1. Professor EOC Ijeoma and Antony Matemba Sambumbu
Utilization of Community Evaluation for Improving Municipal Performance; Eastern Cape Perspective By
Professor EOC Ijeoma and Antony Matemba Sambumbu
A Paper Presented at a 4th Biennial SAMEA Conference held at Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa

2. Contextualization of the Problem
Motivation; Skewed use of human resources’ related measures such as; performance appraisals, performance measurement, management by objectives.
Yet, a diagnosis implies that the challenges are related to systems, processes and work methods that are used in the Eastern Cape Local Government.
On that basis, this paper examines the nexus between the use of benchmarking as a performance improvement mechanism and the resulting effects on the performances of the municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province. 2 2

3. Previous Studies; Fact-Findings
Despite Six-Sigma and Process Re-engineering, benchmarking is one of the process control and improvement measures.
Benchmarking refers to the process of measuring and comparing the performance of an organization against the best performing organization in order to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses, and subsequently the best practice that must be adopted for improving the general organizational performance.
Depending on the challenges, benchmarking can be done internally or externally, and can centre on either a single or multiple functional areas. 3 3

4. In the Context of Bourne’s (2005:101) postulation, the successful application of benchmarking is significantly influenced by the strict adherence to the six steps that encompass;
Step 1; Understand and Measure Critical Success Factors
Step 2; Select an Area of Performance for Benchmarking
Step 3; Select a Benchmark Partner
Step 4; Collect Data in Partner Organization
Step 5; Compare Data
Step 6; Mark Strength to be Built

5. In conjunction with the application of measures
such as;
Top management support
Constant review and evaluation
Change management strategies
Allocation of sufficient resources,
a consensus exists among management theorists that
benchmarking can significantly
contribute to improvement in;
Costs’ reductions
Efficiency and Effectiveness
Ability to ever changing diverse public needs
Achievement of the desired level of superior
performance

6. Hypotheses Formulation
On the basis of the above identified problem and theoretical
foundation, it is hypothesized in this paper that;
The use of a combination of different types of benchmarking can
significantly influence the improvement in the performance of the
municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province
The application of the Bourne’s (2005:101) Six Main Steps in the
Benchmarking can influence the improvement in the performance of the
Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province
The use of certain accompanying measures would significantly influence
The benchmarking process and subsequently the improvement in the
performance of the municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province

7. Methodology (Confirmatory Factor Analysis)
In order to test the above indicated three hypotheses, this study
uses the confirmatory factor analysis technique which was accomplished according the four main steps that include;
Step 1; Model Specification and Hypotheses’ Formulations
Step2; Target Population and Sample Size Determination (100 sample respondents were used)
Step3; Data Collection (Using a Five Point Likert Questionnaire- Designed basing on the above stated three hypotheses)
Step4; Data Analysis and Interpretation of Indices (In order to determine model Fitness)

8. Findings and Discussions
Data Analysis was accomplished using the AMOS Programme
of the SPSS
The following indices were used in the interpretation of the
Findings and determining model fitness;
(1) Chi-Square Value (with df, P-Value, and CMIN/df)
(2) Root Mean Residual (RMR)
(3) Comparative Fit Index (CFI)
(4) Tucker Lewis Index (TLI)
(5) Normed Fit Index (NFI)
(6) Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA)
(7) Standardized Regression Weights
(8) Square Multiple Correlation Coefficient
The findings were as interpreted and discussed according to the above indicated three hypotheses

9. Hypothesis 1; The use of a combination of different types of benchmarking can significantly influence the improvement in the performance of the municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province; Standardized Regression
Weights and Squared Multiple Correlation Coefficient

10. Types and Effects on the Performance of the Eastern Cape
Table 1.1; The Use of a Combination of Benchmarking
Types and Effects on the Performance of the Eastern Cape
Municipalities; Chi-Square and Modification Indices
Chi-Square= 25; Degree of Freedom (DF) =20; Probability (P)=.215; CMIN/DF= 1.23
Modification Indices (Alternative Fit Statistics)
Obtained Value
Interpretation
GFI ( Acceptable if falls between 0 and 1)
.71
Acceptable
NFI (Normed Fit Index, acceptable if falls between 0 and 1)
.28
TLI (Tucker Lewis Index, acceptable if it falls between 0 and 1)
.41
CFI (Comparative Fit Index, acceptable if falls between 0 and 1)
.67
RMSEA (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation, acceptable if falls between 0.05 and 0.08)
.05(Pclose = .467)

11. Hypothesis 2; The application of the Bourne’s (2005:101) Six Main Steps in the Benchmarking can influence the improvement in the performance of the
Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province; Standardized Regression
Weights and Squared Multiple Correlation Coefficient

12. Table 1.2; The application of the Bourne’s (2005:101) Six Main Steps in the Benchmarking can influence the improvement in the performance of the Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province;
Chi-Square and Modification Indices
Chi-Square= 54; Degree of Freedom (DF) =35; Probability (P)=.021; CMIN/DF= 1.5
Modification Indices (Alternative Fit Statistics)
Obtained Value
Interpretation
GFI ( Acceptable if falls between 0 and 1)
.89
Acceptable
NFI (Normed Fit Index, acceptable if falls between 0 and 1)
.30
TLI (Tucker Lewis Index, acceptable if it falls between 0 and 1)
.34
CFI (Comparative Fit Index, acceptable if falls between 0 and 1)
.15
RMSEA (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation, acceptable if falls between 0.05 and 0.08)
.07(Pclose = .149)

13. Hypothesis 3; The use of certain accompanying measures would
significantly influence the benchmarking process and subsequently the
improvement in the performance of the municipalities in the Eastern
Cape Province; Standardized Regression Weights and Squared Multiple
Correlation Coefficient

14. Table 1.3; The use of certain accompanying measures would significantly influence the benchmarking process and subsequently the improvement in the performance of the municipalities in the Eastern; Chi-Square and Modification Indices
Chi-Square= 53; Degree of Freedom (DF) =27; Probability (P)=.002; CMIN/DF= 1.9
Modification Indices (Alternative Fit Statistics)
Obtained Value
Interpretation
GFI ( Acceptable if falls between 0 and 1)
.76
Acceptable
NFI (Normed Fit Index, acceptable if falls between 0 and 1)
.12
TLI (Tucker Lewis Index, acceptable if it falls between 0 and 1) .1
CFI (Comparative Fit Index, acceptable if falls between 0 and 1)
.00
RMSEA (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation, acceptable if falls between 0.05 and 0.08)
.1(Pclose = .024)
Unacceptable

15. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
In line with the above discussed results of
confirmatory factor analysis, it is recommended
that the Eastern Cape Local Government must
adopt benchmarking as a Performance improvement
measure.