Assessing authentic leadership and workplace trust amongst managerial government employees in Lesotho
- Authors: Damane, Likeleko
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Leadership -- Moral and ethical aspects , Industrial management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9033 , vital:26458
- Description: In today‘s world, characterised by highly competitive global economies, organisations have realised the need for a positive approach in order to remain competitive, sustainable and to attract and retain talent. A positive approach to leadership and an organisational environment characterised by trust has been one of the fundamental tools towards achieving this goal. The main objective of the present study was to assess the existence of positive organizational approaches (authentic leadership and workplace trust) within the government of Lesotho, especially at a time when the country was facing difficulties. The study was descriptive in nature, and followed a non-experimental quantitative approach. The survey made use of a sample of 153 civil servants occupying positions from supervisory to senior management. Data was acquired through the use of an electronic questionnaire made up of two scales: one was a self-assessment instrument on authentic leadership adopted from Walumbwa and associates, and the other scale was on workplace trust developed by Natalie Ferres. The analysis of data involved descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, post hoc tests and Cohen‘s d. The results of the study provided evidence that there were high levels of the authentic leadership and trust in the workplace. Demographic variables were not found to influence the outcome of authentic leadership scores, however, education and managerial level were found to have an influence on organisational trust. The findings of the study provoked the researcher to call for an implementation of policy on positive training for management and for further research in this area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Damane, Likeleko
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Leadership -- Moral and ethical aspects , Industrial management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9033 , vital:26458
- Description: In today‘s world, characterised by highly competitive global economies, organisations have realised the need for a positive approach in order to remain competitive, sustainable and to attract and retain talent. A positive approach to leadership and an organisational environment characterised by trust has been one of the fundamental tools towards achieving this goal. The main objective of the present study was to assess the existence of positive organizational approaches (authentic leadership and workplace trust) within the government of Lesotho, especially at a time when the country was facing difficulties. The study was descriptive in nature, and followed a non-experimental quantitative approach. The survey made use of a sample of 153 civil servants occupying positions from supervisory to senior management. Data was acquired through the use of an electronic questionnaire made up of two scales: one was a self-assessment instrument on authentic leadership adopted from Walumbwa and associates, and the other scale was on workplace trust developed by Natalie Ferres. The analysis of data involved descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, post hoc tests and Cohen‘s d. The results of the study provided evidence that there were high levels of the authentic leadership and trust in the workplace. Demographic variables were not found to influence the outcome of authentic leadership scores, however, education and managerial level were found to have an influence on organisational trust. The findings of the study provoked the researcher to call for an implementation of policy on positive training for management and for further research in this area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The effects of outsourcing practices conducted by organisations in Nairobi
- Authors: Wachira, Wanjungu
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Contracting out , Industrial management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4988 , vital:20775
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between outsourcing and development in Nairobi. The key research question for this study is what are the impacts of outsourcing practices conducted by organisations in Nairobi? Data were obtained from questionnaires distributed in December 2010. A total of 85 profit-making firms in Nairobi with a sample of 165 management employees were selected for this study. The empirical findings obtained relate to four outsourcing theories. Transaction Cost Analysis (TCA) Theory focuses on the cost savings that result from outsourcing. Agency Outsourcing Theory centres on outsourcing firms hiring agents to achieve productivity. Hiring agents may result in permanent staff being retrenched and additional outsourcing personnel being contracted and job creation and/or job loss results. Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT) emphasises the importance of an outsourcing provider conforming to quality management principles. Resource Based Theory (RBT) proposes that organisations need a collection of resources and capabilities to execute outsourcing successfully. Findings further suggested that outsourcing can yield positive and/or negative outcomes depending on risks encountered, the business environment, company policies, function/s to be outsourced, and the competence and commitment of an outsourcing vendor. To further enhance the positive impact of outsourcing three improvements need to be executed: formulation of standard policies, price regulations, and commitment of outsourcing firms in adhering to set contract deadlines. It is suggested that the following would allow organisations to gain more from outsourcing in the future: the adoption of international/offshore outsourcing practices, more commitment by outsourcing consultants, the standardisation of charges for outsourcing contracts, and the use of new technology that would improve how outsourcing is conducted. It is concluded that the positive impacts of outsourcing would foster development to some extent while the possible negative impact of outsourcing would impede development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Wachira, Wanjungu
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Contracting out , Industrial management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4988 , vital:20775
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between outsourcing and development in Nairobi. The key research question for this study is what are the impacts of outsourcing practices conducted by organisations in Nairobi? Data were obtained from questionnaires distributed in December 2010. A total of 85 profit-making firms in Nairobi with a sample of 165 management employees were selected for this study. The empirical findings obtained relate to four outsourcing theories. Transaction Cost Analysis (TCA) Theory focuses on the cost savings that result from outsourcing. Agency Outsourcing Theory centres on outsourcing firms hiring agents to achieve productivity. Hiring agents may result in permanent staff being retrenched and additional outsourcing personnel being contracted and job creation and/or job loss results. Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT) emphasises the importance of an outsourcing provider conforming to quality management principles. Resource Based Theory (RBT) proposes that organisations need a collection of resources and capabilities to execute outsourcing successfully. Findings further suggested that outsourcing can yield positive and/or negative outcomes depending on risks encountered, the business environment, company policies, function/s to be outsourced, and the competence and commitment of an outsourcing vendor. To further enhance the positive impact of outsourcing three improvements need to be executed: formulation of standard policies, price regulations, and commitment of outsourcing firms in adhering to set contract deadlines. It is suggested that the following would allow organisations to gain more from outsourcing in the future: the adoption of international/offshore outsourcing practices, more commitment by outsourcing consultants, the standardisation of charges for outsourcing contracts, and the use of new technology that would improve how outsourcing is conducted. It is concluded that the positive impacts of outsourcing would foster development to some extent while the possible negative impact of outsourcing would impede development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The determinants of corporate entrepreneurship for firms in adventure tourism sector in the Eastern Cape Province: South Africa
- Authors: Chigamba, Cleopas
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Organizational change -- Management , Entrepreneurship , Industrial management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com (Business Management)
- Identifier: vital:11326 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015312 , Organizational change -- Management , Entrepreneurship , Industrial management
- Description: Tourism has been acknowledged for the past decade as one of the leading driving forces for economic development in post-apartheid South Africa (Nel & Binns, 2002:189). The objective of this study was to investigate the determinants of corporate entrepreneurship for firms in adventure tourism sector in the Eastern Cape Province; South Africa. The population for the study were firms registered with the Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism Portal (NMBT) and the Dirty Boot Adventure South Africa. Convenience sampling method was used. Data was collected through the use of a self-administered questionnaire. For the purpose of data collection, one hundred and fourteen questions were identified through a thorough review of the literature. Principal component analysis was used to reduce the one hundred and fourteen questions to twelve factors namely: flat organisational structure, management support for intrapreneurship, vision and strategic intent, rewards / reinforcement and sponsorship, innovativeness and creativity, multi-disciplined teamwork and diversity, entrepreneurial leadership, resources and time, strong customer orientation, continuous cross-functional learning, tolerance of risk, mistakes and failure and work discretion and discretionary time. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, T-test and ANOVA. Cohen`s (d-value) was used to measure the effect size of differences for t-statistics. The Cronbach’s alpha was used to test the reliability of the scales. The results showed significant positive relationships between the twelve factors and corporate entrepreneurship. Recommendations included an integrated framework that could assist adventure tour operator to establish and sustain corporate entrepreneurship within this sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Chigamba, Cleopas
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Organizational change -- Management , Entrepreneurship , Industrial management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com (Business Management)
- Identifier: vital:11326 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015312 , Organizational change -- Management , Entrepreneurship , Industrial management
- Description: Tourism has been acknowledged for the past decade as one of the leading driving forces for economic development in post-apartheid South Africa (Nel & Binns, 2002:189). The objective of this study was to investigate the determinants of corporate entrepreneurship for firms in adventure tourism sector in the Eastern Cape Province; South Africa. The population for the study were firms registered with the Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism Portal (NMBT) and the Dirty Boot Adventure South Africa. Convenience sampling method was used. Data was collected through the use of a self-administered questionnaire. For the purpose of data collection, one hundred and fourteen questions were identified through a thorough review of the literature. Principal component analysis was used to reduce the one hundred and fourteen questions to twelve factors namely: flat organisational structure, management support for intrapreneurship, vision and strategic intent, rewards / reinforcement and sponsorship, innovativeness and creativity, multi-disciplined teamwork and diversity, entrepreneurial leadership, resources and time, strong customer orientation, continuous cross-functional learning, tolerance of risk, mistakes and failure and work discretion and discretionary time. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, T-test and ANOVA. Cohen`s (d-value) was used to measure the effect size of differences for t-statistics. The Cronbach’s alpha was used to test the reliability of the scales. The results showed significant positive relationships between the twelve factors and corporate entrepreneurship. Recommendations included an integrated framework that could assist adventure tour operator to establish and sustain corporate entrepreneurship within this sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The development of a total quality management organisational culture for Eden District Municipality
- Authors: Jantjies, Xavier
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Total quality management -- South Africa -- Eden district municipality , Total quality management in government -- South Africa -- Eden district municipality , Organizational effectiveness , Industrial management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8708 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/988 , Total quality management -- South Africa -- Eden district municipality , Total quality management in government -- South Africa -- Eden district municipality , Organizational effectiveness , Industrial management
- Description: Local governments are under tremendous pressure to control their costs and improve their services. Managing quality at local government level implies an enormous upheaval in organisational culture. The changing environment calls for new approaches to meeting the organisation’s mission. Total quality management is one of the tools, which government organisations are embracing to meet the growing demand of a changing environment. This paper will discuss the quest for service excellence and continuous improvement and the role of employees in total quality management and how this can be maximized by managers. It will also focus on cultural transformation principles that are useful in promoting quality processes and output and consequently service excellence in an organisation. The main objective of this research study is to investigate how a total quality management organisational culture can be developed at Eden District Municipality. To realize it, the current organisational culture at Eden District Municipality was analysed to determine what should be done. A literature review was conducted to determine the components of a total quality management organisational culture. All this information was used to formulate an approach for the development of a total quality management organisational culture. The empirical study involved a questionnaire, a sample and statistical analysis adapted to solve the main and sub-problems of the study. The research data indicated that Eden District Municipality does not support a total quality management organisational culture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Jantjies, Xavier
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Total quality management -- South Africa -- Eden district municipality , Total quality management in government -- South Africa -- Eden district municipality , Organizational effectiveness , Industrial management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8708 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/988 , Total quality management -- South Africa -- Eden district municipality , Total quality management in government -- South Africa -- Eden district municipality , Organizational effectiveness , Industrial management
- Description: Local governments are under tremendous pressure to control their costs and improve their services. Managing quality at local government level implies an enormous upheaval in organisational culture. The changing environment calls for new approaches to meeting the organisation’s mission. Total quality management is one of the tools, which government organisations are embracing to meet the growing demand of a changing environment. This paper will discuss the quest for service excellence and continuous improvement and the role of employees in total quality management and how this can be maximized by managers. It will also focus on cultural transformation principles that are useful in promoting quality processes and output and consequently service excellence in an organisation. The main objective of this research study is to investigate how a total quality management organisational culture can be developed at Eden District Municipality. To realize it, the current organisational culture at Eden District Municipality was analysed to determine what should be done. A literature review was conducted to determine the components of a total quality management organisational culture. All this information was used to formulate an approach for the development of a total quality management organisational culture. The empirical study involved a questionnaire, a sample and statistical analysis adapted to solve the main and sub-problems of the study. The research data indicated that Eden District Municipality does not support a total quality management organisational culture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
The identification of factors that contribute to the competitive advantage of the catalytic converter industry cluster in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Manlee, Tamaryn
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Competition , Industrial management , Automobiles -- Catalytic converters
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10892 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/99 , Competition , Industrial management , Automobiles -- Catalytic converters
- Description: The research problem addressed in this study was to determine what the main factors are that contribute to the competitive advantage of the catalytic converter industry cluster in the Eastern Cape. To achieve this objective theoretical models of competitive advantage and literature of industry clustering were identified. For the models on competitive advantage, Porter’s diamond was used for national competitive advantage and Porter’s model on the competitive environment, which affects the competitive advantage of a region. Other theories on competitive advantage of cities and regions were identified, leading up to the theory on the cluster approach. The literature mentioned was broken down and analysed using literature, from knowledgeable people in the automotive industry in the Eastern Cape, identified during the study. A questionnaire was developed to test the degree to which the catalytic converter industry cluster in the Eastern Cape is in agreement with the literature study. The empirical study obtained a strong concurrence with the literature study on national competitive advantage and the theory of clusters. This resulted in a strategy for the catalytic converter industry cluster to sustain competitive advantage and remain globally competitive.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Manlee, Tamaryn
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Competition , Industrial management , Automobiles -- Catalytic converters
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10892 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/99 , Competition , Industrial management , Automobiles -- Catalytic converters
- Description: The research problem addressed in this study was to determine what the main factors are that contribute to the competitive advantage of the catalytic converter industry cluster in the Eastern Cape. To achieve this objective theoretical models of competitive advantage and literature of industry clustering were identified. For the models on competitive advantage, Porter’s diamond was used for national competitive advantage and Porter’s model on the competitive environment, which affects the competitive advantage of a region. Other theories on competitive advantage of cities and regions were identified, leading up to the theory on the cluster approach. The literature mentioned was broken down and analysed using literature, from knowledgeable people in the automotive industry in the Eastern Cape, identified during the study. A questionnaire was developed to test the degree to which the catalytic converter industry cluster in the Eastern Cape is in agreement with the literature study. The empirical study obtained a strong concurrence with the literature study on national competitive advantage and the theory of clusters. This resulted in a strategy for the catalytic converter industry cluster to sustain competitive advantage and remain globally competitive.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
A model for the enforcement of history-based separation of duty in heterogeneous workflow environments
- Authors: Papenfus, Carl
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Reengineering (Management) , Industrial management , Workflow
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Information Technology)
- Identifier: vital:10797 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69 , Reengineering (Management) , Industrial management , Workflow
- Description: The current business world is becoming more and more dependent on electronic business. Many paper documents have been made obsolete by electronic documents, as they are easier to automate and track than paper documents. The increased use of computers within organizations has therefore, lead to an increase in use of workflow software products. The increased use of computer-based workflow has allowed organizations to conduct more types of electronic business. This has lead to electronic business crossing organizational boundaries and subsequently a need for heterogeneous workflow systems. For organizations to use heterogeneous workflow systems they must perform their duties in a seamless and secure manner. It is the author’s belief that History-based Separation of Duty principles can be used to formulate access control strategies that reflect the dynamic nature of heterogeneous workflow systems. History-based Separation of Duties relies on the workflow history of a workflow object to determine the access permissions of a particular user to that workflow object. The required workflow history data must be stored in an easily accessible manner. Although this can be achieved through a centralized approach, it is difficult to achieve in a heterogeneous workflow environment where many unrelated workflow systems are interacting across various computer platforms. The model proposed by this dissertation suggests that the workflow history data of a workflow object travels with it in the form of an electronic document, from one heterogeneous workflow environment to another, as a type of “workflow baggage”. In order for this workflow baggage to be easily accessible to all workflow systems in the heterogeneous workflow environment, it must be stored in a universal format, which is structured to allow it to be easily queried. The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is adopted as an appropriate format for representing workflow baggage. The proposed model hinges on the expression of Separation of Duty requirements in a way that is removed from the application programs. A policy-driven approach is thus adopted. The implementation of the model involves the utilization of four steps: policy expression, baggage evaluation, document processing and baggage collection. The policy expression step is responsible for developing the Separation of Duty constraints to be enforced within the workflow system. During the baggage evaluation step the baggage of the workflow object is evaluated according to the constraints of the Separation of Duty policy. Only users who do not violate any of the Separation of Duty constraints are allowed to process the workflow object. After the workflow object has been processed the information regarding the processing is recorded in the baggage collection step. The proposed model enables heterogeneous workflow systems to share access control information in a flexible and portable way.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
- Authors: Papenfus, Carl
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Reengineering (Management) , Industrial management , Workflow
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Information Technology)
- Identifier: vital:10797 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/69 , Reengineering (Management) , Industrial management , Workflow
- Description: The current business world is becoming more and more dependent on electronic business. Many paper documents have been made obsolete by electronic documents, as they are easier to automate and track than paper documents. The increased use of computers within organizations has therefore, lead to an increase in use of workflow software products. The increased use of computer-based workflow has allowed organizations to conduct more types of electronic business. This has lead to electronic business crossing organizational boundaries and subsequently a need for heterogeneous workflow systems. For organizations to use heterogeneous workflow systems they must perform their duties in a seamless and secure manner. It is the author’s belief that History-based Separation of Duty principles can be used to formulate access control strategies that reflect the dynamic nature of heterogeneous workflow systems. History-based Separation of Duties relies on the workflow history of a workflow object to determine the access permissions of a particular user to that workflow object. The required workflow history data must be stored in an easily accessible manner. Although this can be achieved through a centralized approach, it is difficult to achieve in a heterogeneous workflow environment where many unrelated workflow systems are interacting across various computer platforms. The model proposed by this dissertation suggests that the workflow history data of a workflow object travels with it in the form of an electronic document, from one heterogeneous workflow environment to another, as a type of “workflow baggage”. In order for this workflow baggage to be easily accessible to all workflow systems in the heterogeneous workflow environment, it must be stored in a universal format, which is structured to allow it to be easily queried. The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is adopted as an appropriate format for representing workflow baggage. The proposed model hinges on the expression of Separation of Duty requirements in a way that is removed from the application programs. A policy-driven approach is thus adopted. The implementation of the model involves the utilization of four steps: policy expression, baggage evaluation, document processing and baggage collection. The policy expression step is responsible for developing the Separation of Duty constraints to be enforced within the workflow system. During the baggage evaluation step the baggage of the workflow object is evaluated according to the constraints of the Separation of Duty policy. Only users who do not violate any of the Separation of Duty constraints are allowed to process the workflow object. After the workflow object has been processed the information regarding the processing is recorded in the baggage collection step. The proposed model enables heterogeneous workflow systems to share access control information in a flexible and portable way.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
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