An analysis of the restructuring process and operational effectiveness in the Central region of the North West Department of Education

[摘要] This study sought to empirically investigate operational effectiveness in the centralregion of the North West Department of Education following the extensive restructuringexercise initiated in 1999. It further sought to determine the impact on schools, and thelevel of support offered by the corporate centre to the region as it implemented therestructuring blueprint The literature survey covers theories of organisationalrestructuring as well as the research findings on this aspect in the private and publicsectors in both developed and developing countries.The data was collected using the survey method. The subjects of the empiricalinvestigation were 71 randomly selected managers in different management categories atall levels within the region. A pre-tested questionnaire was employed to analyse post restructuring operational effectiveness on four criteria Corporate support duringrestructuring and managerial response to the challenges posed by restructuring were alsoassessed.The empirical investigation found that restructuring had no positive impact on theeffectiveness of operational units in the region. It was further found that the levels ofsupport schools received was adversely affected by lack of a proper post-restructuringmonitoring and support plan from the corporate centre. Implementation of thedepartment's strategic priorities was also found to be ineffective as a result. The studyrecommends that for restructuring exercises to be successful, support from the corporatecentre is crucial, and that restructuring organisations should undertake regular impactassessments of the process. Finally, it is recommended that people, not technicalprocedures, get priority if the restructuring effort is to have any chance of success at all.

[发布机构] North-West University