Abstract
M.A.
This study focused on best practice risk management frameworks (RMFs) for the sustainable implementation of risk management in the public sector, with specific reference to the role of the Department of Trade and Industry (dti). Risk management entails resources, planning, arranging, and controlling to reduce the impact of possible risks to a manageable level. The main research question addressed by this study is: What is the nature of the risk management process and which practical actions can be taken to improve risk management in the dti in order to ensure sustainable service delivery?
The goal of this best practice approach to risk management as a higher-order management function is to create an industry that will reflect on how events may influence organisational objectives through the process of identifying, assessing reducing, eliminating or mitigating and monitoring the impact and likelihood of actual or prospective risks through implementing new or improved assessment practices and internal controls.
As organisations increasingly focus on establishing or maturing their risk management applications, risk managers experience a range of challenges – from the start of the risk management process to ensure that the right decisions and processes are carried out, to managing the complex involvement of many different functional stakeholders to fulfil an organisation’s mission, achieve its objectives, and to add value. Many of the problems encountered while establishing or maturing a risk management approach can be prevented by using a sound risk management methodology and by compliance with the regulatory and policy frameworks.
This study focused on the improvement of risk management in general and the dti in particular, and made proposals for best practice methodologies and mechanisms for effective and efficient risk management systems to develop resilience against unforeseen risks. The proposed best practice mechanisms can be applied as good governance mechanisms to mitigate risk. A qualitative research methodology was followed, whereby conceptual and documentary content analyses and benchmarking were applied as research techniques. It was based on primary and secondary sources of information which covered a wide spectrum of themes, including core regulatory and policy frameworks, concepts, theories, approaches, and the variables which influence risk management in both international and South African contexts...