Abstract
The shortage of artisan skills remains a serious challenge in South Africa and
is forcing employers to investigate which total reward factors contribute to the attraction
and retention of this critical skills segment, as undifferentiated retention strategies are no
longer useful or even appropriate.
Research purpose: The aim of this study was to further develop understanding of the total reward
factors and the ideal combination and relative amount of total rewards that attract and retain
artisans, including artisans from various race groups and age cohorts, using a novel approach.
Motivation for the study: Limited research is available on the total reward factors and the
ideal combination and relative amount of total rewards that attract and retain artisans. Further
knowledge in this area will allow organisations to develop reward models that better attract
and retain artisans.
Method: The study followed both a quantitative and qualitative research approach,
whilst adopting a descriptive research design. Using this mixed method, primary data
were collected from individuals by means of two focus groups discussions: (1) a group
of human resource and remuneration managers (n = 4) and (2) a group of artisans (n = 7).
These results were used to develop two questionnaires that were distributed to artisans
(n = 143). Data from Questionnaire 1 were analysed using descriptive statistics and factor
analysis. Conjoint analysis was employed to identify an ideal total rewards composition
based on responses from Questionnaire 2...