Workforce cost effects on productivity, quality and satisfaction in organisations

Andries J. du Plessis; Pieter S. NEL; Josefino San Diego

Andries J. du Plessis PhD, Department of Management and Marketing, Unitec Institute of Technology, Private Bag 92025 Auckland, New Zealand
Pieter S. NEL Professor of Human Resource Management, Department of Management and Marketing Unitec Institute of Technology, Private Bag 92025, Auckland, New Zealand
Josefino San Diego Department of Accounting and Finance, Unitec Institute of Technology, Private Bag 92025, Auckland, New Zealand

Keywords: workforce, productivity, quality, satisfaction, organisations

Abstract

Retaining employees definitely saves an organisation money, and workforce planning could assist in retention of employees. Global pressure on organisations to stay competitive necessitates change while stakeholders demand quality and cost effective products. On the other hand competitors around the world are demanding level playing fields across cultures. Productivity, quality and customer satisfaction have also contributed to a rethinking of the shape and the nature of organisations. A culturally diverse workforce has been a reality in New Zealand for decades. The empirical research reported on in 2010 in this paper sought to discover informed industry direction from HR practitioners as to what their profile ought to be in 2020 and what organisations should do in this regard to be sensitive to a diverse workforce and to be prepared for the future.