Microsoft Word doctoral thesis final[1]. doc

 
(e)     Issues of transformation 
 
In South African universities, transformation was implemented to achieve proportional 
representation of all races in all sectors of universities. Sally’s  perception of this issue is, 
that in a bid to change the image of the country from what it was in the past (before the 
new political dispensation of 1994),  changes have been brought about too rapidly, 
resulting in people being promoted to positions before they are fully capable of filling 
them. This impacts negatively upon their career and upon the organisation. 
Transformation is being implemented too rapidly resulting in “very inexperienced people 
in very senior jobs.”  She believes that although it may take a short while to achieve fair 
representation of students and staff of all races, it takes much longer academically to train 

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a leader and an even longer time for those previously excluded from institutions of higher 
learning in South Africa.  In her opinion it would appear that some people accept the 
position  of HoD for its prestige value rather than for promoting the interests of the 
department because of their inability to carry out all the responsibilities required of 
someone  in that particular position. 
 
In the UK, according to Nikki’s experience, the tendency is to have outstanding 
academics being promoted to HoD on the basis of their academic excellence but without 
adequate people management skills. The result is that when confronted with controversial 
issues requiring their leadership intervention, they tend to ‘duck out’ and not confront the 
issues. So actually, Nikki feels, some individuals are “promoted inappropriately to some 
of these roles without the full skills set” which they need to successfully perform the job 
of HoD. 
 
5.4.   SUMMARY 
 
Quantitative and qualitative information obtained from the survey and focus group 
interviews are presented in this chapter. Key findings from a survey of twenty three 
women HoDs and significant themes arising from the interviews of nine women HoDs 
have been presented and discussed.  The final chapter (six) closes with a synthesis of 
significant findings, conclusions and implications for policy and research.