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The impact of political interference on corporate strategy execution by the board of directors in Namibian state-owned enterprises
Mini Dissertation (MPhil (Corporate Strategy))--University of Pretoria, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613611379130368 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | White, Lyal |
| author_browse | White, Lyal |
| author_facet | White, Lyal |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Mini Dissertation (MPhil (Corporate Strategy))--University of Pretoria, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/109193 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:38:54.079Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/109193 The impact of political interference on corporate strategy execution by the board of directors in Namibian state-owned enterprises White, Lyal ichelp@gibs.co.za Nekongo, Tomas UCTD State-owned enterprises Political interference Strategy execution Board autonomy Governance Mini Dissertation (MPhil (Corporate Strategy))--University of Pretoria, 2025. This study investigated the impact of political interference on corporate strategy execution within Namibian state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Despite governance frameworks such as the Public Enterprises Governance Act, NamCode, and King IV, SOEs continue to underperform, largely due to systemic political influence. Using a qualitative, interpretivist multiple-case study design, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with board members, executives, government officials, and governance experts, complemented by documentary analysis. Thematic analysis revealed that political interference is pervasive, primarily through loyalty-based board appointments, informal directives, and blurred boundaries between policy-making and oversight. These practices undermine board autonomy, foster anticipatory compliance, and disrupt strategic execution through project reversals, short-term priorities, and leadership instability. Institutional weaknesses such as weak enforcement of governance codes and absence of consequence management enable persistent interference. The study contributes to governance scholarship by integrating agency and institutional theories to explain how informal norms override formal governance structures. It identifies a causal chain linking political appointments to governance paralysis and execution failure. Practical recommendations include merit-based independent board appointments, mandatory written shareholder directives, structural separation of ownership, oversight and operational roles, and enforceable performance contracts. These findings offer actionable insights for policymakers and regulators in their efforts to strengthen SOE governance in Namibia and similar emerging economies. Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) MPhil (Corporate Strategy) Unrestricted Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutions 2026-03-23T09:38:32Z 2026-03-23T09:38:32Z 2026-05-05 2025 Mini Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/109193 en © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD State-owned enterprises Political interference Strategy execution Board autonomy Governance The impact of political interference on corporate strategy execution by the board of directors in Namibian state-owned enterprises |
| title | The impact of political interference on corporate strategy execution by the board of directors in Namibian state-owned enterprises |
| title_full | The impact of political interference on corporate strategy execution by the board of directors in Namibian state-owned enterprises |
| title_fullStr | The impact of political interference on corporate strategy execution by the board of directors in Namibian state-owned enterprises |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of political interference on corporate strategy execution by the board of directors in Namibian state-owned enterprises |
| title_short | The impact of political interference on corporate strategy execution by the board of directors in Namibian state-owned enterprises |
| title_sort | impact of political interference on corporate strategy execution by the board of directors in namibian state owned enterprises |
| topic | UCTD State-owned enterprises Political interference Strategy execution Board autonomy Governance |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/109193 |