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Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) play an important role in contributing to economic development of many countries around the world, including South Africa. Despite the importance of SMMEs an unacceptable and disappointingly high number of these ventures fail during the first few years of operation. It is in light of the importance and challenges faced by SMMEs that the performance of SMMEs is of interest to all countries. This study investigated the impact of entrepreneurship education on the performance of SMMEs in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The objectives of the study were to investigate the role of entrepreneurship education in improving entrepreneurship skills and knowledge of owner/managers of SMMEs in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, to determine the role of entrepreneurship education on the establishment and survival of SMMEs and to identify strategies that can be implemented to improve the performance of SMMEs. Both primary and secondary data sources were used in this study. A quantitative research design was used in conducting this research. Simple random sampling, a probability sampling technique was used to select a sample of 201 from the sample frame of 420 registered SMMEs. The survey method, by way of a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect primary data. The statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) is the statistical software that was used to analyse data. The Chi-square test, the T-test, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. Validity and reliability of the research instrument and the findings was assured. The results for this study are useful for the development of the SMME sector, which is very important to South Africa for they contribute to the solving of socio-economic challenges. The findings of this research showed that entrepreneurship education has a positive impact on the performance of SMMEs and it plays a critical role in improving entrepreneurial skills and knowledge of SMME owners and managers. It was also found that entrepreneurial education is very important for the establishment and survival of SMMEs. Strategies that can be implemented to improve the performance of SMMEs in South Africa were suggested to the government, government agencies, educational institutions, other organisations, and SMME owners and managers.

Submitted by Paolo Rosi d'Ávila (paolo_davila@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-07-24T02:21:20Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_Paolo_Rosi_dAvila_FGV_28_jun_16.pdf: 10839340 bytes, checksum: 56efd9a8f67f87b62543c34119e83048 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Janete de Oliveira Feitosa (janete.feitosa@fgv.br) on 2016-07-29T14:37:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_Paolo_Rosi_dAvila_FGV_28_jun_16.pdf: 10839340 bytes, checksum: 56efd9a8f67f87b62543c34119e83048 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2016-08-02T14:24:01Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_Paolo_Rosi_dAvila_FGV_28_jun_16.pdf: 10839340 bytes, checksum: 56efd9a8f67f87b62543c34119e83048 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-02T14:24:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_Paolo_Rosi_dAvila_FGV_28_jun_16.pdf: 10839340 bytes, checksum: 56efd9a8f67f87b62543c34119e83048 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-28 / This work presents the results of five theoretical and empirical studies based on the theories of leader-member exchanges, on social exchanges between team members and on organizational commitment, occurred in 2012 and 2013. The empirical research investigated leadership, organizational commitment, and teamwork by means of voluntary participation of Brazilian Army personnel, among which are those who took part in the Peacemaking Mission for Stabilization of Haiti (MINUSTAH). Research data were collected from individual interviews, focal groups and online surveys. Results of qualitative studies indicate the relevance of quality in social exchanges between leaders and subordinates as well as of organizational commitment in the work carried out in MINUSTAH. Quantitative studies show the mediating role of the affective element of organizational components in the relation between quality of leader-member exchanges and the quality of social exchanges in teams. Comparative analyses have identified differences in the quality of social exchanges established between leaders and members, among the different hierarchical levels and between military personnel working for MINUSTAH or not. It has been observed that social exchanges of higher quality levels between leaders and subordinates and among team members are associated to higher levels of the affective component of organizational commitment. The current study is expected to contribute to research about leadership and social exchanges, besides supporting improvement of learning, training and scientific research programs that may favor the relationship between civilians and military personnel in the Brazilian context. / Este trabalho apresenta o resultado de cinco estudos teóricos e empíricos embasados nas teorias de trocas sociais entre Líder-liderados (leader-member exchange), nas trocas sociais entre integrantes de equipes (team-member exchange) e no comprometimento organizacional, realizados nos anos de 2012 e 2013. A pesquisa empírica investigou a liderança, o comprometimento organizacional e o trabalho em equipe, mediante a participação voluntária de militares do Exército Brasileiro, dentre os quais se destacam aqueles que integraram a Missão de Paz para Estabilização do HAITI (MINUSTAH). Os dados da pesquisa foram coletados mediante o emprego de entrevistas individuais, realização de grupos focais (focus group) e aplicação de surveys pela internet. Os resultados dos estudos qualitativos indicaram a relevância da qualidade das trocas sociais entre líderes e liderados e do comprometimento organizacional para o trabalho desenvolvido na Missão de Paz para Estabilização do HAITI (MINUSTAH). Os estudos quantitativos indicaram o papel mediador do componente afetivo do comprometimento organizacional na relação entre a qualidade de trocas líder-liderado e a qualidade de trocas sociais em equipes. Análises comparativas identificaram diferenças no padrão de qualidade das trocas sociais estabelecidas entre líderes e liderados, entre os diferentes níveis hierárquicos e entre os militares que atuaram ou não na MINUSTAH. Verificou-se, ainda, que níveis mais elevados na qualidade de trocas sociais estabelecidas entre líderes e liderados e em equipes de trabalho estão associados a níveis mais elevados do componente afetivo de comprometimento organizacional. Estima-se que o presente estudo possa contribuir para o avanço de pesquisas sobre liderança e trocas sociais, além de subsidiar o aperfeiçoamento de programas de ensino, de treinamento e de fomento a pesquisas científicas, que possam favorecer as relações civis-militares no contexto brasileiro.

Made available in DSpace on 2010-04-20T20:15:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 1997-04-25T00:00:00Z / A partir de um estudo exploratório sobre o comprometimento organizacional, o trabalho destaca os desafios colocados para as intervenções de mudança na realidade não só organizacional como pessoal. Enquanto estratégia de estudo do comportamento humano no trabalho, tem-se, no conceito de comprometimento, um elo para se estudar também o comportamento das organizações. Destarte, é apresentado o contrato psicológico - o elemento mediador da relação indivíduo-organização, com base nos fatores organizacionais e pessoais que determinam o comportamento organizacional. Sua análise é baseada em pesquisa bibliográfica, bem como complementada com pesquisa de campo. A proposição de contrato psicológico como condicionante permite situar o processo de construção de comprometimento organizacional tendo em vista que ele predispõe, de alguma forma, o indivíduo para se comportar segundo padrões internalizados, conforme seu cálculo de motivação e seu processo de tomada de decisões no que se refere à mudança e ao desenvolvimento organizacional. O trabalho conclui que comprometimento organizacional apresenta uma anatomia e em uma fisiologia que fazem emergir contratos psicológicos sadios ou patológicos. / From an exploring study about organizational commitment, this work presents the challenges for an intervention of reality change, not only organizational, but personal as well. As a study strategy of human behavior at the work place, it has in the concept of commitment, a link to also study organizations behaviors. Moreover, it presents the psychological contract - the mediating element of the person-organization relationship - as the basis of organizational and personal factors which determine the organizational behavior. Its analysis is based on bibliographic research complemented by field researches. The psychological contract proposition, as a conditioning factor, allows one to find the building process of an organizational commitment, having in mind that it predisposes, in some way, the person to behave according to internaI patterns and also according to his understanding of motivation and his decision making process referring to changes and to organizational development. The work concludes that organizational commitment presents an anatomy and physiology that result in healthy or pathologic contracts.

Submitted by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2011-09-22T18:13:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Fabio Cipolla.pdf: 909425 bytes, checksum: 8f2b0e8b6aae1adc456c6990dafc3588 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2011-09-22T18:13:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Fabio Cipolla.pdf: 909425 bytes, checksum: 8f2b0e8b6aae1adc456c6990dafc3588 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2011-09-22T18:13:42Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Fabio Cipolla.pdf: 909425 bytes, checksum: 8f2b0e8b6aae1adc456c6990dafc3588 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2011-09-22T18:13:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fabio Cipolla.pdf: 909425 bytes, checksum: 8f2b0e8b6aae1adc456c6990dafc3588 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Looking for superior performance of human capital is a key for organizations to exercise greater competitiveness and to achieve higher levels of competition. For this purpose, to conquer the greater involvement of workers is fundamental to improve individual performance and stands out as the main way to build enduring competitive advantage in organizations where, to the leader, is delegated the role of motivator. Recent studies reveal a new approach to understanding the impact of leadership on subordinates. The authenticity. The true leader has the merit of generating self-efficiency on their subordinates, and be perceived through the respect he treats his subordinates, showing high consistency in their actions. This leader assesses the views of their subordinates, provides feedback on performance and possesses values that lead him to be fair, and has the ability to extract extra effort of their team. Therefore, the more 'authentic as a person,' the more you can directly impact the effectiveness of their followers. But this study revealed that there is a component of mediation between the leader and the largest authentic organizational commitment. The psychological contract. In its relational dimension, especially, the psychological contract is said to mediate the relationship between the authenticity of the leader and the largest team commitment, in other words, the authenticity of the leader shapes the way the individual is linked to the organization, so this is an out stand finding and help us to understand what are the real factors influencing the increased performance of employees. / Buscar desempenho superior do capital humano é fator chave para as organizações exercerem maior competitividade e atingir níveis superiores ao da concorrência. Para este intento, conquistar o maior comprometimento dos trabalhadores é fundamental para aumentar o desempenho individual e, se destaca como a principal via para construção de vantagem competitiva duradoura nas organizações onde, ao líder, é delegado o papel de motivador. Estudos recentes desvendam uma nova abordagem para compreender o impacto da liderança sobre os subordinados. A autenticidade. O líder autêntico tem por mérito gerar auto-eficiência em seus liderados, é através do respeito com que trata seus subordinados, demonstra elevada consistência em seus atos, avalia os pontos de vista de seus comandados, provê retorno sobre desempenho e possue valores que o levam a ser justo, tendo ainda, a capacidade de extrair de seus liderados esforço adicional. Portanto, quanto mais 'autêntica como pessoa', mais poderá impactar diretamente na eficácia de seus seguidores. Mas, este estudo revelou que há um componente de mediação entre o líder autêntico e o maior comprometimento organizacional. O contrato psicológico. Em sua dimensão relacional, principalmente, que trata de lealdade e estabilidade, o contrato psicológico se destacou por mediar a relação entre a autenticidade do líder e o maior comprometimento da equipe, ou seja, a autenticidade do líder molda a forma como o indivíduo se vincula à organização, sendo assim uma descoberta relevante a qual nos auxilia a compreender quais são os verdadeiros fatores que influenciam no maior comprometimento e, conseqüente, aumento no desempenho dos trabalhadores.

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

The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between perceived career mobility, career mobility preference, job satisfaction and organisational commitment. A secondary objective was to determine whether various age, gender, tenure, marital status and race groups differed significantly regarding their perceived career mobility, career mobility preference, job satisfaction and organisational commitment. A perceived career mobility scale and career mobility preference scale, the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (short form) and the Organisational Commitment Scale, were applied to a non-probability convenience sample consisting of 82 South African accountants, auditors and financial staff members. Significant relationships were observed between the variables. Significant differences were found between age and race groups‟ perceived career mobility, gender and tenure groups‟ career mobility preference, and age and tenure groups‟ organisational commitment. The findings contribute valuable new knowledge that may be used to inform retention practices in the financial sector. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial & Organisational Psychology)

The purpose of this study was to construct a career meta-competency model for sustained employability in the contemporary world of work. This study explored a convenience sample (N = 304) of early career employees’ personality preferences (measured by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator), self-esteem (measured by the Culture-free Self-esteem Inventories for Adults) and emotional intelligence (measured by the Assessing Emotions Scale), as a composite set of their personality attributes, in relation to their employability attributes (measured by the Employability Attributes Scale). The participants comprised 81% blacks and 64% females employed in the business management field in managerial/supervisory (53%) and staff (28%) level positions. Their ages ranged between 25 and 40 years (early adulthood and establishment phase) (79%). The correlations, canonical correlations and multiple regression results indicated that the participants’ personality attributes were significantly and positively related to their employability attributes. Structural Equation Modelling indicated a moderate fit between the theoretically hypothesised career meta-competency model and the empirically tested structural model. The results indicated job level as a significant moderator of the relationship between the participants’ personality and employability attributes. Middle management level was associated with an inverse relationship between the personality and employability attributes. Staff and middle managers did not significantly differ regarding their mean scores on these variables. On a theoretical level, the study deepened understanding of the cognitive, affective, conative and interpersonal behavioural dimensions of the hypothesised career meta-competency model. On an empirical level, the study produced an empirically tested career meta-competency model in terms of the various behavioural dimensions. On a practical level, career v counselling and development interventions for guiding employees’ sustained employability in terms of the career meta-competency behavioural dimensions were recommended. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / D. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

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

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T16:34:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silvana Helal Nascimento.pdf: 524911 bytes, checksum: 1dc96d8640e5ac674dceb3ea62cec5cb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-11-30 / Studies concerning to human behavior and health in labor environment, as well the best way to put worker s competences and skills into practice have been increasing its importance due to growing search for better organizational outcomes, growth of competitiveness in the market and business need for reaching effective teamwork and better performance of its staff. Managers look for resources and innovations in order to become possible the accomplishment of organizational targets with efficacy. Employees more competents, satisfied and involved with their work are also the ones who have high level of affective commitment with the organization. To the company, this can mean an increasing in productivity, reduction in number of absenteeism and turnover. The dimension health at work became relevant because well-being at work also means happier employees, with less probability of becoming physical, psych or moral sick. As a result, there is a reduction in costs related to worker s health reimbursement. On the other hand, the study about emotional intelligence in managers, suggests that people with high level of this kind of intelligence are able to keep deeper relationships and to build a safer social network, to help others who belong to their groups as well to develop a leadership where a solid team can be built and more effective communication with others, and to realize strategic business plans with more efficacy. The aim of this study it was to investigate the relation between emotional intelligence abilities and dimensions of well-being at work. The research was developed in a plastic and metallurgy segments company in a sample constituted by approximately 380 participants of both genders, aged between 18 and 58 years old. Data were obtained from a questionnaire filled by the participants. The questionnaire was consisted by four scales which measured the three components of well-being at work and the emotional intelligence abilities. The study results revealed that only three abilities of the emotional intelligence had relevant relation with well-being at work: empathy, social skills and self-motivation. More significant correlations between social skills and well-being at work were observed. Therefore, well-being at work seems to be associated to worker s intellectual and emotional capacities of being empathetic, to keep themselves self motivated and specially, to establish and to support their friendships (social skills). / Estudos em ambiente laboral acerca do comportamento humano e saúde no trabalho, bem como a melhor forma de se aplicar as competências e habilidades do trabalhador, vêm ganhando maior corpo devido à crescente busca por melhores resultados organizacionais, ao aumento da competitividade no mercado e à necessidade empresarial de atingir melhor desempenho de suas equipes. Gestores procuram por recursos e inovações a fim de tornar possível o alcance das metas organizacionais. Empregados mais capacitados, satisfeitos e envolvidos com seu trabalho são também aqueles que têm maior comprometimento afetivo com a organização. Para a empresa, isto pode significar um aumento da produtividade, o rebaixamento do número de absenteísmo e turnover. A dimensão saúde no trabalho ganha relevância porque bem-estar no trabalho significa também empregado mais feliz, com menor probabilidade de adoecimento físico, psíquico ou moral, reduzindo custos relativos à restituição da saúde do trabalhador. Por outro lado, estudo realizado sobre a inteligência emocional em gestores sugere que pessoas com alto nível deste tipo de inteligência são capazes de ter relacionamentos mais profundos e constituir uma rede social mais segura, ajudar os outros de seu grupo, bem como desenvolver uma liderança onde se possa construir uma equipe coesa e uma comunicação mais efetiva com os outros e levar a cabo planos estratégicos empresariais com mais eficiência. Este estudo teve como objetivo geral analisar as relações entre as habilidades da inteligência emocional e as dimensões de bem-estar no trabalho. A pesquisa foi realizada em uma empresa do setor de plásticos e metalurgia, em uma amostra constituída por 386 participantes dos sexos masculino e feminino, com faixa etária entre 18 e 58 anos. Foi utilizado para a coleta de dados um questionário composto de quatro escalas que mediram os três componentes de bem-estar no trabalho e as habilidades da inteligência emocional. Os resultados do estudo revelaram que apenas três habilidades da inteligência emocional tiveram correlações significativas com as dimensões de bem-estar no trabalho: empatia, sociabilidade e automotivação. Foram observadas correlações mais significativas entre sociabilidade e bem-estar no trabalho. Portanto, o bem-estar no trabalho parece associar-se às habilidades intelectuais e emocionais dos trabalhadores de serem empáticos, manterem-se automotivados e, especialmente, de estabelecerem e conservarem suas amizades (sociabilidade)