Managing IT knowledge workers in the South African financial services industry.
Date
2016
Authors
Ngubane, Edward Mzwandile
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Abstract
This study was undertaken within the Financial Services industry in South Africa and respondents were drawn from three banks and one insurance company. The focus of this study was to gain insight into the challenges of managing IT knowledge workers, and suggests ways to overcome them.
To unpack these challenges, five key areas pertinent to management were explored as part of a framework that underpinned this study. These focus areas were employee expectations, employee motivation, employee training and development, collaboration with peers and employee mobility or tenure.
The researcher used the qualitative methodology to inform his approach to data collection. The technique of semi-structured interviews was chosen as an appropriate data collection tool. These interviews held with the respondents were recorded and later transcribed. The Cognitive Mapping technique was then employed to code, interpret and analyse the data.
A key finding of this study was that money cannot be used as a motivator when managing IT knowledge workers. Another key finding was that knowledge workers currently tend to stay much longer in their roles than the literature on this topic suggests.
This research conveys the message that knowledge workers need managers that demonstrate trust in them, are willing to give them an opportunity to make their own decisions and be held accountable for them. They need careers that offer them personal growth, and are motivated by challenging environments. They regard training and development as key to the progress of the entire team, and acknowledge that collaboration with their colleagues leads to a better understanding of where business is headed.
Description
MBA
Keywords
Employee motivation -- South Africa. Financial services industry -- South Africa. Knowledge workers -- South Africa.