Innovation as a Tool to Improve Public Service Delivery: South African Government Perspective
South African Government Perspective
Abstract
Abstract
South African citizens are still facing problems of poor service provision in the local, provincial, and national governments after 28 years of democracy. The standard of public service provision and implementation in South Africa is deteriorating. It is important to note that due to the country's high level of unemployment, the majority of South African citizens rely on government service provision. Because of the government's inability to reach every citizen with efficient and effective service provision, South Africa has the highest level of inequality and a huge gap between the rich and the poor, making efficient service provision a solution to bridge the gap and inequality. This article proposed that the government must develop techniques to boost innovation in the public sector to prioritize service delivery in the country, as there are many challenges surrounding the South African public sector. Qualitative approach was adopted in this research, through the review of recent secondary sources to address the objectives of this study.
Keywords: Citizens, Government, Innovation, Service Provision.
References
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Ruijer, Erna & Albert Meijer, “Open Government Data as an Innovation Process: Lessons from a Living Lab Experiment” [2020] 43:3 Public Performance & Management Review 613–635.
Safarzadeh, Soroush & Morteza Barzoki, “A Game Theoretic Approach for Pricing Policies in a Duopolistic Supply Chain Considering Energy Productivity,Industrial Rebound Effect, and Government Policies” [2019] 167 Energy 92–105.
Serrat, Olivier D, “Innovation in the Public Sector” [2012] Knowledge Solutions, Asian Development Bank.
Shava, Elvin & Shikha Vyas-Doorgapersad, “Fostering Digital Innovations to Accelerate Service Delivery in South African Local Government” [2022] 11:2 International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478) 83–91.
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Simon, Chris, Dickens Ouma Mawere & Kipkorir Sitienei, “Technology and Performance Management: Strategies in Quality Service Delivery” [2021] 21:6 Globbal Journal of Management and Business Research: An Administration and Management 1.
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Thusi, Xolani, Mandisi Matyana & Nokukhanya Jili, “Lack of Political Will: A Barrier to Public Service Delivery in South Africa and a High Cost for Citizens” [2023] 9:2 Journal of Studies in Social Sciences and Humanities 137–147.
Thusi, Xolani, Nzuzo Mayisela & Mandisi Matyana, “An Investigation Into the Effectiveness of Public Participation Mechanisms on Service Delivery Within the Newcastle Local Municipality” [2023] 12:4 International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478) 363–373.
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Walker, Richard M, “Innovation Type and Diffusion: An Empirical Analysis of Local Government” [2006] 84:2 Public Administration 311–335.
Wirtz, J, “Organizational Ambidexterity: Cost-Effective Service Excellence, Service Robots and Artificial Intelligence” [2019] 49:3 Organizational Dynamics 1–9.
Yigitcanlar, Tan et al, “Responsible Urban Innovation with Local Government Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Conceptual Framework and Research Agenda” [2021] 7:1 Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity 71.
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Booyens, I et al, Municipal Innovation Maturity Index: Towards a Digital Platform: Refining and Aligning MIMI, by I Booyens et al [2019].
Helliwell, John F, Haifang Huang & Shun Wang, Happiness and the Quality of Government [Rochester, NY, 2020].
Malan, D, Toward the Validation of Dynamic Psychotherapy: A Replication [Springer Science & Business Media, 2012].
Innovating the Public Sector: From Ideas to Impact [Paris: OECD Conference Centre, 2014].
Kenya Public Service Delivery Innovation Strategy, 2017.
Public Service, Youth, and Gender Affairs Public Service Delivery Innovation Strategy, 2017.
Biljohn, Mareve Inge Madlyn, Social Innovation and Service Delivery by Local Government: A
Comparative Perspective University of the Free State.
Albury, David, “Fostering Innovation in Public Services” [2005] 25:1 Public Money & Management 51–56.
Arundel, Anthony, Carter Bloch & Barry Ferguson, “Advancing Innovation in the Public Sector: Aligning Innovation Measurement with Policy Goals” [2019] 48:3 Research Policy 789–798.
Bekkers, Victor & Lars Tummers, “Innovation in the Public Sector: Towards an Open and Collaborative Approach” [2018] 84:2 International Review of Administrative Sciences 209–213.
Bello, Lateef Olalekan, Lloyd J S Baiyegunhi & Gideon Danso-Abbeam, “Productivity Impact of Improved Rice Varieties’ Adoption: Case of Smallholder Rice Farmers in Nigeria” [2021] 30:7 Economics of Innovation and New Technology 750–766.
Bonsu, S, “Strategic Management: The Concept of Competing With Self - ProQuest” [2019] 10:2 Journal of Marketing and Management 20–444.
Booyens, Irma, Tim G B Hart & Kgabo H Ramoroka, “Local Innovation Networking Dynamics: Evidence from South Africa” [2018] 30:4 The European Journal of Development Research 749–767.
Cankar, SS & V Petkovsek, “Private and Public Sector Innovation and the Importance of Cross-Sector Collaboration” [2013] 29:6 The Journal of Applied Business Research 1597–1606.
Clausen, Tommy, Mehmet Akif Demircioglu & Gry Alsos, “Intensity of Innovation in Public Sector Organizations: The Role of Push and Pull Factors” [2020] 98:1 Public Administration 159–176.
Danielle, N E L & L Masilela, “Open Governance for Improved Service Delivery Innovation in South Africa” [2020] 12:1 International Journal of eBusiness and eGovernment Studies 33–47.
De Vries, H & L Tummers, “Innovation in the Public Sector: A Systematic Review and Future Research Agenda” [2016] 94:1 Public Administration 141–166.
Demircioglu, Mehmet Akif & David B Audretsch, “Conditions for Innovation in Public Sector Organizations” [2017] 46:9 Research Policy 1681–1691.
———, “Public Sector Innovation: The Effect of Universities” [2019] 44:2 The Journal of Technology Transfer 596–614.
Distanont, Anyanitha & Orapan Khongmalai, “The Role of Innovation in Creating A Competitive Advantage” [2020] 41:1 Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences 15–21.
Doblinger, Claudia, Kavita Surana & Laura Diaz Anadon, “Governments as Partners: The Role of Alliances in U.S. Cleantech Startup Innovation” [2019] 48:6 Research Policy 1458–1475.
Haile, Aynalem et al, “Community-Based Breeding Programmes are a Viable Solution for Ethiopian Small Ruminant Genetic Improvement but Require Public and Private Investments” [2019] 136:5 Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics = Zeitschrift Fur Tierzuchtung Und Zuchtungsbiologie 319–328.
Kusumasari, Bevaola, Agus Pramusinto & Anang Dwi Santoso, “What Shapes Public Sector Innovation?” [2019] 18:4 Public Policy and Administration 430–446.
Lemanski, Charlotte, “Infrastructural Citizenship: The Everyday Citizenships of Adapting and/or Destroying Public Infrastructure in Cape Town, South Africa” [2020] 45:3 Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers 589–605.
Lewis, Jenny M, Lykke Margot Ricard & Erik Hans Klijn, “How Innovation Drivers, Networking and Leadership Shape Public Sector Innovation Capacity” [2018] 84:2 International Review of Administrative Sciences 288–307.
Lues, B, “The Role of Local Government in Using Social Innovation for Improved Service Delivery : A 21st Century Strategy with Reference to South Africa” [2016] 9:3 African Journal of Public Affairs.
Ma, Liang & Tom Christensen, “Government Trust, Social Trust, and Citizens’ Risk Concerns: Evidence from Crisis Management in China” [2019] 42:2 Public Performance & Management Review 383–404.
Makridakis, Spyros, “The Forthcoming Artificial Intelligence (AI) Revolution: Its Impact on Society and Firms” [2017] 90 Futures 46–60.
Mamphumulo, W T & B R Bhengu, “Challenges of Quality Improvement in the Healthcare of South Africa Post-Apartheid: A Critical Review” [2019] 42:1 Curationis 1–9.
Masuku, Mfundo & Nokukhanya Jili, “Public Service Delivery in South Africa: The Political Influence at Local Government Level” [2019] 19 Journal of Public Affairs.
Matyana, Mandisi & R M Mthethwa, “Service Delivery Disparities at Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipality: Prospect and Challenges” [2022] 11:6.
Matyana, Mandisi & RM Mthethwa, “Community Participation Conundrum in the Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipality Integrated Development Plan: Exploration of an Enhanced Future” [2020] 11:2.
Matyana, Mandisi & Xolani Thusi, “Making Public Service Delivery More Accessible to People with Disabilities: The South African Government Narrative” [2023] 12:7 International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478) 413–418.
———, “Unemployment and Poverty in South Africa: Assessing the National Development Plan 2030 predictions” [2023] 12:6 International Journal of Development nd Sustainability 212–226.
Mhlanga, David, Emmanuel Ndhlovu & Costa Hofisi, “Assessment of the 4IR Challenges of Radical Innovation in Service Delivery in Africa” [2021] 56:4.1 Journal of Public Administration 1002–1017.
Moussa, Mahmoud, Adela Mcmurray & Nuttawuth Muenjohn, “A Conceptual Framework of the Factors Influencing Innovation in Public Sector Organizations” [2018] 52:3 The Journal of Developing Areas 231–240.
Muchiri, Chege Thenya, “Effects of Work Stress on Service Delivery, Productivity, Service Quality and Corporate Image in Kenya Disciplined Services” [2022] 3:1 Journal International of Business Management 38–52.
Myeni, Lindumusa et al, “Barriers Affecting Sustainable Agricultural Productivity of Smallholder Farmers in the Eastern Free State of Sotuh Africa” 11:11 Sustainability 3003.
Nowacki, Caroline & Ashby Monk, “Ambidexterity in Government: The Influence of Different Types of Legitimacy on Innovation” [2020] 49:1.
Nzimakwe, TI, “Adopting Innovation Strategies to Enhance Service Delivery: Implications for Public Sector Institutions” [2015] 23:2 Administratio Publica 57–72.
Pennerstorfer, Michaela Neumayr, Astrid, “Government Funding” in The Routledge Companion to Nonprofit Management [Routledge, 2020] 438.
Phiri, Madalitso et al, “Inclusive Innovation and Inequality in South Africa: A Case for Transformative Social Policy” [2016] 6:1 Innovation and Development 123–139.
Plantinga, Paul, “Innovation and the Public Service: Achieving Inclusive Service Delivery” [2021] Working Paper, Human Sciences Research Council.
Potts, Jason & Tim Kastelle, “Public Sector Innovation Research: What’s Next?” [2010] 12:2 Innovation: Management, Policy and Practice 122–137.
Ruijer, Erna & Albert Meijer, “Open Government Data as an Innovation Process: Lessons from a Living Lab Experiment” [2020] 43:3 Public Performance & Management Review 613–635.
Safarzadeh, Soroush & Morteza Barzoki, “A Game Theoretic Approach for Pricing Policies in a Duopolistic Supply Chain Considering Energy Productivity,Industrial Rebound Effect, and Government Policies” [2019] 167 Energy 92–105.
Serrat, Olivier D, “Innovation in the Public Sector” [2012] Knowledge Solutions, Asian Development Bank.
Shava, Elvin & Shikha Vyas-Doorgapersad, “Fostering Digital Innovations to Accelerate Service Delivery in South African Local Government” [2022] 11:2 International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478) 83–91.
Shipalana, Machanduke Lucas, Innovative management in the South African public service: a case of the Department Of Health in Limpopo province Nelson Mandela University, 2019].
Simon, Chris, Dickens Ouma Mawere & Kipkorir Sitienei, “Technology and Performance Management: Strategies in Quality Service Delivery” [2021] 21:6 Globbal Journal of Management and Business Research: An Administration and Management 1.
Surya, Batara et al, “Economic Growth, Increasing Productivity of SMEs, and Open Innovation” [2021] 7:1 Joural of Open Innovation: Technology, Market and Complexity 20.
Thusi, Xolani, Mandisi Matyana & Nokukhanya Jili, “Lack of Political Will: A Barrier to Public Service Delivery in South Africa and a High Cost for Citizens” [2023] 9:2 Journal of Studies in Social Sciences and Humanities 137–147.
Thusi, Xolani, Nzuzo Mayisela & Mandisi Matyana, “An Investigation Into the Effectiveness of Public Participation Mechanisms on Service Delivery Within the Newcastle Local Municipality” [2023] 12:4 International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478) 363–373.
Udriyah, Jacquline Tham & S M Ferdous Azam, “The Effects of Market Orientation and Innovation on Competitive Advantage and Business Performance of Textile SMEs” [2019] 9:9 Management Science Letters 1419–1428.
Walker, Richard M, “Innovation Type and Diffusion: An Empirical Analysis of Local Government” [2006] 84:2 Public Administration 311–335.
Wirtz, J, “Organizational Ambidexterity: Cost-Effective Service Excellence, Service Robots and Artificial Intelligence” [2019] 49:3 Organizational Dynamics 1–9.
Yigitcanlar, Tan et al, “Responsible Urban Innovation with Local Government Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Conceptual Framework and Research Agenda” [2021] 7:1 Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity 71.
Yusheng, Kong & Masud Ibrahim, “Service Innovation, Service Delivery and Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty in the Banking Sector of Ghana” [2019] International Journal of Banking Marketing.
Booyens, I et al, Municipal Innovation Maturity Index: Towards a Digital Platform: Refining and Aligning MIMI, by I Booyens et al [2019].
Helliwell, John F, Haifang Huang & Shun Wang, Happiness and the Quality of Government [Rochester, NY, 2020].
Malan, D, Toward the Validation of Dynamic Psychotherapy: A Replication [Springer Science & Business Media, 2012].
Innovating the Public Sector: From Ideas to Impact [Paris: OECD Conference Centre, 2014].
Kenya Public Service Delivery Innovation Strategy, 2017.
Public Service, Youth, and Gender Affairs Public Service Delivery Innovation Strategy, 2017.
Published
2023-11-30
How to Cite
THUSI, Xolani; MAHLATSE, Ragolane; MATYANA, Mandisi.
Innovation as a Tool to Improve Public Service Delivery: South African Government Perspective.
INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL ON LAW, SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, [S.l.], v. 4, n. 2, p. 175-189, nov. 2023.
ISSN 2775-5045.
Available at: <https://jurnal.unej.ac.id/index.php/idj/article/view/39165>. Date accessed: 28 apr. 2024.
doi: https://doi.org/10.19184/idj.v4i2.39165.
Section
Articles
