PURSUING PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7166/3-2-435Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper examines the results of a concerted effort to move to a more rigorous and scientific basis for managing for improved productivity. The point of departure is a question, in the mouth of the chief executive officer of an organization: "How can we improve productivity?" The hypothesis is framed in terms of two contextual factors and six specific factors. The contextual factors are: create a questioning or learning culture, and develop a "cause-effect vision" to motivate questioning. The specific activities of the organization should be characterized by goals, feedback, participation, experimenation, pressure, and perseverance. The results of twelve audits of South African organizations, involving some 200 interviews and 2000 questionnaires, have been used to test the above hypothesis. The paper presents some of these results to indicate support for aspects of the hypothesis.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie artikel ondersoek die uitslae van 'n doelbewuste poging om 'n meer wetenskaplike grondslag to vind vir die bestuur van produktiwiteitsverbetering. Die uitgangspunt is 'n vraag, uit die mond van die top uitvoerende beampte van 'n organisasie: "Hoe kan ons produktiwiteit verbeter?" Die hipotese worde uiteengesit in terme van twee kontekstuele faktore en ses spesifieke faktore. Die kontekstuele faktore is: Skep 'n kultuur van bevraging of leer, en ontwikkel 'n "oorsaak-uitwerking visioen" om bevraging te motiveer. Die spesifieke aktiwiteite van die organisasie moet deur doelwitte, terugvoer, deelname, eksperimentasie, druk, en deursettings-vermoe gekenmerk word. Die uitslae van twaalf aUditerings in suid Afrikaanse organisasies, wat ongeveer 200 onderhoude en 2000 questionnaires behels het, was gebruik om die bestaande hipotese te toets. Hierdie artikel Ie voor van hierdie uitslae om ondersteuning vir aspekte van die hipotese te toon.
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