This thesis addresses the use of psychological assessment in personnel psychology and practice, specifically the relationship between selected personality characteristics of medical representatives in relation to their work performance. In the theoretical part, the selected methods of psychological testing of personality traits used in personnel psychology, with the focus on the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire 16 PF, are desribed. It also deals with the performance appraisal and attention is paid to assessment of employees in a broader context, the most frequent rating errors and the key methods of individual and group performance appraisal. The empirical part deals with the research that examines relationship between the personality characteristics of medical representatives working in a multinational pharmaceutical company to determine whether the most successful workers differ in personality traits from the lowest performing individuals, and what personality characteristics of the profession are exhibited. Keywords: personnel psychology, personality tests, sixteen personality factor questionnaire 16 PF, performace appraisal, medical representative

Introduction: It was previously established that mental health workers in Rwanda experience secondary traumatic stress when working with trauma survivors. The effects of secondary traumatic stress can be serious and permanent in mental health workers when working with traumatized clients. It interferes with mental health worker’s ability to do their work effectively. Aim: This study aimed to explore STS and to develop an intervention model to manage secondary traumatic stress in mental health workers in Kigali, Rwanda. Methodology: This study was carried out into five cycles using action research approach. In the first cycles of the study a quantitative design was used to explore secondary traumatic stress in mental health workers in Rwanda. For this cycle, the particular aim was to determine the extent of the secondary traumatic stress in mental health workers in Rwanda. A total of 180 participants were selected using convenience sampling to be part of the quantitative study. In the second cycle of the study a qualitative design was used to explore mental health workers’ experiences of secondary traumatic stress. For this cycle 30 unstructured interviews were conducted. The third cycle aimed at developing the model to manage secondary traumatic stress. Action research approach was used in this phase. Experts from mental health services involved in the study were asked to participate in the study based on their availability as research team members. The fourth cycle of the study consisted of implementing the model in one mental health service and the fifth cycle consisted evaluation of the implementation of the model after six weeks period. The main aim of this cycle was an observation of the model implantation. Results: A diagrammatical model to manage secondary traumatic stress was developed by mental health professionals. In the model development cycle of the study, it emerged that there are very strong concurrence between the findings from experts in mental health care system and literature in terms of what needs to be included in the intervention model to manage secondary traumatic stress in mental health workers in Rwanda. The key elements to include in the model were based on preventive, evaluative and curative strategies to manage secondary traumatic stress in mental health workers in Rwanda. During the evaluation of the implementation, it emerged that participant noticed a change in coping strategies when facing the stressful incident in the practice. Recommendations: include an emphasis on more psychological support for mental health professional in their workplace and for more concrete aids such as supervision, guidelines on stress management on workplace, education on secondary traumatic stress management and implementation of counseling service for mental health workers. Conclusion: The model developed in the present study outlined different ways to manage STS at the individual, social and organizational levels. There is a need to translate the interventions to manage STS into active ongoing coping activities to be conducted at the individual, group and organizational levels. Organizational responses, such as creating a supportive organizational culture that acknowledges the potential for secondary traumatic stress, may help mental health workers to deal with workplace related secondary traumatic stress. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

The purpose of this research was to study job satisfaction among public school library media specialists based on the psychological needs of social needs, security needs, esteem needs, autonomy needs, and self actualization needs, according to Maslow's Hierarchy. Subjects were requested to respond to a questionnaire of 30 items pertaining to job satisfaction. Each item required two responses: first, as to the level of importance the item held; and secondly, the satisfaction currently received from that particular item.

Some chapters have bibliographical references at the end of the chapter / Strategic recruitment and retention efforts improve the capacity of a research unit in delivering outputs such as collaborative research, increased grant funding and peer-reviewed journal articles (Chung, Clifton, Rowe, Finley, & Warnock, 2009). At the same time, knowledge of employees’ experiences can help organisations improve HRM strategies and practices. In this regard, the motivation driving this study was that exploring the recruitment and retention experiences of staff in a university research unit could reveal significant insights that could assist in refining the organisation’s HRM practices, thereby facilitating attraction and retention of valuable talent. This qualitative study was designed from an interpretive paradigm and a constructivist perspective in order to facilitate the exploration and understanding of employees’ subjective experiences. Findings indicate that professional development, organisational appeal and networking opportunities make this research unit an employer of choice. These factors, among others, are both attractors and incentives to remain with the organisation which significantly outweigh factors that discourage attraction and retention. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Some chapters have bibliographical references at the end of the chapter / Strategic recruitment and retention efforts improve the capacity of a research unit in delivering outputs such as collaborative research, increased grant funding and peer-reviewed journal articles (Chung, Clifton, Rowe, Finley, & Warnock, 2009). At the same time, knowledge of employees’ experiences can help organisations improve HRM strategies and practices. In this regard, the motivation driving this study was that exploring the recruitment and retention experiences of staff in a university research unit could reveal significant insights that could assist in refining the organisation’s HRM practices, thereby facilitating attraction and retention of valuable talent. This qualitative study was designed from an interpretive paradigm and a constructivist perspective in order to facilitate the exploration and understanding of employees’ subjective experiences. Findings indicate that professional development, organisational appeal and networking opportunities make this research unit an employer of choice. These factors, among others, are both attractors and incentives to remain with the organisation which significantly outweigh factors that discourage attraction and retention. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Literature on the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has paid much attention to stressors, stress and symptoms, coping, and support of Emergency Medical Workers (EMWs). However, it has paid little attention to the needs of EMWs, and the satisfaction thereof, which should result in their improved well-being and motivation. In an attempt to rectify this imbalance, this study investigated the needs of EMWs as suggested by descriptions of their experiences within the EMS. Interviews were conducted with EMWs employed by a private EMS company. The interviews were analysed for emerging needs by means of interpretive analysis. These needs comprised the Need for Freedom, the Need for Competence, the Need for Recognition, the Need for a Challenge, and the Need to be Understood. The findings were linked with theory and it is proposed that the relevant EMS company incorporates participative management into its management approach. In addition suggestions are made for future research. / Psychology / M. A.(Psychology)

This thesis deals with one of the most debated topics of the Personnel Psychology - the personnel selection. The aim of the thesis is to provide an exhaustive overview of the designing process of the selection procedures with special attention being paid to the various methods of selecting employees. Attention was primarily paid to the effort that the knowledge of the otherwise common methods of selecting employees be put in the new framework and the latest ways of their application. Particular emphasis has been put upon the new approaches to the method of interview, cognitive abilities testing, detection of individual personality at work and new methods in designing assessment centers. An interesting chapter is the use of emotional factors as selection criteria and the application of the attachment theory to work. Considerable extent of the thesis is also devoted to the methods of job analysis and competency modeling, their comparison and applications. Based on the previous theoretical treatise the empirical part attempts at creating a competency model for senior executives in the hotel industry and proposes possible ways of its practical use.

Literature on the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has paid much attention to stressors, stress and symptoms, coping, and support of Emergency Medical Workers (EMWs). However, it has paid little attention to the needs of EMWs, and the satisfaction thereof, which should result in their improved well-being and motivation. In an attempt to rectify this imbalance, this study investigated the needs of EMWs as suggested by descriptions of their experiences within the EMS. Interviews were conducted with EMWs employed by a private EMS company. The interviews were analysed for emerging needs by means of interpretive analysis. These needs comprised the Need for Freedom, the Need for Competence, the Need for Recognition, the Need for a Challenge, and the Need to be Understood. The findings were linked with theory and it is proposed that the relevant EMS company incorporates participative management into its management approach. In addition suggestions are made for future research. / Psychology / M. A.(Psychology)