Perceived impact of public sector leadership on road infrastructure service delivery

Andile Gqaji,Cecile Gerwel Proches,Paul Green

doi:10.21511/imfi.13(3-2).2016.12

Andile Gqaji, Cecile Gerwel Proches + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.21511/imfi.13(3-2).2016.12

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Abstract

It is well documented that road infrastructure is an important catalyst of the South African economy because of the interchange of people, goods and services which are dependent upon transport. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived impact of public sector leadership on road infrastructure service delivery. A qualitative methodology approach was employed using a purposive sampling technique. Twenty in-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with respondents from both the public and private sectors. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and the findings of this research indicate that public sector leadership is ineffective in driving road infrastructure development. The results also suggest that the lack of accountability and corruption hinders the delivery of infrastructure. Keywords: accountability, corruption, engineering, government, South Africa. JEL Classification: L3, L92, H11

Highlights

South Africa has witnessed a tremendous increase in the number of protests whereby some have become extremely violent
In a study conducted by Naidoo (2011), the absence of accountability mechanisms and a total lack of transparency and leadership have led to the frustration of those tasked with the planning, design and delivery of infrastructure, but have led to violent service delivery protests throughout South Africa
Govender and Mostert (2011) argue that service delivery challenges faced by government have drawn attention to the public sector, which is the driver of development in South Africa, and have created a perception from the voluntary organizations that there is a characteristic of ineffective leadership, which has supposedly resulted in technical incompetency and corruption in the public sector

Summary

Introduction

South Africa has witnessed a tremendous increase in the number of protests whereby some have become extremely violent. In a study conducted by Naidoo (2011), the absence of accountability mechanisms and a total lack of transparency and leadership have led to the frustration of those tasked with the planning, design and delivery of infrastructure, but have led to violent service delivery protests throughout South Africa. It is against this background that this article aims to identify the perceived impact of public sector leadership on road infrastructure delivery. Govender and Mostert (2011) argue that service delivery challenges faced by government have drawn attention to the public sector (government), which is the driver of development in South Africa, and have created a perception from the voluntary organizations that there is a characteristic of ineffective leadership, which has supposedly resulted in technical incompetency and corruption in the public sector

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