Public Administration in focus

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Operationalisation

Following the conceptualisation of a research problem, the scientific endeavour has to be operationalised into a research project capable of being carried out in practical terms. According to Mouton it is imperative in a scientific investigation to establish linkages between relevant concepts and the phenomenon which is the object of the investigation, and this is done through a process of operationalisation. In his view, operationalisation consists of the construction of a set of operations or measures that link the research problem to the world. (Mouton 1996:66.) Goode (1984:29) defines operationalisation as the process of measuring a concept with a specific indicator, but this definition would seem to be a rather narrow one, one which implies that the researcher is working solely within a quantitative paradigm – vide section 3.6 infra.

Research paradigms

In dealing with the methodological dimension of social research, Mouton refers to “methodological paradigms” and mentions three examples, viz the quantitative, the qualitative and the participatory action paradigms. In his view, paradigms in the research context are not merely collections of methods and techniques, but also include assumptions and values regarding their use under specific circumstances or, in other words, the philosophies underlying the use of certain methods and techniques. (Mouton 1996:36-37.) Mouton raises the so-called conflict between the quantitative and qualitative paradigms (suggesting that participative action can be subsumed under the latter) and argues in favour of the compatibility of the two major paradigms, indicating that the choice between their utilisation in a particular research project is to be determined by the nature of the research problem (Mouton1996:38-40).

Collection and presentation of data

In line with the exploratory nature of the research, data collection took place almost exclusively by means of the study of relevant documents and the analysis of their contents. The only exception to this procedure was the garnering of information concerning the curricula content of the subject Public Administration from members of the teaching staff of the Department of Public Administration and Management of the University of South Africa and of the School for Public Management and Administration of the University of Pretoria; this information has been incorporated into section 2.2 of the thesis. For the reasons indicated in section 3.6 supra no attempt was made to collect data by means of a questionnaire. The practical manifestation of public functions is such (vide the operationalisation of the concept in section 3.4 above) that no direct observation was possible.

Analysis and interpretation of data

Each chapter includes a critical evaluation of the situation as portrayed by the data collected regarding the particular aspect. Chapter 8 presents an overall summary, analysis and interpretation of the research findings. Moving on from what has been established regarding the existing state of affairs, chapter 9 presents for consideration a theoretical model for the assignment of responsibilities for the performance of public functions to spheres of government in South Africa. Chapter 10 provides an assessment of what has been accomplished with the research, with the assessment based on the research questions formulated as part of the scientific orientation of the project contained in chapter 2.

Belgium

A key feature of the Belgium Constitution (hereinafter referred to in this section as “the Constitution”) is the dualistic ordering of the state into both communities (gemeenschappen) and regions (gewesten) (Constitution: article 1). The communities recognised in the Constitution are not local concentrations of citizens but constitutionally acknowledged population groups, although in practice the population groups do tend to be concentrated in certain regions and municipalities. There are three such communities, viz the Flemish Community, the French Community, and the Germanspeaking Community (Belgium Constitution: article 2). There are also three regions, viz the Flemish Region, the Walloon Region and the Brussels Region (Belgium Constitution: article 3).

TABLE OF CONTENTS :

• CHAPTER 1: GENERAL INTRODUCTION
  • 1.1 Introduction
  • 1.2 Importance of the assignment question
  • 1.3 Demarcation of the field of study
  • 1.4 Originality of the study
  • 1.5 Approach followed
  • 1.6 Structure of the thesis
  • 1.7 Conclusion
• CHAPTER 2: SCIENTIFIC ORIENTATION
  • 2.1 Introduction
  • 2.2 Public Administration in focus
  • 2.3 Problem statement
  • 2.4 Purpose of the present study
  • 2.5 Research questions
  • 2.6 Literature review
    • 2.6.1 The research record
    • 2.6.2 Public Administration
    • 2.6.2.1 Survey of local publications
    • 2.6.2.2 Survey of foreign publications
    • 2.6.2.3 Evaluation
    • 2.6.3 Constitutional Law
    • 2.6.3.1 Survey of local publications
    • 2.6.3.2 Evaluation
    • 2.6.4 Federalism
    • 2.6.4.1 Survey of foreign publications
    • 2.6.4.2 Survey of local publications
    • 2.6.4.3 Evaluation
    • 2.6.5 Synopsis
  • 2.7 Conclusion
• CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH DESIGN
  • 3.1 Introduction
  • 3.2 Unit of analysis
• CHAPTER 4: ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES IN A SELECTION OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES
  • 4.1 Introduction
  • 4.2 Australia
  • 4.3 Belgium
  • 4.4 Germany
  • 4.5 Spain
  • 4.6 United Kingdom
  • 4.7 Evaluation
  • 4.8 Conclusion
• CHAPTER 5: ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA: HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
  • 5.1 Introduction
  • 5.2 Background
  • 5.3 Governmental systems
    • 5.3.1 Core system of government
    • 5.3.1.1 National government
    • 5.3.1.2 Provincial government
    • 5.3.1.3 Local government
  • 5.3.2 Supplementary systems of government
    • 5.3.2.1 Black population group
    • 5.3.2.2 Coloured population group
    • 5.3.2.3 Indian population group
  • 5.4 Assignment of responsibilities
• CHAPTER 6: ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES: 1993 CONSTITUTION
  • 6.1 Introduction
  • 6.2 Negotiation of a new constitution
  • 6.2.1 Milestones
  • 6.2.2 Organisational arrangements
    • 6.2.3 Drafting process
    • 6.2.3.1 Constitutional principles
    • 6.2.3.2 Allocation of powers
  • 6.3 Review of the constitutional principles
  • 6.3.1 Origin and role
  • 6.3.2 Examination
  • 6.3.3 Analysis and critique
  • 6.4 Input of the Commission for Administration
  • 6.4.1 Development of the Commission’s input
  • 6.4.2 Features of the development work
  • 6.4.3 Assessment
  • 6.5 General scheme for the assignment of responsibilities
• CHAPTER 7: ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES: 1996 CONSTITUTION
• CHAPTER 8: SUMMARY, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS
• CHAPTER 9: A THEORETICAL MODEL FOR THE ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES
• CHAPTER 10: REFLECTION

GET THE COMPLETE PROJECT
THE ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF PUBLIC FUNCTIONS TO LEVELS OR SPHERES OF GOVERNMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA