scholarly journals The Influence of Collective Agency on the Culture of Employee Learning:

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-69
Author(s):  
George Mavunga
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Union Leader ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Learning Goals ◽  
Collective Agency ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Administrative Assistants ◽  
Human Resource Training ◽  
Employee Learning

This study investigated the influence of collective agency on the culture of employee learning among administrative assistants at a comprehensive South African university. Data were gathered through semi-structured  interviews with 15 participants; the senior human resource training and development coordinator and a trade union leader. The study found that there is positive intentionality in the official domain of employee learning at the institution, resulting from the need for agents to collectively re-contextualise the knowledge constituting the employee learning curriculum. Similarly, there was evidence of the positive influence of collect- -ive agency in the administrative assistants’ responses to institutional employee learning initiatives. However, some tensions were noted between senior management’s and administrative assistants’ exercise of collective agency in the practice of employee learning. This hampered alignment between the institution’s strategic intentions and the administrative assistants’ collective employee learning goals. Based on these findings, it is recommended that efforts can be made to promote congruence between management’s exercise of collective agency in the official re-contextualisation of the employee learning curriculum and the administrative assist-      -tants’ collective responses to employee learning practices. Key words: employee learning, administrative assistants, collective agency 

scholarly journals A Generic Competency Framework for Labour Relations Practitioners in the South African Public Service

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Thomas Botha ◽  
Cecile Schultz ◽  
Adéle Bezuidenhout
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Competency Framework ◽  
The South ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Analysis Study ◽  
Labour Relations ◽  
Generic Competencies

This article reports on the findings of a qualitative content analysis study that explored the generic competencies required of labour relations practitioners in the South African public service with a view to developing a generic competency framework for these practitioners. Data were gathered through conducting semi-structured interviews with 17 labour relations experts from different institutions. The data were coded and categorised, and themes were identified that characterised the participants’ experiences, perceptions and views, providing evidence about the competencies of labour relations practitioners. From the data, 44 competencies were identified that could be regarded as essential to labour relations practitioners’ successful and efficient fulfilment of their role, and these competencies were grouped into nine themes. A generic competency framework for labour relations practitioners was developed based on the results obtained. The findings of this study could potentially form the foundation of new theory for the advancement, training and development of labour relations practitioners.

scholarly journals The Importance of Training for Human Resource Development in Organization

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 190
Author(s):  
Astuty Mulang
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Need Analysis ◽  
Primary Element ◽  
Human Resource Training ◽  
Performance Problem ◽  
Training Need

Human resource makes up primary element of an organization. Human resource training and development are absolute necessities for it. In pragmatic, training and development program have positive influence on both individual and organization. Training Need Analysis (TNA). performance problem, new system and technology and also automatic and habitual training. It is a need analysis at the workplace which is specifically meant to find what actually training needs as a priority. Information of the needs will help organization in employing resources effectively and prevent unnecessary training activity.

Reading for pleasure : the influence of reading clubs in selected Bahananwa Limpopo primary schools

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 133-155
Author(s):  
Kgomotlokoa Linda Thaba-Nkadimene ◽  
Maletšema Ruth Emsley
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Cultural Theory ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Reading For Pleasure ◽  
Theory Of Reading ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
African Youth ◽  
Reading Clubs

The challenges of reading experienced by learners exerts a negative impact on reading for pleasure, and learners' outcomes. In an attempt to address such reading challenges, Reading Clubs were launched to promote reading for pleasure among South African youth. This study examines the influence of Reading Clubs on learners' attitudes to Reading for Pleasure and the outcomes thereof. The study was informed by the Top-Down Model of Reading and the Cultural Theory of reading for pleasure. Interviews were conducted in five purposively selected schools with five Sparker coaches and five teachers. The research findings reveal a positive influence of Reading Clubs on reading for pleasure and learners' outcomes. This is reflected through improved levels of reading for pleasure. This study ultimately recommends that schools learn from best practices of Reading Clubs, and that government strive to make Reading Clubs a sustainable project.

scholarly journals The transition to general management in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Mallaby ◽  
Gavin Price ◽  
Karl Hofmeyr
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
General Manager ◽  
General Management ◽  
General Managers ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Effective Development ◽  
The Right

Orientation: Understanding the nature and challenges of making the transition from a functional role to a general management role in South African organisations.Research purpose: The objective of this study was to gain insight into the obstacles that affect the transition from functional to general management and identify steps that may be taken to overcome these challenges.Motivation for the study: One of the most difficult crossroads for a manager is making the shift from being a functional specialist to becoming a general manager. New competencies and behaviours are required, as well as a more strategic mind set. If the transition is not made successfully, the manager and the organisation suffer.Research design, approach and method: A qualitative design was used consisting of in-depth, semi-structured interviews, with 19 senior business leaders who had successfully made the transition. The interviews were used to gather insights into the challenges they faced during their transitions, and how these were overcome.Main findings: To make the transition successfully, functional managers need to gain relevant experience to prepare them for the broader scope of a general management role. They need to develop appropriate skills, attitudes and personal characteristics. Mentoring is an effective development process. Newly appointed general managers need to learn to let go of control while maintaining ownership, build relationships and strike the right balance between strategic thinking and execution. There are unique aspects of being a general manager in South Africa, such as dealing with Black Economic Empowerment and challenges of race and identity, given the country’s history.Practical and managerial implications: Specific interventions are suggested which are directed at both aspiring general managers and organisations seeking to assist middle managers to make the transition to general managers.Contribution: This study contributes to knowledge concerning the skills and attributes required by potential general managers, and the practical steps to be taken by South African organisations to facilitate the development of general managers. 

The Relevance of Personal Domain Satisfaction for the Quality of Life in South Africa

1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 69-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Møller
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
South African ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
South Africans ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Personal Domain ◽  
The Impact

South African psychologists have identified the improvement of quality of life as a major goal of the 1980s. This paper reviews the impact of satisfaction with personal aspects of life on perceived well-being. The results of an exploratory study of South African quality of life conducted among 5 587 individuals of all population groups are discussed. Findings confirm the salience of the personal domain and the positive influence of personal satisfactions on subjective well-being. However, results of regression analyses suggest that the relative contribution of satisfactions in the personal domain is too low to play a major role in improving the quality of life of all South Africans in the longer term.

Risk management factors contributing to transgressions in the procurement practices in South African SOEs

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindani Myeza ◽  
Naledi Nkhi ◽  
Warren Maroun
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
South African ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
African State ◽  
Political Influence ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Executive Level

PurposeThe study aims to deepen the understanding of why risk management principles are circumvented, thereby contributing to transgressions in public procurement for South African state-owned enterprises (SOEs). A deeper understanding of why risk management principles are circumvented is especially important in South Africa, given the high social, economic and environmental risks to which national and major SOEs are exposed in the procurement process.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a qualitative design, based on detailed semi-structured interviews with 19 participants comprising management advisors, forensic investigators and auditors to explore why risk management principles are circumvented by South Africa SOEs.FindingsThe results of the study indicate that the tone that is set at political and executive level plays an important role in determining compliance with risk management principles by lower-level staff. Intense levels of political influence at SOEs are the main reason behind risk management systems being undermined.Originality/valueThe current study is one of the first explorations of why transgressions in public procurement continue to be evident despite risk management reforms being adopted by South Africa public sector. The research responds to the call for more studies on why reforms in South Africa public sector are not reducing transgression in public procurement. The study provides primary evidence on the importance of political and executive leadership in influencing the effectiveness of risk management reforms in the public sector.

Gender Inequality and Intersectional Disadvantage among Students in South African Universities

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-172
Author(s):  
Oliver Tafadzwa Gore ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South African ◽  
Higher Education Policy ◽  
Capabilities Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Education Policies ◽  
Higher Education Policies ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
South African Higher Education

Although policies to widen participation have been implemented in South African higher education since 1994, inequality of achievements persists in universities. The failure of the higher education policy to clearly define ‘disadvantage’ in various interventions seems to have contributed to the continuing inequalities. This study theorises disadvantage using the capabilities approach pioneered by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum and argues for a more nuanced definition of disadvantage by exploring the opportunities, agency and achievements available to students in universities. The theorisation is based on findings from a qualitative case study of 26 semi-structured interviews conducted with students from one South African university. Using empirical findings, the theorisation in this study shows how the conversion factors intersect, resulting in some students achieving fewer functionings, which put them at a disadvantage. While gender equality seemingly has been achieved through enrolment figures that show parity levels, some female students are still disadvantaged through subtle forms of discrimination and sexual harassment in universities. This study therefore recommends that higher education policies should consider an expansive definition of disadvantage that encompasses the various dimensions of student wellbeing for all students to have flourishing lives.

scholarly journals Global sourcing risk management approaches: A study of small clothing and textile retailers in Gauteng

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesley Niemann ◽  
Theuns Kotzé ◽  
Karabo Mannya
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Risk Identification ◽  
Lead Times ◽  
Global Sourcing ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Business Context ◽  
Exchange Rate Fluctuations ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Supply Risks

Background: Global sourcing has increased as buyers searched for new markets that offered better pricing, quality, variety and delivery lead times than their local markets. However, the increase in global sourcing has also exposed businesses to many supply risks.Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to explore the global sourcing supply risks encountered by small clothing and textile retailers in Gauteng and to determine what supply risk identification and management approaches they utilise.Method: This study utilised semi-structured interviews conducted with 12 small clothing and textile retail owners.Results: The study found that the three major supply risks encountered by these retailers were fluctuating exchange rates, communication barriers and costly and complicated logistics, which included high customs costs. Furthermore, although aware of the supply risks, none of the small clothing and textile retailers had formal identification and management approaches in place. Instead, risks are dealt with at the sole discretion of the owner as and when they occur. The study also found that informal identification and management approaches were being applied by some of the retailers. These included factoring exchange rate fluctuations into the profit margins and using translators to combat communication barriers.Contribution: The study is one of the first empirical studies conducted on global supply risks and the associated identification and management approaches in the South African small business context, specifically focused on clothing and textile retailers.Conclusion: Small clothing and textile retailers need to proactively identify and manage global sourcing risk using the identified approaches in order to reduce and mitigate potential supply disruptions.

scholarly journals How can work be designed to be intrinsically rewarding? Qualitative insights from South African non-profit employees

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Renard ◽  
Robin J. Snelgar
Keyword(s):  
Performance Management ◽  
South African ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Extrinsic Rewards ◽  
Intrinsic Rewards ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Performance Management Systems ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Value Add ◽  
Traditional Performance

Orientation: Intrinsic rewards are personal, psychological responses to the work thatemployees perform, which stem from the manner in which their work is designed.Research purpose: This study sought to discover in what ways non-profit employees arepsychologically rewarded by the nature of their work tasks. The use of a qualitative approachto data collection and analysis ensured that in-depth responses from participants were gained.Motivation for the study: Intrinsic rewards are of particular importance to non-profitemployees, who tend to earn below-market salaries. This implies that their motivationoriginates predominantly from intrinsic as opposed to extrinsic rewards; yet, research into thisarea of rewards is lacking.Research approach, design and method: In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conductedusing a sample of 15 extrinsically rewarded non-profit employees working within South Africa.Thematic analysis was utilised in order to generate codes which led to the formation of fiveintrinsic rewards categories.Main findings: Intrinsic rewards were classified into five categories, namely (1) MeaningfulWork, (2) Flexible Work, (3) Challenging Work, (4) Varied Work and (5) Enjoyable Work.These rewards each comprise of various subcategories, which provide insight into why suchwork is rewarding to non-profit employees.Practical/managerial implications: Traditional performance management systems shouldbe re-evaluated in the non-profit sector to shift focus towards intrinsic rewards, asopposed to focusing only on the use of extrinsic rewards such as incentives to motivateemployees.Contribution/value-add: The study provides a qualitative understanding of how extrinsicallyrewarded non-profit employees perceive their work to be intrinsically rewarding, whichbridges the empirical gap pertaining to intrinsic rewards within this sector.

scholarly journals Students’ Perceptions of Life Skill Development in Project-Based Learning Schools

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Meyer ◽  
Scott Wurdinger
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Life Skills ◽  
Skill Development ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Life Skill ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Life Skill Development ◽  
Learning Schools

<p>This research aimed to examine students’ perceptions of their life skills while attending project-based learning (PBL) schools. The study focused on three questions including: 1) What are students’ perceptions of their development of life skills in project-based learning schools? 2) In what ways, if any, do students perceive an increase in their life skill development over a one-year period of time? 3) What relationship, if any, is there between grade level and students’ perceptions of their life skills? The subjects were 275 6-12 students from two project-based learning charter schools in Minnesota. One school was located in a rural location; the other in an urban location. The triangulating data collection methods included a Likert-scale survey, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups. Quantitative analysis using SPSS were used to analyze the survey data. Qualitative analysis methods used were coding and identification of emergent themes. Qualitative results showed perceptions of most improved skills as time management, collaboration, communication, and self-directedness. Quantitative data results showed most improved skills within an academic year as responsibility, problem-solving, self-directedness, and work ethic. Self-directedness was the single skill that was evident in all data results. The results showed students’ perceptions of their life skills were positive and that project-based learning helped them develop multiple life skills including, but not limited to communication, collaboration, problem-solving, responsibility, and time management. Implications of this research suggest that project-based learning has a positive influence on students’ life skills development across 6-12 grade levels and helps prepare them to be successful in the 21<sup>st</sup> century global community and economy.</p>

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