Rethinking the role of councilors in a digital era governance:: a critical analysis of Shinyanga Municipality and Nzega District Council in Tanzania
- Linje, Anna Peter https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1990-3309
- Authors: Linje, Anna Peter https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1990-3309
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Internet in public administration , Information technology Political aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21759 , vital:51749
- Description: This study endeavored to rethink the roles of councilors in a digital era governance. The essence of councils’ role according to Adams (2013), is that they are the only level of government with a legislative mandate for the well-being of people and responsive to local risks and opportunities. Therefore, it is important to rethink their roles as they require a full range of interactions which can now be facilitated by the use of digital potentials (Adams, 2013). The study explored the councilors’ undertakings to understand the current situation and if they embrace the new forms of digital governance. Also, the researcher reviewed the laws and policies guiding the councilors in their undertakings and if they accommodated the digital era requirements. Moreover, the researcher examined the capacity of councilors and the challenges they face in their undertakings. The study employed a qualitative approach, whereby semistructured interviews, observation and documentary review were used to collect data. The findings revealed that councils’ practices and processes continue to be outside the digital age. One of the major factors was a dearth of limited practical experiences to upkeep the digital governance opportunities and tailor their decisions accordingly. Regarding legislatives, the findings showed that there was evidence of formulation of new legislatives including the current ICT policy (2016) that respond to the digital governance. Yet, it was indicated that the digital legislatives were not well captured by the individual councilors, while the enforcement mechanisms were still at its infancy. Also, councils could not provide a clear digital platform framework. The capacity of councilors was found to be insufficient, they were not well equipped in terms of facilities, skills and digital technicalities. Generally, lack of political readiness, spirit of fear and poor digital infrastructure were major challenges. The study recommended councils adopt new ways in parallel with the existing ones, this should be inclusive of frequent trainings. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10
- Authors: Linje, Anna Peter https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1990-3309
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Internet in public administration , Information technology Political aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21759 , vital:51749
- Description: This study endeavored to rethink the roles of councilors in a digital era governance. The essence of councils’ role according to Adams (2013), is that they are the only level of government with a legislative mandate for the well-being of people and responsive to local risks and opportunities. Therefore, it is important to rethink their roles as they require a full range of interactions which can now be facilitated by the use of digital potentials (Adams, 2013). The study explored the councilors’ undertakings to understand the current situation and if they embrace the new forms of digital governance. Also, the researcher reviewed the laws and policies guiding the councilors in their undertakings and if they accommodated the digital era requirements. Moreover, the researcher examined the capacity of councilors and the challenges they face in their undertakings. The study employed a qualitative approach, whereby semistructured interviews, observation and documentary review were used to collect data. The findings revealed that councils’ practices and processes continue to be outside the digital age. One of the major factors was a dearth of limited practical experiences to upkeep the digital governance opportunities and tailor their decisions accordingly. Regarding legislatives, the findings showed that there was evidence of formulation of new legislatives including the current ICT policy (2016) that respond to the digital governance. Yet, it was indicated that the digital legislatives were not well captured by the individual councilors, while the enforcement mechanisms were still at its infancy. Also, councils could not provide a clear digital platform framework. The capacity of councilors was found to be insufficient, they were not well equipped in terms of facilities, skills and digital technicalities. Generally, lack of political readiness, spirit of fear and poor digital infrastructure were major challenges. The study recommended councils adopt new ways in parallel with the existing ones, this should be inclusive of frequent trainings. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10
An assessment of the role of information and communication technology (ICT) in enhancing employee performance: a case-study of Nkonkobe local municipality
- Oyelana, Akeem Adewale https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7337-3260
- Authors: Oyelana, Akeem Adewale https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7337-3260
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Municipal government , Internet in public administration
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25157 , vital:63983
- Description: The operations and utilisation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are not well understood and have rarely been addressed both nationally and internationally. The aim of this study is therefore to establish a base level of understanding of the operational core values of ICT in Nkonkobe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study used a qualitative research design that involved a desktop review methodology. Data was collected through the review of available published or existing documents. Data analysis included using document analysis which consist of the existing information reviewed from the literature or document containing information about various municipalities issues, journals and books as well as reviewed of various data analysis done in relation to the assessment of the role of ICT in enhancing employees performance with the aim of analyzing the organization structure of the municipality. Findings from previous literature revealed that there are constraints faced in the operations and utilisation of ICT. The study confirmed some of the operational hurdles to include lack of IT skills, and lack of clear understanding of ICT as well as training. The findings also identified the search for solutions to the challenges faced by the employees in Nkonkobe Local Municipality by providing an insight for further research regarding the institutional weaknesses and policy issues in this part of the world. The implications of the findings are that unless the limitations named above are resolved, ICT in Nkonkobe Local Municipality will continue to experience poor service delivery, poor economic growth and development. Recommendations to overcome these challenges are suggested. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
- Authors: Oyelana, Akeem Adewale https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7337-3260
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Municipal government , Internet in public administration
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25157 , vital:63983
- Description: The operations and utilisation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are not well understood and have rarely been addressed both nationally and internationally. The aim of this study is therefore to establish a base level of understanding of the operational core values of ICT in Nkonkobe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study used a qualitative research design that involved a desktop review methodology. Data was collected through the review of available published or existing documents. Data analysis included using document analysis which consist of the existing information reviewed from the literature or document containing information about various municipalities issues, journals and books as well as reviewed of various data analysis done in relation to the assessment of the role of ICT in enhancing employees performance with the aim of analyzing the organization structure of the municipality. Findings from previous literature revealed that there are constraints faced in the operations and utilisation of ICT. The study confirmed some of the operational hurdles to include lack of IT skills, and lack of clear understanding of ICT as well as training. The findings also identified the search for solutions to the challenges faced by the employees in Nkonkobe Local Municipality by providing an insight for further research regarding the institutional weaknesses and policy issues in this part of the world. The implications of the findings are that unless the limitations named above are resolved, ICT in Nkonkobe Local Municipality will continue to experience poor service delivery, poor economic growth and development. Recommendations to overcome these challenges are suggested. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
An assessment of electronic-governance as a support system for service delivery in the public sector
- Maramura, Tafadzwa Clementine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4419-1887
- Authors: Maramura, Tafadzwa Clementine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4419-1887
- Date: 2014-11
- Subjects: Civil service -- South Africa , Electronic government information , Internet in public administration
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26053 , vital:64786
- Description: This is an exploratory research that is aimed at assessing the role of e-governance tools and initiatives on how they can be support systems for service delivery in the public service sector. The rationale of this research came as a response to the ever increasing and recurring service delivery protests that are underpinning the Government of South Africa. Hence the inception of electronic-governance (e-governance) comes at the right time with the aim of mordernising and reforming the public sector for efficient and effective service delivery. E-governance is about transforming governance to be more citizens centered and thus technology is the tool in this effort which can enable change in how the government works and how public officials interact with the public at stake. Cloete (2012:128) asserts that e-governance is the future of public governance and public service delivery globally. Thus governments that do not make the transition from paper-based systems of public administration to electronic platforms of public service delivery may swiftly undermine their chances of developing their societies as 21st century information societies. This research however does not imply that e-governance will be a miraculous panacea to poor service provision in South Africa, but it implies that its role in the public service sector can be as a support system for efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery. This is coupled by the research findings which are espoused on through a secondary data approach and thematically analysed to assess the role of e-governance as a support system on service delivery in the public service sector. Thus from the literature it is remarkable to acknowledge that the South African public service sector has successfully established and implemented a significant number of e-governance initiatives from 1994 to present day. Simultaneously to reveal how e-governance can be a support system for the public service, it is not one-dimensional, it is however multidimensional and thereby cutting across the entire field of public administration inter alia the public service sector. The already initiated e-governance tools in South Africa also range from national, provincial and municipal level thereby clearly revealing how e-governance can also be a support system to cooperative governance and intergovernmental relations inter alia. This research does not imply that e-governance can be a panacea to the public service sector ills but however with the fast moving techno-global world the move to an ICT driven public service sector has more merits than demerits to the general public who are at the receiving end of public services. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-11
An assessment of electronic-governance as a support system for service delivery in the public sector
- Authors: Maramura, Tafadzwa Clementine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4419-1887
- Date: 2014-11
- Subjects: Civil service -- South Africa , Electronic government information , Internet in public administration
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26053 , vital:64786
- Description: This is an exploratory research that is aimed at assessing the role of e-governance tools and initiatives on how they can be support systems for service delivery in the public service sector. The rationale of this research came as a response to the ever increasing and recurring service delivery protests that are underpinning the Government of South Africa. Hence the inception of electronic-governance (e-governance) comes at the right time with the aim of mordernising and reforming the public sector for efficient and effective service delivery. E-governance is about transforming governance to be more citizens centered and thus technology is the tool in this effort which can enable change in how the government works and how public officials interact with the public at stake. Cloete (2012:128) asserts that e-governance is the future of public governance and public service delivery globally. Thus governments that do not make the transition from paper-based systems of public administration to electronic platforms of public service delivery may swiftly undermine their chances of developing their societies as 21st century information societies. This research however does not imply that e-governance will be a miraculous panacea to poor service provision in South Africa, but it implies that its role in the public service sector can be as a support system for efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery. This is coupled by the research findings which are espoused on through a secondary data approach and thematically analysed to assess the role of e-governance as a support system on service delivery in the public service sector. Thus from the literature it is remarkable to acknowledge that the South African public service sector has successfully established and implemented a significant number of e-governance initiatives from 1994 to present day. Simultaneously to reveal how e-governance can be a support system for the public service, it is not one-dimensional, it is however multidimensional and thereby cutting across the entire field of public administration inter alia the public service sector. The already initiated e-governance tools in South Africa also range from national, provincial and municipal level thereby clearly revealing how e-governance can also be a support system to cooperative governance and intergovernmental relations inter alia. This research does not imply that e-governance can be a panacea to the public service sector ills but however with the fast moving techno-global world the move to an ICT driven public service sector has more merits than demerits to the general public who are at the receiving end of public services. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2014
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-11
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