FACTORS THAT IMPACT

Abstract

People are the main source of competitive advantage in business organisations. Good people are hard to find in the labour marketplace and hard to retain after they have been employed. The purpose of this study has been to identify factors that will enhance the ability of organisations to attract and retain managers and professionals in the gold mining industry. The study was conducted within Gold Fields Limited. The data were collected by means of a research questionnaire. Four hundred and fifty-four (454) questionnaires were processed. The data were analysed through descriptive and inferential statistical procedures. The main findings of the research were that there are generic factors that impact on the attraction and retention of managers and professionals. A summary of the research findings has been presented reflecting factors that will assist organisations to become employers of choice and to increase their ability to attract and retain employees. The proposed factors include Organisational issues; Family and work-life balance issues; Performance management, remuneration and benefits issues; Flexible working arrangements; Employee development issues; Employee relationships and human dignity issues; Sustainable development issues; and Transformation and change issues.