Yes / Labour productivity is a key concept for understanding the way modern economies use resources and features prominently in ecological economics. Ecological economists have questioned the desirability of labour productivity growth on both environmental and social grounds. In this paper we aim to contribute to ongoing debates by focusing on the link between labour productivity and worker wellbeing. First, we review the evidence for the happy-productive worker thesis, which suggests labour productivity could be improved by increasing worker wellbeing. Second, we review the evidence on ways that productivity growth may undermine worker wellbeing. We find there is experimental evidence demonstrating a causal effect of worker wellbeing on productivity, but that the relationship can also sometimes involve resource-intensive mediators. Taken together with the evidence of a negative impact on worker wellbeing from productivity growth, we conclude that a relentless pursuit of productivity growth is potentially counterproductive, not only in terms of worker wellbeing, but even in terms of long-term productivity. / UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) in particular through grant no: ES/M010163/1 which supports the Centre for the Under-standing of Sustainable Prosperity and ES/S015124/1 which supported the project “Powering Productivity”.

By exploring the historical development and current state of the corporate university through literature reviews, case study analyses, and interviews with corporate university practitioners, this study conceptualizes the corporate university. The shortage of knowledgeable workers in technical areas and rapid advances in technology have energized adult learning in the United States. In response to these changes and needs, many corporations have incorporated formal learning programs into their organizations. As conceptualized in this study, the corporate university is Corporate America's vehicle for providing learning programs to their workers with the goal of developing and maintaining a highly skilled, knowledgeable, and adaptable workforce that contributes to organizational performance. Through an historical development and conceptualization based on interviews with corporate university practitioners and case study analyses, this study also examines the strengths and weaknesses of the corporate university. The corporate university does, in fact, provide a useful and innovative way to reach a portion of the adult learning population. Moreover, the corporate university provides learning initiatives that are related to the adult's current and future role in the workplace. In this way, the learning opportunities provided by the corporate university make the knowledge relevant and accessible to the adult learner. However, the corporate university is not founded on adult learning principles and is chartered to consider corporate success rather than individual development. This purpose endangers the corporate university in that it has the potential to exploit the American workforce by forcing undesired learning opportunities. This study identifies a basic component, partnership, that helps many corporate universities avoid employee exploitation and provide learning opportunities that have meaning to both the individual learners and the organization. The partnership component is foregrounded in a model for program development that is presented in this construct for future and current corporate university planners. The model is not tested in this thesis; however, it has been reviewed and endorsed by a panel of corporate university experts. Provided that partnership is considered and integrated into the approach, this study concludes that the corporate university, as a conceptual and an interactive model, is a useful vehicle for reaching the adult learner and for preparing and maintaining an American workforce able to manage change and remain competitive. / Master of Science

Subtle offensive statements in workplace emails, which I term "Micro E-ggressions," can significantly impact the psychological safety and subsequent productivity of work environments despite their often-ambiguous intent. This thesis investigates the prevalence and nature of both micro and macro e-ggressions within workplace email communications, utilizing state-of-the-art natural language processing (NLP) techniques. Leveraging a large dataset of workplace emails, the study aims to detect and analyze these subtle offenses, exploring their themes and the contextual factors that facilitate their occurrence. The research identifies common types of micro e-ggressions, such as questioning competence and work ethic, and examines the responses to these offenses. Results indicate a high prevalence of offensive content in workplace emails and reveal distinct thematic elements that contribute to the perpetuation of workplace incivility. The findings underscore the potential for NLP tools to bridge gaps in awareness and sensitivity, ultimately contributing to more inclusive and respectful workplace cultures. / Master of Science / Subtle offensive statements in workplace emails, which I term "Micro E-ggressions," can significantly impact the psychological safety and subsequent productivity of work environments despite their often-ambiguous intent. This thesis investigates the prevalence and nature of both micro and macro e-ggressions within workplace email communications, utilizing state-of-the-art natural language processing (NLP) techniques. Leveraging a large dataset of workplace emails, the study aims to detect and analyze these subtle offenses, exploring their themes and the contextual factors that facilitate their occurrence. The research identifies common types of micro e-ggressions, such as questioning competence and work ethic, and examines the responses to these offenses. The results show a high occurrence of offensive content in workplace emails and highlight patterns that help maintain a negative work environment. The study demonstrates that advanced language analysis tools can help raise awareness and sensitivity, ultimately fostering more inclusive and respectful workplace cultures.

The purpose of this study is to outline to interested employers and employees the developments that have taken place in the establishment of religious programs within industry. This study should stimulate thinking as to whether or not such a program will develop better inter-personal relationships in working situations.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study project addresses the role spirituality in the workplace can play. The conclusion is that although people are different, in the working environment in an organisation, much time is spent together and creating an environment that is a joy to work in, will induce the employees to work with energy and be highly productive. A number of interviews were conducted and factual information was acquired to analyse the effects of spirituality in the workplace. A conclusion is reached that underlines the fact to counter low morale, low productivity and negative attitudes in the workplace it is imperative that we should address the spirituality in the workplace thus ensuring that a positive organisation culture is maintained within the organisation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie projek behandel die rol wat geestelikheid in die werkplek kan speel. Die gevolgtrekking wat gemaak kan word is dat alhoewel mense van mekaar verskil in die werksomgewing binne die organisasie, hulle ‘n groot gedeelte van die dag met mekaar spandeer en vir dié rede is dit van kardinale belang dat ‘n goeie werksklimaat geskep word wat sal bydra dat die werknemer energiek werk en hoë produktiwiteit handhaaf. ‘n Aantal onderhoude was gevoer en feitlike inligting was verkry om die effek van geestelikheid in die werksplek te ondersoek. ‘n Slotsom is bereik dat die feite van lae moraal, lae produktiwiteit en negatiewe ingesteldheid in die werksplek belangrik is om geadresseer te word ten einde te verseker dat geestelikheid in die werksplek toegepas word en dat ‘n positiewe klimaat in die organisasie handhaaf word.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Managing the diverse production and support teams on mining operations in Southern Africa is proving to be problematic and challenging. Many mines are facing strikes, “go-slows” and destructive conflict related to diversity issues. The objective of this case study was to evaluate the apparent successful diversity management practices employed at Benga Mine (an MCC Group mine) in Mozambique. The study aimed to determine the success of the tactics employed by the management team and whether successful tactics can be utilised at other mines operating within the MCC Group. The case study evaluated seven practical diversity management tactics employed by the management of the mine as conceptual method. The seven tactics were verified through a literature review and an eighth “other” category was provided for additional tactics that the research may reveal. The research revealed that the diversity management tactics at Benga Mine have some strengths and some weaknesses. The management team focused on translation of communication to the primary spoken languages on the mine. This enabled good communication flow, but further improvements can be made. Most employees identify with the Benga Mine and feel a sense of common purpose. The management team identified nutrition as a critical diversity management issue. This was an accurate observation as the research revealed that the availability and quality of food is of fundamental importance to them. Further improvement, such as catering for vegetarians, can be made to the food offerings. Strong relationships exist on the mine and this is the area where the Benga Mine management team excel. Employees feel that issues on importance can be addressed through various communication platforms and that their concerns are being taken seriously. Employees believe that all groups have the opportunity to raise issues and that the management team evaluate their concerns with compassion and care. The sound communication system employed at Benga Mine builds relationships and promotes a culture where employees can engage with management. The management of employment equity policies poses a significant challenge to the mine. The expats manage and pose the bulk of technical and operational expertise, resulting in significant risk to the sustainability of the business since the work permit quota system requires knowledge transfer to Mozambique citizens. Additionally, the work environment is not conducive to gender equality and female employees feel marginalised. An organisational culture conducive to managing and valuing the contribution and presence of all groups has been created at the mine. Further improvement can be made by terminating tokens of separations such as different uniforms for managers and operational employees. No significant new or additional diversity management factors were identified during the research. Benga Mine’s diversity management tactics are effective, but improvements can easily be achieved by focusing on the recommendations of this case study. The recommendations include improvements to translation of management instructions, clarification of employment equity obligations and a higher degree of sensitivity to the needs of female employees.

M.B.A. / The South African Minister of Health has, in terms of Section 2 of the South African Tobacco Products Control Act, 1993 (Act No. 83 of 1993), as amended, declared the public places specified in the Regulations as permissible smoking areas, subject to the conditions also specified in the Regulations. "Swanepoel et al., (2000:597) argues that it is common knowledge today that smoking causes health problems. These problems can basically be categorised into two groups: The health implications for the employee who smokes; and The health and other implications for non-smoking employees who become passive smokers as a result of their colleagues' smoking habits. Apart from the implications for the smoker, there are also major implications for the non-smoking employees and for the organisation as a whole. It follows that, if cigarette smoke is a health risk for the smoker, it must also be so for the non-smoker. The breathed-out smoke contains the same harmful ingredients (such as carbon monoxide and recognised carcinogens — in other words, chemicals that cause cancer) to which the smoker is exposed. In addition, smoking often bothers non-smokers, causing conflict, hostility, negative feelings, deteriorating interpersonal relations — all of which may impact negatively on workforce morale and productivity. There is no single approach and policy for all organisations. The general principles, however, are that a working party should be established, the issue should be raised, the workforce should be consulted and the policy must then be formulated and implemented. It is in the interest of good industrial relations to work out an agreed policy between the company, employees and their representative trade unions (if any), taking into account the interest of smokers and non-smokers, rather than merely imposing an immediate and total ban. The control of smoking in the workplace through a professional process of formulating and implementing an appropriate non-smoking policy will enhance the healthiness or wellness of both smoking and non-smoking employees". The aim of this research is to assess the perceptions of smoking as well as nonsmoking employees of the said regulations of the Act and to assess if the targeted companies adhered to the new Regulations. Employees of three different companies in the Johannesburg in the Gauteng area in South Africa will be ask to complete questionnaires regarding the New Smoking Regulations in South Africa.

The purpose of this study, a quasi experimental design, was to investigate the relationship between team leader behavior and team performance and satisfaction. This field research tested leader behavior dimensions from two theoretical models of team effectiveness: Hackman's (1992) "expert available coaching," and Cohen's (1994) "encouraging supervisory behaviors." The relationship between coaching behaviors and team performance, employee, and customer satisfaction was assessed. Manager behavior was assessed with the SMT Leader Survey (Burress, 1994), an instrument determined appropriate for team environments, that measures Communication, Administration, Leadership, Interpersonal Skills, Thinking, and Flexibility. Employee satisfaction and performance information was archival data provided by the organization. The results demonstrated that leader behavior is a less important component of team effectiveness than initially expected. Even though direct customer interaction was 25% of these manager jobs and considered the organization's most important predictor of corporate profitability, no relationship between leader behavior and customer satisfaction was found. Among the key findings was, that while flexibility differentiated leader behavior more than any other scale, its relationship with both team performance and team satisfaction was negative. Interpersonal skills were positively associated with team performance, while leadership was positively associated with team performance and satisfaction. The SMT data were factor analyzed and formed into three factors. Two were historical leadership constructs: consideration (which correlated positively with employee satisfaction) and structure. A third factor, decisiveness, was negatively related to team performance. This research determined some essential skills for managing high performance teams and improving employee satisfaction. The results indicate that managers in a team environment may need to alter their roles if high performance and employee satisfaction are organizational objectives. Possibilities include building and developing the corporation's business, creating in depth relationships with customers, and establishing alliances and partnerships with other organizations. These roles will require new manager skills which have the potential to increase manager job satisfaction and augment manager value to the corporation.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D. (Criminology)) --University of Limpopo, 2018 / Schools mirror the culture of violence that is endemic in our society. They have therefore become the focus of research on violence. However, much of our knowledge on violence that occurs in schools is on learners as victims of educator-on- learner and learner-on-learner violence; and as perpetrators of learner-on-learner because a great amount of research focuses only on these types of violence. Very little research has been done on teachers as victims of violence, and of learnerperpetrated violence, in particular. The little knowledge that is available indicates that objectionable behaviour, such as ill-discipline, class disruptions, and aggression and violent behaviour are aspects of interpersonal relationships that may cause teachers stress, burnout, job dissatisfaction, ill health, and lead to them quitting the teaching profession. This study investigated learner-perpetrated violence as a school and workplace violence. The results of this study, which are the outcomes of independently conducted qualitative and quantitative studies, confirm the parallel existence of learner-perpetrated violence and teacher stress and related ill health, behavioural reaction and organisational effects. The implications of these results are that the current legislation, the South African Schools Act, and regulations and policies associated with it, is inadequate in preventing the victimisation of teachers by learners, in their workplaces. Hence, this study recommends a model that can be implemented to prevent violence against teachers at a primary, secondary, and tertiary level. Learner violence is an occupational health and safety risk for teachers and needs to be handled in the same was as any other occupational health and safety hazard; hence the desire by teachers to be covered against violence at work under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. It is recommended that future research should focus on the incorporation of violence into the existing list of occupational hazard. This will force employers to take every step possible to prevent the victimisation of teachers in their workplaces. The reduction of incidents of violence against teachers has the potential of slowing teacher attrition down.