Compensation structure and employee commitment: the case of academics at a comprehensive tertiary institution

Compensation is a complex concept which is influenced by a number of factors. The purpose of the study was to evaluate and analyse the effects of the compensation structure on employees’ commitment at the University of Zululand (UNIZULU), which is a comprehensive tertiary institution. It is the observation of this researcher that, based on nine years experience in Human Resources Management at UNIZULU, retaining academic employees at the Institution is challenged by competitorswho are steadily poaching academic employees, resulting in a high turnover over the past few years. In addition, based on this researcher’s engagements with academic employees of UNIZULU, some academics are demoralised which, in turn, affects their performance and commitment towards the institution. This researcher, therefore, saw the need to embark on this study and attempt to make a significant contribution to improving the employee benefits, particularly compensation, at UZ. In addition, this study attempts to generate new knowledge on the impact of a good compensation plan on the commitment and performance level of academic staff of a university. Apart from contributing to literature the study will also contribute to practice and formulate a theory that will promote adequate compensation for academic staff, not only at UNIZULU but generally for the world. Hence, for the purpose of this study, the following factors were considered: the working conditions of employees, lack of company policies, employee remuneration, employee benefits, academic workload, and inadequate resources. The study employed a quantitative data collection approach through which academic staff at UNIZULU were surveyed. From the findings it is recommended that UNIZULUattend to these factors as their abandonment is detrimental to the commitment and retention of the academic staff at UNIZULU.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Zululand

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Ngxito, Nomfundiselo Constance

• Academic labour turnover
• academic salaries
• working conditions

Licence

• https://devspace.unizulu.ac.za/bitstreams/894083d8-cfdd-42e9-bace-d58798cda90a/download