Getting a taste of research from her master’s degree is what motivated School of Management, Information Technology and Governance academic, Dr Nyikiwa Mavunda, to expand her research skills by pursuing a PhD in Human Resources (HR) Management.
‘I felt like I wanted to do more research after getting a taste from my master’s mini-research dissertation. I was also surrounded by friends who were doing their PhDs, which also helped, and as the first to graduate at home, I wanted to set the standard higher for my siblings. This qualification will open doors to opportunities in my academic career, especially in the fields of teaching and research,’ said Mavunda.
Through her research titled: Rejuvenating and Repositioning Human Resource Development: Transformation as the Key Repositioning Human Resource Development: Transformation as the Key Driver, Mavunda researched UKZN to ascertain whether change management initiatives have enabled the repositioning of human resource development. Professor Isabel Martins supervised the study.
‘For Higher Education Institutions to achieve their transformation agenda and at the same time be at the cutting-edge, there is the need to manage their intellectual capital,’ explained Mavundla.
Findings revealed that the shared values within the University are aligned with its structures, strategies and systems. Recommendations include the need for the organisation to develop a new framework that will incorporate all strategic human resource practices and transformation initiatives.
‘Another finding showed that the transformation framework at UKZN motivates employees to adapt to the changes. Based on the findings, the study recommends that for the University to succeed in the rapidly changing world that now exists, HR managers should design a transformation roadmap and strategy, as well as a digitalised transformation framework that provides a common reference point that can change as the organisation changes,’ she added.
Mavundla is grateful for the support from her supervisor, friends, lecturers and colleagues who walked this journey with her, especially her family, who will be travelling from Limpopo, Ka Ngove village to celebrate the milestone of being the first PhD holder in the family.
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
Photograph: Rajesh Jantilal