The implication of developmental opportunities and diversity on social perception at CPUT: a case study Petro Coreejes-Brink Debbie Becker 29/9/2010LIASA conference 2010

Contents Background Diversity variables Research findings Our results Conclusion Way forward 29/9/2010LIASA conference 2010

Background Merger Cape Technikon + Peninsula Technikon (2005) 9 campuses; 95 staff Library staff satisfaction survey done to determine effect of merger and staff adjustment Based on the survey done by Elizabeth Jordan at the University of Queensland, Australia 29/9/2010LIASA conference 2010

Survey Important considerations: Responses would be anonymous Answers would be confidential Staff have the option of adding their name if they so wished All questions must be answered Staff have the option of completing the questionnaire over a period of time 29/9/2010LIASA conference 2010

Background Total of 97 questions divided into 19 areas Question 1 – Work area ( BV, CT, Other, Tech/IT/Fin) Question 2 – Staff level ( grouped into 2 – professional and non-professional ) Covers 19 areas of work experience (e.g. teamwork, communication, etc.) 29/9/2010LIASA conference 2010

Background Staff rated each question on a 5-point scale for both importance and performance Each option on the scale was allocated a value ( 5 for high and 1 for low ) The mean for performance was subtracted from that of importance to create a “gap” A gap of 1.34 or more is significant Areas with a high importance and a large gap require attention 29/9/2010LIASA conference 2010

← Importance → ↑ Important issues that need attentionLess important issues that need attention Gap ↓ Important issues the library is doing wellLess important issues the library is doing well. 29/9/2010LIASA conference 2010

, , , , 35, 36, 65 84, 70, 81, , , 27, 39 4,7,16,17,2 2,74 18,19, 91, ,34,41,7 632, 33, ,24 20,21,26,9 4, 155,38, 4237,13, ,4490, , ,46, 5850,48, Scatter graph indicating areas of excellence (all staff)

Areas of concern (all staff) Pink area Yellow area I understand what is required of me in my job 3 Library staff are motivated 72 Good customer service is acknowledge and recognized 63 If things go wrong my colleagues focus on the problem (and not the person) 73 The library is a safe and healthy place to work 75 Library security is visible and effective 79 Library staff have a positive attitude 71 The library has the necessary resources with regard to space and facilities 77 The library’s hiring/promotion policies offer equal opportunities to all staff 86 The library provides opportunities for advancement 87 I am able to effectively contribute to the library’s planning processes 83 Staff are kept adequately and promptly informed on issues that impact on them in any way 31 29/9/2010LIASA conference 2010

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Variables Work area Staff level ( Professional vs non-professional ) Age Experience Mobility ( Developmental opportunities ) 29/9/2010LIASA conference 2010

29/9/2010LIASA conference 2010 Age study “ least satisfied group … under 25 years” – Lynch Experience “more years of experience report higher job satisfaction” Mobility Staff “ working in the same library five years … more satisfied than persons with other plans”

Effect of change on branch staff versus other staff 29/9/2010LIASA conference 2010

Staff age and experience at CPUT 29/9/2010LIASA conference 2010

Mobility 29/9/2010LIASA conference 2010

Conclusions Breaking down of work relations and trust Not utilizing existing expertise (lateral moves) Change in procedures Many vacant positions Library strategic direction unclear (3 directors in 3 years) 29/9/2010LIASA conference 2010

Way forward Survey in 2012 Policies and procedures in place Stable top management with clear vision and strategic objectives Culture of interactive professional staff involvement Improve communication 29/9/2010LIASA conference 2010

References Becker, D Staff satisfaction survey 2009: Feedback. Presentation to library staff Jordan, E Keeping a finger on the organisational pulse: surveying staff satisfaction in times of change. Library Assessment Conference Seattle Washington August Lynch, B.P. and Verdin, J.A Job satisfaction in libraries: relationships of the work itself, age, sex, occupational group, tenure, supervisory level, career commitment, and library department. Library Quarterly (Oct 1983), pp /9/2010LIASA conference 2010

Questions? Thank you Petro Coreejes-Brink Debbie Becker 29/9/2010LIASA conference 2010