scholarly journals Human resource management in South Africa: A macro-economic audit

1999 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Van Zyl
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource Management ◽  
South African ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
International Competitiveness ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Current Debate

There should be no doubt in the minds of important economic decision-makers that the widely reported lack of international competitiveness of the South African economy must be addressed as a matter of urgency. Low levels of labour productivity are often listed as one of the major reasons for the lack of international competitiveness. This paper attempts to research the macro aspects of human resource management in South Africa as an essential element of the current debate on the level of competitiveness. The findings of the research clearly indicate a need for the formulation and implementation of a more effective and cohesive strategy on macro human resource management. Opsomming Daar is geen twyfel by belangrike ekonomiese besluitnemers dat die gebrek aan intemasionale mededingendheid van die Suid Afrikaanse ekonomie, gesien teen die agtergrond van die wye publisiteit wat dit tans geniet, dringend aandag moet ontvang. Lae produktiwiteitsvlakke word gewoonlik uitgewys as een van die vemaamste bydraende faktore tot die gebrek aan intemasionale mededingendheid. Die artikel poog om die stand van makro menslike hulpbronnebestuur as 'n vemame element van die huidige debat oor mededingendheid, na te vors. Die bevindinge van die navorsing toon bate duidelik 'n behoefte aan die formulering en implementering van 'n meer doelmatige en samehangende strategic vir makro menslike hulpbronnebestuur.

scholarly journals Research trends in the South African Journal of Human Resource Management

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Pietersen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource Management ◽  
South African ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
White Male ◽  
Research Trends ◽  
South African Journal ◽  
Knowledge Type ◽  
African Journal

Orientation: A comprehensive framework for research in human resource management (HRM) in terms of fundamental knowledge orientations was found lacking.Research purpose: The aim was to perform a typological review of research trends in the field of HRM, specifically of publications in the South African Journal of Human Resource Management (SAJHRM).Motivation for the study: No previous research in the field of HRM in South Africa adopted a fundamental theory of knowledge.Research design, approach and method: A qualitative design was followed, consisting of a documentary analysis of articles that were published in the SAJHRM for the period from 2003 to 2015. A detailed content analysis of published articles was performed in terms of a number of criteria, namely knowledge type, race, gender, authorship, author contribution and representation according to author institution and country of origin.Main findings: An analysis of a final selection of 289 articles indicated that research in the SAJHRM was mostly on the following lines: research was mostly of the hypothesis-testing (Type II) knowledge type; involved multiple authorship; and was conducted by mostly white, male researchers, based at a relatively few South African academic institutions.Practical and managerial implications: The SAJHRM should, in partnership with the HRM profession, promote and publish research that more prominently addresses the gap between academic HRM and HRM practice, especially in terms of the participatory or action research (Type IV) mode of knowledge generation.Contribution: The present analysis of research trends in the SAJHRM provides a broader and more nuanced perspective on forms of research required for the HRM field in South Africa.

scholarly journals Human Resource Management As A Profession In South Africa: Practitioners’ Perspectives

2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantel Van Der Westhuizen ◽  
LJ Van Vuuren ◽  
Deléne Visser
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource Management ◽  
South African ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Professional Status ◽  
Early Stages

Many organisations are downsizing their Human Resource (HR) operations due to the perceived lack of credibility of the function as a whole. This study investigates possible reasons for this perceived lack of credibility, and suggests ways in which the Human Resource Management (HRM) function can overcome this challenge. One of these suggestions implies the need to advance the professional status of HRM. The current professional status of HRM, as perceived by South African HR practitioners (N = 398) was evaluated by means of the trait approach to assessing the professional status of an occupation. The results reveal that practitioners do consider HRM to be a profession. However, HRM is still very much in the early stages of achieving true professional status. Other findings and their implications are also discussed. OpsommingDie Menslike hulpbronbestuursfunksie (MHB-funksie) word deur verskeie organisasies gerasionaliseer as gevolg van ’n oënskynlike gebrek aan geloofwaardigheid van die funksie as ’n geheel. In hierdie studie is moontlike redes vir die geloofwaardigheidsprobleem ondersoek en aanbevelings gemaak ten opsigte van wyses waarop die MHB-funksie hierdie uitdaging kan oorkom. Een voorstel impliseer die behoefte om die professionele status van die MHB-funksie te bevorder. Die huidige professionele status van MHB soos gesien vanuit die perspektief van Suid-Afrikaanse MHBpraktisyns (N = 398) is aan die hand van die eienskapgebaseerde metode om die professionele status van ’n beroep te bepaal, geëvalueer. Die bevindinge dui daarop dat ofskoon praktisyns MHB as ’n professie beskou, die MHBfunksie steeds in die vroeë fase van die strewe na ware professionele status is. Ander bevindinge en implikasies word ook bespreek.

scholarly journals The future and the role of human resource management in South Africa during the Fourth Industrial Revolution

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia M. Schultz
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource Management ◽  
South African ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
The Future

Orientation: The world of work is evolving at an alarming rate, and human resource (HR) practitioners need to familiarise themselves with the future of human resource management (HRM) in order to add value to their organisations.Research purpose: This article presents South African HR practitioners’ views about the future and the role of HRM in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) from a qualitative perspective.Motivation for the study: Human resource practitioners play a central role in the 4IR, but theories on how their role is enacted remain insufficient.Research approach/design and method: A qualitative survey design was used to study the views of 105 HR practitioners affiliated with the South African Board of People Practices. Three open-ended questions were sent to participants by means of a SurveyMonkey link. Deductive and inductive coding were used to thematically analyse the data.Main findings: The following themes were identified: technology-driven, data-driven, ethically driven, change driven, business-driven, human–machine collaboration and presilience.Practical/managerial implications: South African HR practitioners should be prepared for the future world of work. If these HR practitioners are not technology-driven, data-driven, ethically driven, change driven, business-driven, human–machine collaboration and presilient, they may have difficulty to add value to the organisation in the 4IR.Contribution/value-add: This study extends the body of knowledge about the future world of work and the role of HRM in South Africa by founding that HR practitioners must have presilience and respect ubuntu. The study also extends contemporary scholarship by using an open-ended qualitative review design to investigate the future of HRM in South Africa during the 4IR.

scholarly journals Best practice guidelines for the use of the assessment centre method in South Africa (5th edition)

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deon Meiring ◽  
Anne Buckett
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Position Statement ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Perceived Fairness ◽  
Track Record ◽  
Managerial Implications

Orientation: Assessment Centres (ACs) have a long and successful track record in South Africa when used for selection and development purposes. The popularity of the approach is mainly attributable to the ACs’ numerous strengths, which include the perceived fairness, practical utility and strong associations with on-the-job performance. To maintain the integrity of the AC, it is important for practitioners and decision makers to apply the method in a consistent and standardised manner.Research purpose: The purpose of the report is to provide practitioners and decision makers with practical guidelines and concrete procedures when using ACs as part of the organisation’s human resource management strategy. Motivation for the study: The past decade has seen significant advances in the science and practice of ACs. Now in its fifth edition, the revised Guidelines seek to provide important information to practitioners and decision makers on a number of factors when used in conjunction with the AC method, namely, technology, validation, legislation, ethics and culture.Main findings: The Guidelines provide specific suggestions and recommendations for using technology as part of the manner of delivery. Issues of culture, diversity and representation are also discussed. New features of the Guidelines include more concrete guidance on how to conduct a validation study as well as unpacking several ethical dilemmas that practitioners may encounter. Of critical importance is a position statement on the use of ACs in relation to new legislation (Employment Equity Amendment Act, Section 8, clause d) pertaining to psychometric testing.Practical/managerial implications: The Guidelines serve as a benchmark of best practice for practitioners and decision makers who intend on, or are currently, using ACs in their organisations.Contribution/value-add: In the absence of formal standards governing the use of ACs in South Africa, the Guidelines provide an important step towards establishing standardisation in the use of the AC method. The Guidelines provide (1) guidance to industrial and organisational psychologists, organisational consultants, human resource management specialists, generalists and the Department of Labour, and others designing and conducting ACs; (2) information to managers deciding whether to introduce AC methods; (3) instructions to assessors taking part in the AC; (4) guidance on the use of technology and navigating diverse cultural contexts; and (5) a reference for professionals on best practice considerations in the use of the AC method.

scholarly journals Municipal Employees’ Perceptions Of Political Interference In Human Resource Management Practices: Evidence From The Free State Province In South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lineo W. Dzansi ◽  
Crispen Chipunza ◽  
Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource Management ◽  
South African ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Hrm Practices ◽  
Political Interference ◽  
Municipal Employees ◽  
Human Resource Management Practices

Service delivery in South Africa has of recent been marred with much criticism and citizens’ dissatisfactions evidenced by protests across the country, especially in different municipal areas. While the South African central government recognizes the important supportive role of human resources management (HRM) in ensuring quality service delivery, the municipalities’ human resource management seem not to be playing this important role. There are accusations of too much political interference in municipal human resource management activities in municipalities in the country. The objective of this study was to determine municipal employees’ perceptions of political interference in human resource management practices within selected municipalities in South African. Using a sample of nine municipalities and 342 employees, results of the quantitative analysis of data collected using questionnaires showed that municipal employees perceived little or low levels of political interference in HRM practices.  The results are discussed within the context of organisational justice theory and implications on issues such as application of appropriate ethics in HRM practices are suggested.

scholarly journals Two decades of qualitative research in Psychology, Industrial and Organisational Psychology and Human Resource Management within South Africa: A critical review

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumari O'Neil ◽  
Eileen Koekemoer
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource Management ◽  
South African ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
South African Journal ◽  
The South ◽  
African Journal

Orientation: Qualitative research is marked by phenomenal growth and development over the years.Research purpose: This article aims to offer insight into the emerging qualitative methodologies used in the fields of Psychology, Industrial and Organisational Psychology and Human Resource Management.Motivation for the study: The value of qualitative organisational research has been recognised since the 1970s. Regardless of its perceived value, national and international trends show a greater tendency for quantitative research.Research design, approach and method: This article investigates qualitative articles (n = 242) published over two decades in the South African Journal of Industrial Psychology (SAJIP), South African Journal of Psychology (SAJP), and the South African Journal of Human Resource Management (SAJHRM). More specifically, a content analysis was conducted to highlight the trends of paradigms, designs and analysis methods employed in the studies.Main findings: Although there seems to be a slight increase in qualitative publications over the years, qualitative studies show a lower volume than its counterparts. The SAJIP published the least qualitative articles when compared to the SAJP and SAJHRM. There is a pattern of preference for specific paradigms and methods in all the journals. Overall, all the journals carry a large number of articles that do not specifically state their paradigmatic alignment or the designs they used, while some articles omits the methodology used in the studies altogether.Practical/managerial implications: The results indicate a clear need for increased exposure to qualitative methodology, both by publishing more qualitative studies in local journals and by providing formal training opportunities. A publication does not solely rely on authorship, but also on a review process. Therefore certain adjustments in this process may lead to more and better qualitative publications in future.Contribution/value-add: This article provides a critical analysis of the current trends and developments in qualitative research conducted in Industrial and Organisational Psychology(IOP) research in South Africa. The study identifies dominant methodologies in use, and thereby identifies possible opportunities to expand the ‘methodological menu’ of IOP research.

Kulula.com, South Africa – a case study

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Chux Gervase Iwu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource Management ◽  
South African ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
African National Congress ◽  
Employment Relations ◽  
The South ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World

Subject area Human resource management; primarily employment law impacting on employment relations. Study level/applicability Second year (or 200 level) students up to post graduate programmes in Business Management, Human Resources Management and Law. Case overview The world is still fascinated by South Africas transition to democracy; what with stories of massacre (Sharpeville, etc.) of those who dared challenge white supremacy and the battle for prominence between the African National Congress and the Inkatha Freedom Party. Since gaining independence, South Africa has attracted investors from far and wide. Now and again, one hears news stories that report about forms of disgruntlement from whites and blacks, respectively. In some quarters, you may hear stories suggesting the white community has not completely gotten over their resentment of black leadership. In some other quarters, you are likely to hear the blacks insist that the South African land space belongs to them and as a result they should be in charge of the distribution of wealth, one must understand that much of the wealth of the South African land still resides with the Whites. In what is considered as a fair attempt to integrate all the citizens of the republic, the new government of Nelson Mandela came up with a constitution that is hailed as perhaps the best in the world. Carved out of the United Nations Human Rights Charter, it proposes a free society that recognizes all its inhabitants regardless of colour. Within the world of work, the constitution identifies seven very important statutes that not only give effect to and sustain the republics membership of the International Labour Organisation, but also help to realize and regulate the fundamental rights of workers and employers. Main learning objective Test students understanding of the legal statutes that pertain to employment relations and human resource management in South Africa. Expected learning outcomes Understand the legislation affecting management and staff. Understand and apply the principles of recruitment and selection of staff. Identify and apply the options open to managers in staff training and development. Identify and apply the appropriate performance management systems. Understand and apply the strategic human resource planning process. Supplementary materials Teaching note.

Human Resource Management, TQM, and Firm Performance in Small and Medium-Size Enterprises

2000 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaylen N. Chandler ◽  
Glenn M. Mcevoy
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Human Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
The Relationship

This study analyzes the moderating effect of two key human resource practices on the relationship between organizational strategy and firm performance. In a sample of 66 small to medium-sized manufacturing firms we found that a total quality management strategy was most effective when supported by significant training and group-based incentive compensation. This result is discussed in light of the current debate in the field about “best practice” versus “fit” models of human resource management and business strategy.

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