Human Resources of International Business Machines Corporation - Research Paper Example

 HUMAN RESOURCE Abstract This study will examine the relationship between job satisfaction, age and education of the level of employees of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). The sample will be collected on a sample of people who work in the company. The data collected will be conducted using a questionnaire and from the results of the study, the findings suggest that good quality of work environment for the staff contribute to a better achievement of goals and objectives of an organization. Table of contents Title page …………………………………………………………………………..1 Acknowledgement page……………………………………………………………. 2 Abstract page………………………………………………………………………. 3 Chapter one……………………………………………………………………….. 5 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………..5 Statement of the problem……………………………………………………………. 5 Purpose of the study……………………………………………………………… …. 6 Objectives of the study………………………………………………………………. 6 Scope and limitations of the study…………………………………………………….6 Basic assumptions of the study………………………………………………………….7 Definition of terms……………………………………………………………………….7 Chapter two Background ………………………………………………………………………………8 Chapter three………………………………………………………………………………..10 Review of related literature…………………………………………………………………..10 Chapter 4 …………………………………………………………………………………….11 Methodology………………………………………………………………………………….11 Research design……………………………………………………………………………….11 Target population………………………………………………………………………………12 Sample and sampling procedure……………………………………………………………….12 Instrumentation………………………………………………………………………………..12 Data collection………………………………………………………………………………….13 Data analysis……………………………………………………………………………………13 Ethical consideration……………………………………………………………………………14 Budget and Timeframe…………………………………………………………………………..15 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………….17 Appendices……………………………………………………………………………………….18 References……………………………………………………………………………………….20 Chapter one Introduction The issue of job satisfaction has been studied in connection with the disciplines such as economics, psychology, management science and sociology .A good employer is one who would ensure that his employees are satisfied because satisfaction is closely related to their labor market behavior such as quits, productivity and absenteeism. Research shows that job satisfaction predicts if an employee will quit just like in case of wages .It is therefore imperative to study the determinants of job satisfaction. In this study focus will be an aspect of job satisfaction with age, degree in the field of study and the educational level of employment of persons working in different sectors of the economy (Clark et. al). Statement of the problem There have been different attitudes of people towards job satisfaction in International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). Researchers have indicated that job satisfaction is affected by the factors like educational factors for example degree status, situation factors for example workplace situations and biological factors like age. Employees in this company give varying results on job satisfaction. They claim that the companies do not have a good pay master and annual appraisal. Purpose and objectives of the study This study is trying to determine how age and education level are related to the level of job satisfaction of employees in this company. The research proposal is based on some crucial questions which will be a guide to the research. Research Questions. 1. What is the overall job satisfaction for employees working in the Human Resources Department? 2. What degrees of satisfaction do the employees of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) with factors raised on job satisfaction? 3. What is the relationship between job satisfaction and variable factors such as field of study at college, educational levels and age? Significance of the study The humanitarian aspect is one angle that helps people to look at job satisfaction in detail. All employees regardless of the level in which they are should be treated well and respected as it contributes to their wellbeing. From the utilitarian aspect, job satisfaction may affect how employees behave and this may have either positive or negative effects on productivity depending on how a worker feels when they are being treated. Scope and limitations The study will focus on the workers who are at the human resource department. The sample size used for data collection was very small from the employees in the Human resources department. It would have been more appropriate if we carried out the interviews with all the employees of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). Basic assumptions of the study In this study I assume that all the employees will provide the correct information and not give answers as a result of prompts by others. Definition of terms Job satisfaction It refers to doing a particular job that one enjoys doing and as a result being rewarded for the efforts made. Educational level It refers to the level which an individual has been educated for instance, college level university or postgraduate level. Age It is the period of time that one has lived on earth. Chapter two Background International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a company that has its headquarters in Armonk Newyork, United States of America. The functions of the company are to manufacture and to sell hardware and software as well as to offer services such as infrastructural, consulting and hosting services to the mainframe computers and the nanotechnological systems. The major goals and objectives of the company include assisting the clients in carrying out their activities through delivering business functions that are innovative, efficient and competitive to the clients through using the business insight and information technology innovative techniques within their organizations. It also has another goal of ensuring that the shareholders values are maintained in order to run the operations of the organization in an effective manner (Mills, and Friesen, 1996). The company invents manufactures and develops different kinds of products into the market so as to meet the needs of the customers within a stipulated period of time. The company’s consultants constantly review the digital systems so as to ensure it undertakes it functions in the appropriate manner. In case they identify any problem within the organization they take precautionary measures so as to increase the sales revenue for the organization. The company has recorded improvement in its performance due to having a long-term financial model that has enabled it increase its earnings, cash flows and the returns on the invested capital in the changing economic environment. The importance of the model is that it is flexible, allows room for periodic change and rebalancing therefore can adapt to different situations that may be happening within an organization (Fombrun, 1996). The company has over 388,000 employees that range from the engineers, scientists, consultants and other professionals who carry out their activities in different parts of countries of the world. The employees’ are given different responsibilities and duties that are comensesurate with their areas of specialization. The employees’ are hired on the basis of their qualifications, therefore acts of tribalism, gender and racialism does not apply when running the operations of the organizations. This has contributed to increased output within the company. Recruitment of qualified personnel within the organization has given the company a higher competitive advantage over that of its competitors. The management of the company has been in a position to motivate its employees to remain in their places of work, although hard economic times has led to laying off of some of its workers from its organization. It was reported that the employees of the company were restricted from joining the labor unions that would represent them in case they faced any problems within the organization. The employees felt that their rights were been violated therefore some of them decided to join the unions so as to ensure the management of the company did not deny them access to vital information that would ensure they worked in a conducive environment (Mills, and Friesen, 1996). Chapter 3 Literature review In job satisfaction, literature research has shown that age is an important factor in job satisfaction. According toBedesin, Ferris and Karner as an employee grows older, they are more likely to get positions in organizations that have more authority, prestige, status and confidence and this contributes to high job satisfaction. Other studies by Clark 1996 show a significant u-shaped pattern in age for the different job satisfaction measures .This is especially seen in full-time employees and in men than women. The researcher goes on to further explain the u-shape of job satisfaction in relation to age. He suggests that the employees may feel that since they have been in the labor market for a longer time, they have the experience and this makes their satisfactions drop as they reach their middle ages. The older workers have reduced aspirations when they realize that they have limited alternative choices because of their age. Older workers may also have higher levels of satisfaction because of the self-selection effect (Clark, and Oswald 1996). The persons with the lowest levels of education are the ones who are mostly satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs. Those whose education level has reached A-level and O-level degree and postgraduate degree are seen to have lower levels of satisfaction in comparison with the individuals with the lowest levels of education. The people who have the highest dissatisfaction are those with graduate and postgraduate degrees. Clark 1996 associates higher levels of education with less satisfaction. The economic status of different countries led to laying off of its employees since the company was not in a position to adapt to the changing situations within the organization. It was noted the workers that were been laid off were the old ones and been replaced by younger and more energetic employees who would be in a position to undertake tasks that have been assigned to them in the right way. The reasons why the layoffs took place was because the management had not put in place proper mechanisms such as marketing strategies that would ensure the company adapted to the changes that were taking place in the information technology sector ( Fombrun, 1996). Chapter three Methodology The primary goal of this research proposal is to evaluate and examine job satisfaction at International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) in the Human Resources Department. We design this proposal to examine and design the sources of job satisfaction, strategies towards job satisfaction and situational factors such age, educational factors such as levels of education and field of study and how they influence job satisfaction. The qualitative research method has been used in this study. Case study has been used in this research and this is because it has in- depth exploration of the issue of job satisfaction, age and level of education of employees of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). According to the research done, what gives most people most job satisfaction include factors such as their seniors respect at work, for some it is because they are able to make money while others it is because of doing what they know and like best. According to a poll done by Dawn of About291 people, 35 % said they get satisfaction from respect they get from their boss, 12% say the money they make, 35% what they like doing most and 13% say what they work just for the sake of work (Clark, and Oswald 1996). Target Population The persons who have been targeted in this study are some of the employees working in the human resource department of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). Sample and sampling procedures The persons to participate in the data collection were sampled using the cluster random sampling procedure.The random sampling procedure was used because these employees are found in a particular place where the researcher can find them easily and this is the human resource department of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). Instrumentation A questionnaire was used and the rating scale had different levels. In the questionnaire, the appropriate instrument is the likert scale. It has different scales like very dissatisfied, dissatisfied, neither, satisfied and very satisfied. The people who are sampled respond to either of these choices (Hartline, and Bejou, 2004). Questionnaire 1. What is the overall job satisfaction for employees working in the Human Resources Department? Very dissatisfied Dissatisfied Neither Satisfied Very satisfied. 2. What degrees of satisfaction do the employees of IBM with factors raised on job satisfaction? Very dissatisfied Dissatisfied Neither Satisfied Very satisfied. 3. What is the relationship between job satisfaction and variable factors such as field of study at college, educational levels and age? Very dissatisfied Dissatisfied Neither Satisfied Very satisfied. Data collection In the process of data collection, the results will be compiled through a survey. This is by sending an electronic -mail to all the persons who have been selected and notifying them that they would be requested to participate in the study. The electronic mail also states that the researcher supports the study and he or she is also being encouraged to participate. Data analysis The analysis has used the likert scale method which uses mean and standard deviation for all the responses given in the questionnaire. All the questions should be assigned points to assist in calculation of the standard deviation. It also gives a minimum and maximum value. If the standard deviation was high, then, that means that the variation of answers was also very high. If the standard deviation was low, then, it meant that the observation were closer to the mean. When all the responses to a question were the same, a standard deviation of zero was obtained. The mean is calculated by adding up the observed values divided by their total number. Ethical considerations It is important that ethical issues are given consideration for a proposed study such as confidentiality access and consent in order to carry out the process of research. To be given consent, the researcher needs to produce a formal letter that is addressed to the respondents who assist in data collection. In the letter, only original signatures’ should appear on it. Restrictions, stipulations and conditions should not be indicated and they must be done separately. This letter only states that consent has been given for the researcher to use ones profile and any other relevant information to the study. This is an example of a consent letter and it must be signed by the researcher and the involved party.  I, _________________, researcher of the proposed research would ask consent to ________________, respondent to give his/her own views and answers to the research questionnaire as enclosed for this particular research.   Dated: _________ _________________, the researcher.   Budget and time frame   This is the plan of how carrying out aspects of the research proposal strategic programs will be implemented:                   1 JANUARY                   2 FEBRUARY                   3 MARCH                   4 APRIL                   5 MAY  A. Meet with supervisor and draft proposal B. Meet with supervisor and finalize proposal C.    Academic literature review D.    Professional literature review E.     Case Analysis/Survey Interview design F.     Other fieldwork and data collection G.    Data analysis and writing reports H.     Complete temporary draft/Prepare final draft   GANTT chart   The above Gantt chart will show the possible dates when the task process for the research will be completed. It is a useful tool for planning and scheduling projects. It is important because it assesses how long a project will take, determine the resources needed and lay out the order in which the tasks will be carried out. In the Gantt chart presented, the researcher will be expected to meet of each of the tasks listed and the aim is to complete the study as outlined in the proposal. Gantt charts are useful especially a project is under way. It monitors its progress and immediately notices what should have been achieved at a point in time, and can therefore remediate the project where it had lost track. Table 1: Gantt chart for Proposed Research                     1                           2                            3                          4                       5 A B C D E F G YEAR TASK TO COMPLETE H     POSSIBLE BUDGET   $ Travel                             60 Subsistence                   30 Stationery                       20 Other materials               10                                              Total                               120 Conclusion The management should set up proper mechanisms that are aimed at ensuring they achieve their objectives and goal within a stipulated period of time. The employees should always be motivated in order to improve on the performance of their organizations. There should be a mutual understanding between the employees and the management so that they can perform the tasks that have been assigned to them in the right way. The International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) should have carried out Strenghts, Weakneses, Threats and opportunities (SWOT) analysis that would have enabled the researcher to carry out his tasks in an effective manner so as to identify the factors that hinder the company from achieving its goals within the stipulated period of time ( Fombrun, 1996). It has been noted that structural and psychological empowerment within a work environment can assist the employees within an organization in getting satisfied with whatever responsibilities that have been assigned to them. Power and opportunities are important factors that can be used to empower the employees to improve on their performance of the activities. These factors have been noted to increase their level of commitment to their work as well as to satisfy them while carrying out their tasks within the organization. Appendices 1. What is your current age? 2. Please indicate your place of birth i. Gender Male Female 3. What are your current qualifications? 4. Do you have any professional certificates in Human Resources? 5. Do you hold any professional Licenses? 6. What is your Job Title at International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)? 7. Please indicate the time spent in the following areas 12 a. Area Percentage b. Training c. Administrative duties d. Consultations 8. Individual counseling 9. Group counseling 10. What describes your current job setting? 11. How many years have you worked in the Human Resources Department? 12. Do you use any technology while working in your current job? 13. Please describe the issues that are important in assisting you achieve job satisfaction? References Alliance@IBM Site, (2009).Welcome to IBM Employee News and Links. Website accessed on April 11, 2009 Clark, A.E and Oswald A.J (1996) Satisfaction and Comparison .Website accessed on April 11, 2009. Clark .A. , Warr, P. and Oswald, A.J. (1996). Is job satisfaction u-shaped? A Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology.vol 69, 57-81. Fombrun, C. J. (1996).Reputation: realizing value from the corporate image. United State of America: Harvard Business Press. Hartline, M. D. and Bejou, D. (2004).Internal relationship management: linking human Resources to marketing performance .United State of America: Haworth Press, Mayo clinic staff, (2009) .Job satisfaction: Strategies to make work more gratifying. Website accessed on April 11, 2009. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/AboutThisSite/AM00057 Mark C. E. (2002). Public Personnel Management • fall. Website accessed on April 11, 2009. http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/160542352_2.html McKay, D. R. What Do You Like Most About Your Job? United State of America: About.com.Website accessed on April 11, 2009 http://careerplanning.about.com/od/workplacesurvival/a/job_sat_poll.htm Mills, D. Q and Friesen, G. B. (1996). Broken promises: an unconventional view of what went Wrong at IBM.United States of America: Harvard Business Press. Parmesan, S.J. (2004).Understanding Our Company an IBM Prospectus .Website accessed on April 11, 2009. Shultz, K. S. and Gary, A. (2007). Adams aging and work in the 21st century. United State of America: Routledge. Spector, P.E. (1997).Job satisfaction: application, assessment, cause, and consequences. United State of America: SAGE. Vacharakiat, M. (2008). The Relationships of Empowerment, Job Satisfaction, and Organizational Commitment among Filipino and American Registered Nurses Working In the U.S.A. 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