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Abstract

The effect of wage payment systems on employee satisfaction is examined (chapter one) and a general research area mapped out. It is argued that 'pragmatic research is required, both. theoretical and practical in nature’.

To facilitate the formation of research issues and hypotheses (chapter four) conceptual frameworks are developed from the literature, concerning the notion of orientation to work (chapter two) and behaviour in organisations (chapter three). Orientations are considered to be formed and influenced by background factors (such as size of family, occupation of father, education received) and situational factors (such as marital status, occupation, level of income), and mediated by factors such as intelligence, ability, emotional make-up.

Behaviour in organisations is considered to be influenced by variables such as management, structure, technology, tasks, payment systems ~ as well as orientation. It is postulated that certain orientations will be developed by particular background and situational factors; that payment systems will ‘attract' employees with certain orientations; and that behaviour will be a function of the interaction between organisational variables and orientations.

Four projects (chapter five) were designed to assist in exploring hypotheses (chapter four). Project 1 was concerned with gaining data to validate the model of orientation; Project 2 tested various measures of orientation; Project 3 assessed the model of behaviour in organisations; and Project 4 sought to investigate the relationship between orientations and payment systems but was abandoned due to political, economic and industrial upheavals. An additional small project (Addendum) further tested the measures of orientation developed.

The results (chapters six and seven, and Addendum) lend support to the model of orientation and indicate that one of the measures developed is a useful research tool and that a second may have potential application. Some support is shown for the model of behaviour in organisations, and a need indicated for more adequate measures of organisational variables (a basis is given).

It is concluded (chapter eight) that payment systems do not play a prominent role in determining behaviour; that managers have little= influence on orientations; that the manager's role must change; and that much wore integrated research is required. It is also argued that solutions to problems of behaviour in organisations may be simpler than envisaged.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management
Departments:	Bayes Business School > Bayes Business School Doctoral Theses Bayes Business School > Faculty of Management Doctoral Theses

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