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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Achieving performance excellence by aligning strategies and operations in local government context in South Africa
Authors:Haycock, E.
Labuschagne, H.J.
Year:2006
Periodical:Politeia: Journal for Political Science and Public Administration
Volume:25
Issue:3
Pages:257-272
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:personnel management
municipal government
Abstract:Local government in South Africa experiences severe problems in delivering services and is frequently criticized for low performance. The country's 284 municipalities are under immense pressure to deliver services and improve the quality of life while they are also tasked with a new developmental mandate, struggle with massive underdevelopment and are faced with the expectations of millions of people. The failure to implement long-term strategic plans reached a critical stage that required the intervention of the national government. To evaluate hypotheses and explore alternative options, a research study was conducted in a local authority in South Africa to analyse the reasons for low performance and to evaluate the relationship between performance, internal culture and people management competencies. The results indicated that a linear relationship exists between the performance, internal culture and people management competencies of the organization. To ensure the alignment of strategies and operations it is essential to establish an achievement culture that is in line with the preferences of those staff who are ultimately responsible for the implementation of strategic objectives. A strategic action management approach that is directed towards the alignment of managerial and operational functions and the integration of thinking and acting, and based on the principles of spiral interaction and learning from experience, is proposed to support the achievement of objectives through the creation of progressive action cells. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract, edited]
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