Browsing by Author "Vayej, Jameela."
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Item An analysis of the perceptions of expatriate academics on the factors affecting their work performance.(2009) Henha, Pauline Ngo.; Vayej, Jameela.This study examines the perceived influence of the following factors on the performance of expatriate academics: biographical profile, social and cultural adjustment, homesickness, language, organizational socialization, and satisfaction with the policies and practices of the organization with regard to salary, rewards and promotion. The study was conducted on a sample of 85 expatriate academics employees of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). The research data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire where all answers were requested using a five point likert scale (from 'strongly disagree' to 'strongly agree‟) except for the section on the biographical profile of the participants. In other words, the research data captured the perceptions of the respondents measured on the above-mentioned scale. This means for example that every expatriate academic in the study made a self-assessment of his or her work performance. The research sample was constructed using a snowball sampling method. The results obtained from the inferential statistical analysis indicate that language is the only predictor of work performance. The frequencies and means analysis revealed that respondents are not quite satisfied with their salary and rewards. Correlation analysis also revealed the following relationships between the research variables: a correlation was found between social and cultural adjustment and homesickness; a correlation was found between social and cultural adjustment and organizational socialization; and correlation was found between satisfaction with the policies and practices of the organization with organizational socialization. The findings of this research can be useful to universities for improvement of the performance of their expatriate academics through the following research recommendations: conducting language training; providing market-related salaries to expatriate employees; and granting holiday allowances and stress management programmes to expatriate academics so as to alleviate their homesickness.Item A pre-and posttest analaysis of stress levels of employees at Durban Metro Electricity who attended a stress management programme.(2002) Vayej, Jameela.; Hill, Sonia.This research study aims to establish the level of success of a particular stress management programme conducted at Durban Metro Electricity. The study explores the levels of stress experienced by employees before and after attending the stress management programme. This required a pre- and posttest analysis. In addition, a t-test was conducted to ascertain significant statistical or quantitative changes in stress levels. The study also explores qualitative data that reflect the perceived stressors that employees feel they face in the workplace. Five different stressors emerged from the qualitative data: management problems, safety issues at work, staff attitude problems, stressful work tasks, and general job stress. The perceived symptoms of stress are physical, emotional and cognitive in nature. The t-test yielded a fifty percent stress reduction result. Whilst this is commendable, it is important to look at further avenues for stress reduction. It is recommended that a multidimensional approach to stress management be implemented in the organisation. It is maintained that it is not enough to train and equip employees with coping skills. Stress management within the organisation should include support systems and resources to help reduce stress. This refers to a system where managers, supervisors and staff come together to actively consider organisational structure, practice and dynamics so as to find creative solutions to reduce stress. The system should also include individual problem-focused stress 90unselling on a regular basis. By implementing stress management strategies beyond a three-day stress management programme, and by encouraging co-operation of management and employees, Durban Metro Electricity can bring about further reductions in stress levels.