Improving the implementation and sustainability of corporate performance management at Amatola Water Board
- Authors: Ntungwana, Sabelo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Organizational effectiveness , Organizational effectiveness -- Measurement Performance -- Management Performance -- Measurement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33736 , vital:33012
- Description: In the last century, researchers have studied how performance management systems could be applied effectively to achieve both financial and non-financial performance. This approach was a direct response to the need for strategic measurement systems to measure the performance of the organisation. As a results, various approaches were developed. And Amatola Water Board opted to adopt the Balanced Scorecard as its strategic measurement system. It contains outcome measures and the performance drivers of outcomes, linked together in connectedness relationships, and thus aims to be a proactive control system. Furthermore, the balanced scorecard is developed for use not only as a strategic measurement system but also as a strategic control system. Its purpose enables the departmental and personal goals to be aligned to the organisational strategy. The purpose of this research study was to first examine the extent to which there is a connectedness relationship between strategic performance and business performance. Secondly, the research study examined the extent to which the strategy is understood by all in the organisation. Thirdly, the study also examined the extent to which the performance management system is consistently applied. Finally, the study examined the extent to which performance is recognised and rewarded. Lastly, the research study discusses the empirical results and suggests some improvements to the performance measurement and management system. The researcher chose a quantitative approach to conduct the study. The quantitative approach was influenced by the positivistic research paradigm. A simple random sampling technique was used due to its probability that each unit in the population has an equal chance of being included in the sample. And a questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument. The instrument was anchored to a five (5) point Likert scale the Likert scale required the respondents to indicate their level of agreement with the statement. The statements ranged from strongly disagree to strongly agree. And the data collection instrument consisted of Thirty Five (35) questions. Regarding the pilot study, it was however not conducted for this research. The researcher acknowledged that a pilot study helps the researcher to determine how the questions are interpreted and understood by the respondents, but also indicated that it is only due to limited resources that the researcher omitted to conduct a pilot study. One Hundred and Thirty (130) questionnaires were distributed and one hundred and twenty seven (127) were returned achieving a response rate of ninety six (96) percent. And both Statistical® and SPSS® programmes were utilised for extraction of data for recognised reliability and validity. The research study revealed that Amatola Water has a performance measurement and management policy and it is being implemented. However, the study also revealed that communication and involvement is limited to management and lower level employees are not involved in the process from the beginning. The study showed evidence of lack of training for line management on how to properly execute and administer the performance measurement and management system effectively and successfully. And the analysis indicates lack of understanding of the contents of the shareholder’s compact and organisational strategy by lower level employees. Finally, the researcher made recommendations regarding the improvements in the implementation of the performance measurement and management system. And more recommendations are made regarding the participation of lower level employees in strategic direction and performance of the organization.
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- Date Issued: 2018
A fibre utilisation comparison of two harvesting systems in eucalyptus grandis in the Kwa-Zulu natal forestry region of South Africa
- Authors: Nxumalo, Sikhumbuzo Khethukuthula , McEwan, Andrew
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Eucalyptus grandis -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal Harvesting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20592 , vital:29331
- Description: Global timber demand is increasing as the level of technology continues to improve in many parts of the world. There needs to be more focus on renewable energy resources which will have a reduced negative impact on the environment. There is limited land area for timber plantations and this necessitates effective use of land from both an environmental and a commercial point of view. This research aimed at quantifying and comparing the fibre utilisation of two harvesting systems operating in Eucalyptus grandis pulpwood plantations. This was done using a general linear model, whereby the fibre loss areas were identified and used as the dependent variables, whilst diameter at breast height (DBH), site and harvesting systems were used as the independent variables. The research also aimed at determining the amount of fibre each system could recover, where fibre is lost or gained in each harvesting system and also whether one of the harvesting systems is able to recover more fibre than the other. The research investigated two harvesting systems in Eucalyptus grandis pulpwood plantations. These systems consisted of the full tree chain flail delimber debarker and chipper (FT CFDD&C) system and the cut-to-length (CTL) motor-manual system. These systems operated close to one another to ensure that the research was carried out on comparable paired plots. Two sites were identified to carry out research after a pilot study was done to test the feasibility. Using the FT CFDD&C system, trees were felled by means of a feller buncher. A grapple skidder was used for extraction to the landing, a chain flail delimber debarker (CFDD) for debarking and debranching and a roadside chipper for converting the boles into chips. The second CTL motor-manual system was modified into a tree length system to suit the conditions of the study due to infield chipping requiring longer lengths. Therefore, trees were felled with a chainsaw and debranched and topped infield before tree lengths were extracted to the landing site with the grapple skidder. The CFDD was used for debarking and the chipper converted boles into chips.
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- Date Issued: 2017