Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters of Technology: Human Resource Management, Durban University of Technology, 2017. / The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of staff training on knowledge transfer and employee retention at Servcor Private Limited. Due to increasing levels of competition in staff training and growth opportunities in the Hospitality and Catering industry, Servcor Private Limited faced challenges in retaining its employees, as well as in ways of transferring knowledge. Employees at Servcor Private Limited in Zimbabwe were leaving in pursuit of world-class training and the opportunity for professional development offered in competing organizations, both within and outside the Hospitality and Catering industry. For this study, the target population equated to 240 employees and a sample size of n = 120 was considered as appropriate. The sample was selected by picking every odd number from the sample frame utilizing a systematic sampling technique under the ambit of probability sampling method. The data was analysed using the latest computerised Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 24.0 and the personal method was used to administer the questionnaire to all 120 respondents. Two questionnaires were discarded because the majority of questions were not answered and hence resulted in 118 responses. Therefore, a response rate of 98.3% was obtained. After the study was completed, the researcher solicited the services of a Post-graduate Librarian to run the TURNITIN Program to test the entire thesis for plagiarism which recorded 10%. The non-parametric tests were carried out to test hypotheses utilising the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 for Windows. The Pearson’s Chi-square and Spearman correlation tests were conducted for all fifteen formulated hypotheses to determine whether there was a statistically significant relationship between the variables. The key findings revealed that staff training was insufficient in the organisation and was not coping with constant changes in the surrounding. The findings indicated that respondents felt their superiors were not willing to teach them every aspect of their work. The findings also reflected that employees prefer on-the-job training. The researcher recommended that top management should increase the amount of investment on staff training in order to retain employees. The recommendations highlighted that should ensure that all the equipment and tools that are used for staff training are aligned with prevailing technology. The recommendations also highlighted that top management should promote a culture of knowledge transfer. The study concluded with suggestions for future research in this field. / M

The Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) is endowed with natural resources which are drivers for sustainable development at local, national and regional levels. However, these resources are adversely affected by dynamic social, economic, environmental and political factors. Poor coordination and ineffective knowledge management programmes among various players within the LVB has led to duplication of efforts as substantial information and knowledge generated is unavailable to users. As a result, over-exploitation of natural resources has resulted in unsustainable development of the LVB. This study sought to establish the role of knowledge management in promoting sustainable development of the LVB. Specific objectives were to: determine the role of knowledge management in sustainable development of LVB; determine challenges and barriers hindering effective knowledge management; establish tools and technology that can be used to enhance knowledge management; and establish the strategies used by organisations in LVB to manage knowledge generated for sustainable development. A descriptive survey design was used in this study targeting 98 (with 76.5% response rate) officers of various ranks working in 26 organisations involved in development programmes/projects and located in the five partner states within the LVB. Data was collected using self administered questionnaires and a desk review. Findings showed most respondents agreeing that knowledge management is a systematic utilisation of policies, processes, activities and tools which empower organisations to apply knowledge to improve effectiveness, innovation and quality. Up to 93.9% of the organisations facilitated discovery, capture, storage and retrieval of knowledge. Most organisations encouraged documentation of lessons learnt, with some making it mandatory to deposit key documents in the library. Paper-based media was the most preferred knowledge storage format. Lack of an open-minded sharing environment, bureaucratic procedures and poor information systems were the common barriers to knowledge management, while lack of time (68.4%) was an obstacle to proper xvi documentation. The internet was the most popular knowledge management tool/technology; though technical issues were the most critical problems affecting ICT use (71.4%). Based on these findings, this study recommends a holistic and coordinated approach to knowledge management among all institutions working in the LVB to address the challenges of sustainable development in the basin. / Information Science / M. Inf. (Information Science)