bekwa, Phindile; Blaauw, Dewald; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Information Science.
ENGLISH SUMMARY: The South African State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) generate and use large volumes of information on a daily basis as they operate business processes in documents, emails, websites and IT processes, thereby making information a key organisational asset that can provide a competitive advantage when managed accurately and efficiently. The generation of substantial volumes of information tends to compromise an efficient and effective application of information and knowledge in organisations. This study seeks to analyse and determine the Information Orientation (IO) maturity levels of SOEs, using the Information Orientation Model of Marchand and Kettinger (2011). The study further attempts to understand how the implementation of the Michael Porter’s Competitive Model impacts the Information Technology practices, Information Management practices and Information Behaviours and Value (IBV) of SOEs in South Africa. Additionally, the study further explores the three information capabilities, namely; IT, IM and people’s behaviour and values (IBV), in relation to their current application in SOEs. A sample of SOEs have served as the study population in this research. Data was collected from astute organisational representatives because of their understanding of organisational strategies, processes, culture and climate. Senior managers were the targeted respondents to solicit their perspectives and understanding regarding the management and use of information within their organisations. This research was conducted through a survey administered by means of a questionnaire that was sent to respondents through email. Covid made it impossible to conduct in-person and virtual interviews, as some respondents had no technological means to respond through person-to-person interactions. Many of the SOEs were not reachable, even virtually. During the time of the study it was an abnormal period in SA. A thematic analysis was used. The analysis is framed on the three main capabilities of Information Orientation. The collected data indicates that SOEs embrace the notion that it is important to sense information internally and externally in order to identify areas that might negatively or positively affect business. The study determined that a systematic, standardized and centralised approach is needed in the organising and enhancing of easy access into information. The findings show that most SOEs in South Africa have a high proportion of the IMP and ITP in their decision-making processes but the portion for IBV is comparatively low. The results confirmed that the human element of the IO model is neglected by most organisations, putting more investment into IT infrastructure. Therefore, IBV needs to be mainstreamed and integrated into SOE information strategies in order to improve outputs and to facilitate the achievement of their socioeconomic mandates.
A case study on how employees use social media in a consulting work environment
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-12) Luposo, Claire Benedict Mwadi; Cornelissen, Laurenz Aldu; Watson, Bruce; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Information Science.
ENGLISH SUMMARY: Organisations are currently performing in a highly competitive environment and are increasingly interested in adopting advance technologies for their business operations. The importance and use of social media in the workplace has greatly increased and gained a wide interest from researchers. Social media usage in the workplace cannot be ignored or mismanaged in this information age. However, despite the increase in social media usage today, there is little understanding of the tools and platforms in developing countries. There is limited research on the ways in which social media is used in consulting firms. Thus, the study critically investigates how social media is used by employees in the consulting work environment and the role it plays on employees’ productivity. The purpose of this research is to establish the behavioural intent of how and why employees use social media in the work environment. The problem and gap the research aims to address is to critically investigate whether social media contributes to the productivity of employees and whether social media platforms can be used as a knowledge sharing tool in organisations. The study used a descriptive research design, the total population for this study was 153 participants. Structured questionnaires were used for the collection of relevant primary data. The findings revealed that social media usage in the workplace does not affect productivity and mostly contributes to knowledge sharing, a flow of communication and ongoing learning. The study sought to fill the existing gap in research literature with regards to the use of social media in the workplace and employee productivity. As social media cannot be disregarded during working hours, organisations can reinforce social media policies.
Knowledge management strategy formulation at local government level : the case of the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-12) Mahlaule, Nyeleti Stella; Maasdorp, Christiaan Hendrik; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Information Science.
ENGLISH SUMMARY: Knowledge has become increasingly important for a sustainable local government in South Africa. As a result, many municipalities turned to knowledge management to increase the efficiency and quality of service delivery. The thesis explores the processes that municipalities undertake in developing KM strategies, using the City of Ekurhuleni as a case. The literature review shows the large diversity of views on knowledge management and the lack of a definitive and universal framework to provide direction for knowledge management initiatives in the public sector. As a result, many government institutions trying to improve knowledge management practices, struggle to match their knowledge management strategy with their knowledge purpose. The thesis relies on Cook and Brown’s theory of bridging epistemologies and Snowden’s Cynefin framework to identify the relevant issues regarding the nature and scope of knowledge to be managed, before embarking on a knowledge management strategy. The case study describes the process of knowledge management strategy development at a metropolitan municipality using a mixture of document review and interviews with members of the steering committee. The analysis focused on the knowledge sharing in the ramp-up phase, the activities during strategy development, the stakeholder selection process, and the institutional factors played a role in the minds of the participants. The results show that the reliance on external consultants, the diversity and large number of stakeholders, the uneven penetration of technology across departments, and low leadership priority all contributed to increase complexity to a level beyond the expectations of the participants. In conclusion, the reality of the case is juxtaposed with the recommended approaches the knowledge management literature.

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