Exploring humanistic management philosophy in governance : a case study of Port Shepstone minibus taxi insustry in Kwa-Zulu Natal

Abstract

This study explored humanistic management philosophy in governance with specific reference to Port Shepstone minibus taxi industry, KwaZulu-Natal. The study arose from a concern that there is no governance model which addresses the challenges of small businesses. Informal businesses like minibus taxi industry are facing a phletora of challenges, namely fatal accidents, corruption and fraud, disregard of stakeholders, taxi wars, poor service delivery and failure by the government to formalise the sector. The study discusses humanistic management philosophy in governance using Ubuntu theory as the theoretical framework.

The researcher adopted the mixed method methodology which is embedded in the post- positivist research paradigm. The post-positivist research paradigm explains the way things are and views objectivity as an ideal that can never be achieved, however research should be conducted with greater awareness of subjectivity. By combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies (Triangulation mixed method approach), it assisted the study to strike a balance and avoid being subjective on issues of humanistic management leadership, humanistic management strategy, humanistic management culture and humanistic management ethics. The research methods used in this study include questionnaires, interviews and observations. The findings from qualitative and quantitative data were integrated to come up with a generalisation.

The findings of the study showed that there are limitations in the implementation of humanistic management philosophy for minibus taxi industry governance. Although the minibus taxi leaders were aware of their humanistic management leadership role and responsibilities, they were not applying them. The Minibus taxi industry leadership were applying non humanistic management leadership styles. Moreover, humanistic management strategy formulation, implementation and evaluation were not being done. Humanistic management ethics were found to be a challenge within the minibus taxi industry when governing their businesses. The study revealed that the minibus taxi industry was adopting a different culture from their community which affected their humanistic management culture and the reputation of the minibus taxi industry governance. This was not inline with the Ubuntu principles practised by the society in which the minibus taxi industry operated.

Possible areas for future research were highlighted and recommendations were made, for example the researcher recommends minibus taxi operators should be educated on humanistic management philosophy in governance which makes their businesses legitimate in society’s view. Minibus taxi operators should be encouraged to use stakeholder approach in the humanistic management strategy formulation, implementation and evaluation. Support and monitoring systems should be in place for proper implementation of code of conducts. Whistleblowers should be protected by the taxi associations and the police force. A humanistic management culture should be developed and implemented with the incorporation of community inputs. The taxi association should develop and enforce a human resource policy to safeguard the interests of the minibus taxi industry employees. The study identified a possible alternative model for the implementation of humanistic management philosophy in governance. The model can be applied to all informal and formal sectors.