Theses and dissertations (Management Sciences)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/14
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Item Workplace inequality and discrimination on individual development and organisational performance, in selected hotels in Durban Metropolitan city, South Africa(2022) Vareta, Nyamupachari; Dlamini, Bongani InnocentOrientation: Workplaces today consist of many cultures, ages, genders, races, and ethnicities. This varied work environment offers prospects for employers to generate and encourage organisational strategies that value and manage diversity while eliminating workplace inequality and discrimination. This research explores employees’ subjective experiences of workplace inequality and discrimination within South African hospitality contexts. Research purpose: The aim of the research was to understand the implications of workplace inequality and discrimination on individual development and organizational performance in the South African hotel environment. Motivation: The nature of inequality and discrimination in the South African work context and its influence demands the review of the hotel working environment and influence changes to close the existing knowledge gap. Research design, approach, and method: A qualitative case study within the social constructivist/interpretivist paradigms culminated in in-depth, rich, and detailed descriptions of employees’ experiences in the South African Hotel Industry. Purposive sampling with the help of snowballing were used to recruit the participants. Data were collected using informal discussion, observation, and interviews. The interview guide consisted of 14 semi-structured open-ended questions. The interviews were conducted face-to-face, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim using computer REV transcription. I verified the transcriptions by listening to the audio and making corrections to ensure accuracy. Setting: Participants were recruited from two hotels in Durban City, KwaZulu-Natal. Data analysis: Data were analysed as recommended in qualitative studies. Structured data were analysed using inductive and deductive methods. Thematic analysis and computer software NVivo played a critical role in analysing and refining the results. The search, query, and visualization tools of NVivo effectively verified the networks and patterns in the data and interpretation of the context and identity of participants’ answers. Main findings: The findings identified four main themes: Recruitment and work experience; Emotions; Discrimination at work, and Inequality at work. The study demonstrates the hidden inequalities and discrimination within the industries (the hospitality industry in this case). However, participants confirmed that racism is a severe problem in hotels. The study highlights the experiences of Blacks within the toxic working environment. The research demonstrated the impact of workplace inequality and discrimination on individual development and organizational performance. Practical implications: This study provided valuable insights into the impact of workplace inequality and discrimination on individual development and organizational performance. Contributions/value-adding: The results of this research can be used by human resources managers to (1) create awareness and communication within individuals, organisations, and society regarding workplace inequality and discrimination. (2) insist that trade unions and the government must revisit their mandate to protect workers, irrespective of nationality. This research has shown that vulnerable employees: women, foreign workers, and school leavers are exploited in the hospitality industry. (3) implement training and development programmes to help employees improve their skills and meet the organization’s objectives.Item Students’ perceptions towards careers in the hospitality industry(2021) Mlotshwa, Nelisiwe Rejoice; Mnguni, E. M.; Adebanjo, H. M.The hospitality industry, a sector within the tourism industry, contributes to the economy of the country and the livelihoods of the South African population. This research explored the perceptions of third-year hospitality students towards careers in the industry. These undergraduates are envisioned to be future employees of the hospitality industry; therefore, understanding their thoughts and intentions of joining the industry was paramount. However, research on findings of the perceptions of students towards this industry in South Africa, especially in Durban is limited. The perceptions of these students mainly relate to their understanding of careers in the hospitality industry. This report records the findings of student’s perceptions towards the hospitality industry in Durban, South Africa. The researcher used a mixed-method approach involving questionnaires and focus groups. The participants were drawn from the Department of Hospitality and Tourism at the Durban University of Technology (DUT)which is the only university of technology in KwaZulu-Natal that offers a national diploma in hospitality management. The research data was analysed using the SPSS version 27 and qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings suggest that the students’ perceptions toward the industry are positive. This was observed through a high percentage of students indicating their willingness to join the industry after graduating. However, the majority of the students in this research indicated their interest in starting their own businesses and travelling as the main reason for pursuing this qualification. Also discovered in the study was the influence of work-integrated learning (WIL) on students’ perceptions of the industry. The dissertation concludes by providing recommendations to the academic department and the industry that may retain this trend. Recommendations involved advising the university to ensure an element of entrepreneurship is evident to the curriculum, and the industry to improve their working conditions to entice students to join the industry after graduating.