Increasing employee productivity in the investment research of Big Company, Inc.

• Main Author: Go, Sarah Jane Y.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2018
• Subjects: Industrial productivity; Personnel management
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/5486
• Institution: De La Salle University

In this action research, we focused on addressing the issue of the lack of technical and knowledge competency in the Investment Research Department of Big Company, Inc. Competency defines as ones trademark characteristic of a person that identifies with prevalent execution and a show of skills in practice and use of learning required to perform a task (Zaim, Yaar & Ünal, 2013). Manifestations of lack of knowledge and technical competency in our department consist of limited background knowledge and experience in finance or business-related terms, late and inaccurate delivery of information, shorten lunch breaks and overtime, unbalanced task distribution, manual data processing and lack of initiative to explore or experiment. The objectives of this action research are (1) to ensure that just task distribution aligns with our existing competencies, (2) enhance our knowledge skills and (3) enhance our technical skills that would reduce the amount of time spent on tedious tasks. As an insider action researcher, I used data triangulation through the different use of methods of data collection such as inquiry through informal conversations, pure inquiry, documents and records, interviews with our department manager and development team, and focus group discussion. As our guide, we used three frameworks which are Kalamas and Kalamas Gap Analysis to identify our competency gap, Fisher et al.s and Raos Training Cycle for conducting and developing of training program and the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) as a methodology for quality software improvement and overall development process. We also applied Hiatts ADKAR Model to implement change in our organization. In addressing the lack of knowledge and technical competency, we implemented (1) On-the-job learning and (2) Creation of in-house office application on some of the tedious data process. We were able to successfully achieve these activities which eventually met our objectives and goals of this paper. These interventions increased our knowledge and technical competency which led to the increase in overall productivity in our department. Doing this action research taught me to become more observant in my surroundings and to the needs of my colleagues, I also improved my communication skills through collaboration and second person inquiry; lastly, it improved my leadership skills. For the next cycle, we recommend to focus on regular knowledge sharing sessions on some of the latest trends of financial markets and refresh some of the basic financial/business terms even if this was not applicable in our task. Doing this would ensure that our acquired knowledge and skills would not decay over time.