• Refine Query
  • Source
  • Publication year
  • to
  • Language
  • 55
  • 2
  • 2
  • 1
  • 1
  • Tagged with
  • 121
  • 121
  • 46
  • 26
  • 21
  • 21
  • 21
  • 20
  • 19
  • 18
  • 18
  • 17
  • 15
  • 15
  • 15
  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
101

Occupational self-efficacy as a mediator between strength- and deficiency-based approaches and work engagement in a sample of South African employees / Lani van der Merwe.

Van der Merwe, Lani January 2012 (has links)
To stay competitive organisations need to harness and develop their human potential. Traditionally, a deficiency-based approach (DBA) was followed i.e. the focus was set on the development of employees’ deficiencies and weaknesses. However, focusing on an employee’s weaknesses and deficiencies was not sufficient. Consequently, a positive approach was developed that focuses on an individual’s strengths and talents. Unfortunately, exclusively focusing on only strengths or on weaknesses is not sufficient for optimum human functioning. Therefore, it is suggested that South African organisations make use of a balanced approach (i.e. a balanced focus on both the development and use of strengths and weaknesses). This will assist employees to be more positive and engaged in terms of their work. However, there seems to be a lack of research regarding the use of a balanced approach in organisations. The general objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between job resources, a strength-based approach (SBA), a DBA, occupational self-efficacy (OSE), and work engagement. This study was further aimed at determining whether OSE mediated the relationship between these variables among South African employees. An availability sample (N = 699) was taken from various South African organisations. This study made use of a quantitative, cross-sectional design to collect data; a biographical questionnaire; a job resources questionnaire (VBBA); an organisational SBA and DBA questionnaire; a OSE questionnaire and a work engagement questionnaire (UWES). Structural equation modelling was chosen as the method to test the hypothesised model. Mediating effects were tested by using the bootstrapping method. The research results have indicated that there is a positive correlation between autonomy, SBA, DBA, OSE and work engagement. This research found that no correlations existed between relationship with supervisor, information sharing and participation in decision-making and work engagement. There seems to be a significant relationship between autonomy, relationship with colleagues and OSE. From the results OSE can only be seen as the mediator between autonomy and work engagement. From this one can assume that using SBA and DBA in a balanced approach can lead to higher work engagement. Recommendations were made for the organisation and future research. / Thesis (MCom (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.
102

The Space-Organisation Relationship

Sailer, Kerstin 25 June 2010 (has links) (PDF)
Spatial structures shape human behaviour, or in the words of Bill Hillier – human behaviour does not simply happen in space, it takes on specific spatial forms. How staff interacts in a cellular office differs significantly from the patterns emerging in an open-plan environment. Therefore the dissertation ‘The Space-Organisation Relationship’ analyses how exactly spatial configuration shapes collective behaviours in knowledge-intensive workplace environments. From an extensive literature review it becomes clear that only few insights exist on the relationship between spatial structures and organisational behaviour, despite several decades of intensive research. It is argued that the discourse suffers from disciplinary boundaries; a lack of rigorous research designs; as well as incoherent and outdates studies. Founded on this diagnosis, the dissertation puts up two contrary hypotheses to explain the current state of knowledge: on the one hand it could be argued that hardly any coherent results were found due to the incoherent use of methods and metrics. If this was true it would mean that different organisations would react comparably to similar spatial configurations, if the same methods were used. On the other hand it could be hypothesised that it was inherently impossible to achieve coherent results even with the use of consistent methods, since each space-organisation relationship was unique. To investigate these ideas further, the dissertation employs a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, embedded within an explorative research design. Both a comparative analysis of different cases and an in-depth study to understand specific organisational behaviours were aimed at by conducting three intensive case studies of knowledge-intensive workplaces: 1) A University, 2) A Research Institute, 3) A Media Company, all of them accommodated in varying spatial structures. Based on a multi-layered analysis of empirical evidence, the dissertation concludes that the relationship between spatial configuration and organisational behaviours can be described by two principles. Firstly, evidence of generic function was found for example between spatial configuration, the placement of attractors, and collective movement flows. These influences are based on general anthropological behaviours and act independently of specific organisational cultures; yet they are rarely found. Secondly, the majority of evidence, especially on more complex organisational constructs such as knowledge flow, organisational cultures and identity suggests that the space-organisation relationship is shaped by the interplay of spatial as well as transpatial solidarities. This means that relationships between people may be formed by either spatial or social proximity. Transpatial relations can overcome distances and are grounded in social solidarities; as such they are not motivated by spatial structures, even though they often mirror spatial order. In essence organisations may react uniquely to comparable spatial configurations. Those two principles – generic function as well as spatial and transpatial solidarities – come in many different forms and jointly shape the character of the space-organisation relationship. This means both hypotheses are true to a degree and apply to different aspects of the space-organisation relationship. / Raumstrukturen beeinflussen menschliches Handeln, oder in den Worten von Bill Hillier – menschliches Verhalten findet nicht nur zufällig im Raum statt, sondern nimmt eine spezifisch räumliche Form an. Das Interaktionsverhalten von Mitarbeitern in einem Zellenbüro beispielsweise unterscheidet sich grundlegend von den Mustern, die sich in einem Großraumbüro entwickeln. Die vorliegende Dissertation „The Space-Organisation Relationship“ beschäftigt sich daher mit der Frage, wie sich die Verbindung zwischen Raumkonfiguration und kollektivem Verhalten einer Organisation in wissensintensiven Arbeitsprozessen gestaltet. Aus der Literatur wird ersichtlich, dass trotz einiger Jahrzehnte intensiver Forschung nur wenige gesicherte Erkenntnisse existieren zur Frage, wie sich Raumstrukturen auf organisationales Verhalten auswirken. Der Diskurs zeigt deutliche Schwächen durch disziplinäre Grenzen, einen Mangel an wissenschaftlich fundierten Studien, sowie inkohärente und teils veraltete Ergebnisse. Um den aktuellen Kenntnisstand zum Verhältnis von Raum und Organisation zu erklären, stellt die Arbeit zwei entgegengesetzte Hypothesen auf: zum einen wird angenommen, dass der Mangel an vergleichenden Studien sowie methodische Schwächen verantwortlich sind für die uneindeutige Beweislage. Sollte dies der Fall sein, müssten in vergleichenden Studien mit gleichem Methodenansatz übereinstimmende Ergebnisse zu finden sein. Dies würde nahe legen, dass jede Organisation als Kollektiv gleich oder zumindest ähnlich auf vergleichbare Raumstrukturen reagiere. Zum anderen wird die entgegengesetzte Hypothese aufgestellt, dass der Charakter und die inhärente Komplexität des Wissensgebietes exakte Aussagen per se unmöglich mache. Dies könnte verifiziert werden, wenn unterschiedliche Organisationen unterschiedlich auf vergleichbare Raumstrukturen reagieren würden, obwohl dieselben wissenschaftlich fundierten Methoden angewendet wurden. Um dies zu überprüfen benutzt die vorliegende Dissertation eine Kombination aus quantitativen und qualitativen Methoden, eingebettet in einen explorativen Forschungsaufbau, um sowohl vergleichende Analysen zwischen Organisationen durchführen, als auch tiefergehende Interpretationen zu spezifischem organisationalem Verhalten anstellen zu können. Die Arbeit stützt sich auf drei intensive Fallstudien unterschiedlicher wissensintensiver Tätigkeiten – einer Universität, einem Forschungsinstitut, und einem Medienunternehmen, die in jeweils unterschiedlichen räumlichen Strukturen agieren (Zellenbüros, Gruppenbüros, Kombibüros, Großraumbüros). Aufbauend auf der vielschichtigen Analyse empirischer Ergebnisse kommt die Dissertation zur Erkenntnis, dass sich das Verhältnis zwischen Raumkonfiguration und organisationalem Verhalten durch zwei Prinzipien beschreiben lässt. Einerseits sind so genannte generische Einflüsse festzustellen, zum Beispiel zwischen Raumkonfiguration, der Platzierung von Ressourcen und Bewegungsmustern. Diese generischen Einflüsse gehen auf grundlegende menschliche Verhaltensmuster zurück und agieren im Wesentlichen unabhängig von spezifischen Organisationskulturen. Allerdings sind sie selten, und nur wenige Faktoren können als generisch angenommen werden. Andererseits ist die überwiegende Mehrheit der Raum-Organisations-Beziehungen bestimmt vom Wechsel zwischen räumlicher und so genannter trans-räumlicher Solidarität, das heißt Beziehungen zwischen Individuen können sich entweder auf räumliche oder soziale Nähe stützen. Trans-räumliche Beziehungen, die sich aufgrund von sozialer Nähe entfalten können beispielsweise Entfernungen überwinden, und sind daher in erster Linie nicht räumlich motiviert, auch wenn sie sich oft in räumlichen Ordnungen widerspiegeln. Diese beiden Prinzipien – generische Einflüsse sowie räumliche und trans-räumliche Funktionsweisen – treten in vielschichtigen Formen auf und bestimmen den Charakter des Verhältnisses zwischen Raum und Organisation. Damit treffen beide der aufgestellten Hypothesen auf unterschiedliche Aspekte und Teilbereiche des Raum-Organisations-Zusammenhangs zu.
103

Culture and leadership in Kenya

Anaya, Ella Ruth 08 1900 (has links)
This dissertation investigates managerial leadership and its cultural foundations in Kenya. It discusses the theoretical underpinnings of culturally contingent leadership theories, and examines Sub-Saharan African leadership through existing literature, cultural metaphors, and qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The study replicates the Global Leadership and Organisational Behaviour Effectiveness (GLOBE) methodologies with 267 respondents – managers in the finance and food processing sectors, and the civic sector (education and health). The literature review focuses on leadership issues impeding socio-economic development, complexities such as ethnic heterogeneity, colonial history, customary practices, instability in governance, conflict, corruption, and poverty. The cultural domain is also examined in terms of ethno-linguistic groups and major historical and geo-political influences on these groups. Additional aspects of culture that pose persistent problems to Kenyan leadership are explored: paternalism and patronage, and the legacy of entitlement and bureaucracy –– negative influences on workrelated relations, and managerial and political leadership. Findings on organisational culture and societal culture indicate that Kenyan values and practices are not congruent, thereby creating a unique profile of Kenyan leader attributes and leadership styles. The study identifies Bwana Kubwa (Big Boss) managerial leadership as a norm, political leadership as “a dirty game,” and an “inspirational idealist” as the preferred leader. Lastly, survey results for Kenya are compared against GLOBE dimensions of culture and leadership for Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as against West Africa. / Communication Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Communication Science)
104

The influence of lean thinking on discrete manufacturing organisational structure and behavior

De Vries, Herbert 02 1900 (has links)
In following a lean transformation specifically for discrete manufacturing, how and why will the organisational structure be affected? How will the employees deal with this profound change? Lean theory and literature propose that organisations should be restructured according to the value stream of the organisation; what does this imply and how can it be accomplished? The purpose of this study was to determine, from a new perspective, guidelines and theory that could indicate how and why organisational structures and behaviours might change with lean transformation. Two discrete manufacturing organisations in South Africa were purposively sampled for this purpose. A conceptual framework was used at the outset that indicated constructs for the independent lean variables and the dependent organisational structure and behaviour variables. Using a mixed methodology case study and quantitative multiple linear regression approach, hypotheses and propositions for the research were developed. Multiple linear regression was used to test the hypotheses, and case study methodology was applied to analyse and test the qualitative data. Findings confirmed the hypotheses and propositions that a flat structure consisting of business units that support manufacturing cells achieves effective lean transformations in discrete manufacturing organisations. The research revealed the components of an effective lean structure as open constructive leadership, an effective lean champions unit and business units that support linked manufacturing cells. These are led by cell leaders who cultivate supportive behaviours through cross-functional teamwork and through self-directed work teams who run manufacturing cells or flow support functions. / Business Management / D.B.L.
105

A diagnostic model for employee satisfaction during organisational transformation

Ledimo, Ophillia Maphari 06 1900 (has links)
Organisations are always confronted with the need to transform in order to adapt to environmental changes and have a competitive advantage. The concern is that when an organisation embarks on a transformation process, its individual employees are affected either positively or negatively. Employees can respond to transformation change by either being satisfied or dissatisfied in the organisation. The main aim of this research was to develop a diagnostic model for measuring employee satisfaction during organisational transformation. The first construct of organisational transformation was conceptualised using the open system paradigm, theoretical definitions and models of organisational change. In this study, organisational transformation is second order and drastic in the sense that it alters the way in which the organisation functions and relates to the external environment focusing on the vision, processes, systems, structure and culture. It is the fundamental and constant change at all levels of the organisation caused by external factors posing as risks for organisational survival. vi The second construct of employee satisfaction was conceptualised focusing on the humanistic paradigm, theoretical definitions and models. Employee satisfaction in this study is the individual’s positive emotional state of contentment stemming from the organisation’s ability to meet his or her needs and expectations based on his or her experience and evaluation of various organisational processes and practices. It influences employees’ performance and commitment to the organisation. A theoretical model was developed as a framework to enable organisations to diagnose or assess their employees’ satisfaction during organisational transformation. The model highlighted dimensions essential to diagnose employee satisfaction such as organisational strategy, policies and processes and outcomes, in order to determine employees’ contentment and fulfilment in the organisation. The main aim of the empirical research was to conduct a three year longitudinal study of employee satisfaction during organisational transformation; to operationalise the conceptually developed diagnostic model of employee satisfaction during transformation; and develop a structural equation model (SEM) in order to test the theoretical model. The Employee Satisfaction Survey (ESS) was used in 2003, 2007 and 2008 to measure employee satisfaction. The initial year of the study (2003) comprised 1 140 participants who voluntarily completed the measuring instrument. The second year of the study (2007) involved 920 participants, while the final year of the study (2008) included 759 participants. In terms of the reliability and validity of the ESS, it was determined that in the three years of the study, most of the dimensions had acceptable internal consistency reliability based on the results of the Cronbach alpha test. The SEM investigated the impact of organisational strategy, policies and procedures and outcomes as the three domains of employee satisfaction during organisational transformation. The confirmatory factor analysis of the latent variables was conducted, and the path coefficients of the latent variables of organisational strategy, policies and processes and outcomes indicated a satisfactory fit for all these variables. The goodness-of-fit measure of the model indicated both absolute and incremental goodness-of-fit. The SEM confirmed the causal relationships between the latent and manifest variables, indicating that the latent variables, organisational vii strategy, policies and procedures and outcomes are the main indicators of employee satisfaction. This research adds to the field of organisational behaviour by proposing a model of employee satisfaction during organisational transformation. The domains of this model should enable organisations to identify developmental areas based on employees’ dissatisfaction or areas of strengths based on employees’ satisfaction. The diagnostic model will also enable organisations and practitioners to initiative interventions aimed at addressing areas of dissatisfaction as developmental areas and to leverage on its strengths as areas of satisfaction in the organisation. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology
106

The Space-Organisation Relationship: On the Shape of the Relationship between Spatial Configuration and Collective Organisational Behaviours

Sailer, Kerstin 04 June 2010 (has links)
Spatial structures shape human behaviour, or in the words of Bill Hillier – human behaviour does not simply happen in space, it takes on specific spatial forms. How staff interacts in a cellular office differs significantly from the patterns emerging in an open-plan environment. Therefore the dissertation ‘The Space-Organisation Relationship’ analyses how exactly spatial configuration shapes collective behaviours in knowledge-intensive workplace environments. From an extensive literature review it becomes clear that only few insights exist on the relationship between spatial structures and organisational behaviour, despite several decades of intensive research. It is argued that the discourse suffers from disciplinary boundaries; a lack of rigorous research designs; as well as incoherent and outdates studies. Founded on this diagnosis, the dissertation puts up two contrary hypotheses to explain the current state of knowledge: on the one hand it could be argued that hardly any coherent results were found due to the incoherent use of methods and metrics. If this was true it would mean that different organisations would react comparably to similar spatial configurations, if the same methods were used. On the other hand it could be hypothesised that it was inherently impossible to achieve coherent results even with the use of consistent methods, since each space-organisation relationship was unique. To investigate these ideas further, the dissertation employs a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, embedded within an explorative research design. Both a comparative analysis of different cases and an in-depth study to understand specific organisational behaviours were aimed at by conducting three intensive case studies of knowledge-intensive workplaces: 1) A University, 2) A Research Institute, 3) A Media Company, all of them accommodated in varying spatial structures. Based on a multi-layered analysis of empirical evidence, the dissertation concludes that the relationship between spatial configuration and organisational behaviours can be described by two principles. Firstly, evidence of generic function was found for example between spatial configuration, the placement of attractors, and collective movement flows. These influences are based on general anthropological behaviours and act independently of specific organisational cultures; yet they are rarely found. Secondly, the majority of evidence, especially on more complex organisational constructs such as knowledge flow, organisational cultures and identity suggests that the space-organisation relationship is shaped by the interplay of spatial as well as transpatial solidarities. This means that relationships between people may be formed by either spatial or social proximity. Transpatial relations can overcome distances and are grounded in social solidarities; as such they are not motivated by spatial structures, even though they often mirror spatial order. In essence organisations may react uniquely to comparable spatial configurations. Those two principles – generic function as well as spatial and transpatial solidarities – come in many different forms and jointly shape the character of the space-organisation relationship. This means both hypotheses are true to a degree and apply to different aspects of the space-organisation relationship.:Acknowledgements Table of Contents 1. Introduction – Space and Organisation 2. Literature Review – Space as Intangible Asset of an Organisation 2.1. Organisation Theory – Key Themes and Strands 2.2. Organisation and Space – The Forerunners 2.3. Organisation and Space – The Early Works (1960’s-1980’s) 2.3.1. Contributions Summarising the Discourse 2.3.2. Contributions Providing More Empirical Evidence 2.3.3. The Other Side of the Coin: Neglecting the Role of Physical Space 2.4. Organisation and Space – The Lean Years (1980s-1990s) 2.4.1. Continuous Neglect of Space as an Influence 2.4.2. Filling the Gaps in the Common Knowledge on Space and Organisations 2.4.3. Space Syntax as a New Emerging Theory 2.5. Organisation and Space – Recent Rediscoveries (1995 onwards) 2.5.1. Organisational Behaviour 2.5.2. Organisational Constitutions 2.6. Organisation and Space – Conclusions on a Fragmentary Evidence Base 2.6.1. Disciplinary Boundaries and Disciplinary Cultures 2.6.2. Speculative Presumptions 2.6.3. Vague Operationalisation 2.6.4. Contradictory Evidence 2.6.5. Outdated Studies Lacking Further Articulation 2.6.6. Conclusions 3. Methodology 3.1. Research Design – Inductive and Deductive Approaches 3.2. Case Study Research 3.3. Qualitative Methods 3.3.1. Structured Short Interviews 3.3.2. Semi-Structured In-Depth Interviews 3.3.3. Ethnographic Space Observations 3.3.4. Analysis of Written Documents 3.4. Quantitative Methods 3.4.1. Standardised Online Questionnaires 3.4.2. Space Syntax Analysis 3.4.3. Structured Space Observations 4. Introduction to the Case Studies 4.1. University School – High Quality Teaching and World-Leading Research 4.2. Research Institute – An International Location for Theoretical Physics 4.3. Media Corporation – Business To Business Magazines and Services 4.4. Overview of the Cases 5. Spatial Configuration – The Integration of Buildings, Spaces and Functions 5.1. Spatial Configuration 5.1.1. University School – Pre 5.1.2. University School – Post 5.1.2. Research Institute 5.1.3. Media Corporation: Publisher C – Pre 5.1.4. Media Corporation: Publisher R – Pre 5.1.5. Media Corporation: Information Business W – Pre 5.1.6. Media Corporation: Events Organiser K – Pre 5.1.7. Media Corporation – Post 5.1.8. Spatial Configuration – A Comparative Overview of All Buildings 5.1.9. The Case of Satellite Offices and their Configurational Implications for the Organisations 5.2. Spatial Strategies – Distribution of Resources 5.2.1. Spatial Integration of Facilities and Functions 5.2.2. Distance and Proximity 5.3. Conclusions on the Building Potentials of Configurations-in-Use 6. Organisational Behaviour in Space – Movement Flows and Co-Presence 6.1. Collective Patterns of Movement 6.2. Density of Movement 6.3. Presence and Co-Presence: Intensity of Activities 6.3.1. Publisher C – From Four Separated Floors into One Compact Space 6.3.2. Publisher R – Increasing Interaction Dynamics 6.3.3. Information Business W – Changed Environments in the Same Building 6.3.4. Events Organiser K – The Loss of an Intimate Workplace 6.3.5. Conclusions on Co-Presence and Interactivity 6.4. Conclusions on Spatialised Organisational Behaviours 7. The Space-Organisation Relationship 7.1. How Spatial Configuration-in-Use Shapes Collective Patterns of Movement 7.1.1. Strong and Weakly Programmed Movement – Spatial Configuration as an Influence on the Distribution of Movement in Complex Buildings 7.1.2. Movement and Encounter – Attractors in Space 7.2. How Movement Density Drives Interactivity 7.3. How Proximity Governs Interaction Patterns and Network Densities 7.3.1. Distances between Individuals and Resulting Patterns of Contact 7.3.2. Distances between Individuals – Adjacencies and Neighbourhoods in the Office 7.3.3. Distances within Teams – Evolving Networks of Interaction 7.3.4. Conclusions on Proximity and Interaction 8. Discussion and Conclusions 8.1. Space as Generic Function 8.1.1. Movement as Generic Function in Office Spaces 8.1.2. Generic Function – Contradicting Human Agency? 8.2. Spatiality and Transpatiality 8.2.1. The Preference of Spatial over Transpatial Modes 8.2.2. The Preference of Transpatial over Spatial Modes 8.2.3. Balance and Imbalance of Spatiality and Transpatiality 8.2.4. Different Scales of Spatiality and Transpatiality 8.2.5. Conclusions: Spatial and Transpatial Organisations 8.3. The Interplay between Generic Function and Spatiality/Transpatiality 8.4. Final Conclusions and Future Research Appendix A: How to Construct Netgraphs from Questionnaire Data Appendix B: Used Documents Appendix C: List of Figures Appendix D: List of Tables References / Raumstrukturen beeinflussen menschliches Handeln, oder in den Worten von Bill Hillier – menschliches Verhalten findet nicht nur zufällig im Raum statt, sondern nimmt eine spezifisch räumliche Form an. Das Interaktionsverhalten von Mitarbeitern in einem Zellenbüro beispielsweise unterscheidet sich grundlegend von den Mustern, die sich in einem Großraumbüro entwickeln. Die vorliegende Dissertation „The Space-Organisation Relationship“ beschäftigt sich daher mit der Frage, wie sich die Verbindung zwischen Raumkonfiguration und kollektivem Verhalten einer Organisation in wissensintensiven Arbeitsprozessen gestaltet. Aus der Literatur wird ersichtlich, dass trotz einiger Jahrzehnte intensiver Forschung nur wenige gesicherte Erkenntnisse existieren zur Frage, wie sich Raumstrukturen auf organisationales Verhalten auswirken. Der Diskurs zeigt deutliche Schwächen durch disziplinäre Grenzen, einen Mangel an wissenschaftlich fundierten Studien, sowie inkohärente und teils veraltete Ergebnisse. Um den aktuellen Kenntnisstand zum Verhältnis von Raum und Organisation zu erklären, stellt die Arbeit zwei entgegengesetzte Hypothesen auf: zum einen wird angenommen, dass der Mangel an vergleichenden Studien sowie methodische Schwächen verantwortlich sind für die uneindeutige Beweislage. Sollte dies der Fall sein, müssten in vergleichenden Studien mit gleichem Methodenansatz übereinstimmende Ergebnisse zu finden sein. Dies würde nahe legen, dass jede Organisation als Kollektiv gleich oder zumindest ähnlich auf vergleichbare Raumstrukturen reagiere. Zum anderen wird die entgegengesetzte Hypothese aufgestellt, dass der Charakter und die inhärente Komplexität des Wissensgebietes exakte Aussagen per se unmöglich mache. Dies könnte verifiziert werden, wenn unterschiedliche Organisationen unterschiedlich auf vergleichbare Raumstrukturen reagieren würden, obwohl dieselben wissenschaftlich fundierten Methoden angewendet wurden. Um dies zu überprüfen benutzt die vorliegende Dissertation eine Kombination aus quantitativen und qualitativen Methoden, eingebettet in einen explorativen Forschungsaufbau, um sowohl vergleichende Analysen zwischen Organisationen durchführen, als auch tiefergehende Interpretationen zu spezifischem organisationalem Verhalten anstellen zu können. Die Arbeit stützt sich auf drei intensive Fallstudien unterschiedlicher wissensintensiver Tätigkeiten – einer Universität, einem Forschungsinstitut, und einem Medienunternehmen, die in jeweils unterschiedlichen räumlichen Strukturen agieren (Zellenbüros, Gruppenbüros, Kombibüros, Großraumbüros). Aufbauend auf der vielschichtigen Analyse empirischer Ergebnisse kommt die Dissertation zur Erkenntnis, dass sich das Verhältnis zwischen Raumkonfiguration und organisationalem Verhalten durch zwei Prinzipien beschreiben lässt. Einerseits sind so genannte generische Einflüsse festzustellen, zum Beispiel zwischen Raumkonfiguration, der Platzierung von Ressourcen und Bewegungsmustern. Diese generischen Einflüsse gehen auf grundlegende menschliche Verhaltensmuster zurück und agieren im Wesentlichen unabhängig von spezifischen Organisationskulturen. Allerdings sind sie selten, und nur wenige Faktoren können als generisch angenommen werden. Andererseits ist die überwiegende Mehrheit der Raum-Organisations-Beziehungen bestimmt vom Wechsel zwischen räumlicher und so genannter trans-räumlicher Solidarität, das heißt Beziehungen zwischen Individuen können sich entweder auf räumliche oder soziale Nähe stützen. Trans-räumliche Beziehungen, die sich aufgrund von sozialer Nähe entfalten können beispielsweise Entfernungen überwinden, und sind daher in erster Linie nicht räumlich motiviert, auch wenn sie sich oft in räumlichen Ordnungen widerspiegeln. Diese beiden Prinzipien – generische Einflüsse sowie räumliche und trans-räumliche Funktionsweisen – treten in vielschichtigen Formen auf und bestimmen den Charakter des Verhältnisses zwischen Raum und Organisation. Damit treffen beide der aufgestellten Hypothesen auf unterschiedliche Aspekte und Teilbereiche des Raum-Organisations-Zusammenhangs zu.:Acknowledgements Table of Contents 1. Introduction – Space and Organisation 2. Literature Review – Space as Intangible Asset of an Organisation 2.1. Organisation Theory – Key Themes and Strands 2.2. Organisation and Space – The Forerunners 2.3. Organisation and Space – The Early Works (1960’s-1980’s) 2.3.1. Contributions Summarising the Discourse 2.3.2. Contributions Providing More Empirical Evidence 2.3.3. The Other Side of the Coin: Neglecting the Role of Physical Space 2.4. Organisation and Space – The Lean Years (1980s-1990s) 2.4.1. Continuous Neglect of Space as an Influence 2.4.2. Filling the Gaps in the Common Knowledge on Space and Organisations 2.4.3. Space Syntax as a New Emerging Theory 2.5. Organisation and Space – Recent Rediscoveries (1995 onwards) 2.5.1. Organisational Behaviour 2.5.2. Organisational Constitutions 2.6. Organisation and Space – Conclusions on a Fragmentary Evidence Base 2.6.1. Disciplinary Boundaries and Disciplinary Cultures 2.6.2. Speculative Presumptions 2.6.3. Vague Operationalisation 2.6.4. Contradictory Evidence 2.6.5. Outdated Studies Lacking Further Articulation 2.6.6. Conclusions 3. Methodology 3.1. Research Design – Inductive and Deductive Approaches 3.2. Case Study Research 3.3. Qualitative Methods 3.3.1. Structured Short Interviews 3.3.2. Semi-Structured In-Depth Interviews 3.3.3. Ethnographic Space Observations 3.3.4. Analysis of Written Documents 3.4. Quantitative Methods 3.4.1. Standardised Online Questionnaires 3.4.2. Space Syntax Analysis 3.4.3. Structured Space Observations 4. Introduction to the Case Studies 4.1. University School – High Quality Teaching and World-Leading Research 4.2. Research Institute – An International Location for Theoretical Physics 4.3. Media Corporation – Business To Business Magazines and Services 4.4. Overview of the Cases 5. Spatial Configuration – The Integration of Buildings, Spaces and Functions 5.1. Spatial Configuration 5.1.1. University School – Pre 5.1.2. University School – Post 5.1.2. Research Institute 5.1.3. Media Corporation: Publisher C – Pre 5.1.4. Media Corporation: Publisher R – Pre 5.1.5. Media Corporation: Information Business W – Pre 5.1.6. Media Corporation: Events Organiser K – Pre 5.1.7. Media Corporation – Post 5.1.8. Spatial Configuration – A Comparative Overview of All Buildings 5.1.9. The Case of Satellite Offices and their Configurational Implications for the Organisations 5.2. Spatial Strategies – Distribution of Resources 5.2.1. Spatial Integration of Facilities and Functions 5.2.2. Distance and Proximity 5.3. Conclusions on the Building Potentials of Configurations-in-Use 6. Organisational Behaviour in Space – Movement Flows and Co-Presence 6.1. Collective Patterns of Movement 6.2. Density of Movement 6.3. Presence and Co-Presence: Intensity of Activities 6.3.1. Publisher C – From Four Separated Floors into One Compact Space 6.3.2. Publisher R – Increasing Interaction Dynamics 6.3.3. Information Business W – Changed Environments in the Same Building 6.3.4. Events Organiser K – The Loss of an Intimate Workplace 6.3.5. Conclusions on Co-Presence and Interactivity 6.4. Conclusions on Spatialised Organisational Behaviours 7. The Space-Organisation Relationship 7.1. How Spatial Configuration-in-Use Shapes Collective Patterns of Movement 7.1.1. Strong and Weakly Programmed Movement – Spatial Configuration as an Influence on the Distribution of Movement in Complex Buildings 7.1.2. Movement and Encounter – Attractors in Space 7.2. How Movement Density Drives Interactivity 7.3. How Proximity Governs Interaction Patterns and Network Densities 7.3.1. Distances between Individuals and Resulting Patterns of Contact 7.3.2. Distances between Individuals – Adjacencies and Neighbourhoods in the Office 7.3.3. Distances within Teams – Evolving Networks of Interaction 7.3.4. Conclusions on Proximity and Interaction 8. Discussion and Conclusions 8.1. Space as Generic Function 8.1.1. Movement as Generic Function in Office Spaces 8.1.2. Generic Function – Contradicting Human Agency? 8.2. Spatiality and Transpatiality 8.2.1. The Preference of Spatial over Transpatial Modes 8.2.2. The Preference of Transpatial over Spatial Modes 8.2.3. Balance and Imbalance of Spatiality and Transpatiality 8.2.4. Different Scales of Spatiality and Transpatiality 8.2.5. Conclusions: Spatial and Transpatial Organisations 8.3. The Interplay between Generic Function and Spatiality/Transpatiality 8.4. Final Conclusions and Future Research Appendix A: How to Construct Netgraphs from Questionnaire Data Appendix B: Used Documents Appendix C: List of Figures Appendix D: List of Tables References
107

Die invloed van organisasiekultuur op kreatiwiteit en innovasie in 'n universiteitsbiblioteek

Martins, Ellen Caroline 06 1900 (has links)
Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in English and Afrikaans / In die vinnig veranderende omgewing waarin universiteitbiblioteke funksioneer is daar besorgdheid oor die vermoe van universiteitbiblioteke om tred te hou met die verandering ten einde suksesvol te kan bly voortbestaan. Kreatiwiteit en innovasie speel 'n rol in die veranderingsproses. Organisasiekultuur het 'n invloed op die mate waarin kreatiwiteit en innovasie in 'n organisasie gestimuleer word. 'n Voorlopige model wat op die literatuur gebaseer is, het getoon dat strategie, organisasiestruktuur, ondersteuningsmeganismes, innovasiegedrag en kommunikasie die organisasiekultuurdeterminante is wat kreatiwiteit en innovasie in organisasies beinvloed. In die onderhawige empiriese studie is bestaande data, wat ingesamel is om die organisasiekultuurvan 'n universiteitbiblioteek te beskryf, gebruik om die voorlopige model te toets. 'n Faktorontleding het getoon dat strategie, doelgerigtheid, vertrouensverhouding, innovasiegedrag, werkomgewing, klientgeorienteerdheid en bestuursondersteuning 'n invloed het op die mate waarin kreatiwiteit en innovasie in die universiteitbiblioteek gestimuleer en bevorder sal word. / In the rapidly changing environment in which university libraries function there is concern about the ability of such libraries to keep pace with change in order to be able to survive. Creativity and innovation have a role to play in the change process. Organisational culture has an influence on the degree to which creativity and innovation are stimulated in an organisation. A preliminary model which is based on the literature, has shown that strategy, organisational structure, support mechanisms, innovation behaviour and communication are the organisational culture determinants that influence creativity and innovation in organisations. In the empirical study, existing data which were collected to describe the organisational culture of a university library, were used to test the preliminary model. A factor analysis showed that strategy, purposefulness, trust relationship, innovation behaviour, work environment, customer orientation and management support influence the degree to which creativity and innovation are stimulated and promoted in the university library. / Information Science / M.Inf.
108

Transformative effects of a postmodern group-based leadership coaching programme

Potgieter, Tracy Elizabeth 11 December 2013 (has links)
The postmodern organisation and its leaders are faced with relentless turbulence and change and a compelling economic drive for success. The recent exponential rise in the popularity of coaching can be ascribed to the business need for the development of leadership bench-strength. Appreciative inquiry (AI) claims to be a source of untapped strength for organisations in the postmodern world and a source of sustainable solutions and genesis for energy. However, the scarcity of evidence of coaching linked to a postmodern stance, incorporating AI principles, as well as using group-based coaching methods, provided an opportunity for this study to respond to the challenges and contribute to the theory and practice of leadership coaching in the organisational setting by investigating the transformative effects of a postmodern group-based leadership coaching programme (LCP) on leaders’ personal and professional perspectives. The premises suggest that postmodern group-based coaching is a practical and cost-effective methodology in multi-cultural international organisations. Furthermore, postmodern coaching in groups can transform the personal and professional perspectives of leaders, specifically in transforming future plans, goal-directedness, confidence, resilience, hope, subjective well-being and empowerment as a leader, as well as broadening life outlooks. Key transformative themes were identified: self-knowledge, appreciation of others, broader vision, self-control and work-life integration. This applied study has made a valuable contribution to the body of research in the area of postmodern and group-based coaching. Replication of the study in other industries, setting and with different levels of leadership, training of postmodern coaches and robust follow-up coaching were identified as opportunities for further exploration. / Industrial & Organisational Psychology / D.Lit. et Phil. (Industrial Psychology)
109

The politics of gender in a time of change : gender discourses, institutions, and identities in contemporary Indonesia

Love, Kaleen E. January 2008 (has links)
This dissertation fundamentally explores the nature of change, and the development interventions that aim to bring this change into a particular society. What emerges is the notion of a ‘spiral’: imagining the dynamic relationship between paradigms and discourses, the institutions and programmes operating in a place, and the way individual identities are constructed in intricate and contradictory ways. Within this spiral, discourse has power – ‘words matter’ – but equally significant is how these words interact dialogically with concrete social structures and institutions – ‘it takes more than changing words to change the world’. Furthermore, these changes are reacted to, and expressed in, the physical, sexed body. In essence, change is ideational, institutional, and embodied. To investigate the politics of change, this dissertation analyses the spiral relationships between gender discourses, institutions, and identities in contemporary Indonesia, focusing on their transmission across Java. It does so by exploring the Indonesian state’s gender policies in the context of globalisation, democratisation, and decentralisation. In this way, the lens of gender allows us to analyse the dynamic interactions between state and society, between ideas and institutions, which impact on everything from cultural structures to physical bodies. Research focuses on the gender policies of the Indonesian Ministry of Women’s Empowerment, substantiated with case study material from United Nations Population Fund reproductive health programmes in West Java. Employing a multi-level, multi-vocal theoretical framework, the thesis analyses gender discourses and relational structures (how discourses circulate to construct the Indonesian woman), gender institutions and social structures (how discourses are translated into programmes), and gender identities and embodied structures (how discourses enter the home and the body). Critically, studying gender requires analysing the human body as the site of both structural and symbolic power. This dissertation thus argues for renewed emphasis on a ‘politics of the body’, recognising that bodies are the material foundations from which gender discourses derive their naturalising power and hence ability to structure social relations. The danger of forgetting this politics of the body is that it allows for slippage between ‘gender’ and ‘women’; policy objectives cannot be disentangled from the reality of physical bodies and their social construction. This thesis therefore argues that there are distinct and even inverse impacts of gender policies in Indonesia. As the ‘liberal’ and ‘modern’ assumptions of gender equality are overlaid onto the patriarchal culture of a society undergoing transformation, women’s bodies and women’s sexuality are always and ever the focus of the social gaze. The gender policies and interventions affecting change on discursive and institutional levels may thus provoke reaction at the level of individual identities that are contrary to explicit intentions. In effect, projects that purport to work on ‘gender’ are often so deeply rooted in underlying gender normativity that their net effect is to reinscribe these gender hierarchies. By exposing the contradictions in these underlying paradigms we gain insight into the politics of a transforming society. Furthermore, engaging with the politics of the body allows us to analyse the spiral processes between discourse and practice, the question of power, and the way men and women embody social structures and experience social transformation.
110

Coordination of frontline workers for improving the health of children in Rajasthan (India) : a case study

Sharma, Reetu January 2014 (has links)
All governments aim to ensure better health and nutrition to children. The Rajasthan state (India) has implemented a unique frontline coordination model where Accredited Health Social Activist (ASHA) Sahyoginis are expected to support two other frontline workers (FLWs) i.e. the Anganwadi Workers from the Integrated Child Development Services and the Auxiliary Nurse Midwives from the Health department to improve child health. This thesis focuses on examining the existing coordination between the three groups of FLWs in Rajasthan by exploring FLWs' participation in child immunisation and Vitamin A supplementation (two common activities), service coverage and beneficiary's' knowledge (expected outcomes), and the challenges faced and areas that need improvement for better frontline coordination. A mixed methods design was used. Sixteen villages from two blocks (tribal and non-tribal) of Udaipur district (Rajasthan) were selected using multistage purposive sampling. The formative stage included 12 FLWs' in-depth interviews (IDIs) as well as a review of FLWs' job descriptions to understand the process and government expectations on their participation in routine childhood immunisation, polio camps, routine Vitamin A supplementation and Vitamin A campaigns. The next stage included data collection from the 16 selected villages i.e. structured questionnaire survey of FLWs (46), observations of Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Day (16), review of FLWs' immunisation and Vitamin A registers (32) and a structured questionnaire survey of registered infants' mothers (321)-all to ascertain the actual participation of FLWs in these four activities and the outcomes. IDIs with FLWs (46) and FLWs' line managers (17) were conducted to understand their experience, issues and solutions for better frontline coordination. The participation of FLWs in three of the four activities (except Polio Camps) was found to be limited. The FLWs and their line managers were also dissatisfied with coordination between FLWs. Poor outcomes also indicated unsatisfactory coordination. Overall, frontline participation and outcomes were better in tribal than non-tribal villages. A variety of factors (i.e. personal, professional, organisational, and geo-socio-cultural) appeared to affect coordination between FLWs. Appropriate recruitment, training, monitoring and supervision and rewards to the FLWs along with greater political commitment for coordinated approached and addressing intra-departmental challenges are proposed to improve frontline coordination and child health in Rajasthan.

Page generated in 0.1136 seconds