Ascertaining the Role of Leadership on Employee Satisfaction in Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province of South Africa Using Qualitative Research

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kingstone Mutsonziwa ◽  
Philip Serumaga-Zake

This paper is based on the study a Doctor of Business Leadership (DBL) thesis titled A Statistical Model for Employee Satisfaction in the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province. The purpose of this study was to identify the attributes that affect employee satisfaction in the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province, South Africa. In order to address the overall objective of this study, the researcher used a two-tiered (mixed) approach in which both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were used to complement and enrich the results. This paper is only based on the qualitative component of the study on leadership aspects based on six leaders (two from Social research and four from Market research) that were interviewed. The leaders were selected based on their knowledge of the industry and the expertise they have. Participation in the survey was voluntary. This paper illustrates the power of the qualitative techniques to uncover or unmask the leadership aspects in the Market and Social Research Industries and also gives the human touch to the quantitative results. It was found that leadership and management within the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province must ensure that they are accommodative in terms of mentoring their subordinates. The industry is driven by quality driven processes and strong leadership. More importantly, issues of a good working environment, remuneration, career growth, and recognition must always be addressed in order to increase employee satisfaction, reduce staff turnover, and attempt to optimize labour productivity. The qualitative findings also help a deeper understanding of leadership within the industry.

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kingstone Mutsonziwa ◽  
Philip Serumaga-Zake

The purpose of this study was to identify the attributes that affect employee satisfaction in the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province, South Africa. In order to address the overall objective of this study, the researchers used a two-tiered (mixed) approach in which both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were used to complement and enrich the results. Stratified random sampling and systematic random sampling were used to select a sample of 261 full-time employees for the quantitative phase of the study. The Multi-factor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) was adapted to collect the data using a face-to-face data collection method. The study found that a statistically significant association exists between employee satisfaction and leadership style within the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province. As expected, leadership and management within the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province should ensure that they are accommodative to their subordinates. More importantly, issues of a good working environment, remuneration, career growth and recognition should be addressed in order to increase employee satisfaction, reduce staff turnover and attempt to optimize labour productivity.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kingstone Mutsonziwa

This paper is based on the data used for the completion of Doctor of Business Leadership degree submitted at University of South Africa. The purpose of this paper is to identify how demographic information and factors derived from factor analysis affect employee satisfaction in the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province, South Africa. The data were collected face-to-face from ordinary employees using a quantitative questionnaire. An overall Cronbach alpha of 0.982 showed that the questionnaire used in the study was statistical reliable. Path analysis is used in this paper. It helps to understand the effect of indirect effects on employee satisfaction within the Market and Social Research industries in Gauteng. Further, the path analysis showed that overall leadership style of the leader affects employee satisfaction directly while overall leadership style was strongly driven by leaders motivator attributes. On the other hand, de-motivator leadership attributes tend to negatively affect overall leadership style of the leader. Day-to-day working conditions and co-worker attributes (all derived from employee/job related attributes) directly drove overall employee satisfaction of the respondents.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chukwuka Christian Ohueri ◽  
Wallace Imoudu Enegbuma ◽  
Ngie Hing Wong ◽  
Kuok King Kuok ◽  
Russell Kenley

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a motivation framework that will enhance labour productivity for Iskandar Malaysia (IM) construction projects. The vision of IM development corridor is to become Southern Peninsular Malaysia’s most developed region by the year 2025. IM cannot realise this foresight without effective labour productivity. Previous studies have reported that the labour productivity of IM construction projects was six times lower than the labour productivity of Singapore construction projects, due to lack of motivation among IM labourers, and a shortage of local skilled labour. Therefore, there is a need to study how to motivate IM construction labourers, so as to increase their productivity. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research method was used to collect data from IM construction skilled labourers and construction professionals, using two sets of questionnaire. The respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique. In total, 40 skilled labourers and 50 construction professionals responded to the questionnaire survey, and the data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science software (version 22). Findings The analysis revealed the major factors that motivate labourers participating in IM construction projects. The factors were ranked hierarchically using Relative Importance Index (RII) and the outcome of the ranking indicated that effective management, viable construction practices, financial incentives, continuous training and development, and safe working environment were the most significant motivation strategies that positively influence IM construction labourers. Originality/value The study developed and validated a framework that can be used to boost the morale of IM construction labourers, so that their productivity can be increased. Implementation of the established motivation framework will also lead to career progression of IM construction labourers, based on the training elements in the framework. This career prospect will attract local skilled labourers to participate in IM construction projects.


2017 ◽  
pp. 93-104
Author(s):  
Sławomir Trusz

Trusz Sławomir, O znaczeniu badań ilościowo-jakościowych w edukacji1. Próba łączenia wody z ogniem… [The Meaning of Mixed Quantitative and Qualitative Research in Education. An Attempt to Combine Fire and Water]. Studia Edukacyjne nr 44, 2017, Poznań 2017, pp. 93-104. Adam Mickiewicz University Press. ISSN 1233-6688. DOI: 10.14746/se.2017.44.6 Social research, including educational studies, could be conducted in accordance with ontological and epistemological assumptions of quantitative vs. qualitative research orientations. When such a distinction is present, the same phenomena are analyzed and presented in a significantly different and often mutually excluding way. Is such an approach justified? It seems it is not. Based on the precedence of a research subject over the method, it could be said that a more comprehensive picture of the phenomena analyzed emerges when researchers make use of methods accepted in both quantitative and qualitative research orientations. The article presents theoretical assumptions and interesting practical solutions of a mixed approach (a mixed methodology) in social research. On the one hand, solutions and methods recommended for the quantitative research can be useful for studies conducted in accordance with the assumptions of qualitative orientation, and on the other hand, solutions and methods recommended for the qualitative research may be useful for the studies conducted in accordance with the assumptions of quantitative orientation. Both approaches have been illustrated by particular examples of research practices.


2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1187
Author(s):  
Sharon Rudansky-Kloppers

Online shopping has increased significantly worldwide in the last few years. South Africa is no exception, but although this country has experienced an increase in online shopping, it seems to lag behind the rest of the world where this development is concerned. Research into the factors which influence customer online shopping satisfaction is thus imperative in order for South African retailers to develop the correct strategies for online sales. With this information, they can convert potential customers into real customers and retain them. This research investigates the factors which influence customer online buying satisfaction in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The researcher made use of secondary research to construct a model of factors influencing online customer satisfaction and then tested the model among South Africans living in the Gauteng province. A sample of 111 online shoppers was used and quantitative research was conducted by means of a structured questionnaire. It was found that convenience, delivery, and time saving were viewed by customers as the most important reasons for buying online, while branding was viewed as the least important factor. The research results confirmed the model developed by the researcher. Results of the study, as well as recommendations for future research, are presented.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-48
Author(s):  
Olorunjuwon Michael Samuel ◽  
Sibongile Magwagwa ◽  
Aretha Mazingi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate effectiveness of the graduate development programme that was aimed at the recruitment and professional development of black engineering graduates through the workplace learning method. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopted qualitative research strategy using in-depth interviews with semi-structured interview guide that was developed after an extensive review of related literature. Data were analysed using thematic analysis technique. Findings Result of the paper indicates that the strategy provides an effective mechanism for the inclusion and professional development of black engineering graduates. Coaching and mentoring relationships were found to be an effective way for knowledge and skills transfers. Research limitations/implications Although this study presented valuable insights into the complexity of the graduate development programme in South Africa, the authors consider it appropriate to draw some limitations to study for in order to provide some guides on the conduct of a similar study by future researchers. It is important to state that qualitative studies inherently lack external validity that limits its generalisability to a wider context. Further, a non-probability sampling method was used in this study thus posing a threat to the scientific representativeness of the participants. At last, but very important is the emotion and tension that is usually associated with social research and discussion regarding the legacies of apartheid in South Africa. This research was not insulated from such sensitivity and social influence. To this extent, while practical efforts were made to mitigate this factor during the interviews, there is no guarantee that the respondents were completely honest, and not influenced by extraneous nuances and considerations in their responses to the questions. In view of the methodological and social limitations to this study, future researchers could consider, for example, the use of a mixed methods wherein a quantitative research component is conducted on trainees of the programme in order to validate or disprove the answers provided by the training managers which were purely from operator/organisational, rather than training participants’ perspective. The mixed method approach could also enhance the external validity or generalisability of the research outcome to a wider context. At last, the administration of structured questionnaire through the use of a web-based survey could potentially eliminate emotions, social tension and response bias since both the researcher and respondents do not engage in a face-to-face contact and personal interaction. This also effectively protects personal identity of both the researcher and respondent. Originality/value Not much research has been conducted in the direction of the graduate development programme as an effective strategy for the career advancement, inclusion and affirmation of black engineers within the engineering landscape of South Africa. Corporate and professional skills development managers could integrate the outcome of this paper into a policy framework that shapes corporate social investment, diversity and inclusion management at the workplaces.


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 691
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Chinomona

Businesses are getting better, bigger, more integrated and more complex in this era. The recognition of the influence and importance of quality of work life can be beneficial to employees and employers in a business. If an employee’s expectation are met, they have a clear and concise perception toward their work contributing to long-term career. The principle of this study is to demonstrate the influence of quality of work life, expectations towards work and perception of work on commitment to long-term career on the employees in the Gauteng province of South Africa. A quantitative research design was utilized and a sample of 250 employees in managerial and non-managerial employees was used. The study uses smart PLS to do data analysis. The outcomes of this study showed the acceptance of all the hypotheses that there is a significant influence of quality of work life, expectations towards work and perception of work life on commitment to long-term career. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6A) ◽  
pp. 30-42
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Chinomona

The aim of this study is to establish the impact of social media, information sharing and knowledge sharing on firm performance among companies in South Africa, Gauteng province in particular. In as much as the issue of social media communication has received great benefits and growth within organisations, little has been researched about the impact of social media on job performance, knowledge sharing and information sharing among companies in the Gauteng province, South Africa. Social Identity Theory (SIT) has been used to explain the associations in the model. Questionnaires were distributed to both management staff and lower level employees in the companies in Gauteng province of South Africa. This study used a quantitative research methodology using Smart PLS software. This software was employed to test the relationships among the four hypotheses. The results showed that there is a positive and significant relationship among the four proposed hypotheses. Basing on the findings of this research, recommendations were made to both the top-level employees and lower level employees in the companies in South Africa. This study is expected to have real-world and academic implications to policymakers for the companies in South Africa. On top of this, the study will provide new insights and added first-hand knowledge to the existing body of literature which is meagre in South African companies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3(J)) ◽  
pp. 74-83
Author(s):  
Lerato C. Bapela ◽  
Collins C. Ngwakwe ◽  
Mokoko P. Sebola

This paper evaluated the relationship between water infrastructure financing and water provision in South Africa. The research followed a quantitative research design; secondary data for water infrastructure financing and water provision in South Africa was obtained from the Trans - Caledon Tunneling Agency (TCTA) and the World Bank for the period 1994 - 2014 . The regression results indicated two separate findings which offers unique contribution to the current literature; results from water asset finance as a single independent variable on water provision showed a significant relationship. However, an addition of two control variables , corruption and violence, neutralised the effectiveness of water asset finance on water provision to the extent that water asset finance became less significant with a P value of 0.05. The paper makes a nuance contribution from the findings, which specifically is that finance alone may not deliver target water provision if corruption and violence is left unbridled. The paper thus recommends the need for public policy makers to control the rate of corruption and violence to enable effective application of water infrastructure finance in water provision. The paper also recommends the need for further research on other government departments to integrate corruption and violence as control variables. 


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