African Journals Online
SA Journal of Industrial Psychology
/Tydskrif vir Bedryfsielkunde

Volume 28, Issue 1 2002
Abstracts

Leierskapstyl en die lerende organisasie
Victor, W.G.Lessing, B.C.Dannhauser, Z. 1-7

Abstract: Leadership style and the learning organisation. In the present highly competitive environment, it has become increasingly important for organisational leaders to establish a learning organisation. In this study the focus was on the extent of influence that the evolution of organisations, as determined by their relative level of leadership practises (leadership style), has on the establishment of a learning organisation. It was found that the utilisation of the skills required to establish such an organisation, not necessarily increases or decreases as organisations differ in terms of their present level of development of democratic leadership. A learning organisation is rather established when the leaders continually question their own mental models and experiment with new ideas, than as a result of an evolution process that occurs over time.

The relationship between organisational climate and salutogenic functioning
Cilliers, F.Kossuth, S. 8-13

Abstract: Organisational climate, defined as psychological atmosphere, was measured by means of 14 climate and four managerial support dimensions. Salutogenic functioning, referring to the origins of psychological health, was measured as the constructs sense of coherence, self-efficacy and locus of control. A representative sample of 245 mining personnel was used. Climate correlates significantly with sense of coherence and locus of control, and through these, with self-efficacy. It is recommended that Industrial Psychologists can act as facilitators in improving organisational climate by monitoring and enhancing the level of salutogenic functioning amongst its managers and staff members.

Die verband tussen organisasiesosialisering en organisasieverbondenheid
Storm, L.Roodt, G. 14-21

Abstract: The relationship between Organisational Socialisation and Organisational Commitment. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between organisational socialisation and organisational commitment. Standardized instruments were used for operationalising these two constructs. A sample of convenience yielded 168 respondents out of a total population of 466 employees (Patterson C and D bands) from a stainless steel producer. Only 132 respondents returned fully completed questionnaires that were used for final analysis. Responses from both questionnaires were subjected to a factor and item analysis. A statistically significant relation between organisational socialisation and organisational commitment was found. The implication of the findings are discussed further.

Die verband tussen werkbetrokkenheid en werkprestasie
Bleeker, M.M.E.Roodt, G. 22-32

Abstract: The relationship between work involvement and work performance. The primary goal of the study was to determine whether a relationship exists between the work involvement scores and work performance ratings of employees. A secondary goal was to determine whether work involvement could predict future work performance. The "Alienation-Involvement Scale" together with the "Comprehensive Structured Interviewing for Potential", were applied to a sample of convenience of 200 employees in job levels of workers, teamleaders and managers in a large manufacturing organisation. The results are contradictory and they have yielded significant correlations between work involvement and work performance criteria for the worker group, only limited correlations for the management group, but none for the team leader group.

Enhancing service production and service quality
Govender, K. 33-36

Abstract: This article sheds light on a possible strategy to enhance service production and service quality by reporting on an exploratory mail survey conducted among a sample of 1000 commercial bank customers. It became apparent that by using formal and informal strategies to socialize their customers, service providers could positively influence their customers' perception of service quality. However, although both formal and informal socialization strategies are significantly correlated with the role ambiguity and the role conflict experienced by customers, the role ambiguity and role conflict experienced by service customers did not significantly influence their perception of service quality.

Die evaluering van 'n ontwikkelingsprogram in fassilitering vir studente in die gedragswetenskappe
Rothmann, S.Vanaardt, E.C. 37-43

Abstract: The evaluation of a development programme in facilitation for students in the behavourial sciences. The aim of this research was to evaluate a development programme in facilitation for students in the behavioural sciences. Facilitation was conceptualised from the person-centred approach and the human potential model. A two-group design with pre-, post-, and post-post-measurement was used to evaluate the programme. The results of the empirical study showed that the development programme led to an improvement in participants' knowledge and interpersonal skills. However, their knowledge of facilitation decreased over time. Participants were also more inclined to act autonomously, to accept self-responsibility, to apply their values in a flexible way, to accept the values of self-actualisation and to accept their feelings of aggression.

Suicide ideation in the South African Police Services in the North West province
Rothmann, S.Strijdom, G. 44-48

Abstract: The South African Police Service (SAPS) shows relatively high numbers of suicide. However, little is known about the suicide ideation of members within the SAPS. The objective of this research was to determine the relationship between sense of coherence, job satisfaction and suicide ideation among police personnel. The study population consisted of 120 police personnel in the North West Province. The results show that sense of coherence is related to suicide ideation in the case of white police members. Sense of coherence and satisfaction with independence, social status and supervision explained 55,30% of the variance in the suicide ideation scores of white police members.

The relationship between personality traits and vocational interests
De Bruin, G.P. 49-52

Abstract: This study examined the relationship between vocational interests and basic personality traits. The interest fields of the 19-Field-Interest Inventory were related to the second order factors of the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire by means of a factor extension analysis. The results showed that extroverts tend to be interested in fields related to social contact and the influencing of other people. Emotionally sensitive individuals tend to be interested in the arts and languages. Independent individuals tend to be interested in creative thinking. The implications of the findings for career counselling are discussed.

The relationship between career patterns and personality types
Coetzee, M.Schreuder, A.M.G. 53-59

Abstract: Contemporary career research emphasises the need for career counselling practices that will assist individuals in shifting from linear career preferences to non-linear career patterns. A Career counselling framework that facilitates self-insight in personal motives and personality preferences seems to enable individuals to develop the inner sense of direction and identity required to view new career patterns as challenges for personal growth. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between career patterns and personality types in an attempt to contribute to the development of such a career counselling framework. The trends in the literature survey offered support, whilst the results of the empiral study were less supportive. Recommendations are made on the basis of these findings.

Assessment in the workplace: a competency-based approach
Potgieter, T.E.Van der Merwe, R.P. 60-66

Abstract: This paper explores assessment in the workplace with a specific focus on using a competency-based approach. A normative process model for developing a competency-based assessment battery is also presented. The model is derived from practical experience and research in the development of competency-based assessment batteries and is rooted in a person-based approach.

Construct validity of the career resilience questionnaire
De Bruin, G.P.Lew, C.C. 67-69

Abstract: The construct validity of the Career Resilience Questionnaire (Fourie & Van Vuuren, 1998) was investigated by means of an oblique multiple groups factor analysis. The highest factor structure coefficients of several of the items did not coincide with the respective factors that the items were postulated to measure. In addition, the correlations among the factors cast doubt on the independence of some of the constructs. The conclusion is drawn that a measure of career resilience should be based on an explicit theoretical measurement model rather than on an empirically derived measurement model. It is further recommended that the test items should have high face validity and content-saturation.

Rejoinder to article by De Bruin and Lew: Construct validity of the career resilience questionnaire (CRQ)
Van Vuuren, L.J.Fourie, C. 70-72

Abstract: This rejoinder is presented in response to an analysis by De Bruin and Lew of the 1998 publication by Fourie and Van Vuuren on the career resilience construct. Comments and recommendations made by De Bruin and Lew in respect of the construct validity of the CRQ are responded to in terms of the theoretical foundation of the CRQ, the methodology used, the CRQ's content validity, sample-related issues, the instrument's construct validity, as well as a perspective on the future of the instrument.

A microeconomic analysis of productivity in the manufacturing industry of North West
Kleynhans, E.P.J. 73-77

Abstract: This article studies the productivity in the manufacturing industry of the North West Province. Estimates of the Cobb-Douglas production function for the province's manufacturing industry are utilised and then applied to the industry's cost structure to determine whether the factors of production are optimally allocated. It was found that the levels of labour productivity are continuously declining. Higher gains in output could have been achieved if expenditure on production factors were optimally allocated. What the optimal allocations should have been are then determined in monetary terms. Finally the paper accepts that the manufacturing industry is estimating market demand fairly accurately without stockpiling of supplies. The paper then determines what the level of optimisation of the capital and labour input base in the manufacturing industry should have been and what the extent of savings could be if production factors are optimally allocated in the North West Province's manufacturing industry.