scholarly journals An exploration of stereotype perceptions amongst support staff within a South African higher education institution

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Given R.B. Moloto ◽  
Lizelle Brink ◽  
J. Alewyn Nel
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Diverse Workforce ◽  
The Impact

Orientation: After the 1994 democratic elections, South African organisations had to replace discriminatory policies with new policies to integrate all people and to embrace diversity. As a consequence stereotypes may be more prevalent in diverse working environments.Research purpose: The objective of this study was to explore the experience of stereotypes amongst the support staff within a higher education institution.Motivation for this study: Changes within South African working environments, and specifically higher education institutions, resulted in more diverse management teams and a more culturally diverse workforce. With this in mind, the experience of stereotypes may become more prevalent within South African working environments. Many researchers have focused on stereotypes; however, studies on stereotypes within South Africa are limited, especially within higher education institutions. Research approach, design and method: The research approach was qualitative and a case study design was employed. A combination of both quota and convenience sampling was used. The sample consisted of (N = 30) support staff within a higher education institution in South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data.Main findings: The results indicated that the participants do experience stereotypes within their workplace and also hold stereotypes of other people within their workplace. The most prevalent stereotypes mentioned by participants were age, gender, racial and occupational stereotypes. There is also an indication that stereotypes have cognitive, emotional and behavioural effects on the stereotyped.Practical/managerial implications: Organisations should do away with stereotyping by embracing and managing diversity and dealing with stereotypes, specifically within higher education institutions. When managers are aware of stereotypes and the effects thereof in the organisation, they can make every effort to eradicate the stereotypes and address the impact thereof.Contribution: In an environment where there is a diverse workforce, stereotyping is more likely to exist. This study will provide useful information about stereotypes within a higher education institution seeing that there are a limited number of studies on this topic within South Africa and within this specific occupation. The results of the study will enlighten the organisation to become more aware of stereotypes and the debilitating impact that they have on the individual and the organisation, thereby providing the organisation with the opportunity to address stereotypes and the impact thereof on employees and the organisation.

scholarly journals Reflection on the Production of Knowledge: From Postmodernism to Pseudoscience

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Daud Aris Tanudirjo
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Human Culture ◽  
World University Rankings ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Impact

In the last few years, the Indonesian government has impelled academics and higher education institutions as the centre of knowledge production to publish their works in reputed international journal. This policy is necessary to elevate the position of Indonesian higher education institution in the World University Rankings. In fact, such a policy will not only have impact on the status of the higher education institution but also in the course of human culture and society. This article tries to reflect on the impact of the implementation of the policy in the wider cultural context. Predictably, new knowledge will only be circulated among the elite academics and the higher education institutions will become inaccessible ivory tower for the society. On the other hand, the society will tend to consume more pseudoscientific knowledge which is more attractive and easier to understand. Ultimately this will have a significant impact on the course and quality of human culture.

scholarly journals The retention of academics in the early career phase

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Coenraad Bester
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South African ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
African Higher Education ◽  
South African Higher Education ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Labour Turnover

The purpose of the study was to determine to what extent academics in the early career phase at a South African higher education institution are committed to the institution in question and the impact which this commitment has on labour turnover. More than 21% of the original respondents left the institution while this research was still underway. Insufficient financial remuneration was the most important reason why the respondents considered leaving the institution.

scholarly journals Existing organizational culture typologies and organizational commitment at a selected higher education institution in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ndlovu Wiseman ◽  
Hlanganipai Ngirande ◽  
Sam Tlou Setati
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Organizational Commitment ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Continuance Commitment ◽  
The Relationship

The study investigates the relationship between organizational culture and organization commitment at a higher education institution in South Africa. Quantitative research approach was used and 30 participants were chosen at random from academic and non-academic employees of the university. Furthermore, in order to gather data, the study used a structured questionnaire regarding the effects of existing organizational culture on organizational commitment. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between existing organizational culture typologies and facets of organizational commitment. The study revealed that different culture typologies bring about different levels of organizational commitment. Moreover, support of culture had a strong significant relationship with normative and continuance commitment. This means that if the organization shows the sense care and support to its employees, they will develop an obligatory sense of belonging and help the organization in attaining its objectives.

scholarly journals Reflection on the Production of Knowledge: From Postmodernism to Pseudoscience

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Daud Aris Tanudirjo
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Human Culture ◽  
World University Rankings ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Impact

In the last few years, the Indonesian government has impelled academics and higher education institutions as the centre of knowledge production to publish their works in reputed international journal. This policy is necessary to elevate the position of Indonesian higher education institution in the World University Rankings. In fact, such a policy will not only have impact on the status of the higher education institution but also in the course of human culture and society. This article tries to reflect on the impact of the implementation of the policy in the wider cultural context. Predictably, new knowledge will only be circulated among the elite academics and the higher education institutions will become inaccessible ivory tower for the society. On the other hand, the society will tend to consume more pseudoscientific knowledge which is more attractive and easier to understand. Ultimately this will have a significant impact on the course and quality of human culture.

scholarly journals The impact of ethical leadership on employee engagement within a South African public higher education institution

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 314-324
Author(s):  
Anrusha Bhana ◽  
Sachin Suknunan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
South African ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Ethical Leadership ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
The Impact

Ethical leadership has become a fundamental building block amongst the corporate organizations globally. However, minimal research evidence was found from a higher education institution (HEI) perspective, including the evidence from a South African higher education setting. Due to the lack of research linking the ethical leadership`s style and employee`s engagement (EE) at higher education institutions, it becomes important to find out if ethical leadership can positively promote the EE, which, in turn, can promote various other benefits at the institutions. Therefore, this study aims to examine this from the perspective of ethical leadership style and its impact on the EE. This study focused on a large HEI (Higher Education institution) based in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). Quantitative data collection employed the probability sampling targeting 420 employees. Questionnaires were used as data collection tools and obtained a response rate of 312 (74%). The results show that the average mean value for EE (M = 2.87) was weak in comparison to the measurement standard of 3.00, which implied a lack of EE between leadership and employees. In addition, the results indicate that ethical leadership can positively influence the EE (M = 4.27), thus, indicating the need for more ethical leadership at this institution. Furthermore, the current lack of employee`s engagement by leaders that do not exhibit the ethical leadership style can result in employees` disengagement at the institution.

scholarly journals The perceptions of unionised employees on grievance and disciplinary matters at a higher education institution in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-48
Author(s):  
Shadrack Themba Mzangwa ◽  
Stephens Mpedi Madue
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
The Other ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Lack Of Knowledge

This article examines the perceptions of unionised members on the handling of grievance and disciplinary matters against management of a higher education institution. Using a sample of thirty-four unionised members in one of the higher education institutions in South Africa, the study found that unionised members perceived the management of higher education institution as abusing its power against unionised employees. The management treats unionised employees negatively based on race and further denies unionised members an opportunity to engage freely on issues of labour. The other finding is that unionised members feel strongly to belong to the unions in spite of the union’s leadership’s lack of knowledge and poor representation of its members against the management of a higher education institution. The findings suggest that unionised members felt undermined and disregarded by management whilst they are not happy on how their own leadership handles the grievance and disciplinary matters.

scholarly journals Lecturers’ Experiences of the Blurring of Time and Space during Covid-19 in a South African ODeL University

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine Naidu ◽  
Mpho-Entle Puleng Modise
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Distance Education ◽  
South African ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
College Of Education ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The University

Education has been greatly impacted by the current Covid-19 pandemic. With countries worldwide experiencing unprecedented extended lockdowns, higher education providers have sought innovative technological ways of effectively delivering tuition and support to diverse students. This has, however, also increased the blurring of the work–home boundaries. This paper reports on the way in which Covid-19 facilitated the blurring of the work–home boundaries of academics in the College of Education at the University of South Africa, a distance education institution. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 15 lecturers via Microsoft Teams. The results showed that, owing to a lack of workspace at their homes, many academics were forced to work beyond normal office hours. Inexplicit expectations from the employer exacerbated the blurring of work–home interfaces for many academics. The results of this study can be used for future research to seek ways in which the management of the University of South Africa or employers of other higher education institutions can help to reduce the blurring of work–home boundaries.

scholarly journals Impact of freshman-year alcohol violations on retention at a regional, midwestern, 4-year, public higher education institution

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Kori T. Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Public Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Freshman Year ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Alcohol Violation ◽  
The Impact

Retention is a critical topic on campuses across the nation. Numerous studies have examined how alcohol consumption affects retention but little to no research exists regarding the impact of alcohol violations on retention. This quantitative study examined over 7,000 freshmen at a regional, Midwestern, 4-year, public higher education institution. The participants were separated as either having a freshman-year alcohol violation or not having a freshman-year alcohol violation and then analyzed. The results of the study found that there was not a significant difference in retention for those with a freshman-year alcohol violation compared to those without a freshman-year violation. However, when looking only at those participants with a freshmanyear alcohol violation, a logistic regression analysis showed that high school GPA, minority racial status, amount of financial aid disbursed, not receiving loans, and not being Pell-eligible were all significant factors indicating a participant was more likely to return to school. However, this model only accounted for 18% of the variance in retention and future studies will need to include more variables to account for more variance in retention. The results of this study are valuable to all administrators at higher education institutions, especially student conduct administrators. The researcher proposes higher education institutions review policy and programming as it relates to alcohol education and alcohol violation sanctions to increase retention rates\namong alcohol violators.

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