PUB3702 Assignment 3 PORTFOLIO Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) - DUE April 2026

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PUB3702 Assignment 3 PORTFOLIO Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide)
- DUE April 2026
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026



Contents
Public Sector Human Resource Management as an Integrated Management Process in
South Africa ............................................................................................................................................... 2
1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 2
2. The Management Perspective of Human Resource Management ...................................... 2
2.1 Implications of a Management Perspective in HRM......................................................... 2
3. Meaning of “Public” in Public Sector Human Resource Management ............................. 3
4. Resources for the Public Sector Human Resource Management Function .................... 3
4.1 Human Resources ..................................................................................................................... 3
4.2 Financial Resources ................................................................................................................. 4
4.3 Physical and Technological Resources .............................................................................. 4
4.4 Legislative and Policy Resources ......................................................................................... 4
5. Responsibility for the Human Resource Function ................................................................. 5
5.1 Is HRM the Sole Responsibility of the HR Office? ............................................................ 5
6. Human Resource Management as an Integrated Process in South African Public
Organisations........................................................................................................................................ 5
6.1 HRM as an Integrated System ................................................................................................ 5
6.2 Management Tasks, Skills and Outcomes.......................................................................... 6
6.3 South African Public Sector Examples ............................................................................... 6
7. Main Elements of the Management Perspective and Their Relationship to Public
Sector HRM ............................................................................................................................................ 7
8. A Compiled Definition of Public Sector Human Resource Management.......................... 7
9. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 7
References ............................................................................................................................................. 8

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Public Sector Human Resource Management as an Integrated Management
Process in South Africa

1. Introduction

Human resource management (HRM) in the public sector is no longer viewed merely as
an administrative or support function. Instead, it is increasingly recognised as a strategic
management function that plays a central role in achieving public sector goals such as
service delivery, accountability, efficiency, and good governance. Van der Westhuizen
and Wessels (2011) emphasise that HRM in the public sector must be understood from
a management perspective, where people are managed as valuable resources to
achieve organisational and societal objectives. This essay discusses the management
perspective of public sector human resource management, explains the meaning of
“public” in public sector HRM, identifies key resources used in HRM, evaluates
responsibility for the HR function, and critically discusses HRM as an integrated process
in South African public organisations. The essay concludes with a self-compiled
definition of public sector human resource management.

2. The Management Perspective of Human Resource Management

2.1 Implications of a Management Perspective in HRM

Assuming that the human resource function has a management perspective implies that
HRM is not limited to routine personnel administration such as record-keeping and
payroll. Instead, it means that HRM involves planning, organising, leading and
controlling human resources in line with organisational objectives (Van der
Westhuizen & Wessels, 2011).

From a management perspective, HRM:

 Aligns human resource practices with strategic goals
 Focuses on performance, productivity and accountability
 Emphasises leadership, coordination and motivation