SECTION A (60) Read the case study below and answer the questions that follow. MICROSOFT A WHOLE HAND ON THE BRAND

Microsoft MD Pfungwa Serima uses a Shona saying to explain the importance of motivating staff. The thumb is useless without the fingers to make it strong. He explains: The business is not driven by me or the brand. Its the employees, the people behind the brand. Microsoft has been in the top three in best company to work for since entering for the first time in 2003. It has been third, first, second and in 2008 second again. Microsoft attempts to make itself an employer of choice because as a global leader in its field it must attract the best people. To achieve this aim it offers The Deal. This means a pleasant environment in which to work, wellness programmes, mentorship, counseling, development opportunities, the possibility of overseas travel and flexible hours in addition to salary and incentives. Money is not everything says Serima. Its important but only part of why people want to work somewhere. We dont employ people for a job but for an experience. We give them an opportunity to grow. In return, Microsoft expects its people to be innovative and different and to work as a team. They must thrive on challenges Microsoft may be a global giant but it is constantly under attack from competitors in an extremely dynamic environment where technological changes are taking place at a phenomenal rate. He stresses that though it is his job to steer Microsoft in South Africa, it is the employees who drive it. An employer should never think that it is his company. Dont even think of strategies and action plans without participation from the workforce. ADAPTED FROM: Furlonger. D. Microsoft: A Whole Hand on the Brand. QUESTION 1 (40) Analyse the motivational methods adopted by Microsoft by using the appropriate theories of motivation. QUESTION 2 (20) In addition to the methods used by Microsoft, job design may also be utilized for motivating the employees. With reference to this, provide suggestions to Mr Serima on how jobs may be redesigned to enhance employee motivation at Microsoft. Your response must include a discussion of the Job Characteristics Model. SECTION B (40) QUESTION 3 (20) Group cohesiveness is one aspect of group dynamics. It refers to the extent to which members are loyal and committed to the group (Griffin, 2002:595). Discuss the factors that affect group cohesiveness supporting your answer with current theories and research on group behaviour. QUESTION 4 (20) Cook and Hunsaker (2001:182) state that personality is the set of traits and behaviours that characterize an individual. One of the models that have been developed to identify and classify personality traits is the Big Five Personality Model. Critically discuss the effects of the personality traits identified in the Big Five Model on job performance.