Abstract
Globalisation has been perceived as the integration and spread of information,
processes, and technology across organisations and nations. Over the years it has
influenced and altered the way employees are managed and treated in the workplace.
In some instances, it has been associated with high rates of unemployment. The
effects of globalisation include high levels of workplace diversity, rapid technological
innovations, and rising job insecurity, particularly in the film industry. Globalisation has
accelerated transformation and change in organisations, with the effect of
strengthening or, as the case may be, weakening employment relations within
organisations. It has been characterised by a rise in the use of casual employees,
decentralisation, and continuous advancement in technology, which ultimately affects
employment relations. Employment relations directly impact employee engagement
and satisfaction in the workplace. Hence, organisations must strive to maintain
harmonious employment relations to retain their talents and increase efficiency
amongst their employees. Workers in the film industry are more often than not
independent contractors rather than permanent employees. Since the dawn of
globalisation, organisations in the film industry have increasingly used casual
employees. Hence, owing to globalisation, employment relations seems to have been
strained to some extent.
Therefore, this study was set to explore the effects of globalisation on employment
relations in South Africa’s film industry. In addition, the current study also sought to
establish whether employment relations exists in South Africa’s film industry. An effort
was made also to establish whether employment relations in the film industry were
harmonious and to uncover employees perceptions’ in this regard.
The study adopted a qualitative research approach, which was conducted in an
organisation within the film industry in the city of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South
Africa. The study adopted a single case study approach and purposive sampling was
used to collect data from employees at various levels in the organisation as means to
gain in-depth knowledge from the research participants. Data was obtained by means
of semi-structured face-to-face interviews with the research participants. The findings
revealed that the effects of globalisation are twofold, as it has both positive and
negative effects on organisations. From a positive perspective, it was found that globalisation has helped to promote inclusive workplaces, effectively manage tensions
and conflict in the workplace, and improve communication between parties in the
employment relationship. Furthermore, the findings revealed that employment
relations do exist in the film industry and has improved since globalisation. Further, it
was discovered that interactions between management and employees have
increased since globalisation. Conversely, the research findings uncovered that there
are increasing tensions in the employment relationship. There is also evidence of less
training for workers in the film industry. The study further revealed that using casual
employees in the film industry has increased, and many of them are confronted with
several challenges, as they do not get the same benefits that their counterparts in
permanent employment receive. Evidently, globalisation has triggered mixed feelings,
and has affected employment relations in the film industry both positively and
negatively. Nevertheless, recommendations have been proffered in the current study
to improve the status quo in order to reduce the negative effects of globalisation on
employment relations in South Africa’s film industry.