A Management Framework for the Public Service of South Africa : lessons from Canada
Abstract
Management within the Public Service of South Africa involves the disciplines of business management, financial management, governance, people management and skills management. Decisions are made on a daily basis based on the relationship between these factors to a greater or lesser extent. These decisions influence the lives of all South Africans, regardless of taxpayer status.
The main objective of this study is to develop a framework for effective management in the Public Service of South Africa. The research objectives attempted to identify the factors and sub-factors that contribute most significantly towards effective management within the Public Service of South Africa, to explore the difference of the perceptions between those in policy (DHET) versus those in practice (HEIs) and to identify a few lessons on effective management that could be learned from the Public Service of Canada.
This study employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach to gather and analyse primary and secondary data from the Public Service of South Africa and Canada. Phase 1 consisted of a questionnaire based on relevant literature related to research objectives 1 and 2. In total, 151 respondents from the DHET and HEIs completed the questionnaire. Phase 2 consisted of the highlights of the 2019 PSES and perspectives from three purposefully selected experts in the Public Service of Canada to answer research objective 3.
The data analysis included statistical analysis for Phase 1 and thematic analysis for Phase 2. The quantitative and qualitative findings were combined for interpretation and to develop a framework for effective management within the Public Service of South Africa. This management framework is considered the significant original contribution to knowledge. Recommendations for future research were made. This study also aimed to contribute to the global discussion on effective management, and more specifically within the service domain.