Recommendable strategies for the universities to enhance employee morale

Abstract

Institutions of higher learning in South Africa are experiencing a high employee turnover from quality employees joining other employers. The paper focuses on drawing attention to the management of the universities in South Africa regarding the strategies to be adopted to enhance the morale of employees, which is a topic that is difficult to resolve globally. Each university has its mission statement with its own values and institutional goals to be achieved. The plans are the responsibility of the management to succeed. However, it is for every stakeholder as it cascades from management to departments until it reaches individual employees. Many studies have revealed obstacles that contribute to damaging morale, but there is not much said about the interposition of management in correcting and intervening in those factors. Therefore, the quantitative approach was adopted to collect primary data from 108 employees using a questionnaire, and all data collected were analysed using SPSS 24 and generated into tables. The paper reveals human resource planning, internal and external interventions, and performance management as motivation tools to enhance employee morale in the institution of higher learning. The paper recommends that the university regularly implement team-building meetings, developing employee assistance programs, wellness programs, and training for management to be adopted as strategic tools to enhance employee morale in higher learning institutions. The study supports the institutions’ management for higher learning on strategies to considered to enhance employees' morale. In addition, it further adds value to the literature on solutions to the existing problems faced by the initiations of higher learning.