Participation in decision making.
- Valoyi, M.J., Lessing, B.C., Schepers, J.M.
- Authors: Valoyi, M.J. , Lessing, B.C. , Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Decision making , Employees
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6343 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1088
- Description: The aim of the present study was to determine the extent to which employees would like to participate in decision making concerning various organisational issues, especially those concerning: the work itself, working conditions, human resources issues, and corporate policy and planning. The sample consisted of 146 participants, including managers, middle managers, and junior officials from a South African development corporation. A questionnaire to measure employees' desire to participate in decision making was specially constructed for this investigation. It has found that employees with higher academic qualifications were more desirous to participate in decision-making at all levels than employees with lower academic qualifications. This was also true for employees in higher job grades than in lower job grades. Men were more desirous to participate in decision making than women. The implications of the findings are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Valoyi, M.J. , Lessing, B.C. , Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Decision making , Employees
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6343 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1088
- Description: The aim of the present study was to determine the extent to which employees would like to participate in decision making concerning various organisational issues, especially those concerning: the work itself, working conditions, human resources issues, and corporate policy and planning. The sample consisted of 146 participants, including managers, middle managers, and junior officials from a South African development corporation. A questionnaire to measure employees' desire to participate in decision making was specially constructed for this investigation. It has found that employees with higher academic qualifications were more desirous to participate in decision-making at all levels than employees with lower academic qualifications. This was also true for employees in higher job grades than in lower job grades. Men were more desirous to participate in decision making than women. The implications of the findings are discussed.
- Full Text:
Risk preferences and predictions about others: no association with 2D:4D ratio
- De Miranda, Katharina Lima, Neyse, Levent, Schmidt, Ulrich
- Authors: De Miranda, Katharina Lima , Neyse, Levent , Schmidt, Ulrich
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Risk , Decision making , Prenatal testosterone
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/278385 , uj:29872 , Citation: Lima de Miranda K, Neyse L and Schmidt U (2018) Risk Preferences and Predictions about Others: No Association with 2D:4D Ratio. Front. Behav. Neurosci. 12:9. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00009
- Description: Abstract: Prenatal androgen exposure affects the brain development of the fetus which may facilitate certain behaviors and decision patterns in the later life. The ratio between the lengths of second and the fourth fingers (2D:4D) is a negative biomarker of the ratio between prenatal androgen and estrogen exposure and men typically have lower ratios than women. In line with the typical findings suggesting that women are more risk averse than men, several studies have also shown negative relationships between 2D:4D and risk taking although the evidence is not conclusive. Previous studies have also reported that both men and women believe women are more risk averse than men. In the current study, we re-test the relationship between 2D:4D and risk preferences in a German student sample and also investigate whether the 2D:4D ratio is associated with people’s perceptions about others’ risk preferences. Following an incentivized risk elicitation task, we asked all participants their predictions about (i) others’ responses (without sex specification), (ii) men’s responses, and (iii) women’s responses; then measured their 2D:4D ratios. In line with the previous findings, female participants in our sample were more risk averse. While both men and women underestimated other participants’ (non sex-specific) and women’s risky decisions on average, their predictions about men were accurate. We also found evidence for the false consensus effect, as risky choices are positively correlated with predictions about other participants’ risky choices. The 2D:4D ratio was not directly associated either with risk preferences or the predictions of other participants’ choices. An unexpected finding was that women with mid-range levels of 2D:4D estimated significantly larger sex differences in participants’ decisions. This finding needs further testing in future studies.
- Full Text:
- Authors: De Miranda, Katharina Lima , Neyse, Levent , Schmidt, Ulrich
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Risk , Decision making , Prenatal testosterone
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/278385 , uj:29872 , Citation: Lima de Miranda K, Neyse L and Schmidt U (2018) Risk Preferences and Predictions about Others: No Association with 2D:4D Ratio. Front. Behav. Neurosci. 12:9. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00009
- Description: Abstract: Prenatal androgen exposure affects the brain development of the fetus which may facilitate certain behaviors and decision patterns in the later life. The ratio between the lengths of second and the fourth fingers (2D:4D) is a negative biomarker of the ratio between prenatal androgen and estrogen exposure and men typically have lower ratios than women. In line with the typical findings suggesting that women are more risk averse than men, several studies have also shown negative relationships between 2D:4D and risk taking although the evidence is not conclusive. Previous studies have also reported that both men and women believe women are more risk averse than men. In the current study, we re-test the relationship between 2D:4D and risk preferences in a German student sample and also investigate whether the 2D:4D ratio is associated with people’s perceptions about others’ risk preferences. Following an incentivized risk elicitation task, we asked all participants their predictions about (i) others’ responses (without sex specification), (ii) men’s responses, and (iii) women’s responses; then measured their 2D:4D ratios. In line with the previous findings, female participants in our sample were more risk averse. While both men and women underestimated other participants’ (non sex-specific) and women’s risky decisions on average, their predictions about men were accurate. We also found evidence for the false consensus effect, as risky choices are positively correlated with predictions about other participants’ risky choices. The 2D:4D ratio was not directly associated either with risk preferences or the predictions of other participants’ choices. An unexpected finding was that women with mid-range levels of 2D:4D estimated significantly larger sex differences in participants’ decisions. This finding needs further testing in future studies.
- Full Text:
The relationship between career maturity and career decision-making self-efficacy expectations among disadvantaged learners
- Authors: Bernard-Phera, Martha Joy
- Date: 2010-11-23T05:44:56Z
- Subjects: Career development , Adulthood , Emotional maturity , Decision making , Self-efficacy , Children with social disabilities
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7024 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3530
- Description: M.A. , The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between career maturity and career decision-making self-efficacy expectations among disadvantaged Grade 12 students. Factor analysis was used for this purpose. The construct of career maturity was dealt with comprehensively by means of a theoretical review of the contributions made by Donald Super, John Crites and Ronelle Langley. The second construct, i.e., career decision-making self-efficacy expectations was covered by reviewing the contributions of Albert Bandura, Nancy Betz, Steven Brown, Gail Hackett and Robert Lent. Three measurement instruments were utilised, namely, the Biographical Questionnaire, the Career Development Questionnaire (CDQ) and the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale (CDMSES). The data was analysed by means of principal factor analysis with iterated communalities. The Scree-test and eigenvalues-greater-than-one criterion were used to determine the number of factors. The factors were obliquely rotated according to the Promax criterion. The factor analysis revealed that career maturity and career decisionmaking self-efficacy expectations are two distinguishable but empirically and conceptually related constructs. Although the CDQ and CDMSES and their respective sub-scales define two separate factors, the correlation between the factors show that they are not entirely independent. Factor analysis also revealed that the CDQ and CDMSES were valid and reliable measures of career maturity and career decision-making selfefficacy for a sample other than the white, middle-class samples. The results also show that the disadvantaged learner has a lower level of career maturity and career decision-making self-efficacy as compared to a normative high school sample and an affluent sample. These results were expected, especially in the light of South Africa's historical past. Changes in the economic environment may prove to be instrumental in changing perceptions about the world of work and attitudes towards career planning and choice. Researchers are challenged to implement programmes that will assist in the enhancement of career maturity and career decision-making self-efficacy ofthe disadvantaged learner.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bernard-Phera, Martha Joy
- Date: 2010-11-23T05:44:56Z
- Subjects: Career development , Adulthood , Emotional maturity , Decision making , Self-efficacy , Children with social disabilities
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7024 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3530
- Description: M.A. , The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between career maturity and career decision-making self-efficacy expectations among disadvantaged Grade 12 students. Factor analysis was used for this purpose. The construct of career maturity was dealt with comprehensively by means of a theoretical review of the contributions made by Donald Super, John Crites and Ronelle Langley. The second construct, i.e., career decision-making self-efficacy expectations was covered by reviewing the contributions of Albert Bandura, Nancy Betz, Steven Brown, Gail Hackett and Robert Lent. Three measurement instruments were utilised, namely, the Biographical Questionnaire, the Career Development Questionnaire (CDQ) and the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale (CDMSES). The data was analysed by means of principal factor analysis with iterated communalities. The Scree-test and eigenvalues-greater-than-one criterion were used to determine the number of factors. The factors were obliquely rotated according to the Promax criterion. The factor analysis revealed that career maturity and career decisionmaking self-efficacy expectations are two distinguishable but empirically and conceptually related constructs. Although the CDQ and CDMSES and their respective sub-scales define two separate factors, the correlation between the factors show that they are not entirely independent. Factor analysis also revealed that the CDQ and CDMSES were valid and reliable measures of career maturity and career decision-making selfefficacy for a sample other than the white, middle-class samples. The results also show that the disadvantaged learner has a lower level of career maturity and career decision-making self-efficacy as compared to a normative high school sample and an affluent sample. These results were expected, especially in the light of South Africa's historical past. Changes in the economic environment may prove to be instrumental in changing perceptions about the world of work and attitudes towards career planning and choice. Researchers are challenged to implement programmes that will assist in the enhancement of career maturity and career decision-making self-efficacy ofthe disadvantaged learner.
- Full Text:
Die assessering van gemeenskappe vanuit die lewende sisteemteorie
- Delport, Catharina Sophia Louisa
- Authors: Delport, Catharina Sophia Louisa
- Date: 2014-04-24
- Subjects: System theory , Social systems , System analysis , Decision making
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/381702 , uj:10903 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10410
- Description: M.A. (Social Work) , The research resulted from the lack of reliable and valid measurement instruments on community functioning. Operationalization of community functioning is complicated by the general character of widely used theories es related to communities in South Africa. Measurement is severely hampered by insufficient conceptualization. In the exploration of social service theory, the Living System Theory was selected as the theoretical underpinning for the research. Living System Theory offers a framework for processes and structures to critically and systematically describe, analyse, explain and interpret communities. Operationalization of community functioning was greatly expedited by the selection of the Living System Theory in view of its detailed description and universal character. In this study the term community from the Living System Theory, is conceptualized to In new synthesis and is also analysed systematically. In the systematic analyses of a community it was concluded that six relevant assessment areas occur in community context, namely: physical structures; transport; communication; decision-making; policy; and product/service. All six identified assessment areas were analysed systematically, but for the purposes of this study only decision-making was operationalized...
- Full Text:
- Authors: Delport, Catharina Sophia Louisa
- Date: 2014-04-24
- Subjects: System theory , Social systems , System analysis , Decision making
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/381702 , uj:10903 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10410
- Description: M.A. (Social Work) , The research resulted from the lack of reliable and valid measurement instruments on community functioning. Operationalization of community functioning is complicated by the general character of widely used theories es related to communities in South Africa. Measurement is severely hampered by insufficient conceptualization. In the exploration of social service theory, the Living System Theory was selected as the theoretical underpinning for the research. Living System Theory offers a framework for processes and structures to critically and systematically describe, analyse, explain and interpret communities. Operationalization of community functioning was greatly expedited by the selection of the Living System Theory in view of its detailed description and universal character. In this study the term community from the Living System Theory, is conceptualized to In new synthesis and is also analysed systematically. In the systematic analyses of a community it was concluded that six relevant assessment areas occur in community context, namely: physical structures; transport; communication; decision-making; policy; and product/service. All six identified assessment areas were analysed systematically, but for the purposes of this study only decision-making was operationalized...
- Full Text:
The effect of a physical, psychological and visual intervention on decision-making in football players
- Authors: Bahdur, Khatija
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Decision making , Football players - Psychology , Football - Psychological aspects , Visual learning , Physical fitness - Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/58080 , uj:16416
- Description: Abstract: Decision-making is a complex process during which footballers are required to extract relevant information when faced with various stimuli, and then choose the appropriate plan of action which should then be executed. Decisions are sometimes made with conscious information processing and at other times are more intuitive. Decision-making can be studied from numerous perspectives. This study incorporated three different scientific components of sport performance. The fields of sport psychology, sports vision and fitness were combined to determine the role they play in decision-making of football players in competitive matches. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a visual and psychological intervention and monitor the effect of seasonal variations in fitness on the decision-making of elite South African football players. A secondary aim was to investigate the effect of external match components on the decision-making of elite South African football players. The research was based on a mixed-method, pre-test, post-test experimental case study of a single team competing in the South African Premier League. Players were put through a standardised sport psychology, sport vision and fitness test battery before and after an eight week vision and psychological intervention program. The number and quality of decisions and quality of executions during one-third of the team’s league matches was also recorded and correlations between the test and match variables were statistically determined. External match factors such as kick-off time, venue, number of spectators at the stadium, whether the match was televised or not were also recorded and the impact of these variable on match result and decisions was determined. Statistical significance was set at 95% (p≤0.05). This study found that a visual and psychological intervention can lead to improvements in sports vision and sport psychology components, but only found that mental rehearsal, centralperipheral vision, goal directedness, hand-eye co-ordination and contrast sensitivity were linked to decision-making and execution variables. This study also found seasonal variation in fitness components, with fitness in the post-test lower than for the pre-test. Aerobic endurance and leg power were important in the decision-making and execution of decisions. Match factors such as the average age of the team, tactical approach of the team and the... , D.Phil. (Sport Science)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bahdur, Khatija
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Decision making , Football players - Psychology , Football - Psychological aspects , Visual learning , Physical fitness - Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/58080 , uj:16416
- Description: Abstract: Decision-making is a complex process during which footballers are required to extract relevant information when faced with various stimuli, and then choose the appropriate plan of action which should then be executed. Decisions are sometimes made with conscious information processing and at other times are more intuitive. Decision-making can be studied from numerous perspectives. This study incorporated three different scientific components of sport performance. The fields of sport psychology, sports vision and fitness were combined to determine the role they play in decision-making of football players in competitive matches. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a visual and psychological intervention and monitor the effect of seasonal variations in fitness on the decision-making of elite South African football players. A secondary aim was to investigate the effect of external match components on the decision-making of elite South African football players. The research was based on a mixed-method, pre-test, post-test experimental case study of a single team competing in the South African Premier League. Players were put through a standardised sport psychology, sport vision and fitness test battery before and after an eight week vision and psychological intervention program. The number and quality of decisions and quality of executions during one-third of the team’s league matches was also recorded and correlations between the test and match variables were statistically determined. External match factors such as kick-off time, venue, number of spectators at the stadium, whether the match was televised or not were also recorded and the impact of these variable on match result and decisions was determined. Statistical significance was set at 95% (p≤0.05). This study found that a visual and psychological intervention can lead to improvements in sports vision and sport psychology components, but only found that mental rehearsal, centralperipheral vision, goal directedness, hand-eye co-ordination and contrast sensitivity were linked to decision-making and execution variables. This study also found seasonal variation in fitness components, with fitness in the post-test lower than for the pre-test. Aerobic endurance and leg power were important in the decision-making and execution of decisions. Match factors such as the average age of the team, tactical approach of the team and the... , D.Phil. (Sport Science)
- Full Text:
Determinants of airline choice-making : the Nigerian perspective
- Ukpere, Wilfred I., Stephens, Mobolaji S., Ikeogu, Christopher C., Ibe, Callistus. C., Akpan, Edem O.P.
- Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Stephens, Mobolaji S. , Ikeogu, Christopher C. , Ibe, Callistus. C. , Akpan, Edem O.P.
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Decision making , Air travellers , Airline choice-making , Air transport industry - Nigeria
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5905 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8024
- Description: This study is on choice decision-making of the Nigerian domestic air transport industry. It is aimed at determining the factors that influences air travellers’ choice of airlines to fly within Nigeria. In doing this, data was collected from air travellers using questionnaires following Likert scale of ranking. This enabled us to obtain the socio-economic characteristics and the airline attributes that helped influenced the air travellers in making their choice of airlines at the selected airports. The data collected were analysed using correlation matrix to check for multi-collinearity problems among the socioeconomic characteristics of air travellers and airline attributes. It was discovered that there exist no multi-collinearity problem. Furthermore, a stepwise regression analysis was carried out to determine the factors/attributes that were significantly influencing air travellers in airline choice decision making. To further verify the result of the regression analysis, a discrete choice-modelling analysis was done using NLOGIT. The both results showed that sex, age, marital status, income, comfort, on-board services, frequency, crew behaviour, fare and power of monopoly were significant variables and therefore influence the choice of airline by air travellers. Recommendations amongst others include airlines should use target marketing to attract more patronage from the different age groups, improve comfort and on-board services, increase frequency on major routes, charge competitive fares and apply the power of monopoly by either serving undeveloped routes or make their products distinct from others in the market and airlines should avail their air travellers more opportunities of purchasing tickets before getting to the airport.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Stephens, Mobolaji S. , Ikeogu, Christopher C. , Ibe, Callistus. C. , Akpan, Edem O.P.
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Decision making , Air travellers , Airline choice-making , Air transport industry - Nigeria
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5905 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8024
- Description: This study is on choice decision-making of the Nigerian domestic air transport industry. It is aimed at determining the factors that influences air travellers’ choice of airlines to fly within Nigeria. In doing this, data was collected from air travellers using questionnaires following Likert scale of ranking. This enabled us to obtain the socio-economic characteristics and the airline attributes that helped influenced the air travellers in making their choice of airlines at the selected airports. The data collected were analysed using correlation matrix to check for multi-collinearity problems among the socioeconomic characteristics of air travellers and airline attributes. It was discovered that there exist no multi-collinearity problem. Furthermore, a stepwise regression analysis was carried out to determine the factors/attributes that were significantly influencing air travellers in airline choice decision making. To further verify the result of the regression analysis, a discrete choice-modelling analysis was done using NLOGIT. The both results showed that sex, age, marital status, income, comfort, on-board services, frequency, crew behaviour, fare and power of monopoly were significant variables and therefore influence the choice of airline by air travellers. Recommendations amongst others include airlines should use target marketing to attract more patronage from the different age groups, improve comfort and on-board services, increase frequency on major routes, charge competitive fares and apply the power of monopoly by either serving undeveloped routes or make their products distinct from others in the market and airlines should avail their air travellers more opportunities of purchasing tickets before getting to the airport.
- Full Text:
Decision-making and accountability as aspects of the integrated quality management system (IQMS)
- Authors: Dhanpat, Kamlawathee
- Date: 2009-03-31T09:39:27Z
- Subjects: Total quality management in education , School management and organization , Decision making
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8269 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2379
- Description: M. Ed. , The widespread quest for quality education and the urgency to improve learner achievement make educator competence in South Africa essential. The tide of educational change since 1994 marked a dramatic shift in attitudes towards accountability and control of education in South Africa. Davidoff and Lazarus (1997:95) contend that the demands of democracy and efficiency require some form of accountability. They point out that all stakeholders have to be held accountable for their responsibilities and decisions they make. Educator appraisal was and still is a thorny issue for school leadership throughout the world. The National Department of Education (NDoE) has attempted to place appraisal within the context of the South African educational system (Mathula, 2004:3). All role players in the education environment have agreed over the years that there is a need for change - to introduce an appraisal system acceptable with educator unions that will enhance the competency of educators and the standard of education in South Africa. There is no doubt that this new model (IQMS) for quality management in schools holds significant benefits for learners, educators and schools alike. The purpose of this research study was to investigate the critical role of decisionmaking and accountability as aspects of performance measurement and enhancing educator competence and ultimately school effectiveness. The focus in this research study was the need for accountable decision-making, empowerment and democratic participation for successful implementation of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) in schools. The introduction of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS), a national initiative is essentially associated with the enhancement of teaching and learning. According to the Collective Agreement Number 8 of 2003:4, of the Educator Labour Relations Council (ELRC), the tenets of IQMS are underpinned by the purpose of quality management systems which are to determine competence; to assess strengths and areas for development; to provide support and opportunities for development; to ensure continued growth; to promote accountability and to monitor overall effectiveness of an institution. One of the objectives of this research was to assist educators in ensuring that they receive quality developmental support on an ongoing basis as well as to have an appraisal system that is workable and effective. The focus was therefore on the levels of preparedness of the principal and SMT members in relation to IQMS as well as accounting for decisions made when evaluating educator performance. The researcher opted for a quantitative research approach. The advantage of the quantitative approach is that it measures the reactions of a great many people to a limited set of questions thus facilitating comparison and statistical aggregation of the data (Creswell,1994:117; Macmillan & Schumacher, 1993:114). In order to determine the perceptions of educators about decision-making and accountability pertaining to the implementation of IQMS in their schools, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data. In this research study thirty-one (31) items were designed to secure information on the perceptions of educators at various post levels in order to determine the implementation of IQMS at schools. The construct validity of the structured questionnaire was investigated by means of successive first and second order factor. These procedures resulted in the thirty-one (31) items being reduced to three factors namely: · Democratic participation consisting of 12 items with a Cronbach-alpha-reliability coefficient of 0.887 with 10 items rejected. · Empowerment consisting of 6 items with a Cronbach-alpha-reliability coefficient of 0.895 with 7 items rejected. · Accountable decision-making consisting of 6 items with a Cronbach-alpha– reliability coefficient of 0. 849 with 4 items rejected. It should be noted that both the first and second order factors are valid and have high reliability coefficients, which could serve as a basis for providing guidelines for the implementation of IQMS in schools. Based on the research conducted, it was found that collaboration and decisionmaking at all levels are key to successful implementation of systems. This is equally applicable to the successful implementation of performance management systems in schools. Thus, the researcher recommends that: · Principals must be trained in effective system implementation. The leadership role of the principal is one that influences the effective performance of educators. By virtue of their positions, principals are responsible for implementing education systems and change, including, managing performance management systems. One way of doing that is to become skilled leaders and change managers that have the professional abilities and skills for intelligent decision-making and a willingness to be held accountable for their actions. · Develop support structures at district level to improve the sustainability of new systems and continuous professional growth. The district must invest time and resources in professional development opportunities for collaboration so that educators are provided the means to build the capacity over time. People at all levels need to be made competent and confident to implement policy. · Training and development Training strategies for successful implementation must be strengthened. Many implementation efforts fail because of insufficient training on the skills and knowledge required for effective implementation. One of the criticisms levelled at appraisal systems of the past, is that educators did not receive adequate training. New systems mean dealing with changes, which means dealing with challenges. In order to manage change, it is imperative to look at quality, quantity and complexion of implementation. The department needs to put in strategic steps whenever introducing new systems, such as the IQMS. Training can only be worthwhile if properly executed. The following should be included for implementation: resources, time and contextual factors. Educators must have sufficient time to interact with the material, at all levels, in order to gain ownership of the process. · Empower principals to manage systems The leadership role of the principal is one that influences the effective performance of educators. By virtue of their positions, principals are responsible for managing performance management systems. One way of doing that, is through good leadership, good decision-making and a willingness to be held accountable. · Supporting continuous implementation The district must invest time and resources in professional development opportunities for collaboration so that educators are provided the means to build the capacity over time. · Intervention strategies Training strategies must be strengthened. Many implementation efforts fail because educators have not been trained on the skills required. One of the criticisms levelled at appraisal systems of the past is that educators did not receive adequate training. From the research conducted, it can be concluded that decision-making and accountability of the performance instrument revolves around the constructs of democratic participation, empowerment and accountable decision-making. These constructs were shown to have construct validity, high reliability and could thus serve as a basis for implementing the process of IQMS effectively.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dhanpat, Kamlawathee
- Date: 2009-03-31T09:39:27Z
- Subjects: Total quality management in education , School management and organization , Decision making
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8269 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2379
- Description: M. Ed. , The widespread quest for quality education and the urgency to improve learner achievement make educator competence in South Africa essential. The tide of educational change since 1994 marked a dramatic shift in attitudes towards accountability and control of education in South Africa. Davidoff and Lazarus (1997:95) contend that the demands of democracy and efficiency require some form of accountability. They point out that all stakeholders have to be held accountable for their responsibilities and decisions they make. Educator appraisal was and still is a thorny issue for school leadership throughout the world. The National Department of Education (NDoE) has attempted to place appraisal within the context of the South African educational system (Mathula, 2004:3). All role players in the education environment have agreed over the years that there is a need for change - to introduce an appraisal system acceptable with educator unions that will enhance the competency of educators and the standard of education in South Africa. There is no doubt that this new model (IQMS) for quality management in schools holds significant benefits for learners, educators and schools alike. The purpose of this research study was to investigate the critical role of decisionmaking and accountability as aspects of performance measurement and enhancing educator competence and ultimately school effectiveness. The focus in this research study was the need for accountable decision-making, empowerment and democratic participation for successful implementation of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) in schools. The introduction of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS), a national initiative is essentially associated with the enhancement of teaching and learning. According to the Collective Agreement Number 8 of 2003:4, of the Educator Labour Relations Council (ELRC), the tenets of IQMS are underpinned by the purpose of quality management systems which are to determine competence; to assess strengths and areas for development; to provide support and opportunities for development; to ensure continued growth; to promote accountability and to monitor overall effectiveness of an institution. One of the objectives of this research was to assist educators in ensuring that they receive quality developmental support on an ongoing basis as well as to have an appraisal system that is workable and effective. The focus was therefore on the levels of preparedness of the principal and SMT members in relation to IQMS as well as accounting for decisions made when evaluating educator performance. The researcher opted for a quantitative research approach. The advantage of the quantitative approach is that it measures the reactions of a great many people to a limited set of questions thus facilitating comparison and statistical aggregation of the data (Creswell,1994:117; Macmillan & Schumacher, 1993:114). In order to determine the perceptions of educators about decision-making and accountability pertaining to the implementation of IQMS in their schools, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data. In this research study thirty-one (31) items were designed to secure information on the perceptions of educators at various post levels in order to determine the implementation of IQMS at schools. The construct validity of the structured questionnaire was investigated by means of successive first and second order factor. These procedures resulted in the thirty-one (31) items being reduced to three factors namely: · Democratic participation consisting of 12 items with a Cronbach-alpha-reliability coefficient of 0.887 with 10 items rejected. · Empowerment consisting of 6 items with a Cronbach-alpha-reliability coefficient of 0.895 with 7 items rejected. · Accountable decision-making consisting of 6 items with a Cronbach-alpha– reliability coefficient of 0. 849 with 4 items rejected. It should be noted that both the first and second order factors are valid and have high reliability coefficients, which could serve as a basis for providing guidelines for the implementation of IQMS in schools. Based on the research conducted, it was found that collaboration and decisionmaking at all levels are key to successful implementation of systems. This is equally applicable to the successful implementation of performance management systems in schools. Thus, the researcher recommends that: · Principals must be trained in effective system implementation. The leadership role of the principal is one that influences the effective performance of educators. By virtue of their positions, principals are responsible for implementing education systems and change, including, managing performance management systems. One way of doing that is to become skilled leaders and change managers that have the professional abilities and skills for intelligent decision-making and a willingness to be held accountable for their actions. · Develop support structures at district level to improve the sustainability of new systems and continuous professional growth. The district must invest time and resources in professional development opportunities for collaboration so that educators are provided the means to build the capacity over time. People at all levels need to be made competent and confident to implement policy. · Training and development Training strategies for successful implementation must be strengthened. Many implementation efforts fail because of insufficient training on the skills and knowledge required for effective implementation. One of the criticisms levelled at appraisal systems of the past, is that educators did not receive adequate training. New systems mean dealing with changes, which means dealing with challenges. In order to manage change, it is imperative to look at quality, quantity and complexion of implementation. The department needs to put in strategic steps whenever introducing new systems, such as the IQMS. Training can only be worthwhile if properly executed. The following should be included for implementation: resources, time and contextual factors. Educators must have sufficient time to interact with the material, at all levels, in order to gain ownership of the process. · Empower principals to manage systems The leadership role of the principal is one that influences the effective performance of educators. By virtue of their positions, principals are responsible for managing performance management systems. One way of doing that, is through good leadership, good decision-making and a willingness to be held accountable. · Supporting continuous implementation The district must invest time and resources in professional development opportunities for collaboration so that educators are provided the means to build the capacity over time. · Intervention strategies Training strategies must be strengthened. Many implementation efforts fail because educators have not been trained on the skills required. One of the criticisms levelled at appraisal systems of the past is that educators did not receive adequate training. From the research conducted, it can be concluded that decision-making and accountability of the performance instrument revolves around the constructs of democratic participation, empowerment and accountable decision-making. These constructs were shown to have construct validity, high reliability and could thus serve as a basis for implementing the process of IQMS effectively.
- Full Text:
Activity-based management as an instrument to facilitate effective management decision-making and organisational improvement
- Smit, R.
- Authors: Smit, R.
- Date: 2008-06-27T13:47:06Z
- Subjects: Activity-based costing , Decision making , Organizational effectiveness
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:10106 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/748
- Description: This study sets out to prove that Activity-Based Management is still a relevant instrument to facilitate effective management decision-making and organisational improvement. In the light of all the latest techniques and methodologies that currently exist to measure and rectify organisational performance, the obvious question might be “but why Activity-Based Management?”. Whilst certain techniques and methodologies concentrate on either inputs, outputs and / or on the entire process, Activity-Based Management was selected because it specifically analyses the activities (transformation component) of a business, plus the fact that this methodology has been refined and tested with great success in large organisations such as Eskom. Given the selection of management tools available, an instrument such as Activity-Based Management is usually not implemented alone, but may be supported by one or more other approaches. For this reason, Activity-Based Management is contrasted with several other popular instruments in the literature review. If properly applied, Activity-Based Management can provide management with a sound decision-making platform for correctly aligning resources and work activities. It produces cost information by linking human resource costs to activities and then tracks these human resource costs (inputs) by activity (transformation) and traces them to the point where products and / or services (outputs) reach their destination / customers (result). It also serves as a useful base to improve strategic and operational decisions and for reviewing and updating the organisation structure of a business. This study reworks and researches previous data related to a project carried out by Eskom (exploratory research) with the purpose of testing the primary research objective. Based on a predetermined dictionary of activities and an associated data collection form, a census was used to collect the data. The resulting reports highlight the main obstructions to effective performance and they mainly relate to an imbalance of time expenditure amongst the various activities performed, an outdated organisation structure and a misalignment of effort with the new vision and strategies formulated. The study is concluded with a number of recommendations for improvement and for further study. Briefly, these recommendations address: shifting the focus from support to core activities and placing a higher emphasis on activities that support the new vision and strategies of the business; eliminating unnecessary activities and reducing the amount of time wasted; and eliminating fragmented work, dealing with surplus manpower numbers and revising the organisation structure. , Prof. H.E.C. de Bruyn
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smit, R.
- Date: 2008-06-27T13:47:06Z
- Subjects: Activity-based costing , Decision making , Organizational effectiveness
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:10106 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/748
- Description: This study sets out to prove that Activity-Based Management is still a relevant instrument to facilitate effective management decision-making and organisational improvement. In the light of all the latest techniques and methodologies that currently exist to measure and rectify organisational performance, the obvious question might be “but why Activity-Based Management?”. Whilst certain techniques and methodologies concentrate on either inputs, outputs and / or on the entire process, Activity-Based Management was selected because it specifically analyses the activities (transformation component) of a business, plus the fact that this methodology has been refined and tested with great success in large organisations such as Eskom. Given the selection of management tools available, an instrument such as Activity-Based Management is usually not implemented alone, but may be supported by one or more other approaches. For this reason, Activity-Based Management is contrasted with several other popular instruments in the literature review. If properly applied, Activity-Based Management can provide management with a sound decision-making platform for correctly aligning resources and work activities. It produces cost information by linking human resource costs to activities and then tracks these human resource costs (inputs) by activity (transformation) and traces them to the point where products and / or services (outputs) reach their destination / customers (result). It also serves as a useful base to improve strategic and operational decisions and for reviewing and updating the organisation structure of a business. This study reworks and researches previous data related to a project carried out by Eskom (exploratory research) with the purpose of testing the primary research objective. Based on a predetermined dictionary of activities and an associated data collection form, a census was used to collect the data. The resulting reports highlight the main obstructions to effective performance and they mainly relate to an imbalance of time expenditure amongst the various activities performed, an outdated organisation structure and a misalignment of effort with the new vision and strategies formulated. The study is concluded with a number of recommendations for improvement and for further study. Briefly, these recommendations address: shifting the focus from support to core activities and placing a higher emphasis on activities that support the new vision and strategies of the business; eliminating unnecessary activities and reducing the amount of time wasted; and eliminating fragmented work, dealing with surplus manpower numbers and revising the organisation structure. , Prof. H.E.C. de Bruyn
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Factors driving change to remuneration policy and outcomes.
- Bussin, M.H.R., Huysamen, D.
- Authors: Bussin, M.H.R. , Huysamen, D.
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Remuneration policy , Decision making
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6529 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2728
- Description: The aim of this study was to develop an in-depth understanding of the relative importance of the factors driving change to remuneration policy decision making and the impact on organisations. Data from 148 organisations was analysed and subjected to rigorous statistical analysis. The results show that the most potent drivers of remuneration policy are retention of key staff, financial results and organisation strategy. The greatest changes to remuneration policy were in the areas of variable pay, merit/performance related pay, market position, total package and job evaluation/ broadbanding policy. A strong correlation was found between the extent of change in Remuneration policy and impact on the organisation. This suggests that the greater the change in Remuneration policy the greater the impact on the organisation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bussin, M.H.R. , Huysamen, D.
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Remuneration policy , Decision making
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6529 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2728
- Description: The aim of this study was to develop an in-depth understanding of the relative importance of the factors driving change to remuneration policy decision making and the impact on organisations. Data from 148 organisations was analysed and subjected to rigorous statistical analysis. The results show that the most potent drivers of remuneration policy are retention of key staff, financial results and organisation strategy. The greatest changes to remuneration policy were in the areas of variable pay, merit/performance related pay, market position, total package and job evaluation/ broadbanding policy. A strong correlation was found between the extent of change in Remuneration policy and impact on the organisation. This suggests that the greater the change in Remuneration policy the greater the impact on the organisation.
- Full Text:
Challenges and opportunities in adopting and implementing sustainability plans in engineering, mining and processing companies in Zimbabwe
- Nyemba, Wilson R., Mbohwa, Charles
- Authors: Nyemba, Wilson R. , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Capacity utilization , Decision making , Sustainability planning
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/260422 , uj:27421 , Citation: Nyemba, W.R. & Mbohwa, C. 2018. Challenges and opportunities in adopting and implementing sustainability plans in engineering, mining and processing companies in Zimbabwe.
- Description: Abstract: Zimbabwe is endowed with a plethora of natural resources sufficient to provide raw materials and inputs to its engineering, mining and processing companies. Despite having inherited functional industries at independence, over the last 15 -20 years, the country has been grappling with recession, low capacity utilization, liquidation of companies and failure to export, let alone meeting local requirements. Although political instability has been largely attributed to this failure, ongoing research through surveys, interviews and direct observations at five companies involved in different business portfolios namely, furniture manufacturing, general engineering and foundry, assembly and manufacture of bus and truck bodies, backup and service of heavy vehicles as well as mineral processing, similarly revealed not only the lack of sustainability plans but also lack of involvement of all stakeholders in decision making in a systems thinking approach to ensure business continuity in different situations. The research also revealed that the failure to meet current needs without compromising the needs of the future could have contributed a great deal to low capacity utilization and eventual liquidations. Recommendations made to the companies were welcomed as clear opportunities to learn from the past and these are helping the companies to gradually recover and regain economic value in spite of the difficult operating environment.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nyemba, Wilson R. , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Capacity utilization , Decision making , Sustainability planning
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/260422 , uj:27421 , Citation: Nyemba, W.R. & Mbohwa, C. 2018. Challenges and opportunities in adopting and implementing sustainability plans in engineering, mining and processing companies in Zimbabwe.
- Description: Abstract: Zimbabwe is endowed with a plethora of natural resources sufficient to provide raw materials and inputs to its engineering, mining and processing companies. Despite having inherited functional industries at independence, over the last 15 -20 years, the country has been grappling with recession, low capacity utilization, liquidation of companies and failure to export, let alone meeting local requirements. Although political instability has been largely attributed to this failure, ongoing research through surveys, interviews and direct observations at five companies involved in different business portfolios namely, furniture manufacturing, general engineering and foundry, assembly and manufacture of bus and truck bodies, backup and service of heavy vehicles as well as mineral processing, similarly revealed not only the lack of sustainability plans but also lack of involvement of all stakeholders in decision making in a systems thinking approach to ensure business continuity in different situations. The research also revealed that the failure to meet current needs without compromising the needs of the future could have contributed a great deal to low capacity utilization and eventual liquidations. Recommendations made to the companies were welcomed as clear opportunities to learn from the past and these are helping the companies to gradually recover and regain economic value in spite of the difficult operating environment.
- Full Text:
Simulating a production environment for managerial decision making
- Law, J.
- Authors: Law, J.
- Date: 2010-03-25T06:47:02Z
- Subjects: Total quality management , Industrial productivity simulation methods , Industrial productivity evaluation , Decision making , Strategic planning
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6706 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3108
- Description: M.Ing. , The purpose of this research investigation is to develop and simulate a current manufacturing production line, for a company by the name of Aerosud, using a 3- dimensional software tool called Delmia Quest ®. The company in question is a mechanical and aeronautical manufacturing organisation that supplies components to both the civil and military sectors to a variety of global points. The aim of this investigation was to develop a simulation model that, initially, mapped the actual workings of the real production line with the use of actual time data recorded through measurement. Secondly, various observations were made to discover how much work-in-progress (WIP) remains idle during the manufacturing procedure and how much productivity is reached after a standard production week of forty-five hours. Hence, the aim of the simulation model is to improve those two factors by increasing the productivity of the entire production line and reduce the amount of WIP idle to a minimum. To achieve this, the author created a baseline model for both the throughput time and the WIP at each cell of production. The results of these curves were obtained using actual statistical time data obtained during the observation period. These results were then plotted onto individual axis to visually identify the outputs. Next, the author analysed the baseline model, within the 3D virtual world of the software, to witness where possible errors exist in terms of throughput time and the amount of WIP idle at various stations of production. It was clearly identified that the cell with the most production problems, was assembly. The author thus identified possible methods of reducing these problems and simulated those actions. The results showed various improvements in the amount of throughput time gained as well as a significant reduction to the amount of WIP idle at that particular cell. The simulations were thus mapped onto the same axis as the baseline model, in terms of throughput time and WIP respectively. This provides visual identification to the outcome of such simulations so that the reader can identify clarity in the results. A basic comparison of each simulation was described with reference to the baseline curve in order to clarify what the results had shown. Finally, the investigation was concluded highlighting that the baseline model created was a good start to analysing the company’s production line; however, as further research, it was recommended that various types of improvements can still be made to this model in order to improve its realism when compared to the real production line.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Law, J.
- Date: 2010-03-25T06:47:02Z
- Subjects: Total quality management , Industrial productivity simulation methods , Industrial productivity evaluation , Decision making , Strategic planning
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6706 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3108
- Description: M.Ing. , The purpose of this research investigation is to develop and simulate a current manufacturing production line, for a company by the name of Aerosud, using a 3- dimensional software tool called Delmia Quest ®. The company in question is a mechanical and aeronautical manufacturing organisation that supplies components to both the civil and military sectors to a variety of global points. The aim of this investigation was to develop a simulation model that, initially, mapped the actual workings of the real production line with the use of actual time data recorded through measurement. Secondly, various observations were made to discover how much work-in-progress (WIP) remains idle during the manufacturing procedure and how much productivity is reached after a standard production week of forty-five hours. Hence, the aim of the simulation model is to improve those two factors by increasing the productivity of the entire production line and reduce the amount of WIP idle to a minimum. To achieve this, the author created a baseline model for both the throughput time and the WIP at each cell of production. The results of these curves were obtained using actual statistical time data obtained during the observation period. These results were then plotted onto individual axis to visually identify the outputs. Next, the author analysed the baseline model, within the 3D virtual world of the software, to witness where possible errors exist in terms of throughput time and the amount of WIP idle at various stations of production. It was clearly identified that the cell with the most production problems, was assembly. The author thus identified possible methods of reducing these problems and simulated those actions. The results showed various improvements in the amount of throughput time gained as well as a significant reduction to the amount of WIP idle at that particular cell. The simulations were thus mapped onto the same axis as the baseline model, in terms of throughput time and WIP respectively. This provides visual identification to the outcome of such simulations so that the reader can identify clarity in the results. A basic comparison of each simulation was described with reference to the baseline curve in order to clarify what the results had shown. Finally, the investigation was concluded highlighting that the baseline model created was a good start to analysing the company’s production line; however, as further research, it was recommended that various types of improvements can still be made to this model in order to improve its realism when compared to the real production line.
- Full Text:
Die teoretiese en empiriese verwantskappe tussen besluitneming, temperament en samehangendheidsin
- Authors: Cloete, Lynette
- Date: 2008-10-31T09:12:18Z
- Subjects: Temperament , Decision making , Coherence (Psychology)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13933 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1428
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The aim of this study was to determine possible relationships between sense of coherence, temperament and decision-making and to explore the nature of these relationships. The study was based on the assumption that people attempt to make sense of complex environments and that differences in certain biological and psychological characteristics may lead to differences in the way that people make decisions in complex environments. Temperament was defined as a biological or physiological aspect that influences human behaviour. Sense of coherence was conceptualised as a psychological, global orientation that influences the way in which individuals understand their environments and can therefore give rise to individual differences in behaviour. Decision-making style was defined as a specific behavioural manifestation of the manner in which individuals make sense of complex environments and it was postulated that decision-making would probably be influenced by temperament and sense of coherence. In order to explore the current study’s research questions, a sample of 189 third year and Honours students in Psychology at a tertiary institution was used. The ages of the participants ranged from 19 tot 34 years and the average age was 22 years. More women (91.5%) participated in the study than men (8.5%). As a result of practicalities it was impossible to use a random sample. Three self-report measurements were used to respectively measure sense of coherence, temperament and decision-making style. These were the Orientation to Life Questionnaire, Pavlovian Temperament Survey and Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire. The Pavlovian Temperament Survey measures three characteristics of the nervous system namely Strength of Excitation, Strength of Inhibition and Mobility of the Nervous Processes. An additional sub-scale was added to measure Balance of the Nervous Processes. The Orientation to Life Questionnaire measures Comprehensibility, Manageability, Meaningfulness as well as total Sense of Coherence. The Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire measures four decision-making styles: one effective style, Vigilance and three ineffective styles, Procrastination, Hypervigilance and Buck Passing. The raw data that were collected from the completed questionnaires were subjected to several statistical analyses. The data were tested for normality of sub-scale distributions, which lead to logistical regression analyses being used to determine if temperament and sense of coherence can predict differences in decision-making style. Pearson product moment correlations as well as canonical correlations were also used. Multiple analyses of variance were used to determine whether biographical variables could account for any differences in sense of coherence, temperament and decision-making style. The results indicated that differences due to language, year of study or work status did not affect scores with regard to sense of coherence, temperament or decision-making style. The sample could therefore be regarded as quite homogeneous and the effect of confounding variables could be limited. However, generalisability of the results was also compromised. It was found that Strength of Excitation, Strength of Inhibition and Mobility of the Nervous Processes displayed relationships with Sense of coherence as well as the individual aspects of sense of coherence namely Comprehensibility, Manageability and Meaningfulness. This finding points to the possibility that physiological responses and psychological assessment of complex environments are related. Even though Balance of the Nervous Processes was not indicated as related to sense of coherence, it was found that this characteristic of the nervous system may possibly relate to decision-making. In line with these findings, the results indicated the possibility of relationships between a person’s psychological assessment of situations and behavioural outcomes as relationships were found between sense of coherence and decision-making style. It was indicated that certain temperament dimensions possibly displays an inverse relationship with decision-making styles, and especially the use of a hypervigilant decision-making style. However, the role of temperament in the use of a vigilant decision-making style is unclear. Lastly, the results indicated that the emotional assessment of stimuli as meaningful and challenging may possibly give rise to the use of a vigilant decision-making style. The assessment of situations as chaotic and unstructured could possibly relate more to the use of ineffective decision-making styles. An overall conclusion that can be made is that relationships between sense of coherence, temperament and decision-making style do indeed exist but that the nature of the relationships is quite complex. It seems as if different mechanisms are at play with regard to determining the use of effective and ineffective decision-making styles. These mechanisms could possibly lie in the emotional and cognitive assessments of situations. It seems as if a healthy emotional assessment of situations as challenging and meaningful precede the use of an effective, cognitively-based decision-making style. The cognitive assessment of situations as chaotic and unstructured could possibly lead to a more emotional decision-making response and decisions may be postponed, its responsibility may be shifted or it may be handled in a panicky manner. The results of this study should be interpreted with care since the sample was quite homogeneous and not particularly large. The exclusive use of the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire to measure decision-making is also problematic and the inclusion of an objective measurement of decision-making efficiency would have been preferable. It is also unclear whether reported decision-making style is equal to true decision-making style. Lastly, it was also decided to move away from Antonovsky’s (1987) recommendations that sense of coherence be treated as one global construct and the individual sub-scales were analysed separately. Future research can make use of similar variables and statistical techniques with bigger and more diverse samples to facilitate the development of an explanatory model for behaviour within complex environments. If the same variables are used, other measurements should be included to expand the conceptual framework. Future research could also test the current findings in practice for example in training or therapy.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Cloete, Lynette
- Date: 2008-10-31T09:12:18Z
- Subjects: Temperament , Decision making , Coherence (Psychology)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13933 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1428
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The aim of this study was to determine possible relationships between sense of coherence, temperament and decision-making and to explore the nature of these relationships. The study was based on the assumption that people attempt to make sense of complex environments and that differences in certain biological and psychological characteristics may lead to differences in the way that people make decisions in complex environments. Temperament was defined as a biological or physiological aspect that influences human behaviour. Sense of coherence was conceptualised as a psychological, global orientation that influences the way in which individuals understand their environments and can therefore give rise to individual differences in behaviour. Decision-making style was defined as a specific behavioural manifestation of the manner in which individuals make sense of complex environments and it was postulated that decision-making would probably be influenced by temperament and sense of coherence. In order to explore the current study’s research questions, a sample of 189 third year and Honours students in Psychology at a tertiary institution was used. The ages of the participants ranged from 19 tot 34 years and the average age was 22 years. More women (91.5%) participated in the study than men (8.5%). As a result of practicalities it was impossible to use a random sample. Three self-report measurements were used to respectively measure sense of coherence, temperament and decision-making style. These were the Orientation to Life Questionnaire, Pavlovian Temperament Survey and Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire. The Pavlovian Temperament Survey measures three characteristics of the nervous system namely Strength of Excitation, Strength of Inhibition and Mobility of the Nervous Processes. An additional sub-scale was added to measure Balance of the Nervous Processes. The Orientation to Life Questionnaire measures Comprehensibility, Manageability, Meaningfulness as well as total Sense of Coherence. The Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire measures four decision-making styles: one effective style, Vigilance and three ineffective styles, Procrastination, Hypervigilance and Buck Passing. The raw data that were collected from the completed questionnaires were subjected to several statistical analyses. The data were tested for normality of sub-scale distributions, which lead to logistical regression analyses being used to determine if temperament and sense of coherence can predict differences in decision-making style. Pearson product moment correlations as well as canonical correlations were also used. Multiple analyses of variance were used to determine whether biographical variables could account for any differences in sense of coherence, temperament and decision-making style. The results indicated that differences due to language, year of study or work status did not affect scores with regard to sense of coherence, temperament or decision-making style. The sample could therefore be regarded as quite homogeneous and the effect of confounding variables could be limited. However, generalisability of the results was also compromised. It was found that Strength of Excitation, Strength of Inhibition and Mobility of the Nervous Processes displayed relationships with Sense of coherence as well as the individual aspects of sense of coherence namely Comprehensibility, Manageability and Meaningfulness. This finding points to the possibility that physiological responses and psychological assessment of complex environments are related. Even though Balance of the Nervous Processes was not indicated as related to sense of coherence, it was found that this characteristic of the nervous system may possibly relate to decision-making. In line with these findings, the results indicated the possibility of relationships between a person’s psychological assessment of situations and behavioural outcomes as relationships were found between sense of coherence and decision-making style. It was indicated that certain temperament dimensions possibly displays an inverse relationship with decision-making styles, and especially the use of a hypervigilant decision-making style. However, the role of temperament in the use of a vigilant decision-making style is unclear. Lastly, the results indicated that the emotional assessment of stimuli as meaningful and challenging may possibly give rise to the use of a vigilant decision-making style. The assessment of situations as chaotic and unstructured could possibly relate more to the use of ineffective decision-making styles. An overall conclusion that can be made is that relationships between sense of coherence, temperament and decision-making style do indeed exist but that the nature of the relationships is quite complex. It seems as if different mechanisms are at play with regard to determining the use of effective and ineffective decision-making styles. These mechanisms could possibly lie in the emotional and cognitive assessments of situations. It seems as if a healthy emotional assessment of situations as challenging and meaningful precede the use of an effective, cognitively-based decision-making style. The cognitive assessment of situations as chaotic and unstructured could possibly lead to a more emotional decision-making response and decisions may be postponed, its responsibility may be shifted or it may be handled in a panicky manner. The results of this study should be interpreted with care since the sample was quite homogeneous and not particularly large. The exclusive use of the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire to measure decision-making is also problematic and the inclusion of an objective measurement of decision-making efficiency would have been preferable. It is also unclear whether reported decision-making style is equal to true decision-making style. Lastly, it was also decided to move away from Antonovsky’s (1987) recommendations that sense of coherence be treated as one global construct and the individual sub-scales were analysed separately. Future research can make use of similar variables and statistical techniques with bigger and more diverse samples to facilitate the development of an explanatory model for behaviour within complex environments. If the same variables are used, other measurements should be included to expand the conceptual framework. Future research could also test the current findings in practice for example in training or therapy.
- Full Text:
Signification framework of a business intelligence tool for SME business decision-making
- Authors: Magoma, Tshepo Confidence
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Business intelligence , Decision making , Business - Decision making , Business - Data processing , Management information systems
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/403257 , uj:33783
- Description: Abstract : Business Intelligence (BI) tools are being adopted more frequently, especially in large organisations that have the resources to deploy it. BI tools are allowing businesses to optimise their decision-making process and sustain competitive advantage. There is, however, limited published research into how BI tools are being used by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as limited research in terms of the affordable features from IBM Cognos that support SMEs’ decision-making needs. Application of the key features of BI tools are helping organisations to take decisions to ensure their sustainable growth and competitive advantage. BI is also vast and complex hence it requires skilled human resources, and it makes the development and maintenance of BI highly expensive for SMEs. The main motivation of the research has been associated with the fact that finding a BI tool that is cost efficient for SMEs can be important for the success of the business and to cater effectively to their decision-making needs. Objective The study’s purpose was to determine which of the fundamental features of IBM Cognos are affordable features for addressing the business needs of SMEs. The objective was to analyse the significance of BI tools in the SMEs by identifying affordable and suitable features from IBM Cognos based on SMEs’ needs and business functions using a signification framework. Method A quantitative research method has been used in which primary method of data collection has been adopted. With respect to this, data collection instrument chosen for the research is in the form of a questionnaire online survey which was sent to the respondents through survey monkey. The sample size for this research was 200 research participants, and amongst these total 200 research participants, 80 participants were BI Consultants from consultancy firms and with the composition of their own consultancy firm’s clients, the other participants were 60 iv SME BI developers and 60 SME managers. For the purpose of data analysis, this research has used SPSS software and Microsoft Excel and analysed the results by using demographic and frequency analysis. Results The findings of this research have revealed that BI is a broad field and can be used as a tool for solving various issues faced by the SMEs. BI tool is able to solve issues through their features. All the questions asked from the respondents were associated with the features of BI and how they are effective for decisionmaking in SMEs. The features of IBM Cognos are cost effective but not necessarily affordable in the context of SME business needs. Affordability was identified as the mediating variable in this study. Conclusion The research has concluded that the SMEs established in South Africa should adopt the IBM Cognos tool for supporting their decision-making process and needs. The implementation of low cost and affordable features is important for SMEs but it requires a specialised IT employee for managing and running the tool. This tool would help the SMEs in articulating solutions based on the issues as well as making operational decisions that would improve the growth and profitability of the business. Overall, it has been indicated from the study that IBM is an important tool for the SMEs in that, it aids in gathering relevant data and further interpreting the data for making effective decisions. , M.Com. (Business Management)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Magoma, Tshepo Confidence
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Business intelligence , Decision making , Business - Decision making , Business - Data processing , Management information systems
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/403257 , uj:33783
- Description: Abstract : Business Intelligence (BI) tools are being adopted more frequently, especially in large organisations that have the resources to deploy it. BI tools are allowing businesses to optimise their decision-making process and sustain competitive advantage. There is, however, limited published research into how BI tools are being used by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as limited research in terms of the affordable features from IBM Cognos that support SMEs’ decision-making needs. Application of the key features of BI tools are helping organisations to take decisions to ensure their sustainable growth and competitive advantage. BI is also vast and complex hence it requires skilled human resources, and it makes the development and maintenance of BI highly expensive for SMEs. The main motivation of the research has been associated with the fact that finding a BI tool that is cost efficient for SMEs can be important for the success of the business and to cater effectively to their decision-making needs. Objective The study’s purpose was to determine which of the fundamental features of IBM Cognos are affordable features for addressing the business needs of SMEs. The objective was to analyse the significance of BI tools in the SMEs by identifying affordable and suitable features from IBM Cognos based on SMEs’ needs and business functions using a signification framework. Method A quantitative research method has been used in which primary method of data collection has been adopted. With respect to this, data collection instrument chosen for the research is in the form of a questionnaire online survey which was sent to the respondents through survey monkey. The sample size for this research was 200 research participants, and amongst these total 200 research participants, 80 participants were BI Consultants from consultancy firms and with the composition of their own consultancy firm’s clients, the other participants were 60 iv SME BI developers and 60 SME managers. For the purpose of data analysis, this research has used SPSS software and Microsoft Excel and analysed the results by using demographic and frequency analysis. Results The findings of this research have revealed that BI is a broad field and can be used as a tool for solving various issues faced by the SMEs. BI tool is able to solve issues through their features. All the questions asked from the respondents were associated with the features of BI and how they are effective for decisionmaking in SMEs. The features of IBM Cognos are cost effective but not necessarily affordable in the context of SME business needs. Affordability was identified as the mediating variable in this study. Conclusion The research has concluded that the SMEs established in South Africa should adopt the IBM Cognos tool for supporting their decision-making process and needs. The implementation of low cost and affordable features is important for SMEs but it requires a specialised IT employee for managing and running the tool. This tool would help the SMEs in articulating solutions based on the issues as well as making operational decisions that would improve the growth and profitability of the business. Overall, it has been indicated from the study that IBM is an important tool for the SMEs in that, it aids in gathering relevant data and further interpreting the data for making effective decisions. , M.Com. (Business Management)
- Full Text:
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