An assessment of organisational performance management at the Drakenstein and Stellenbosch municipalities

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study set out to assess the degree to which organisational performance management (OPM) has been implemented at the Drakenstein and Stellenbosch municipalities. A purposive sampling protocol was used, as being representative of developing 'B municipalities. A mixed methodology was employed in lieu of satisfying a thorough triangulation.The thesis objectives were to assess four components or themes of OPM, namely, (i) the objectives specified for OPM, (ii) capacity to implement OPM, (iii) resources available to implement OPM and (iv) the instrument(s) employed to measure organisational performance outcomes. The fifth objective was to construct a 'normative for OPM, for the chosen population, based on the findings from the assessment of the first four objectives stated.The findings revealed that OPM was not institutionalised, or formalised in a manner that manifested a dedicated OPM department and operation. Findings revealed too, that there were many factors which led to 'indistinctness in the way OPM is regarded at the municipalities, as OPM is merged with the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP). One critical factor is that the IDP and SDBIP are not instruments designed to measure performance; hence 'overall' performance reports issued in the annual reports remain lacking in being comprehensive. The researcher stressed the importance of strategic planning beyond the IDP and the SDBIP and has motivated for a dedicated OPM function with strategic human resources planning. These measures would ensure the alignment of strategic objectives to the municipalities programme and departmental objectives. Furthermore, no clear separations of functions were found between OPM and the individual appraisal (IA) of senior and general employees as stated in the 'performance management policies of both municipalities.Chapter five of the study evaluates each of the four themes in terms of the survey results, literature and legislation reviews. For each of the four themes, critical success factors (CSF's) for the implementation of OPM at the municipalities were constructed. In addition, the evaluation of information in chapter five provided a basis for the formulation of the normative framework presented in chapter six, which offers a 'normative picture of what would constitute effective and efficient OPM at both municipalities.Taken together, the empirical findings, CSF's and normative framework offers solution to the research problem, which was to conclude an assessment of OPM at the Drakenstein and Stellenbosch municipalities. It is envisaged that the results from this thesis would be of strategic value to the municipalities assessed.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University