Managers/Non-Managers’ Perceived Importance and Implementation of Skills and Information Workplace Practices at IBM Thailand

open_access
Open Access
Author:
Tansuphasiri, Dawarit
Graduate Program:
Workforce Education and Development
Degree:
Doctor of Philosophy
Document Type:
Dissertation
Date of Defense:
October 15, 1999
Committee Members:
Edgar Paul Yoder, Committee Member
Mary J Kisner, Committee Member
William J Rothwell, Committee Member
Kenneth Gray, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Keywords:
IBM Thailand
high performance organizations
high-performance workplaces
Thailand
skills and information
Abstract:
This research investigated the perceptions of IBM Thailand managers and non-managers regarding the importance and implementation levels of the high-performance workplace practices as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (1994). Data was collected from managers and non-managers of IBM Thailand by mail surveys and on-site in-depth interviews. A total of 260 questionnaires were distributed with a response rate of 216 (83%). There were seven interviews conducted with managers and non-managers. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that managers and non-managers at IBM Thailand perceived all seven workplace practices in the skills and information category to be important at a very high level and to have been implemented at a moderate-high level. Managers perceived sharing of performance information practices and training on an application of performance information practices to be significantly less important than did non-managers. This and other findings suggest managers are still practicing the traditional and bureaucratic style of management. Interviews suggest this may be a Thai cultural factor.