Challenges facing black managers regarding upward mobility in corporate South Africa
Matandela, Wanda (2008-03)
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study identifies the problem of job mobility among black managers in corporate South Africa, which is due to various factors explored in this research. The central theme of this research is to highlight the major challenges faced by black managers in the corporate sector to upward mobility. An extensive review of the literature, including legislation, textbooks, journal articles, internet and existing case studies has been conducted. A questionnaire survey of black managers who were members of the Black Management Forum was conducted with a view to gaining insight regarding key issues faced by black managers in corporate South Africa. Black managers surveyed came from different sectors of the economy, operating at different levels of management, from junior to top management. The results from the survey were analysed, and showed that black managers do not get proper organizational support, training and development to enable them to perform their duties and reach their maximum potential. Other issues from the survey findings include racial discrimination, lack of mentorship and support from top management, marginalization, tokenism, lack of career planning. These all present major challenges facing black managers seeking upward mobility in the workplace. Several recommendations are made on how to reduce the negative impact for both organisations and black managers caused by job-hopping resulting from these obstacles faced by black managers in the workplace. These include creating a working environment that is inclusive, where every employee feels recognised and valued for his or her efforts. Furthermore, it is recommended that organizations promote an environment that embraces diversity of cultures, where all employees are treated equally and fairly with due regard to their constitutional rights to equality and dignity. The author also suggests that organizational core values must reject unfair discrimination and promote tolerance of the different cultures and behaviours that exist within the organisation. It is further suggested that for these recommendations to work in practice, transformation must be a primary objective of the organisation. This must be accompanied by a change of mindsets and attitudes, and supported by management. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die huidige studie identifiseer die probleem van werk mobiliteit van swart bestuurders in korporatiewe Suid-Afrika. Verskeie faktore wat lei tot die probleem word in die studie ondersoek. Die sentrale tema van die studie is om die hoof uitdagings wat mobilitiet van swart bestuurders in die korporatiewe sektor in die gesig staar te ondersoek.
‘n Omvattende literatuurstudie is onderneem en wetgewing, handboeke, joernaal artikels, die internet en bestaande gevallestudies is geraadpleeg. ‘n Vraelys is gebruik as metode vir die studie. Swart bestuurders wat lede is van die Swart Bestuursforum is gebruik vir die studie, met die doel om hulle insig oor belangrike sake wat swart bestuurders in korporatiewe Suid Afrika in die gesig staar. The swart bestuurders wat gebruik is vir die studie kom van verskeie sektore in die ekonomie. Hulle werk op verskillende vlakke wat strek van junior tot topbestuur. Die resultate van die studie is geanaliseer en het gewys dat swart bestuurders nie ordentlike organistoriese ondersteuning, opleiding en ontwikkeling ontvang om hulle pligte te verrig en hulle volle potensiaal te bereik nie. Ander kwessies geidentifiseer gedurende die studie is rasse diskriminasie, gebrek aan mentorskap en ondersteuning van topbestuur, marginalisme, oëverblindery en gebrek aan loopbaanbeplanning.
Verskeie aanbevelings word gemaak oor hoe om die negatiewe impak van die rondbeweeg van swart bestuurders binne organisasies te verminder. Die aanbevelings sluit in die bewerkstelling van ‘n werksomgewing wat inklusief is, en waar elke werknemer voel dat hulle word erken en gewaardeer vir sy ywer. Dit word verder aanbeveel dat organisasies ‘n omgewing wat diversiteit van kulture insluit en bevorder, en waar werknemers regverdig en gelyk gehanteer word, met behoorlike oorweging aan hulle konstitusionele regte tot gelykheid en waardigheid. Die navorser beveel ook aan dat organisasies se kernwaardes moet onder geen omstandighede onbillike diskriminasie duld nie en moet die verdraagsaamheid van verskillende kulture en gedrag wat in die organisasie bestaan bevorder. Dit word verder aangeraai dat vir die aanbevelings om in die praktyk te werk moet transformasie ’n primere objektief wees wat gepaard moet gaan met ‘n verandering in gemoed en houding en ‘n algehele ondersteuning deur bestuur.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die huidige studie identifiseer die probleem van werk mobiliteit van swart bestuurders in korporatiewe Suid-Afrika. Verskeie faktore wat lei tot die probleem word in die studie ondersoek. Die sentrale tema van die studie is om die hoof uitdagings wat mobilitiet van swart bestuurders in die korporatiewe sektor in die gesig staar te ondersoek.
Please refer to this item in SUNScholar by using the following persistent URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/938