scholarly journals Factors influencing the working relationship between academics and administrative support staff : a case study at Durban University of Technology

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Meyers Leigh Anne
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Administrative Support ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Administrative Staff ◽  
Working Relationship ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Two Sectors

Previous research on the working relationship between academic and administrative support staff has shown that this relationship is an important one which impacts on the academic environment at Higher Education Institutions which would include Durban University of Technology. The literature indicates the pertinent factors which appear to have an effect on this relationship such as how universities have changed significantly over the years, the power dynamics in HEIs, disciplining of administrative support staff, collaboration and staff workloads, tensions within HEIs and attitudes, motivation and job satisfaction. The purpose of this case study was therefore to determine the factors that influence the working relationship between these two sectors and the effect this has at DUT. This study used a mixed methods approach utilizing a questionnaire administered to academic and administrative support staff in two faculties at DUT. In addition, interviews were conducted with senior and middle management representatives of both administrative and academic staff. The results indicate that the majority of the academic staff believe that the administrative support staff are an integral part of any department and the administrative staff also feel strongly that the work they do in a department is important. Just under fifty percent of both the academic and administrative support staff respondents believe that the academic staff are cautious of the manner in which they treat administrative support staff in order to avoid any backlash or lack of assistance. Ninety four percent of the academic staff believed that academic staff appreciate the efforts and assistance of the administrative support staff in their departments while only fifty two percent of the administrative staff believed this to be the case. Individual comments by the administrative support staff indicated that they are not happy as they do not receive credit for the work they do and they are not acknowledged nor appreciated by the academic staff. The results also revealed that while two thirds of the academic staff respondents believed that the administrative support staff wield power in their departments, less than half of the administrative support staff respondents believed this. These findings point to the fact that the administrative support staff may be completely unaware of the power, albeit informal, they hold in their departments and indeed in the university. Following an in-depth analysis of the results, this study recommends that DUT Management introduces new titles for administrative support staff that do not include the term ‘non-academic’; that the Human Resources Department revise their Staff Induction Policy which appears to be old and outdated (DUT CHED: March 2007) and that more effective selection methods and interviewing techniques may possibly be utilized by the DUT Human Resources Department if they are not presently using them. This study further suggests that Management consider making better provision for administrative support staff to share more equally in study leave benefits and conference and workshop attendance; a further recommendation is that a new DUT policy for highly skilled and knowledgeable subject specialists such as in the IT field, be created and that workshops and teambuilding exercises be offered by faculties and departments for all staff members to attend as these could aid in further discussion of the relationship between the two sectors and hopefully improve on this. Finally, staff recognition for good work in the form of non-monetary rewards or simply a letter or certificate of recognition might also be considered.

scholarly journals Measuring the perceptions of physical environment comfort on office employees' performance : a case study at the Durban University of Technology, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jabulani Samuel Mhlanga
Keyword(s):  
Physical Environment ◽  
Employee Performance ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Administrative Staff ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
Physical Elements ◽  
Office Employees

In a dynamic world of office environment where the office is continually changing, there has been a huge need for addressing physical environment comfort of employees to improve their performance, while retaining a happy and healthy workforce. It is against this backdrop that the study was carried out to measure the perceptions of physical environment comfort on employee performance at Durban University of Technology (DUT). A model of office physical elements was used as a conceptual framework to highlight physical environment comfort elements that affects employee performance. The objectives of the study were to measure perceptions of physical environment comfort on employee performance, as well as identify the relationship between physical environment comfort and employee performance. This research adopted a mixed method approach, using the DUT as a case study, with questionnaires and interviews employed as data collection instruments. The target population comprised 81 administrative staff members, including six interviewees who were Head of Departments (HoDs) based at all six DUT campuses. The findings generally indicated a high agreement level with regard to the role of office furniture’s comfort, favourable temperature, good office design and welcoming colours as important in increasing their performance. There were, however, divisions and high disagreements where office furniture’s flexibility is concerned in addition to the strain it caused. Moreover, the amount of noise across offices was found to be quite distracting. It was concluded that the academic administrative staff generally expressed positive perceptions on the importance of physical environment comfort for office employee performance, echoed by the interviewed HoDs. In conclusion, office employees and HoDs expressed positive perceptions on the importance of physical environment comfort for improved performance. This makes it critical for DUT management to address areas of weakness on physical environment comfort for improved productivity.

scholarly journals Creating a framework for promoting perceptions of ease of use for e-learning

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sharitha Dhebideen ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Education Technology ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Ease Of Use ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Acceptance Model

Information Technology is so widespread and moving at such a rapid speed that it has influenced the education sector at a fast and pressurised pace. This influence has placed focus on the new terminology education technology and blended learning. In order to introduce and implement education technology, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) worldwide have been introducing Learning Management Systems (LMSs) to support the charges in pedagogy to improve the collaboration learners themselves and between learners and educators. The implementation of LMSs at South African HEIs are still lagging behind in comparison to first world countries. Nonetheless, changes and advances in education technology have been taking place. These changes have to some degree brought about resistance towards the use of technology (software) to change teaching technique. Mixed methods research (quantitative and qualitative) was used to conduct a case study analysis at the Durban University of Technology (the case of DUT academic staff using a LMS). The case study allowed the analysis of perceived ease of use (PEOU) of LMSs at this HEI. The perceptions of the academic staff was analysed by executing a survey and by conducting interviews. The study identified additional factors that have a significant influence on PEOU on the Technology Acceptance Model 3 (TAM) (Venkatesh and Bala 2008). Literature, information from the interviews and the themes that emerged from the qualitative results was used to propose a theoretical tiered pedagogical framework that could be adopted by other HEIs planning to adopt a LMS.

scholarly journals An investigation into administrative workload and support for academic staff at the Durban University of Technology

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Bongani Penuel Qwabe
Keyword(s):  
Work Experience ◽  
Research Output ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Considerable Uncertainty ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Academic Workload ◽  
The University

A number of studies have been conducted in relation to academic workload in higher education and many have noted a marked increase in workload over recent decades. However, fewer have specifically investigated the increase in the administrative component of an academic’s workload, and none have focussed on the current support given to academics by their secretaries in the context of a South African University of Technology. All academics require sufficient time to perform their teaching, research and community outreach duties satisfactorily, while Universities of Technology make additional demands on their academic staff in relation to such aspects as Work Integrated Learning, maintaining contacts with industry and new research requirements. The literature indicates that many feel that they are unable to cope or to cope adequately and that universities often do not understand the burden of the different tasks/activities they perform. The purpose of this case study was therefore to investigate the administrative workload experienced, and the support given, to academics at the Durban University of Technology. It specifically investigates whether the institution of a workload model for the university as a whole would be supported, and would be effective, in addressing equity and transparency issues in academic workload and thus in improving academic retention and research output for the university as a whole. This study used a mixed method approach involving three questionnaires administered to academics, their secretaries, and to senior management. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with some senior academic staff. The results of the research indicate that the great majority of academic staff members experience a heavy administrative workload and that many believe they are doing more than they expected at the time of their appointment. While the secretaries were better informed as to the nature and extent of the administrative duties expected of them, many also felt that they are doing more than they expected and both groups indicated strongly that there is a lack of transparency and equity between different workloads performed by different individuals. Over ninety percent of both academic and secretarial staff believed that a workload model would assist in ensuring a fairer balance in the work performed, but significant individual comments indicated the difficulties and drawbacks which should also be taken into account and the consequent need for flexibility and ongoing consultation with staff, before the imposition of such a model. The results also revealed that there was considerable uncertainty amongst respondents as to the current existence of a workload model. It was, however, established that the university is planning to implement a workload model across all six faculties and that a member of the academic staff, Mr Greg Parrott, has been tasked to develop the relevant software. He is in the process of collecting the information needed. Contact was made with Mr Parrott and information exchanged with him. It is hoped that the data gathered in this study will serve to support this initiative. Following an in-depth analysis of the results, this study recommends wide consultation over the implementation of the model and the employment of a pilot phase to iron out any problems. Flexibility within the model and ongoing consultation are also recommended. The study further recommends that academic departments should consider making greater use of WIL students from the discipline of Office Management who, as part of their work experience, can work closely with secretaries in departments which require additional secretarial assistance. Additional part-time assistance, possibly from retired academics, for specifically academic administrative duties might also be considered.

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