A comparative study of performance management systems for Harare and Johannesburg municipalities
- Authors: Sixpence, Samuel
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Performance - Management , Municipal government - South Africa - Johannesburg , Municipal government - Zimbabwe - Harare
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/485511 , uj:44133
- Description: Abstract: This is a comparative study of performance management systems (PMSs) for City of Harare (Harare Municipality) and City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality (JHB Metropolitan Municipality), which are the largest cities in Zimbabwe and South Africa respectively. The two municipalities are similar in that they have both embraced the concept of a PMS, and are still going through the process of perfecting the implementation. However, they differ in that Harare Municipality uses resultsbased management (RBM) and Johannesburg Municipality uses a balanced scorecard (BSC) to manage employee performance. Although both systems are being used in a municipal context, they have different strengths and weaknesses, providing an opportunity to learn through a comparison of the cases. Due to the challenges associated with comparing organisations in different contexts, the study did not seek to make recommendations for best practice, but to inform policy for implementing PMSs. The researcher, as an HR practitioner at a municipality, had the desire to find solutions to current challenges related to PMSs. The current case study followed a qualitative approach. Research participants were designated by use of the purposive sampling, in addition to data gathered from archival records. Data were analysed iteratively using ATLAS.ti. Harare Municipality and Johannesburg Municipality share common encounters, namely, performance culture, failure to involve employees, poor use of digital technology, and weak rewards management. However, both municipalities‘ PMSs have yielded positive results. Harare Municipality‘s RBM improved, as did its culture of measuring performance, knowledge of stakeholder needs, budgeting system, the culture of achieving results, and societal impacts. Johannesburg Municipality‘s BSC results improved, as did strategic planning, balanced performance measures, the PMS legislative framework, and employee commitment. However, at Harare Municipality, the PMS is affected by a lack of a legislative framework for the PMS, poor monitoring and evaluation, an inappropriate governance structure, poor employee buy-in, and financial constraints. At iii Johannesburg Municipality, the PMS is affected by poor communication of strategy, poor BSC training, lack of teamwork, over-emphasis on the financial measures at the expense of non-financial measures, and weak stakeholder consultation. , Ph.D. (Human Resources Management)
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The use of alternative service delivery mechanisms within the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Maseko, Njabulo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Internet in public administration - South Africa - Johannesburg , Municipal services - South Africa - Johannesburg , Municipal government - South Africa - Johannesburg , Johannesburg (South Africa). Metropolitan Council
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/272223 , uj:28969
- Description: M.A. (Public Management and Governance) , Abstract: Municipalities are at the forefront of grassroots service delivery, and therefore have to be responsive to the needs of the public, which implies responding to requests and queries in a timely manner. Without an effective ICT system in place, it is extremely difficult for officials to respond to every citizen who has a query, comment or suggestion. Conducting day-to-day operations on this level will be facilitated by the use of ICT systems and tools. This study therefore aims to provide a conceptual framework gained from the relevant literature in an effort to explain the issues, concerns, challenges and solutions on introducing e-government as an alternative service delivery initiative to create smart cities. The study contextualises the use of e-government in the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, thereby aiming to make this key South African metropolitan municipality a ‘smart city’ with better service delivery. The researcher utilised a mixed-method study that has its origin in the qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The research is qualitative (exploratory) and quantitative (descriptive) serving the purpose of providing exploration and description of concepts and the intended impact that was highlighted in the study. The primary objective of research is to ascertain knowledge. There are two related purposes of research, namely, to explore and discuss in order to be predictive and to accomplish the outcomes of the research questions that were formulated. This research utilised the case study approach and selected the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality (hereafter referred to as City of Johannesburg) as it is a case study. The study utilised both primary and secondary sources of information. The primary data was collected through interviews and questionnaire survey. The secondary information was collected by means of a careful literature review. A triangulation of data was considered to analyse the information obtained through primary and secondary sources, thus leading to un-obtrusive information for the study. Triangulation was also utilised to strengthen validity and reliability in the research process. Through triangulation the qualitative and quantitative data was collected to corroborate findings...
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