FACTORS AFFECTING EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF LIMITED RESOURCES IN SOUTH AFRICAN COMPREHENSIVE UNIVERSITIES

Year 2016, , 219 - 233, 30.09.2016

Winnie Dlamini

https://doi.org/10.17261/Pressacademia.2016321994

Abstract

The recent #FeesMustFall campaign
coupled with the declining funding of universities calls for effective
management of limited resources. Since procurement is the largest expense
accrual function in any organisation, these institutions have more obligation
of being responsive to the management of limited resources. The purpose of this
article is to determine the factors affecting the effective management of the
limited resources in South African comprehensive universities.  A qualitative approach using multiple cases
was adopted. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using open-ended questions.
The findings revealed that the effective management of limited resources in the
South African comprehensive universities is affected by the policies,
non-compliance, thresholds, supplier rotation and centralisation. Consequently,
these institutions do not contribute sufficiently to the university’s overall
objectives for competitive advantage and sustainability. It is recommended that
South African comprehensive universities streamline operations, remove internal
barriers, impose strict compliance measures and communicate the vision across
the university.  

Keywords

South African comprehensive universities, limited resources, procurement best practıces

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