A framework for establishing a Human Asset Register for the improved management of people in asset management

Date
2015-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Effective Asset Management is essential for organizations to realize maximum value from their physical assets, to overcome current challenges, and to achieve their business goals. One of Asset Management’s most significant success factors is the human dimension. While people management activities are traditionally placed within the Human Resource function, line managers have become increasingly responsible to ensure the effective management of people. This devolution of responsibilities constitutes a challenge in Asset Management; especially in technical areas of a business where line managers have limited skills to address “people issues”. Their understanding of the human dimension, however, has been identified as playing a significant role in the success of people and Asset Management. Currently there is insufficient guidance to support asset managers to improve the management of people. To address this problem, this study develops a framework to establish a Human Asset Register for improving the management of people in Asset Management. A literature study of the interconnected fields of the problem forms the foundation of the framework. Key concepts of Asset Management, the concept of a Physical Asset Register, and the human dimension in Asset Management are studied, followed by a background of Strategic Human Resource Management and people management practices. The framework is developed through a stepbased approach to support asset managers for improving people management. It provides information on human asset and human dimensional attributes in the Asset Management environment. Based on structured interviews in the mining industry the framework is validated. The validation process demonstrated that the framework addresses the identified problem by providing a pragmatic method to improve people management in Asset Management.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Effektiewe Batebesuur is noodsaaklik sodat ondernemings die maksimum waarde uit hul fisiese bates kan verkry, om besigheidsuitdagings te oorkom en om besigheidsdoelwitte te bereik. Een van die belangrikste suksesfaktore vir Batebestuut is die menslike dimensie. Menslike bestuursaktitwiteite word tradisioneel deur die Menslike Hulpbronne departement beharting, maar hierdie verwantwoordelikheid word toenemend gedeligeer na lynbestuurders. Hierdie deligering van verantwoordelikheid skep egter ’n probleem binne die Batebestuur omgewing. Veral binne tegniese areas waar lynbestuurders oor beperkde vaardighede beskik om “menslike aangeleenthede” aan te spreek. Lynbestuurders se begrip van die menslike dimensie is egter noodskaaklik vir die effektiewe bestuur van personeel in ’n onderneming. Tans is daar onvoldoende leiding ter ondersteuning van batebestuurders om die bestuursverantwoordelikhede van menslike bates te behartig. Om hierdie probleem aan te spreek, word 'n raamwerk vir 'n Menslike Bateregister in hierdie studie ontwikkel met die doel om die bestuur van mense in Batebestuur te verbeter. ’n Literatuurstudie vorm die grondslag van die raamwerk. Sleutelkonsepte in Batebestuur, die konsep van 'n Fisiese Bateregister, en die menslike dimensie in Batebestuur word bestudeer en word ondersteun deur die agtergrond van Strategiese Menslike Hulpbronbestuur en menslike bestuurspraktyke. Die ontwikkelde raamwerk bied 'n stapsgewyse benadering vir die verbeterde bestuur van mense. Dit verskaf inligting rakende menslike bates en menslike dimensionele kenmerke binne die Batebestuur omgewing. Die studie word gevalideer met behulp van gestruktureerde onderhoude met kundiges in die mynbedryf. Die valideringsproses toon dat die ontwikkelde raamwerk 'n pragmatiese metode verskaf vir die verbeterde bestuur van mense in Batebestuur en spreek dus die gedefinieerde probleem aan.
Description
Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
Keywords
Human Asset Register framework, Physical asset management, People management, UCTD
Citation