Abstract
M.B.A.
This paper investigates the causes and impact of mobility among senior managers and
professionals within the South African public sector and is intended to contribute to
debate on the theoretical and operational merits of understanding turnover by
offering a best practise retention model as an approach to analysing and managing
turnover. This investigation takes place within the context of a relatively young
democracy that presents unique opportunities and challenges for a public sector
guided by the strategic objective of optimum service delivery. This strategic
imperative requires the recruitment and retention of skills at senior levels in order to
ensure the efficacy of government and is exacerbated by limited resources in relation
to what is on offer within the private sector. As such, this investigation into the causes
and effects of mobility among senior managers and professionals also aims to
establish the extent of mobility on these levels as well as offer strategies that will
assist in the retention of these categories. The investigation explores the conceptual
framework and theoretical contribution of current debate on retention, as well as
offering thoughts on logistical and operational issues.