Browsing by Author "Mbanga, Basil Adam"

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    The learning process of access trainees : an investigation of study motives and strategies : a research report presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1989) Mbanga, Basil Adam
    The study applied Biggs' Study Process Questionnaire to the context of transition education in an investigation of the approaches, motivations to learn and strategies trainees in Access Training Scheme used in their learning. Respondents were also asked information about their age. sex, educational qualification, ethnic origin and how long they had been without a job. Three training centres in Palmerston North city were chosen.The first centre conducted a course in drama, the second, a course in Maori language and culture, and the third, a course in basic computer skills. The Study Process Questionnaire was administered to 33 subjects, 16 males and 17 females. The Study Process Questionnaire is concerned with three main approaches to studying and their three associated motivations and strategies. Surface Appproach is dominated by extrinsic motivations where a learner concern is with obtaining a qualification. The study strategy involves memorising and reproducing when required in a test. Deep Approach is linked to intrinsic motivation dominated by intrinsic interest in the subject or task. Students under this motivation tend to search for meaningful learning and read widely. Achievement Approach is governed by achievement motivation and is associated with a desire to compete and obtain higher grades. Learners predisposed to this approach tend to schedule their time and do homeworks. Trainees studied to express the use of Deep Approach more than Surface or Achievement Approaches. Accordingly they were inclined to be deep motivated and predisposed to adopt deep strategy to surface or achievement strategy in their study. A follow-up interview with 11 trainees tended to confirm the findings of the Study Process Questionnaire. It was concluded that the Access trainees in the sample were likely to adopt deep approach in their study. This suggests that they are inclined to be intrinsically motivated in their learning and may be predisposed to engage in meaningful learning.
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    Merit pay in the public service : a preliminary study of public service employees attitudes to performance related pay increases : a research report presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1989) Mbanga, Basil Adam
    This study was designed to investigate the criteria on which public service employees would prefer their annual pay increase to be based. Two major variables of preference for pay increase based on merit and preference for pay increase based on length of service were examined. Also, demographic variables of age, sex, educational qualification, length of service, job level, and union membership were investigated. Two departments; the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and Public Trust were chosen for their accessibilty. Data collection involved a self-administered questionnaire. 67 valid responses (39 males and 28 females) were used in the survey. The data was analysed using the SPSSX computer program. The findings indicated that employees prefered their annual pay increases to be based on length of service than merit. However, some employees rated both criteria highly. With the exception of educational qualification where school certificate holders prefered merit pay to pay increases based on length of service, there was no relationship between demographic variables and expressed preference for merit pay or pay increases based on length of service. It was concluded that public service employees surveyed still wanted traditional annual pay increases based on length of service to continue. However, the near equal distribution of frequencies between preference for merit pay and pay increases based on length of service suggest that employees may want both systems to operate. This would mean that the Public service may have use both merit pay and pay increases based on length of service to motivate the employees.