Building a sustainable competitive organization : the case of the University of Zululand.
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Date
2006
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Abstract
This study explores strategies for building sustainable and competitive
organizations with the University of Zululand (UZ) as a case of the study. The
problem of the study is uncovering reason/s why the UZ has not developed into a
sustainable and a competitive organization. In order to solve the identified
problem, two activities were undertaken. These are a review of theory on
building sustainable and competitive organizations and collection and analysis of
data about the UZ. Systems thinking theory a discipline of a learning
organization was used as a framework of the study. Systems thinking theory
was used because conventional approaches to organizational development have
not been able to offer lasting solutions to the problems that affect sustainability of
organizations. Extensive reference was made to the work of Senge (1990, 1994,
and 1999). Works of other scholars on this subject were widely consulted.
According to Senge (1990) the most successful organizations are what he calls
learning organizations. Learning organizations are distinguished by the following
disciplines, viz., systems thinking, personal mastery, mental models, building
shared vision, and team learning.
In as far as data is concerned, three sets of data were collected and analyzed,
namely, in depth-one-on one interviews were conducted with people that are
knowledgeable about the UZ; and with representatives of business of the city of
Umhlathuze to find out how they view the UZ; and a survey was done to
determine attitudes of employees of the UZ towards the institution. The analysis
of data showed that the UZ did not meet the criteria of a learning organization,
that helped to explain why this institution has not developed into a sustainable
and a competitive organization. The study recommended that this institution
adopt a living systems framework and thus becomes a learning organization,
because it is only by becoming a learning organization that the UZ will be
sustainable and competitive.
Description
Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2006.
Keywords
Strategic planning., Education, Higher--South Africa., Organizational learning., Theses--Business administration.