Employee engagement at a higher education institution in South Africa: Individual, team and organisational levels

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-125
Author(s):  
Tinashe Ndoro ◽  
Nico Martins
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Higher Education Institution

scholarly journals Academic Staff Perceptions toward Implementing Total Quality Management Principles

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Naail Mohammed Kamil ◽  
Loutfi Boulahlib ◽  
Mohammed Borhandden Musa ◽  
Shafeeq Hussain Vazathodi Al-Hudawi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Total Quality Management ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Subjective Norms ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Academic Degree

Purpose-This study examines the attitude of academic staff in one higher education institution in Malaysia towards the implementation of total quality management principles, and how that affects the intention to implement total quality management in the university. It also highlights the impacts of several demographic variables on the implementation of total quality management in the university.Design/methodology/approach-The study used survey data drawn from 149 academic staff selected using stratified random sampling techniques. Regression analysis was used to analyse data.Finding-The findings demonstrate there is a positive significant correlation between attitude toward TQM implementation (customers and stakeholders, employee engagement and teamwork, continuous improvements and total degree of attitude) and the intention to practice TQM among sampled institution faculties.Concerning the correlation between the subjective norms and intention, the analysis manifests that there is no significant correlation between the subjective norms of TQM and the intention to practice TQM principles among institutional staff.Furthermore, the study also found that there are no significant differences in the attitude towards implementation of total quality managementprinciples due to the variables of gender, nationality, marital status, work experiences, the faculty and job positions with the exception of academic degree, where significant differences are shown.Value/originality-Since the study reports the understanding of academic staff of a higher education institution toward the implementation of total quality management principles, top management in the tertiary sector may find the findings and conclusions useful when planning for the implementation of total quality management principles.

scholarly journals Job insecurity, sense of coherence and the general health of employees at a higher education institution in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 660-670
Author(s):  
Sam T Setati ◽  
Marius Stander ◽  
Wilfred Isioma Ukpere
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
General Health ◽  
Job Insecurity ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Cross Sectional

This study investigated the relationship between job insecurity, sense of coherence and general health of employees in a higher education institution in South Africa. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A random sample (n = 229) was taken from academic and non-academic staff members of the institution. The Job Insecurity Inventory, General Health Questionnaire and Orientation to Life Questionnaire were administered. The results showed that a negative relationship exists between job insecurity and general health, while a positive relationship exists between sense of coherence and general health. High job insecurity and a weak sense of coherence predicted ill health. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that higher education institutions should attend to job insecurity by communicating effectively with employees, in order to clarify expectations, and ensure support from supervisors. Developing the employees’ sense of coherence can positively impact on their wellness. Owing to the cross-sectional design of the study, no conclusions regarding causality was drawn.

scholarly journals Gender diversity, ethnic diversity and employee performance in a South African higher education institution

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simbarashe Zhuwao ◽  
Hlanganipai Ngirande ◽  
Wiseman Ndlovu ◽  
Sam T. Setati
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Diversity Training ◽  
Employee Performance ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Diversity Management ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Legal Compliance ◽  
Higher Education Institution

Orientation: Although there has been an improvement in workforce diversity in South Africa, gender and ethnicity issues such as discrimination, prejudice and sexual harassment prevail within organisations. This is because organisational leaders view diversity as a matter of legal compliance instead of as a value addition to organisational growth and profitability. Based on this, it is important for organisations to understand the economic side of diversity and not just be content with having such a workforce.Research purpose: This study investigated the effects of gender and ethnic diversity on the performance of employees in a selected higher education institution in South Africa.Motivation of the study: The study was conducted to determine whether gender and ethnic diversity influences the performance of employees in a higher education institution in South Africa. It is believed that by doing so, the study may assist organisational leaders to determine strategies and best practices that will create culture that is inclusive rather than exclusive.Research approach/design and method: A cross-sectional research design was used. A stratified random sample (n = 258) was chosen by dividing employees into homogeneous strata of academic and non-academic employees. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data. Pearson product moment correlation and multiple regression analysis were performed.Main findings: The results show that gender diversity and ethnic diversity are positively and significantly related to employee performance. The study recommends that higher education institutions implement effective diversity management policies and strategies to improve the effectiveness of gender and ethnic diversity towards the performance of employees.Practical/managerial implications: The study recommends organisations to embrace diversity and not just abide by the affirmative action policies and be satisfied with having such a workforce. To achieve this, effective diversity management programmes such as diversity training and mentoring programmes should be implemented to ensure that all employees are properly trained on diversity issues.Contribution/value add: First of all, the findings of this study will add to existing knowledge that will aid in the understanding of gender and ethnic diversity in general and its relevance to employee performance, which in turn leads to organisational performance. Furthermore, this study will be an eye opener to organisational leaders and employees as it will help them to begin to see that diversity is a blessing rather than a matter of legal compliance. It will help organisations to see the need for having diversity and confirm that employees can work together despite their differences.

scholarly journals Employee Engagement Factors in A Higher Education Institution

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-200
Author(s):  
Ahmad Azmy
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Employee Satisfaction ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Academic Quality ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Supervisory Relationships ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Planning Culture

This reseach analyzed factors that correlated with employee engagement in a higher education institution. The object of this research was the lecturers and employees with the total of 100 people. There were measured on how to produce academic quality accompanied by excellent service to students. Dimensions used were compensation, leadership and organizational planning, culture and corporate communication, job environment, supervisory relationships, employee satisfaction and training, development, and resources. The process of collecting data was through the questionnaires. The research method used Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). In the results, all dimensions used have a significant influence on employee engagement because of p-values <0,05 and t-tables > t-statistics. The supervisor relationship dimension has the highest correlation of 66,5%, and employee satisfaction has the lowest correlation of 13,8%. Higher education institutions must increase employee engagement to maintain productivity and performance. Employee engagement is one of the keys to the success of educational institutions to produce exceptional academic quality and services for the entire academic community.

scholarly journals Exploring leadership factors creating employee engagement or disengagement across job grade categories at a public higher education institution in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 317-327
Author(s):  
Anrusha Bhana ◽  
Sachin Suknunan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Middle Manager ◽  
Employee Productivity ◽  
Institutional Goals ◽  
Significant Difference

Ongoing difficulties in promoting employee commitment confront the domain of higher education, hence, the importance of staff to help achieve institutional goals grows. For this to happen, employee engagement is key. This paper examined the issues of engagement or disengagement amongst employees, including job grades and the factors influencing this, at Durban University of Technology, South Africa. It adopted a quantitative and qualitative method of inquiry. The quantitative data collection targeted 420 employees utilizing questionnaires and obtained a response rate of 312 (74%). The qualitative aspect involved interviewing 12 out of 18 leadership personnel, giving a response rate of 67%. Also, descriptive and inferential analysis was used. Internal employee engagement demonstrated a significant difference across job level categories, F (4, 307) = 4.012, p = 0.003. There is also a significant difference in agreement mean score, which is lower for lecturer grade level (M = 2.5257, SD = 1.08359) than middle manager grade level (M = 3.2909, SD = 0.82396), showing that lecturer grade level is more engaged as compared to the middle manager level reflecting that the this level is not as engaged as it should be. Obtained qualitative results showed that there was minimal employee engagement. Overall, there was more employee disengagement than engagement at the institution, leading to employee stress, increased employee turnover, and minimal employee productivity. This can, in turn, affect institutional productivity. However, leadership viewed employee engagement as important and something to be further developed.

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