Human Resource challenges in managing human capital at a mining organisation in Free State

Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Abstract
Orientation: There is a relationship between inefficient HR practices and the behaviour of employees as well as the performance of the organisation in terms of production and safety. Research purpose: The study aimed to explore the experience of Line Managers with HR practices towards employees and Line Managers themselves. The study also sought to assess the effectiveness of the HR practices of a mining company in the Free State. Motivation for the study: To assist the HR Department with feedback on the services they provide to their customers, which are Line Managers as well as employees in general; gaining deeper awareness and understanding of the influence they have on the morale of all employees, which translates to the performance of the organisation in terms of production and safety. Research strategy/design, procedure and method: The research was carried out through a qualitative approach. Data was collected through convenience, quota, purposive and inclusion criteria sample comprising four HR personnel (n = 4) and five Line Managers (n = 5). Structured, online (Microsoft teams) interviews were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. Main findings: The findings of the study indicated that Line managers find HR department processes extremely slow, HR is not aligned to the core business of the organisation, no talent management, no talent retention strategies, long recruitment processes, HR's reluctant to resolve disputes and escalates almost everything to employee relations (ER). Inefficiencies in HR practices have a negative influence on employees’ behaviour. Inefficiencies in HR have an impact on production and safety and HR incentives/bonuses not linked to outputs of their functions. Contribution/value-add: This study adds to the body of knowledge by furthering research on excellent service delivery to all employees, valuing human capital, vi prioritising the development and well-being of employees, and recognising the important relationship between human resources service delivery and management
Description
A research project submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA). Johannesburg, 2023
Keywords
Human resource department, Recruitment, Training and development, Succession planning, Diversity and inclusion, Talent management, Conflict management, UCTD
Citation
Mofokeng, Lipuo. (2023). Human Resource challenges in managing human capital at a mining organisation in Free State [Master’s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WireDSpace.https://hdl.handle.net/10539/40021