A Framework for the Management of Professional Bodies in South Africa

Abstract

Professional bodies represent practitioners who continually seek guidance on industry related problems and challenges. Each professional body adopts values that are aligned to their own field of expertise. The operations of professional bodies are generally similar in many aspects and demands proficiency in order to maintain credibility and relevance. Research has revealed that professional bodies are lacking in effectiveness and need to improve, so that, maximum benefit can be relished by their affiliates. This research attempts to develop a framework that can be utilised as a guide by professional bodies, so that, they can achieve excellence. The aim of the study was to develop a framework that can be used for the management of professional bodies by exploring the views and opinions of a total of 92 participants from the management of professional bodies locally. The data was collected from interviews and a questionnaire which was analysed statistically primarily using factor analysis to determine the significant factors that contributed to the developed framework for professional bodies. The beneficiaries of this study are primarily professional bodies. The framework will also be useful to management in industry, since, it addresses partnership and collaboration efforts between industry, professional bodies and training authorities.