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Theses and dissertations (Management Sciences)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/14

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Subject: search.filters.subject.eThekwini Municipality

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Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    The impact of work design on job satisfaction : a case study of the Electricity Stores department, eThekwini Municipality
    (2023-06) Maniram, Dhanesh; Chetty, Gopalkrishna
    This study sought to examine the relationship between work design factors and job satisfaction with the eThekwini Electricity stores as the case study. The primary objective of the study was the assessment of the impact of work design factors on job satisfaction. Job satisfaction plays a crucial role in employee motivation and productivity that generally contributes to the attainment of organisational goals. Studies globally suggest that practicable work designs are associated with the enhancement of employee morale and motivation, hence increasing job satisfaction. In South Africa municipalities have come under scrutiny for buildings and offices that are derelict in appearance. Moreover, due to the deficiency of capital resources by local government, the maintenance and refurbishing of buildings, equipment and machinery are generally being neglected. Acceptable work designs are dependent on meticulous building infrastructure and appropriate machinery and equipment; hence, this study is devoted to the eThekwini Electricity stores’ environment in Durban. eThekwini Electricity has twelve (12) stores located within the Metropolitan region that holds and supplies stock for maintenance and construction purposes. The study findings are based on a sample of 65 respondents with a response rate of 92.30% for the self-administered questionnaires. As part of a mixed methods research approach, five (5) participants were also interviewed. The study’s theoretical framework is undergirded by the Work Design Questionnaire of Morgeson and Humphrey (2006) and the motivation theory by Herzberg that uses motivators as factors that seek to enhance job satisfaction, while the job characteristics model by Hackman and Oldham employs skill, variety, task variety, task significance, autonomy and feedback as factors to be incorporated into work design to enhance employee morale . The results from this study suggest work design factors such as autonomy and task variety are perceived by employees as significant contributors to job satisfaction, while work design factors job complexity, information processing and problem-solving point to an appreciable proportion of contribution toward job satisfaction, but equally does not contribute to job dissatisfaction. This study also revealed a pronounced dissatisfaction with work design factors such as ergonomics, physical demands and work conditions. The findings in this study point to arenas within eThekwini Electricity stores that can be improved upon in respect of work design. The appropriate managerial interventions ought to address the perceived deficiencies. Review of existing work methods together with appropriate training and development can be employed to address work factors such as job complexity, information processing and problem solving, while the use of appropriate technology and mechanisation ought to be used for work design factors such as ergonomics, physical demands and work conditions. Additionally, it is proposed that improved health and safety standards together with ‘green environment’ initiatives be encouraged to enhance job satisfaction outcomes with employees. The study used the Work Design Questionnaire and adapted it uniquely to suit the eThekwini Electricity Municipality stores’ environment. The approach and methodology utilised in this study could certainly be adopted in any warehousing environment, especially in a local government setting.
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    The nexus between project management and service delivery in the eThekwini Municipality
    (2022) Mnembe, Fikile Queen; Murwirapachena, Genius
    Service delivery is placed as the main function of municipalities in Section 152 of the South African Constitution. However, municipalities generally struggle to deliver public services efficiently. As a result, municipalities typically endure ongoing pressure to enhance service delivery and make prudent decisions with integrity and transparency. One of the reasons for service delivery challenges across South African municipalities is the lack of proper and effective project management. Generally, municipalities struggle to implement projects that harmonise national government policies and procedures. This study explores the nexus between project management and public service delivery using a case study of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. A qualitative methodological approach was adopted to address the research questions raised in the study. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect qualitative data from 30 workers at the eThekwini Municipality. The thematic data analysis approach was adopted to analyse data. The study found that, there is a relationship between project management and service delivery, there are gaps in the link between project management and service delivery, whilst document reviews established that policies in place are not reviewed and are mostly implemented as drafts. Seven key challenges of project management in the eThekwini Municipality were identified and their impact, as well as recommendations to improve service delivery in the municipality. It is recommended that there is need for ethical leadership in addressing project management and service delivery challenges in local government. Ethical leadership ensures transparency and accountability in project management and service delivery
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    Monitoring and evaluation and its impact on the performance of the Sizakala Customer Services department employees at eThekwini Municipality
    (2021) Dlamini, Nonkululeko Nonjabulo; Mabila, Ndiphethe Olive
    The need to meet the organization’s objectives, to meet the set targets, to detect problems at an early stage is the reason Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) should be executed in the organizations. The objectives of this study were to determine the understanding of M&E on the Sizakala Customer Services department employees and its practice in the municipality, to ascertain the impact of M&E on the performance of the employees in the Sizakala department, to determine how M&E contributes to the attainment of the objectives in the department and lastly, to identify challenges and to make recommendations to overcome the challenges facing M&E within the department. The study is demarcated at the Sizakala Customer Care department under the Sizakala Customer Services unit at the eThekwini municipality. The Sizakala department aims to help the community to obtain equal access to the services rendered by the municipality and other spheres of government. The program forms part of the eThekwini Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP). The program is to show the municipality’s obligation in keeping up with service delivery and an improved quality of life for all eThekwini citizens. There are (35) Sizakala Customer Service centres. The aim of the Sizakala centres is to bring services closer to all residents. Self-administered questionnaires were given to the total number of 41 participants at the Sizakala departments across the North, South, West and Central offices of the eThekwini Municipality, inclusive of Principal clerks and semi-structured interviews were rendered to cumulate data from 2 Monitoring practitioners, 2 Evaluation practitioners and 1 Sizakala manager. Probability sampling was employed in this study and the stratified sampling technique was used to conduct the research. A total of 31 questionnaires were returned from the participants which yielded a response rate of 76%. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 was used to do the quantitative analysis of data and the qualitative data was converted into the Excel spreadsheet to do the analysis. The study unfolded that the greater number of the respondents have an understanding of M&E and the majority are positive that employee M&E findings are fully implemented at Sizakala department. M&E helps employees to improve on their performance at Sizakala department. The study also unfolded that there are obstacles facing M&E at Sizakala department, which includes not having enough funding for M&E at Sizakala department. Subsequently, the Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) unit has not conducted any evaluation for the Sizakala unit and is lacking experienced M&E staff and does not conduct walk-ins to monitor the unit. There is no internal M&E department at Sizakala Customer Services unit. The PME unit is an external unit that is responsible for M&E in the eThekwini municipality collectively. The researcher recommended that the Sizakala department needs to get more funding and resources for the M&E initiatives. The Sizakala department needs to establish its internal M&E department. In conclusion, this study can be seen as a contribution to the M&E philosophy.