International Humanities Studies

1-40

Authors: Luni Vermeulen

The increasing use of technology in teaching and learning brought about changed work environments and changed job requirements for academic employees at higher education institutions, necessitating their e-readiness. However, all academic employees do not necessarily embrace the use of technology in teaching and learning. Research was conducted to determine the e-readiness of academic employees of the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, in South Africa, and the role of key human factors in their e-readiness. The empirical results revealed that key human factors such as pace and style of technology adoption, preferred learning style and personal work behavioural style, play a role in their e-readiness. Thus, considering the importance of academic employees’ e-readiness, it is argued that these key human factors need to be assessed with a view to enhance academic employees’ e-readiness. In this respect the article argues that the e-readiness assessment of academic employees must be included in the human resource performance appraisal process. As outcome of the research, a framework was developed for assessing the e-readiness of academic employees during their performance appraisals, as well as determining and assessing the role of key human factors in their e-readiness in order to draft an e-profile which will provide guidance in terms of structuring unique training and development approaches for each e-profile. Key words: E-readiness, key human factors, pace and style of technology adoption, learning style, work behavioural style, academic employees, higher education institutions

61-108

Authors: Christa de Wet & Gwai J. Moseki

Twenty one years of transformation account for major victories in the South African Local Government sphere. Such conquests are recognised as a de-racialised local government, consolidated municipal jurisdictions, a deeply embedded developmental philosophy and a renewed inter-governmental fiscal system that enables financial resources directly to the municipal level of government. Despite these noteworthy achievements, insurgent South African citizens engage in violent protests against: continued “municipal ineffectiveness in service delivery; poor responsiveness of municipalities to citizen’s grievances, and a conspicuous consumption entailed by a culture of self-enrichment on the part of councillors and staff.” (Atkinson, 2007: 53). This article substantiates data gathered from a comprehensive literature research that depicts the normative, strategic disposition of local government institutions that are positioned for successful service delivery. The normative data was measured against data accumulated during an empirical research in a South African local government institution. A comparative analysis was conducted to ascertain the strategic character of such an institution against the following aspects: the strategic drivers in local government; strategic goals and objectives; an institutional structure; a Programme Management Unit (PMU); governance, leadership, management and capacity; institutional systems and processes; performance reporting, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms; and Critical Success Factors (CSF’s). An 11-item questionnaire directed a focus group session and semi-structured interviews that were conducted amongst senior management, performing on a strategic administrative and management level, in a local government institution. Considering whether the local government institution was configured to deliver effective, efficient and economic services to its community, the findings demonstrated that there is a disconnect between the structure of the institution, strategic drivers, programmes and projects which result in inferior service delivery patterns. Key words: Local government institutions; service delivery; Management by Projects; strategic level.

111-112

Authors: Shaban Eideh

The study explored the role of the State of Palestine in providing an adequate environment for social entrepreneurship in Palestine through the creation of a conducive legal and institutional framework. Indeed, social entrepreneurship can play a significant role in resolving social problems in Palestine, a country continuously suffering poverty, unemployment and the marginalization of women, amongst others, to the Israeli occupation. The study is of interest to the Palestinian Authority (PA) because it contributes to finding alternatives for the alleviation of the above mentioned social problems. The study followed a qualitative approach. Interviews were used as the primary tool for collecting data from a designated sample representing different governmental, non-governmental and private sector organizations, in addition to individuals with a particular background on social entrepreneurship. The case study approach has been chosen to better identify all the aspects related to the role of the PA in facilitating social entrepreneurship in Palestine. The study found that social entrepreneurship in Palestine in general rather comes from institutions such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and not from the state itself. The PA could provide an institutional framework for social entrepreneurship activities. However, such an institutional framework would rely on external funding and it lacks coordination. Also, the term “social entrepreneurship” is mostly absent from the PAs plans, strategies and laws. Even though the PA provides a certain legal framework for social entrepreneurship activities and projects, this does not facilitate and give privileges to vulnerable groups such as the poor, unemployed and women, as opposed to high investment projects. The study concludes that, to date, the role of the PA in providing a legal and institutional framework for boosting social entrepreneurship in Palestine has not been comprehensive enough. As a result, social entrepreneurship in Palestine has not been able to serve as a strategy to promote women’s empowerment, alleviate poverty or reduce unemployment. The study recommends the successive governments of Palestine to adopt social entrepreneurship in all of its components as a strategy to achieve women empowerment; alleviate poverty and reduce unemployment rates in Palestine. It is argued that the current and future governments of Palestine should have social entrepreneurship as a priority in their agenda, making any legal arrangements necessary to mobilize and organize social entrepreneurship as well as any necessary institutional changes to coordinate, mainstream, facilitate, support and encourage social entrepreneurship so it can be used as a strategy to bring the country forward in terms of development. Key words: Social entrepreneurship, Palestine, empowerment.