Faculty of Management Sciences
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Item Evaluating student perceptions on the development management curricula to promote green economy(Business Perspectives, 2016) Govender, Ivan GunassThe purpose of the paper is to determine the students' perceptions on the development management curricula in relation to education i ngreen economy, as no previous research has been conducted to evaluate the perceptions of the students enrolled for this course. The study seeks to answer the following question: To what extent were students exposed to the skills and conpetencies required for engaging in green economy and its effect on their home and work environment. The study used the quantitative approach where the students were given a questionnaire to cmplete. The findings indicated that the sustainable development attributes were adeuately covered with strong focus on global issues, time management and systems theory and thinking. Personal attribute awareness gained during the course included leadership skills, critical thinking and decision making that could enhance the understanding of the economy and environmental management. The study also highlights the students' perceptions that they could make significant contributions towards the green economy both at work and home. The study recommends that the course be redesigned to include aspects of green economy, the assessment strategies be made more relevant at the program level to include the tenets of engaged scholarship. The study is important for curriculum developers and higher educatoin policy developers to ensure that the course content is relevant to addressing economic relations in the area of environmental management.Item Towards inclusive education for environmental sustainability at a University of Technology(Business Perspectives, 2016) Govender, Ivan GunassThe purpose of the study is to evaluate the efforts of Durban University of Technology to provide a more inclusive education for the transition towards an economic and sustainable environment. The paper is centred on assessing the current general education programme implemented by Durban University of Technology by exploring the general education environmental knowledge domains. In 2009, the Durban University of Technology Senate accepted the general education guidelines for curriculum renewal and stipulated the aims of general education as building a student-centeredness experience, preparing students for the complex and changing globalized environment and to cultivate responsible citizenship. Documentary analysis was undertaken to assess the graduate attributes and its incorporation into the general education modules. The general education policy documents, thematic clustering, module descriptors and study guides were inspected to establish the scope of the knowledge that would aid students to engage in a transitional and transformational world. The study findings highlighted that while the general education modules related to environmental sustainability, there was little evidence of the green economy being included in the general education curricula. DUT needs to progress towards becoming a sustainable university to enrich the students' experiences in education in sustainable development (ESD) through committed leadership, being lecturer focused and developing a participatory monitoring and evaluation system for ESD. The study is of value to higher education and governmental institutions engaged in transformative learning and education policy development in environmental management and green economy.Item Monitoring and evaluation capacity development of municipalities in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa(Kamla-Raj Enterprises, 2016) Govender, Ivan GunassThe purpose of the study was to assess the monitoring and evaluation capacity development in local municipalities in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The research method included the case study and the mixed method approach. The study found that monitoring and evaluation (M&E) capacity development is perceived to positively impact staff motivation, training and placement; allocation of resources; and stakeholder participation. The results of the study are relevant to the National, Provincial and the Municipal Councils in exercising their oversight roles to capacitate municipalities to plan, implement and manage M&E systems to ensure an accountable and responsive local government. This study is significant as it provides a platform for the three spheres of government to address the current M&E capacity development gaps and to collectively develop an evidence-based national M&E capacity development strategy. The paper proposes further detailed research be undertaken for M&E capacity needs analysis in each municipality to ensure the developmental mandates are achieved.Item Imperatives for co-operative governance : a case study of local municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa(KRE Publishers, 2016) Govender, Ivan GunassDespite the South African government’s effort to enhance co-operative governance, the high rate of service delivery protests confirm that co-operative governance has not fully developed as a mechanism to improve service delivery. The aim of the study was to ascertain factors influencing co-operative governance and the perceptions of local government regarding the effectiveness of both the National and Provincial Governments’ support for co-operative governance. The study used the quantitative research method to investigate the needs and extent of co-operative governance in local municipalities with the KwaZulu-Natal province as a case study. The key issues municipalities consider important for improving intergovernmental relations (IGR) include communication and consultation, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), concurrent function clarity and technical support. The paper recommends the implementation of a participatory monitoring and evaluation (PME) system to enhance communications and alignment of the integrated development plans across the three spheres of government.Item Monitoring and evaluating service delivery as a wicked problem in South Africa(KRE Publishers, 2016) Govender, Ivan GunassThe South African government is challenged by an increasing number of service delivery protests throughout the country, despite it improving the provision of basic services to the majority of citizens. The purpose of this conceptual paper is to evaluate service delivery as a wicked problem and to propose various approaches to deal with enhancing service delivery, via the documentary analysis approach. The paper established that both service delivery and wicked problems exhibit common characteristics of complexity, uncertainty, conflict and power inequalities amongst stakeholders. Traditional methods of solving service delivery problems, are inadequate in a socially and technologically complex developmental context and the application of networks, innovations and integrated leadership could result in improved service delivery outcomes and impacts. The paper is of value to public sector entities and state departments engaged in service delivery and the oversight of the provision of water, sanitation, electricity and housing.Item Monitoring and evaluation systems for enhancing governance and government legitimacy in South Africa(SA ePublications, 2013-12) Govender, Ivan GunassThe purpose of the article is to investigate the influence of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) on governance and government legitimacy. Monitoring and evaluation could enhance governance and government legitimacy through a participative approach of including more stakeholders in service delivery. The absence of proper performance management systems and accountability mechanisms diminish the value of M&E initiatives. The article proposes that M&E audits be undertaken through a cost-benefit analysis to ascertain their value to improving performance management and service delivery. The article further proposes that the government undertake accountability reforms to ensure the demand and sustainability of the M&E systems. The article is of value to institutions and officials with oversight roles to ensure effective and efficient management of state resources for the compliance with the national, provincial and local government socioeconomic developmental mandates.