Loading...
A systems engineering assessment for a performance management system at Air Force Base Ysterplaat in Cape Town
Author(s)
Ah Shene, Clint Lester Thomas
Date Issued
2022
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
Air Force Base (AFB) Ysterplaat, which forms part of the South African Air Force (SAAF) is
one of the many organisations which has grappled with the concept of performance
measurement and management over the years. Formerly, AFB Ysterplaat used the European
Foundation Quality Management model to measure their performance before it was jettisoned
in 2016. For this reason, AFB Ysterplaat has no approved business performance management
(PM) model to measure the strategic and operational performance.
At present, AFB Ysterplaat only makes use of a Performance Management Development
System (PMDS) as a tactical tool to mainly measure employee’s personal performance. This
thesis presents the findings of a study which explored the need for a Performance
Management System at AFB Ysterplaat that allows AFB Ysterplaat to focus their strategy and
ensure that operations are directed towards the success of their organisational mission.
AFB Ysterplaat is hierarchically organised and positioned at management Level 4 of the
SAAF’s hierarchical organisation where the units, air servicing units and squadrons (i.e., 22
Squadron, 35 Squadron, 80 Air Navigation School, 505 Squadron and 2 Servicing Unit
Detached) are located. At this level of the SAAF’s hierarchical organisation, AFB Ysterplaat is
responsible for the execution of strategic objectives and decisions that are filtered down the
command chain (SA Defence Review 2015, 2016).
A triangulated mixed method approach was used to analyse data from four operational units
at AFB Ysterplaat. During the quantitative phase, questionnaires were used to collect data
(n=85) from the different nominal subgroups (ranks). Statistical analysis was performed using
SPSS v27. Concurrently, semi structured interviews (n=2) were used during the qualitative
phase of this study to gather data from participants who are considered knowledgeable
regarding management approaches and performance management and systems. The data
collected from the interviews was used to corroborate the findings of the questionnaires. The
triangulated mixed methods enabled the researcher to produce a more comprehensive,
credible and cross-validated conclusion. Ethical clearance for this research was granted
through Cape Peninsula University of Technology institutional channels. The findings of this
study showed that although the management processes, vision, mission of AFB Ysterplaat
were clear to the strategic, operational and tactical levels of management, there was limited
knowledge of strategic performance management systems and tools. This research
contributes to the knowledge gaps in literature at Air Force Bases regarding strategic
performance management. The study concludes with implications and limitations of the study
and recommendations for future research.
one of the many organisations which has grappled with the concept of performance
measurement and management over the years. Formerly, AFB Ysterplaat used the European
Foundation Quality Management model to measure their performance before it was jettisoned
in 2016. For this reason, AFB Ysterplaat has no approved business performance management
(PM) model to measure the strategic and operational performance.
At present, AFB Ysterplaat only makes use of a Performance Management Development
System (PMDS) as a tactical tool to mainly measure employee’s personal performance. This
thesis presents the findings of a study which explored the need for a Performance
Management System at AFB Ysterplaat that allows AFB Ysterplaat to focus their strategy and
ensure that operations are directed towards the success of their organisational mission.
AFB Ysterplaat is hierarchically organised and positioned at management Level 4 of the
SAAF’s hierarchical organisation where the units, air servicing units and squadrons (i.e., 22
Squadron, 35 Squadron, 80 Air Navigation School, 505 Squadron and 2 Servicing Unit
Detached) are located. At this level of the SAAF’s hierarchical organisation, AFB Ysterplaat is
responsible for the execution of strategic objectives and decisions that are filtered down the
command chain (SA Defence Review 2015, 2016).
A triangulated mixed method approach was used to analyse data from four operational units
at AFB Ysterplaat. During the quantitative phase, questionnaires were used to collect data
(n=85) from the different nominal subgroups (ranks). Statistical analysis was performed using
SPSS v27. Concurrently, semi structured interviews (n=2) were used during the qualitative
phase of this study to gather data from participants who are considered knowledgeable
regarding management approaches and performance management and systems. The data
collected from the interviews was used to corroborate the findings of the questionnaires. The
triangulated mixed methods enabled the researcher to produce a more comprehensive,
credible and cross-validated conclusion. Ethical clearance for this research was granted
through Cape Peninsula University of Technology institutional channels. The findings of this
study showed that although the management processes, vision, mission of AFB Ysterplaat
were clear to the strategic, operational and tactical levels of management, there was limited
knowledge of strategic performance management systems and tools. This research
contributes to the knowledge gaps in literature at Air Force Bases regarding strategic
performance management. The study concludes with implications and limitations of the study
and recommendations for future research.
Additional information
Thesis (MEng (Quality))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2022
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Loading...
Name
Ah_Shene_Clint_Lester_Thomas_217297196.pdf
Size
3.24 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum
(MD5):efd07aeae7f95ba64cc24f76ca48fb7b