Objective: The primary objective is to determine the preferred organisational characteristics and remuneration types for pharmacists and university students in South Africa. The primary objective will be realised and supported by meeting the secondary objectives, which are: * What organisational characteristics and remuneration types exist in the literature that could influence the employee’s perception of the organisation? * How do these characteristics and remuneration types differ between students and pharmacists? * How do these characteristics and remuneration types differ between different age groups? * How do these characteristics and remuneration types differ between different levels of experience? Methods: The research of this study will be conducted by means of a comparative literature review and a quantitative empirical study. The literature review will discuss the staffing situation in the pharmacy as it is currently experienced, as well as the aspects that might influence potential applicants in the future. The empirical investigation will be done by analysing pharmacists currently employed by a retail pharmacy chain organisation and the final-year pharmacy student class of a South African university. Quantitative research will be conducted by way of an anonymous questionnaire. Part one will be used to determine the demographics of the study populations. Part two will determine the current level of motivation as well as aspects pertaining to their preferred organisational characteristics and will include the following: * To determine the current organisational characteristics sought after by the pharmacists and pharmacy students in the study population; and * To determine the most preferred remuneration types for the pharmacists and pharmacy students in the study population. Results: It was noted that many organisational characteristics could influence the employee perceptions. From the analysed questionnaires, characteristics that include growth opportunities inside the organisation, using your pharmaceutical skills, physical working location, as well as manageable intensity of work were cited as the most important characteristics. The most important remuneration packages in the studied population were analysed to be: * A basic plus benefit system was preferred * A skills-based pay as the base of the remuneration package * A performance-based incentive system where benefits are rewarded according to merit * Incentives calculated from amount of personal output and not by business unit or organisational profit * Share options were popular as an added benefit It should be noted that the preferred remuneration packages do differ between students, pharmacists, pharmacy managers, different age groups and experience groups and can be personalised for each group. Conclusion: This study highlighted preferred organisational characteristics and remuneration types for retail pharmacists and final-year pharmacy students. It is recommended that a more in-depth study of the preferred organisational characteristics and remuneration types for retail pharmacists should be conducted. This study should also include the cost implications of hiring the most suitable candidate for a position versus the least suitable candidate. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Objective: The primary objective is to determine the preferred organisational characteristics and remuneration types for pharmacists and university students in South Africa. The primary objective will be realised and supported by meeting the secondary objectives, which are: * What organisational characteristics and remuneration types exist in the literature that could influence the employee’s perception of the organisation? * How do these characteristics and remuneration types differ between students and pharmacists? * How do these characteristics and remuneration types differ between different age groups? * How do these characteristics and remuneration types differ between different levels of experience? Methods: The research of this study will be conducted by means of a comparative literature review and a quantitative empirical study. The literature review will discuss the staffing situation in the pharmacy as it is currently experienced, as well as the aspects that might influence potential applicants in the future. The empirical investigation will be done by analysing pharmacists currently employed by a retail pharmacy chain organisation and the final-year pharmacy student class of a South African university. Quantitative research will be conducted by way of an anonymous questionnaire. Part one will be used to determine the demographics of the study populations. Part two will determine the current level of motivation as well as aspects pertaining to their preferred organisational characteristics and will include the following: * To determine the current organisational characteristics sought after by the pharmacists and pharmacy students in the study population; and * To determine the most preferred remuneration types for the pharmacists and pharmacy students in the study population. Results: It was noted that many organisational characteristics could influence the employee perceptions. From the analysed questionnaires, characteristics that include growth opportunities inside the organisation, using your pharmaceutical skills, physical working location, as well as manageable intensity of work were cited as the most important characteristics. The most important remuneration packages in the studied population were analysed to be: * A basic plus benefit system was preferred * A skills-based pay as the base of the remuneration package * A performance-based incentive system where benefits are rewarded according to merit * Incentives calculated from amount of personal output and not by business unit or organisational profit * Share options were popular as an added benefit It should be noted that the preferred remuneration packages do differ between students, pharmacists, pharmacy managers, different age groups and experience groups and can be personalised for each group. Conclusion: This study highlighted preferred organisational characteristics and remuneration types for retail pharmacists and final-year pharmacy students. It is recommended that a more in-depth study of the preferred organisational characteristics and remuneration types for retail pharmacists should be conducted. This study should also include the cost implications of hiring the most suitable candidate for a position versus the least suitable candidate. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Many students in South Africa are unable to cope with the academic demands of tertiary education as they are not fully prepared for Higher Education (HE). Various inefficiencies in the South African HE system have been identified, including low throughput rates, student dissatisfaction, unsatisfying graduation rates, learner dropouts, learner repetition, motivation, self–efficacy, attitude, personality differences, maturation, the retention of failing learners and unit costs. Student performance and satisfaction cause concern for the government and the HE sector. The purpose of this study is to understand student satisfaction amongst Open Distance Learning BEd Hons students. It further aims to improve student satisfaction and quality in the programme by recognising the context sensitive needs, expectations and experiences of students from different cultural–language groups, as well as constructing guidelines to improve satisfaction. The purposeful sampling consisted of Second year BEd Hons teacherstudents enrolled for open distance learning at the School for continuing teacher education (SCTE). A total of 34 students participated in the study. This number comprised of fifteen students from the focus–group interviews and nineteen students who completed open–ended questionnaires. Students were chosen according to three criteria dimensions: major language groups, gender and number of years teaching experience. This study followed a qualitative investigation of two semi–structured, open–ended focus–group interviews in the format of conversations, as well as documentary analysis of the teaching and learning policy of the North West University (NWU), and an open–ended questionnaire. The data were taperecorded for accurate transcription and analysed by using Atlas.ti. Through the use of Atlas.ti, I constructed categories of recurring patterns in the dataset, and explored the relationships of these categories. Different strategies were used to enhance validity and reliability respectively. The findings indicated that students’ satisfaction with HE environment is influenced by the quality of the programmes offered to them, communication between lecturers/facilitators and students, environment at the learning centres and the support that students received from HEI. The students in their capacity as clients with Higher education institutions (HEIs) are influenced by the support they receive from their work environment, as well as the level of appreciation they receive from HEI regarding their own culture and values. They also value iii the environment they experience during course facilitations at the HEIs. The various student attributes also play a significant part in their satisfaction levels towards the HEIs. Findings also highlighted that students were not satisfied with the support they received from the Open distance learning (ODL) unit. It is clear that the students’ perception of the quality of the programme influences their level of satisfaction. Students are mostly satisfied with the quality of the programme but they feel the communication as well the support from HEI and ODL is not adequate. The students indicated that HEI and ODL do not display sufficient understanding and concern for students. They feel there should be a greater commitment from HEI and ODL to understand and consider the profiles of the students. HEI and ODL should actively consider the background, culture, values, attributes, and personal, as well as domestic circumstances of their students. The BEd Hons programme is a valuable and popular programme, but the responsibility rests with both HEI and ODL to ensure that both the quality and delivery of this programme are enhanced and improved so as to guarantee higher levels of satisfaction amongst students. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Many students in South Africa are unable to cope with the academic demands of tertiary education as they are not fully prepared for Higher Education (HE). Various inefficiencies in the South African HE system have been identified, including low throughput rates, student dissatisfaction, unsatisfying graduation rates, learner dropouts, learner repetition, motivation, self–efficacy, attitude, personality differences, maturation, the retention of failing learners and unit costs. Student performance and satisfaction cause concern for the government and the HE sector. The purpose of this study is to understand student satisfaction amongst Open Distance Learning BEd Hons students. It further aims to improve student satisfaction and quality in the programme by recognising the context sensitive needs, expectations and experiences of students from different cultural–language groups, as well as constructing guidelines to improve satisfaction. The purposeful sampling consisted of Second year BEd Hons teacherstudents enrolled for open distance learning at the School for continuing teacher education (SCTE). A total of 34 students participated in the study. This number comprised of fifteen students from the focus–group interviews and nineteen students who completed open–ended questionnaires. Students were chosen according to three criteria dimensions: major language groups, gender and number of years teaching experience. This study followed a qualitative investigation of two semi–structured, open–ended focus–group interviews in the format of conversations, as well as documentary analysis of the teaching and learning policy of the North West University (NWU), and an open–ended questionnaire. The data were taperecorded for accurate transcription and analysed by using Atlas.ti. Through the use of Atlas.ti, I constructed categories of recurring patterns in the dataset, and explored the relationships of these categories. Different strategies were used to enhance validity and reliability respectively. The findings indicated that students’ satisfaction with HE environment is influenced by the quality of the programmes offered to them, communication between lecturers/facilitators and students, environment at the learning centres and the support that students received from HEI. The students in their capacity as clients with Higher education institutions (HEIs) are influenced by the support they receive from their work environment, as well as the level of appreciation they receive from HEI regarding their own culture and values. They also value iii the environment they experience during course facilitations at the HEIs. The various student attributes also play a significant part in their satisfaction levels towards the HEIs. Findings also highlighted that students were not satisfied with the support they received from the Open distance learning (ODL) unit. It is clear that the students’ perception of the quality of the programme influences their level of satisfaction. Students are mostly satisfied with the quality of the programme but they feel the communication as well the support from HEI and ODL is not adequate. The students indicated that HEI and ODL do not display sufficient understanding and concern for students. They feel there should be a greater commitment from HEI and ODL to understand and consider the profiles of the students. HEI and ODL should actively consider the background, culture, values, attributes, and personal, as well as domestic circumstances of their students. The BEd Hons programme is a valuable and popular programme, but the responsibility rests with both HEI and ODL to ensure that both the quality and delivery of this programme are enhanced and improved so as to guarantee higher levels of satisfaction amongst students. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.