Workplace Harassment and Its Impact on Staff Performance: a Case Study of a South African Higher Education Institution
UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL
Workplace Harassment and Its Impact on Staff Performance: a Case Study of a South African Higher Education Institution
By Knowledge Siyabonga Ngwane Student Number: 207520734
A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Administration
School of Management, Information Technology and Governance College of Law and Management Studies
Supervisor: Dr M O Dassah
December 2013
i
College of Law and Management Studies
Supervisors Permission to Submit Thesis/ Dissertation for Examination Name: Knowledge Siyabonga Ngwane No: 207520734
Title: Mr Qualification: Doctor of Administration School: Management, IT and Governance Yes No To the best of my knowledge, the thesis/dissertation is primarily the student’s own work and the student has acknowledged all reference sources
The English language is of a suitable standard for examination without going for professional editing.
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ii Declaration
I Knowledge Siyabonga Ngwane declare that
(i) The research reported in this thesis, except where otherwise indicated, is my original research.
(ii) This thesis has not been submitted for any degree or examination at any other university.
(iii) This thesis does not contain other persons’ data, pictures, graphs or other information, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other persons.
(iv) This thesis does not contain other persons’ writing, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other researchers. Where other written sources have been quoted, then:
a) their words have been re-written but the general information attributed to them has been referenced.
b) where their exact words have been used, their writing has been placed inside quotation marks, and referenced.
(v) This thesis does not contain text, graphics or tables copied and pasted from the Internet, unless specifically acknowledged, and the source being detailed in the thesis and in the references sections.
ksn …………………………………… Knowledge Siyabonga Ngwane Student Number: 207520734
Date: 13th September 2013
iii Language Certificate
10 September 2013
To whom it may concern.
Thesis editing for Mr K S Ngwane
This is to confirm that I have provided editorial assistance to Mr Knowledge Siyabonga Ngwane in the preparation of his thesis entitled “Workplace Harassment and Its Impact on Staff Performance: a Case Study of a South African Higher Education Institution".
The editorial assistance covered proofreading, stylistic and grammatical corrections, and formatting of text, headings, figures and tables.
I will be happy to provide further details if requested.
David Newmarch
David Newmarch BA Hons (Natal), M Phil (York) 197 Queen Elizabeth Ave, Durban 4001 082 554 9090 (c) • 031 261 2197 (h) • [email protected]
iv Abstract
Higher education institutions (HEIs) face many challenges that arise both from the external environment and from their internal structures. They have to comply with the Constitution of South Africa and employment legislation.
This case study of a South African higher education institution addressed the very sensitive issue of workplace harassment and its impact on staff performance. The central objective of this research was to explore the nature and extent of harassment and its impact on performance of staff at a selected HEI. The literature review drew heavily on secondary data.
Empirical data was collected by means of a questionnaire. The total population of the selected HEI permanent staff (both academic and academic support) was 1 319 in 2012. All were potential participants, and a sample of 200 respondents was purposefully selected for the study that included management, academic and non- academic staff. To ensure the sample was fairly representative of the HEI staff demographics and for an eventual that the respondents’ views broadly reflect those of the academic and non-academic staff, and management, a stratified random sampling method was used for this study.
The study findings supported the conclusion that workplace harassment has impact on staff performance in a South African higher education institution. A systemic approach was outlined to address workplace harassment. The study also highlighted several factors as important determinants of workplace harassment and its impact on staff performance at the selected HEI.
It is hoped that findings and recommendations of this research will assist in establishing procedures to be used in dealing with workplace harassment; organising a range of professional assistance which will help other organisations; and developing a workplace harassment policy for the HEI.
All in all, by paying attention to the stated recommendations and implementing them, all stakeholders at the selected HEI will ensure that workplace harassment and its impact on staff performance will be handled accordingly. It is anticipated that this
v study will provide useful strategies for South African organisations on how to protect their employees from workplace harassment.
vi Dedication
THIS STUDY IS DEDICATED TO MY GRANDMOTHER ELIZAH NOMBI NGWANE WHO SUDDENLY PASSED AWAY IN HER PRIME TIME OF HER LIFE ON 31 DECEMBER 2011. MAY GOD REST HER SOUL AND GRANT HER ETERNAL PEACE IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS STUDY WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THROUGH ALL THE ASPIRATIONS SHE GAVE ME ALL THESE YEARS.
vii Acknowledgements
I wish to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to the following individuals, without whose assistance, this study would not have been possible: