RESEARCH NOTE
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Oke, S. A. & Ezenachukwu, T. M. (2007). A Mathematical Model to Monitor Late Arrivals at Work by Junior Staff, Research and Practice in Human Resource Management, 15(2), 115-130.
A Mathematical Model to Monitor Late Arrivals at Work by Junior Staff
Abstract
Staff organisational linkages research (i.e., absenteeism, work accidents, turnover) is receiving increasing attention in the growing business competitiveness of today that requires effective utilisation of human resources. Organisations seek to hire the ‘best brains’, train them, and bring out the best in them so as to optimise the company’s potential. Thus, organisations strive to control absenteeism in order to maximise human resources utilisation. This paper is a refreshing approach at addressing matters that relate to staff organisational linkages. The paper presents a mathematical model on the absenteeism research. The model is developed and applied in a process industry that engages in the production and sales of beer and soft drinks. The model quantifies the extra amount payable to a junior staff on an hourly basis. Junior staff who arrive early at work for productive activities would be paid an equivalent value of money for every extra hour spent using a scheme that is based on the principle of polynomial interpolation and numerical analysis which calculates the amount earned based on time. The formulation is tested to ensure accuracy of results generated during usage. This approach is fair to all staff involved since a linear model would not be favourable to staff residing far away from the company’s work place location. The implications of this paper to human resources practices in contemporary organisations are many sided. However, a strong point is that the consciousness of being monitored by management has the potential to bring about the ‘best’ in staff, and it is also likely there would be a quest for prompt attendance and regularity at work. Possibly, there would be a strong drive not to enter into the ‘black book’ of the organisation. Consequently, the development, and application of this performance driven reform could be greatly enhanced in an information technology environment that displays performance results promptly. These contentions are discussed.
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Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Lagos, Nigeria
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Lagos, Nigeria