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.

Reflection on Learner-Led Study Abroad Events in a SAC from Three Perspectives: A Learner, an Administrative Staff Member, and an Advisor

Relay Journal ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 66-79
Author(s):  
Mizuki Shibata ◽  
Chihiro Hayashi ◽  
Yuri Imamura
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Support System ◽  
Staff Member ◽  
Administrative Staff ◽  
Multiple Reflections ◽  
Learning Space ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Staff Members

This paper reports on a case study of learner-led study-abroad events in the language learning space at a Japanese University. We present multiple reflections on the events from different perspectives: the event organizer (student), an administrative staff member, and a learning advisor working at the center. We also introduce the support system that a group of administrative staff members and learning advisors are in charge of helping learners to hold their events. Moreover, throughout our reflections, several factors that made the learner-led study-abroad events sustainable and successful are demonstrated.

scholarly journals Analysing the empowerment of women leadership : a case of the Durban University of Technology

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Akhona Denisia Ngcobo
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Women Leadership ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Leadership Management ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
Gender Based Leadership

The purpose of the study was to explore the empowerment of women leadership, focusing on the Durban University of Technology. Statistics around the world have highlighted that women are under-represented in decision-making positions, with a specific focus on the academic sector; this study aims to review these statistics and establish which barriers prevent females from progressing to leadership positions. The target population was comprised of staff members from the Durban University of Technology and ranged from leadership, management, and lecturing, to entry-level employees. The technique of probability sampling was chosen in this research, with a sample size of 100 participants drawn from the population. Questionnaires were designed with both closed-ended and some open-ended questions, and were personally administered to all campuses of the Durban University of Technology, namely Ritson Campus, Steve Biko Campus, ML Sultan Campus, City Campus, Indumiso Campus and Riverside Campus. This study revealed that, although women are still under-represented in Higher Education, there are efforts being made to bridge this gap. This study found female leaders more productive than male counterparts at the Durban University and are able to run their department smoothly and efficiently. The study also found that there are internal respondents agreed that there are hidden difficulties in their department that women face and prevent them from moving into higher positions. Additionally, the study found that there are programs at the Durban University that empower women into leadership. This study contributes to knowledge of gender-based leadership and female empowerment into leadership positions, in the higher education sector.

scholarly journals An investigation into job satisfaction and employee performance at Stodels Retail Nurseries : a case study

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Dhiren M. Govender
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Employee Performance ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Target Population ◽  
High Response Rate ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
The Social ◽  
Statistical Program

The purpose of this study was to investigate job satisfaction and employee performance at Stodels Retail Nurseries in the Western Cape. The main aim of the study was to determine the level of job satisfaction and its impact on employee performance. A quantitative methodological approach was used for collecting the data. The target population comprised of 122 employees at Stodels Retail Nurseries. A pre-coded close-ended patented questionnaire was administered to the target population, using the survey method. There was a significantly high response rate of 100% which was largely because the personal method was used for the administration of the questionnaire. The Statistical Program for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 for Windows was used for the statistical analysis. Some significant findings emerged from the empirical analysis and results. The majority of respondents (64%) generally experienced job satisfaction at Stodels Retail Nurseries and a significant number of respondents (52.5%) also expressed their dissatisfaction with pay, compensation, and benefits. A moderate number of respondents (43%) expressed further dissatisfaction with the limited opportunities for promotions. This, however, did not affect the level of employee performance significantly. The hypothesis tested revealed that there was no significant relationship between job satisfaction and employee performance. It was recommended that employees at Stodels Retail Nurseries should be kept constantly motivated to ensure that job satisfaction and employee performance levels are kept high. Top management of Stodels Retail Nurseries needs to implement a program to increase job satisfaction and employee performance as this may lead to the added benefits for sustaining and improving its success in the retail nursery sector. The study concluded with directions for further research as well.

scholarly journals The Impact of TQM on Employee Performance Abu Sheikha Exchange Company: Case Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 212
Author(s):  
Aktham Al-Sarayreh ◽  
Al-Shatnawi Amal ◽  
Al-Madhoun Rasha ◽  
Al-Faqeeh Nawal ◽  
Mousa Ayoub ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Job Performance ◽  
Employee Performance ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Senior Management ◽  
Reliability Coefficient ◽  
Information Support ◽  
Management Support ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact

The aim of this study is to identify (TQM) implementation, and its effect on employee job performance level at Abu Sheikha Exchange Company. Typical descriptive studies are concerned with the assessment of demographic information, support senior management of the work procedures, expectations and needs and wishes of customers, expectations and needs and wishes of employees, continuous improvement, work procedures and engaging staff in decision-making.The research design is chosen for the current study is the survey research: The target population of this study which consists of all employees in Abu Sheikha Exchange Company.  Sample of (133) employees, a questionnaire is developed to measurement of variables study; TQM implementation variable (reliability coefficient 0.937), and employee job performance variable (reliability coefficient 0.71).The conclusion of the study shows that the senior management support was in Average level, but the senior management adopts a strategic plan to achieve quality in all areas of the company in high level, Customers’ needs and expectations was in High Level, and the result shows that one of the priorities of the company's employees is to satisfy the needs and desires of the customers.

scholarly journals A CONSTRUCTIVIST MODEL OF BANK BRANCH FRONT-OFFICE EMPLOYEE EVALUATION: AN FCM-SD-BASED APPROACH

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana C. C. Paes Paes de Faria ◽  
Fernando A.F. Ferreira ◽  
Paulo J.V.L. Dias ◽  
Amali Çipi
Keyword(s):  
Process Management ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Cognitive Mapping ◽  
Employee Performance ◽  
Bank Branch ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
New Employee ◽  
Constructivist Model ◽  
Front Office ◽  
Office Employees

The banking sector is one of the primary drivers of economic development. This sector has been affected by various crises throughout its history – most recently, the 2008 financial and economic crisis. In response, banking institutions have had to make diverse changes to their procedures and deal with new concerns related to changes within markets. One of the main recent developments in this sector is the new commercial function assigned to bank branch front-office employees, who have become responsible for selling financial products and services, as well as recruiting and retaining clients. As a result, the sector needs new employee performance evaluation methods in line with banks and staff members’ requirements. This study combined fuzzy cognitive mapping techniques and the system dynamics (SD) approach to develop a well-informed performance analysis system for assessing bank branch front-office employees. The proposed system was validated by the Business Process Management Competence Center director at Millennium BCP – a Portuguese private banking corporation. The main difference between the model constructed in the present research and current evaluation practices is that the criteria were collected directly from multiple specialists working at different commercial banks, who deal daily with this decision problem. The model’s theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.

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.

A Cooperative Computer Game for Public Efficiency Development

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4760-4766
Author(s):  
Sachchida Nand Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Group Therapy ◽  
Group Work ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Design Interfaces ◽  
Design Case Study ◽  
Effective Group ◽  
Public Group

This paper presents a design case study of SIDES: Design Interfaces to Develop Effective Public Efficiency. SIDES is a tool designed to help adolescents in Public group therapy, specifically individuals with Asperser’s Syndrome, practice effective group work efficiency using a four-player cooperative computer game that runs on computer games technology. We are represent the design process and evaluation of SIDES conducted over a period of six months with a middle school Public group therapy class. Our findings indicate that   computer games   are a motivating and supported tool for effective group work among. My target population and reveal different design lessons to inform the development of similar systems.

Administrative Environment And Employee Prductivity In Higher Education A Theoritical View

2019 ◽  
Vol 118 (11) ◽  
pp. 230-243
Author(s):  
Jamal Asad Mezel ◽  
Kiran Das Naik Eslavath
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Educational Institution ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Employee Productivity ◽  
Administrative Staff ◽  
Administrative Employees

Ensure that from the above theoretical review on administrative context and employee productivity in higher education and there is a positive association between work engagement of faculty members and administrative staff motivate the employees in accomplishing their work regardless of any result that they are more productive. Researchers argue the fact that the physical environment of the institutional and administrative, employees effect job perception attitudes and job satisfaction which is in sequence affects the job performance and employee productivity. Improving the work environment in higher educational institution there is a dissatisfaction and complaints of employee while increasing their productivity the more satisfied employee are with their jobs in high performance and productivity.

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