Managing workload allocation to ensure fairness and equity amongst staff can be a challenge in any organisation and managing the workload allocation of autonomy seeking academic staff in a business school can be even more so. In this study, the researcher aimed to review a recently designed and implemented academic workload allocation model in a South African business school in order to establish whether the model and implementation system has been successful in contributing to actual and perceived fairness and equity in workload distribution amongst their academic staff. The researcher did this by using a sequential exploratory mixed methods approach, first reviewing documentary evidence, which informed the design of an online survey with the academic staff, followed by semi-structured interviews with a sample group. The study reveals that the model, and the way it was implemented and managed, failed to achieve its intended aims of increased equitable and fair workloads amongst academic staff. These implementation failures have resulted in negative consequences for the organisational culture. Staff satisfaction and engagement with the model, its implementation and management does not present positively in the findings of this study. In the South African context where there are very few studies related to academic workload allocation models, the results of this study may be valuable for higher education institutions considering the introduction or review of workload models amongst their academic staff. The study highlights the importance of an inclusive and careful design approach, change management considerations during the implementation phase, and the transparent management of the workload allocation process and results.

Cette thèse engagée à partir des enjeux de la transformation du paysage international de l’éducation supérieure et ses implications au niveau local et national de l’organisation des universités. Basé dans une approche néo-rationaliste des interactions entre acteurs et les systèmes d’enseignement supérieure, le concept gigogne d’arènes académiques et les processus de couplage/découplage, l’analyse se focalise sur le cas d’étude du développement, implantation et ajustement d’un dispositif de calcul des services d’enseignant-chercheur. La méthodologie est basée sur une observation participante de longue durée, l’action-recherche et la méthode d’étude de cas. L’analyse quantitative relative à la transformation de la structure et de la performance des enseignants-chercheurs avec les accomplissements de l’université est combinée avec l’analyse qualitative de données collectées par des entretiens individuels et de groupes conduits avec des enseignants-chercheurs, des membres de la direction de l’université ainsi qu’avec des experts de l’enseignement supérieur malaisien et international. Les analyses conduites démontrent – au niveau de l’organisation universitaire – la capacité de négociation des académiques et du management par rapport à leurs rôles et conditions d’avancement de carrière est central dans l’instrumentation du dispositif de calcul des services. Au niveau national, les analyses soulignent la complémentarité entre institutions d’éducation supérieure privées et publiques. Au niveau international, les analyses soulignent la capacité d’ajustement du système universitaire et des politiques malaisiennes relatives à l’enseignement supérieur et à la recherche pour la régulation de leurs positions dans l’arène académique internationale. / This thesis is based on issues concerning the changing landscape of higher education globally and its implication at the local and national levels of the organization of universities. Drawn from the neo-rationalism perspective on the interactions between actors and higher education systems, the ‘gigogne’ concept of the academic arenas and coupling / decoupling processes, the analysis focuses on the case study of the development, implementation and adjustment of academic workload model. The methodology applied is based on long-term participant observation, action research and case study approaches. It is mixing quantitative analysis of the transformation of the academics’ performance and structure with the university’s achievement. On the other hand, this quantitative approach is complimented with the qualitative analysis of data gathered through formal interviews and focus groups, conducted with academics, senior management of the university and as well as experts of the higher education system in Malaysia and globally.Conclusions from the findings demonstrate – at the organizational level of the university - the capability of negotiation of the academics and senior management with regards to their roles and conditions of career advancement is central in the instrumentation of the academic workload system. At the national level, it highlights the complementary action between public and private higher education institutions. At the international level, it stresses on the capability of adjustment of the university organization system and the Malaysian higher education policy to redefine itself in regulating its position at the arenas of international bodies in higher education.

Recent advances in courtship theory emphasize day-today interaction and the environment in which interaction takes place as critically important in the understanding of relationship development. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of college course assignments on time spent in relationship activities and, similarly, the influence of time spent in relationship activities on relationship satisfaction. As college couples are often the subjects of relationship studies, consideration of the college environment seemed both appropriate and overdue. The sample consisted of 35 serious dating couples in which both partners were full-time students. A telephone survey methodology was developed so that couples could report coded relationship behaviors both conveniently and confidentially. Data were collected twice a week for 8 1/2 weeks during winter term 1987 at a large northwestern university. Results indicated: (1) previous, current, and up-coming course assignments were influential regarding reported time in selected relationship activities, and, in general, tended to increase time in activities; (2) when assignments decreased relationship activity, men's assignments were more influential. Women's assignments, particularly previous assignments, were found likely to increase relationship activity. Regarding the influence time spent in activities had on relationships satisfaction, the data indicated that time spent eating together and in affectionate behavior were activities that increased relationship satisfaction. Discussion centered on the "interpersonal process" framework of relationships development and on the timing of course workload on relationships. Conclusions suggested the academic environment does have an effect on dating relationships and that this effect may be similar to work and family issues that society as a whole is facing. / Graduation date: 1990

Thesis (MTech(Human Resource Management))--Cape Technikon, Cape Town, 2000 / This research project investigated the need for a method of determining an equitable workload for academic staffing in higher education. With the possibility of the introduction of a performance management system at the Cape Technikon it became imperative that an agreed, objective and user-friendly method of determining the workload of each academic member of staff be established. The research project established the main parameters of the job of an academic staff member and their dimensions that would influence both the quantity and quality of work produced. They were established based on the views of a panel of educators drawn from a diverse range of disciplines. Using the identified dimensions an algorithm was developed and refined to reflect the consensus views regarding the contributory weightings of each of the parameters' dimensions. This algorithm was tested and refined using a base group of academic staff who were identified by their colleagues as those whose workload could be considered a benchmark for their discipline. The most significant result of the research programme is the agreed algorithm that can form the basis for a performance management system in higher education. The user interface that was developed at the same time reflects the transparency of the system and allows for it to be adapted to the needs of various groups of users or individuals within an organisation. On the basis of this research it has been established that a system for determining an equitable workload which encompasses an extensive range of parameters can be developed using a participatory approach. Using a significant sample of academic staff as a basis, it would appear that the system is valid, reliable, useful and acceptable to academic staff in the context of a performance management system.

Thesis (MTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / Student workload is measured by the time it takes to complete the learning activities. This study determines the workload of Design students by determining the time spent on in- and out-of-class learning activities of a Design course at a higher education institution in Cape Town. The Design learning process typically engages students in several of the following learning activities: problem solving; research and development of ideas; and the mastering of various skills relating to visual communication. These afore-mentioned activities span the duration of a design project crossing the boundaries between subjects. The teaching of Design occurs in various locations such as the design studio and site visits. It therefore becomes difficult to unpack the time spent on in- and out-of-class learning activities for the purposes of workload calculations as prescribed and defined by higher education institutions and educational policies worldwide. Workload is a significant variable in the curriculum and is of importance in the quality of the teaching and learning process in higher education. An analysis of the literature determined that student workload could be viewed as objective workload (notional hours), the perceived/estimated hours worked (as highlighted in student course experience surveys) or the actual hours reported over a period of time. The resulting discussions focused on the comparability of students‟ workload to the expected notional hours and grades. Thus far none of the previous studies considered time allocation or the workload of the Design student or Design education. Can it be assumed that notional hours apply to all subject fields and therefore, the time allocated to in- and out-of-class learning activities should be equal as well? A timesheet diary was used to determine the time spent on learning activities. The population consisted of Interior Design students. Participants indicated what they were doing in the class as well as the amount of time spent on learning activities outside of timetabled hours. This study determined that the time reported for text-based subjects aligned with the notional hours and timetabled hours. On the other hand, a drawing-related subject – because of project-based learning and individual crits – is allocated more timetable hours, which does not align with the notional hours. The contact time thus appears to be high in comparison to the notional hours and results in an overloaded timetable (28hrs). However, it was found that the individual average for in-class time (14hrs 54min) reported by the participants aligns with the notional hours. Further analysis of the reported time revealed that class duration should be considered in the light of the teaching methods. In addition the average workload in this study of 53hrs 7 min per week exceeds the notional 40 hours per week. The average workload was compared to the participant‟s term results, the notional 40-hours, and the 50% required for passing a subject. This revealed that participants whose workload exceeded 40 hours were likely to pass. This supports the notion that provision should be made in the curriculum to afford students the time to meet the learning outcomes. However, due to the small sample available the impact of workload on student retention and student success could not be determined.

Magister Curationis - MCur / Academic performance of students is influenced by a combination of several psychosocial factors which include seeking academic help, use of various sources for academic learning, extent of the student seeking academic help, seeing academic help-seeking as a threat to self-esteem, interest in a subject, self-motivation and stress related to academic workload. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate psychosocial factors predicting the academic performance of first-year college nursing students, using a quantitative research method with a descriptive survey design. The population for this study was all first-year nursing students registered at a college of nursing in 2019. An inclusive sampling technique was used to include all 171 members of the student population in the study.

The main hallmarks of the novel problem-based curriculum are self-directed, student-centred learning, clinical reasoning, small group tutorials and the facilitation of learning in an integrated way. These features differ significantly from the traditional curriculum which is teacher-centred, discipline-based and more content orientated. The innovative programme was implemented at the University of Transkei with a view to improving medical education. In this study, the perceptions of second year medical students regarding the implemention of and transition to the new curriculum, was assessed, as part of the evaluation of the curriculum. The results showed that students had grievances about the overwhelming volume of information they had to cover, time constraints, examination methods and bias of tutors towards their own subjects. Nevertheless, they considered the innovation to be favourable, exciting, relevant to life and to future tasks, and more motivating than the traditional curriculum. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Didactics)

The main hallmarks of the novel problem-based curriculum are self-directed, student-centred learning, clinical reasoning, small group tutorials and the facilitation of learning in an integrated way. These features differ significantly from the traditional curriculum which is teacher-centred, discipline-based and more content orientated. The innovative programme was implemented at the University of Transkei with a view to improving medical education. In this study, the perceptions of second year medical students regarding the implemention of and transition to the new curriculum, was assessed, as part of the evaluation of the curriculum. The results showed that students had grievances about the overwhelming volume of information they had to cover, time constraints, examination methods and bias of tutors towards their own subjects. Nevertheless, they considered the innovation to be favourable, exciting, relevant to life and to future tasks, and more motivating than the traditional curriculum. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Didactics)