Year: 2020
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: How does an organisation turn good results into great results? What makes one organisation \ngood and another great? What defines high performance organisations? Which aspects within \nan organisation play vital roles into taking an organisation from good to great? Are some \naspects more important than others, if so, which ones? These questions have been explored \nand researched over the years and various researchers have proposed different theories and \nmodels that impact high performance as well as definitions around high performance with \nmixed results. \nThe general aim of this research was to develop and validate a High Performance Model for \nan IT organisation. The concept of high performance was explored in terms of how to define \nhigh performance, which high performance models and frameworks have been developed \nwithin the literature and what sustains high performance. These existing High Performance \nOrganisation (HPO) models and frameworks were evaluated against an identified set of \ncriteria to arrive at a definitive theoretical model of high performance. The theoretical HPO \nmodel was developed based on the evaluation of the literature reviews together with the \nexisting HPO model of the participating IT organisation. \nThe main purpose of the empirical research was to gather data by means of three \nquestionnaires, over six years, which were used to statistically determine the organisational \nand behavioural constructs that influence High Performance in an IT organisation in South \nAfrica. Furthermore, the researcher developed an empirical model to verify the theoretical \nmodel. A quantitative empirical research paradigm using the survey method was followed \nand explanatory and descriptive research was used in this study. An HPO questionnaire was \ndeveloped and administered to employees. Over the six years and three questionnaire \nadministrations, 3,451 employees participated. \nA new best fitting HPO model was postulated based on new constructs postulated in the \nfactor analysis. The model indicated that Leadership, Knowledge Management – team, \nStrategic Focus as well as Job Satisfaction especially contributed to high performance within \nthe participating organisation, as well as that strong relationships exist between the HPO \nfactors. \nThis research should contribute towards longitudinal studies on high performance as well as a \ncomprehensive understanding of the factors that influence high performance, within South \nAfrica but also globally. The new HPO model should assist organisations and practitioners in \nmeasuring high performance in any organisation after validation. With increased competition \nand globalisation organisations struggle to survive, this study can provide a roadmap for \norganisations to obtain and sustain high performance.
Author: Anize Van Zyl
Language: English
Subfield: Strategy and Management
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3126277208