Advancing SDGs and performance management strategies for security personnel in higher education

Orientation: Performance management aligns individual and organisational goals, enhancing employee motivation, sustaining organisational success.Research purpose: The study aimed to investigate challenges experienced by security managers with performance management systems in a tertiary institution in Durban, South Africa.Motivation for the study: Understanding challenges delivers insights to advance organisational effectiveness, support sustainable development, and enhance human resources (HR) practices in the higher education security sector.Research approach/design and method: A qualitative approach was used. Twelve security managers were purposively selected for semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and NVivo software.Main findings: The study identified three challenges, namely inadequate training, education, development and communication, technological barriers and low computer literacy, limited resource allocation, inconsistent rewards, and a lack of transparency. These challenges were found to hinder performance management system application, reducing employee engagement and productivity.Practical/managerial implications: The study recommends the institution increase adult basic education and training in technological skills and literacy. Enhancing feedback mechanisms, conducting performance needs assessments, and implementing fair reward strategies may improve sustainable development of performance management practices.Contribution/value-add: The study advocates for practical strategies in response to the challenges faced by security managers to enhance performance aligned with sustainable development goals 4 (quality education), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 10 (reduced inequalities) and 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), contributing to sustainable HR, embracing contextualised performance management application in developing countries.