Building dynamic capability through insourcing : a case of the University of KwaZulul-Natal (UKZN)

Abstract

Dynamic capabilities are distinctive unique processes and activities that enable an organisation to produce an outcome. These practices are unique to each company/organisation and rooted in its history. These capabilities are captured not just in routines but in business models that go back decades and that are difficult to imitate. The study aims to examine the possible benefits to insourcing major activities and functions at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). The main objective in this study is to analysis how dynamic capacity can be built through insourcing university activities and functions to improve overall performance, achieve operational excellence and improve service level. The study further analysis how internal integration and reconfiguration of in house function would develop a lean process and improve service level at UKZN. In South African universities, there has been consistence trends of protest insourcing and outsourcing of certain functions and activities. In UKZN, no study has been done on evaluating how performing activities and functions in-house strategy can achieve dynamic capability, operational excellence and improved service level. In ensuring that the goals of this study are achieved the qualitative research approach has been used which has been implemented using the exploratory research designs. Various data collection tools and methods have been used including conducting in-depth interviews, documentary and report analysis which have provided important data used for the study. In analysing the data collected the thematic analysis technique was employed which categorised the data into different themes, categories and codes. Information for qualitative research is being gathered from operational managers of every school (19 schools), supporting services (16 managers) and facilities (5 facilities) at all the four campuses at UKZN. The total number of sample size for interview ranges to 17 respondents. The main finding highlighted the long-term success of the insourcing in UKZN can be achieved by looking at the following recommendations which is; continuous investment on training and development; transparency, benchmarking and the use of data; process improvement simplification and standardisation and analysing procurement as a strategic asset.To achieve the key objective of the study this requires the institution to investigate and implement efficient initiatives that should be embedded within wider institutional strategies for ensuring the effectiveness and quality of higher education.