Research Outputs (Economics and Finance)
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Item Revisiting employee motivation and job satisfaction within the context of an emerging economy: Theoretical representation and developing the model(2014) Ncube, CM; Samuel, MOThe world’s economic attention is rapidly shifting towards the direction of emerging economies. In order to facilitate and accelerate this process, it is important that designated economic hubs are well positioned in terms of infrastructural and social development. This can only be achieved through an integrated human resource practices that recognises the importance of human beings (employees) as the most important factor for the success or failure of any social or economic project. This imperative therefore places employee motivation and job satisfaction in the forefront. It was against this background that this research was conducted to determine the level at which municipal employees of one of the world-class socio-economic cities in South Africa enjoyed job satisfaction using selected motivational variables. The study adopted a survey research method using quantitative research design. A measuring instrument with a Cronbach alpha coefficient of above 0.70 was developed and used to collect primary data from 300 employees of the municipal council. Main hypotheses were formulated and tested using both regression and correlation statistical analyses. Results show that intrinsic and extrinsic motivational variables impacted significantly on the level at which employees derived job satisfaction. Management can therefore develop a job satisfaction practice around identified motivational variables in order to maximise employee productivity and enhance quality service delivery.Item Compliance with labour rights and international labour standards: Implications for workplace productivity and competitiveness(2014) Samuel, MOThe common perception, particularly among employers of labour is that enforcement or implementation of enhanced labour standards would negatively impact on overhead costs thereby impeding the organisation’s competitive advantage through price mechanisms at both national and global marketplace. The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis and draw inherent relationships between enforcement of labour standards by organisations and possible implications on workplace productivity and overall organisational efficiency, competitiveness and survival. Theorists of firm’s wage efficiency argue that implementation of enhanced labour standards will most certainly increase overhead costs and push up prices thereby disadvantaging the firm’s ability from competing favourably with other firm’s operating in territories where labour standards are not observed. However, comparative cost-benefit analysis of implementing labour standards by this paper suggests that organisations indeed benefit significantly by enforcing labour standards as this would translate to higher productivity and enhanced organisational competitiveness and survival as workers experience job satisfaction, safe and healthy working conditions and environment which reduces rate of industrial accidents, medical costs and sick leaves. Furthermore, employers benefit from implementing enhanced labour standards through low employee turnover rate and improved cooperation and understanding between workers and their employers resulting in a stable and positive labour relations environment that is devoid of unplanned work stoppages due to industrial actions and loss of production.Item Achievement of organisational goals and motivation of middle level managers within the context of the two-factor theory(2014) Jansen, A; Samuel, MOThe ever dynamic nature of the world of work requires that organisations constantly review factors that energise managers (particularly middle level managers) towards achievement of set goals. This category of employees translates strategic decisions by top management into action through the operational employees. They (middle level managers) therefore serve as a link between top management and the lower level employees thus making their role to be of outmost importance to the survival and competitiveness of any organisation thus necessitating the need of our present study. The study adopted a survey research method using quantitative research design. A measuring instrument with a Cronbach alpha coefficient of above 0.70 was developed and used to collect primary data. Non-random sampling technique using purposive/convenience sampling procedure was employed in deriving a sample size of 250 middle-level managers who participated in the survey. Main hypotheses were formulated and tested using the Chi-Square test to determine the level of association between intrinsic and extrinsic motivational variables and achievement of organisational goals by middle level managers. Results show that both intrinsic and extrinsic motivational variables impacted significantly on achievement of organisational goals by this category of managers. Based on this finding, we therefore recommend that organisations should combine both intrinsic and extrinsic motivational variables in the design of goal achievement strategy for middle level managers.