Exploring employees’ experiences with the performance appraisals at the South African Air Force
Orientation: Performance management systems (PMS) are implemented through performance appraisals (PA), and during the PAs, fairness and justice should prevail to enhance employees’ positive experiences and satisfaction with the system. Research purpose: The study aimed to explore and understand the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2025-05-01
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| Series: | SA Journal of Human Resource Management |
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| Online Access: | https://sajhrm.co.za/index.php/sajhrm/article/view/2925 |
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| author | Bernardt Oschman Mokgata A. Matjie |
| author_facet | Bernardt Oschman Mokgata A. Matjie |
| author_sort | Bernardt Oschman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Orientation: Performance management systems (PMS) are implemented through performance appraisals (PA), and during the PAs, fairness and justice should prevail to enhance employees’ positive experiences and satisfaction with the system.
Research purpose: The study aimed to explore and understand the South African Air Force (SAAF) employees’ experiences with the PAs and propose solutions thereof.
Motivation for the study: Despite its critical role in national defence, the South African Air Force is experiencing employee engagement and commitment challenges. Preliminary investigations suggest that these issues arise from shortcomings in the PA process and the distribution of rewards.
Research approach/design and method: The study adopted a qualitative phenomenological design and employed semi-structured interviews for data collection. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, and data collection ended after the 11th participant due to saturation reached by the 10th. Data analysis employed content analysis and inductive coding techniques.
Main findings: The results revealed PAs demotivating and biased. Proposed solutions included frequent PAs, eliminating the quota system, training line managers and linking performance standards with rewards and career advancement.
Practical/managerial implications: The findings suggest a revision of the PMS policy at the SAAF, along with a reevaluation of Affirmative Action and career progression policies. It is essential for line managers to grasp the strategic importance of PMS and PAs within the organisation.
Contribution/value-add: This study provides valuable insights to the SAAF management regarding employees’ experiences with the overall PMS, particularly the PA sessions. It also recommends solutions for implementing the PMS effectively at the SAAF. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f9c6c01e38b44564992b1f04b1a3827f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1683-7584 2071-078X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | SA Journal of Human Resource Management |
| spelling | doaj-art-f9c6c01e38b44564992b1f04b1a3827f2025-08-20T02:05:20ZengAOSISSA Journal of Human Resource Management1683-75842071-078X2025-05-01230e1e1110.4102/sajhrm.v23i0.2925886Exploring employees’ experiences with the performance appraisals at the South African Air ForceBernardt Oschman0Mokgata A. Matjie1Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, University of South Africa, PretoriaDepartment of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria Department of Business Management, Faculty of Management Sciences and Law, University of Limpopo, PolokwaneOrientation: Performance management systems (PMS) are implemented through performance appraisals (PA), and during the PAs, fairness and justice should prevail to enhance employees’ positive experiences and satisfaction with the system. Research purpose: The study aimed to explore and understand the South African Air Force (SAAF) employees’ experiences with the PAs and propose solutions thereof. Motivation for the study: Despite its critical role in national defence, the South African Air Force is experiencing employee engagement and commitment challenges. Preliminary investigations suggest that these issues arise from shortcomings in the PA process and the distribution of rewards. Research approach/design and method: The study adopted a qualitative phenomenological design and employed semi-structured interviews for data collection. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, and data collection ended after the 11th participant due to saturation reached by the 10th. Data analysis employed content analysis and inductive coding techniques. Main findings: The results revealed PAs demotivating and biased. Proposed solutions included frequent PAs, eliminating the quota system, training line managers and linking performance standards with rewards and career advancement. Practical/managerial implications: The findings suggest a revision of the PMS policy at the SAAF, along with a reevaluation of Affirmative Action and career progression policies. It is essential for line managers to grasp the strategic importance of PMS and PAs within the organisation. Contribution/value-add: This study provides valuable insights to the SAAF management regarding employees’ experiences with the overall PMS, particularly the PA sessions. It also recommends solutions for implementing the PMS effectively at the SAAF.https://sajhrm.co.za/index.php/sajhrm/article/view/2925performance appraisalperformance management systemexpectancy theoryequity theorymotivationrewardssouth african air force |
| spellingShingle | Bernardt Oschman Mokgata A. Matjie Exploring employees’ experiences with the performance appraisals at the South African Air Force SA Journal of Human Resource Management performance appraisal performance management system expectancy theory equity theory motivation rewards south african air force |
| title | Exploring employees’ experiences with the performance appraisals at the South African Air Force |
| title_full | Exploring employees’ experiences with the performance appraisals at the South African Air Force |
| title_fullStr | Exploring employees’ experiences with the performance appraisals at the South African Air Force |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring employees’ experiences with the performance appraisals at the South African Air Force |
| title_short | Exploring employees’ experiences with the performance appraisals at the South African Air Force |
| title_sort | exploring employees experiences with the performance appraisals at the south african air force |
| topic | performance appraisal performance management system expectancy theory equity theory motivation rewards south african air force |
| url | https://sajhrm.co.za/index.php/sajhrm/article/view/2925 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT bernardtoschman exploringemployeesexperienceswiththeperformanceappraisalsatthesouthafricanairforce AT mokgataamatjie exploringemployeesexperienceswiththeperformanceappraisalsatthesouthafricanairforce |