M.Com. (Business Management) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Magister Commercii (Industrial Psychology) - MCom(IPS) / Quality education is regarded as a powerful tool in ensuring the economic, democratic and social development of nations (Kubberud, Helland & Smith, 1999). To deliver quality education, well functioning teachers are needed (Kubberud, Helland & Smith, 1999) Substantial evidence exists showing that a significant number of teachers worldwide struggle with high levels of distress and burnout (Chaplain et al., 2003). Change in the work environment is often regarded as stressful and can lead to decrease in a sense of general well-being amongst teachers (Verhaeghe, Vlerick, Gemmel, Van Maele & De Backer, 2006). Internal and external factors of change management have shaped the teaching environment in South Africa and have contributed to instability with regard to motivational levels of teachers in recent years. Actions such as intentions of leaving the teaching profession and quitting their job, could have resulted due to feelings of low job satisfaction. However, job satisfaction is not only reflected in high labour turnover but as well in absenteeism, being unproductive or even being unwell at work (Jackson, Rothmann & Van de Vijver, 2006). Continuous exposure to things like high job demands, lack of job resources, change, competitiveness and rivalry, can result in stress and burnout. Stressful events may lead to ill- health and might impact negatively on the work-related well-being of employees. The purpose of the research paper was to grasp the effects of stress factors (namely work overload and work/family conflict) on educators and to establish to what extent it contributes to the workplace outcomes of those educators in terms of their work engagement, job satisfaction levels and the intention to quit. A quantative research method was use to generate the results, by means of survey distribution to the targeted population. The results found that work family conflict and job overload did not explain a significant proportion of the variance in work engagement, job satisfaction or intention to quit.

The present diploma thesis focuses on the subject matter of large data warehouses under the aspect of their sustainable operation and development, seeking to analyze the key factors which influence the operation of data warehouses at large businesses. The thesis is divided into three main sections, preceded by a short theoretical introduction. The first part aims at explaining and illustrating the architecture of data warehouses, with the bulk of this section being devoted to a description of the key components of data warehouse solutions as a whole, and the various available alternatives for their technical implementation. The second section familiarizes the reader with the manner in which data warehouses are managed and operated, discussing the most important operational tasks in individual sub-sections. The final section focuses on working with client tools within the ETL platform of Informatica Powercenter. This work's original contribution lies in the comparison of how the design of individual components expresses itself in the simplicity and quality of routine operations. As a matter of fact, data warehouses can only be operated as conveniently and competently as they were designed and implemented. In this thesis of mine, I primarily draw on my immediate experience and acquired knowledge from data warehouse operations at a large domestic enterprise.

Business and academic communities have indicated that organisations have the ability to maintain a long-term competitive advantage through leveraging knowledge within the organisation. This is through the implementation of a knowledge management programme. During implementation of the programme, employees’ commitment and participation is crucial in ensuring successful execution of the knowledge management programme. Change management has been identified as one of the strategic inputs which enable organisational commitment towards this programme. This study aimed at establishing the change strategies that organisations undertake when implementing knowledge management, as well as determining the relevance of Kotter’s eight steps of change during knowledge management implementation. An exploratory design, using a qualitative research methodology approach, was utilised. Twelve organisations formed part of the sample and a total of 13 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The data that was collected underwent content analysis and was thereafter aligned to the change management models. The findings from this research indicated that Beer and Nohria’s proposed change strategies, specifically Theory E&O (combination) is the most dominant strategy overall when implementing knowledge management. Kotter’s eight steps revealed that all steps are relevant when implementing knowledge management. It was concluded that as more of the steps are included and executed during implementation, the success of the knowledge management initiative increases. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lmgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Esta pesquisa apresenta a gestão de mudança como centro da investigação, com foco no processo de implantação de um modelo de gestão de produção em uma multinacional brasileira do setor mineral. Discute os conceitos de gestão da mudança e seus enfoques, com ênfase nas estratégias para implantar mudanças organizacionais. Com base na literatura pertinente ao tema, discute as estratégias que, se trabalhadas de forma adequada, podem levar ao sucesso das organizações que empreendem mudanças. Complementado por uma pesquisa de campo, o estudo verifica, por meio de aplicação de questionário, como são percebidas as estratégias de mudança pelos integrantes da organização, objeto de estudo, envolvidos diretamente na implantação do modelo de gestão da produção. Como resultados, apresenta um panorama do processo de gestão de mudança, ora em andamento, os pontos onde há oportunidades de melhoria, bem com recomendações para o futuro. Como conclusão, verifica-se que as 5 (cinco) principais estratégias, presentes na literatura, são utilizadas para implantar o modelo de gestão de produção estudado, porém apenas 3 (três) são mais percebidas pelos evolvidos na implantação do modelo. Por isso, foram apresentadas oportunidades de melhorias como rever o modelo de engajamento dos gestores e melhor apresentar os resultados após implantação do Sistema de Produção. / This research presents the management of change as the research center, focusing on the implementation of a production management model in a Brazilian multinational mining sector. Discusses the concepts of change management and its approaches, with emphasis on strategies to implement organizational changes. Based on most relevant concepts available in literature, discusses the strategies that, if worked properly, can lead to the success of organizations that undertake changes. Complemented by field research, the study finds, through a questionnaire, how change strategies area perceived by members of the organization directly involved in the implementation of production management model. As a result, provides an overview of the change management process, now under way, the points where there are opportunities for improvement, as well as recommendations for the future. In conclusion , it appears that the five (5 ) main strategies found in the literature, are used to implement the model of production management studied , but only three (3 ) are more perceived by the members of the organization . Therefore, opportunities for improvement were presented as review the model of engagement of managers and better present the results after implantation of the Production System.

Förvärv och sammanslagningar av företag är en vanlig form av strategisk verksamhetsutveckling. Flertalet forskare menar dock på att bristfällig integration av företagskultur kan bidra till problem när två företag går samman efter ett förvärv. För att de önskade effekterna ska uppnås efter ett förvärv är det därmed viktigt att det finns en utarbetad plan för integrationen. Syftet med denna studie var därmed att identifiera framgångsfaktorer och utmaningar med att kombinera två olika företagskulturer efter en förvärvsprocess. Det är vanligt att företag vid förändringsarbete använder sig av någon form av Change Management, på svenska kallat förändringsstyrning. Genom att kombinera flera väletablerade teorier om förändringsstyrning med teorier om hur förändring av företagskultur bör se ut har en analysmodell arbetats fram som ramar in de viktigaste aspekterna vid förändringsarbetet av företagskulturen. Analysmodellen behandlar även de effekter som kombineringen av två företagskulturer kan medföra och hur utfallet av effekterna är relaterade till förändringsarbetet. För att identifiera framgångsfaktorer och utmaningar med att kombinera två olika företagskulturer användes den egenutformade analysmodellen tillsammans med empiriskt material som samlats in via intervjuer med ett fallföretag. Resultatet visade att de parametrar som analysmodellen framhåller som viktiga för en framgångsrik kulturell integration även varit viktiga för fallföretaget. Dessa är vision, förmedling, engagemang och befästning. Däremot saknas en parameter i modellen som resultatet framhåller som viktig, denna parameter är kollaboration. Vidare visar studiens resultat att beroende på hur förändringsstyrningen förefaller kommer effekterna: motivation, innovation och effektivitet att se olika ut beroende av hur kulturkrocken ter sig.

Introducing technological change to an organization’s normal processes can potentially bring about positive or negative results, depending mostly on the manner in which the change was facilitated and integrated into the organization. However, very little research has been done on information technology (IT) investment among hospitals, its effect on the personnel, as well as how it influences patient care and financial performance. Consequently, little is known about users’ resistance to new technologies and the precedents of technology rejection in healthcare. Therefore, this study seeks to fill the gap of understanding South African hospital staffs’ perceptions towards change, caused by introducing an information system into one of the hospital’s daily processes. Where resistance towards change is identified, the study aims to understand the reasons behind such resistance. Finally, it aims to find appropriate intervention strategies to deal with and minimize resistance. In doing so, the study seeks to contribute to the body of research regarding change resistance to information systems in public South African hospitals. By adopting a descriptive and exploratory interpretivist paradigm, in conjunction with an inductive approach, the study aims to get a better understanding of hospital staffs’ perceptions through shared meaning. The study adopted a case study research strategy, as it affords the researcher the opportunity to participate in the study, and as such contributes to the subjective interpretation of the findings. Data was collected using a mixed method approach, and was used to describe the difference between the current and proposed process. In addition, it was used to explore the reasons for change resistance to information system-supported change, and to explore methods of successfully introducing change to tertiary public hospitals in South Africa. Fourteen participants (7 medical interns and 7 ward clerks) who were directly involved in the process being studied, were interviewed. Two other participants (the head of the pharmacy and the patient flow manager), who were indirectly involved in the process, were interviewed, to verify the observed and mapped process. Interview data was analyzed qualitatively, firstly through coding techniques before using sentiment and thematic analysis. While the mapped process followed Business Process Modelling Notation conventions. In addition to a mapped proposed process, a change resistance conceptual model was developed from a conjunction of the findings and extensive review of literature. The conceptual model asserts that five main factors contribute to change resistance: unclearly defined duties; fear of job security and technology usage; years of service; resource availability and resource mismatch; as well as insufficient training resulting from the lack of a learning culture. These factors can be moderated by: the existing state of affairs referred to as status quo; management involvement; and communication. The conceptual model can be used to better understand the causes of change resistance, as well as how to minimize change resistance and successfully introduce change into a health organization. Change agents should aim to understand the status quo that exists in the organization and find ways of incorporating that into the change process. Furthermore, management should aim to involve and communicate with all affected stakeholders during a change process. This research has provided a better understanding of hospital staffs’ reactions to change, their reasons for resistance, and ways to minimize change resistance while successfully introducing change into a health organization.

This research sets out to provide enhanced knowledge on the impact of transformational leadership on employees' innovation behavior. In particular, drawing on leadership and innovation literature, this research attempts to examine such a relationship by both theorizing and testing the extent to which employees' readiness for change mediates on it. Moreover, this research takes the view that the effectiveness of transformational leadership varies according to the presence of different moderating variables. As such, employees' perceived high commitment work system of their firm as well as these employees' learning capability are examined as moderators on the aforementioned relationship. I collected multi-source and supervisor-employee matched data from two hotels, and the results of data analysis supported the total effect of transformational leadership on innovation behavior, the mediating effect of readiness for change, as well as the moderating effect of employee learning capability. The moderating role of high commitment work system was also found significant but opposite to the initially hypothesized direction. Practically, this research offers implications to managers the importance of leadership on facilitating the change and innovation processes in organizations.

El problema que se describe en la presenta tesis es la alta generación de desperdicios en el proceso de confección de prendas de vestir en las MYPES peruanas. El sector de la confección textil genera el 1.9 % del PBI total y es el responsable de generar puestos de trabajo de más de 400 mil puestos directos y 2,8 millones de manera indirecta. Considerando la importancia que representa este sector para el desarrollo económico del Perú, se requiere fortalecer el desempeño de este sector a través de nuevos modelos o métodos que ayuden a confrontar el problema de la alta generación de desperdicios que presenta las MYPES peruanas. Por ello, se realizó una revisión de literatura para identificar diversos modelos que den solución al problema. Entre las investigaciones realizadas se encontró estudios en donde se implementa el Value Stream Mapping, Lean manufacturing, redutex y Programación lineal. Estos modelos han proporcionado mejoras al problema; sin embargo, no han considerado variables particulares que presentan las MYPES peruanas en la actualidad, tales como la gestión del cambio, deficiencias económicas, tecnológicas y factores negativos que influyen en su implementación. Por todo lo anteriormente expuesto, en la presente tesis se propone un método ágil y sostenible que contribuya a reducir los desperdicios de producción en MYPES textiles dedicadas a la confección de prendas de vestir. Este método consta de 4 etapas: crear conciencia y cultura de NO desperdicios, implementación de las 6S, mantener el cambio y mejora continua. Cada etapa se compone de conocimientos extraídos de la revisión de la literatura, el cual consiste en la aplicación de varias herramientas en conjunto como gestión del cambio, 6S, gestión visual y W-AMEF. La aplicación del método se desarrolló en una MYPE de confección peruana, la cual está compuesto por 8 colaboradores. Esta aplicación tuvo un tiempo de duración de 3 meses y los resultados registrados fueron la reducción del 52.13 % de la generación de mermas y el 54.88 % en la generación de lotes reprocesados; asimismo, la productividad laboral pasó de ser de 4.2 p/H a 4.8 polos por hora. / The problem described in this thesis is the high generation of waste in the process of making garments in Peruvian MYPES. The textile manufacturing sector generates 1.9% of total GDP and is responsible for 400,000 direct jobs and 2.8 million people indirectly. Considering the importance that this sector represents for the economic development of Peru, new models or methods that help to confront the problem of the high generation of waste presented by Peruvian MYPES are required. Therefore, a literature review was conducted to identify various models that provide a solution to the problem. Among them were studies where Value Stream Mapping, Lean manufacturing, REDUTEX, Linear programming is implemented. These models have provided improvements to the problem; however, they have not considered particular variables of the MYPES such as change management, economic, technological deficiencies and negative barriers in their implementation. This thesis proposes an agile and sustainable method that helps reduce production waste in textile MYPES. This method consists of 4 stages: create awareness and culture of NO waste, 6S implementation, maintain change and continuous improvement. Each stage consists of knowledge extracted from the literature review, which consists of the application of several tools together as change management, 6S and W-AMEF. The method was applied in a Peruvian made MYPE. This application had a duration of 3 months and the recorded results were a reduction of 52.13% in the generation of waste and 54.88% in the generation of unnecessary movements; also, labor productivity went from being 4.2 p / H to 4.8 poles per hour. / Trabajo de suficiencia profesional

The topic of this diploma theses is streamlining of HW purchasing process in a software company using methods and principles of project management. Firstly, it describes the theoretical concepts of project management and change management. In the analytical part, the company and the processes are analyzed. Based on this analysis, there are concrete changes and their execution designed.