Explore publications.

Despite changing Performance Management System (PMS) to Performance Management and Development (PMD) in 2018, public schools face difficulties in effectively implementing PMD in Botswana. This study, using a mixed methods approach, investigated the capacity of school managers to implement PMD. Quantitative analysis assessed capacity and workload, while qualitative insights explored managers’ perspectives on PMD.  From the study, poor PMD implementation is associated with capacity issues, moral laxity and organizational indifference. The study recommends building capacities at all levels of PMD and embracing PMD as a performance reform.

Decentralized approaches to solid waste management (SWM) have gained global attention because of their provision for the effective participation of local communities. This study investigates community participation in decentralized solid waste management policy-making processes, drawing insights from Ghana. Using mixed methods, the study reveals that community participation only takes place at the policy implementation stage and takes the form of planning and managing community-led solid waste management initiatives such as occasional community clean-up exercise during festivals and public holidays, which are usually organized on a frequent basis. Regarding the factors that promote the solid waste management policy-making process, it was realized that “including the community in the solid waste management policy-making process” was the most important factor for the community to participate in the solid waste management policy-making process. Based on these findings, the top-down approach in solid waste management policy should be reversed to bottom-up approaches.

The research focus was on the link between Personal Financial Management (PFM) and employees' productivity in Botswana’s public sector because this particular aspect remains largely unattended despite being an important gap within African public sector management studies. The research was conducted at the Department of Social Protection and entailed applying a quantitative research paradigm with structured research interviews (n=73). Analysis shows that there was statistical significance with PFM only marginally expanding employees' productivity at 19.3% variance significance level. It was established that marital status and age were not significant factors or interests influencing PFM while education was established as an important predictor variable using multiple regression analysis. It was established that poor PFM practice translates to employees' stress caused by financial problems manifesting at workplaces indicated by employees' lack of focus and related absenteeism. The study proposes specific programs for employees' financial well-being at workplaces.

As African countries continue to improve their healthcare quality, a study of this nature that sought to examine satisfaction with healthcare services from the perspective of healthcare users cannot be overemphasized, as the findings serve as a benchmark to guide policy decisions in the healthcare sector. This study assessed perception of satisfaction on the quality of decentralised healthcare service delivery from a positivist research orientation. A total of 408 users of healthcare services from 10 districts of Lesotho were selected to respond to a set of questionnaires and a researcher-administered survey developed from the six World Health Organisation–defined dimensions of quality healthcare: safety, equity, acceptability, accessibility, efficiency, and effectiveness. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysing the data obtained. The findings of the study revealed mixed feelings among users of healthcare services in Lesotho. For example, healthcare users were generally satisfied with how receptive service providers were to innovative service delivery, honesty, and the overall competence of healthcare service providers. However, significant deficits were observed in treatment safety, record-keeping, equitable geographic service distribution, and timely access. Particularly worrying were concerns about drug administration, rural service equity, and duplication of health procedures. There were no significant differences in the respondents’ satisfaction regarding healthcare services despite variations in their sexual orientation and age distribution. The study highlights the systemic inequalities and inefficiencies that counter the desired objectives of decentralised healthcare and the critical need for participatory health governance, digital health systems, improved communication strategies, health infrastructure investments and adaptive governance frameworks to bridge the disconnect between the lived experiences of healthcare users and decentralised health policy frameworks. The results offer evidence-based insights for healthcare administrators, donors, health communicators and policymakers seeking to enhance equity and quality in healthcare in resource-constrained African settings.