Department of Industrial Psychology

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The cross-cultural comparability of tile 16 personality factor inventory (16pf)
(University of the Western Cape, 1996) Abrahams, Fatima; Mauer, K F
This study focused on the 16PF (SA 92), a personality questionnaire that was developed in the USA and adapted for South African conditions. The main aim of the study was to determine whether the scores of the 16PF are comparable in a cross-cultural setting in South Africa. The influence of age, language, socio-economic status and gender on the scores were also determined. The sample consisted of black, white, coloured, and Indian university students and were drawn from the University of Western Cape, University of Pretoria, University of Durban- Westville, and University of Natal To achieve the aims outlined construct comparability studies and item comparability studies were conducted. In addition, descriptive statistics were also calculated to provide a general picture of the performance of the various sub-samples. A qualitative study was also conducted to determine some of the reasons for the occurrence of item incomparability of the racial sub-sample. The results showed that the racial variable had the greatest influence on the scores obtained. Problems existed with the construct and item comparability of the 16PF when the different race groups were compared. In addition, significant mean differences were also found on the majority of factors when the scores of the different race groups were compared. The results of the qualitative study showed that participants whose home language was not English or Afrikaans had difficulty in understanding many of the words and the construction of sentences contained in the 16PF. The implications of using the 16PF in South Africa, with its multicultural population was outlined, taking the new labour legislation pertaining to selection into consideration. Finally, a number of options for test users, and users of the 16PF in particular were presented.
An enquiry into the factors impeding the career advancement of women academics at Peninsula Technikon
(University of Western Cape, 1999) May, Charmaine. Elizabeth; Naidoo, Anthony
The aim of the study was to determine the factors that impede the career advancement of women academics at Peninsula Technikon, an academic institution in South Africa. There are many variables which need to be addressed systematically, but the present research focused on two factors: to determine whether women academics at the institution experienced difficulty in balancing career and family demands (role salience), and to determine which barriers impacted on the career advancement of women academics at the institution. Research interest in the influence of gender on advancement was stimulated by the relative scarcity of women at the top echelon of academic institutions. Women continue to be underrepresented among institutions of higher education and concentrated in the lower ranks, despite legislative advances and affirmative action. Studies indicated that many personal, social, and situational factors contribute to women being underrepresented in the higher echelons of the academic hierarchy and experiencing more occupational barriers in their academic careers than males. Family responsibilities have been reported as a significant obstacle to the advancement of women in the past. Many professional women find themselves trying to satisfy the responsibilities of a demanding career and home life The study investigated the level of participation, commitment and role value realization reported by women academics at the institution compared to the normative data gathered on the Life Role Inventory (LRI). The relative influence of participation, commitment and role value realization of home/family and working functions for women academics were also contrasted. The study also investigated the barriers experienced by women academics compared to the normative data gathered on the Career Barriers Inventory- Revised scales (CBI-R).
Factors influencing the career choice of undergraduate students at a historically disadvantaged South African university
(IP Publishing, 2015) Abrahams, Fatima; Jano, Rukhsana; van Lill, Burger
During the apartheid years in South Africa, career guidance amongst disadvantaged learners was largely absent and, for many, career choices were limited and governed by politics. Despite South Africa having celebrated 20 years of democracy, this situation has improved only slightly. Therefore, the aims of the study were to determine the factors that influenced students' career choice and to ascertain the possible barriers that impacted their decision. An adapted version of Myburgh's Career Choices Questionnaire (2005) was administered to 721 undergraduate students. The results showed that parents and loans or bursaries were the largest sources of financial support and that anticipated benefits influenced the students' career choice, with the potential for personal growth and development, for future high earnings and for promotion to the top of the organization the most important among these. Furthermore, participants rated visits from lecturers and brochures as the most prominent sources of influence.
The relationship among change implementation, job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior in the Business Process Outsourcing industry in South Africa
(Business Perspectives, 2016) Muzanenhamo, George N.; Allen-Ile, Charles O.K.; Adams, Anthea
The unique and dynamic Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry in South Africa strives to thrive in a challenging business environment with the attendant need for stability, loyal and satisfied workforce. An empirical investigation was, therefore, conducted utilizing managerial and non-managerial employees in a stratified sampling technique. Questionnaires were administered to 250 employees from four selected organizations. The essence was to examine the nature of the relationship among change implementation, job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Four significant results emerged. Firstly, there is a positive but moderate relationship between change implementation and OCB; there is a high or strong positive relationship between change implementation and job satisfaction; there is a positive, but moderate relationship between OCB and job satisfaction; and lastly the results confirm the assumption that job satisfaction moderates the relationship between change implementation and OCB. BPO firms need to understand the effects of change implementation on OCB and job satisfaction. This is because change management is inevitable in the BPO industry; therefore, organizations have to be constantly alert to tackle its demands.
Influence of personality and fatalistic belief on taxi driver behaviour
(SAGE Publications, 2016) Mahembe, Bright; Samuel, Olorunjuwon Michael
The religious perception among individuals in sub-Saharan Africa that the ‘Big Five’ personality dimensions and fatalism are predictors of drivers’ behaviours and road accidents has received little scientific investigations. This paucity of research in the roles of psychological factors such as personality and fatalistic beliefs in shaping positive driver behaviour and attitudes has thus provided motivation for the conduct of this quantitative study. We collected data from 203 conveniently sampled taxi drivers in Gauteng province of South Africa by means of a structured questionnaire. Our analysis, using Structural Equation Modelling, found significant positive relationships between agreeableness and positive driver behaviour, conscientiousness and positive driver behaviour, fatalism and extraversion, as well as fatalism and positive driver behaviour. The results highlighted the dimensions of being methodical, organised, and risk aversive on the road, on the one hand, and being social, cooperative, and good-natured, on the other hand. Findings of the study further indicated that fatalistic beliefs are prevalent and indeed characteristic of individuals who are sociable, gregarious, and assertive. These individuals tend to uphold their religious and spiritual beliefs in the linkages between road accidents and destiny. Insights provided by this study could assist the Department of Transport and related Road Safety Authorities in designing road safety campaigns that addresses the erroneous beliefs by drivers that road accidents are pre-destined, and not as a result of individual’s driving behaviour.
Evaluating the factor structure of the General Self-Efficacy Scale
(SAGE Publications, 2016) Nel, Petrus; Boshoff, Adre B.
Although the Sherer General Self-Efficacy Scale has often been used in clinical, personality, and organisational research, one of the major issues surrounding this instrument is that of an appropriate factor structure. In an endeavour to address the criticism levelled against this scale, this article draws on a study aimed at investigating the psychometric properties of the Sherer General Self-Efficacy Scale with respect to both its factor structure and estimates of reliability. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design with convenience sampling was used. A total of 295 aspiring chartered accountants who had sat one of their compulsory examinations completed the Sherer General Self-Efficacy Scale. Both the minimum average partial test and parallel analysis suggested that a unidimensional structure be investigated. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to compare two competing measurement models representing a three-dimensional factor structure and a unidimensional factor structure. Both models exhibited fairly similar levels of fit. To break this impasse, the Schmid–Leiman solution provided evidence that the Sherer General Self-Efficacy Scale consisted of a strong general factor which explained 76% of the variance. This study therefore concluded that general self-efficacy, as measured by the Sherer General Self-Efficacy Scale, may be treated as a unidimensional construct.
Extending the nomological network of wellness at work
(Southern African Institute for Management Scientists (SAIMS), 2016) Becker, Jurgen R.; de Bruin, Gideon P.; Gyorkos, Christina; Rossier, Jerome; Massoudi, Koorosh
Modern-day organisations face rapid and continuous change. In order to deal with this rapidly changing and current hostile economic environment, most organisations have become increasingly dependent on a healthy and engaged workforce. As a result of the direct and indirect organisational costs associated with work wellness, the total well-being of the individual worker has become the focal point of many organisational interventions. Although work wellness is a multifaceted and continuously evolving concept, most studies have adopted either a pathological or a salutogenic (positive) perspective when examining the construct. Congruent with current thinking in vocational psychology, a balanced model of work wellness was conceptualised in this study, containing both salutogenic (work engagement) and pathological (burnout) constructs. Strong empirical support was found for the proposed balanced model of work wellness based on data collected from a sample of 854 employees working across various sectors of the South African economy.
An intergrated model of the role of authentic leadership, psychological capital, psychological climate and intention to quit on employee work engagement: A comparative analysis
(University of the Western Cape, 2017) Balogun, Tolulope Victoria; Mahembe, Bright
Organizations exist for the primary aim of meeting particular objectives: innovation and advancement, customer satisfaction, profit making and delivery of quality goods and services. These goals are mostly channelled with the intent of demonstrating high performance crucial for the continued existence of the organization especially in these rapidly changing global economies. This target, however, cannot be achieved without the aid of employees in the organization. A plethora of previous studies have proven that efficiency, productivity, high performance and stability on the job can be better achieved when the employees are dedicated, committed to their work roles and experience work engagement. The experience of work engagement on the part of the employees is not a random event; it depends on a myriad of factors that include authentic leadership. Leaders have a cumulative change effect on their followers; hence, leaders in an organization can be termed as core drivers of employee engagement. Hence, it becomes imperative to seek to understand what authentic leadership as a construct has to offer to the workplace.
An integrated model of the impact of individual cultural values and the mediating effect of job satisfaction, organisational commitment and perceived support on turnover intention
(University of the Western Cape, 2017) Mthembu, Oscar Sandile; Mahembe, Bright
Employee turnover presents a number of negative organisational outcomes, such as loss of human capital, skills, organisational memory and investment on employee training and development. Theory and empirical research have shown that the most immediate predecessor of employee turnover behaviour is turnover intention, or intention to quit. It is envisaged in this study that attracting and selecting employees who possess individual cultural value dimensions that are aligned with those of the organisation could impact positively on employee intention to stay in the organisation. The effect of job-related attitudes (i.e. employee job satisfaction and organisational commitment) on turnover intention has been established in a number of empirical studies. It is hypothesised in this study that Hofstede's cultural value dimensions of collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity and long-term orientation at individual level can help explain and predict job satisfaction and organisational commitment. In turn, job satisfaction and organisational commitment will decrease employees' intention to leave an organisation.
The Role of Change-oriented leadership in a selected South African organisation
(University of the Western Cape, 2017) Sha, Nadine; Du Plessis, Marieta
Modern day leaders are faced with a complex globalised environment that has resulted in intense competition, ever-changing government rules and regulations, stakeholder demands, environmental policies and much more. In order to not only survive but thrive, they need to lead and motivate a diversified group of employees with different economic, cultural, and socio-political values. Today’s leaders need to develop effective managerial strategies, learn to inspire those both inside and outside of the organisation, and guide change. This study aimed to provide insight into change-oriented leadership and examine its effect on psychological capital (PsyCap) and psychological empowerment as antecedents of work engagement and change-oriented organisational citizenship behaviour (changed-oriented OCB). For purposes of this study, a quantitative research design was employed using both paper and pencil and electronic questionnaires. Data was gathered by using a probability sample of employees within a manufacturing organisation in South Africa (N = 736). The measurement instruments were revalidated for the South African sample through both confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). All the measuring instruments retained its original factor structures and reported acceptable reliabilities of change-oriented leadership (α= .908), PsyCap (α= .848), psychological empowerment (α= .860), work engagement (α= .883) and changed-oriented OCB (α= .897).
Factors influencing student usage of an online learning community: the case of a rural South African university
(Inderscience, 2017) Chinyamurindi, Willie Tafadzwa; Mahembe, Bright; Chimucheka, Tendai; Rungani, Ellen
Technology adoption within higher education is becoming popular. This has often resulted in hubs of learning referred to as an online learning community. The success of such platforms is dependent on full system utilisation. The study draws on a quantitative empirical investigation into the factors that influence the adoption of an online learning community amongst 252 first year students at a rural university in South Africa. The results of the study show that a positive relationship exists between online course design and student ratings of perceived usefulness and perceived interaction (PI) concerning the utilisation and usage of an online learning community. Furthermore, the online learning community’s interface design was found to be positively related to ratings of perceived ease of use but not with PI. Based on these findings, interventions are proposed, which have ramifications in working within online learning communities to benefit both the student and the lecturer.
General performance factors and group differences in assessment center ratings
(Emerald, 2017) Buckett, Anne; Becker, Jurgen R.; Roodt, Gert
PURPOSE – The purpose of this paper is to establish the extent of general performance factors (GPF) in assessment center (AC) exercises and dimensions. The study further aims to determine if larger GPF contributes to larger ethnic group differences across exercises and dimensions that are more cognitively loaded in an emerging market context. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH – The authors analyzed data across three independent AC samples (Sample 1: N = 172; Sample 2: N = 281; Sample 3: N = 428). The Schmid-Leiman solution was used to determine the extent of GPF in AC exercises and dimensions. An independent samples t-test and Cohen’s d was used to determine the size of ethnic group differences across exercises and dimensions. FINDINGS – The results indicate that GPF is consistently large for the in-basket exercise. Furthermore, dimensions that are more cognitively loaded, such as problem solving, strategic thinking, and business acumen, seem to produce the largest ethnic group differences. Overall, the research indicates that larger GPF is associated with larger ethnic group differences in relation to specific AC dimensions and exercises. ORIGINALITY/VALUE – The authors add to the literature by investigating the prevalence of a GPF in AC ratings across AC exercises and dimensions. A novel contribution of the research attempts to link the prevalence of a GPF in AC ratings to group membership in South Africa. The study offers an alternative statistical analysis procedure to examine GPF in AC ratings.
Integrity, ethical leadership, trust and work engagement
(Emerald, 2017) Engelbrecht, Amos S.; Heine, Gardielle; Mahembe, Bright
PURPOSE– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how leader integrity and ethical leadership can influence trust in the leader and employee work engagement. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH– Data were collected using an electronic web-based questionnaire completed by 204 employees from various business organisations. Data were analysed by means of item analysis and confirmatory factor analysis conducted via structural equation modelling. FINDINGS – High levels of reliability were found for the measurement scales. Good model fit was demonstrated for the measurement and structural models. Empirical support was found for all the postulated relationships in the structural model. ORIGINALITY/VALUE – This study is the first to analyse the joint relationships between leader integrity and work engagement through the mediating role of ethical leadership (i.e. moral management) and trust in the sise the key role played by ethical leaders in creating an ethical and trusting work climate conducive for employee engagement.
A study to assess the reliability and construct validity of the Abbreviated Self-leadership Questionnaire: a South African study
(SAGE Publications, 2017) Mahembe, Bright; Engelbrecht, Amos; Wakelin, Zani
Self-leadership has been recognised as a fundamental competency for effective learning and job performance. The primary goal of this study was to validate the Abbreviated Self-leadership Questionnaire on a South African sample. Numerous questionnaires have been developed to measure self-leadership, with the Revised Self-leadership Questionnaire being the most widely used questionnaire. However, the Revised Self-leadership Questionnaire has been deemed too long; hence, the authors abbreviated the measure. Therefore, there is a need to assess the reliability and construct validity of the abbreviated Self-leadership Questionnaire on a South African sample. A non-probability sample consisting of 400 students drawn from a university in the Western Cape was used. The reliability of the Abbreviated Self-leadership Questionnaire was evaluated using SPSS, while construct validity was assessed via confirmatory factory analyses in the LISREL program. Moderate levels of reliability were found for the subscales of the Abbreviated Self-leadership Questionnaire. Reasonable model fit with the data was found for the first-order measurement model. The study contributes to the requirements of the Amended Employment Equity Act of South Africa (Republic of South Africa, 1998) which promotes the use of reliable and valid instruments in South Africa by confirming the psychometric properties of the Abbreviated Self-leadership Questionnaire.
The measurement of values: A psychometric evaluation of the Schwartz Value Survey in the South African context
(Southern African Institute for Management Scientists (SAIMS), 2017) Becker, Jurgen; Engelbrecht, Amos; Boonzaaier, Michele; Finch, Jenna D.; Meiring, Deon; Louw, Gert
Over the years a great deal of research has been devoted to the study of values in relation to work, since values are strongly associated with behaviour. Values are deeply held views that act as guiding principles for individual and organisational decision-making. Cultural values are the broad goals that members of a social institution pursue, since they justify individual actions in pursuit of valued goals. Cultural values thus play an important role in the way that social institutions function by sanctioning which attitudes and behaviour are normative. In the organisational context, the broad goals that members are expected and encouraged to pursue make up the cultural values of that organisation. Values may prove to be an important unifying force for organisational leaders, especially in the multicultural work context in South Africa. In the literature, however, the linkages between individual values and attitudes, behaviour, and social experiences are fragmented. In part, the inconsistency in results can be explained by measurement and methodological problems associated with the measurement of personal values. The purpose of this study is to re-visit the issue of personal values by investigating the psychometric properties of the Schwartz Value Survey (SVS). Although the SVS is one of the most widely used values measures, only limited research has been conducted on the instrument in the South African context. The SVS may be of value in this context in part because it has proven to be particularly adept at measuring value priorities in cross-cultural environments. Aconvenience sample of 537 students from four prominent universities in South Africa participated in the research study. A confirmatory factor analytic (CFA) approach was used to investigate the internal structure of the SVS. The findings of the study suggest that the SVS holds promise as a measure to study value priorities, but that it may suffer from a lack of discriminant validity.
Effect of ethical leadership and climate on effectiveness
(AOSIS, 2017) Engelbrecht, Amos S.; Wolmarans, Janneke; Mahembe, Bright
ORIENTATION: The increasing prevalence of theft, sabotage and other deviant behaviours in the workplace has disastrous effects for organisations, such as lowered effectiveness, escalated costs and the organisation’s declining reputation. RESEARCH PURPOSE: The purpose of the research was to design and investigate the relationships among perceived leader effectiveness, ethical climate and ethical leadership. A further objective of the investigation was to validate a conceptual model clarifying the structural associations among the latent constructs in the South African corporate domain. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: A successful leader is both an ethical and an effective leader. An organisation’s leadership is seen as the most critical element in establishing and maintaining an ethical climate in organisations. RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH AND METHOD: A convenient and multi-cultural sample comprised of 224 employees from various organisations in South Africa. The structure and content of the variables were analysed through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), beside item analysis. MAIN FINDINGS: Satisfactory reliability was found for all the measurement scales. The results of CFA demonstrated acceptable fit with the data for the refined measurement and structural models. The results of structural equation modelling (SEM) indicated positive relationships among ethical leadership, ethical climate and leader effectiveness. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Organisational leaders should take full responsibility for cultivating ethics through ethical leader behaviour and an ethical climate. By reinforcing these aspects, perceived leader effectiveness can be advanced, which will ultimately decrease corruption and other forms of counterproductive behaviour in South African organisations. CONTRIBUTION: The study provides further theoretical and empirical evidence that leadership effectiveness can be realised through instilling an ethical organisational climate in which ethical leadership is exhibited and encouraged.
Authentic leadership, followership, and psychological capital as antecedents of work engagement
(Routledge, 2018) du Plessis, Marieta; Boshoff, Adré B
The present study investigated authentic leadership, psychological capital, and followership behaviour influences on work engagement of employees . Respondents were 901 South African employees within the healthcare industry organisation (n = 647) and mining industry (n = 254) . The employees completed questionnaires on authentic leadership, psychological capital, and followership behaviour, and work engagement . Results following structural equation modelling and mediation analysis suggest work engagement to be explained by the psychological capital of the employee rather than by authentic leadership qualities . Improving employee psychological capital has the potential to enhance the levels of work engagement of employees.
The role of psychological capital in the relationship between authentic leadership and work engagement
(AOSIS, 2018) du Plessis, Marieta; Boshoff, Adre B.
ORIENTATION: The focus on positive psychology in the workplace includes interest in engagement of employees and the conditions and/or characteristics that explain variance in engagement levels. RESEARCH PURPOSE: Psychological capital (PsyCap) can be used as a substitute or enhancer for leadership in the development of work engagement in cases where the individual has a high level of PsyCap. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: With work engagement becoming increasingly critical to the competitiveness of today’s organisations, there is a need to better understand the role of leadership and psychological strengths that support work engagement among employees. Research approach/design and method: In the quantitative study (on the responses of 647 managers from a national private healthcare organisation), the mediating and moderating role of psychological capital (PsyCap) on the relationship between authentic leadership and work engagement was tested. MAIN FINDINGS: Psychological capital partially mediated the relationship between authentic leadership and work engagement. Similarly, PsyCap was also a moderator of the relationship, although the main effects remained significant. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: Organisations and leaders should focus on developing a high level of PsyCap within their followers in order to retain high levels of work engagement. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD: The role of PsyCap in the leadership–engagement relationship indicates that individuals can draw from their PsyCap to improve work engagement.
A review of the impact of the national micro small and medium enterprise policy on youth employment and enterprise development: a case of the small medium enterprises development agency of Nigeria
(Lifescience Global, 2018) Ilori, Emmanuel; Ile, Isioma Uregu; Allen-Ile, Charles O.K.
This research-based paper examines the impact that the national small enterprise development agency, established in line with policy, has had on employment creation and on the uptake of entrepreneurial pursuits amongst the youth in Nigeria. The potential extensive impact of the small, micro, medium enterprises (SMMEs sometimes also referred to as SME or MSME) sector in nation building cannot be over emphasized. SMMEs’ contributions include job creation, expanding the means of sustainable livelihoods and ensuring impartial distribution of wealth amongst citizens. The implementation of impactful SMME policies also allow increased savings for future investments and for the effective utilization of the nation’s raw materials. Furthermore, proper implementation of SMME policy also boosts the sources of income to government through tax income and contributes significantly to nations Gross Domestic Products (GDP). The locus of the present research is the Small Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) which has been mandated and empowered by legislation as a principal agency to stimulate the development and transformation of the small enterprise and informal sector of the economy. The specific site studied was that of its operations in Akure and environs, Ondo State, Nigeria. The research relied extensively on the meta-analytic technique in examining the official and unofficial reported impact of the policy as overseen by the agency towards achieving the stated aims for its establishment. The core dimensions of the investigation included (a) the extent to which the guiding policy is implemented as intended from a monitoring and evaluation point of view, (b) the impact of the policy on employment creation that benefits the teeming youth of the country and (c) ultimately, the extent to which the policy and the agency have been effective in overall enterprise development. By adopting a monitoring and evaluation approach, the preliminary findings appear to be pointing to a number of unforeseen, and in some instances, self-inflicted negating factors that appear to be inimical to the achievement of the desired objectives. Since the goal(s) of enterprise development are always on-going, this paper proposes the adoption of a longitudinal monitoring and evaluation (M &E) framework in order to ensure that what is planned for or intended is actually what is achieved as far as the impact of SMME on youth employment and enterprise development in Nigeria is concerned. In order to accomplish its core objectives, this research, collected limited primary data while relying extensively on available secondary data and records. In addition, a structured, personal in-depth interview guide was drafted to collect additional, corroborating data from officials of the small business development agency.
The development and empirical evaluation of a counterproductive work behaviour structural model in selected organisations in Zimbabwe
(University of the Western Cape, 2020) Gwamanda, Nelson; Mahembe, B.
The current study was motivated by the need to establish the factors that predispose leaders to engage in counterproductive work behaviours (CWBs) in organisations.

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