An exploration of knowledge sharing as a means of improving municipal governance in selected Limpopo municipalities
- Authors: Dikotla, Maoka Andries https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6699-6782
- Date: 2016-08
- Subjects: Knowledge management , Information services , Organizational learning
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24750 , vital:63548
- Description: The aim of this study was to underscore the role of knowledge sharing in improving the municipal governance in the local government sector of South Africa. The objectives of the study were to find out the kind of knowledge management programmes which are in place in the municipalities of Limpopo Province; establish the extent to which municipalities in Limpopo encourage knowledge sharing for improvement of municipal governance; determine factors which affect knowledge sharing among employees of municipalities of Limpopo Province, and propose recommendations and strategies on how to optimally share knowledge in Limpopo municipalities. The nature of this study warranted the use of two research paradigms, namely positivist and interpretivist approaches. The study employed an integrated research method which covered both the qualitative and quantitative approach. In collecting data, data instruments were triangulated. In this regard, the researcher mostly used a questionnaire with little employment of interviews and observation. The researcher sampled 438 employees and 21 managers from the selected municipalities. Quantitative data was analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The major findings of the study are the following: poor knowledge management programmes in Limpopo municipalities, knowledge sharing among the employees and across the municipalities is not encouraged, knowledge sharing in Limpopo municipalities is affected by both individual and organisational barriers and under-utilisation of information communication technology tools to support knowledge management programmes and practices. Comparatively, the findings of this study to a large extent support what has been recorded in literature. However, the study contradicts a typical mind set of many people that “knowledge is power” and cannot be shared freely. The study recommended to Limpopo municipalities to develop Knowledge sharing strategies that need to be linked to municipal strategic plans; involvement of top management in knowledge management activities; development of knowledge-friendly culture and utilisation of information communication technology tools in support of knowledge sharing. Some recommendations for further study were also provided. Among others, the study recommended that a study on the use of incentive systems as a means of encouraging knowledge sharing be conducted in selected municipalities. This was because studies on the use of incentive systems for motivating knowledge sharing yielded contradictory findings in many organisations. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2016
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016-08
Analysis of work environment factors as correlate of school management teams' productivity in Mount Frere Education District
- Authors: Majova, L A
- Date: 2016-08
- Subjects: School management teams , School management and organization
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24684 , vital:63516
- Description: There is a perception that SMTs are not effective in some schools in South Africa. Hence, a huge number of learners in the public schools, particularly in high schools are not getting a good pass in their matric exams. The ineffectiveness of SMTs in some schools results in poor performance, as evidenced in poor matric results ever since 1994 in Mount Frere District, since the end of the homeland system in South Africa. To this end, the study was conducted to analyse work environment factors that affect productivity of school management teams‟ in Mount Frere Education District. Therefore, 64 schools, which formed the sample in this study, were selected randomly from the target of 210 schools (population) in Mount Frere District of Education. It was revealed that the following factors are central to the ineffectiveness of SMTs: lack of knowledge, skills, behaviours and attitudes, Human immune deficiency virus (HIV); redeployment; teachers‟ absenteeism and non-availability and mismanagement of resources. Consequently, the researcher employed quantitative research method to explore the work environment of SMTs in Mount Frere District of Education. To collect data from the SMTs, the SMT Productivity Questionnaire (SPQ) and the SMT performance appraisal form (SPAF) were used. The results were analysed using descriptive statistics like frequency count, percentages, charts and tables, and inferential statistics of Pearson product moment correlation (PPMC). It was discovered that the work environmental factors as espoused by the literature, negatively affect the performance or productivity of SMTs. The findings in the data analysis prove beyond reasonable doubt that redeployment of educators negatively affects the productivity of School Management Teams in various schools. In other words, the study confirmed the literature. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2016
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016-08