RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL i

WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR MULTI-SHIFT COMPANIES

AND WORK FROM HOME EMPLOYEES

A Research Proposal Presented to the

College of Engineer and Architecture Technology

Rizal Technological University

Mandaluyong City

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements

For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

By:

Llamado, Andrei
Ronterazo, Reymark
Saja, Marc
Sedol, Orlan
Temonio, Aldrin John S.

June 2021

Table of Contents
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Chapter

I. THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Background of the Study

Conceptual Framework

Statement of the Problem

Hypotheses

Scope and Delimitation

Significance of the Study

Definition of Terms

II. REVIEW OF RELATED STUDIES

III. METHODOLOGY

Research Design and Methodology

Respondents of the Study

Population and Sampling Technique

Instrumentation

Data Gathering Procedures

Statistical Treatment of Data

CHAPTER I
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THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Companies that require 24-hour coverage or need a 24-hour day to

optimize output and productivity often turn to shift work. Shift work occurs in a

24-hour-a-day work schedule and occasionally seven days a week to keep an

organization operating without a halt and optimize work output and productivity.

(Heathfield, 2021)

Employees are the skeletal workforce of a company, association, and

institution therefore their management plays a vital role in the success of the

organization. A workforce management system makes it easier for the

employer to keep track of all records. The fast-paced technology brings forth

the necessity for the automation of manual processes. The overwhelming

emergence of computers leads to effortless access to information yielding

increased production, reliability, and efficiency.

The proposed study aims to design, develop and implement a workforce

management system for multi-shift companies which has several functions like

scheduling, absence management, task management, leave request, and

payroll report.

Conceptual Framework
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When designing a workforce management system, it's critical to assess

the company's needs as well as the work environment. This is especially

suitable for companies that already have a human resource management

system in place. The first step in determining the needs is to obtain a thorough

understanding of where you stand in terms of established processes.

The workforce management system makes it much easier to complete

the tasks that make a company successful. These systems' basic features

include scheduling and planning, as well as attendance monitoring. Advanced

analytics systems analyze the data and then provide information, allowing for

even more informed decisions. Security & control features guarantee that the

system operates smoothly.

Statement of the Problem

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Workforce management software is becoming an increasingly valuable

platform for enterprise operations as technology progresses. Data analytics are

becoming more important than ever in evaluating potential growth goals, and

web-based tech tools make it easy for companies of all sizes to get these

insights.

This research was conducted to see how a workforce management

strategy could be used by multi-shift companies and employees who work from

home. When designing a workforce management system, it must be able to

fulfill the company's needs for organizing all of the tasks involved in utilizing and

maintaining a productive workforce. Using a workforce management system

entails a multi-step process involving the development of an application

program and a database. To process the whole software, development tools

were also necessary.

Specific problems that the study aims to answer are:

1.How does the proposed system can be describe in terms of:

1.1 functionality

1.2 user-friendliness

1.3 reliability

1.4 Security

2.What is the relevance of the workforce management system to the

operational cost of the company?

 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL vi
Hypothesis

H0: There is no relationship between the workforce management system

and the reduction in operational costs

Ha: There is a relationship between the workforce management system

and the reduction in operational costs

Scope and Delimitation

This study entitled “Workforce Management Systems For Multi-Shift

Companies and Work From Home Employees” will only focus in GC Services

International LLC – Philippines company. The target respondents in this study

are 100 randomly selected employees in the said company. Out of all these

employees in the company, all full-time work-from-home employees will be

used as a sample in conducting the study. This study limits its coverage on the

employees under work-from-home set-up only. Its main purpose is to test how

effective the system, identify the common problems that they encounter, and

propose possible solutions regarding these problems. This study considers

every aspect of the workers' and employer’s experience on the program.

Significance of the Study

The purpose of this study is to further expand our knowledge and

understanding on how utilize workforce management systems for multi-shift

companies that can be responsible for better production and operation.

 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL vii
The Company. This study will be beneficial for the company since it is

the place where it will be used. With this study, Company can be more flexible

in terms of shifts and better operation environment in using workforce

management systems.

The Employees. This study will benefit employees because their work

hours will be managed so that they can get adequate rest, which will improve

their work efficiency.

The Customers. If there is a reduction in operational costs as a result of

the system, this study may benefit customers by allowing them to be served by

an efficient worker who provides a high-quality product at a lower price.

The Researchers. This research study will help to share the knowledge

to the company and help them to expand their understanding and knowledge

about the utilizing of workforce management systems.

The Future Researchers. This research study will benefit and help to

have a concrete foundation of knowledge, to explore, to broaden and evaluate

the use of workforce management systems.

Definition of Terms

The definition of the term application program is “a comprehensive, self-

contained program that performs a particular function directly for the user.”

(Techopedia)
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The dictionary definition of the term database is “a usually large

collection of data organized especially for rapid search and retrieval (as by a

computer).” (Merriam-Webster’s 1962)

The dictionary definition of the term development tool is “a tool that

supports the rapid implementation of software applications upon a

programming platform.” (IGI Global)

The dictionary definition of the term multi-shift is “a double or treble shift

of work; frequently attributive.” (Lexico 1920s)

The dictionary definition of the term software is “something used or

associated with and usually contrasted with hardware: such as: a: programs for

a computer, b: dated: the entire set of programs, procedures, and related

documentation associated with a mechanical or electronic system and

especially a computer system, c: materials for use with audiovisual equipment.”

(Merriam-Webster’s 1958)

The definition of the term system is “A computer system is a basic,

complete and functional hardware and software setup with everything needed

to implement computing performance.” (Techopedia)

The dictionary definition of the term utilize is “to make use of: turn to

practical use or account” (Merriam-Webster’s 1807)

The dictionary definition of the term workforce is “the workers engaged in

a specific activity or enterprise” (Merriam-Webster’s 1931)

 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL ix

CHAPTER II

This chapter provides an overview of previous research on knowledge

sharing and intranets. It introduces the framework for the study that comprises

the main focus of the research described in this proposal.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

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According to Calabrese et al. (2013), workforce management (WFM)

programs have the ability to improve the management of a service provider's

workforce (WF) in order to improve both service quality and performance. While

characterizations of the different typologies of WFM systems can be found in

the research literature, the impact of these systems on efficiency and quality

have not been thoroughly examined.

The transition to a knowledge-based economy and the rapid

advancement of technology are forcing businesses to find new ways to do

business (Capece et al., 2013). The word "organizational creativity" refers to

the use of innovative methods, strategies, procedures, or management

structures to control a company's operations (Hamel, 2006; Armbruster et al.,

2008). More importantly, it has been shown in the research literature relating to

services that with the use of IT, companies can improve internal resource

control while still achieving internal performance and service quality objectives

(Gorla et al., 2010).

Human Resource Management System

The Human Resource Management System developed by Navaz, et.al.

(2013) concluded that the system has given a huge lift to the company’s

operations. Whatever that has done manually has been completely shifted to

the computerized process and this has enabled the company to carry out its

operation more quickly. Since whatever that has so far been done manually

has been changed to a computerized. It has resulted in more efficient

processing of data. The new system has resulted in giving numeric advantages

to the company in many ways. Accessing and getting data can be done at a
 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL xi
single click. Data manipulation has become simpler and the cost factor has

been reduced. It is faster and more efficient processing of data. It is less time

consuming. Operations are more transparent. Communications between the

users is more efficient.

A structured and a well-formulated employee management system is a

valuable asset for the Human Resource Department of the company. Having

such system will be efficient and cost-effective

Developing a Multi-Objective Meta-Heuristic Algorithm to Select Work

Model and Staff Scheduling in Petrochemical Companies

Lagodimos & Leopoulos (2000) used integer programming model in their

study intitled “Developing a Multi-Objective Meta-Heuristic Algorithm to Select

Work Model and Staff Scheduling in Petrochemical Companies”. Because of

the complexity of the issue and the multi-objective nature of the model, to solve

the mathematical model, NSGA-II algorithm has been used. In order to obtain a

better performance of the algorithm, its parameters were tuned using the

Taguchi calibration method. That leads to their conclusion that petrochemicals

can apply scientific and optimum operation research approaches and its

applications, in order to set up employee work schedules, create work-life

balance, reduce work-related fatigue, decrease job burnout and improve their

performance and productivity.

The Shift Team Formation Problem in Multi-shift Manufacturing

Operations
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According to Daus et al. (1998), Continuous shift systems require

weekend working whereas discontinuous systems occur in organizations that

operate Monday through Friday. Shift work varies with respect to start and stop

times of workers, length of the shifts, length of time off between shifts, and the

order of shift rotation. Shift work can be permanent where each employee

works only one type of shift. In rotating shifts, workers rotate their hours to

include each type of shift (Daus et al. 1998). In practice, more than one shift

work system may be used in a manufacturing department. Some machines and

workers may, for instance, be active in a twice-daily shift system, while other

machines and workers are organized in a thrice-daily shift system.

Shift work is common in manufacturing operations, although it is known

to have many negative effects on workers’ motivation, sleep, health and social

problems. Shift work is necessary in many manufacturing firms to augment

productive capacity and to ensure efficient use of expensive equipment. Shift

work can vary considerably in its specific characteristics (e.g., Moore-Ede

1993).

CHAPTER III

This chapter gives an outline of the research methods that were followed

in the study. It provides information that is, the criteria for inclusion in the study.

The researcher describes the research design that was chosen for this study

and the reasons for this choice. The instrument that was used for data

collection is also described and the procedures that were followed to carry out
 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL xiii
this study are included. The researcher also discusses the methods used to

analyze the data.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

This study will utilize the descriptive type of research. Descriptive

research aims to accurately and systematically describe a population, situation,

or phenomenon. It can answer what, where, when, and how questions, but not

why questions (McCombes, 2020). Moreover, the researcher does not control

or manipulate any of the variables but only observes and measures them in a

descriptive research design.

The proponents decided to use this kind of research to help them gather

the necessary information to design, develop and implement a workforce

management system. The study aims to know the process of the existing

workforce management system in a multi-shift company and how to improve

the current system based on surveys and interviews, thus this research design

is suitable for this study

Respondents of the Study

The population of the study will be comprised of 100 randomly selected

employees and the respondents will be selected based on criteria that the

respondents must be an employee from GC Services International LLC -

Philippines. Using Slovin's formula, the researchers were able to sample the

population with the desired level of accuracy. Slovin's formula helps

 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL xiv
researchers determine how large of sample size is required to ensure

reasonable accuracy of results.

N
Slovin’s Formula: n=
1+ N e2

Where:

n = sample size

N = population size

e = margin of error

Sampling Technique

This research will be based on a systematic sampling technique.

Systematic sampling technique where Individuals are selected at regular

intervals from the sampling frame. The intervals are chosen to ensure an

adequate sample size. If you need a sample size n from a population of size x,

you should select every x/nth individual for the sample.

Instrumentation

Research instruments involve tools or a set of guidelines for observation.

These tools or instruments helped the researchers know the effects of the new

workforce management systems on their work. It helped the researchers

gathered information connected to the conducted study. It also helped the

 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL xv
researchers gather information such as the advantages, problems,

convenience, and inconvenience of the new system to them. The

questionnaires were used as the main data-gathering instrument for the study.

Also, the researchers used the companies IT department data regarding the

number of reported problems and errors the workers encountered while using

the program.

Data Gathering Procedure

The researcher-made survey and questionnaire will be validated by the

research adviser and other experts in the field of software engineering. A letter

of request to Rizal Technological University and GC Services International LLC

– Philippines to conduct the study will be prepared at the same time.

The survey will be distrusted to the respondents through email. Handling

of the questionnaries can be mediated by virtual conference meeting.

The results of the questionnaires will be analyzed and interpreted with

the use of the statistical treatment of data.

Statistical Treatment of Data

The questionnaire was used by the researcher to collect data from the

respondents. The data gathered was organized quantitatively and expressed

using a Likert Scale.

 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL xvi
Afterward, the researcher organized the questions and responses from

the respondents. The researchers used the Spearman Product Moment

Correlation Coefficient and the T-test to test the correlation and significance of

the relationship between the Workforce Management System and the reduction

in operational costs.

The following statistical procedures were used to interpret the data

collected from the respondents of the study.

1. Weighted Mean. During the actual data collection procedure, this statistical

tool was used to compute the weight of the responses in the questionnaire

assigned by the respondents. The weighted mean formula is as follows:

ΣFW
WM = N

Where:

WM = Weighted Mean

F = Frequency

W = Weight

N = Total number of frequencies

2. Spearman Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. This was used to test

the correlation between the two variables.

 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL xvii

Where:

ρ = Spearman's rank correlation coefficient

x = score for the first variable

y = score for the second variable

3. T-Test for the Correlation Coefficient ρ. The computed value of coefficient ρ

was used to test the null hypothesis stated in this study.

r−p
t= √
1−r 2
n−2

df = n -2

Where:

t = computed t-score

r = computed correlation coefficient ρ

p = critical values

n = number of pairs
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df = degrees of freedom

4. Likert Scale. The Likert Scale below serves as a guide for interpreting the

data gathered.

Scale Weighted Mean Remarks

5 4.21-5.00 Strongly Agree
4 3.41-4.20 Agree
3 2.61-3.40 Undecided
2 1.81-2.60 Disagree
1 1.00-1.80 Strongly Disagree