Research into Staff and Job Satisfaction Earns Cum Laude MBAs for Graduates

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Two students who completed similar research work into staff and job satisfaction were awarded Master of Business Administration degrees cum laude during UKZN’s Law and Management Graduation ceremonies. 

Mr Roland David focused his research on: Investigating Staff Perceptions during an Acquisition - The Case Study of the GIBB (Pty) Ltd and SEFSA (Pty) Ltd; while Mr Sudhindra Naidoo examined:  Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction at Private Education Institutions in KwaZulu-Natal: A Study on C21 Private School. 

David said the motivation for his research was the change in staff perceptions during mergers and acquisitions. He said after the company he was working for had acquired a smaller company, he wanted to understand the perceptions of the changes experienced by the people involved. He said he found that very little research had been done in that area. 

David, who already has a Masters in Chemistry, runs his own business on Environmental Consulting in which he hopes to create a large enterprise for young Black environmental scientists to gain experience.

He encouraged others to study towards an MBA. ‘It’s not rocket science - a large percentage of it is practical knowledge proven with theory. Don’t be intimidated by it.  You learn so much about yourself doing this degree that you wouldn’t in other studies.  It also increases your general understanding of the world around you.’ 

He thanked Jesus Christ and his family who carried him through. He said his family kept him on track when he got bored. ‘My Lord and Saviour carried me through when time was at a premium and motivation was lacking,’ said David. 

Elaborating on his research, Naidoo said since democracy, there had been a rapid expansion of private education institutions. ‘These institutions have played a critical role in assisting in the country’s transformation process and continue to have an important impact on society’s progression.’ 

Naidoo said based on surveys ‘the field of private education in KwaZulu-Natal has encountered a decrease in employee satisfaction and an increase in worker turnover, both of which were suggestive of diminished worker motivation and reduced employee fulfilment. 

‘In the interest of finding a solution to the aforementioned issues and with regards to the long-term sustainability of newly established private education institutions in this province, I decided to explore this area further and hence conducted this study as the basis of my MBA research. 

Naidoo said his experience as an undergraduate and postgraduate student at UKZN had been wonderful and enriching. ‘UKZN is an institution that is truly reflective of a democratic South Africa and consistently produces graduates of an exceptionally high calibre. I feel really proud to have obtained my qualifications at such a renowned and historic University.’ 

Naidoo is an achiever. In 2015 he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and during his MBA studies, he received six Certificates of Merit. 

In 2013 he was inducted as a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society and between 2012 and 2014 he received 13 Merit Certificates and five Dean’s Commendations. 

Naidoo is currently employed as a programme specialist and improvement advisor at the Networking HIV/AIDS Community of South Africa (NACOSA). 

Words: Sithembile Shabangu