Impact of budget constraints on government performance management: The case of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
Matshotshi, Khwathelani Brayne
Matshotshi, Khwathelani Brayne
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Abstract
This study investigates the impact of budget constraints on government performance management to improve the performance of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). This was accomplished through qualitative methods of data collection and analysis, namely in-depth personal interviews. The interviews were conducted with 51 managers of various directorates within the DFFE. These participants were purposively sampled based on their positions in the DFFE, and their experiences that are relevant to the research questions. The textual data was prepared and organised in a way that was easy to work with, using a manual data analysis, themes were identified and linked to the research questions. These data were labelled and categorised to identify the key themes. The results revealed that management does not communicate the budgetary framework on time, and that there is a lack of openness and monitoring in the budgeting processes: these are the primary
contributors to challenges posed by budget constraints. Another contributing factor is that the budget cuts and austerity measures, usually presented without warning, were found to negatively affect staff morale, and impacted service quality and effective financial planning. The study also included a substantial literature review to identify and evaluate key approaches already available to address the issue of budget constraints in the public sector. This literature review helped to identify patterns and themes amongst the various contributions and explain the ways budget limitations can be overcome. Further review of the government and professional press publications on the budget gave the research a real-world context. The study recommends that the DFFE improves coordination, stakeholder engagement, and disciplined planning of the budgeting process, as important operational measures to ensure continuity despite financial constraints. The study further suggests that a more integrated and flexible approach to budgeting and resource management is required as this would improve efficiency and maintain service delivery under situations of financial constraint.
Description
Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree Master of Business Studies in Finance in the Department of Finance and Investment Faculty of Economics and Finance
at the Tshwane University of Technology
Date
2025-06-26
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Tshwane University of Technology
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Keywords
Budget constraints, Government expenditures, Government performance, Performance management