Title :
Social dynamism and its impact on productivity: A case study
Author :
Kholopane, Pule ; Mabote, Katlego
Author_Institution :
Univ. of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
fDate :
July 29 2012-Aug. 2 2012
Abstract :
Nowadays, “Social dynamics” may no longer be fashionable but its core principles (culture, norms, practices attitude, value and behavioral systems) have become the paradigm for many organizations. Combining normative and critical theory with empirical material drawn from literature studies, the research argues that social dynamics can underpin competitive advantage if the firm is able to appropriate the productivity savings it creates. The research clarifies the concept of social dynamics and its impact on productivity and performance at Lonmin, a mining company situated in South Africa. It commences with the review of social dynamism and existing models that identify the variables and components embedded in that company. Research questions will be developed and incorporated into structured survey questionnaires and interviews for frontline employees. The figure derived will allow hypothesis testing and a quantitative analysis leading to a model design that will address social issues and its impact on productivity and performance in the mining sector. The results from the survey will be presented and conclusion made to illustrate the application and usefulness of a model. Given this pre-eminence, the research will establish what impact proper and controlled social dynamism has on the productivity and performance in an organization.
Keywords :
corporate social responsibility; mining industry; organisational aspects; productivity; Lonmin; South Africa; competitive advantage; critical theory; firm performance; frontline employees; hypothesis testing; mining company; model design; normative theory; productivity savings; quantitative analysis; social dynamism; Cities and towns; Communities; Companies; Decision making; Productivity; Standards organizations;
Conference_Titel :
Technology Management for Emerging Technologies (PICMET), 2012 Proceedings of PICMET '12:
Conference_Location :
Vancouver, BC
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4673-2853-1