Namib Mills Group: managing talent in a Namibian food production business

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Christina Swart-Opperman ◽  
Claire Barnardo ◽  
Sarah Boyd
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Talent Management ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Career Stage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Generational Diversity ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Impact

Learning outcomes The learning outcomes are as follows: to understand why talent management is a vital component of a company’s broader strategy for long-term operational excellence; to understand the impact of generation, life stage and career stage on an employee’s professional needs, goals and expectations of their firm; to understand how organisational culture contributes, in this case, to ineffective people management practices; and to develop a talent management strategy: new policies, processes or practices that will address the identified issues and create a sustainable pipeline of talent. Case overview/synopsis This case finds the successful agro-processing firm Namib Mills in a state of internal tension in April 2019. As Namibia’s premier supplier of staple food products, Namib Mills is performing well in a struggling economy. Then yet, CEO Ian Collard is concerned that his senior management team is not exhibiting the kind of leadership and strategic management needed to take the company into the future. As Ian examines the issue further – with the aid of a report from an external consultant – he begins to see that the weaknesses of his senior managers, who are prone to micromanaging and poor communication, are part of a bigger issue of talent management in the firm. The junior employees, who are energetic and ready to innovate, are growing restless as they wait for career growth and promotion opportunities. The rising leaders in middle management are also struggling to break through. Ian must confront how organisational culture and generational diversity within this family-owned business have created talent management barriers and develop a strategy for sustainably developing employees into the leaders of the future. Complexity academic level This case is designed for a master’s level management program and is well-suited for courses that deal with organisational behaviour, people management or human resources management. Specifically, the case is aimed at students interested in talent management, generational diversity and organisational culture. Subject code CSS 6: Human Resource Management.

Strategic talent development – making the best people in crucial positions better

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 263-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rino Schreuder ◽  
Simon Noorman
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Talent Development ◽  
Talent Management ◽  
Organizational Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Difference Making ◽  
The Future

Purpose This article aims to explain the why and what of strategic talent development. It shows how top talents in value-creating top positions can make a strategic difference for organizations. Design/methodology/approach Having established the differences between generic and strategic talent management, this article argues that talent management needs to be aligned with the organizational strategy. The next step is to ensure that the talents and skills of people who fulfill strategic, “difference-making” roles are best developed. You cannot standardize your talent development to achieve greatness. Findings Strategic talent development is a valuable and priceless investment in the future of the entire organization. Originality/value Strategic talent development is an innovative addition to existing talent management practices – not a replacement. An addition that makes the link between talent management and strategy (even) more explicit and can help organizations to make a next step in the realization of their ambitions through a targeted deployment and development of their top talents in key positions.

Do organisational culture and national culture mediate the relationship between high-performance human resource management practices and organisational citizenship behaviour?

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 1179-1197
Author(s):  
Pamela Lockhart ◽  
Nusrat Khan Shahani ◽  
Ramudu Bhanugopan
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
National Culture ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Human Resource Management Practices ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of high-performance human resource management practices (HPHRMPs) on organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and the influences of national culture (NC) and organisational culture (OC) on this relationship.Design/methodology/approachUsing a self-administered survey, data were collected from a sample of 420 public sector employees. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling and hierarchical regression analysis.FindingsThe findings of this study offer new insights into the ability to improve OCB through greater consideration of NC and OC in the design of HPHRMP. The results indicated that NC fully mediates the relationship between HPHRMP and OCB, whilst OC has a partial mediating influence.Research limitations/implicationsHPHRMP includes a wide variety of functional areas; however, this study has only examined three (reward management, performance appraisal and promotion practices) and contributes to understanding the importance of institutional theory in HRM.Practical implicationsThis study highlights the need for HR professionals to ensure that they consider the impact of cultural differences (national and organisational) on how these HR practices will be perceived by employees.Originality/valueThe present study seeks to extend research into the link between cultural context and HPHRMP and posits that culture plays a crucial role in this relationship.

Talent management dimensions and their relationship with retention of Generation-Y employees in the hospitality industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 4150-4169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikas Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Generation Y ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Intent To Leave ◽  
Turnover Intentions ◽  
Talent Management ◽  
Intention To Quit ◽  
Supervisory Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the causal relationship between talent management dimensions such as Human Capital Index and perceived organizational support (POS) and the impact thereof on the turnover intentions of Generation-Y employees. This study tries to find out how the intensions of employees to quit relates significantly to the talent management practices in Indian hospitality organizations. Design/methodology/approach This study proposed an integrated conceptual model based on previous literature where the relationship between the relevant constructs is verified. A cross-sectional survey design is used for data collection, which is ideally suited for the descriptive and predictive functions associated with correlation research and for assessing the interrelationship among various variables in the study. Findings Pearson’s correlations showed a practically significant positive relationship between the organization’s talent management practices and POS. It is also inferred that perceived supervisory support does not mediate the relationship between talent management practices and intention to quit. The findings of this study also confirm that employees’ perception of the organization’s actions has direct effects on their perception of support from their supervisors. The study also found a practically significant negative relationship between POS and the employee’s intention to quit, where high levels of POS are associated with a decreased intention to quit the organization. Originality/value From a theoretical aspect, this study provided a quantitative method for assessing the Generation-Y employees’ perceptions in relation to other relevant constructs. Practically, this study provided a framework for the management to understand that the perceptions regarding talent practices and support influence an employee’s intent to leave an organization.

Accounting firms’ talent management practices: perceived importance and its impact on auditors’ performance

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramesh Ruben Louis ◽  
Noor Adwa Sulaiman ◽  
Zarina Zakaria
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Training ◽  
Talent Management ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Ethics Management ◽  
Prior Literature ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Prior literature on talent management (TM) in the audit setting has suggested several practices that may affect auditors’ performance. However, the study is limited in terms of a measurable set of comprehensive constructs of TM in the audit setting, as well as the impact of comprehensive TM constructs on auditors’ performance. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine TM practices perceived to be important by auditors for auditors’ performance. Design/methodology/approach Data were obtained from 307 survey questionnaires received from auditors of large- as well as small- and medium-sized firms. Findings The study respondents perceived TM attributes related to supervision and review practices as the most vital for auditors’ performance. This category was followed by attributes related to ethics management practices along with training and development. The findings reveal that respondents generally perceived lower significance for attributes pertaining to work–life balance (WLB) and establishing a TM policy for auditors’ performance. While both top management and staff members of audit firms regarded WLB and establishing a TM policy to be of lower significance, top management placed greater importance on attributes related to ethics management, while staff perceived training and development attributes to be more critical. Originality/value This study examined a comprehensive set of TM practices (establishing a TM policy, recruitment, ethics management, training and development, supervision and review, remuneration, WLB and succession planning) and assessed the perceptions of audit practitioners on the significance of these practices on auditors’ performance.

Succession Planning 2.0: building bench through better execution

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 233-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan H. Church
Keyword(s):  
Succession Planning ◽  
System Integration ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Talent Management ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
The State ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Future

Purpose – This paper aims to present nine observations about the state of succession planning and talent management (TM) practices today along with recommendations and an integrated model for enhancing the effectiveness of these efforts. Many talent management practitioners today would agree that the succession planning processes in their organizations are limited in their effectiveness. They are often seen as another complex and time-consuming human resource (HR) process, and often paper exercise, to be completed and archived until the following year. This is due to several factors, including a lack of focus on the future capabilities needed; inconsistencies in the implementation of processes designed; limited system integration of talent and succession planning efforts with other key HR and business processes; and lack of accountability for making decisions and ensuring they are fully executed. Given the importance of identifying, developing and preparing leaders for the future success of the business this is quite concerning. What is needed in the field is an upgrade to Succession Planning 2.0. But what does that look like exactly? What can senior practitioners do to transform them to have a significantly greater impact going forward? Design/methodology/approach – The content here is based on inputs from a variety of sources including dialog with more than 50 heads of talent management in major corporations, discussions and reviews at professional conferences, debates with academic scholars and the author’s personal experience with designing and leading major succession planning efforts. Findings – Nine observations about the state of succession planning and talent management practices today are presented. An integrated model of Succesion Planning execution is introduced. Originality/value – This paper represents the authors’ unique synthesis of discussions, informal data and personal experience running succession planning (SP) and TM efforts for over a decade.

Robotics at dimension data: friend or foe of the human in process automation?

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-40
Author(s):  
Michelle Karim ◽  
Christina Swart-Opperman ◽  
Geoff Bick
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Robot Ethics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Change Models ◽  
Disruptive Technologies ◽  
The World ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Impact

Learning outcomes The learning outcomes are follows: critically assess the impact of disruptive technologies, such as automation, on the organisation, its processes and employees; evaluate the structural changes required within the organisation to prepare for digital transformation; apply change models to the unique challenges associated with disruptive technologies; and recommend solutions for the organisation to proceed with the implementation of disruptive technologies, while keeping employees central to the change. Case overview/synopsis The Dimension Data automation case provides students and executives with a glimpse of the future that organisations and employees must prepare for. The case starts out with the protagonist and product owner of digital at Dimension Data, Andrew Harmse, reflecting on his three-year automation journey within the Automation Centre of Excellence. The world of automation is growing exponentially, and Andrew’s team will have to support the organisation as they scale up their automation journey and navigate the uncertain future of an increased, blended human-robot workforce. Individual employee reactions, positive and negative, will have to be balanced with the opportunities that ever-changing technology enables. The case focusses on the themes of digital transformation, digital disruption, change management and the very real factors to consider when faced with decision-making on automation as the world is constantly changing. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced organisations to relook processes and increase investment in technologies that enable digital client engagement and servicing, considering social distancing requirements. Automation at dimension data has been largely internally focussed, but there is a drive to increase delivery for clients. Andrew’s team will have to guide organisations through the journey and continuum of changes and uncertainties, such as large- scale unemployment and robot ethics. Complexity academic level The target audience for this teaching case are postgraduate and Master level students, specifically Master of Business Administration (MBA) students as well as Executive Education courses. Students who are responsible for making strategic decisions that impact the future of their organisations as well as students with an interest in the role of technology in the future will benefit from the case. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 6: Human Resource Management.

The impact of rework and organisational culture on project delivery

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luqman Oyekunle Oyewobi ◽  
Ojo Abiola-Falemu ◽  
Olajide Timothy Ibironke
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Management Style ◽  
Project Delivery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
The Impact

Purpose It is generally accepted that organisational culture is capable of influencing how project organisation performs. It can also impact on how people set individual goals and objectives, perform their roles, tasks and deploy resources to achieve set objectives. The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of organisational culture on the occurrence of rework in Nigerian construction industry. Design/methodology/approach The research adopted mixed method research using both quantitative and qualitative approaches to elicit information. Though, the result of the questionnaire survey was presented in this paper. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify which variables measured attributes of the same underlying proportions, while descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to establish the influence of organisational culture on rework. Findings The study identifies 14 factors as causes of rework from the result of factor analysis. The outcome also indicates that leadership style, success criteria and management style are important organisational culture dimensions. Poor management practices and lack of teamwork are found to be largely responsible for poor project delivery due to rework occurrence. Practical/implications The research will be of significant benefit to both the academic and industry practitioners. The result of the research will provide academics with useful insights into the influence of organisational culture on project delivery by undertaking future research to inform better understanding. The research will also provide practitioners with good understanding of how culture within their organisations can influence the performance of their subordinates or employees. Further research is encouraged to investigate the influence of management and leadership style on project delivery in the context of Nigeria. Originality/value This study is the first attempt to investigate the influence of organisational culture on occurrence of rework empirically in the Nigerian construction industry. There is paucity of research focusing on this area as it affects project delivery.

The effects of materialism on consumer evaluation of sustainable synthetic (lab-grown) products

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 579-590
Author(s):  
Jessica Keech ◽  
Maureen Morrin ◽  
Jeffrey Steven Podoshen
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Evaluation ◽  
Positioning Strategy ◽  
Consumer Markets ◽  
The Future ◽  
Promotion Strategies ◽  
Alternative Sources ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The increasing desire of consumers for socially responsible luxury products combined with fluctuating supplies in consumer markets are leading various industries to seek alternative sources to be able to meet the needs of its customers. One possible solution that may meet the demands of the future is lab-grown products. Because these products confer multiple benefits, this study aims to investigate the most effective ways to appeal to consumers by aligning the benefits of the products with their values as marketers seek to find effective promotion for these items. Design/methodology/approach We examine the effectiveness of an ethical positioning strategy for two types of luxury lab-grown (synthetic) products among high versus low materialism consumers in three experiments. Findings Findings suggest that a positioning strategy stressing product ethicality is more effective for low materialism consumers, whereas the strategy is less effective, and may even backfire, for high materialism consumers. The impact on social status consumers perceive from a lab-grown product explains why this effect occurs among low materialism consumers. Therefore, marketers should take caution and use specific appeals for different segments based on values such as consumers’ materialism levels. Originality/value If lab-grown products represent the wave of the future, it is important to understand how consumers will respond to this emerging technology and how promotion strategies may enhance their evaluation.

Business strategy, performance appraisal and organizational results

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Bayo-Moriones ◽  
Jose Enrique Galdon-Sanchez ◽  
Sara Martinez-de-Morentin
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Performance Appraisal ◽  
Competitive Strategy ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Robust Regression ◽  
Innovation Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Developmental Performance

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to analyze how the design of performance appraisal is influenced by the competitive strategy of the firm. Then, this paper examines if the alignment between appraisal and strategy impacts firm performance.Design/methodology/approachThe study sample includes 258 Spanish firms in the manufacturing and services sectors. This information was gathered through questionnaires addressed to the CEO and the senior human resources manager. Several econometric models are estimated, using robust regression analysis and including a set of relevant control variables.FindingsA positive relationship is found between an innovation strategy and developmental performance appraisal. A cost strategy has a negative impact on the adoption of developmental performance appraisal. The findings also confirm that firms with a quality strategy and developmental appraisal have higher performance. In addition, firms adopting an innovation strategy and administrative appraisal enjoy higher return of equity.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should analyze the dynamics of the relationships between appraisal, strategy and performance to rule out the flaws of cross-sectional data. Another potential extension is the analysis of the interactions of the design of other human resources management practices with both competitive strategy and firm performance.Practical implicationsFirms can improve performance by aligning performance appraisal design with strategy. Those with an innovation strategy should choose administrative appraisal, and those competing on quality should focus on developmental appraisal.Originality/valueThis paper compares the theoretical recommendations on performance appraisal for different competitive strategies, what firms actually do, and the impact that the alignment between appraisal and strategy has on firm performance.

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