Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo identificar como ocorre o processo decisório nas Casas Familiares Rurais dos municípios de Manfrinópolis e Pato Branco, localizadas na região sudoeste do Paraná. Para isso foram realizadas algumas pesquisas, dentre elas a bibliográfica, a documental e a exploratória. A pesquisa bibliográfica foi realizada através da leitura de livros, artigos, dissertações e teses acerca do tema gestão participativa; materiais sobre a constituição das Casas Familiares Rurais, bem como o contexto da Pedagogia da Alternância, que é fundamental para este estudo. Já a pesquisa documental verificou os documentos que regem a atuação das Casas Familiares Rurais, ou seja, o Estatuto da Associação de cada CFR; também foi pesquisado o Estatuto da Associação Regional nas Casas Familiares Rurais do Sul do Brasil – ARCAFAR SUL. A pesquisa exploratória se realizou através de uma coleta de dados, a qual se deu da seguinte forma: roteiro de entrevista semiestruturado com os coordenadores das CFR`s, membros da Associação das CFR`s. Presidente, Assessora Pedagógica e Articuladora de Projetos da ARCAFAR SUL. Para o tratamento dos dados nos documentos foi verificada a existência do termo gestão participativa e a forma de constituição e do papel de cada membro da Associação das CFR`s. O estudo foi realizado em três etapas. Na primeira foi realizada a construção do cenário da pesquisa, ou seja, se contextualizou a região sudoeste do Paraná e os municípios de Manfrinópolis e Pato Branco. A segunda parte é constituída por um referencial bibliográfico sobre gestão participativa e traz ainda a constituição histórica das CFR`s, seu surgimento na França, no Brasil e na região sul do Brasil. A terceira parte contém os resultados referentes à coleta de dados realizada. Os resultados obtidos na pesquisa evidenciaram a dificuldade financeira que as CFR`s enfrentam, tendo em vista que estas precisam firmar parcerias com órgãos públicos, ONGs ou empresas privadas. Estas dificuldades financeiras acabam implicando em outros fatores pedagógicos como, por exemplo, falta de estrutura adequada das CFR`s. Todavia, a pesquisa apresentou também alguns dados interessantes, tais como: melhora do desempenho e comportamento dos jovens em relação à escola tradicional frequentada anteriormente por eles. Ainda, segundo os pesquisados, a CFR ajuda a manter o jovem no campo com um Projeto Profissional de Vida, tendo em vista que é necessário sim incentivar que estes permaneçam no meio rural, mas que estes tenham condições de aumentar ainda sua renda. / This research aimed to identify the decision making process as it occurs in the Rural Family Houses in Manfrinópolis and Pato Branco municipalities, located in southwest region of Paraná. Some surveys were carried out, among them bibliography, documentary and exploratory. The bibliography search was performed by reading books, articles, thesis and dissertations on the participative management subject; materials on the constitution of Rural Family Houses, as well as the context of the Pedagogy of Alternation, which is crucial for this study. The document research verified documents governing the operation of Rural Family Houses, in other words, the Statute of Association of each RFH, it was also researched the Regional Rural Family Houses Association Statute in Southern Brazil. The Exploratory research was through a data collecting, which occured as follows: semi-structured interview guide with the RFHs coordinators, members of the Association of RFHs. President and the Regional Rural Family Houses Association in Southern Brazil Educational Adviser and Project organizer. For the processing of the documents was verified the existence of the term and form of participative management constitution and the role of each member of the Association of CFRs. The study was conducted in three stages. The first was held at the construction stage of the research, in other words, contextualized to the southwest region of Paraná and the municipalities of Manfrinópolis and Pato Branco. The second part consists of a referential literature on participative management and also brings the historical constitution of RFHs, its appearance in France, Brazil and southern Brazil. The third part contains the results concerning to the data collection done. The results obtained in the research highlighted the financial difficulties that the RFHs face, considering that they need help from government agencies, NGOs or private companies. These financial constraints end up involving other pedagogical factors such as, for example, lack of adequate structure of the RFHs. But the survey also showed some interesting data, such as improved performance and behavior of young people in relation to traditional school previously attended by those young people. Also according to those surveyed RFH helps keep the young in the field with a Professional Life Project, considering that it is necessary to encourage them to remain in rural areas, but they are still able to increase their income.

Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo identificar como ocorre o processo decisório nas Casas Familiares Rurais dos municípios de Manfrinópolis e Pato Branco, localizadas na região sudoeste do Paraná. Para isso foram realizadas algumas pesquisas, dentre elas a bibliográfica, a documental e a exploratória. A pesquisa bibliográfica foi realizada através da leitura de livros, artigos, dissertações e teses acerca do tema gestão participativa; materiais sobre a constituição das Casas Familiares Rurais, bem como o contexto da Pedagogia da Alternância, que é fundamental para este estudo. Já a pesquisa documental verificou os documentos que regem a atuação das Casas Familiares Rurais, ou seja, o Estatuto da Associação de cada CFR; também foi pesquisado o Estatuto da Associação Regional nas Casas Familiares Rurais do Sul do Brasil – ARCAFAR SUL. A pesquisa exploratória se realizou através de uma coleta de dados, a qual se deu da seguinte forma: roteiro de entrevista semiestruturado com os coordenadores das CFR`s, membros da Associação das CFR`s. Presidente, Assessora Pedagógica e Articuladora de Projetos da ARCAFAR SUL. Para o tratamento dos dados nos documentos foi verificada a existência do termo gestão participativa e a forma de constituição e do papel de cada membro da Associação das CFR`s. O estudo foi realizado em três etapas. Na primeira foi realizada a construção do cenário da pesquisa, ou seja, se contextualizou a região sudoeste do Paraná e os municípios de Manfrinópolis e Pato Branco. A segunda parte é constituída por um referencial bibliográfico sobre gestão participativa e traz ainda a constituição histórica das CFR`s, seu surgimento na França, no Brasil e na região sul do Brasil. A terceira parte contém os resultados referentes à coleta de dados realizada. Os resultados obtidos na pesquisa evidenciaram a dificuldade financeira que as CFR`s enfrentam, tendo em vista que estas precisam firmar parcerias com órgãos públicos, ONGs ou empresas privadas. Estas dificuldades financeiras acabam implicando em outros fatores pedagógicos como, por exemplo, falta de estrutura adequada das CFR`s. Todavia, a pesquisa apresentou também alguns dados interessantes, tais como: melhora do desempenho e comportamento dos jovens em relação à escola tradicional frequentada anteriormente por eles. Ainda, segundo os pesquisados, a CFR ajuda a manter o jovem no campo com um Projeto Profissional de Vida, tendo em vista que é necessário sim incentivar que estes permaneçam no meio rural, mas que estes tenham condições de aumentar ainda sua renda. / This research aimed to identify the decision making process as it occurs in the Rural Family Houses in Manfrinópolis and Pato Branco municipalities, located in southwest region of Paraná. Some surveys were carried out, among them bibliography, documentary and exploratory. The bibliography search was performed by reading books, articles, thesis and dissertations on the participative management subject; materials on the constitution of Rural Family Houses, as well as the context of the Pedagogy of Alternation, which is crucial for this study. The document research verified documents governing the operation of Rural Family Houses, in other words, the Statute of Association of each RFH, it was also researched the Regional Rural Family Houses Association Statute in Southern Brazil. The Exploratory research was through a data collecting, which occured as follows: semi-structured interview guide with the RFHs coordinators, members of the Association of RFHs. President and the Regional Rural Family Houses Association in Southern Brazil Educational Adviser and Project organizer. For the processing of the documents was verified the existence of the term and form of participative management constitution and the role of each member of the Association of CFRs. The study was conducted in three stages. The first was held at the construction stage of the research, in other words, contextualized to the southwest region of Paraná and the municipalities of Manfrinópolis and Pato Branco. The second part consists of a referential literature on participative management and also brings the historical constitution of RFHs, its appearance in France, Brazil and southern Brazil. The third part contains the results concerning to the data collection done. The results obtained in the research highlighted the financial difficulties that the RFHs face, considering that they need help from government agencies, NGOs or private companies. These financial constraints end up involving other pedagogical factors such as, for example, lack of adequate structure of the RFHs. But the survey also showed some interesting data, such as improved performance and behavior of young people in relation to traditional school previously attended by those young people. Also according to those surveyed RFH helps keep the young in the field with a Professional Life Project, considering that it is necessary to encourage them to remain in rural areas, but they are still able to increase their income.

M.Comm. (Business Management) / Communication in a business environment is an aspect that cannot be replaced. Theoretical considerations as revealed by literature indicate that the process is a complicated process. In this study, this is proven by the different types such as information theory which is concerned with the transmission aspects of communication process. The impact that information theory has had on the study of communication is analogous to the tremendous influence that quantitative techniques have had on management decision-making. Interpersonal communication emphasises transference of information from one person to another. It has both verbal and non-verbal forms. In verbal communication there is direct contact between parties involved. In non-verbal communication body postures are used as a means of communication. Written communication involves transmitting information through written word. Business communication within organisations is also influenced by other factors related to the diversity of workforce. Intercultural communication covers a wide variety of attitudes, perceptions and values. Language also plays an important role in communication as illustrated by the communicative, explanatory, regulatory and interrogative functions. The differences between American and British English illustrate the complexity of the process. The situation is more complex in South African organisations as there are eleven official languages. Of these only English and Afrikaans are used in workplaces as business languages. The population census conducted in 1996 indicated that about 43% of South Africans are functionally, illiterate and this number can be as high as 52% amongst blacks. As a result the majority of South Africans have poor understanding of these languages as a result of historical problems. In this study business communication is studies in a South African organisation, Mintek, to establish the effectiveness of communication in that organisation. Questionnaires are used to test the opinions of the employees. The results are tabulated and interpreted. Relevant literature is brought in when discussing the results, recommendations are made aiming at improving communication within Mintek.

The purpose of this research was to investigate three principals’ perceptions and experience of participative management and to gain insight into and understanding of the dimensions involved in participative management from the perspective of the three principals. The research was conducted within the interpretive paradigm, since I was interested in understanding the subjective experience and individual perceptions of three principals with regard to participative management and the meaning they attach to it in their natural settings: how they describe, interpret and make sense of participative management. Data were collected by means of questionnaires, interviews and observation. The findings indicate overwhelming support for the notion that participative management (collegiality) does have a positive influence with regard to creating a sense of common goals, shared vision, a sense of ownership, commitment and improved human relations. The respondents emphasized the critical role of the leader in facilitating the implementation of collegiality as well as an increasing awareness of the potential of participative management to improve human development through delegation. The responses revealed interesting paradoxes with regard to the tensions between leadership and leaderless organizations, as well as between autonomy and interdependence. Responses also reflect the sentiment that participative management should be selective, involving only those with the necessary skills and expertise in the decision-making process. While there is an appreciation of the benefits to be derived from collegiality, critical statements about participative management include the time-consuming nature of participative management, and the notion that participative management impinges on the authority of the principals.

The purpose of my research was to investigate participative management at the Albany Museum with a view to generating knowledge and insights that can be used to support senior management’s engagement with participative management at mid-management level. My interest was to investigate participative management with regards to five HODs of the Albany Museum with a view to generating knowledge and insights that can be used to support senior management’s engagement with participative management at mid-management level. The research was informed by the interpretive paradigm. The interpretive paradigm does not concern itself with the search for broadly applicable laws and rules but rather seeks to produce descriptive analyses that emphasise deep interpretation and understanding of social phenomena through the meaning that the people assign to them. This study is mostly descriptive and presents the reality of participants from their own experience. Semi-structured interviews and observation capture ‘insider’ knowledge that is part of an interpretive methodology. The study found that participative management was both understood and generally accepted as a good way to manage an organisation, and even members who were critical of it could see its benefits. However, the fractured and diversified structure of the organisation calls for a particularly skillful application of this management approach, one which would also demand leadership and a greater sense of working towards what are called collegial models of management. Whether this is in fact desirable for a museum is debatable.

The construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries in the world, with many workplace fatalities every day. The existence of legislation that governs Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is an intervention to ensure that all governments, employers and employees play their part in establishing and implementing policies that will help secure healthy and safe working environments. The study is qualitative and with the help of an interview guide, semistructured interviews were used to collect the data. The respondents were selected using purposive and snowball sampling methods. Ten managers from ten (five small, five large) construction firms, two employees from each firm, and the OHS inspector from the Department of Labour in Grahamstown were interviewed. Having explored management’s practices, communication methods, training and distribution of information, employee representation and participation, and industrial relations, several conclusions were reached. During the study it was found that there are a number of obstacles that are hampering effective OHS in the construction industry. Some of these include; management’s lack of commitment to a participatory approach in OHS decision-making, limited resources to invest adequately in OHS, and the lack of sufficient trade union involvement. In addition, we know very little about OHS in the construction industry, and the mere existence of OHS legislation does not help reduce the risks associated with construction work, especially when there is a shortage of skilled personnel to enforce the legislation and regulations.

The thesis covers the field of labour law known as employee participation in decision-making. It deals with the examination of the extent to which the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (the Act) promotes employee participation in decision-making. Firstly, the analysis shows that employee participation in decision-making is an aspect of democracy, which is translated into industrial democracy in industrial relations. In South Africa the philosophical foundation of employee participation is supported by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 108 of 1996 which embodies democratic values permeating all areas of the law including labour law. Secondly, the study elucidates the jurisprudential background of employee participation in South Africa. There is evidence of the development of some principles of participation like consultation; information disclosure; and the existence of participatory forums like works councils under the LRA 28 of 1956. Thirdly, in evaluating the extent to which the LRA 66 of 1995 promotes employee participation, the following aspects are covered: the relevance and contribution of information disclosure; the effect of consultation prior to dismissal for operational requirements; the role of collective bargaining; and the contribution of workplace forums. The conclusion is reached that all the foregoing aspects of the LRA 66 of 1995 will contribute to the promotion of employee participation in decision-making. The Labour Court and the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration can also ensure that in interpreting the Act employee participation is promoted where appropriate. Finally, employers and employees will have to accept this necessary partnership for the entrenchment of employee participation in decision-making.

Literature has been reviewed on the formation and structure of groups and teams in order to establish what differences there are in the types of teams that exist in the modern workplace, and what it is that facilitates effective and high performance of such teams. From the results of the qualitative research conducted, the author is of the opinion that the notion of teams operating in the regulated casino environment is somewhat exaggerated. At year end functions and award ceremonies, mention is made of the teams that successfully contributed to the various achievements but, upon closer inspection, no teams are evident at the “coal face”. Some of the reasons for this may be that there appears to be a lack of those skills necessary to harness people into successful teams especially during the early stages of the business lifecycle. Too few people at grass root level have the required knowledge, skills and attitude to take the lead and form a team especially in an unfamiliar environment. It may also be as a result of the different management styles imposed on the labour force over a long period of time. As organisations are forced to become more competitive, especially on the global market, it is the author’s opinion that the management style in progressive organisations will probably have shifted from autocratic to paternalistic to democratic; yet very few businesses are practicing participative management, although buzzwords relating to participative management are used freely. Ultimately, accountability rests with top management and results are measured by bottom line figures. Since accountability is centralised, the intrinsic and extrinsic rewards for success are also confined to management who is likely to be criticised, attacked, or got rid of, and these recipients are often not volunteering to share the benefits reaped – even though the recipients would mutter words such as “if it were not for my team” or “ thanks to my team”. With this viewpoint in mind the treatise aims to address specific and practical interventions that could be implemented without much organisational change and yet developing a culture of team development and team building within an organisation. The author is of the opinion that the responses imparted from the different respondents in the research results could benefit Sun International within its training methodology policy framework. Although, each casino unit is managed autonomously, Sun International, via its centralised training facility, could apply successful specific and practical training interventions in respect of team dynamics. Results extracted from unit staff climate surveys and staff feedback sessions could be collated from the different training departments within the group and presented in workshops at quarterly conferences and feedback seminars. The effectiveness of these interventions, once implemented, could be assessed in a performance measurement framework. Eales-White (1996: 34) quotes Peters as saying, “I observe the power of the team is so great that it is often wise to violate common sense and force a team structure on almost anything … companies that do, will achieve greater focus, stronger task orientation and enhanced individual commitment.

Increasing competition within the non-alcoholic, ready to drink market (NARTD) in South Africa has intensified the need for soft drink producers to identify ways in which to enhance their competitiveness. One of the most important challenges for organisations operating in this industry is to produce quality products while meeting the needs of customers, at the lowest possible cost. While a number of competitors may rely on various competitive strategies such as lower priced products, it could become increasingly challenging for others to adopt similar approaches without comprising on the quality of their products. In order to remain competitive, organisations may be required to shift their focus onto their employees as a source of competitive advantage. Research has shown that employees provide organisations with sustainable competitive advantage, more specifically, it has shown that engaged employees outperform disengaged employees. The differentiating factor for organisations in the pursuit of competitive advantage would therefore be an engaged workforce. The primary research objective of this study was to investigate employees’ perceptions of engagement within the logistics function at Coca-Cola Fortune Port Elizabeth, as well as its impact on critical success factors. A theoretical overview was conducted to appraise various definitions, engagement models, factors influencing engagement and the impact of engagement on critical success factors. The research highlighted a number of common themes of engagement which includes a reciprocal relationship between the organisation and employees, enthusiasm, involvement and motivation. This research revealed that engaged employees make positive contributions to key business outcomes such as financial performance, productivity and customer satisfaction.An empirical study was conducted by means of a survey with a questionnaire as data collecting tool. The purpose of the structured questionnaire was to validate the findings obtained from the theoretical overview and to assess employees’ perceptions of engagement, engagement factors and the impact of engagement on critical success factors. A sample comprising 112 employees was identified by means of a stratified sampling technique. A 93 per cent response rate was obtained. The key findings of the study indicated that management and employee perceptions of engagement were comparable. It also indicated that corporate communication, employee involvement strategies, relationships with management and HR policies and procedures did influence employee engagement. Furthermore, the study validated the existence of a strong positive relationship between customer satisfaction, employee attendance and productivity – as was found between employee engagement and business success at CCF. The theoretical overview in conjunction with the empirical findings yielded a hypothesised model of employee engagement as presented in Chapter One. This model could provide direction in the organisation’s attempt to improve engagement levels and ultimately in the pursuit of competitive advantage.

This study focuses attention on the multinational organization, an emerging phenomenon, in which people from different cultural backgrounds work together to produce a product or render a service. The purpose of this study is to enhance the available information about the potential for increasing productivity through the use of participatory programs, such as Quality Control Circles, in multinational organizations, especially those operating in Saudi Arabia.