Ubuntu Ethic and SCM in Public Organisations: Towards an African Perspective to Improve SCM Practices in South African Local Municipalities
Keywords:
Municipal Governance; Organisational Performance; Public Organisations; Supply Chain Management; Ubuntu EthicAbstract
The study is embedded in the discourse on Supply Chain Management (SCM) and municipal governance in South Africa. There is a growing consensus that SCM is increasingly becoming a crucial component within local government operations. However, notwithstanding some positive endeavours made by local government authorities to enhance the efficiency of the SCM unit, there are evident obstacles that persist. Some of the problems alluded to in extant literature include noncompliance with existing SCM legislation, poor ethics, moral bankruptcy and corruption that hamper SCM practices and the realisation of positive organisational performance at South African local municipalities. Against this backdrop, this qualitative desktop study utilises secondary data to explore an ethical framework that could serve as a basis for renewed ethical behaviours in SCM operations of local Municipalities in South Africa. The study suggests foraging within the realm of African ethics and proposes the Ubuntu ethos as a framework for improving SCM practices in South African public organisations. Conclusions further suggest that adopting and mainstreaming the Ubuntu ethical framework will go a long way to addressing some of the moral issues that hamper SCM practices and performance in South African municipalities.
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