Retention strategies for knowledge workers at a consulting engineering firm
- Authors: Ketye, Lungelo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Employee retention , Employee motivation , Job satisfaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6247 , vital:21059
- Description: The Consulting Engineering industry plays a very critical role in the construction industry. Its primary role is to plan and design projects before they go on to the construction phase. During the construction phase of a project, consulting engineers are responsible for supervising the works and ensuring that construction is done according to design specifications. The selected company, where this study was conducted, provides civil engineering consulting services. The main purpose of the research was to identify retention strategies that could be used by the company in order to reduce staff turnover. To achieve this objective, the researcher completed a literature study. The literature study revealed the characteristics of knowledge workers, and what makes knowledge workers wish to extend their stay with an organisation. The study examined variables that lead to staff turnover i.e. leadership and communication, organizational culture, performance management and job satisfaction. The empirical study was conducted at LK Consulting Engineers. A survey with a questionnaire was administered to all engineering practitioners who were registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa. Interviews were also conducted with three managers. The study demonstrated that leadership and communication, organisational culture, performance management and job satisfaction are important variables leading to retention of knowledge workers. The study also demonstrated that training and financial remuneration is not enough to retain knowledge workers, employees should feel valued and provided with the opportunities to make meaningful contributions to the organisation.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Organisational factors impacting on employee retention
- Authors: Guma, Pendulwa Vuyokazi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Employee retention , Organizational change , Employee motivation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8616 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1530 , Employee retention , Organizational change , Employee motivation
- Description: Organisations must have a constant influx of candidates for potential employment. New employee positions are required as market areas are expanded. Recruitment occurs even in the face of limited growth or decline in service capacity, because individuals with specialised skills or training who leave the organisation must be replaced, and because services or technologies that have been revised or modified must be staffed. The recruitment of personnel plays an important role in assisting the organisation to adapt and remain competitive. The Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs (DEDEA) employs a wide variety of workers. Thus, the sources of applicants and types of methods used to expand the applicant pool vary depending on the occupational classification being considered. It, therefore, becomes self-defeating to invest significant resources in a recruitment effort if such effort is offset by high turnover rates. Retention of employees is as essential as their recruitment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the organisational factors impacting on employee retention at DEDEA. The population for the study included 781 DEDEA employees. The response rate for the emailed questionnaire was 54 percent or 425 respondents. The Likert-type scale instrument consisted of forty questions divided into two sections: Section one looked at the demographic profile of the respondents and section two focused on getting responses on the five organisational impacting on v employee retention, namely: career development; compensation; positive recognition; staff engagement and management. In order to achieve the purpose of this study, the following research design was adopted: Step 1 A literature review was conducted to determine the various organizational factors impacting on employee retention. Step 2 From the literature review, a process model was adopted to assist the researcher in structuring the research questionnaire. Step 3 A questionnaire was constructed according to the principles and guidelines in steps 2 and step 3. Step 4 Empirical data was obtained by means of an email survey. Step 5 The results of the survey were analysed and interpreted. Step 6 The empirical results were integrated with Step 3. Step 7 Conclusions and recommendations were done. The main findings from the study were: - The study revealed a significant relationship between the selected organisational factors and employee retention. - The study also produced a model suitable for use by DEDEA as a guide in determining what initiatives the organisation should embark on to improve employee retention.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Retention strategies for skilled SARS customs employees
- Authors: Lennie, Graeme Mark
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Employee retention , Employee motivation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8704 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/999 , Employee retention , Employee motivation
- Description: The South African Revenue Services (SARS) is an amalgamation of the former Departments of Customs and Excise, and the Receiver of Revenue. SARS obtained full autonomy from the Government in October 1997 in order for it to administer its own affairs. SARS has since made great strides in transforming its people and technology, although some growing pains are recently being experienced, i.e. the “retention question”. The problem statement, “What strategies can be implemented for retaining skilled employees within SARS Customs” is derived from a multitude of problematic issues currently being experienced world wide. Problem areas particular to South Africa, include: the mass exodus of white skilled labour; baby-boomers (aged 60 – 65) nearing retirement, affirmative action, employment equity, and a general lack of skills in the employment industry. An employee engagement survey (2007) conducted at SARS, shows figures that further exacerbates the problem. The objectives of the research were therefore, to conduct a literature study of employee retention strategies, investigate the research strategies currently being employed at SARS, the reasons for the low levels of employee engagement and to develop a strategic model for employee retention for use at SARS Customs in the Eastern Cape Region of South Africa The study takes the form of a case study, using quantitative and qualitative methods of research. A questionnaire was distributed to respondents, the results of which were analysed and presented. The findings show that SARS Customs is in a good position with regards to pay and benefits. Areas that require attention though are training, development and career management, effective supervision, and day-to-day activities.
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- Date Issued: 2008