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Students’ experiences of mobile learning at an Islamic high school in the Nelson Mandela Bay District in South Africa
No full textAbstracts in English, Afrikaans and ZuluThe global expansion of mobile learning and its imperative significance may sometimes go unnoticed. This study explored mobile learning at Islamic schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay District of South Africa, focusing on mobile learning experiences, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite certain regional challenges, the implementation of mobile learning has shown promise. Given the escalating demand for mobile learning and its pivotal role in education, this research concentrated on delineating students' experiences in Islamic schools. It aimed to discern how they perceive the effectiveness of mobile learning, to identify the obstacles the students encounter and, ultimately, to formulate guidelines for educators to enhance the integration of mobile learning in an educational setting.
Employing a qualitative research approach, the investigation in this mini dissertation utilised online surveys/questionnaires with mainly open-ended questions, and semi-structured interviews. A specific Islamic school in the Nelson Mandela Bay region served as the case study, with 12 students participating in the surveys. From these, four students were specifically chosen for follow-up interviews, based on their survey responses and engagement levels. This strategic selection aimed to gather detailed insights from students who could provide diverse and articulate perspectives, thus enhancing the depth and quality of the information.
The study's findings revealed that students in the Islamic school frequently employ mobile devices for learning purposes. They found them considerably more convenient to access information than traditional learning methods, which often require a lot of time and research. The research emphasises the importance of equipping students with comprehensive knowledge on maximising the utility of mobile devices for seamless information access. Furthermore, it advocates for enhanced communication with students and bolstered support services to address challenges in this domain effectively.Die wereldwye uitbreiding van mobiele leer en die noodsaaklike betekenis daarvan kan soms onopgemerk verbygaan. Hierdie studie verken mobiele leer by Islamitiese skole in die Nelson Mandelabaai-distrik van Suid-Afrika, met die fokus op mobiele leer-ervarings, veral met die oog op die Covid-19-pandemie. Ten spyte van sekere streeksuitdagings lyk die implementering van mobiele leer belowend. Gegewe die toenemende vraag vir mobiele leer en die deurslaggewende rol daarvan in onderrig, het hierdie navorsing gefokus op die uitbeelding van studente se ervarings in Islamitiese skole. Dit het beoog om te onderskei hoe hulle die doeltreffendheid van mobiele leer ervaar, om die struikelblokke te identifiseer wat die studente teëkom en, eindelik, om riglyne te formuleer vir opvoeders om die integrasie van mobiele leer in ’n opvoedkundige omgewing te bevorder.
Die navorser het gebruik gemaak van ’n kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering in hierdie mini-proefskrif, en het aanlyn opnames en vraelyste met hoofsaaklik ope vrae asook halfgestruktureerde onderhoude aangewend. ’n Spesifieke Islamitiese skool in die Nelson Mandelabaai-distrik het gedien as die gevallestudie, met 12 studente wat aan die opnames deelgeneem het. Uit hierdie studente is daar vier gekies vir opvolg-onderhoude, gebaseer op hulle antwoorde van die opname en betrokkenheidsvlakke. Hierdie strategie-keuse is daarop gemik om gedetailleerde insigte by studente te kry wat uiteenlopende en duidelike perspektiewe kan bied, en so die diepte en kwaliteit van die inligting kan bevorder.
Die studie se bevindings het getoon dat studente in die Islamitiese skool dikwels mobiele toestelle gebruik vir leerdoeleindes. Hulle het dit baie meer gerieflik gevind om toegang tot inligting te kry as tradisionele leermetodes, wat dikwels baie tyd en navorsing verg. Die navorsing beklemtoon die belangrikheid daarvan om studente toe te rus met omvattende kennis om die gebruik van mobiele toestelle vir toegang tot inligting te maksimeer. Dit beveel verder ook gevorderde kommunikasie met studente aan asook versterkte ondersteuningsdienste om uitdagings op hierdie gebied doeltreffend te hanteer.Kungenzeka kube ukuthi akunakekile ukukhula kwendlela yokufunda usekhaya kanye nokubaluleka kwakho emhlabeni jikelele. Lolu cwaningo luhlola ngokufunda usekhaya ezikoleni zamaSulumane ngaphansi kweSifunda i-Nelson Mandela Bay eNingizimu Afrika, ngokugxila ekutheni kunjani ukufunda usekhaya, ikakhulu ngenxa yobhubhane lwe-COVID-19. Ngaphezu kwezinselelo ezithile zesifunda, ukuqaliswa kokufunda usekhaya kubukeka kuthembisa. Ngokubona ukukhula kwesidingo sokufunda usekhaya neqhaza lakho elibalulekile kwezemfundo, lolu cwaningo lugxile ekuthi bazizwa kanjani abafundi ezikoleni zamaSulumane. Inhloso yalokhu ukuthola ukuthi abafundi bakubona kuyimpumelelo yini ukufunda usekhaya, ukuhlonza izinselelo abafundi abahlangabezana nazo, kanjalo nokuqhamuka nomhlahlandlela wothisha ukuze kuqhanyukwe nendlela ezokwenza kube lula ukufunda usekhaya.
Lapha kusetshenziswe indlela yokucwaninga isimo, uphenyo kulo mbhalo omfushane luhlanganiswe ngenhlolovo/uhlu lwemibuzo ku-inthanethi obekuyimibuzo evulelekile, kanye nokuxoxisana kafushane. Ucwaningo lwenziwe ngokusebenzisa isikole esithile samaSulumane esifundeni i-Nelson Mandela Bay, kwacelwa abafundi abayi-12 ukuba babambe iqhaza kulolu cwaningo. Ngemuva kwalokhu, kukhethwe abafundi abane kwalandelelwa kubona ngenhlolovo, ngokususela ezimpendulweni zabo zocwaningo kanye nezinga lokuzibandakanya. Lokhu kukhethwa bekuhloswe ngakho ukuqoqa imininingwane enzulu kubafundi abahlinzeke ngemibono eyahlukene futhi ecacile, ukuze kuphuculwe iqophelo lwemininingwane etholakele.
Imiphumela yalolu cwaningo iveze ukuthi abafundi besikole samaSulumane bavamise ukusebenzisa amaselula uma befunda. Bawathole efaneleka kakhulu ukufinyelela kulwazi kunokusebenzisa izindlela ezijwayelekile zokufunda, lokhu-ke kudinga isikhathi esiningi kanye nocwaningo. Lolu cwaningo lugcizelela ukubaluleka kokuhlomisa abafundi ngolwazi olubanzi lokukhulisa ukusetshenziswa kwamaselula ukuze bathole ulwazi ngokungenazihibe. Ngaphezu kwalokho, lapha kukhuthazwa ukuxhumana okuphucuzekile nabafundi kanye nezinsiza zokweseka ezinqala ukuze kubhekwane ngempumelelo nezinselelo ezikhona.M. Ed. (Open Distance Learning (ODL))Curriculum and Instructional Studie
Framework for good governance in South African state-owned enterprises
No full textText in EnglishSouth African state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have been plagued by corruption, mismanagement and political interference in recent years, through what is called state-capture. State capture is a form of systemic corruption in which private actors influence the state's decision-making processes to their own advantage, often at the expense of public interest and democratic principles. This study adopts a quantitative method approach, using an analysis of annual report documents of SOEs for the period 2011 to 2022 and a review of the literature to examine the manifestations, causes and effects of state capture in South Africa and the existing challenges and measures taken to combat it.
The study establishes that state capture in South Africa is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon involving various actors, sectors and levels of government. It has resulted in significant financial losses, poor service delivery, erosion of public trust, and weakening of democratic institutions. The study also identifies several factors that enable state capture, such as weak governance, lack of accountability, political patronage and regulatory capture. Moreover, it reveals that current anti-state capture measures in South Africa are inadequate, ineffective, or poorly implemented owing to various legal, institutional and political constraints. Based on these findings, the study proposes a comprehensive and holistic anti-state capture framework, which comprises board characteristics, financial performance, audits and board assessments to provide an environment for good governance and a possible prevention of state capture. This is the study’s contribution to the body of knowledge. The framework draws from the research results of the SOEs that are under study. It also considers the specific context and challenges facing South Africa and suggests some concrete actions and reforms. It concludes that the framework can serve as a useful tool and guideline for policymakers, practitioners, researchers and stakeholders who are committed to fighting state capture and restoring good governance in South Africa.D. Phil. (Management Studies)Business Managemen
Plundering the past in the Biblical world: searching for an interdisciplinary panacea with reference to archaeological heritage in Egypt and Israel
No full textThe plundering of archaeological heritage is an international phenomenon that drives the illicit trade in antiquities. In fact, the looting and destruction of tangible cultural resources has occurred since antiquity such as tomb robbing in pharaonic Egypt or the pillaging and destruction of ancient cities in the southern Levant, more specifically the ‘Holy Land’, due to incursions of the Israelites, Assyrians or Babylonians among many others. Today, it is still an ongoing problem that seems to be exacerbated the most in the region of the biblical world. While the plundering and vandalism of antiquities is also a reflection of past and present socio-economic and geopolitical circumstances, it actually causes a loss of data available for the study of Biblical Archaeology, thereby hindering the understanding of the people, places and events described in the biblical narrative. Therefore, it is imperative that a solution should be found, that at the very least offers the potential of curbing the degree to which the looting and destruction of archaeological heritage occurs in the present. Since this is a very complex issue and a single approach such as legislation alone does not appear to suffice in tackling it, a more multifaceted approach that targets these issues from different angles is necessary. Therefore, this thesis proposes an interdisciplinary four-pillar approach for addressing the plundering of the cultural heritage of the biblical world, which includes monitoring, documentation, public archaeology and physical and legal securitisation. In order to investigate the utility of this approach, the archaeological site of Tel Hazor in Israel is considered for the application of a pilot study.Biblical and Ancient Studie
Stakeholders’ experiences with the management of professional conduct of teachers in church owned secondary schools in Maseru, Lesotho
No full textTeachers’ professional conduct has become a major concern in the world today because some teachers behave unprofessionally and unethically regardless of qualifications, experience and competences they possess. The purpose of this study was to explore stakeholders’ experiences of professional conduct of teachers in church owned secondary schools in Maseru, Lesotho. Underpinned by interpretivist paradigm, this study employed a qualitative multi-case study whereby five church secondary schools in the urban and rural areas of Maseru participated in the study. The population for this study comprised school principals, teachers and School Board (SB) chairpersons of church owned secondary schools. The participants were selected through purposeful sampling. Five school principals, five teachers with lengthy service some of whom were HODs and five SB chairpersons were selected to participate in this study. Semi-structured interviews were used to generate data which were later analysed through interpretive thematic analysis. Findings from this study revealed that the participants witnessed positive and negative experiences of teacher conduct in teaching and learning, relationships in the school and response to authority. The older generation of teachers seemed to pass on a school culture of teacher misconduct to the next generation. This study also reported numerous incidents of teachers’ professional misconduct that were prevalent in schools such as cases related to administrative issues; misuse of school resources; intimacy and sexual abuse; working relationships; religious practices and Covid-19 protocols. Most importantly, this study established that school principals employed democracy; a mix of democracy and autocracy; and shared/collaborative leadership to manage teachers’ professional misconduct and they used, among others, school developed tools; induction and retreat workshops; enforced disciplinary processes to minimise teacher misconduct. The study recommends that, inter alia, principals and department of education should inculcate conducive culture and edify proper codes of conduct in church owned schools.Ph. D. (Education Management)Educational Leadership and Managemen
Applying lean to the supply chain in the railway industry
No full textThe railroad sector, a crucial part of contemporary transportation systems, is required to meet rising demands for effectiveness, economy, and sustainability. This study investigates how to apply lean principles to improve supply chain efficiency that is impacted by the railroad industry. According to the analysis, using lean approaches can result in significant gains in customer satisfaction, cost control, and output. It also reveals significant issues with material accessibility, quality assurance, payment conditions, and supplier inspection procedures. For the supply chain to fully benefit from lean principles, several issues must be resolved. This study intends to offer useful insights for industry stakeholders by looking at case studies, identifying problems, and making recommendations. It provides a road map for organisations to enhance their supply chains, achieve operational excellence, and satisfy changing market needs through thorough analysis and strategic recommendations. This study emphasizes how crucial it is to use lean principles to the railway sector to make it a more effective, affordable, and environmentally friendly method of transportation.Mechanical and Industrial Engineerin
An Indigenous relational approach to systemic thinking and being: Focus on Participatory Onto-Epistemology
No full textIn this article I discuss in depth an Indigenous systemic view of relationality with the focus on a participatory onto-epistemology (and attendant axiology).This article is structured around my locating a lacuna in the (mainstream) literature
describing the history of the field of “systems thinking”. I investigate how dominant
accounts of this history do not include an account of the contributions of Indigenous sages
and scholars’ systemic thinking. Such thinking (and being) is grounded in a relational onto-epistemology and attendant axiology – where knowing is consciously tied to (re)generating reciprocal relations with others – human and more-than-human – as we enact worlds-in-the-making. The argument is that at the moment of “knowing/inquiring” we co-constitute with other agents (and not only human ones) the worlds that are brought forth. Otherwise expressed, there are never spectators, only participants in ongoing world-construction. I explore the way of explaining this as proffered by authors from a variety of geographical contexts as a backdrop to indicating how Indigenous critical systemic thinking has not been catered for by those writing the history of the so-called “systems community”. This is despite many Indigenous scholars self-naming their understandings as being systemic. I indicate that exploring global superwicked problems from the standpoint of an Indigenous onto-epistemology includes pointing to, and experimenting further with, radically different options for thinking-and-being than those that thus far have been storied by those writing the history of systems thinking. I indicate why it is important to take seriously this approach, rather than drowning its contribution.Adult Basic Education (ABET
The interpretation of the doctrine of common purpose by South African courts
No full textThis research examined the application and interpretation of the doctrine of common purpose by South African courts, when compared to its use in selected foreign jurisdictions. This undertaking included an extensive conceptual and historical investigation into the origin and development of the doctrine. The common-purpose principle originated from English law in the century and was adopted into the South African legal system in the nineteenth century. South African law has interpreted the doctrine differently from English law, mainly because English law requires a perpetrator's presence at the scene of the crime in persuasion of a conspiracy to commit a crime in concert, while South African law does not require a person's presence at the scene of the crime or proof of the person's direct contribution towards the execution of the crime, if a prior conspiracy can be established. This modification of the basis of criminal liability became (and remains) a controversial aspect in South African law, despite the doctrine passing constitutional muster. In the past, the doctrine was severely misused by the apartheid regime, mainly to control Black communities by sentencing and subjecting them to imprisonment en masse. Despite the principle’s progressive development over the past four decades, an examination of the contemporary interpretation of common purpose by South African courts reveals that misapplication of the doctrine still occurs when the principles are not strictly adhered to by the courts. The study recommended that the application of joint enterprise principles by courts in the United Kingdom be incorporated for a more comprehensive South African response to common purpose crimes.LLM (Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
Practices of decentralized educational management in Ethiopia : its implications to the delivery of quality education in public secondary schools
No full textMismatched practices of decentralized educational management have been identified as a significant challenge in the public secondary schools of the Sidama National Regional State in Ethiopia. Since 2000, all regions in Ethiopia have implemented educational decentralization; however, the provision of quality education in secondary schools remains difficult. The primary aim of this research study was to examine the practices of decentralized educational management in Ethiopia and their implications for quality education in secondary schools. This study was framed using General System Theory by Ludwig von Bertalanffy. Systematic thinking allowed the researcher to analyse the decentralized educational management system as a whole without altering the workings of its subunits. The research employed a constructivist paradigm, utilizing a qualitative approach and descriptive case study design to create a comprehensive database for assessing the effectiveness of educational decentralization in secondary schools. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and observations. Twenty participants, including education managers and secondary school staff, were selected through purposive sampling. One-on-one interviews were conducted with six principals, three supervisors, seven teachers, and four education managers. Additionally, the researcher performed observations at secondary school sites and analysed relevant education policies and school documents. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The researcher adhered to ethical practices as defined by UNISA, clarified the study's objectives to participants and organizations, and obtained permission from all concerned parties. Integrity in research was maintained through responsible conduct, with the study approved by the UNISA College of Education Ethics Review Committee. The findings indicate that the practices of decentralized educational management are largely unproductive. While there have been attempts by relevant bodies to enhance decentralized educational management in Ethiopian secondary schools and to improve gross enrolment rates, overall school efficiency and educational quality remain inadequate. Systemic underperformance is identified as a primary challenge facing decentralized educational management. Additionally, teachers and school management face significant challenges related to scarce resources. In response, the researcher proposed a systemic uplifting model to improve the effectiveness of educational decentralization. Based on the findings, recommendations were made, including: a systemic response from all stakeholders across the sector; training for teachers and management; enhanced cooperation and collaboration among school stakeholders and the Ministry of Education; increased parent and community involvement in the organization and management of secondary schools; and effective integration of indigenous knowledge with innovative and modern technological practices to achieve successful decentralized educational management in Ethiopian secondary schools.D. Phil. (Education Management)Educational Leadership and Managemen
An exploration of the identification and processing of forensic investigative leads in the investigation of crime by the South African police service
No full textAbstract in English with Afrikaans and Zulu translationsForensic investigative leads (FILs) are crucial insofar as they assist law enforcement in the investigation and resolution of crimes. The South African Police Service (SAPS) dedicates substantial resources to investigating trace and forensic databases that contain crucial forensic biometric information by performing comparative searches in various databases. Forensic investigative leads are produced and shared with detectives to assist in ongoing investigations and enhancement of the detection and conviction rates. It is against this background that the aim of this study was to explore, describe and analyse the FILs in the investigation of crime by the SAPS and to develop practical guidelines for the processing and investigation of forensic investigative leads by the SAPS.
The study adopted a qualitative research approach and a pragmatic worldview philosophy. The sample size of the study comprised a total of 38 purposively sampled participants, including detectives from ten police stations in Gauteng Province, forensic examiners, and overseas forensic experts. The case study design approach proved beneficial since it enabled the researcher to provide suggestions derived from the comprehensive interviews and diverse insights and experiences of the participants and their subject-matter expertise. In-depth interviews were conducted for primary data collection, to complement secondary data sources such as the review of literature and extraction of FIL data from the CAS/ICDMS system.
Thematic content analysis was applied for the categorisation and subsequent conversion of the qualitative data into intelligible findings of the study. The findings revealed that detectives face significant resource constraints when investigating FILs, resulting in the under-utilisation of FILs and a minimal impact on detection and conviction rates. The study provides SAPS officials with a thorough framework and scientifically grounded proposals and recommendations relevant to the enhancement of the identification, communication, and subsequent examination of forensic investigative leads. Furthermore, this study enhances the existing knowledge on implementing FILs in investigative and station settings.Forensiese-ondersoekleidrade is deurslaggewend om wetstoepassing by te staan in die ondersoek en oplossing van misdade. Die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD) wy aansienlike hulpbronne aan die ondersoek van spoor- en forensiese databasisse wat belangrike forensiese biometriese inligting bevat deur vergelykende soektogte in verskeie databasisse uit te voer. Forensiese-ondersoekleidrade word gelewer en met speurders gedeel om te help met voortgesette ondersoeke en die verbetering van die opsporing- en skuldigbevindingsyfers. Dit is teen hierdie agtergrond dat die doel van hierdie studie was om die forensiese-ondersoekleidrade in misdaadondersoek deur die SAPD te verken, te beskryf en te ontleed en om praktiese riglyne te ontwikkel vir die verwerking en ondersoek van forensiese-ondersoekleidrade deur die SAPD.
Die studie het ’n kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering en ’n pragmatiese wêreldbeskouingsfilosofie aanvaar. Die steekproefgrootte van die studie het uit ’n totaal van 38 doelgerigte steekproefdeelnemers bestaan, insluitend speurders van tien polisiestasies in Gauteng-provinsie, forensiese ondersoekers en oorsese forensiese kundiges. Die gevallestudie-ontwerpbenadering was voordelig aangesien dit die navorser in staat gestel het om voorstelle te verskaf wat uit die omvattende onderhoude en diverse insigte en ervarings van die deelnemers en hulle vakkundigheid verkry is. Diepgaande onderhoude is gevoer vir primêre data-insameling, ten einde sekondêre databronne soos die oorsig van literatuur en onttrekking van forensiese-ondersoekleidraad-data uit die CAS/ICDMS-stelsel aan te vul.
Tematiese inhoudsanalise is toegepas vir die kategorisering en daaropvolgende omskakeling van die kwalitatiewe data in verstaanbare bevindinge van die studie.
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Die bevindinge het aan die lig gebring dat speurders beduidende hulpbronbeperkings ondervind wanneer hulle forensiese-ondersoekleidrade ondersoek, wat lei tot die onderbenutting van forensiese-ondersoekleidrade en ’n minimale impak op opsporing- en skuldigbevindingsyfers het. Die studie verskaf ’n deeglike raamwerk en wetenskaplik gefundeerde voorstelle en aanbevelings aan SAPD-beamptes wat relevant is vir die verbetering van die identifikasie, kommunikasie en daaropvolgende ondersoek van forensiese-ondersoekleidrade. Verder verbeter hierdie studie die bestaande kennis oor die implementering van forensiese-ondersoekleidrade in ondersoek- en stasie-omgewings.I-Forensic investigative lead (FILs) ibalulekile njengoba isiza abomthetho ekuphenyweni nasekuxazululeni ubugebengu. Umbutho Wamaphoyisa aseNingizimu Afrika (i-SAPS) unikezela ngezinsizakusebenza ezinkulu ekuphenyeni imininingwane egciniwe yokulandela umkhondo kanye neyeforensikhi equkethe ulwazi olubalulekile lwe-forensikhi yebhayometrikhi ngokwenza ukusesha ngokuqhathanisa kudathabhesi ehlukahlukene. Imikhombandlela yabaphenyi be-Forensikhi iyakhiqizwa futhi yabelwane nabaseshi ukuze basize ophenyweni oluqhubekayo kanye nokuthuthukiswa kwamazinga okutholwa kanye nokugwetshwa. Kungalesi sizinda lapho inhloso yalolu cwaningo bekuwukuhlola, ukuchaza nokuhlaziya ama-FIL ophenyweni lobugebengu olwenziwa yi-SAPS kanye nokwenza imihlahlandlela esebenzayo yokucutshungulwa kanye nophenyo lwemikhondo yophenyo lweforensikhi yi-SAPS.
Ucwaningo lwamukele indlela yocwaningo olusezingeni eliphezulu kanye nefilosofi yeprakmathikhi yomhlaba wonke. Usayizi wesampula wocwaningo uhlanganise
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isamba sababambiqhaza abafakwe ngenhloso kumasampula abangama-38, okuhlanganisa abaseshi abavela eziteshini zamaphoyisa eziyishumi esiFundazweni saseGauteng, abahloli bezobunhloli, kanye nochwepheshe bezobunhloli baphesheya kwezilwandle. Indlela yokuklama yocwaningo lwesigameko ibonakale inenzuzo njengoba yenza umcwaningi akwazi ukunikeza iziphakamiso ezisuselwe ezingxoxweni ezibanzi kanye nemibono eyahlukene kanye nolwazi lwababambiqhaza kanye nobuchule babo bendaba. Izingxoxo ezijulile zenziwa ukuze kuqoqwe idatha eyisisekelo, ukuze kuhambisane nemithombo yedatha yesibili njengokubuyekezwa kwezincwadi kanye nokukhipha idatha ye-FIL ohlelweni lwe-CAS/ICDMS.
Ukuhlaziywa kokuqukethwe okunesihloko kwasetshenziswa ekuhlukaniseni ngezigaba kanye nokuguqulwa okulandelayo kwedatha yekhwalithi ibe yimiphumela eqondakalayo yocwaningo. Okutholakele kuveze ukuthi abaseshi babhekana nezingqinamba ezibalulekile zezinsiza lapho bephenya ama-FIL, okuholela ekusetshenzisweni kancane kwama-FIL kanye nomthelela omncane ekutholakaleni namazinga okugwetshwa. Lolu cwaningo luhlinzeka izikhulu ze-SAPS ngohlaka oluphelele kanye neziphakamiso nezincomo ezisekelwe ngokwesayensi ezifanele ekuthuthukisweni kokuhlonza, ukuxhumana, kanye nokuhlolwa okulandelayo kwemikhombandlela yophenyo. Ngaphezu kwalokho, lolu cwaningo luthuthukisa ulwazi olukhona ekusebenziseni ama-FIL kuzilungiselelo zophenyo nesiteshi.D. Phil. (Criminal Justice, Police Science, Forensic Science
A framework for authentic leadership towards improving the quality of service delivery within two South African municipalities
No full textSouth African municipalities are experiencing growing pressure from the population concerning the quality of services provided. In recent years, ineffective leadership has had a detrimental influence on the performance and advancement of services provided by most municipalities. The issues observed in these municipalities pertain to the ineffectiveness of leadership and staff, leading to a decline in the quality of services offered in most localities.
This study examined the ongoing deterioration of service delivery quality in South African municipalities and explored whether authentic leadership can effectively tackle this issue. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between authentic leadership and service quality, with the involvement of authentic followers, employee performance, and the amount of trust in the leadership acting as mediators. The thesis specifically examined the impact of authentic leadership on authentic followers, employee performance, and trust in leadership, which influenced the quality of service. This study examined the ongoing deterioration of service delivery quality in South African municipalities and explored whether authentic leadership can effectively tackle this issue.
The study was carried out within the framework of South African municipalities, focusing on the Municipality of the City of Tshwane and the Municipality of the City of Johannesburg. In this particular context, the term “followers” pertains to the personnel who demonstrate reverence and admiration towards their bosses. The primary aim was to provide a framework for genuine leadership to enhance the quality of service delivery. The study employed a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. The population consisted of the employees of South African municipalities, and a sample of 504 participants was chosen randomly from these two municipalities through probability sampling and self-administered online surveys. The questionnaire answered by the population had five distinct variables: 1) authentic leadership (AL), 2) authentic followership (AF), 3) trust in leaders (TiL), 4) employee performance (EP), and 5) service quality (SQ). The survey data analysis revealed that authentic leadership directly impacts service quality, with authentic followers, trust in leadership, and employee performance acting as mediators.
The significance of this study lies in the innovative approach of combining the five principles to create a framework that enhances the quality of service delivery. This study adds to the existing body of research in this field, which was found to lack sufficient empirical evidence on the connection between authentic leadership and quality of service delivery, by focusing on how authentic followers, trust in leadership, and employee performance contribute to this leadership-quality link and updating the empirical evidence on the subject of the existence of positive, statistically significant and predictive associations between authentic leadership and service quality factors, namely reliability, assurance, tangibility, empathy and responsiveness.
The study's practical implication is that it can assist management in enhancing the quality of service offered to the community. Research indicates that municipalities should choose authentic leaders for public managers and provide them with suitable training and skill enhancement opportunities to enhance the authenticity of both leaders and followers, resulting in a favourable impact on follower performance.D.B.L.Business Managemen