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1 – 10 of 96His victory, which was widely expected within Algeria and abroad, represents the final defeat of the Hirak protest movement's call for structural change. Tebboune's first term was…
Thanduxolo Elford Fana and Jane Goudge
In this paper, the authors examine the strategies used to reduce labour costs in three public hospitals in South Africa, which were effective and why. In the democratic era, after…
Abstract
Purpose
In this paper, the authors examine the strategies used to reduce labour costs in three public hospitals in South Africa, which were effective and why. In the democratic era, after the revelations of large-scale corruption, the authors ask whether their case studies provide lessons for how public service institutions might re-make themselves, under circumstances of austerity.
Design/methodology/approach
A comparative qualitative case study approach, collecting data using a combination of interviews with managers, focus group discussions and interviews with shop stewards and staff was used.
Findings
Management in two hospitals relied on their financial power, divisions between unions and employees' loyalty. They lacked the insight to manage different actors, and their efforts to outsource services and draw on the Extended Public Works Program failed. They failed to support staff when working beyond their scope of practice, reducing employees' willingness to take on extra responsibilities. In the remaining hospital, while previous management had been removed due to protests by the unions, the new CEO provided stability and union–management relations were collaborative. Her legitimate power enabled unions and management to agree on appropriate cost cutting strategies.
Originality/value
Finding an appropriate balance between the new reality of reduced financial resources and the needs of staff and patients, requires competent unions and management, transparency and trust to develop legitimate power; managing in an authoritarian manner, without legitimate power, reduces organisational capacity. Ensuring a fair and orderly process to replace ineffective management is key, while South Africa grows cohorts of competent managers and builds managerial experience.
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Keywords
The flooding has affected up to 2 million people in a city that has suffered deeply over the past 15 years from jihadist insurgencies. President Bola Tinubu, other high-ranking…
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB289756
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
HONG KONG: Security optics will deepen concerns
Abstract
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MEXICO: Judicial reform to generate major uncertainty
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-ES289663
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
ARGENTINA: Rejection of unpopular measures will mount