The study set out to investigate the factors influencing turnover among professional staff in some selected NGOs in Malawi. Using qualitative and participatory methods, the study used the levels of complexity model to analyse the factors leading to the problem of staff turnover in the selected NGOs. The main findings were that: · Professional staff turnover was 50% within a period of 18 months across all the NGOs interviewed. · For the professional staff, the main factors contributing to staff turnover were: ineffective organisational policies, systems and procedures; poor relationships and communication; and poor organisational values and culture. · In addressing the problem, NGO leaders tend to concentrate on efforts to improve salaries and other monetary benefits; and training opportunities. In order to more comprehensively address the problem of staff turnover among the professional staff however, NGO leaders must adopt a process or an Organisation Development (OD) approach. / Public Administration & Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie studie is gepoog om insig in die beroepsmobiliteit van maatskaplike werkers te verkry. Om dit te kon bereik, is eerstens 'n uitgebreide literatuurstudie onderneem en is die aard van beroepsmobiliteit, faktore wat 'n invloed op die beroepsmobiliteit van maatskaplike werkers kan he en die gevolge daarvan op maatskaplikewerkdienslewering, die maatskaplike werker en die maatskaplikewerkorganisasie verken en beskryf. Tweedens is 'n empiriese studie onderneem en is inligting oor die navorsingsonderwerp deur middel van posvraelyste as data-insamelingsinstrument by maatskaplike werkers en maatskaplikewerkorganisasies verkry. Die empiriese studie het aangedui dat maatskaplike werkers meestal aan onrealisties hoe roleise in die werksituasie en hul persoonlike lewens blootgestel is en dat die omgewings waarin hul figureer, soos die werksomgewing en persoonlike omgewings, dikwels as onvriendelik beleef word en dat dit 'n stabiele arbeidsmag verhinder. Faktore wat met die werksomstandighede van maatskaplike werkers verband hou, dra by tot die beroepsmobiliteit van maatskaplike werkers, sowel as faktore wat met persoonlike omstandighede verband hou, terwyl oorplasings en bevorderings ook 'n rol in die werksomset van maatskaplike werkers speel. Interaksie en wedersydse beinvloeding tussen die verskillende faktore vind voortdurend plaas. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die maatskaplike werker, deur beroepsmobiel te wees, poog om 'n passing tussen roldruk en omgewingsdruk te bewerkstellig. Met betrekking tot die gevolge van die werksomset van maatskaplike werkers, is bevind dat maatskaplikewerkdienslewering, die maatskaplike werker en die maatskaplikewerkorganisasie positief en negatief beinvloed word wanneer maatskaplike werkers van werk verwissel of ophou om beroepsarbeid te verrig. Tendense kon deur die ondersoek vasgestel word en dit kan hydra tot die ontwikkeling van 'n teorie oor die beroepsmobiliteit van maatskaplike werkers. Aanbevelings is gemaak ten einde die beroepsmobiliteit van maatskaplike werkers te verminder en/of te voorkom / This study attempts to gain insight into the occupational mobility of social workers. In order to achieve this, an· extensive literature study was undertaken and the nature of occupational mobility, factors that could affect the occupational mobility of social workers and the consequences thereof on the delivery of social work, the social worker and the social work organisation were explored and described. Secondly, an empirical study was undertaken and information on the research topic was obtained from social workers and social work organisations through postal questionnaires as data gathering instruments. The empirical study indicated that social workers are mostly exposed to unrealistically high role demands in the work situation and in their personal lives and that the environments in which they figure, such as the work and personal environments, are often experienced as unfriendly and that these hinder a stable labour force. Factors related to the working conditions as well as to the personal situations of social workers contribute to the occupational mobility of social workers while transfers and promotions also play a part in the work turnover of social workers. Interaction and mutual influencing between the various factors take place constantly. It is concluded that occupational mobility is the result of the social workers' efforts to bring about a harmony between role and environmental pressures. With regard to the work turnover of social workers, it was found that the delivery of social work service, the social worker and the social work organisation are affected positively and negatively when social workers change jobs or cease to perform professional work. The study was able to pinpoint trends and this can contribute to the development of a theory on the occupational mobility of social workers. Recommendations were made to reduce and/or prevent the occupational mobility of social workers / Social Work / D. Phil. (Maatskaplike Werk)

The aim of this research was to understand the main factors that explain turnover and retention at DOA Ukhahlamba District and to recommend to the District and Provincial management the appropriate strategy for retaining staff. To be able to achieve this aim, the following research objectives have been visited, namely: a) turnover trends, b) analysis of primary and external turnover factors and c) primarily retention factors. Data for analysing turnover trends was collected from the 2004 to 2007 DPSA and DOA annual reports. Primary data on labour turnover and retention factors was collected from 41 employees across different sections at DOA Ukhahlamba District by means of a questionnaire survey. The data was analysed using statistical methods, including frequency distribution, chi-square test and Pearson product-moment correlation. The findings have revealed that there is no clear pattern of turnover trends at DOA and DPSA, and DOA percentage turnover figures are low in comparison with those of the DPSA. In terms of organizational-specific factors, the top three primary turnover factors were identified, namely: a) communication within the organisation, b) leadership and the organisation and participation in decision making. The research results further revealed that communication within the organization had a significant impact with regard to race, but division, location, and grades did not. With regard to the external factors, research results identified the following most important external labour turnover factors arranged according to their importance, namely: lack of availability and quality of health care services and infrastructural development; lack of available sport and recreation facilities; crime in the area and people living in the neighbourhood; lack of educational opportunities available for the family, and geographic location of place of employment. The findings further revealed the top three retention factors, were strongly significantly correlated to each other, namely: resource availability, use of discretion in handling customer complaints, and the impact of the job on society. These are positively related to intention to stay. The implications these results to the management would require the review of the organisational Human Resource Management Policy and the introduction of Attraction and Retention Policy because at present its is non existence at DOA Eastern Cape. Research limitations: the study did not fully explore ethnicity when analysing the communication within the organisation as a labour turnover factor despite having an organisation that is diverse in nature, future academic research should focus more on labour turnover at management level and moderating variables to external labour turnover factors as there is little research done in this area. The factors identified for labour turnover and retention should be treated with caution as it may not be applicable to all sector Departments in the Eastern Cape and may be limited to Ukhahlamba District due to its geographic location. This study will contribute to the body of knowledge as it will serve as a guide to Eastern Cape DOA and other sector Departments in choosing factors to consider when designing their retention strategy in order to reduce labour turnover. To the academic researchers, the first three primary retention factors identified in the survey have not been seen before, grouped and rated amongst the top three retention factors which therefore means that the management support becomes more important than looking more on salary package as the first priority factor as revealed by most of the research literature consulted (Gustafson, 2002; Mobley, 1982; Mobley, 1979; Herzberg, 2003). This shows that labour turnover and retention factors will not be the same to all organisations, the location of the business and surrounding environment should be considered carefully when designing the appropriate policy and retention strategy of the organisation.

Text in English / Staff turnover affects employees, employers and their clients. When counsellors leave a particular employment context, relationships have to be modified or terminated, and in some instances, clients have to start counselling afresh. This study focused on testing whether self-esteem and burnout can be predictors of voluntary turnover. Relating the three variables of self-esteem, employee burnout, and employee turnover intentions among counsellors reveals a dearth in literature and research. This study utilised qualitative and quantitative data. A sample of 200 counsellors received questionnaires to collect quantitative data and 162 questionnaires were analysed. The Intentions-To-Stay Questionnaire by Roodt (2004) measured turnover intention, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson, 1981) measured Burnout and the Rosenberg Self-esteem scale (Rosenberg, 1965) measured self-esteem. Qualitative data collection utilised the focus group interview. 23 participants for one group interview were selected using Convenience sampling. Significant relationship was found between self-esteem and age, gender, marital status, duration of work, academic qualification and job status. Results indicated that the emotional exhaustion subscale has statistically significant relationships with age, academic qualification, marital status and employment status. The depersonalization subscale indicated a statistically significant relationship with age, gender, marital status and employment status. The personal accomplishment subscale indicated statistically significant relationship with gender, academic qualification, marital status, duration of employment and employment status. A statistically significant relationship was found between turnover intention and age, marital status, highest academic qualification of participant and employment status. Further, a statistically significant relationship was found between turnover intention and burnout but not between turnover intention and self-esteem. This analysis confirmed burnout as a predictor variable and self-esteem as not. Study findings revealed three categories of reasons influencing turnover among counsellors; namely diversification reasons, growth and development reasons, and remunerative reasons. Counsellor narratives of burnout revealed three major themes namely: exhaustion, work settings, characteristics, and sources of stress. Workplace and institutional interventions were categorized into two namely developmental and normative. An integrated model of clinical supervision for responding to burnout and turnover intention was presented as part of the discussion. / Psychology / D.Phil. (Psychology)

The shortage of nurses in any health care setting increases workloads and complicates workflow. In South Africa the shortage is exacerbated by multiple factors, one of which is the emigration of nurses to countries that offer better benefits and working conditions. The purpose of the study was to explore and determine the views of nurse managers regarding staff turnover and retention, and to recommend effective measures to improve the retention of nurses. The inquiry was conducted in a KwaZulu-Natal hospital, a natural setting for the participants. The study utilized a qualitative, explorative, descriptive design. The population of this study comprised of 36 nurse managers. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were applied to select a sample of 18 nurse managers. Data were collected through focus groups. Data were transcribed and analysed thematically, emerging patterns were noted. The researchers examined these categories closely and compared them for similarities and differences. identifying the most frequent or significant codes in order to develop the prominent categories. These were summarised in a narrative form. Four themes emerged from the findings: the staff turnover challenge; current retention strategies; measures to improve retention and strengthening management. The shortage of nursing staff was critical at this selected hospital, and this situation could be considered to be a microcosm of what is happening in public health care sectors in South Africa. Various measures were put in place to curb the high turnover. However, these measures had a fair to low level of success. Therefore, improved retention strategies are required to reduce the staff turnover. It is evident from the findings that needs to be done to investigate, plan and implement effective measures that are likely to retain nursing staff and recruit more nurses into the profession. / Health Studies / M. A. (Nursing Science)

The study set out to investigate the factors influencing turnover among professional staff in some selected NGOs in Malawi. Using qualitative and participatory methods, the study used the levels of complexity model to analyse the factors leading to the problem of staff turnover in the selected NGOs. The main findings were that: · Professional staff turnover was 50% within a period of 18 months across all the NGOs interviewed. · For the professional staff, the main factors contributing to staff turnover were: ineffective organisational policies, systems and procedures; poor relationships and communication; and poor organisational values and culture. · In addressing the problem, NGO leaders tend to concentrate on efforts to improve salaries and other monetary benefits; and training opportunities. In order to more comprehensively address the problem of staff turnover among the professional staff however, NGO leaders must adopt a process or an Organisation Development (OD) approach. / Public Administration and Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie studie is gepoog om insig in die beroepsmobiliteit van maatskaplike werkers te verkry. Om dit te kon bereik, is eerstens 'n uitgebreide literatuurstudie onderneem en is die aard van beroepsmobiliteit, faktore wat 'n invloed op die beroepsmobiliteit van maatskaplike werkers kan he en die gevolge daarvan op maatskaplikewerkdienslewering, die maatskaplike werker en die maatskaplikewerkorganisasie verken en beskryf. Tweedens is 'n empiriese studie onderneem en is inligting oor die navorsingsonderwerp deur middel van posvraelyste as data-insamelingsinstrument by maatskaplike werkers en maatskaplikewerkorganisasies verkry. Die empiriese studie het aangedui dat maatskaplike werkers meestal aan onrealisties hoe roleise in die werksituasie en hul persoonlike lewens blootgestel is en dat die omgewings waarin hul figureer, soos die werksomgewing en persoonlike omgewings, dikwels as onvriendelik beleef word en dat dit 'n stabiele arbeidsmag verhinder. Faktore wat met die werksomstandighede van maatskaplike werkers verband hou, dra by tot die beroepsmobiliteit van maatskaplike werkers, sowel as faktore wat met persoonlike omstandighede verband hou, terwyl oorplasings en bevorderings ook 'n rol in die werksomset van maatskaplike werkers speel. Interaksie en wedersydse beinvloeding tussen die verskillende faktore vind voortdurend plaas. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die maatskaplike werker, deur beroepsmobiel te wees, poog om 'n passing tussen roldruk en omgewingsdruk te bewerkstellig. Met betrekking tot die gevolge van die werksomset van maatskaplike werkers, is bevind dat maatskaplikewerkdienslewering, die maatskaplike werker en die maatskaplikewerkorganisasie positief en negatief beinvloed word wanneer maatskaplike werkers van werk verwissel of ophou om beroepsarbeid te verrig. Tendense kon deur die ondersoek vasgestel word en dit kan hydra tot die ontwikkeling van 'n teorie oor die beroepsmobiliteit van maatskaplike werkers. Aanbevelings is gemaak ten einde die beroepsmobiliteit van maatskaplike werkers te verminder en/of te voorkom / This study attempts to gain insight into the occupational mobility of social workers. In order to achieve this, an· extensive literature study was undertaken and the nature of occupational mobility, factors that could affect the occupational mobility of social workers and the consequences thereof on the delivery of social work, the social worker and the social work organisation were explored and described. Secondly, an empirical study was undertaken and information on the research topic was obtained from social workers and social work organisations through postal questionnaires as data gathering instruments. The empirical study indicated that social workers are mostly exposed to unrealistically high role demands in the work situation and in their personal lives and that the environments in which they figure, such as the work and personal environments, are often experienced as unfriendly and that these hinder a stable labour force. Factors related to the working conditions as well as to the personal situations of social workers contribute to the occupational mobility of social workers while transfers and promotions also play a part in the work turnover of social workers. Interaction and mutual influencing between the various factors take place constantly. It is concluded that occupational mobility is the result of the social workers' efforts to bring about a harmony between role and environmental pressures. With regard to the work turnover of social workers, it was found that the delivery of social work service, the social worker and the social work organisation are affected positively and negatively when social workers change jobs or cease to perform professional work. The study was able to pinpoint trends and this can contribute to the development of a theory on the occupational mobility of social workers. Recommendations were made to reduce and/or prevent the occupational mobility of social workers / Social Work / D. Phil. (Maatskaplike Werk)

This thesis consists of three papers about labor market institutions and labor turnover. The first paper deals with the effects of enforcement of labor laws on turnover among formal workers. Examining data from RAIS, the paper discusses a previously undocumented discontinuous reduction in the layoffs at one year tenure. The analysis suggest that this results from the requirement of homologation for termination of those contracts, which works as a firing cost. Firms subject to low inspection frequency respond to stricter enforcement by increasing turnover during the first year, thus avoiding the payment of evaded benefits. The second paper analyses two distortions potentially present in Brazilian labor market institutions: collusion between workers and firms to withdraw funds from unemployment insurance and FGTS, and the incentive for termination of employment contracts before one year, to avoid the homologation. The effect of these distortions on firms' turnover strategy is quantified by a model. The results indicate that both distortions have effects on the distribution of layoffs over the employment duration, but little effect on the overall turnover, productivity and efficiency. The conclusion is that the distortions are relatively unimportant when compared to the selection of suitable employees for the job positions as a driver for turnover rates. In the third and last paper, we assess the impact of these distortions on the turnover and productivity through their influence on incentives for investment in labor relationships. A new model is proposed, in which labor productivity depends on investment in human capital by the worker. The model shows that distortions leading to high turnover decrease the investment in labor relationships. The lower investment, in turn, reduces relationships' values, inducing more turnover. Thus, the existence of rents associated with turnover can reduce investment in human capital and labor productivity. / Esta tese é composta por três artigos sobre instituições do mercado de trabalho e rotatividade da mão-de-obra. O primeiro artigo aborda os efeitos o monitoramento das leis trabalhistas sobre a rotatividade dos trabalhadores formais. A partir dos dados da RAIS, o artigo documenta de forma inédita, uma redução descontínua das demissões quando os contratos completam um ano. A análise sugere que isto se deve a exigência de homologação para a rescisão desses contratos, que funciona como um custo de demissão. Firmas pouco sujeitas a inspeções pelo MTE respondem a aumentos da fiscalização com mais rotatividade durante o primeiro ano, evitando o pagamento de d´dívidas trabalhistas. O segundo artigo analisa duas possíveis distorções presentes nas instituições do mercado de trabalho no Brasil: o conluio entre trabalhador e firma para a apropriação do seguro desemprego e do FGTS; e o t´término dos contratos de trabalho antes de completarem um ano, visando evitar a homologação. O efeito dessas distorções sobre as decisões de demissão e quantificado através de um modelo. Os resultados indicam que as distorções têm efeitos sobre a distribuição das demissões ao longo da duração do emprego, mas com pequeno impacto sobre rotatividade total, produtividade e eficiência. Conclui-se que a principal motivação para a rotatividade e a seleção de trabalhadores adequados. No terceiro artigo, procura-se identificar os efeitos das mesmas distorções sobre os incentivos ao investimento nas relações de trabalho. Elabora-se um novo modelo em que a produtividade depende de investimento em capital humano pelo trabalhador. O modelo evidencia que distorções que induzem a rotatividade diminuem o investimento nos vínculos de emprego. O menor investimento, por sua vez, reduz o valor da relação, induzindo mais rotatividade. Assim, a existência de rendas associadas à rotatividade pode resultar em baixos investimentos em capital humano e produtividade. / Tese (doutorado) - Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro. Departamento de Economia, Rio de Janeiro, 2015. / Bibliografia: p. [86]-89.

This study investigates the impact of motivations, personal values and managerial skills of managers on the performance of Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa. The failure rate of SMEs in South Africa is very high and it is of great importance to investigate the factors that can impact on the performance of SMEs. Financial and non-financial methods were used to measure SMEs performance. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires. Exploratory factor analysis was used to improve the research problems and enhance the validity of the research. Data analysis for this study includes descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and regression analysis. Reliability was tested using the Cronbach‟s Alpha while validity was ensured by using a statistician and by pre-testing the research instrument in a pilot study.

Skills development is one of the major challenges faced by South Africans, with more than 60 percent of the labour force being unskilled. This affects many industries around the country as are they forced to employ unskilled employees a development which has a negative bearing on the quality of products having a negative bearing on the quality of products. The Plastic Manufacturing Industry in the Eastern Cape Province is a prime example of firms that are affected by the short supply of skilled personnel on the labour market. Required skills range from business skills that are essential for the operating of a business, to technical skills that are essential for the employees who are involved in the production of goods and services. Training in skills has been proven to be a key to success. The primary objective of this study was to undertake an analysis concerning the significance of business skills and training needs for business success. Secondary objectives were to determine whether training in business skills as well as technical skills for the employees, could bring on success to the business. The study further went on to investigate the importance of training programmes for businesses. Research methodology included literature review and an empirical study, making use of the survey method through self-administered questionnaires. The statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, frequencies, Chi-square tests and linear regression and ANOVA. The Cronbach’s alpha was used to measure reliability of the research results. The research findings established that training in business skills and related types of skills was essential for the success of a business. The findings further showed that, due to training, there was improvement in sales, annual turnover, and product quality and employee skills. Recommendations included advice to invest in human capital through training which then should improve the quality of products. Further studies in other regions other than the Eastern Cape Province were recommended.