Development of a strategic leadership framework for improving corporate governance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a strategic leadership framework for improving corporate governance in the public sector in South Africa. The study adopts a case study approach by focusing on the department of Health in Limpopo Province. Considering the practical nature of the research problem, the systems theory provided the theoretical underpinning for the study. A qualitative research approach was used through the administration of interviews with purposefully selected officials in leadership positions in the Limpopo Department of Health. The focus of the interviews was to explore the participants’ understanding and the entrenchment of corporate governance legislative practices with the department. A major finding of this study is the gaps identified within the realms of planning, oversight, monitoring and accountability in the implementation of various policy prescripts. Hence, the study proposes a model consisting of five lines of corporate governance assurance provision rather the current three lines structure. Lastly and very profoundly, the study realised its key research objective of developing a strategic leadership framework for corporate governance. The framework is within the context of systems theory, with more emphasis on input, transformational process and output arrangements.