RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
5.6 The research design
The research design proposed a preliminary framework as the basis for the subsequent field study. The proposed study will evaluate the mutual relationships between HR practices and KM characteristics.
The quantitative data was obtained by administering structured questionnaires to the respondent sample comprising higher educational institutions in South Africa, Mauritius and India. Five higher educational institutions in South Africa, three in Mauritius and three in India participated in the study and hence constituted the target population for the survey. The respondents comprised senior HR managers, HR line managers and HR supervisors of the participating institutions and were deemed representative of the population under study.
Qualitative data was solicited by interviewing the Executive manager responsible for the HR function in the respective higher educational institution to explore further the extent of KM initiatives in HR and to determine the level of commitment of senior management support for KM. A semi-structured interview schedule was administered during the interview to elicit responses to the interview questions.
152 Whilst comparisons regarding KM/HR practices amongst HR departments in South African higher educational institutions were made, it was deemed necessary to benchmark the findings with similar institutions in the international sector. An important reason for international comparison is the fact that South Africa has and continues to feature poorly in terms of human resource development compared to the international sector as reported in world competitiveness reports in the last decade (World Competitiveness Report, 2007).
5.6.1 Reasons for selecting India and Mauritius as benchmarks
In terms of the IMD 2007 World Competitiveness Report, South Africa was positioned 50th out of 55 countries in the category of human resource management and development. USA was rated 1st and India’s position was rated 27th. According to the Global Competitiveness Report 2007-2008 (World Economic Forum: 2007), South Africa and Mauritius were ranked as the first and second most competitive economies in the Sub-Saharan African region.
However, both these countries have shown higher education and skills development as obstacles to such competition. Therefore, the implementation of quality education and human resource development are deemed appropriate interventions to boost economic performance. Whilst there is sufficient literary material and case studies in the US and European countries in the area of study, very little information could be sourced from the Indian continent. India is a growing economy and a leader in the IT industry and information management.
The foregoing discussion further supports the rationale for having chosen India and Mauritius as international benchmarks to evaluate KM/HR strategies in HR departments at higher educational institutions.
153 According to Malhan & Gulati (2003:211) India’s knowledge management problems are diverse due to the country’s unusual blend of best and worst situations. India has several ethnic groups, languages, cultures, caste and creeds. This diversity creates unique challenges for knowledge management.
There is an abundance of ideas and knowledge. Significant knowledge has been transferred from generation to generation. The problem that has been identified is that the knowledge is fragmented. Enormous benefits could be realized if the knowledge is properly collected, collated, and made available to the current generation of people. Brilliant ideas are not tapped, not timely and not properly channeled. It is estimated that 55% of India’s population is illiterate and this poses severe challenges in people’s participation in knowledge activities.
Malhan & Gulati (2003:212) further claim that India has excellent institutions of higher learning including premier world-class management schools. The country has knowledgeable and experienced managers who are real assets in advancing knowledge related activities. The Government of India actively supports knowledge management evidenced by its provision of funds for the development of communication facilities and computer networks.
In a survey of 17 Fortune 100 companies in India, a large majority of 75% of the respondents reported that they had a knowledge management programme, 19%
indicated that they were considering the programme and aware of its benefits, whilst 6% recorded that they did not have a programme and unaware of its benefits (Knowledge Management Report 2002, India). The research findings indicate the importance of knowledge management within an organizational framework and the acknowledgement of its immense benefits to Fortune 100 Indian organizations.
The choice of Mauritius as a site of investigation was the sensitivity with which this island had responded to the pressures of globalization. In this context, the University of Mauritius has emerged as a key player in research in the area of
154 Management and HRM with the creation of an outstanding research culture. This is evidenced by the research outputs published in peer-refereed and international journals. According to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mauritius, the university actively promotes individual and team initiatives for the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge thus contributing to the human resources development (Peerally & Parahoo, 2000:2).
Both India and Mauritius represent knowledge management challenges in developing countries which closely resemble the South African scenario.
Therefore the selection of India and Mauritius as international comparators was regarded as appropriate and fitting for the study.
The framework for the research adopted the following steps:-
• Identifying the research problem
This process entailed delineating the research problem after an extensive review of the literature. This process set out the conceptual framework for the study and defined the key concepts that underscored the study. The problem statement clearly set out the rationale for the study. According to Sekaran (1992:44) a problem statement “is a precise and succinct statement of the question or issue that is to be investigated with the goal of finding an answer or solution”.
For ease of reference, the research question formulated for the study is restated as follows:
“To what extent are higher educational institutions implementing knowledge management policies and practices for effective human resource management?”
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• Ethical clearance
Before the commencement of the research study, it was necessary to ensure that the ethical issues of the subjects were observed. Therefore concerted efforts have been made to ensure that the study conformed to the principles of ethics.
Ethical clearance of the research topic, protocol as well as the research instrument was solicited from the University’s Ethics Committee before the commencement of the research study. In keeping with the provisions of the University’s Ethics Committee, the survey was conducted anonymously with no identifying information. Participants were given the assurance that anonymity in so far as the name of institution, as well as the region within the country would be observed to elicit maximum response. However, as the study was a cross country comparison, participants were informed that the country surveyed will be reported in the study project. The information consent form formed an integral part of the research instrument and was annexed to the questionnaire (Annexure D) prior to its completion. Confidentiality in terms of individual responses was maintained in terms of the undertaking given, and all results are presented in aggregate form.
• Selection of research method
The objectives of the study, the research problem, the type of data required, the nature of the research instruments, the data collection techniques, as well as the statistical tools and data analysis processes determined the research methodologies that were to be adopted for the study.