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

Volume 28, Issue 3, 2002
ABSTRACTS

'n Psigometriese oudit op 'n bestaande keuringsprosedure

Cross, E.; Marais, W.; Steel, H.; Theron, C.C.

Abstract: The validity and credibility of assertions on the efficiency and equity of selection procedures is dependent on the methodology with which the procedure was developed and justified. An ideal approach to the development and justification of a selection procedure was derived from standard guidelines and operationalized in the form of a comprehensive checklist. A psychometric audit on the developmental history of the selection procedure for the selection of commission advisors was undertaken. Various shortcomings were identified and rectified or recommendations were made on rectifying them. The audit found that the selection procedure had zero validity, negative utility and discriminated unfairly.

Die geldigheid en geloofwaardigheid van uitsprake oor die effektiwiteit en billikheid van 'n keuringsprosedure is 'n funksie van die metodologie waarmee die prosedure ontwikkel en regverdig is. 'n Ideale benadering tot die ontwikkeling en regverdiging van 'n keuringsprosedure is uit standaard riglyne afgelei en geoperasionaliseer in die vorm van 'n omvattende kontrolelys. 'n Psigometriese oudit is onderneem op die ontwikkelingsgeskiedenis van 'n keuringsprosedure vir die keuring van kommissie-adviseurs. Verskeie tekortkominge is geïdentifiseer en reggestel of aanbevelings ten opsigte van regstelling is gemaak. Die oudit het bevind dat die keuringsprosedure oor zero geldigheid beskik, negatiewe nutwaarde toon en onbillik diskrimineer.

Practically significant relationships between two variables

Steyn, H.S. (Jr)

Abstract: It is shown how effect sizes can be used to establish whether relationships between two variables are practically significant (important). This is done for populations as well as for samples. Four cases are distinguished: When both variables are nominal, both dichotomous, one dichotomous and the other on an interval scale and lastly both variables on an interval scale. Examples are given to illustrate the use of the suggested effect sizes.

Daar word aangetoon hoe effekgroottes gebruik kan word om te bepaal of verbande tussen twee veranderlikes prakties betekenisvol (belangrik) is. Dit word vir populasies sowel as vir steekproewe gedoen. Vier gevalle word onderskei: Wanneer albei veranderlikes nominaal, albei digotoom, een digotoom en die ander op 'n intervalskaal en laastens albei veranderlikes op 'n intervalskaal is. Voorbeelde word gegee om die gebruik van die voorgestelde effekgroottes te illustreer.

The development and validation of the communicating-for-change questionnaire

Coetzee, C.J.H; .Fourie, L.; Roodt, G.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire that measures the effectiveness of communication during organisational change interventions. A draft questionnaire was completed by a sample of convenience comprising 521 participants. The questionnaire contained 109 items in question format with a Likert-type response scale anchored at the extreme ends. The data was factor analysed and an iterative item analysis was executed. The results yielded a single scale with a Cronbach Alpha coefficient of 0,99. It is concluded, therefore, that the conceptualised domain of "communicating-for-change" could be measured successfully through the use of the instrument developed in this study.

Die doel van hierdie studie was die ontwikkeling en validering van 'n vraelys wat die doeltreffendheid van kommunikasie tydens organisatoriese veranderingsintervensies meet. 'n Konsepvraelys is op 'n geleentheidsteekproef van 521 deelnemers afgeneem. Die vraelys het bestaan uit 109 items in vraagformaat met 'n Likert-tipe responsskaal wat by die ekstreme pole geanker is. Die data is gefaktoranaliseer en 'n iteratiewe itemontleding is uitgevoer.Die resultate het 'n enkele skaal met 'n Cronbach Alfa koëffisient van 0,99 opgelewer. Daar is derhalwe aanvaar dat die gekonseptualiseerde domein van "kommunikasie-vir-verandering" suksesvol met die instrument wat in die studie ontwikkel is, gemeet kon word.

The measurement of work stress within South African companies: a luxury or necessity?

Van Zyl, Ebben

Abstract: The measurement of work stress within South African companies: a luxury or necessity? South Africans seem to be experiencing various causes of and very high levels of stress. To reduce the costs of stress within the South African organizational context, more attention should be paid to the measurement of stress which can serve as a starting point for the handling of stress. The first step towards determining levels and causes of stress within and outside the organizational context, is to acknowledge different responses to stress across various cultural groups. Furthermore it is important to see the measurement of stress as a process. Various methods of measuring stress are discussed. Attention is also devoted to the question as to which group to start with.

Suid-Afrikaners blyk 'n verskeidenheid oorsake van stres en baie hoë vlakke van stres te ervaar. Om die koste van hoë stres binne die Suid-Afrikaanse organisasiekonteks te verminder, is dit belangrik om meer aandag aan die meting van die stres te gee wat kan dien as 'n beginpunt om stres sinvol te hanteer. Die eerste stap in die meting van vlakke en oorsake van stres binne en buite organisasieverband, is om die verskillende response van die onderskeie kulturele groepe te erken. Verder is dit belangrik om stresmeting as 'n proses te beskou. Verskillende metodes van stresmeting word bespreek. Aandag word ook gegee aan die vraag met watter groep begin moet word.

Fisieke aktiwiteit en uitbranding se verband met die gesondheidstatus van vroulike bestuurslui

Dreyer, L.I.; Le Roux, E.C.; Loots, J.M.; Strydom, G.L.

Abstract: The relationship of physical activity and burnout with the health status of female executives. The purpose of this study was, firstly, to investigate the relationship between burnout and health status. Secondly, the purpose was to determine the effect of physical activity on the possible burnout-health-relationship.The subjects included 278 female executives. The results indicated that low burnout scores were concomitant with a good health status. The results also indicated that physical activity had no influence on the relationship between burnout and health status. Burnout, on the other hand, showed a negative relationship with health status, independent of the level of participation in physical activity.

Die doel van hierdie studie was eerstens om die verband tussen uitbranding en gesondheidstatus by 'n groep vroulike bestuurslui te bestudeer. Tweedens is ondersoek of deelname aan fisieke aktiwiteit enige invloed het op die moontlike uitbrandings-gesondheidstatus-verwantskap. Die proefpersone was 278 vroulike bestuurslui. Uitbranding toon 'n direkte en statisties betekenisvolle (p(0.05) verband met gesondheidstatus. Hoe laer die uitbrandingspunt, hoe beter was die gesondheidstatus van die respondente. Uitbranding toon verder in die tweerigtingvariansie-analise onafhanklik van deelname aan fisieke aktiwiteit 'n statisties betekenisvolle (p(0.05) verband met gesondheidstatus. In kontras hiermee het fisieke aktiwiteit by al drie die uitbrandingsgroepe geen verband met gesondheidstatus vertoon nie.

Psychological strengths, coping and suicide ideation in the South African Police Services in the North West Province

Rothmann, S.; Van Rensburg, P.

Abstract: Relatively high numbers of suicides occur in the South African Police Services. The objective of this research was to determine the relationship between sense of coherence, generalised self-efficacy, locus of control and coping on the one hand and suicide ideation among police personnel on the other hand. The study population (N = 287) consisted of uniformed police personnel in the North West Province. The results showed that sense of coherence and generalised self-efficacy are related to suicide ideation of police members. A discriminant analysis showed that sense of coherence, coping strategies and medical status correctly classified 81,48% of participants who scored high on suicide ideation.

'n Relatiewe hoë getal selfmoorde kom in die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens voor. Die doelstelling van hierdie navorsing was om die verband tussen koherensiesin, algemene selfdoeltreffendheid, lokus van beheer en coping enersyds en selfmoorddenkbeeldvorming van polisiepersoneel andersyds te bepaal. Die studiepopulasie (N = 287) het bestaan uit polisiepersoneel in die Noordwes-Provinsie. Die resultate het aangetoon dat koherensiesin en algemene selfdoeltreffendheid verband hou met selfmoorddenkbeeldvorming by polisiepersoneel. 'n Diskriminantontleding het aangetoon dat koherensiesin, coping-strategieë en mediese toestand 81,48% van die deelnemers met hoë tellings ten opsigte van selfmoorddenkbeeldvorming korrek geklassifiseer het.

The effectiveness of a diversity awareness training programme

Cavaleros, Colette; Van Vuuren, L.J.; Visser, Deléne

Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a diversity awareness training programme. A sample of 382 employees from four different departments within a large accounting firm was used to form the groups of a simulated Solomon four-group design. The impact of a two-day workshop on diversity awareness was assessed using a 68-item questionnaire designed to measure awareness of self, impact of differences, performance management, career development, teamwork, work-family needs, participation, organisational culture, relationship building, and general satisfaction with the organisation. The Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (20 items) was included to measure job satisfaction. The results showed no evidence of a statistically significant effect of the diversity awareness training programme.

Die doel met hierdie studie was om die effektiwiteit van 'n bewustheid-van-diversiteit opleidingsprogram te bepaal. Werknemers uit vier departemente van 'n groot ouditeursfirma het die groepe van 'n gesimuleerde Solomon viergroepontwerp gevorm (N = 382). Die impak van 'n tweedagwerkwinkel oor bewustheid-van-diversiteit is bepaal met 'n 68-item vraelys wat ontwikkel is om bewustheid van die self, impak van verskille, prestasiebestuur, loopbaanontwikkeling, spanwerk, werk-gesinsbehoeftes, deelname, organisasiekultuur, ontwikkeling van verhoudings, en algemene tevredenheid met die organisasie te meet. Die Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (20 items) is ingesluit om werktevredenheid te meet. Geen statisties beduidende effek is vir die bewustheid-van-diversiteit opleidingsprogram gevind nie.

'n Vergelyking tussen die prestasiemotiveringsvlakke van verskillende rasse en geslagsgroepe

Meyer, J.C.; Braxton, W.T.F.

Abstract: A comparison between the achievement motivation levels of different race and gender groups. This article reports on research, which focussed primarily on the difference between the achievement motivation levels of men and women, and between those of white and black people employed by a life insurance company in South Africa. The effect of a number of variables (gender, race, age, salary progression, educational qualifications) on achievement was researched. The sample of 240 was composed of 73 males and 167 females, and 146 white and 94 black people. Results suggested that whites have a significantly higher level of achievement motivation than blacks.

Hierdie artikel doen verslag oor 'n navorsingstudie wat in hoofsaak gehandel het oor die verskille tussen die prestasiemotiveringsvlakke van mans en vroue en tussen dié van blankes en swartmense werksaam by 'n lewensversekeringsmaatskapy in Suid-Afrika. Daar is ook ondersoek ingestel na die effek van 'n aantal veranderlikes (geslag, ras, ouderdom, salarisprogressie, opvoedkundige kwalifikasie) op prestasiemotivering. In die steekproef van 240 persone was 73 manlik en 167 vroulik, en 146 blank en 94 swart persone. Resultate het daarop gedui dat blankes oor 'n beduidend hoër vlak van prestasiemotivering as swartmense beskik.

Role salience of dual-career women managers

Naidoo, Anthony V.; Jano, Reyhana

Abstract: This study examines and contrasts the level of role participation, commitment and value expectation that dual-career women invest in contending work and family roles. While the 162 married women managers were found to participate significantly more in the work role, they indicated greater commitment to and value expectation from the home and family role. A significant positive correlation between the commitment to the work role and commitment to the home and family role suggests that dual-career women may experience work and home as complimentary rather than conflicting roles. For dual-career women, work salience and career salience were found to be moderately correlated.

In hierdie studie word die vlakke van rol-deelname, rol-toegewydheid en rol-waardeverwagting wat dubbelloopbaan vroue onderskeidelik in die werk- en familierol investeer, gekonstrasteer. Terwyl dit geblyk het dat 162 getroude vroulike bestuurders beduidend meer deelneem in die werkrol, het hulle hoër toegewydheid en waardeverwagtings teenoor die huis-en-familie rol getoon. 'n Beduidende positiewe korrelasie is gevind tussen toegewydheid tot die werksrol en toegewydheid tot die huis-en-familierol. Hierdie bevinding suggereer dat dubbelloopbaan vroue hulle werk en familie-rolle as komplimenterend eerder as konflikterend ervaar. Dit het verder geblyk dat werkrolbelangrikheid en loopbaanbelangrikheid matig gekorreleer is.

Australian and South African perspectives on the implementation of flexible work practices (FWP): an exploratory study

Odendaal, Aletta; Roodt, Gert

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify examples of good and innovative practices of Flexible Work Practices to benchmark against and then to use the information to develop strategies of implementation that will assist South African organisations to emulate their success. One hundred-and-twenty (120) individuals, representing different stakeholder groups were requested to complete a questionnaire, based on an Australian study. Comparative findings of both countries strongly confirmed variables that are positively associated with the adoption and successful implementation of Flexible Work Practices (FWP).

Die doel van hierdie studie was om voorbeelde van goeie en innoverende gebruike van Buigsame Werkspraktyke te identifiseer ten einde daarteen te kan vergelyk, en dan om hierdie inligting te gebruik ten einde implementeringstrategieë te ontwikkel wat Suid-Afrikaanse maatskappye kan gebruik om sukses na te volg. Honderd en twintig (120) individue, wat verskillende belangegroepe verteenwoordig, is genader om 'n vraelys, gebaseer op 'n Australiese studie, te voltooi. Vergelykende bevindinge van beide lande bevestig veranderlikes wat positief geassosieer word met die aanvaarding en suksesvolle implementering van Buigsame Werkspraktyke (BWP).

The alignment between effective people management, business strategy and organisational performance in the banking and insurance sector

Kock, Ruwayne; Roodt, Gert; Veldsman, Theo H.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to determine the nature of the alignment between people management effectiveness, business strategy and organisational performance within the banking and insurance sector in South Africa. From the field study, it was evident that the majority of the participating companies fell short of people management best practices and were therefore unable to support their business strategies, which were in line with best practices. The organisational performance data was insufficient to determine the nature of the alignment between organisational performance, people management, and business strategy. The South African banking and insurance industry needs to realign their people management component to support the appropriate business strategy and to produce a desired level of organisational performance. A limitation of this study was the small sample size, which may have had some effect on the interpretation of the results. However, the sample represents a significant proportion of the South African banking and insurance sector. Although the magnitude and the direction of the relationships are still unclear, the opportunity exists for further longitudinal research.

Die doel van die studie was om die onderlinge verhouding tussen mensbestuurs-doeltreffendheid, besigheidstrategie en organisasieresultate binne die Suid-Afrikaanse bank- en versekeringsektor te ondersoek. Die studie het duidelik gewys dat toonaangewende bestuurspraktyke by die meerderheid van die deelnemende organisasies ontbreek. Die mensbestuur was nie in staat om die besigheidstrategieë te ondersteun nie wat wel met wêreldwye beste praktyke ooreenstem. Inligting oor organisasieresultate was onvoldoende om enige afleiding te maak. Mensbestuur in die Suid-Afrikaanse bank-en versekeringsektor moet met die besigheidstrategie belyn word om die verwagte organisasieresultate te lewer. Die relatiewe klein steekproefgrootte was 'n tekortkoming in die studie wat die vertolking van die resultate wesenlik bemoeilik. Die steekproefgrootte verteenwoordig egter 'n hoë persentasie van die Suid-Afrikaanse bank- en versekeringsektor. Alhoewel die omvang en sterkte van die onderlinge verhoudinge nog onduidelik is, is die potensiaal vir verdere navorsing wenslik.

Faktore wat die navorsingsproduktiwiteit van universiteitspersoneel beïnvloed

Wissing, M.P.; Du Toit, M.; Rothmann, S.

Abstract: The objective of this research was to establish which factors inhibit or facilitate research productivity of a university as experienced by academics themselves. A survey design was used. The study population included the total academic personnel of a university (N = 457). A questionnaire was developed to determine which factors could affect the research productivity of personnel. A total of 237 completed questionnaires were received back. The results showed that various factors, including limited time, job overload and a lack of support, inhibit research productivity of personnel. Relatively few participants attributed low research productivity to a lack of own competence.

Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om vas te stel watter faktore navorsingsproduktiwiteit van 'n universiteit belemmer en watter faktore dit fasiliteer soos deur akademici self beleef word. 'n Opname-ontwerp is gebruik. Die studiepopulasie het bestaan uit al die akademiese personeellede van 'n universiteit (N = 457). 'n Totaal van 237 volledige vraelyste is terugontvang. Die resultate het aangedui dat verskeie faktore, waaronder gebrekkige tyd, oorlading en 'n gebrek aan ondersteuning die navorsingsproduktiwiteit van personeellede belemmer. Relatief min deelnemers het egter tekortkominge in hul bevoegdhede as 'n belemmerende faktor ten opsigte van navorsingsproduktiwiteit geïdentifiseer.