Kivumedia Staff Absence: A Strategic Management Project Analysis

This strategic management project investigates the impact of high staff absences on the performance of Kivumedia, a company located in Congo, Central Africa. The project aims to analyze the causes of absenteeism, identify strategic implications, and propose solutions. The research explores the issue through various methodologies, including primary and secondary data collection, such as focus groups, surveys, and organizational records. The project identifies factors like health and safety standards, stress levels, and work environment as contributing to staff absences. It synthesizes data to determine options and alternatives to manage absenteeism, recommending actions to improve employee engagement, productivity, and overall company performance. The project emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing employee needs to enhance Kivumedia's operational efficiency and profitability. The project also discusses the research methodology, including both practical and theoretical approaches, and how the research findings can be used to develop strategies to manage staff absences and improve overall business performance.

Conducting a Strategic
Management Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
A1:....................................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Determine a topic of investigation that has a strategic implication......................................1
1.2 Discuss the aim, scope and objectives of the project............................................................2
1.3 Justify the topic of investigation and its aim, scope and objectives......................................3
1.4 Evaluate the project research methodology, including the project structure and research
base..............................................................................................................................................3
A2:....................................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Identify sources of data and information that will support the aim of the project................4
2.2 Synthesise the data and information for options or alternatives that support the project
aims.............................................................................................................................................5
2.3 Determine an option or alternative that supports the project aims........................................6
A3:....................................................................................................................................................7
3.1 Evaluate the research analysis to enable conclusions to be made.........................................7
3.2 Recommend a course of action that achieves the project aim...............................................7
3.3 Analyse the impact of the recommendations........................................................................7
A4:....................................................................................................................................................8
4.1 Evaluate the medium to be used to present the result of the project.....................................8
4.2 Produce the results of the investigative project.....................................................................8
4.3 Evaluate the impact of the investigative project...................................................................9
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Strategic Management Project is being considered as an element that basically consist of
a range of implementation along with the formulation that helps in attaining goals and objectives
in specific time frame. Along with this, a strategic management project delivers directions for the
company through which it can reach to new heights and it also aid in developing or designing the
plans and policies at the same time. On the other hand, it is being found that a strategic
management approach is basically not at all consist of statics and this kind of model also focuses
on feedback considering the looping approach which directly aid in to monitoring performance
of a overall business plans or projects (Lerch and Spieth, 2013).
Along with this, firm which has been chosen for conducting the report i.e. Kivumedia
which was found in the year of 2018 by Eliud Aganze. It is located in Congo, Central Africa.
Assignment will focus on issue which was faced by senior manager of Kivumedia where staff
absences was high in numbers. Apart from this, investigation related to this will also going to be
enclosed with strategic implication.
A1:
1.1 Determine a topic of investigation that has a strategic implication
Finding out a topic for an investigation basically aid a researcher in gaining in-depth
knowledge related to the case (issue). This also aid in conducting a feasible study related to the
chosen topic where the collection of data could easily be done. In present case, where senior
manager of Kivumedia was facing an issue where staff absence was high in numbers which
impacted negatively on overall performance level of department of Kivumedia. Thus, it can be
said that, manager of Kivumedia would require to develop a range of policies related to health
and safety standards, levels of stress, and harassment and bullying(Herazo, Lizarralde and
Paquin, 2012). family or emotional problems, or mental health issues other than stress in order to
reduce number of employee absence.
These issues could be reduced through focusing on different areas, where at the first
stage, it is important for manager to identify different areas where staff is having problems at
workstation. On the basis of considering all the factors that are linked with high number of staff
absences in a department of Kivumedia. In order to manage the number of staff absence or
Absenteeism there are a range of strategies could be adopted by Kivumedia and these are: be
1

sure attendance expectations are clearly set, enforce the attendance policy consistently, company
should be ensured about all employees know what to do when they need to be late or miss a day,
work to keep employees motivated and engaged. A proper topic which has been made on current
study i.e. To analyse the influence of high number of staff absences on performance of a
company. A case on Kivumedia.
1.2 Discuss the aim, scope and objectives of the project
Aim:
Overall investigation is going to rely upon specific aim which has been developed and i.e.
To analyse the impact of high number of staff absences on overall performance level of
Kivumedia. Based on the analysis, excessive absenteeism in a workplace is majorly being caused
by a number of things like staff performance issues, personal problems, a dysfunctional work
environment and lack of clear expectations of staff. These are basically some of the reasons,
which leads a company like Kivumedia to go through a range of problems like low performance
of company, less productive workforce and it is also possible that organisation will not meet the
requirements of clients (Phillips, Bothell and Snead, 2012).
Objectives:
Objectives of present research has been developed on considering a range of factors and
these are: health and safety standards, levels of stress, and harassment and bullying. family or
emotional problems which basically led Kivumedia manager's to face a problem i.e. high number
of staff absences. Along with this, authenticity of present investigating report is to carry out the
accurate data through conducting survey. In present context, there are some of objectives which
has been developed and these are:
 To understand the concept of staff absenteeism.
 To identify the factors which can lead a company to face high number of staff absences. To determine ways through which Kivumedia manager can manage staff absenteeism.
Scope:
This is being considered as one of a crucial stage for every single business project, which
basically shows the future benefits for conducting the investigation. In present context, where
Kivumedia manager was going through an issue i.e. high number of staff absences. If the
company develops a good range of strategies related to managing the staff absenteeism. Thus, it
2

will help Kivumedia in gaining their lost reputation, improve profit margins, enhance
productivity of staff and so on in near future.
1.3 Justify the topic of investigation and its aim, scope and objectives
On the basis of analysis, it can easily be said that aim business project is to determine the
developed aim “To analyse the influence of high number of staff absences on performance of a
company. A case on Kivumedia.” will directly improve profit margins as well as it will aid in
motivating the staff towards their tasks. As the manager of Kivumedia, did not considered
different acts like, The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), The Uniformed Services
Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA), Workers’ Compensation, Jury Duty
and so on (Jonas, Kock and Gemünden, 2013). Keeping focus on this, the aim has been
developed in order to improve profit margins.
Along with this, if it is talked about developed scope of present investigation, as
Kivumedia was not going through a number of problems, like less productivity of overall
business because of high number of staff absences. Thus, strategies like change employee
behaviour through wellness programs, track employee absences, help employees return to work
and so on. This will directly aid company in expanding business and help staff in sustaining at
workstation for a longer period of time.
Away with this, objective of present research are specifically important for Kivumedia, as
manager found that many employees were taking leaves in a rapid manner. This impacted
negatively on overall performance level of Kivumedia. Considering this approach, objectives of
this research has been made on the basis of concepts, importance and ways through which
management can be done of high number of staff absences (Davis, 2014).
1.4 Evaluate the project research methodology, including the project structure and research base
In order to imply the proposal, it is essential for a researcher to conduct the investigation
right on time so that effective results could be gained. Here, it is important to use right research
methodological approach so that overall investigation can be done with an ease. This will further
divide into two parts such as practical and theoretical research.
Practical research– this is being considered as one of effective approach of research
where the data accurately gets analysed as it consists of empirical study about high number of
staff absences at a workplace. In this technique, executives of business are appointed for
conducting specific research on the establishment of business in that area by judging its
3

suitability. This method could basically aid Kivumedia in taking right decisions for themselves,
which involves first hand research in the form of interviews, questionnaires, surveys, group
discussion and observations (Kerzner, 2018).
Surveys are conducted in the particular area by distributing questionnaires and sample of
company for testing and then taking feedback of customers. Distributing free samples will help
business to make significant changes in the strategies of Kivumedia in their services to expand
business and offer higher support to staff.
Theoretical research- Secondary research is being considered as another name of this
kind of research which offers which gives more emphasis on non-empirical approach as it
usually involves perusal of published work like secondary research materials. It can be in the
form of public libraries, court rooms and published academic journals. In present case of
Kivumedia which is a medium sized company, a method that has been used in order to formulate
a good range of strategies and here, senior manager used a range of tools as well.
Descriptive research – This is being considered as a methodology type which will be
used by researcher of the report. The survey would help Kivumedia in reaching to new heights. It
allows researchers to explore questions that could not be examined with experimental
procedures. It helps to broaden the scope of phenomena that only psychologist are able to study.
In this kind of research methodology adopted by Kivumedia will involve quantitative and
qualitative methods to find out actual data and information.
A2:
2.1 Identify sources of data and information that will support the aim of the project
The data and information regarding the impact of high number of staff absence on the
performance of Kivumedia can be be gathered from three sources as mentioned below:
Primary Source of Data
 Focus Group: It is a technique used to conduct primary market research by selecting
group of people who will participate and interact with each other in a discussion and
present their perception or opinions about a specific area or interest (Kerzner, 2015).
Kivumedia can ask questions from its employees to know about the problems they are
facing or their expectations etc. These can be asked directly by fixing a meeting selected
4

employees or by sending these questions via e-mail. This will help the company to
understand its personnels in a better way.
 Surveys and questionnaires- This is a traditional and universal method of collecting
information. A questionnaire is prepared by manager or team leader and given to the sub-
ordinates to be filled by them. Kivumedia can ask as many questions as it want to clarify
its queries. It is a very constructive and useful method.
Secondary Source of Data
 Organizational records- This is the best secondary source to provide information about
the employees working in the entity. It contains every detail about people working in the
organization from their joining to termination. Kivumedia can track if its employees have
complained about harassment, heavy workloads, stressful meetings etc (Mueller, 2012).
2.2 Synthesise the data and information for options or alternatives that support the project aims
In terms of significance of information obtained from above sources of research, can be
synthesised in following manner:-
Criteria Project Focus groups
(1)
Questionnaire
(2)
Government
sources
(3)
R
a
n
k
i
n
g
1 2 3
Purpose Create research,
obtain information
for analysing the
reason behind
absenteeism of that
impact on
productivity of
business in
Make discussion
with
stakeholders and
respective
respondents by
organising some
meeting and
seminars about
Develop some
questionnaire to
take feedback
and opinion of
respondents
for improving
productivity of
workers and
Extract data
from
government
sources in
legal manner
for evaluating
the laws which
helps in
1st 2nd 1
st
5

negative manner. reasons behind
absenteeism of
workers and the
process for
resolving the
same.
business
accordingly
reducing
absenteeism at
workplace.
Data to
be kept
In order to make
new policies and
rules for
minimising the
issues related to
worker
absenteeism,
specific
information is kept
in confidential
manner
Opinion of each
stakeholder and
employee will
analyse and
make data
accordingly to
develop
effective
policies and
code of ethics
(Garel, 2013).
Take opinion
and feedback of
each customer
for improving
services and
increasing
productivity of
business.
Specific data
related to
concept of
laws and
legislations for
making
improvement
in employment
policies to
manage
workplace
more
appropriately.
1st 3rd 2
n
d
The information obtained through above process is based on qualitative approach, which
is used by managers of Kivumedia to reduce employee absenteeism. This would also help in
encouraging workers to give their support in improving and enhancing productivity of business.
2.3 Determine an option or alternative that supports the project aims
On the basis of synthesized data which is obtained from different sources of data
collection, it has analysed that all three processes are primary research methods. Here, by
arranging seminars and business meetings under focus groups, managers of Kivumedia can take
better decisions for increasing productivity of business. This method is more beneficial as
compared to questionnaire and government sources. Through this source, opinion of every
6

stakeholder and employee can be analysed behind occurrence of such issue. Since this company
majorly face issue i.e. decreasing productivity of business due to increasing absenteeism of
workers. Therefore, through focus group methodologies, Board of Directors of respective
enterprise can analyse main issue behind same. This will also develop collaboration among
workers by generating feeling of equality under them. In addition to this, through discussion,
contribution of each stakeholder can be taken for making effective rules and policies.
A3:
3.1 Evaluate the research analysis to enable conclusions to be made
Key attraction of present research includes employee concern and enhancement of
productivity of business. Therefore, on the basis of both topics, appropriate conclusion can be
obtained as:-
Employees: As workers are considered as most important resources of a company for
running business effectively (Morris, 2013). Therefore, if they do not give their support and
efforts to management in producing best services to customers. Then it would impact on
profitability and brand image of a company in negative manner. Here, through this research, it
has evaluated that due to ineffective job employment policies and not adhere employment laws,
leads to increase absenteeism at workplace. So, this would lead to decrease productivity of
business.
3.2 Recommend a course of action that achieves the project aim
For present investigation, aim is to manage the employees absenteeism that are
specifically, was one of the issue for Kivumedia where the manager was facing a number of
issues. There are a range of recommendations linked with the project aim are given beneath:
Policies related to health and safety standards, levels of stress, and harassment and
bullying- The basic requirement for Kivumedia is that, managers and leaders are required to
develop policies related to stress, health, harassments and so on. This would aid company in
reaching to new heights.
Change employee behaviour through wellness programs :- It is also recommended for
Kivumedia to consider that staff is required to improve their behaviour against the company so
that maximum benefits could be gained by them. Through this, maximum benefits could be
7

gained by them where staff might get motivated towards company (Korhonen, Laine and
Martinsuo, 2014).
3.3 Analyse the impact of the recommendations
With the help of above mentioned recommendations, it can easily be said that Kivumedia
will directly improve employees loyalty and their performance level will also rise. This will
improve profit margins of Kivumedia and would gain competitive advantages as well. On the
other hand, Kivumedia would also improve maximum benefits and would gain or improve
motivation of staff towards the company.
A4:
4.1 Evaluate the medium to be used to present the result of the project
Basically, there are two type of medium that can be used to present the results and these
are given below:
Report- This is being considered as an effective approach which will help an
organisation's manager to go through range of benefits research problem (Holzmann, 2013).
Information in the report is well organised that can be used for future planning and decision
making. It is helpful in communicating internally within organisation or in making external
project work. It facilitates in decision making and planning purpose as it will clarify all the
doubts and queries of a person.
Power point presentation- Another approach which could be used by creative methods as
it will visualise the relevant data that is conveyed to Kivumedia with the help of figures and
statistical information. Also, it will provide all kinds of relevant information to the business. In
addition to this, it will present the whole report by using diagrammatic representations, graphical
bar charts and many more charts in a creative way (De Waal, 2013).
Based on the analysis, it can easily be said that PPT is one of the most effective approach
that can be used by researcher to deliver a good range of information to related to the results of
overall investigation.
4.2 Produce the results of the investigative project
Existing issues
Kivumedia is facing a range of problems linked with employees where staff was taking
leave on a regular basis and this impacted negatively on their performance level as well (Mueller,
8

2014). This also impacted negatively on quality as well of overall services which has been
offered by Kivumedia.
Ways of motivating employees:
The present case where employees of senior manager's department of Kivumedia was
taking leaves were required to get motivated so that effective plans and procedures could be
developed for a fruitful future of Kivumedia.
4.3 Evaluate the impact of the investigative project
There are two sections where impact can be seen of overall investigation are:
Short term- The short term goal of an enterprise is to meet all its objectives in given
period. The positive impact of this study on short term goals is that positive results generated by
these results in context to products and services will motivate an enterprise to expand their
market. The negative implication is that the negative results will stop the existing campaign and
modify their services (Bryce, 2017).
Long term- Higher level of buyer satisfaction is long termed objective of an enterprise
which is slowly achieved with the completion of short term and medium term goals. The
negative impact of this study on the long term objectives will delay the standard time limit in
order to complete it on a time.
CONCLUSION
With the help of above mentioned report, it is being concluded that developing a specific
strategy could help a business organisation in reaching to new stages where company could
effectively improve performance level in much effective and efficient manner. Based on above
study, it can be said that focusing of government laws, Kivumedia would directly manage the
workers absenteeism so that effective plans can be managed.
9