Magister Commercii (Industrial Psychology) - MCom (IPS)
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Item An investigation into the factors motivating Information technology specialists in the local government sector(University of the Western Cape, 2004) Franks, Deon AnthonyIn this research study, the factors that motivate Information Technology specialists in the local government sector are investigated. The importance of motivation and the resulting acquisition and/or retention of skilled staff are argued to be crucial in the quest of South African local government institutions to become effective and efficient world-class institutions. Eighteen motivating factors are identified and the extent to which each of these factors impact on skilled workers is assessed. It is established that all eighteen factors investigated, have to some degree an effect on the motivation of the sample. Based on rank order, ease and security or job security, material reward and immersion seem to be the preferred factors of motivation for Information Technology specialists in the Local Government Sector, while autonomy, interest and power seem to have a lesser impact on their motivation. Unexpectedly, no extreme scores (sample mean scores) are found on any of the 18 factors assessed. This somewhat surprising result of the study is discussed and possible reasons are outlined. Due to the unique nature of the public sector with limited finances being available to support a system of performance incentives, the status of material reward or money in the motivation of skilled staff is in particular explored in the study. Arguments for and against money as a major significant motivator of skilled staff, are sketched.Item Comparing face-to-face and technology-based training to evaluate its perceived effectiveness in improving employee performance(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Meyer, Shandré; Naidoo-Chetty, Mineshree; Mahembe, BrightFor several decades, the ideal and preferred traditional training delivery in organisations mainly comprised in-person, face-to-face training, and engagement. The twenty-first century introduced the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which witnessed great strides in technology and introduced technology-based and online training. This online method of training and development surged when the global COVID-19 pandemic came about in 2020 and made it necessary and imperative due to social distancing protocols. This foresaw the emergence of technology-based training within several organisations’ training environments globally, enabling and increasing flexible learning for employees. Although technology-based training is considered a desirable and revolutionary training method, its efficiency is based on individuals’ perceptions thereof, with many still favouring the traditional face-to-face training approach as part of their preferred learning style. This has raised the debate on whether organisations can transition from the traditional face-to-face training approach to a Technology based training approach and still enable staff to perform at an optimal level.Item Perceived organisational support, organisational commitment and turnover intentions amongst employees in a selected company in the cash industry(Universty of the Western Cape, 2022) Crayenstein, Samantha (Saaligha); Hamman-Fisher, DesireeGlobally and in South Africa turnover has been identified as a major challenge in organisations. An examination of the literature revealed that perceived organisational support (POS) and organisational commitment can significantly influence an employee’s turnover intention. The literature also showed that when employees perceive that they are being supported by their employers they reciprocate positively and commit to organisational imperatives because they feel appreciated. As a result, organisational efficiency and employee performance is enhanced and turnover is decreased. However, little attention has been directed at examining POS and organisational commitment on turnover intention in the cash industry in South Africa. This privation of literature was found even though employee retention is a critical challenge in the cash industry in South Africa.Item An explorative study to determine the impact of leadership style and culture on organisational resilience and agility in a South African retail company(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Jansen, Vanya Bertha ; Abrahams, FatimaThe South African retail sector has been hit with a rash of external blows over the last few years, ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic, sporadic riots, looting and natural disasters. Organisations who demonstrated high levels of resilience and agility were the ones who not only survived but thrived during these tumultuous times. This explorative qualitative study thus aims to identify the impact of leadership style and culture on organisational resilience and agility in a South African retail company. The researcher has applied a philosophy of phenomenology based on a grounded theory while deploying a purposive sampling technique to acquire the lived experiences of the 13 identified participants, all senior managers and executives directly involved in leading their teams through the various business recovery strategies. The data was collected by means of semi-structured in-depth interviews. The transcriptions were afterwards analysed by using Atlas Ti, a qualitative data analysis software tool. The findings of this research confirmed that factors related to adaptability, agile structures, technology and innovation, learning agility and pro-activeness enhance organisational agility. Furthermore, factors related to resilience skills in employees, organisational resilience, crisis response, change management, stakeholder management and predictive simulation were found to enhance organisational resilience.Item Evaluating the perceived effectiveness of employee assistance programs during the coronavirus disease 2019 among frontline employees at a selected government institution(Universty of the Western Cape, 2024) Mgquba, Nonzukiso; Hamman-Fisher, DesireeAll South Africans relied on frontline employees to perform essential services during the coronavirus disease 2019. Frontline employees at a selected government institution were placed under enormous and extraordinary demands to serve the public while putting themselves, and their physical, mental, and well-being at risk. Many feared contracting the coronavirus disease 2019 at work and infecting their family at home. As a result, they felt extremely stressed and reported high levels of anxiety. They were expected to utilise Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) to cope with their lived experiences. However, this was not the case as frontline employees found it difficult to contact the outsourced EAP service providers and visit their premises for consultations. This study evaluated the perceived effectiveness of Employee Assistance Programs during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Furthermore, it explored the frontline employees’ lived experiences. The study was located in the interpretivismparadigm and adopted a case study design. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted through the use of the convenience sampling technique. The content analysis approach was used to identify the main themes, and sub-themes and organise the findings. The findings suggest that EAP is perceived as a valuable resource, which could potentially aid employees faced with personal and work-related problems. Despite this, only one participant used the EAP during the pandemic. Due to the safety measures, there were no formal awareness programs conducted during the pandemic. Participants reported a lack of visibility and promotion of EAP services which contributed to them not utilising it. Furthermore, the managers and human resource personnel did not coordinate the EAP services well.Item The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on career choices among Grade 11 and Grade 12 students at selected schools in the Cape Flats(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Jefferies, Gakeema; Abrahams, FatimaThe schooling system and education structure were tested to their limits during the COVID-19 pandemic period, when students from all around the world were forced to complete their school curriculum online. The drastic changes brought about different factors that impacted these students on a large scale. Students were pushed out of their comfort zones and had to adapt in order to survive the challenges. This also led to a set of coping mechanisms developed and implemented by students during this period. The purpose of this research was to identify how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the career decisions made by students in Grade 11 and Grade 12. These students have gone through many changes not only within their education but also in the way they think and process things regarding their career and whether their career choices have changed or not. The COVID-19 period may have caused many students to shift their paths due to the lack of exposure at schools, and for others, it may have only enhanced their career paths. This study investigated how students' career choices were influenced and how they adapted to a new way of life. Selecting a career was and will forever be a daunting experience for many students, but more so for those that went through this world health crisis, as there were high levels of uncertainty and fear of the unknown.