TY - JOUR T1 - Assessing the Extent of the Application of Strategic Thinking in a Local Sphere of Government AU - Munapo, Elias AU - Ramodula, Thabo AU - Proches, Cecile N. Gerwel JO - Research Journal of Applied Sciences VL - 12 IS - 5 SP - 330 EP - 339 PY - 2017 DA - 2001/08/19 SN - 1815-932x DO - rjasci.2017.330.339 UR - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjasci.2017.330.339 KW - Strategic thinking KW -integrated development plan KW -systems perspective KW -vision-orientated strategy KW -staff members KW -determining AB - This study assessed the extent of the application of strategic thinking in a Metropolitan Municipality in South Africa. It was aimed at initiating an inquiry into the relevance of strategic thinking to local governance: its concept and theoretical orientation in the systems approach paradigm and/or science of complexity. The study adopted a qualitative methodology and gave primacy to the key role-players in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) process which was treated as equivalent to a strategy-making process. The participants interviewed included senior staff members, ward councillors and ward committee members because of their strategic positions to influence the current and future strategic decision-making as well in determining how to improve it. ER -