A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts, University of tho Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, for the Degree of Mastel' of Arts. Johannesburg 1991 / The industrial supervisor is the classical example of the person in the middle or the 'marginal person' Placed between management and the workforce, supervisors encounter conflicting expectations and demands. For the black supervisor in South African industry, these problems are exacerbated, typically having been promoted from the ranks and operating at an essentially white management, black workforce interface. Previous researchers have discussed the dysfunctional consequences faced by these people and, further, have alluded to the possible relationship between this and supervisors' dual loyaltles. This research examines the marginality of black supervisors and how this relates to their possible dual commitment. Towards this end, a psychometrically sound measure of psychological marginality was constructed, following which an empirical investigation was undertaken to investigate the relationship between black supervisors' psychological marginality and their dual allegiances. Factor analytical techniques revealed that black supervisor's marginality comprises two variables; namely, management marginality and worker marginality. The relationships between both marginality variables and levels of organisational commitment, union commitment and dual commitment were not significant. This suggests that the management and worker marginality experienced among black supervisors is not related to dual commitment, unilateral commitment and alienation. Implications of these findings for theory and practice are discussed and directions for future research provided. The primary shortcoming of the study was small sample sizes as a result of the sensitive nature of the subject. However, this was mediated by the rigorous methodology adopted throughout.

Bibliography: leaves 123-136. / Recognition of the need to develop black employees' interpersonal skills in order that they cope with the demands of the western business environment formed the backdrop to this study. The use of currently available self-report measures of assertiveness to assess behaviour change was questioned in terms of their psychometric properties and relevance to the black employee working in South African organisations. The aim of this study, therefore, was to develop a self-report instrument to measure assertiveness of black employees in work organisations. Another objective was the assessment of criterion-related validity. Information gathered from 12 in-depth interviews was used in the writing of new items and assisted in the modification of items from available self-report assertiveness measures. A preliminary questionnaire, consisting of 55 items was subsequently developed. After a number of changes, the questionnaire, consisting of a four-point Likert scale, was distributed to 80 potential respondents for the pilot study. A response rate of 37.5% enabled the analysis of 30 pilot study questionnaires. After further changes, 450 questionnaires were distributed through training and personnel managers from 10 major South African organisations sampling both the commercial and manufacturing business sectors. A response rate of 57% (240 questionnaires) allowed for the analysis of 234 usable questionnaires. The statistical analysis of responses was done by using both item and factor analytic techniques. After two phases of analysis a 20 item instrument with a three factor structure emerged. The first factor was labelled "anxiety behaviour in interpersonal situations", the second, "collaborative and complimentary behaviour", and the third factor "confronting behaviour". A sub-sample (n = 48) of peer-and self-ratings were correlated for each of the three factors to establish criterion-related validity. Results of this study supported the multidimensional and situation specific nature of the assertiveness construct. The value of developing measuring instruments suited to local conditions was also emphasised. However, the inadequate construct validity and reliability of the instrument indicates the need for further research before - application of the measure in decision making regarding the assertive behaviour of black employees.

M.Com. (Industrial Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Using Schein's (1992) notion of organisational culture, this study explored the position of a South African nongovernmental organisation (NGO) in the changing environment of post-apartheid South Africa. The study pursued three central goals: to describe the organisational culture of a South African NGO; to examine the tensions that have emerged owing to the changing nature of the organisational culture; and to analyze the organisational culture in relation to the changing NGO environment. The basic assumptions of the organisation regarding networking, the relationship with the government, funders and funding, leadership, human resource development, and service delivery, were collected. A single case study design was employed, with a sample of eight participants (representing the four different sections of the NGO) being drawn. Data were collected through documentary analysis, a focus group, and eight individual interviews using the critical incident technique. Analysis was performed using various qualitative data analysis techniques. The researcher found that participants considered networking, a cooperative relationship with the government, a proactive approach to obtaining funding, effective leadership and human resource development, and a good reputation for service delivery, to be essential for NGO survival. NGO basic assumptions are undergoing a transformation process, and tensions exist between long-standing and emerging assumptions. It was found that the transformation of assumptions is enabling the NGO to adapt to the challenges of the changing environment.

M.A. (Labour Relations) / Never before has South Africa undergone as many changes as is currently the case. With the abolition of apartheid, the looming prospect of affirmative action legislation and the need to foster a positive economic growth rate, South African human resource managers are faced with unprecendented challenges. The biggest of these challenges is the effective management of human resources in a diverse organisational environment, which has, until recently focussed almost exclusively on the development of white employees. In order to increase the competitiveness of South African organisations and to generate income for the economy, human resource management policies and systems have to be adapted. These adaptions should focus on the needs of black employees, especially in the area of organisational culture, which was traditionally based exclusively on the values of white management. In view of the above it is the goal of this study to create a system of value management to integrate the traditional cultural values of employees with the core organisational values of a specific hotel complex. The study is a combined literature study and an empirical enquiry. In the empirical enquiry the core organisational values of the hotel complex are investigated, in support of the hypothesis that South African human resource management policies are not sufficiently cognisant of the traditional values of employees. Subjects such as the nature of traditional Batswana cultural values and a value management model for the integration of organisational and cultural values will furthermore be addressed in this study.

This research proposes to identify and evaluate intercultural perceptions and the promotion of black managers within the South African context from a qualitative perspective. A literature review is presented, which covers aspects of perception, culture, the self, and promotion. Cultural categories are analysed to identify relationships not considered in the literature. An interview questionnaire based on Osherson (1980) is constructed, which leads respondents through five areas: demographic characteristics, work identity, value system, cultural identity, and intercultural perceptions and promotion. Three case studies are analysed, the themes for each interview being integrated. Conclusions regarding possible new analytical categories, and recommendations in the form of a possible outline for future research, are presented . / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Com (Industrial Psychology)

A research project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MA by coursework and Research Report in the field of Industrial Psychology in the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg July 2017 / Workplace bullying is an unfortunate occurrence within organisations and has become a prevalent area of interest. However, research on workplace bullying and specifically its effect on work engagement within a South African context is rare. Additionally, research on the relationship between workplace bullying and personality traits is limited to the Big Five personality traits. This research thus broadened its range from the Big Five personality traits and focused on neuroticism, assertiveness, optimism, pessimism and hardiness. The research further assessed the moderating effect of personality on the relationship between workplace bullying and work engagement. The sample consisted of 200 white collar employees over the age of 18 that was obtained using a volunteer, snowball sampling method. The responses were obtained using survey methodology, which led to the cross-sectional nature of the study. Analyses of results were completed using a Pearson’s product moment correlation analysis and a moderated multiple regression analysis. The results from the Pearson’s product moment correlation mainly supported the hypotheses, however there were findings that countered the hypotheses, mainly assertiveness as this proved to be the most unexpected finding. The results from the moderated multiple regression showed that only neuroticism and pessimism moderated the relationship between workplace bullying and work engagement as opposed to assertiveness, optimism and hardiness that did not. The findings of this research thus contribute to the limited body of South African research investigating different personality types moderating the relationship between workplace bullying and work engagement. / XL2018

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This research proposes to identify and evaluate intercultural perceptions and the promotion of black managers within the South African context from a qualitative perspective. A literature review is presented, which covers aspects of perception, culture, the self, and promotion. Cultural categories are analysed to identify relationships not considered in the literature. An interview questionnaire based on Osherson (1980) is constructed, which leads respondents through five areas: demographic characteristics, work identity, value system, cultural identity, and intercultural perceptions and promotion. Three case studies are analysed, the themes for each interview being integrated. Conclusions regarding possible new analytical categories, and recommendations in the form of a possible outline for future research, are presented . / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Com (Industrial Psychology)

M.Phil. (Industrial Psychology) / The primary purpose of this exploratory research study was to qualitatively explore industrial psychological perspectives regarding labour unrest within the South African mining sector from the period 2008 - 2011. This was done owing to the lack of literature pertaining to the field of industrial psychology in this regard. In order to achieve the above objective, semi structured interviews were conducted with industrial psychologists working in practice and associated directly with the mining sector. Additionally, semi structured interviews were conducted with industrial psychologists working in academia, which served as a peer review, hence making the outcome of the study more credible. The interviews were recorded and transcribed and thereafter, thematic content analysis was conducted in order to identify prominent, recurring themes associated with industrial psychological perspectives regarding the subject matter ...