Case Study on Electronic Instrument Manufacturers

Running head: DISSERTATION
Dissertation
Topic: Increasing retention rate in Singapore High Technology wireless Sector- A case study on
Electronic instrument manufacturers: Rohde & Schwarz Asia Pte Ltd
Student’s name:
Name of the university:
Author’s note:

1DISSERTATION
Abstract
In this research, increasing retention rate in Singapore high technology sector has been chosen.
Technology-based companies in the Asia Pacific continue to interrogate high level of employees
turnover despite the higher economic uncertainty across the globe. In Singapore, the technology
industry is rising and annual voluntary turnover is rising as well. Singapore based high
technology sector, mainly electronic instrument manufacturers are facing robust competition in
keeping talents within the organisation. Rohde & Schwartz Asia Pte Ltd is the case study
organisation chosen for this research. It is originally a German-based organisation and it has its
branch in Singapore as well. In Singapore branch, the organisation has been taking many
strategies in order to improve the retention rate like proper leadership style, leave benefits,
motivation, rewards and recognition. Median voluntary turnover is increasing in this sector. In
this research, there are mainly five chapters. In the first chapter, aim, objectives and questions
have been given with problem statement. Questions are mainly addressed towards talent
management and increasing retention rate factors. In the second chapter, scholarly papers have
been discussed in order to put the theoretical framework of this specific research. In addition,
Herzberg’s theory and discrepancy theory of employee retention and motivational theory have
been provided.
In methodology, positivism philosophy, descriptive research design and deductive approach have
been taken by the researcher. Primary data as well as secondary data have been collected.
Primary data has been collected through survey. Secondary data has been used in the literature
review section. 20 close-ended questions have been prepared in order to survey to the employees
of R&s Asia. Quantitative data analysis technique has been taken along with SPSS analysis. In

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chapter four, data analysis has been done based on correlation and regression analysis. The
gathered data have been presented in tables and graphs.
The analysis has also been provided aligning this with literature review section. The survey
result found that in the high technology sector of Singapore, the employees face lack of career
growth; however, R&S Asia provides rewards and benefits. The employees face the issue in a
career opportunity and multi-culture workplace. Hypothesises of the research have been linked
findings of the survey result. Therefore, in the last section of the study, objectives of the research
tried to link with the findings. The recommendations have been made based on the leadership
style of the organisation, workplace culture, intrinsic motivation and offer training to the
employees.

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Acknowledgement
I am grateful to all the individuals and persons who have been my constant support to complete
my Research based on ‘increasing retention rate in Singapore High Technology wireless sector-
A case study on Electronic instrument manufacturers: Rohde & Schwarz Asia Pte Ltd’. I am also
obliged to my friends and family who have given me enough time to conduct the research. I am
thankful to my professor who provided my enough support about subjective knowledge. In
addition, I would like to show my gratitude to the employees of R&S Asia Pte Ltd who provided
their responses during survey. Without their responses, I could not conduct my research. Lastly,
completing this research has provided me pleasure.
Thank you.

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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................11
1.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................11
1.2 Background of the research.................................................................................................11
1.3 Problem statement...............................................................................................................13
1.4 Research aim........................................................................................................................14
1.5 Research objectives.............................................................................................................15
1.6 Research hypotheses............................................................................................................15
1.7 Significance of the research.................................................................................................15
1.8 Structure of the research......................................................................................................16
Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................................................17
2.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................17
2.2 Concept of employee retention within the organisations....................................................17
2.3 Theoretical understanding of the employee retention.........................................................18
2.4 Factors that drive employee retention in organisations.......................................................22
2.5 Relevant factors that create issues in deteriorating the employee retention........................23
2.6 Impact of employee retention in organisational success and productivity..........................24
2.7 Impact of talent management on employee retention programmes.....................................25
2.8 Employee retention issues in Singapore High Technology wireless Sector........................26

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2.9 Gap in literature...................................................................................................................27
2.10 Conceptual framework.......................................................................................................28
2.11 Summary............................................................................................................................28
Chapter 3: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY.......................................................30
3.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................30
3.2 Research onion.....................................................................................................................30
3.2 Research philosophy............................................................................................................31
3.3 Research approach...............................................................................................................32
3.4 Research design...................................................................................................................34
3.5 Data collection process........................................................................................................35
3.6 Research instrument.............................................................................................................36
3.7 Sampling process.................................................................................................................36
3.8 Data analysis technique.......................................................................................................37
3.9 Ethical consideration...........................................................................................................38
3.10 Reliability and validity......................................................................................................38
3.11 Limitation..........................................................................................................................39
3.12 Timeline.............................................................................................................................39
Chapter 4: RESULTS, ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION OF FINDINGS...............................40
4.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................40
4.2 Descriptive analysis.............................................................................................................40

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4.2.1 Demographic factors.........................................................................................................41
Educational qualification.......................................................................................................46
4.2.2 Subjective factors..............................................................................................................47
4.3 Reliability test......................................................................................................................67
4.4 Correlations..........................................................................................................................68
4.5 Summary and findings.........................................................................................................78
Chapter 5: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS......................................................80
5.1 Conclusions..........................................................................................................................80
5.3 Recommendations................................................................................................................84
5.4 Future scope of the study.....................................................................................................90
Reference List................................................................................................................................91
Appendices..................................................................................................................................103

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List of Figures
Figure 1.1: Structure of the research..............................................................................................15
Figure 2.1: Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory...................................................................................20
Figure 2.2: Conceptual framework................................................................................................27
Figure 3.1: Research onion............................................................................................................30
Figure 3.2: Research Philosophy...................................................................................................31
Figure 3.3: Research approach......................................................................................................33
Figure 3.4: Research design...........................................................................................................34
Figure 4.1: Gender profile of the respondents...............................................................................41
Figure 4.2: Tenure in R&S Asia....................................................................................................42
Figure 4.3: Age group of the respondents.....................................................................................43
Figure 4.4: Nationality of the respondentEducational qualification..............................................44
Figure 4.5: Educational qualification of R&S...............................................................................46
Figure 4.6: Reward programs influencing retention......................................................................47
Figure 4.7: Multicultural workplace negatively influencing employee retention.........................49
Figure 4.8: High employee turnover brings competitive disadvantage.........................................50
Figure 4.9: Low employee motivation results in low job satisfaction...........................................51
Figure 4.10: Performance recognition helps in employee motivation...........................................53
Figure 4.11: Training and career growth scopes increase employees’ retention...........................54
Figure 4.12: Work-life balance of the employees in R&S Asia....................................................55
Figure 4.13: Leadership styles impact on employee retention......................................................56
Figure 4.14: Flexible working hours by R&S Asia.......................................................................58
Figure 4.15: Enhancement of employee motivation to retain employees.....................................59