Manager's perceptions of performance appraisal implemented at Kansanshi Mine, Zambia
- Authors: Silimi, Maimbo Mark
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Employees -- Rating of -- Zambia , Personnel management , Mineral industries -- Employees , Job satisfaction , Employee motivation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:831 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013037
- Description: As managers with direct contact with workers on the floor, line managers are responsible for implementation of the performance appraisal system at Kansanshi Mining plc. Commonly, implementation of performance appraisal is affected by how line managers interact with their subordinates before, during and after an appraisal interview. Notably, no study has been conducted at Kansanshi mine to understand how line managers conduct performance appraisals since their introduction. This qualitative study aims to build an understanding of how line managers at Kansanshi conduct performance appraisal interviews and what enablers and barriers they face in this process. In pursuit of the research aim, line managers from all the ten departments of the mine were considered as eligible for the study. Using stratified random sampling, ten of the 30 line managers from all ten departments across the mine site were selected. A total of fifteen semi-structured, in-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with ten line managers to gather data. These individual interviews were conducted on the mine site in the interviewees' offices as well as other convenient places such as the Kansanshi main boardroom. On average, each interview took between 45 to 60 minutes. All these interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and thereafter analyzed using open coding and constant comparison technique to induce themes. Findings of the study show a variety of barriers and enablers of line managers in their conduct of performance appraisal interviews at Kansanshi mine in Zambia. All ten line managers unanimously highlighted that (a) lack of clear job descriptions and set of individual targets as well as (b) lack of adequate refresher training on how to conduct performance appraisals affected how they conducted performance appraisals. Eight of the ten line managers highlighted that (c) perceived subjectivity of the system while seven of the ten highlighted that (d) predominant production focus and priority were barriers to them in how they conducted performance appraisals. On the other hand, ten line managers highlighted that (a) top management commitment to the implementation of a performance appraisal system, seven highlighted that (b) employees' hope for rewards and five line managers highlighted that (c) spring for career development and progression were perceived as enablers in their implementation of performance appraisals. This research is of value as it highlights how the conduct of performance is not only impacted by organizational support and other complementary organizational systems but also how the barriers to the conduct of performance appraisals affect both the appraisee and the appraiser.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Silimi, Maimbo Mark
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Employees -- Rating of -- Zambia , Personnel management , Mineral industries -- Employees , Job satisfaction , Employee motivation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:831 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013037
- Description: As managers with direct contact with workers on the floor, line managers are responsible for implementation of the performance appraisal system at Kansanshi Mining plc. Commonly, implementation of performance appraisal is affected by how line managers interact with their subordinates before, during and after an appraisal interview. Notably, no study has been conducted at Kansanshi mine to understand how line managers conduct performance appraisals since their introduction. This qualitative study aims to build an understanding of how line managers at Kansanshi conduct performance appraisal interviews and what enablers and barriers they face in this process. In pursuit of the research aim, line managers from all the ten departments of the mine were considered as eligible for the study. Using stratified random sampling, ten of the 30 line managers from all ten departments across the mine site were selected. A total of fifteen semi-structured, in-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with ten line managers to gather data. These individual interviews were conducted on the mine site in the interviewees' offices as well as other convenient places such as the Kansanshi main boardroom. On average, each interview took between 45 to 60 minutes. All these interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and thereafter analyzed using open coding and constant comparison technique to induce themes. Findings of the study show a variety of barriers and enablers of line managers in their conduct of performance appraisal interviews at Kansanshi mine in Zambia. All ten line managers unanimously highlighted that (a) lack of clear job descriptions and set of individual targets as well as (b) lack of adequate refresher training on how to conduct performance appraisals affected how they conducted performance appraisals. Eight of the ten line managers highlighted that (c) perceived subjectivity of the system while seven of the ten highlighted that (d) predominant production focus and priority were barriers to them in how they conducted performance appraisals. On the other hand, ten line managers highlighted that (a) top management commitment to the implementation of a performance appraisal system, seven highlighted that (b) employees' hope for rewards and five line managers highlighted that (c) spring for career development and progression were perceived as enablers in their implementation of performance appraisals. This research is of value as it highlights how the conduct of performance is not only impacted by organizational support and other complementary organizational systems but also how the barriers to the conduct of performance appraisals affect both the appraisee and the appraiser.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Exploring e-governance effectiveness in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Authors: Sithole-Somfula, Busiswa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Corporate governance -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Metropolitan government -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8929 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021178
- Description: E-governance is a comprehensive and well-thought out notion as it brings forth a change in the way governments communicate to citizens and to each other. Since the RSA government relies on regular consultations with the citizens in order to improve service delivery, e-governance approaches inspires citizens to be active agent of local democracy by means of providing information and participation on issues that matters the most to the society. The effectiveness of e-governance takes into account four systemic intentions which are as follows: Increased government accountability; Increased government transparency; Increased government efficiency and; Increased citizen’s trust In order for the RSA government, more particularly at the local level, to ensure quality of life to the citizens, the modernisation of government services and operations is very important. E-governance can now be considered as a source or tool for sharing ideas and initiatives that deliver a mutual enrichment. In other words, the citizens are the determining factor and actors for the rules and the role of the local bureaucrats as well as for the corresponding ICT tools persist to be developed. This treatise undertakes a strategic view and an evaluation of e- governance in local municipalities as the means of improving and transforming the delivery of services and access to information for citizens. Consequently this paper affords an exploratory analysis between e-governance and the six core elements of technology (i.e. e-strategy, e-skills development, e-services, IT governance and ICT infrastructure and e-leadership) believed to contribute positively in the effectiveness of e-governance. Finally, recommendations are made as a result of analysing the literature study and empirical study to ensure the implementation of the key initiatives of e-governance that can add value to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Sithole-Somfula, Busiswa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Corporate governance -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Metropolitan government -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8929 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021178
- Description: E-governance is a comprehensive and well-thought out notion as it brings forth a change in the way governments communicate to citizens and to each other. Since the RSA government relies on regular consultations with the citizens in order to improve service delivery, e-governance approaches inspires citizens to be active agent of local democracy by means of providing information and participation on issues that matters the most to the society. The effectiveness of e-governance takes into account four systemic intentions which are as follows: Increased government accountability; Increased government transparency; Increased government efficiency and; Increased citizen’s trust In order for the RSA government, more particularly at the local level, to ensure quality of life to the citizens, the modernisation of government services and operations is very important. E-governance can now be considered as a source or tool for sharing ideas and initiatives that deliver a mutual enrichment. In other words, the citizens are the determining factor and actors for the rules and the role of the local bureaucrats as well as for the corresponding ICT tools persist to be developed. This treatise undertakes a strategic view and an evaluation of e- governance in local municipalities as the means of improving and transforming the delivery of services and access to information for citizens. Consequently this paper affords an exploratory analysis between e-governance and the six core elements of technology (i.e. e-strategy, e-skills development, e-services, IT governance and ICT infrastructure and e-leadership) believed to contribute positively in the effectiveness of e-governance. Finally, recommendations are made as a result of analysing the literature study and empirical study to ensure the implementation of the key initiatives of e-governance that can add value to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Market needs analysis for Turnkey automation project based organisation in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Buys, Stefan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Industrial marketing , Marketing research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8927 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021170
- Description: Customer value is essentially the perceived value that the customer gains when purchasing a product. The perceived value is the trade-off between the cost of the product and the benefits it provides. If the customer perceives the benefits exceed the costs, then the customer perceives value in the product. A need is defined as a perceived lack of something. Customers across industries consider fulfilment of their unique needs as a key metric in evaluating the effectiveness of a solution. In order for an organisation to successfully provide solutions based on customer needs it is crucial for the organisation to understand the needs of their target market. Market Needs Analysis (MNA) is the investigation that intends to improve knowledge about the needs of the organisation’s target market. Project Based Organisations (PBOs) are organisations who are primarily orientated to execute once-off projects with an organisational structure specially formed for a temporary period tailored to deliver a product that meets the needs of specific customers. This research investigates the value offering of a Turnkey PBO and its alignment to the needs of its market. The organisation is privately owned, operating primarily in the South African automotive industry. The true name of the organisation that will be researched will not be disclosed for confidentiality reasons; instead it will be called My Automation Company (MAC). Until the end of 2010, the core focus of the organisation was the supply and maintenance of specialised electronic and computerised tools and services used mainly for quality assurance and production support. Towards the end of 2010 the organisation shifted its focus to providing a new product and service, Turnkey Industrial Automation Projects, to its existing market. In the rush of introducing new products and services many organisations neglect to analyse the market to ensure that they fully understand and can satisfy its needs. Understanding customer needs is crucial in order for new products to be successful thereby capitalising on the available growth potential. Turnkey Industrial Automation Projects is a new product in the organisation’s existing market. It is therefore important that the organisation investigates the customer needs for this particular product as it will differ significantly from customer needs for Service Level Agreements which the organisation is familiar with. The purpose of this research study is to advance the current understanding of the Customer Value Proposition (CVP) of Turnkey PBOs by performing a systematic analysis of the determinants of customer value. This research is an exploratory quantitative study comprised of literature- and case study components used to test proposed hypotheses. The literature study was performed on secondary sources to establish the key concepts related to the topics of PBOs, Industrial Marketing, Market Needs Analysis and CVP. The empirical study consisted of surveys (questionnaires) completed by various customers and employees of MAC. The questionnaire used in this research consisted of questions regarding demographic data and questions regarding perceived CVP and influencing factors. Descriptive statistics was used to summarise the data into a more compact form which could simplify the identification of patterns in the data. Inferential statistics was used to verify if conclusions made from the sample data can be inferred onto a larger population Recommended business practices based on the statistical analysis of the survey results were identified. It was shown that there exists a relationship between Perceived Value and Product Characteristics, Relational Characteristics, Supplier Characteristics, Benefits and Sacrifices by using Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient to measure the linear association between the variables. A significant difference in the perceived performance of MAC in certain aspects was found. There is however no significant difference between the perceived importance’s assigned to CVP factors by High- and Low-level Management customers. It was also found that there is a significant difference in the perceived performance of MAC by Customers and Employees in certain aspects. While there is alignment between the importance Employees and Customers place on the majority of independent variables, there is misalignment with regard to the various Supplier Characteristics. Supplier Commitment was shown to be the factor that requires the most attention as: it has the biggest influence on the perceived value gained from dealing with MAC; Customers rate the organisations performance in this regard lower than Employees do and Employees assign lower importance to this factor than Customers. This study concluded in the development of a hypothesised CVP model that indicated not only which factors influence the CVP of a Turnkey PBO in the Eastern Cape but also the effect that each of the identified factors have on perceived value.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Buys, Stefan
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Industrial marketing , Marketing research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8927 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021170
- Description: Customer value is essentially the perceived value that the customer gains when purchasing a product. The perceived value is the trade-off between the cost of the product and the benefits it provides. If the customer perceives the benefits exceed the costs, then the customer perceives value in the product. A need is defined as a perceived lack of something. Customers across industries consider fulfilment of their unique needs as a key metric in evaluating the effectiveness of a solution. In order for an organisation to successfully provide solutions based on customer needs it is crucial for the organisation to understand the needs of their target market. Market Needs Analysis (MNA) is the investigation that intends to improve knowledge about the needs of the organisation’s target market. Project Based Organisations (PBOs) are organisations who are primarily orientated to execute once-off projects with an organisational structure specially formed for a temporary period tailored to deliver a product that meets the needs of specific customers. This research investigates the value offering of a Turnkey PBO and its alignment to the needs of its market. The organisation is privately owned, operating primarily in the South African automotive industry. The true name of the organisation that will be researched will not be disclosed for confidentiality reasons; instead it will be called My Automation Company (MAC). Until the end of 2010, the core focus of the organisation was the supply and maintenance of specialised electronic and computerised tools and services used mainly for quality assurance and production support. Towards the end of 2010 the organisation shifted its focus to providing a new product and service, Turnkey Industrial Automation Projects, to its existing market. In the rush of introducing new products and services many organisations neglect to analyse the market to ensure that they fully understand and can satisfy its needs. Understanding customer needs is crucial in order for new products to be successful thereby capitalising on the available growth potential. Turnkey Industrial Automation Projects is a new product in the organisation’s existing market. It is therefore important that the organisation investigates the customer needs for this particular product as it will differ significantly from customer needs for Service Level Agreements which the organisation is familiar with. The purpose of this research study is to advance the current understanding of the Customer Value Proposition (CVP) of Turnkey PBOs by performing a systematic analysis of the determinants of customer value. This research is an exploratory quantitative study comprised of literature- and case study components used to test proposed hypotheses. The literature study was performed on secondary sources to establish the key concepts related to the topics of PBOs, Industrial Marketing, Market Needs Analysis and CVP. The empirical study consisted of surveys (questionnaires) completed by various customers and employees of MAC. The questionnaire used in this research consisted of questions regarding demographic data and questions regarding perceived CVP and influencing factors. Descriptive statistics was used to summarise the data into a more compact form which could simplify the identification of patterns in the data. Inferential statistics was used to verify if conclusions made from the sample data can be inferred onto a larger population Recommended business practices based on the statistical analysis of the survey results were identified. It was shown that there exists a relationship between Perceived Value and Product Characteristics, Relational Characteristics, Supplier Characteristics, Benefits and Sacrifices by using Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient to measure the linear association between the variables. A significant difference in the perceived performance of MAC in certain aspects was found. There is however no significant difference between the perceived importance’s assigned to CVP factors by High- and Low-level Management customers. It was also found that there is a significant difference in the perceived performance of MAC by Customers and Employees in certain aspects. While there is alignment between the importance Employees and Customers place on the majority of independent variables, there is misalignment with regard to the various Supplier Characteristics. Supplier Commitment was shown to be the factor that requires the most attention as: it has the biggest influence on the perceived value gained from dealing with MAC; Customers rate the organisations performance in this regard lower than Employees do and Employees assign lower importance to this factor than Customers. This study concluded in the development of a hypothesised CVP model that indicated not only which factors influence the CVP of a Turnkey PBO in the Eastern Cape but also the effect that each of the identified factors have on perceived value.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Improving process flow for selected parts in a Port Elizabeth manufacturer of security products
- Authors: Mosebi, Thapelo David
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Materials handling
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8780 , vital:26429
- Description: South African SMMEs, just like their counterparts world-wide, play a very crucial role against the world economies. The competiveness of these SMMEs is therefore very important. Lean Manufacturing and its principles have been successfully applied by motor manufacturing industries over the years. Many other organisations has since followed suite and adopted lean manufacturing as an approach to optimise and better manage their resources while providing value to their customers. The objective of this study is to investigate how lean manufacturing techniques can be adopted by a specific SMME in a business of manufacturing security products for the banks to better manage its material flow and improve its competitiveness. The research uses observation method to gather information to develop the current value stream map and identify the wasteful procedures. The also involves the interviewing of staff members that are involved in the material handling within the organisation. The results from the two processes are explained and the future value stream map incorporating the lean techniques is developed and presented to the organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mosebi, Thapelo David
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Materials handling
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8780 , vital:26429
- Description: South African SMMEs, just like their counterparts world-wide, play a very crucial role against the world economies. The competiveness of these SMMEs is therefore very important. Lean Manufacturing and its principles have been successfully applied by motor manufacturing industries over the years. Many other organisations has since followed suite and adopted lean manufacturing as an approach to optimise and better manage their resources while providing value to their customers. The objective of this study is to investigate how lean manufacturing techniques can be adopted by a specific SMME in a business of manufacturing security products for the banks to better manage its material flow and improve its competitiveness. The research uses observation method to gather information to develop the current value stream map and identify the wasteful procedures. The also involves the interviewing of staff members that are involved in the material handling within the organisation. The results from the two processes are explained and the future value stream map incorporating the lean techniques is developed and presented to the organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The impact of the marketing communications mix on the purchase decisions for pharmaceuticals in South African Public Health Sector
- Authors: Sogoni, Vuyo Monwabisi Vula
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry -- South Africa -- Marketing , Communication in marketing , Direct marketing , Sales promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021030
- Description: A significant amount of pharmaceutical marketing literature is available. Most of this marketing has doctors, physicians and specialists as main target audience due to the fact that, historically, these medical professionals were the main pharmaceutical purchase decision makers. Pharmaceutical marketing literature has, historically, also been biased towards the private health sector for obvious reasons as the private health sector constitutes the minority of the pharmaceutical market but with a significantly enormous purchasing power than the public healthcare market, constituting the biggest pharmaceutical market in numbers. It is not surprising therefore that majority of pharmaceutical marketing models have been tailor made for the private healthcare market as the growing number of pharmaceutical companies compete for a piece of the small but extremely profitable private healthcare market. South Africa is no exception as it reflects exactly the same pharmaceutical landscape as described above. For growth purposes, pharmaceutical companies have been showing a continued interest in the public healthcare market in Africa as the vast numbers of the African population present an opportunity for pharmaceutical sales. The inspiration of this research study emanated from the realisation that, in order for pharmaceutical companies to take advantage of the looming African opportunity, there is very little literature on pharmaceutical marketing in the public health sector of which majority of the African market constitutes. This study therefore investigates the impact of marketing communication mix elements on pharmaceutical purchasing decisions for pharmaceuticals in the public health sector in South Africa. Personal selling, public relations and promotions are the marketing communications mix elements being investigated in this study as they are the most commonly utilised in the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, the study aims to develop an understanding on which of the chosen marketing communications mix elements has the most influence on the pharmaceutical purchasing decisions in the context of the public health sector in South Africa. The study also aims to explore the causal effects of such influences in the public health sector in South Africa. The findings will be valuable to pharmaceutical marketers that are trying to tap in the public health sector market as it is different from the private health sector. The study employs more qualitative approach. A small sample was utilised from the public health sector in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Semi structured interviews were used to collect data which was analysed using grounded theory data analysis methodology. Empirical results revealed that personal selling influences pharmaceutical purchasing decision the most and promotions the least. Mitigating factors were uncovered to assist in optimising the marketing communication efforts for marketers in this sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Sogoni, Vuyo Monwabisi Vula
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry -- South Africa -- Marketing , Communication in marketing , Direct marketing , Sales promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021030
- Description: A significant amount of pharmaceutical marketing literature is available. Most of this marketing has doctors, physicians and specialists as main target audience due to the fact that, historically, these medical professionals were the main pharmaceutical purchase decision makers. Pharmaceutical marketing literature has, historically, also been biased towards the private health sector for obvious reasons as the private health sector constitutes the minority of the pharmaceutical market but with a significantly enormous purchasing power than the public healthcare market, constituting the biggest pharmaceutical market in numbers. It is not surprising therefore that majority of pharmaceutical marketing models have been tailor made for the private healthcare market as the growing number of pharmaceutical companies compete for a piece of the small but extremely profitable private healthcare market. South Africa is no exception as it reflects exactly the same pharmaceutical landscape as described above. For growth purposes, pharmaceutical companies have been showing a continued interest in the public healthcare market in Africa as the vast numbers of the African population present an opportunity for pharmaceutical sales. The inspiration of this research study emanated from the realisation that, in order for pharmaceutical companies to take advantage of the looming African opportunity, there is very little literature on pharmaceutical marketing in the public health sector of which majority of the African market constitutes. This study therefore investigates the impact of marketing communication mix elements on pharmaceutical purchasing decisions for pharmaceuticals in the public health sector in South Africa. Personal selling, public relations and promotions are the marketing communications mix elements being investigated in this study as they are the most commonly utilised in the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, the study aims to develop an understanding on which of the chosen marketing communications mix elements has the most influence on the pharmaceutical purchasing decisions in the context of the public health sector in South Africa. The study also aims to explore the causal effects of such influences in the public health sector in South Africa. The findings will be valuable to pharmaceutical marketers that are trying to tap in the public health sector market as it is different from the private health sector. The study employs more qualitative approach. A small sample was utilised from the public health sector in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Semi structured interviews were used to collect data which was analysed using grounded theory data analysis methodology. Empirical results revealed that personal selling influences pharmaceutical purchasing decision the most and promotions the least. Mitigating factors were uncovered to assist in optimising the marketing communication efforts for marketers in this sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Knowledge management as a tool to enhance innovative thinking in an organisation
- Authors: Kenqa, Bandile
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Knowledge management Organizational learning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11026 , vital:26878
- Description: The twenty-first century is an era where corporate and small businesses alike have to give way to what has been termed the ‘knowledge era’. Knowledge management is regarded as the most important factor in the mainstream of the business fraternity in ensuring sustainability within organisations. Because knowledge management is an integral part of managerial activity in a number of organisations, the broader economic environment and social life today, it is imperative that organisations must be knowledge-driven. Equally important are the associated knowledge management implementation strategies. Based on the literature study and the survey of the branch managerial teams in FNB branches in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan in Port Elizabeth, it was concluded that FNB partly applied specified concepts to embrace an innovation culture in the organisation. The concepts specified included innovative competency, leadership initiative, customer engagement, staff engagement and personal desire, at both individual and FNB level. In order to attain the objective of the empirical study, survey results were evaluated in order to establish whether the above mentioned concepts were applied. A sample of fifty five (55) managerial members from fifteen (15) branches were surveyed. The responses obtained from the respondents were analysed and compared with the matters raised in the literature review. Leadership initiative appeared to be the most important critical factor in driving knowledge management culture in the organisation. However, it was established that personal desire, both at individual and FNB level, were misaligned to knowledge management. This implied that the organisation was not yielding full benefits from their employees in ensuring that management optimise on the employees’ skills, qualifications and expertise. Conclusions, research gaps and recommendations were formulated for the FNB’s promotion of innovative competency, leadership initiative, customer engagement, staff engagement and personal desire, both at individual and FNB levels. The empirical results were satisfactory and informative. Leadership initiative appeared to be the most critical factor in driving knowledge management culture in the organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Kenqa, Bandile
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Knowledge management Organizational learning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11026 , vital:26878
- Description: The twenty-first century is an era where corporate and small businesses alike have to give way to what has been termed the ‘knowledge era’. Knowledge management is regarded as the most important factor in the mainstream of the business fraternity in ensuring sustainability within organisations. Because knowledge management is an integral part of managerial activity in a number of organisations, the broader economic environment and social life today, it is imperative that organisations must be knowledge-driven. Equally important are the associated knowledge management implementation strategies. Based on the literature study and the survey of the branch managerial teams in FNB branches in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan in Port Elizabeth, it was concluded that FNB partly applied specified concepts to embrace an innovation culture in the organisation. The concepts specified included innovative competency, leadership initiative, customer engagement, staff engagement and personal desire, at both individual and FNB level. In order to attain the objective of the empirical study, survey results were evaluated in order to establish whether the above mentioned concepts were applied. A sample of fifty five (55) managerial members from fifteen (15) branches were surveyed. The responses obtained from the respondents were analysed and compared with the matters raised in the literature review. Leadership initiative appeared to be the most important critical factor in driving knowledge management culture in the organisation. However, it was established that personal desire, both at individual and FNB level, were misaligned to knowledge management. This implied that the organisation was not yielding full benefits from their employees in ensuring that management optimise on the employees’ skills, qualifications and expertise. Conclusions, research gaps and recommendations were formulated for the FNB’s promotion of innovative competency, leadership initiative, customer engagement, staff engagement and personal desire, both at individual and FNB levels. The empirical results were satisfactory and informative. Leadership initiative appeared to be the most critical factor in driving knowledge management culture in the organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The personality of an entrepreneur : a psychobiography of Steve Jobs
- Authors: Ndoro, Tinashe T R
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Jobs, Steve, 1955-2011 -- Psychology , Personality assessment , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Businesspeople -- Psychology , Psychohistory , Entrepreneurship -- United States , Businesspeople -- United States
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:833 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013215
- Description: From Integrative Summary: There has been a growing interest in successful entrepreneurs. Research on entrepreneurship has focused on the identification of personality variables that would assist in the prediction of entrepreneurial success. The present study moves away from attempting to predict entrepreneurial success and instead focuses on exploring and describing the personality of a successful entrepreneur. A psychobiographical case study was adopted by the researcher to explore and describe the extent to which Steve Jobs demonstrated the entrepreneurial characteristics identified by Rauch and Frese (2007). A personality trait approach to entrepreneurship was adopted in the study. The study also attempted to explore the socio-cultural and economic context within which Jobs practised his entrepreneurial activities. Jobs was a successful entrepreneur who co-founded Apple and founded NeXT and Pixar, which were all companies that transformed various technological industries. His entrepreneurial orientation allowed him to produce innovative products that transformed society in various sectors which included personal computing, mobile phones, music, retail stores and films (Isaacson, 2011). A qualitative approach was adopted in the study. The data collection and analysis was guided by the three linked sub-processes proposed by Miles and Huberman (2002) which involved data reduction, data display and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings of this study showed that Jobs demonstrated, at varying levels, all the entrepreneurial characteristics identified by Rauch and Frese (2007) which included a need of achievement, risk-taking, innovativeness, autonomy, locus of control and self-efficacy. The researcher however noted that the desire for autonomy, risk-taking, innovativeness and self-efficacy were the most dominant characteristics driving his entrepreneurial orientation. The research thesis adopted the structure of a teaching case which can be used to explore and discuss the personality trait perspective to entrepreneurship in a classroom setting. The findings of the study can be recognised as positively contributing to the growing field of psychobiographical research on exceptional individuals, including entrepreneurs. The study can be considered as a foundation for future studies which will add to the body of knowledge relating to entrepreneurship and personality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ndoro, Tinashe T R
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Jobs, Steve, 1955-2011 -- Psychology , Personality assessment , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Businesspeople -- Psychology , Psychohistory , Entrepreneurship -- United States , Businesspeople -- United States
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:833 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013215
- Description: From Integrative Summary: There has been a growing interest in successful entrepreneurs. Research on entrepreneurship has focused on the identification of personality variables that would assist in the prediction of entrepreneurial success. The present study moves away from attempting to predict entrepreneurial success and instead focuses on exploring and describing the personality of a successful entrepreneur. A psychobiographical case study was adopted by the researcher to explore and describe the extent to which Steve Jobs demonstrated the entrepreneurial characteristics identified by Rauch and Frese (2007). A personality trait approach to entrepreneurship was adopted in the study. The study also attempted to explore the socio-cultural and economic context within which Jobs practised his entrepreneurial activities. Jobs was a successful entrepreneur who co-founded Apple and founded NeXT and Pixar, which were all companies that transformed various technological industries. His entrepreneurial orientation allowed him to produce innovative products that transformed society in various sectors which included personal computing, mobile phones, music, retail stores and films (Isaacson, 2011). A qualitative approach was adopted in the study. The data collection and analysis was guided by the three linked sub-processes proposed by Miles and Huberman (2002) which involved data reduction, data display and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings of this study showed that Jobs demonstrated, at varying levels, all the entrepreneurial characteristics identified by Rauch and Frese (2007) which included a need of achievement, risk-taking, innovativeness, autonomy, locus of control and self-efficacy. The researcher however noted that the desire for autonomy, risk-taking, innovativeness and self-efficacy were the most dominant characteristics driving his entrepreneurial orientation. The research thesis adopted the structure of a teaching case which can be used to explore and discuss the personality trait perspective to entrepreneurship in a classroom setting. The findings of the study can be recognised as positively contributing to the growing field of psychobiographical research on exceptional individuals, including entrepreneurs. The study can be considered as a foundation for future studies which will add to the body of knowledge relating to entrepreneurship and personality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Talent management as a strategy to promote succession of junior managers at Edgars
- Authors: Walters, Charles
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Organizational effectiveness , Occupation , Career development , Success in business
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47837 , vital:40385
- Description: Talent Management has become one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today. With the skill shortage and the influx of clothing retailers into South Africa in the past two years, the war on talent has intensified. With this in mind the objective of the study was to investigate if Edgars had a successful talent management strategy to promote junior managers through succession. Talent management has different parts including recruitment, learning and development, performance management, reward, leadership, employee value proposition, retention and succession. This study unpacks the literature on talent management and its components and takes a deeper look at the strategy adopted by Edgars. The study highlights the importance of talent management and that there should be clear strategies for every part that makes up the talent management framework. Empirical studies are done on the different sub sections of talent management, findings and recommendations are reported in the final chapters. The target population for this study consisted of junior managers at Edgars, where the majority of key value roles critical for development and store manager succession are. A sample of forty respondents was randomly selected from the total junior management population at Edgars. The findings suggested that when an organisation has effective talent management strategy, it is more likely to create a compelling employee value proposition that is conducive to sustain succession of great talent. Furthermore, the findings revealed that Edgars is effective in applying certain talent strategies while other areas required more attention and focus.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Walters, Charles
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Organizational effectiveness , Occupation , Career development , Success in business
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47837 , vital:40385
- Description: Talent Management has become one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today. With the skill shortage and the influx of clothing retailers into South Africa in the past two years, the war on talent has intensified. With this in mind the objective of the study was to investigate if Edgars had a successful talent management strategy to promote junior managers through succession. Talent management has different parts including recruitment, learning and development, performance management, reward, leadership, employee value proposition, retention and succession. This study unpacks the literature on talent management and its components and takes a deeper look at the strategy adopted by Edgars. The study highlights the importance of talent management and that there should be clear strategies for every part that makes up the talent management framework. Empirical studies are done on the different sub sections of talent management, findings and recommendations are reported in the final chapters. The target population for this study consisted of junior managers at Edgars, where the majority of key value roles critical for development and store manager succession are. A sample of forty respondents was randomly selected from the total junior management population at Edgars. The findings suggested that when an organisation has effective talent management strategy, it is more likely to create a compelling employee value proposition that is conducive to sustain succession of great talent. Furthermore, the findings revealed that Edgars is effective in applying certain talent strategies while other areas required more attention and focus.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014