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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
211

Managing diversity in the amalgamated City of Tygerberg : an evaluation

Nombakuse, Ntombikayise Ethel 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research assignment is intended to evaluate the current strategies employed by the City of Tygerberg to manage diversity and its related aspects namely change management, organisational development and organisational culture and thus to identify possible shortcomings in the current strategies employed by the City of Tygerberg and make possible suggestions for improvement. Considering its aim, boundaries have been defined in the research assignment by identifying four areas of concern to be addressed namely diversity management, change management, organisational development and organisational culture. The review of the theoretical perspectives of diversity management, change management, organisational development and organisational culture within the organisational context is also intended to review theory on the identified areas of concern with the aim of creating understanding by the City of Tygerberg for the challenges presented by diversity. The historical background of the organisation in question, the City of Tygerberg, is discussed as well as its vision and envisaged future, with the aim of establishing the corresponding mission and goals to be achieved by the organisation. The relevant legislation which refers to the importance of diversity management and the organisational policies in place addressing the various aspects related to diversity are also reviewed. In order to collect data the researcher designed a self-administered questionnaire which was distributed to the various members of the target group namely the Chief Executive Officer, Manager Human Resources, Manager Training and Development and the Director of Administration. The findings of the research process are then used to make possible suggestions and recommendations for addressing the identified possible shortcomings, with the intention of strengthening the existing methods employed the City of Tygerberg. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel met hierdie navorsingsprojek is evaluering van die bestaande strategiee toegepas deur die Stad Tygerberg vir diversiteitsbestuur en verwante aspekte soos die bestuur van verandering, organisasie-ontwikkeling en organisasiekultuur om sodoende moontlike tekortkominge in die bestaande strategiee te identifiseer en moontlike voorstelle vir verbetering te maak. In aansluiting by die doel is daar ter afbakening vier relevante terreine vir ondersoek geidentifiseer, te wete, diversiteitsbestuur, veranderingsbestuur, organisasie-ontwikkeling en organisasiekultuur. Die oorsigtelike beskouing van die teoretiese perspektiewe rakende diversiteitsbestuur, veranderingsbestuur, organisasie-ontwikkeling en organisasiekultuur binne die organisatoriese konteks is ook gerig op teoriehersiening betreffende die geidentifiseerde terreine ter wille van begripskepping by die Stad Tygerberg vir uitdagings gesteI deur diversiteit. Die historiese agtergrond van die ter sprake organisasie, die Stad Tygerberg, word bespreek, asook sy visie en beoogde toekoms, met die oog op daarstelling van 'n verbandhoudende missie en doelwitte vir verwesenliking deur die organisasie. Die relevante wetgewing met betrekking tot die belangrikheid van diversiteitsbestuur en die organisatoriese beleide van toepassing op die verskillende verwante aspekte van diversiteit word ook in oënskou geneem. Met die oog op data-insameling het die navorser 'n vraaglys ontwerp wat versprei is na verskillende lede van die teikengroep, naamlik, die Hoofuitvoerende Beampte, die Hoof Menslike Hulpbronne, die Hoof Opleiding en Ontwikkeling en die Direkteur Administrasie. Die bevindings van die navorsingsproses is gebruik om moontlike voorstelle en aanbevelings vir aanspreking van die geidentifiseerde moontlike tekortkominge te maak, met die oog op verstewiging van die bestaande metodes toegepas deur die Stad Tygerberg.
212

The impact of obesity on the South African economy

Hattingh, Comien 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The prevalence of overweight and obesity escalated over the past 30 years worldwide in adults, children, and adolescents. Estimates are that 26% of the global adult population is either overweight or obese. However, the most alarming fact is the increase in obesity in children and adolescents. In South Africa, the estimated overweight and obesity prevalence in adults is 45% and 20% in children below 6 years of age. The World Heath Organisation acknowledges obesity as an unforgiving, formidable chronic disease, an eminent global epidemic, and the most significant independent risk factor to chronic disease. There are about 30 different diseases associated with obesity of which cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, lifestyle cancers, depression, and diabetes are the most prominent. The current rising obesity trends increase the prevalence of these obesity-associated diseases, as well as a wide range of psychosocial problems. Global expectations are that weight-related chronic disease will develop into the most significant healthcare problem in the 21st century. The overarching trend of globalisation has transformed the global landscape into a more obesogenic environment with resultant changes in behavioural lifestyles of increased caloric consumption and less physical activity at home and at work. However, genetic, social, and cultural determinants enhance weight gain, which contributes largely to current obesity trends. Obesity is a major public healthcare problem in South Africa, with African women and Caucasian men most at risk. However, the competing priorities of unemployment, poverty, and HIV/AIDS place high demands on the South African economy, with resultant neglect of obesity. Obesity has the potential to incur a large impact on the South African economy through the reduction in labour productivity, corporate profitability, and national output, especially in combination with HIV/AIDS. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die insidensie van oorgewig en obesiteit het toegeneem oor die afgelope 30 jaar wereldwyd in volwassenes, tieners, en kinders. Omtrent 26% van die globale populasie is of oorgewig of vetsugtig. Die erns van die huidige situasie is egter die toenemende voorkoms van obesiteit in kinders en tieners. Die voorkoms van oorgewig en obesiteit in Suid-Afrika word geskat op 45% in volwassenes en 20% in kinders jonger as 6 jaar. Die Wereld Gesondheid Organisasie het in 1997 obesiteit geklassifiseer as 'n chroniese siekte en hul kommer uitgespreek oor die feit dat obesiteit epidemiese proporsies bereik het. Obesiteit word ook nou erken as die belangrikste, onafhanklike risiko faktor vir chroniese siekte. Obesiteit word geassosieer met omtrent 30 verskillende siektetoestande waarvan kardiovaskulere siekte, metaboliese sindroom, lewensstyl kankers, depressie, en diabetes die belangrikste is. Stygende obesiteit syfers verhoog ook die voorkoms van hierdie siektes asook verskeie psigososiale probleme. Verwagtings is dat gewig verwante siektes die belangrikste gesondheid probleme sal wees gedurende die 21 ste eeu. Die proses van globalisasie het die wereld landskap verander in 'n omgewing wat meer obesogenies is, wat gelei het tot veranderings in leefstyle in die rigting van 'n hoër inname van kaloriee en minder aktiewe leefstyle. Genetiese, sosiale, en kulturele faktore verhoog ook die vatbaarheid van die individu tot gewig toename en speel 'n groot rol in die huidige obesiteit status. Obesiteit is tans 'n geweldige gesondheidprobleem in Suid-Afrika met Swart vrouens en Blanke mans die populasiegroepe wat die hoogste risiko dra. Die probleem is egter dat die kompeterende prioriteite van werkloosheid, armoede, en MIV/VIGS alreeds hoe eise stel aan die Suid-Afrikaans ekonomie met gevolglike verwaarlosing van obesiteit. Obesiteit het die potensiaal om 'n groot effek uit te oefen op die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie deur middel van 'n verlies in produktiwiteit, verminderde korporatiewe wins, en ekonomiese groei, veral in kombinasie met MIV/VIGS.
213

Towards addressing the challenges of black managers within the context of transforming South African organisation

Jamodien, Tariq Ishmail 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The phenomenon of transformation was originally conceived, in a South African context, as a political strategy driven by socio-political force with the objective of fostering change based on principles of enhancing human dignity and promoting equality in all aspects of society. The workplace was one of the areas that first experienced the consequences of transformation, encouraged mainly through legislation such as the Employment Equity Act (No. 55 of 1998). The manner in which affirmative action measures may be implemented is determined by the Employment Equity Act (No. 55 of 1998), which aims to ensure that the legacies of apartheid in the South African workplace are redressed. In this regard, employment equity will, over time, be achieved by promoting equal opportunity and fair treatment through the elimination of unfair discrimination and through the implementation of affirmative action measures to advance Black people, women and people with disabilities. Regardless of legislative imperatives, South Africa has failed quite markedly to realise the promotion of greater equality between all South Africans in the workplace. Black South Africans and women are still seriously under-represented in top and senior management posts. The key findings of the 2007/8 Employment Equity Report prepared by the Commission for Employment Equity for the National Department of Labour showed low representation of Blacks at top level management, senior management, and professionally qualified and middle management levels, as compared to their white counterparts. The challenges for organisations to transform are multi-faceted and include skills shortages, homogeneous organisational cultures, a lack of commitment and a failure to incorporate proper human resource strategies. Organisations require a commitment by all members, particularly the leaders, to examine the norms, customs, values and practices which militate against establishing a culture of valuing diversity. A holistic approach that changes organisational systems, practices and policies as well as the individual attitudes and values needed to create a valuing diversity culture should propel an organisation towards true transformation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verskynsel van transformasie is oorspronklik in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks ontwikkel as 'n politieke strategie aangedryf deur sosiopolitieke kragte en met die doel om verandering te bevorder, gebaseer op die beginsels van die verbetering van menswaardigheid en die ondersteuning van gelykheid in alle aspekte van die samelewing. Die werkplek was een van die areas waar die gevolge van transformasie eerste ondervind is, hoofsaaklik bevorder deur wetgewing soos die Wet op Gelyke Indiensneming (No. 55 van 1998). Die wyse waarop maatreels vir regstellende aksie geimplementeer mag word, word deur die Wet op Gelyke Indiensneming (No. 55 van 1998) bepaal. Hierdie wet het ten doel om te verseker dat die erfenis van apartheid in die Suid-Afrikaanse werkplek reggestel word. In hierdie opsig sal gelyke indiensneming mettertyd bewerkstellig word deur gelyke geleenthede en billike behandeling aan te moedig deur die uitskakeling van onbillike diskriminasie en deur die implementering van regstellende-aksiemaatreels om swart mense, vroue en gestremde mense te bevorder. Ongeag van wetgewing het Suid-Afrika in hoe mate misluk in die daarstelling van groter gelykheid tussen alle Suid-Afrikaners in die werkplek. Swart Suid-Afrikaners en vroue is steeds ernstig onderverteenwoordig in top- en senior bestuursposte. Die sleutelbevindings van die 2007/8 Verslag oor Gelyke Indiensneming voorberei deur die Kommissie vir Gelyke Indiensneming vir die Nasionale Departement van Arbeid, het aangetoon dat swartes in vergelyking met hul wit ewekniee swak verteenwoordig is op die vlak van topbestuur, senior bestuur, professioneel gekwalifiseerdes en middelbestuur. Die uitdagings vir organisasies om te transformeer het vele fasette en sluit in 'n tekort aan vaardighede, homogene organisasiekulture, 'n gebrek aan toewyding en 'n gebrek aan die toepassing van behoorlike strategiee vir menslike hulpbronne. Organisasies vereis toewyding van alle lede, veral die leiers, om die norme, gewoontes, waardes en praktyke te ondersoek wat in stryd is met 'n kultuur waarin waarde geheg word aan diversiteit. 'n Holistiese benadering wat organisasiestelsels, -praktyke en -beleid verander, asook die individuele houdings en waardes wat nodig is om 'n kultuur te skep wat waarde heg aan diversiteit, behoort 'n organisasie op die pad te plaas na ware transformasie.
214

Retention of black employees at Metropolitan

Ngxabazi, Nosipiwo 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / Metropolitan, like all companies in the insurance sector, would like to limit attrition to ensure that the institutional knowledge is retained. At the time when the employee has already tendered a resignation letter, most companies conduct an exit interview. The researcher feels that at this stage, it is rather late. It is important therefore to understand in advance, the reasons why employees would consider leaving the organisation and put corrective measures in place to prevent that. Retention of key employees is a highly topical subject and an important dilemma that many companies have to deal with. It requires leadership attention and scientific understanding of the causes of attrition. In South Africa, the concept of retention of specifically Black employees has a broader significance in that it contributes to higher BEE scores and opportunities to do business with government for those companies that have such interests. The purpose of this study is to firstly understand the phenomenon of retention as it applies to the Black employees of Metropolitan. Black employees with skills and experience are arguably the most attractive group on the labour market due to the lack of such skills. Because of this, companies are struggling to retain their Black employees. This study explores what Metropolitan should take into account when designing retention measures for Black employees. It asks the Black employees themselves, what they consider as important that would help in retaining them. Furthermore, it will help the company to investigate which characteristics or variables to consider when formulating its retention strategies. The questions that the study endeavours to explore are: What mechanisms should Metropolitan use to retain especially Black employees? If current employees are considering leaving the company, what are the main reasons for wanting to leave or looking for a job elsewhere? What are the characteristics that employees consider most important that would make them want to stay at Metropolitan. The subject matter investigation involved a survey which was sent to Black employees in the company and the results which were analysed. The results shed some understanding on the reasons why employees would consider applying for a job outside of Metropolitan. It gives the company an understanding of how many of its current Black employees are looking for jobs elsewhere. Because of this prior knowledge, the company can intervene and put measures in place to retain those who were already looking to leave the company. The study also details characteristics that Black employees at Metropolitan consider to be important by certain biographical categories like job grade, age, education, gender and experience. The results further build on the existing literature of retention, especially in the South African environment in the era of transformation laws.
215

Discrimination in the workplace

Voges, Sarah M. (Arisa) 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / Some digitised pages may appear cut off due to the condition of the original hard copy / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Employment Equity Act of 1998 compels organisations to eradicate all forms of discrimination in organisational processes and procedures. However, an ethical organisation that values and treats all employees in a fair and equitable manner has a definite strategic advantage and organisations therefore need to develop organisational cultures where managing diversity, fair dealing and equity are paramount. Organisations must ensure that optimum performance management practices are established and that rewards are allocated equitably and fairly according to merit. Recruitment and promotion selection procedures must be revised to guarantee fairness. Training and development interventions must be applied fairly to equalise opportunity. A survey conducted amongst MBA students at the USB identified that negative stereotyping and biased treatment persist in management practices. The provision of equal opportunities and managing diversity are concerns that need to be addressed. A good internal process to deal with the eradication of discrimination must be adopted by implementing a non-discrimination policy and conducting discrimination audits. All discrimination complaints must be dealt with speedily and at the lowest possible level. The remedial model developed in this technical report provides a consistent procedure whereby formal and informal complaints of discrimination could be dealt with fairly and effectively to assist organisations in eradicatinq discrimination in the workplace. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Wet op Gelyke lndiensopneming van 1998 noodsaak die uitwissing van diskriminasie in alle prosesse en prosedures van organisasasies. 'n Etiese organisasie, wat alle werknemers op'n gelyke en gelykwaardige manier behandel en respekteer, het egter 'n strategiese voordeel en dit noodsaak die ontwikkeling van 'n organisatoriese kultuur waar die bestuur van diversiteit, gelyke regte en regverdige handel voorrang moet geniet. Optimale prestasiebestuurspraktyke moet ingestel word en daarvolgens moet alle vergoeding en beloning regverdig, volgens meriete, geskied. Die prosedures vir die keuring van kandidate vir werwing en bevordering moet vir die versekering van regverdigheid hersien word. Opleiding en ontwikkeling moet aangewend word om gelyke geleenthede vir almal te skep. 'n Steekproef wat onder huidige MBA-studente onderneem is, het getoon dat negatiewe stereotipering en bevooroordeling nog op 'n gereelde grondslag in bestuurspraktyke voorkom. Die verskaffing van gelyke geleenthede en die effektiewe bestuur van diversititeit is veral sake wat dringend aandag moet geniet. Dit is belangrik dat organisasies 'n goeie interne proses om diskriminasie uit te roei in werking stel deur die daarstelling van 'n nie-diskriminasie beleid en gereelde diskriminasie ouditte. Alle klagtes van diskriminasie moet spoedig en op die laagste moontlike vlak ondersoek word. Die remediërende model wat in hierdie navorsingsverslag ontwikkel is, verskaf 'n bestendige prosedure waarvolgens alle aantygings regverdig en doelmatig hanteer kan word.
216

Black economic empowerment : looking at ROE, ROA, P/E and gearing of companies listed on JSE from Impumelelo edition (2000.2001) : comparative financial analysis

Kahimise, Robert N. 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This empirical study was aimed at analysing the financial performance of black economic empowered companies, as selected per Impumelelo publication - 2000/1 edition. The Unit of Analysis of this study is therefore the phenomenon commonly described as Black Economic Empowerment, and in particular the financial performance of these business entities with specific interest in the following ratios; ROE, ROA, PIE and DIE. The fundamental problems analysed in this study are: Whether these Companies can financially perform consistently, with specific reference to ROE (Management effectiveness) and ROA (Company's efficiency); Whether these Companies utilised their capital efficiently - Financial leverage; Whether is worth investing in any commercial bank or in black economic empowerment Companies; Market perception of these Companies; Whether these Companies are really highly geared; through a comparative study between Impumelelo sample and similar white-owned companies, to assess the better performer on Management effectiveness and Company efficiency. The purpose of this study was further to draw appropriate empowerment strategies from the U.S.A, Malaysia and Brazil; contextualised them into the South African situation. The outcomes of these analysis revealed that black economic empowerment companies are indeed highly geared than their white-counterparts, and due to this inherent risk inconsistency in performance has been identified. Within the selected performance categories only half of the sample is classified as good performers, eight percent as excellent performers while profitability is maintained by seventy six percent of the companies. Over the period reviewed more then ninety percent of these companies' consistently signalled wrong perceptions to the market. On the comparative study, the Impumelelo sample overwhelmingly outperformed the white-owned sample on ROE and ROA per sector. Impumelelo sample revealed volatility in the returns comparing to low stable returns by the white-owned sample. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie empiriese studie was om die finansiële prestasie van swart ekonomiesbemagtigde maatskappye, soos geselekteer deur Impumelelo - 2000/1 uitgawe, te analiseer. Die onderwerp van hierdie studie is dus die verskynsel gewoonlik beskryf as Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtiging, en in die besonder die finansiële prestasies van hierdie entiteite, veral die volgende verhoudings (ratio's): Wins op Belegging, Wins op Bates, Prys/verdienste en Skuld/ekwiteit. Die fundamentele probleme wat hierdie studie analiseer is: Kan hierdie maatskappye konsekwent finansieel presteer veral wat betref Bekwaamheid van Bestuur en Bekwaamheid van die Maatskappy? Kan hierdie maatskappye hulle kapitaal effektief gebruik? (Finansiële hefboming.) Is dit beter om in 'n handelsbank te belê of in swart ekonomies-bemagtigde maatskappye? Wat is die mark persepsie van hierdie maatskappye? Maak hierdie maatskappye werklik op grootskaal gebruik van hefboming? Hoe vergelyk hierdie Impumelelo steekproef met soortgelyke maatskappye in wit besit, veral wat betref die bedrewenheid van die bestuur en die effektiwiteit van die maatskappy? 'n Verdere doelwit van hierdie studie is om toepaslike bemagtigings strategië van die VSA, Malaysië en Brasilië te bestudeer in samehang met die Suid-Afrikaanse situasie. Die uitslag van hierdie studie is dat swart ekonomies-bemagtigde maatskappye inderdaad meer van hefboming gebruik maak as hulle wit eweknieë, en as 'n gevolg van hierdie inherente risiko is hulle prestasies soms inkonsekwent. In die selekteerde prestasie kategorië kon net die helfde van die steekproef geklassifiseer word as goeie presteerders en agt persent as uitstaande presteerders. Ses-en-sewentig van die maatskappye toon 'n wins. Gedurende die periode onder bespreking het meer as neëntig persent van hierdie maatskappye aanhoudend verkeerde seine na die mark uitgestuur. In die vergelykende studie het die Impumelelo steekproef oorweldigend die steekproef in wit besit verbygesteek veral wat effektiwiteit betref per sektor. Die Impumelelo steekproef se wins is onbestendig in vergelyking met die lae, stabiele wins van die steekproef in wit besit.
217

Exploring and identifying broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) implementation and compliance challenges in the South African liquid fuels sector

Samodien, Zaahir 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) not only aims to readdress the racial imbalances of the apartheid era, but also seeks to promote social responsibility and empowerment of historically disadvantaged South African (HDSA) communities (Esser & Dekker, 2008). The transformation journey within the South African Liquid Fuels Sector has been a difficult and lengthy one. The South African Liquid Fuels Sector was amongst the first to receive its own Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) sector charter (Liquid Fuels Charter) in 2000. Although numerous transformation milestones have been achieved, the sector has been criticised for its slow pace in advancing transformation, which has in part contributed to the amendment of the B-BBEE Codes in 2013. The argument of slow transformation can be attributed to obstacles faced by those in industry tasked with implementing B-BBEE. There has been a deficiency in studies that have investigated transformation and the implementation of B-BBEE within the sector. As a result, the central objective of this study was to explore the B-BBEE implementation challenges faced by companies within the liquid fuels sector. A qualitative approach was employed for the collection of primary data and involved interviews with eight top and senior management representatives of Chevron South Africa (Pty) Ltd. The results emanating from the study revealed numerous implementation challenges. The study together with literature reviewed, highlights the need to address these challenges in order for B-BBEE implementation to yield the desired results for all stakeholders within the South African Liquid Fuels Sector. The study concludes that a lack of understanding of B-BBEE policy; alignment of internal party interests; overcoming internal biases; skills shortages and lack of experience by Black individuals; involvement of senior management in implementation process; co-ordination and structure required in B-BBEE implementation execution; communication within organisations; diversity/cultural awareness; and B-BBEE policy issues and skills attraction and retention are some of the issues impacting B-BBEE implementation within the South African Liquid Fuels Sector.
218

Marketing to the emerging black middle class in South Africa : an in-depth exploration of the lives of young black professional women

Babu, Theodore Duncan 04 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The emerging black middle class in South Africa provides immense opportunity for marketers who wish to capture this segment of the market. However, in order to be relevant, a deep understanding of this ever-evolving segment is absolutely necessary. Characterised by complexity, the black middle class is heterogeneous and evolves at rapid speed. Studies by the Unilever Institute of Strategic Marketing highlighted the immense value of black middle class women, coined Black Diamond™ women. The primary objective of this research was to gain insights into the life of young black professional women and, secondly, to understand the driving forces behind their decision-making. This was achieved through an in-depth exploratory study. The first step in this study was to conduct a literature review on the black middle class in various African countries and the black middle class in South Africa. A review of literature on marketing communication provided the basis for reasoning on the appropriateness of different marketing communication tools. Literature also revealed the emergence of a possible new consumer type, the hybrid consumer. The literature review provided the framework for designing the interview schedules used in the expert interviews and interviews with the Black Diamond™ women. The findings of this research assignment were that the modern black middle class women face many complexities in their daily lives. Brands can, therefore, be significant to them by supporting them in their lives. Brands should customise their offerings, meet the black middle class women in innovative ways at different touch points, and bring meaning in their lives. Brands should also know that culture is prominent in all areas of their lives, which presents unique challenges.
219

A case analysis to explore black youth entrepreneurship support in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga Province

Boshoma, Bathandekile 04 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The lack of jobs in South Africa and eMalahleni has caused many young people to seek their own job opportunities in the form of setting up their own business. Despite this, many young business people fail in their ventures due to low capital. In response to this, organisations such as the National Youth Development Agency have created support structures to support young business owners in their local area. The purpose of this study is to explore the extent to which the structures and programmes to support youth development – as far as entrepreneurship is concerned – help to cultivate the creation of businesses among the black youth in eMalahleni. Thirty participants who are young entrepreneurs (under 35 years) participated in interviews that helped to elucidate qualitative information about the support structures. They were asked how the support structures had helped them if they participated, or the reasons why they chose not to use the support structure. They were also asked to identify potential bottlenecks or issues with the support structures that may be preventing them from being fully accessible. The results showed that a lack of trust in the support structures, particularly those created by the National Youth Development Agency, was a major reason for non-participation or choice not to use. Additionally, many felt that the hierarchy and unwelcoming atmosphere of the support structures prevented young people from applying. Other reasons given were the fact that the support structures may not always be geographically accessible and the fact that staff members were not fully trained to be as helpful as possible. There are several ways in which these support structures could be improved that are detailed in this research document. The most important recommendation relates to ensuring that the red tape is removed to make the support structures more helpful to a larger number of young black entrepreneurs. Creating a more local atmosphere may also help the support structures to reach their full potential.
220

The impact of positive organisational factors on the career success of black employees in the South African work environment: An exploratory study

Roux, Shayne 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is rooted in career psychology with implications for career management. In addition, the study draws from various fields including the positive organisational behaviour paradigm. The underlying assumption of this study is that certain organisational and individual factors influence the experience of subjective career success amongst black employees in the South African work environment. In order to evaluate this assumption an attempt was made to gain an understanding of the antecedents of subjective career success. An overview of the literature led the researcher to the conclusion that transformational leadership, job resources, supportive organisational climate, psychological empowerment, and psychological capital (PsyCap), could be regarded as antecedents of subjective career success. Based on the literature, a theoretical model was developed that portrays a sequential process within which the identified variables play roles that vary in salience, depending on the stage in the sequential process. A mixed-methods research design was employed to guide the investigation. More specifically, the study consisted of a qualitative strand, followed by two quantitative strands. In the qualitative strand (Phase 1), a semi-structured interview was used to obtain information about the factors influencing career success from 30 black employees in white-collar jobs from three different South African organisations. The purpose of the qualitative strand was two-fold, firstly to seek confirmation that the instruments utilised covered the most salient issues. Secondly, to obtain guidance on how to supplement constructs that were not adequately covered, before continuing with the subsequent quantitative strands. The outcome of Phase 1 provided evidence of sufficient coverage of the variables as based on the literature review. However, it was decided to add three questions to the job resources measuring instrument, as well as two items to the supportive organisational climate instrument. During both the quantitative strands, survey research was used. To facilitate the collection of data during the survey research, an electronic web-based questionnaire was compiled. Standardised questionnaires were utilised to measure each of the ten constructs. The purpose of Phase 2 was to pilot test the composite questionnaire. A total of 220 usable questionnaires were analysed during Phase 2 with regard to the psychometric properties associated with each of the constructs. Evidence of the psychometric properties was obtained by means of internal consistency, confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis. All the instruments used in Phase 2 had acceptable reliabilities and goodness-of-fit, with the exception of the psychological capital instrument (PCQ). More specifically, less than satisfactory reliability coefficients were observed for resilience (α= .60) and optimism (α= .48). On the basis of this, no changes were made to the content of the instruments for use in Phase 3. However assumptions about the factorial structure of the job resources scale had to be revisited. The outcome of Phase 2 was a set of reliable and valid measuring instruments that could be used with confidence. The purpose of Phase 3 was to evaluate thirteen propositions guiding the current study. A total of 418 usable questionnaires were analysed during Phase 3. During Phase 3, further confirmation was found that all the instruments used had acceptable reliabilities, as well as goodness-of-fit. In addition, correlation analysis, step-wise multiple regression and structural equation modelling (variance and covariance-based) were employed. All the independent variables were significantly related to the dependent variable, subjective career success, except for objective career success (past). Job resources, psychological capital and supportive organisational climate, however, were the only significant predictors of career success. In order to evaluate the appropriateness of the proposed sequential model, both variance and covariance-based structural equation modelling were used. Model exploration was facilitated by the use of variance-based structural equation modelling. Both non-significant paths, as well as significant, but weak paths, were removed during the exploration process. The covariance-based approach allowed the utilisation of modification indices to arrive at an optimal model. A model consisting of only the significant paths were subjected to covariance-based structural equation modelling. The modification indices suggested adding three direct paths between subjective career success and transformational leadership, job resources, as well as supportive organisational climate. However, in the optimal model, the direct path between transformational leadership and subjective career success was excluded due to not being statistically significant. In the optimal model all the proposed paths were significant. Acceptable goodness-of-fit was obtained for this optimal model. The results of Phase 3 provided evidence supporting the majority of the thirteen propositions that guided the current study. With the unique combination of variables, this study can be seen as making a contribution to the existing theory and literature by explicating the interrelationships between transformational leadership, job resources, supportive organisational climate, psychological empowerment, psychological capital (PsyCap), and subjective career success. The researcher made recommendations for future research, as well as for scientific and practical interventions regarding the development of subjective career success. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is gegrond in loopbaansielkunde met implikasies vir loopbaanbestuur. Hierbenewens het die studie op verskeie velde gesteun, insluitend, en veral, die positiewe organisatoriese gedragsparadigma. Die onderliggende aanname in die studie was dat die ervaring van subjektiewe loopbaansukses onder swart werknemers in die Suid-Afrikaanse werkomgewing deur sekere organisatoriese en individuele faktore beïnvloed word. Ten einde hierdie aanname te evalueer, is gepoog om ’n begrip te vorm van die aanleidende oorsake van subjektiewe loopbaansukses. ’n Literatuuroorsig het die navorser tot die slotsom gebring dat transformasionele leierskap, werkhulpbronne, ondersteunende organisatoriese klimaat, sielkundige bemagtiging en sielkundige kapitaal (PsyCap) as oorsaaklike faktore van subjektiewe loopbaansukses beskou kan word. ’n Teoretiese model wat op die literatuur gebaseer was, is ontwikkel om ’n opeenvolgende proses waarin die geïdentifiseerde veranderlikes wissellende rolle ten opsigte van prominensie speel, weer te gee. ’n Gemengde-metodes-ontwerp is in die navorsing gebruik om die ondersoek te rig. Meer besonderlik het die studie ’n kwalitatiewe fase behels, wat deur twee kwantitatiewe fases gevolg is. In die kwalitatiewe fase (Fase 1) is semigestruktureerde onderhoude met 30 swart gesalarieerde werknemers in drie verskillende Suid-Afrikaanse organisasies gevoer om inligting oor die faktore wat loopbaansukses beïnvloed, in te win. Die doel van die kwalitatiewe fase was tweeledig: eerstens om bevestiging te verkry dat die instrumente wat gebruik is, die mees belangike kwessies gedek het. Tweedens was die doel om uit te vind hoe om die konstrukte wat nie behoorlik gedek is nie, aan te vul voordat daar met die daaropvolgende kwantitatiewe fases voortgegaan word. Die uitkoms van Fase 1 het getuienis gelewer dat daar, soos op die literatuuroorsig gebaseer, voldoende dekking van die veranderlikes was. Daar is egter besluit om drie vrae by die meetinstrument vir die meet van werkhulpbronne by te voeg, sowel as om twee items by die meetinstrument vir die meet van ondersteunende organisatoriese klimaat by te voeg. Opname-navorsing is gedurende beide kwantitatiewe fases gebruik. ’n Elektroniese web-gebaseerde vraelys is opgestel om die opname-navorsing te vergemaklik. Gestandaardiseerde vraelyste is gebruik om elk van die tien konstrukte te meet. Die doel van Fase 2 was om ’n voortoetsing met die saamgestelde vraelys uit te voer. Twee honderd en twintig bruikbare vraelyste is gedurende Fase 2 ontleed met betrekking tot die psigometiese eienskappe wat met elk van die konstrukte geassosieer was. Getuienis omtrent die psigometriese eienskappe van die meetinstrumente is deur middel van interne konsekwentheid, en bevestigende en ondersoekende faktorontleding verkry. Al die instrumente wat in Fase 2 gebruik is, het aanvaarbare betroubaarheid en goeie passing getoon, met die uitsondering van die sielkundige kapitaal (PsyCap) instrument, meer spesifiek, minder aanvaarbare vlakke van betroubaarheid is gevind in die geval van veerkragtigheid (α= .60) en optimisme (α= .48). Daar is egter geen veranderinge vir gebruik in Fase 3 aan die inhoud van die instrumente aangebring nie. Aannames ten opsigte van die faktoriale struktuur van die werkhulpbronneskaal moes egter hersien word. Die uitkoms van Fase 2 was ’n betroubare en geldige stel meetinstrumente wat met vertroue gebruik kon word. Die doel van Fase 3 was om die dertien hipoteses wat die huidige studie gerig het, te evalueer. Hiervoor is 418 bruikbare vraelyste tydens Fase 3 ontleed. Verdere bevestiging dat al die instrumente aanvaarbare betroubaarheid, asook goeie passing getoon het, is tydens Fase 3 verkry. Daarbenewens is korrelasie-ontleding, stapsgewyse meervoudige regressie en strukturele vergelykingsmodellering (variansieen kovariansie-gebaseerd) gebruik. Behalwe vir objektiewe loopbaansukses (vorige), was al die onafhanklike veranderlikes beduidend verwant aan die afhanklike veranderlike, naamlik subjektiewe loopbaansukses. Werkhulpbronne, sielkundige kapitaal en ondersteunende organisatoriese klimaat was egter die enigste beduidende voorspellers van loopbaansukses. Beide variansie- en kovariansie-gebaseerde strukturele vergelykingsmodellering is gebruik om die toepaslikheid van die voorgestelde konseptuele model te evalueer. Verkenning van die model is met gebruik van variansie-gebaseerde strukturele vergelykingsmodellering bewerkstellig. Beide nie-beduidende bane, sowel as beduidende, maar swak bane, is tydens die verkenningsproses verwyder. Met die benutting van modifikasie-indekse het die kovariansie-gebaseerde benadering dit moontlik gemaak om ’n optimale model daar te stel. Die model, wat slegs uit die beduidende bane bestaan het, is aan kovariansie-gebaseerde strukturele vergelykingsmodellering onderwerp. Die modifikasie-indekse het die toevoeging van drie direkte bane tussen subjektiewe loopbaansukses en transformasionele leierskap, werkhulpbronne, en ondersteunende organisatoriese klimaat voorgestel. In die optimale model is die direkte baan tussen transformasionele leierskap en subjektiewe loopbaansukses egter uitgeskakel omdat dit nie statisties beduidend was nie. Al die voorgestelde bane was in die optimale model beduidend en goeie passing is vir hierdie optimale model verkry. Die resultate van Fase 3 het bewys gelewer vir die aanvaarding van die meerderheid van die dertien hipoteses wat die huidige studie gerig het. Vanweë die ontwikkeling van die onderlinge verband tussen transformasionele leierskap, werkhulpbronne, ondersteunende organisatoriese klimaat, sielkundige bemagtiging, sielkundige kapitaal (PsyCap), en subjektiewe loopbaansukses, kan hierdie studie, met hierdie unieke samestelling van veranderlikes, as bydraend tot die bestaande teorie en literatuur beskou word. Die navorser doen aanbevelings vir toekomstige navorsing, sowel as vir wetenskaplike en praktiese intervensies ten opsigte van die ontwikkeling van subjektiewe loopbaansukses.

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