Thesis (M.B.A. (Rhodes Investec Business School)) - Rhodes University, 2009. / A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The general purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the relationship between organisational mergers and/or acquisitions and job satisfaction. Specifically, the concept of job satisfaction was examined in relation to ex-Smartcom employees who were moved to Vodacom after the acquisition of Smartcom. Variables such as age, marital status, educational level, gender and job security were examined for a possible significant relationship to employee job satisfaction. Management involvement and intervention during the acquisition were also examined to establish whether or not this also affects employee job satisfaction. It was hypothesised that employees were dissatisfied as a result of the acquisition. The researcher used a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methods of collecting data. Through questionnaires, interviews and observation, the researcher achieved what is called ‘triangulation’ in order to get a better understanding of the results. The data was gathered and analysed effectively by using different methods of collecting and measuring data. This was done to ensure that the study’s trustworthiness, validation and reliability. The results are discussed in terms of the hypothesis set in the study. This is done through a discussion of the conclusion drawn from the findings. Even though employees are dissatisfied as a result of mergers and acquisitions, it was found that there are other factors such as work environment, pay, recognition, responsibility, team work, and security that can also lead to employee dissatisfaction. It was therefore concluded that when an acquisition is made, management should not only focus on the bottom-line, but also pay attention to the human factors that can lead to the failure or success of the acquisition. Integration and intervention programmes can be used as mechanisms for successful operations post mergers and acquisitions.

The adoption of just-in-time in satellite operations within an automotive manufacturer, is rapidly becoming a trend within motor industry clusters. This type of organisation within an organisation adopts a lean structure to operate effectively and efficiently. The objective of this paper is to unveil factors which influence this type of workplace, particularly focusing on which factors which are relevant to Faurecia East London Plant. The literature study was used to illustrate the various theories relevant to manufacturing techniques, employee motivational and job satisfaction theories. The empirical study tested factors illustrated in the literature study. The empirical study was also to develop a specific model suitable for satellite organisations. The model presented together with the literature and empirical study was used to formulate findings and solve the main and sub-problems.

Relationships are regarded as an important aspect of any organization's life. The purpose of this study was to investigate staff perceptions and experiences of interpersonal relationships between management and lecturers in a Namibian College of Education. I conducted a case study at the College where I teach. Two methods were used to collect data. Firstly, semi-structured interviews with two management members, two senior lecturers and two lecturers. Secondly, observation where practical aspects of interpersonal relationships in the College were observed. I used the interpretational data analysis technique to analyse my data. Themes and patterns were identified in the data, coded and sorted into categories. The study revealed staff unhappiness about the current situation in the College as far as communication is concerned. The College's hierarchical structure was described as top-down. As such, it does not allow for face to face communication. There is an absence of any social cohesion or sense of community. Relationships at a College level are characterized by personal conflict and difference. However, the study revealed a satisfaction with communication and relationships at a dl'partmentallevel. Five key features of interpersonal communication that are lacking in the College and that contribute to the unhealthy relationships in the College were identified. These are trust, respect, openness, feedback and the sharing of ideas and knowledge. Due to their absence, the College is divided into cliques. A strong desire for the establishment of interpersonal norms of openness, respect, honesty and trust was expressed. Participants expressed the need to establish an organization structure that allows for interaction with others in the College, flatter structures, teamwork and a collaborative cultu re. The study also emphasized participative democracy in building relationships. Participation in decision making is seen as satisfying the personal need to experience a sense of influence and achievement. There is evidence of a desire for distributed leadership where the College staff as a group of professionals lead the College collectively and collaboratively. There is a strong desire for a College where people are liked , valued, accepted by others and recognized for their efforts. Finally, Organization Development is recommended as an approach to enhance College staff relationships.

The primary objective of the study was to explore the relationship between career anchors, job satisfaction and organisational commitment using a sample of 86 employees at four Information Technology companies in South Africa. A secondary objective was to determine whether individuals from various gender, race, position and age groups differed significantly regarding their career anchors, job satisfaction and organisational commitment. The instruments used were the Career Orientations Inventory (COI), Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) and Organisational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ). The research findings indicated that career anchors are partially related to participants’ job satisfaction and organisational commitment and participants’ levels of job satisfaction and organisational commitment are significantly related. The findings also showed that demographic groups differ significantly regarding their career anchors, job satisfaction and organisational commitment. It is recommended that interventions aimed at improving individual career decision making and organisational retention practices take cognisance of how these variables relate to individuals’ career anchors, job satisfaction and organisational commitment. The study is concluded with recommendations for Industrial and Organisational Psychology practices and further research.

The objectives of the study were: (1) to determine the relationship between organisational commitment (measured by the Organisational Commitment Scale), retention factors (measured the Retention Factor Scale) and job embeddedness (measured by the Job Embeddedness Questionnaire), and (2) to determine whether employees from different gender, age, race, marital status, tenure and job level groups differ significantly in their levels of organisational commitment, retention factors and perceived job embeddedness. A quantitative survey was conducted on a purposive sample (N = 206) of medical and IT service staff in the South African client service sector. Correlational and inferential statistical analyses revealed significant relationships between organisational commitment, retention factors and perceived job embeddedness. Significant differences between gender, age, race, marital status, tenure and job level groups were also found. The findings contribute valuable insight and knowledge to the field of Career Psychology that can be applied in the retention of employees in the medical and IT industry. The study concludes with recommendations for future research and practice. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / (M.Comm. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology))

The main goal of this master's thesis is to evaluate the current wage-payment and employee motivational system in the chosen company, and suggest necessary steps that result in its improvement. The theoretical part is focused on the Labour Code which is the main legislation of the reward system for entrepreneurs in the Czech Republic. There are also described the reward system, forms of wage employee motivation and labour productivity in the theoretical part. The practical part deals with the chosen company. The first part is focused on characterization of the entity including its organisational structure, the second describes wage payment and the employee motivational system of the company, the third is aimed at evaluation of labour productivity, and the final section analyses results of a questionnaire survey which was the main source for the section. The questionnaire was divided into four parts. The first part was aimed at cash rewards, the second dealt with benefits, the third was focused on the workplace and the last identifies information about education and skills development. The last chapter is composed of suggestions which resulted in improvements to the current system, especially in the field of benefits and the relationship between managers and their subordinates.

O Capital Psicológico e a teoria da Autodeterminação, através do estudo da Motivação para o trabalho, são áreas relacionadas à pesquisa do comportamento humano nas organizações. Ambas as abordagens propõem instrumentos de medida para verificar a influência de fatores subjetivos no desempenho humano nas empresas. Com base nestas duas abordagens teóricas, foi realizada investigação empírica de natureza quantitativa e qualitativa com o objetivo de verificar se existem relações entre as categorias de Desmotivação, Motivação Extrínseca e Motivação Intrínseca com as dimensões do Capital Psicológico (Autoeficácia, Esperança, Otimismo e Resiliência). A amostra pesquisada foi composta por 235 trabalhadores que atuam no segmento da saúde, no Rio Grande do Sul/BR. Na etapa quantitativa foram utilizados os instrumentos PCQ -24 e o MWMS, respondidos por funcionários ativos da área administrativa e assistencial, em hospitais e clínicas médicas. Na etapa qualitativa foram realizadas entrevistas abertas com cinco pessoas que participaram da amostra quantitativa. Os procedimentos metodológicos utilizados foram Análise Fatorial, ANOVA e Matriz de Correlação para a abordagem quantitativa e Análise de Conteúdo na abordagem qualitativa. Dentre os resultados encontrados, destaca-se que há uma correlação negativa entre o Capital Psicológico e a Desmotivação bem como uma correlação positiva entre as dimensões deste Capital Psicológico e Motivação Intrínseca. Considerando a motivação como um continuum entre Motivação Extrínseca e Motivação Intrínseca, observou-se que quanto maior o nível de Capital Psicológico nos indivíduos mais os resultados aproximavam-se dos níveis de motivação do tipo Intrínseca. Os resultados estatísticos sugerem que os profissionais que atuam na assistência possuem maiores níveis de Motivação para o trabalho e Capital Psicológico do que os da área administrativa. Da mesma forma, pessoas com nível de graduação completa apresentaram níveis elevados de Motivação e Capital Psicológico quando comparados aos indivíduos sem escolaridade concluída. Na pesquisa qualitativa constatou-se que a ação reflexiva desencadeada pela participação na etapa quantitativa deste estudo resultou em quatro ideias principais: a autorreflexão sobre o trabalho, a falta de foco no aspecto humano, a cisão entre tarefa e pessoas e a motivação para o desempenho das atividades laborais. Estas ‘ideias principais’ foram discutidas através das abordagens teóricas que deram suporte a esta pesquisa. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2016-06-21T13:52:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Andrea Cristina Fermiano Fidelis.pdf: 2205315 bytes, checksum: de3b25e2e2796a680c479d3d8411f79a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-21T13:52:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Andrea Cristina Fermiano Fidelis.pdf: 2205315 bytes, checksum: de3b25e2e2796a680c479d3d8411f79a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-21 / The Psychological Capital and the theory of self-determination, through the study of motivation for the job are related areas will research of human behavior in organizations. Both approaches propose measuring instruments to check the influence of subjective factors in human performance in companies. Based on these two theoretical approaches, empirical research was carried out quantitative and qualitative in order to check whether there is a relationship between Demotivation, Extrinsic Motivation Intrinsic Motivation and with the dimensions of Psychological Capital (Self-efficacy, hope, optimism and resilience). The study sample consisted of 235 workers in the health sector, in Rio Grande do Sul / BR. In the quantitative stage was used the PCQ -24 instruments and MWMS in active employees of administrative and healthcare area, in hospitals and medical clinics. In the qualitative phase were conducted open interviews with five people who participated in the quantitative sample. The methodological procedures used were factor analysis, ANOVA and Correlation Matrix for quantitative and content analysis approach in the qualitative approach. Among the findings highlight that there is a negative correlation between Psychological Capital and Demotivation well as a positive correlation between the dimensions of Psychological Capital and Motivation Intrinsic. Considering the motivation as a continuum between Motivation Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation, it was observed that the higher the level of Psychological Capital in individuals over the results closer to the type of Intrinsic Motivation levels. Statistical results suggest that professionals working in care have higher motivation levels to work and Psychological Capital of the administration area. Similarly people with full grade level showed high levels of motivation and Psychological Capital compared to individuals without complete schooling. In qualitative research it was found that the reflex action triggered by participation in the quantitative stage of the study resulted in four main ideas; and self-reflection on the work, the lack of focus on human, the split between task and people and the motivation for the performance of work activities. These 'key ideas' were discussed by theoretical approaches that have supported this research.

Thesis (MTech (Busines Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011. / Motivating employees in fast food outlets plays a major role towards improving the commitment and performance of workers. However, it has been confirmed that there is low levels of employee motivation in some fast food outlets, which has led to negative results and poor performances. Therefore, improving employee motivation in fast food outlets has become a necessity. The main aim of the study was to investigate causes of low employee motivation in fast food outlets within South Africa. The present author was able to discover the causes of low employee motivation levels such as poor supervision, little or no training, poor pay and poor working conditions. Hence, factors that could improve levels of motivation of employees in fast food outlets were identified; for instance, motivating fast food employees through genuine appreciation, recognition, compensation and inspiration. The researcher further suggests strategies, which may improve the quality of work-life for employees with fast food outlets training and developing employees, reducing their workload; and initiating incentive programs and retention strategies. This will help the management at fast food outlets to improve levels of motivation of their workers, and also assist them to retain their talented staff. The case study method was used for this research since the study involved fast food outlets in Cape Town. The triangulation method was applied to solicit information from staff members, managers and store managers/franchisees. Semi-structured interview questions were used to obtain information from franchisees/store managers, senior managers, floor managers, and supervisors, while closed-ended questionnaires were used to interview other staff members. This study has confirmed that there are no motivation policies at most of the fast food outlets which were studied that can guide employers to motivate their workers. It is clear from the study that there is low employee motivation at some fast food outlets, and hence the researcher has proposed recommendations, which will help the management of fast food outlets to enhance the levels of motivation of employees, and their work performance. It is suggested that employees should be involved in the decision making of their organization; the quality of work-life of employees should be improved; a harmonious working environment should be promoted; and workers should be empowered and allowed to participate in the profit sharing of the organization. This will improve workers' levels of motivation and better results will be achieved for the organization at large.

Thesis (MTech (Public Relations Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. / This study was conducted to determine the extent to which strategic employee communication existed in Parliament of the Republic of South Africa during the period of transition. Its objectives were to test the communication skills of the parliamentary supervisors in various divisions; to investigate communication satisfaction amongst employees; to establish communication channels to get the message through, and to discover how often feedback was provided. This study sought to achieve the research objectives by using a quantitative research methodology in order to measure the level of communication skills. The researcher collected data using questionnaires as a measuring instrument in order to determine the levels of communication satisfaction. Questionnaires were distributed to 45 participants in all divisions irrespective of race, gender or age. The results of the study revealed that communication at Parliament needed to be aligned. It was also revealed that employees and supervisors were not familiar with the vision of the institution. It was recommended that Parliament needed to conduct SWOT analysis before bringing about any changes. Employees should be provided with communication skills training. Managers should pay serious attention to internal communication. There should be constant feedback regarding progress when a process of change is embarked upon. It was also recommended that Parliament, as the highest democratic institution in the country, should lead in putting strategic internal communication in place in order to set an example for other institutions.