Motivating human assets in the field of Physical Asset Management

Date
2015-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Effective task execution is essential to asset intensive companies as it influences production and asset utilization. However, persuading employees to execute their assigned activities is recognized as one of the most challenging tasks that managers are confronted with today. Enhancing employee motivation in the workplace is considered as a means of augmenting task execution. Traditionally it has been the duty of the Human Resources (HR) department to address elements such as enhancing employee motivation. However, this position has shifted such that line managers are often required to take over Human Resource Management (HRM) practices. It has been identified that line managers, especially engineers, are often not HR-specialists and are rarely sufficiently trained in HRM techniques and practices. This study proposes a framework to provide managers of a primarily technical background, with a tool to assist them in assessing the extent to which aspects of motivation are utilized in the working environment. The aim of the framework is to facilitate these managers in establishing an environment with the highest potential to motivate their employees. An extensive literature review which covers work motivation theories and influences serves as the essence of the proposed framework. Validation of the proposed framework was accomplished by means of an expert review panel and the findings of this study support the framework structure and its applicability to industry. Shared participant views engender confidence in the ability for the proposed solution to aid managers in improving the use of motivational aspects in the management of their employees.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Effektiewe taakuitvoering is essensieel vir bate intensiewe besighede aangesien dit produksie en bate aanwending beinvloed. Dit blyk egter dat om werknemers te kry om hulle opdragte en bepaalde take effektief uit te voer een van die mees uitdagende bestuurstake in vandag se samelewing is. Die verhoging van werknemer motivering in die werkplek word beskou as ’n middel tot die verbetering van taak uitvoering. Tradisioneel was dit die verantwoordelikheid van die Menslike Hulpbron department om aspekte soos die verbetering van werknemer motivering aan te spreek. Vandag egter moet lynbestuurders dikwels hierdie personeelfunksie oorneem. Daar is bevind dat lynbestuurders, veral ingenieurs, dikwels nie Menslike Hulpbron - spesialiste is nie en dat hulle selde voldoende opgelei is in personeelbestuurs- tegnieke en praktyke. Hierdie studie stel ’n raamwerk voor wat bestuurders, met hoofsaaklik ’n tegniese agtergrond, as riglyn kan gebruik om te bepaal tot watter mate aspekte van motivering gebruik word om taakverryking in die werksomgewing te stimuleer. Die doel van die voorgestelde raamwerk is om hiedie bestuurders in staat te stel om ’n werksomgewing te skep met die hoogste potensiaal vir die stimulering van werknemers motivering. ’n Omvattende literatuurstudie van verskeie werkgeorienteerde motiveringsteorieë en die implikasies en manifestasies daarvan in die praktyk is ontleed en dien as grondslag vir die voorgestelde raamwerk. Verifieering van die voorgestelde raamwerk is bewerkstellig met behulp van ’n paneel deskundiges en die bevindinge van die studie ondersteun die raamwerk struktuur en die toepaslikheid daarvan vir industrie. Deelnemende medewerkers menings bewerkstellig vertroue die vermoë van hierdie voorgestelde oplossing om bestuurders te ondersteun om die gebruik van motiverings aspekte in die bestuur van hulle werknemers te verbeter.
Description
Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
Keywords
Employee motivation, Physical Asset Management, Human Resource Management (HRM) practices, Personnel management -- Techniques and practices
Citation