Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It is the role of the Industrial Psychologist and the Human Resources function within a company to contribute positively to an organisation’s competitive advantage. Human capital should be viewed and managed as a critical success factor within this context. The probability of attaining success over competitors could be addressed through focussing on the impact of employee performance on competitive advantage. With reference to the organisational life cycle, the e-commerce industry in South Africa seems to be in its infancy. It is in this stage when attaining high levels of performance from employees is of critical importance. In this lies the key for building and growing a competitive advantage that would set one organisation apart from the other – where one organisation would survive the infancy stage and another would drown in the quest to match the demands posed by the relevant industry and its customers. There is minimal Industrial or Organisational Psychology research that has tested hypotheses in the e-commerce industry. This contributed to the decision to implement this research in the e-commerce industry. The e-commerce industry is growing rapidly, and performance therefore is a key factor for success in any e-commerce company in South Africa. The focus of this study was to review the Job Demands Resources model (JD-R model) within the e-commerce retail industry in South Africa in order to add to the knowledge base regarding human behaviour at work, with specific reference to engagement, burnout and performance. The research question of the study was formulated regarding which “state of wellbeing” would increase performance. The JD-R model makes provision for evaluating this question in a structured manner. The JD-R model indicates that performance is influenced by work engagement/burnout (wellbeing). It also indicates that there are certain job demands, job resources and personal resources that will influence wellbeing. The study was facilitated through the use of an ex post facto correlational research design. A sample of 117 workers was chosen from the e-commerce retail industry to participate in the study. Participation was voluntary, the data was collected specifically for the purpose of this study, and all responses were treated confidentially. The measurements that were used included key performance indicators (KPIs), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), the Maslach Burnout Inventory – General Survey (MBI-GS), the Job Characteristics Scale, and the HEXACO model. The literature review formed a logical argument that culminated in a theoretical Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za iii model as well as a set of hypotheses with reference to the various dimensions in the JD-R model. The results showed that: a) Engagement has a significant positive influence on performance. b) Job resources (advancement, personal growth and organisational support) have a significant positive influence on engagement. c) Job resources (advancement, personal growth and organisational support) have a significant negative influence on burnout. d) Personal resources (extraversion) have a significant negative influence on burnout. e) Personal resources (conscientiousness) have a significant positive influence on engagement. f) Personal resources (agreeableness) have a significant negative influence on burnout. The following hypotheses were not supported: a) Burnout has a significant negative influence on performance. b) Personal resources (extraversion) have a significant positive influence on engagement. c) Personal resources (emotionality) have a significant positive influence on engagement. d) Personal resources (emotionality) have a significant negative influence on burnout. e) Personal resources (conscientiousness) have a significant negative influence on burnout. f) Personal resources (agreeableness) have a significant positive influence on engagement. g) Job demands (job overload) have a significant negative influence on engagement. h) Job demands (job overload) have a significant positive influence on burnout. i) Job demands (job insecurity) have a significant negative influence on engagement. j) Job demands (job insecurity) have a significant positive influence on burnout. Attention was also paid to future research considerations, recommendations to the managers of employees and to the limitations of the study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit is die rol van die Bedryfsielkundige en die Menslike Hulpbronne funksie in maatskappye om 'n positiewe bydrae tot 'n organisasie se mededingende voordeel te maak. Menslike kapitaal moet beskou en bestuur word as ‘n kritiese sukses faktor in hierdie konteks. Die waarskynlikheid om sukses bo die kompetisie te behaal kan aangespreek word deur om fokus te plaas op die impak wat werknemersprestasie het op mededingings voordeel. Met verwysing na die organisatoriese lewenssiklus blyk die e-handelbedryf in Suid-Afrika om in sy beginstadium te wees. Dit is in hierdie stadium waar die bereiking van hoë vlakke van prestasie van werknemers van kritieke belang is. Hierin lê die sleutel vir die vordering en groei van 'n mededingende voordeel van een maatskappy bo ‘n ander - waar die een organisasie die beginstadium sou oorleef en die ander onder die druk van die versoeke/eise van die betrokke bedryf en sy kliënte sou swyk. Daar is ‘n beperkte hoeveelheid navorsing wat gevind kon word in die veld van Bedryfsielkunde wat hipoteses in die e-handelbedryf toets. Hierdie bevinding het bygedra tot die besluit om hierdie navorsingstudie oor die e-handelbedryf voort te sit. Die e-handelbedryf toon vinnige groei, en prestasie is dus tans 'n belangrike faktor vir sukses in enige e-handelmaatskappy in Suid-Afrika. Die fokus van hierdie navorsingstudie was om die “Job Demands Resources model (JD-R model)” in die e-kleinhandelbedryf in Suid-Afrika toe te pas om sodoende by te dra tot die huidige kennis beskikbaar ten opsigte van menslike gedrag by die werk, met spesifieke verwysing na werksbegeestering, uitbranding en prestasie. Die navorsingsvraag van die navorsingstudie is geformuleer rondom die aanname dat die "toestand van welsyn" prestasievlakke sal verhoog. Die primêre doel van die navorsingstudie was om deur middel van die toepassing van die JD-R model in die e-kleinhandelbedryf, by te dra tot die beskikbare kennis ten opsigte van menslike gedrag by die werk, met spesifieke verwysing na werksbetrokkenheid, uitbranding en prestasie. Die JD-R model maak op 'n gestruktureerde wyse voorsiening vir die evaluering van hierdie verhoudings. Die JD-R model dui aan dat prestasie beïnvloed word deur werksbetrokkenheid/uitbranding (welsyn). Dit dui ook dat daar sekere werksvereistes, werkshulpbronne en persoonlike hulpbronne is wat welstand beïnvloed. Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za v Die navorsingstudie is gefasiliteer deur die gebruik van 'n ex post facto korrelasie-ontwerp. 'n Steekproef van 117 werkers is uit die e-kleinhandelbedryf gekies om aan die studie deel te neem. Deelname was vrywillig, die data is spesifiek ingesamel vir die doel van hierdie navorsingstudie en alle data is as vertroulik hanteer. Die volgende metingsinstrumente is gebruik: kern prestasie aanwysers (KPA’s), die Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), die Maslach Burnout Inventory – General Survey (MBI-GS), die Job Characteristics Scale, en die HEXACO model. Die literatuuroorsig vorm 'n logiese argument wat lei tot 'n teoretiese model, sowel as 'n stel hipoteses met verwysing na die verskillende dimensies soos gevind in die JD-R model. Die resultate toon: a) Werksbetrokkenheid het ‘n beduidende positiewe invloed op prestasie. b) Werkshulpbronne (bevordering, persoonlike groei en organisatoriese ondersteuning) het ‘n beduidende positiewe invloed op werksbetrokkenheid. c) Werkshulpbronne (bevordering, persoonlike groei en organisatoriese ondersteuning) het ‘n beduidende negatiewe invloed op uitbranding. d) Persoonlike hulpbronne (ekstroversie) het ‘n beduidende negatiewe invloed op uitbranding. e) Persoonlike hulpbronne (pligsgetrouheid) het ‘n beduidende positiewe invloed op werksbetrokkenheid. f) Persoonlike hulpbronne (eenstemmigheid) het ‘n beduidende negatiewe invloed op uitbranding. Die volgende hipoteses was nie aanvaar nie: a) Uitbranding het ‘n beduidende negatiewe invloed op prestasie. b) Persoonlike hulpbronne (ekstroversie) het ‘n beduidende positiewe invloed op werksbetrokkenheid. c) Persoonlike hulpbronne (emosionaliteit) het ‘n beduidende positiewe invloed op werksbetrokkenheid. d) Persoonlike hulpbronne (emosionaliteit) het ‘n beduidende negatiewe invloed op uitbranding. e) Persoonlike hulpbronne (pligsgetrouheid) het ‘n beduidende negatiewe invloed op uitbranding. f) Persoonlike hulpbronne (eenstemmigheid) het ‘n beduidende positiewe invloed op werksbetrokkenheid. Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za vi g) Werksvereistes (oorlading) het ‘n beduidende negatiewe invloed op werksbetrokkenheid. h) Werksvereistes (oorlading) het ‘n beduidende positiewe invloed op uitbranding. i) Werksvereistes (werkonsekerheid) het ‘n beduidende negatiewe invloed op werksbetrokkenheid. j) Werksvereistes (werkonsekerheid) het ‘n beduidende positiewe invloed op uitbranding. Aandag is ook geskenk aan toekomstige navorsings oorwegings, aanbevelings aan die bestuurders van werknemers asook aan die beperkinge van die navorsinstudie.

This research focuses on the relationship between employability attributes, organisational commitment and retention factors within the context of staff retention in the 21st century workplace. A cross-sectional quantitative research approach was followed, and a probability stratified sample (N = 311) of mainly black and female participants participated in the study. A canonical correlation analysis indicated a significant overall relationship between the employability attributes/organisational commitment canonical variate and the retention factor canonical variate. Inferential statistics revealed significant differences between ethnicity, gender, age, job category and qualification level regarding these variables. The study also confirmed a positive relationship between employability attributes, organisational commitment and retention factors. Recommendations are made for use by human resource professionals in terms of the retention of valuable staff. / Human Resource Management / M. Com. (Human Resources Management)

Chinese organisations are benefiting from increasing support from the Chinese government to enter into Africa. It is believed that over 2 000 Chinese organisations are operational in Africa, contributing greatly to employment within the continent. Despite the importance of Chinese organisations and their operations in Africa, very little research has been done on individual and organisational issues in Chinese organisations operating in Africa, and more specifically the local employees' organisational commitment to such organisations. The organisational commitment of South African employees within Chinese organisations in South Africa is important as it promotes the success of Chinese business, which may promote further investment into the country, as well as the use of local human resources. The primary aim of this research was therefore to conduct a literature and empirical study into the levels of and factors influencing the organisational commitment of South African employees in a selected Chinese organisation in South Africa. For the purposes of this study, a single case study approach, located within the phenomenological research paradigm, was used. A large multinational Chinese organisation with operations in South Africa agreed to participate in this study. The research made use of a descriptive case study design. To give effect to the primary aim of the study, three research objectives were identified. Firstly, to identify and describe key factors influencing local employee commitment. Secondly, to identify and describe current commitment levels amongst local employees, and lastly, to propose recommendations to improve local employee commitment and its implications for the appropriate management of human resources within the Chinese organisation. Data were collected by means of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 20 participating employees at four organisational branches across South Africa. Moreover, although the interview transcripts were the primary source of data, the collection process was enriched with the use of organisational and participant observations. The findings of this research revealed ten factors which are perceived to influence the commitment of South African employees within the organisation, namely: Open communication, Leadership, Supervisory support, Opportunities for training and development, Compensation, Job security, Promotional opportunities, Shared values, Recognition and Trust. Certain issues were raised by the participants during the in-depth interviews, most notably the limited opportunities for training, development and promotion, as well as issues regarding the perceived limited compensation received from the organisation. Despite these issues, the general findings relating to the levels of commitment in the organisation were positive for the organisation under study, with the majority of the participants being perceived to demonstrate high levels of affective, normative and continuance commitment.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for a Degree of Master of Technology: Human Resource Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / While research has been conducted, with regard to motivational factors impacting service delivery performance globally, not many studies have focused on public sector employees’ motivational factors and how they are perceived by the public, with specific reference to the South African public sector. Therefore, the understanding of these factors are clearly explained and clarified, in order to assist the South African public sector to improve service delivery performance across the board and to attract and retain a motivated, professional workforce. Motivational factors that influence the service delivery performance of employees include, salaries and benefits, training and development, and promotional opportunities, as well as employee recognition, job security and so on. The research sample was selected randomly, using a stratified sampling method and consisted of 100 participants, required to complete a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire in the presence of the researcher, who was present to assist in providing clarity where needed. A combined method of both quantitative and qualitative techniques was employed, while the analysis of data was done using the statistics package SPSS, version 21.0, with the results presented by figures developed in Microsoft Excel and gross tabulation tables. The findings of the study revealed that a lack of employee training and development negatively compromises quality of service delivery performance in the public sector. The study results further discovered that the absence of career development opportunities hinders the improvement of service delivery performance, as employees perceive this as an obstacle to their earning abilities in the long-term. Leadership was identified as a major factor that contributes considerably in influencing employees’ performance in the public sector. Moreover, the study’s results and literature show that the South African government has policies regulating motivational factors, for example the Performance Management System (performance appraisals), as well as the Skills Development Act 97 of 1998 (training and development). Nonetheless, public servants still exhibit signs of poor motivation. Therefore, the findings from this study can assist the public sector to enhance the motivational levels of employees, while improving public service delivery performance, as a whole. / M

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influences, outcomes and degree of employee engagement, as it relates to business success of Johnson Controls. The research was conducted by questionnaire using a sample of 120 employees of Johnson Controls Uitenhage Plant. The sample represents 45 percent of the total population of 267 employees. The study discusses certain key influences of engagement - the degree to which employees are engaged and the resultant outcomes of employee engagement. The result of the study proves that communication, leadership behaviours, policies, practices, recognition and rewards are real factors influencing engagement. The study also validated that productivity, safety, customer satisfaction, employee retention and quality are outcomes of engagement. A strong relationship was found to exist between employee engagement and business success. The study also found that a strong relationship exist between leadership behaviours, policies and procedures, and recognition and rewards. Communication was found to have no relationship with employee engagement.

This research explores the relationship between sense of coherence, work engagement and organisational commitment in an automotive development institution in South Africa. The study was conducted through quantitative research. The study used the Orientation to Life Questionnaire (OLQ) to measure sense of coherence, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) to measure work engagement and the Organisational Commitment Scale (OCS) to measure organisational commitment. A biographical questionnaire was also used. The questionnaires were administered to a sample of 46 employees, 37 of whom were based in the company’s Pretoria office and nine at their Eastern Cape office. In view of the fact that the sample was small, 100 % of the population was included in the study. A theoretical relationship between the constructs was determined and an empirical study provided evidence of the degree of relationship that existed between them. The results reveal significant relationships to exist between some sub-scales, however, statistical significance could not be reached for some correlations. / Psychology / M. Admin. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Orientation: This study is about team dialogue and how dialogue in teams may impact on levels of employee engagement, especially how this can be applied and used in Industrial & Organisational Psychology. Research purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence that dialogue sessions in work teams may have on employee engagement. Motivation for the study: The manager and first-line superior play a crucial role in facilitating and enabling the connection between the employee and the organisation and how this impacts on employee engagement. When practised successfully, dialogue may have an influence on the level of employee engagement, as it allows groups to move beyond any one individual’s understanding to gain new insights and to create ideas in ways that could not be achieved individually. It may be argued that team dialogue and relational practices could assist in improving employee engagement in the South African workplace. Research design, approach and method: The study used a quasi-experimental approach in terms of which an experimental group was exposed to an organisational development intervention of team dialogues over a period of time and then compared to a control group that had not been exposed to the organisational development team dialogue intervention. The main findings were reported and discussed, and recommendations were made. Main findings: Team dialogues have an impact on employee engagement Contributions/value add: This study contributes to the field of Industrial & Organisational Psychology in that it demonstrates the influence that team dialogue has on employee engagement. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / MCOM (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The scarce skills phenomenon has become a cause for concern and priority for both public and private sectors as discussed in various research studies. Both these sectors have a quest to retain these scarce skills by making use of their limited resources. In the light of the above context, this study focuses on the analysis of the retention of scarce skills within the City of Cape Town Municipality, with the primary objective of ascertaining the effectiveness of its retention strategy on retaining civil engineers. For purposes of this research, a case study design was used to answer the study question. The sample consisted of 30 percent of the present and past civil engineers, from junior to senior levels. This sample also included employees from the human resource department of the municipality. Content analysis was used to analyse data which was gathered through focus groups, exit and personal interviews. The literature investigation explored reasons why employees were leaving their organisations. The study further traced various thoughts and debates related to challenges and strategies associated with scarce skills retention. From the literature review it became evident that although the retention approaches and strategies vary from one organisation to another, they share common traits. However there is no one cap fits all. Results indicate that the majority of respondents expressed satisfaction about all pre-determined themes of the study. These themes were based on aspects related to remuneration and benefits, job satisfaction and working conditions, climate and culture, leadership and career development. Areas of dissatisfaction were raised under common themes which emerged during the study. These themes included, amongst others, outsourcing of major projects, bureaucracy, political environment and human resource policies and procedures. Based on the findings of the study, the research concludes with recommendations applicable to the municipality and also provides those relevant for further study. Due to the technical composition of the sample, the results of the study cannot be inferred to all occupational groups within the organisation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die skaarsheid van vaardighede het „n kommerwekkende verskynsel geword vir private en publieke sektore. Dit is die taak van albei sektore om skaars vaardighede te behou, deur gebruik te maak van hul beperkte bronne. In die lig van bostaande stellings, fokus hierdie studie op die analise van skaars vaardighede binne die Kaapstadse Munisipaliteit, met die primêre doel om die effektiwiteit van sy behoudstrategie vir die behoud van siviele ingenieurs te bepaal. „n Gevallestudie-ontwerp was gebruik vir hierdie ondersoek, om die studievraagstuk te beantwoord. Die ondersoekgroep het bestaan uit „n samestelling van 30 persent van huidige en voormalige siviele ingenieurs, vanaf junior tot senior vlakke. Die ondersoekgroep het ook werkers binne die departement van personeelbestuur in die munisipaliteit ingesluit. Inhoudsanalise was gebruik om data te analiseer wat deur fokusgroepe, uitgang en persoonlike onderhoude ingesamel is. Die literêre ondersoek het die redes waarom werkers hul organisasies verlaat, verken. Die studie weerspieël verder denke wat verband hou met die uitdagings en strategieë wat met die behoud van skaars vaardighede geassosieer word. Die literêre ondersoek het bewys dat behoudstrategieë onderling eienskappe deel, alhoewel die strategieë van een organisasie van diè van „n ander in geheel verskil. Daar is egter geen jas wat by almal pas nie. Resultate toon dat die meerderheid van respondente tevredenheid toon met alle voorafbepaalde studietemas. Hierdie temas is gebaseer op aspekte wat verband hou met besoldiging en voordele, werktevredenheid en werksomstandighede, klimaat en kultuur, leierskap en beroepsontwikkeling. Areas van ontevredenheid is geïdentifiseer onder algemene temas wat tydens die studie opgekom het. Hierdie temas sluit in, onder andere, eksterne bronontginning vir groot projekte, burokrasie, politieke konteks, asook beleid en prosedures van menslike hulpbronne. Ter afsluiting: voorstelle word gemaak wat gebaseer is op die resultate van die ondersoek, wat van toepassing is op die munisipaliteit en voorsien dit wat relevant is vir verdere studie. Die resultate van die ondersoek kan nie op alle werksgroepe binne die organisasie van toepassing wees nie, weens die tegniese samestalling van die ondersoekgroep.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:‘n Kwalitatiewe evaluasie van die faktore wat werknemer verbintenis in die uitvoering van ‘n werksbestuur besigheidsproses beinvloed, word aangebied. Die nodigheid van werknemer verbintenis en besigheidsprosesse in organisasies word beskryf. ‘n Vergelyk tussen die beginsels van werknemer verbintenis en die werksbestuur proses word gedoen. Deur middel van statistiese evaluasie tegnieke (frekwensie evaluasie) dra hierdie navorsing by tot die bestaande kennis in hierdie domein deur die identifisering van faktore wat bydra tot die onttrekking van werknemers van die werksbestuur proses en gevolglik die organisasie verlaat. Resultate bevestig dat die werksbestuur proses die verbintenis van werknemers tot die werksbestuur proses fasiliteer, veral vir werknemers wat onlangs die arbeidsmark betree. Persoonlike groei en loopbaan ontwikkeling word egter nie ten volle ondersteun in die uitvoering van die werksbestuur proses nie. Aanbevelings word gemaak ter ondersteuning van die implementering van ‘n volhoubare werksbestuur proses. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Presents a qualitative evaluation of the factors that influence employee engagement from the perspective of implementing and sustaining a work management business process. Describes the intent of employee engagement and business processes in organizations. Compare the principles of employee engagement and the work management business process. By applying statistical evaluation methods (frequency analyses) this research adds to the existing body of knowledge in this field by identifying factors that lead to disengagement of employees in the execution of work management business processes and subsequent loss of skills. Analysis indicates that the business process facilitates engagement of employees in work management at the start of their careers, however career development and personal growth for experienced employees are lacking in the execution of work management. Concludes with recommendation for sustaining employee engagement in work management.

Absenteeism can be a major problem for organisations. As pressures increase on the budgets and competitiveness of companies, more attention is being given to reduce workplace absenteeism and its cost. Job satisfaction has been noted as one of the factors influencing an employee's motivation to attend. Studies on the relationship between absenteeism and job satisfaction seem to be inconsistent. Some research has found no correlation between these two variables whereas other studies indicate a weak to moderate relationship between these two variables. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between job satisfaction and absenteeism in a selected department within and Electricity Unit in the Western Cape.