Tesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 1991. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines the effect of involvement and background music in television commercials on consumers' attitudes toward the commercial, their attitude toward the brand and their intension to buy that spesific brand. Involvement refers to type of involvement (cognitive vs affective) and the level of involvement (high vs low). The planning of the experiment had been done according to research projects in the past. A commercial with different soundtracks was viewed by different subjects. Thereafter they completed a questionniare. The members of the different groups were subjected to different manipulations. The results indicated that background music in commercials have a significant influence on consumers' attitudes towards the commercial. (cognitive vs affective) had a on consumers' attitudes towards the a significant relationship between commercial , attitude toward the brand Type of involvement significant influence brand. There was attitude toward the and intension to buy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie navorsing is die gesamentlike invloed wat agtergrondmusiek en betrokkenheid in advertensies uitoefen op die kyker se houding teenoor die advertensie, houding teenoor die handelsmerk en koopintensie ondersoek. Betrokkenheid verwys na tipe betrokkenheid (kognitief vs affektief) en vlak van betrokkenheid (hoog vs laag). Daar is gebruik gemaak van In laboratorium eksperiment om hierdie invloede te bepaal. Die beplanning van die eksperiment is gedoen na aanleiding van verskillende navorsingsprojekte wat in die verlede gedoen is. In Advertensie met verskillende klankbane is aan groepe proefpersone vertoon waarna hulle In vraelys voltooi het. Elkeen van die groepe (12) was aan verskillende eksperimentele manipulasies onderworpe. Hierna is die vraelyste gekodeer en die data statisties verwerk. Dit is gevind dat agtergrondmusiek In beduidende invloed op verbruikers se houding teenoor In advertensie uitoefen. Tipe betrokkenheid het ook In beduidende invloed op verbruikers se houding teenoor die handelsmerk uitgeoefen. Verder is In beduidende positiewe verband tussen houding teenoor advertensie, houding teenoor handelsmerk en koopintensie gevind.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / The contemporary military environment characterised by new technologies, advanced capabilities, novel knowledge and skills sets, and an increased participation of non-state actors is leading to a rapidly expanding, non-linear, multi-dimensional battle space. Military operations are becoming more distributed in time, space, and purpose. The military arena is becoming progressively more joint, multinational and interagency in nature. Military leaders have a mounting responsibility to teams and groups and their organisations to accomplish a variety of very diverse missions. Furthermore, military operations other than war have emerged as a fundamental approach to warfare, increasing dispersion of forces across wider areas of influence and rapidly changing situations. Scholars and strategists are of the opinion that militaries are in an era of “new wars”. The latter are contextual elements evident in current conflicts and are likely to be seen in future conflicts as well. Unquestionably, the landscape in which military leaders must operate has affected the competencies and training needed to be successful. The aim of this study was to explore the possible relationships between emotional intelligence (EI), psychological capital (PsyCap), sense of coherence (SOC) and leader success of junior officers in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The researcher argues that these intrapersonal and interpersonal skills (EI, PsyCap and SOC) are necessary for any contemporary leader to successfully fulfil his role in his military position and to fit the leadership profile set out by the organisation. The existence of relationships between the variables for this study was statistically investigated and the necessary conclusions were drawn. All the challenges discussed in this study for the SANDF link with each other and “cry” for education in EI, PsyCap and SOC. Future officers of the SANDF need to have the potential, skills, knowledge, education and competency to be specialists in the challenges of the next decade. Education in these variables can possibly assist leaders in their daunting tasks and ultimately contribute to leader success. A sample of 170 (n=170) junior officers, from the rank of Candidate officer (CO) to full Lieutenant (Lt), was drawn from the South African Military Academy (SAMA), Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University. Participants completed existing valid and reliable instruments measuring their EI, PsyCap, SOC and leader success levels. Leader success was measured in terms of extra effort, effectiveness and satisfaction of the leader. Correlation analysis was done to determine the relationships between the independent variables and the dependent variable. Multiple regression analysis was done to determine which of the intrapersonal and interpersonal predictors contributed to leader success of junior officers in the SANDF. The results revealed significant positive relationships between the different components of EI, especially interpersonal EI skills, and the different components of PsyCap and leader success. Significant but low correlations were found for the intrapersonal EI skills, resilience (a component of PsyCap) and leader success. Significant but very low correlations and insignificant correlations were found between SOC and leader success. The multiple regression analysis was in line with the correlation results showing that total PsyCap (the strongest predictor) and total EI significantly made contributions to explaining and predicting leader success. The multiple regression analysis, in line with the correlation results, showed that SOC did not make a contribution to predicting leader success. The conclusion that was drawn from this study was that total EI and total PsyCap contribute to leader success.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Highly competitive organisations are aware that their competitive edge lies within their human capital. In order for such organisation to stay ahead investing in best practices regarding people management and development is of paramount importance. In recent times, work engagement has been empirically linked to many positive organisational outcomes (Bakker, Demerouti, & Verbeke, 2004; Salanova, Agut, & Peiro, 2005; Schaufeli, Taris, & Bakker, 2006a). However, research on practical organisational interventions, aimed at increasing work engagement, is scant. Engaged employees often experience positive emotions (Bakker & Demerouti, 2008). Happy people are more sensitive to opportunities at work, more outgoing and helpful to others, more confident when interacting with others and more optimistic when taking on challenges. According to Bakker, Schaufeli, Leiter, and Taris (2008) engagement not only stems from job resources, but from personal resources as well. Building on Fredrickson’s (2000) Broad and Build theory of positive emotions, it is argued in this study that Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a personal resource that has not been studied in relation to work engagement. EI refers to the capacity to effectively perceive, express, understand and manage emotions in a professional and effective manner at work (Palmer & Stough, 2001). EI regulation abilities (e.g. emotional management and control) help increase individuals’ coping and / or resilience when more positive affect is experienced, according to Fredrickson’s Broad and Build theory, and should therefore be a particularly important personal resource for the enhancement of work engagement. The development of EI has progressively been gaining positive momentum and various studies have provided empirical support to suggest that EI can be developed (Dulewicz & Higgs, 2004; Fletcher, Leadbetter, Curran, & O’Sullivan, 2009; Gardner, 2005; Gorgens-Ekermans, 2011; Nelis, Quoidbach, Mikolajczak, & Hansenne, 2009; Slaski & Cartwright, 2003). By using the Swinburne University Emotional Intelligence Test (SUEIT) theoretical framework, it is argued that by developing emotional recognition and regulation abilities, specifically that of emotional management, employees would be better able to manage their positive and negative emotions, thereby improving their positive psychological state at work, which should increase their level of engagement. It is furthermore argued that increased EI will also affect other positive organisational outcomes, such as organisational commitment and satisfaction with work life. To this end, an EI training intervention programme was implemented and evaluated within an international courier company based in Cape Town, South Africa. A controlled experimental design (two-group pre- and post-test design) was utilised for the research. The EI training programme was evaluated in terms of its effect on EI, work engagement, organisational commitment and satisfaction with work life. A second objective of the study was to investigate and replicate previous research on the interrelationships between the constructs in the study within a South African sample. The total sample consisted of 35 full time employees. Three assessments were conducted (one week before the start of the intervention, immediately after the completion of the training, and two and a half months thereafter) The findings of the study demonstrated limited empirical support for the notion that EI training could improve levels of EI. Although definite trends to suggest this were evident in the data, the results were not statistically significant. Empirical evidence further suggested partial and weak support for work engagement and satisfaction with work life levels increasing as a result of the intervention. Unfortunately no support for organisational commitment levels improving as a result of the training was found. In terms of exploring and replicating the interrelationships between the constructs in the study, favourable results were found. Significant positive relationships emerged between all the related constructs. The results, however, need to be interpreted in terms of the limitations that were identified for this study. The results suggest that more research is required in this domain. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hoogs kompeterende maatskappye is bewus daarvan dat hul vlak van mededingingheid grootliks opgesluit lê in hul menslike hulpbronne. Vir sulke organisasies om vooruitstrewend te wees, is die beleging in menseontwikkeling en bestuur van uiterste belang. Empiriese navorsing oor werknemerbetrokkenheid toon dat dit verband hou met baie positiewe organisatoriese uitkomste (Bakker, Demerouti, & Verbeke, 2004; Salanova, Agut, & Peiro, 2005; Schaufeli, Taris, & Bakker, 2006a). Navorsing oor praktiese organisatoriese intervensies om werknemersbetrokkenheid te verhoog, is egter skaars. Werknemers met hoë werknemerbetrokkenheid ervaar gereeld positiewe emosies (Bakker & Demerouti, 2008). Gelukkige werknemers is meer bewus van geleenthede, is meer sosiaal en hulpvaardig, meer selfversekerd in sosiale omstandighede, en meer optimisties wanneer hulle gekonfronteer word met uitdagings. Volgens Bakker, Schaufeli, Leiter, en Taris (2008) spruit werknemersbetrokkenheid nie net voort uit werksbronne nie, maar ook vanuit persoonlike hulpbronne. Na aanleiding van Fredrickson se (2000) “Broaden and Build” teorie oor positiewe emosies word daar in hierdie studie geargumenteer dat Emosionele Intelligensie (EI) ‘n persoonlike hulpbron is, wat nog nie in verwantskap met werknemersbetrokkenheid bestudeer is nie. EI verwys na die kapasiteit om emosies binne die werkskonteks te kan herken, verstaan en bestuur op ʼn professionele en effektiewe wyse (Palmer & Stough, 2001). EI reguleringsvaardighede (bv. emosionele bestuur en beheer) bevorder individue se hanteringsvaardighede en veerkragtigheid wanneer meer positiewe emosies ervaar word. Volgens Fredrickson se “Broaden and build” teorie behoort dit dus ʼn belangrike persoonlike hulpbron te wees wat tot verhoogde werknemersbetrokkenheid kan lei. Positiewe voortuitgang in studies oor die ontwikkeling van EI bestaan tans en verskeie studies het tot dusver wetenskaplike steun verskaf vir die verwagting dat EI ontwikkel kan word (Dulewicz & Higgs, 2004; Fletcher, Leadbetter, Curran, & O’Sullivan, 2009; Gardner. 2005; Gorgens- Ekermans, 2011; Nelis, Quoidbach, Mikolajczak, & Hansenne, 2009; Slaski & Cartwright, 2003). Deur gebruik te maak van die Swinburne Universiteit Emosionele Intelligensie toets (die SUEIT) se teoretiese raamwerk, word daar geargumenteer dat die bevordering van emosionele herkennings- en reguleringsvermoë, spesifiek emosionele bestuur, werknemers se vermoë om hulle eie positiewe en negatiewe emosies te bestuur, behoort te verbeter. Dit sou ʼn verbeterde positiewe sielkundige toestand by die werk tot gevolg kan hê, wat tot verhoogde werknemersbetrokkenheid kan lei. Daar word ook aangevoer that verhoogde EI ook ander positiewe organisatoriese uitkomste, soos organisatoriese toewyding en satisfaksie met werkslewe, positief sal affekteer. Gevolglik is 'n EI opleidingsprogram geïmplementeer en geëvalueer in ‘n internasionale afleweringsmaatskappy wat gebaseer is in Kaapstad, Suid Afrika. ‘n Beheerde eksperimentele ontwerp (twee-groep voor- en natoetsontwerp) is gebruik in hierdie navorsing. Die EI opleidingsprogram is geëvalueer in terme van die effek op die EI, werknemerbetrokkenheid, organisatoriese toewyding en satisfaksie met werkslewe. ’n Tweede doel stelling van die studie was ook om die verwantskappe tussen die konstrukte te ondersoek en vorige navorsing in die verband binne ʼn Suid-Afrikaanse steekproef te reproduseer. Die totale steekproef het bestaan uit 35 permanent aangestelde werknemers. Drie assesserings het plaasgevind (een week voor die aanvang van die intervensie, direk na die afhandeling van die opleiding, en twee en ‘n half maande daarna). Die bevindinge van die studie het beperkte empiriese bewyse verskaf vir die aanname dat EI opleiding wel EI vlakke kan bevorder. Alhoewel daar duidelike tendense was wat dit suggereer in die data, was die resultate nie statistiese beduidend nie. Die empiriese bewyse het verder slegs gedeeltelike en swak ondersteuning verskaf vir die aanname dat werknemerbetrokkenheid en satisfaksie met werkslewe verbeter het as gevolg van blootstelling aan die intervensie. Geen bewyse dat organisatoriese toewydingsvlakke verbeter het as gevolg van blootstelling aan die intervensie, is gevind nie. Gunstige resultate aangaande die verwagte verwantskappe tussen die konstrukte in die studie is gevind. Positiewe, betekenisvolle verwantskappe tussen al die konstrukte word gerapporteer. Die resultate van die studie behoort binne die konteks van die beperkinge wat vir hierdie studie geïdentifiseer is, interpreteer te word. Die resultate toon dat meer navorsing in hierdie domein benodig word.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Organisations cannot exist without humans. The behaviour of the working man is not a random event and specific factors influence employees to excel. Not only is the behaviour of individual employees influenced by these factors, but the behaviour of a collective work unit as well. This study focuses on the impact of specific leadership competencies on the performance of the collective work unit within an organisation. A leader exerts pressure on a unit to perform. What leadership competencies lead to successful work unit performance? To answer this question in a valid and credible manner, the study focuses on the development of a structural model to indicate the relationship between leadership competencies and work unit performance. The leadership-for-performance framework designed by Spangenberg and Theron (2004) aspires to explicate the structural relationship existing between leader competencies and the dimensions of organisational unit performance. The Performance Index (PI) and the Leadership Behavioural Inventory (LBI) comprise the leadership-for-performance range of measures. The PI was developed as a comprehensive criterion measure of unit performance for which the unit leader could be held responsible. The basic PI structural model has been developed to explain the manner in which the various latent leadership dimensions measured by the LBI affect the eight unit performance latent variables that are assessed by the PI. As part of ongoing research of the leadership-for-performance range of measures designed by Spangenberg and Theron (2004), this study takes the initial steps towards establishing a comprehensive leadership-work unit performance structural model. The literature review aids in developing a logical argument that culminates in a complex hypothesis about the way work unit performance is influenced by leadership dimensions. The research methodology is then discussed. The results indicate that the proposed structural model fits the data quite well. Although the majority of the structural relationships between the unit performance dimensions received support, almost no support was found for the postulated structural relationships between the second-order leadership competencies and the unit performance dimensions. Additionally, suggestions for future research are made by indicating how the model can be elaborated and improved. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Organisasies kan nie sonder mense bestaan nie. Die gedrag van werknemers in 'n organisasie is nie 'n toevallige gebeurtenis nie. Spesifieke faktore beïnvloed werknemers om te presteer. Nie net die gedrag van individuele werknemers word beïnvloed deur hierdie faktore nie, maar ook die gedrag van 'n kollektiewe werkseenheid. Hierdie studie fokus op die invloed wat spesifieke leierbevoegdhede het op die prestasie van die kollektiewe werkseenheid binne 'n organisasie. 'n Leier oefen druk uit op sy werkseenheid om te presteer. Watter leiersbevoegdhede lei tot suksesvolle werkseenheidprestasie? Om hierdie vraag geldig en geloofwaardig te beantwoord, is die studie gerig op die ontwikkeling van „n strukturele model wat die verwantskap tussen leierskapgedrag en werkseenheidprestasie verduidelik. Die leierskap-vir-prestasie raamwerk ontwerp deur Spangenberg en Theron (2004), streef daarna om die strukturele verwantskap wat tussen leierbevoegdhede en die dimensies van organisatoriese eenheid prestasie bestaan, te verklaar. Die leierskap-vir-prestasie-reeks bestaan uit die The Performance Index (PI) en die Leadership Behavioural Inventory (LBI). Die PI is ontwikkel as 'n omvattende maatstaf van eenheid-prestasie waarvoor die leier van die eenheid verantwoordelik gehou kon word. Die basiese PI strukturele model is ontwikkel om die wyse waarop die verskillende latente leierskapdimensies, gemeet deur die LBI, invloed uitoefen op die agt eenheid-prestasie latente veranderlikes, wat deur die PI geassesseer word, te verduidelik. As deel van deurlopende navorsing van die leierskap-vir-prestasie reeks, soos ontwerp deur Spangenberg en Theron (2004), neem hierdie studie die eerste stap in die ontwikkeling van 'n omvattende leierskap-werkeenheidsprestasie strukturele model. Deur middel van 'n literatuurstudie word 'n logiese argument ontwikkel wat kulmineer in 'n komplekse hipotese oor die wyse waarop werkseenheidprestasie deur die leierskapdimensies beïnvloed word. Die navorsingsmetodologie word bespreek. Die resultate dui daarop dat die voorgestelde strukturele model die data redelik goed pas. Ofskoon die meerderheid van die strukturele verwantskappe tussen die dimensies van eenheidsprestasie steun ontvang word bykans geen steun gevind vir die gepostuleerde strukturele verwantskappe tussen die tweede-orde leierbevoegdhede en die dimensies van eenheidsprestasie nie. Aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing word bespreek, asook die beperkinge van hierdie studie.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study stems from an urgent need to understand which factors contribute to talented employees’ intention to quit, and what organisations can do to ensure the retention of such talent. Difficulties regarding the retention of talented employees have become a worldwide challenge. The retention of talented individuals has become a primary source of gaining a competitive advantage. The increased focus on talent management practices has become a wide spread phenomenon worldwide, including South Africa. History, cultural heritage, politics and the economic environment are but only a few factors that collectively now shape the nature and complexity of the South African labour market. A context, notorious and respected for its diversity and the struggles that have sprouted from it, poses formidable challenges for organisations competing in the global market. A multitude of factors, controllable and uncontrollable, contribute to increased levels of employee turnover in all sectors and organisations in South Africa. Organisations and top management can position themselves, by implementing action plans and organisational structures, to identify and coordinate such controllable factors. Strategies and processes can be implemented to address the increasing challenges regarding the retention of valuable talent. The implementation of structural talent management programmes have proven to address and overcome retention challenges. The crucial role of line management in implementing and fostering a culture of talent retention has also been proven. The foundation of a talent management competency model, for the purpose of addressing and solving this issue, has been laid down. Additional research has been done in order to reevaluate and elaborate on the existing knowledge of such a competency model. This study aims to once again re-evaluate the originally proposed model as well as any extensions that may have been developed by other researchers. The primary objective of the current study consequently was to expand on the existing model as proposed by Oehley (2007) and Smuts (2011). Factors external to the organisational environment were added to the model in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complexity underlying the determinants of intention to quit. Only a subset of the hypothesised intention to quit structural model was then empirically tested. In the initial model only nine of the nineteen paths were empirically corroborated. The initial reduced model was subsequently revised by deleting various paths that were found to be statistically insignificant (p > .05) and by adding various paths suggested by the modification indices. The final model produced exact fit. Seven of the nineteen paths in the final model were not empirically corroborated. Suggestions for future research are made by introducing additional variables that could be included into a future model. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing vind oorsprong uit die dringende behoefte om die faktore te bepaal wat talentvolle werknemers noop om te bedank en te probeer verstaan wat organisasies kan doen om die dienste van werknemers te behou. Die uitdaging om die dienste van hierdie katagorie van werknemers te behou, blyk 'n internasionale vraagstuk te wees. Die behoud van talentvolle individue in die werksplek het 'n primêre bron van kompeterende voordeel vir organisasies geword. Die toenemende fokus op talentbestuur het 'n wêreldwye fenomeen geword. Die geskiedenis, kulturele erfenis, politiek en die ekonomiese omgewing is maar net 'n paar van die faktore wat gesamentlik die kompleksiteit van die Suid-Afrikaanse arbeidsmark beïnvloed. 'n Werklikheid wat veelbesproke is, maar gerespekteer word vir sy diversiteit en die meegaande probleme wat daaruit voortspruit, bied buitengewone uitdagings vir organisasies wat moet meeding in die internasionale sakewêreld. Verskeie faktore waarvan sommige beheer kan word, maar ander nie, dra by tot die toenemende verhoging in die arbeidsomset in alle sektore en organisasies in Suid-Afrika. Organisasies en topbestuur kan hulself bemagtig deur verskeie pro-aktiewe benaderings en organisatoriese strukture in plek te stel om sodoende beheerbare situasies te kan identifiseer en koördineer. Strategieë en prosesse kan geïmplimenteer word om die toenemende hoeveelheid uitdagings met sukses aan te pak en dus die waardevolle talent van werknemers te behou. Die toepassing van strukturele talentbestuurprogramme het as sulks bewys dat dit met sukses gebruik kan word om die dienste van werknemers te behou. Die belangrike rol wat lynbestuur vervul in die toepassing en implementering van die proses om talentvolle werknemers te behou, is al deeglik bewys. Die basis van 'n talentbestuur en bevoegdheidsmodel om die probleem aan te spreek en op te los is op sigself al bewys. Addisionele navorsing is alreeds uitgevoer om die huidige model te her-evalueer en daarop uit te brei. Die huidige studie het dit ten doel om die oorspronklike model en teorieë wat vorige navorsers ontwikkel het, te her-evalueer. The primêre oogmerk van die onderhawige studie was gevolglik om op die bestaande modelle soos voorgestel deur Oehley (2007) en Smuts (2011) uit te brei. Faktore ekstern tot die organisasie is tot die model toegevoeg ten einde ‘n meer volledige begrip te ontwikkel van die kompleksiteit wat die determinante van die voorneme om te bedank onderlê. Slegs ‘n subversameling van die gehipotiseerde bedankingsvoorneme-strukturele model is vervolgens empiries getoets. In die aanvanklike model het slegs nege van die negentien bane empiriese steun ontvang. Die aanvanklike gereduseerde model is vervolgens hersien deur verskeie statisties onbeduidende (p > .05) bane te verwyder en deur ‘n aantal bane wat deur die modifikasie-indekse voorgestel is tot die model toe te voeg. Die finale model het presiese passing getoon. Sewe van die negentien bane in die finale model kon egter nie empiries bevestig word nie. Voorstelle vir verdere navorsing word gemaak deur addisionele veranderlikes voor te stel wat moontlik in ‘n toekomstige model ingesluit sou kon word.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Employee engagement has become imperative for the long term sustainability and performance of organisations. In the current study, work-life interaction was hypothesized to have a direct effect on employee work engagement. Work-life balance, as a facet of work-life interaction, was defined in this study as having enough time to fulfil activities in both work and family contexts; maintaining a sense of equilibrium or harmony in life, having equal or balanced involvement, effort and time spent on various roles; as well as a balance between demands and resources in a person’s life, achieving a state of satisfaction in both employment and personal roles (De Cieri, Holmes, Abbott & Pettit, 2005; Hudson, 2005). Work-life balance has positive consequences for the employee in the form of higher levels of satisfaction and commitment, and improved personal health and wellbeing. For the organisation it is associated with improved recruitment and retention, improved employee productivity and performance, improved organisational performance and profitability, and increased work engagement. In the current study the overarching concept of work-life interaction was utilised to guide the empirical research. The study was motivated by the intention to clarify the antecedents of work-life interaction in a particular work environment in order to inform efforts aimed at promoting positive work-life interaction. Personalistic traits were anticipated to influence the relationship between organisational variables and work-life interaction. A literature review has led to a theoretical model to be utilised in investigating the determinants of work-life interaction and whether the nature of work-life interaction experienced enhances employee work engagement. The aim of the study was to determine whether a negative relationship exists between role conflict, work demands and work-life interaction and a positive relationship exists between work-family culture and work-life interaction. The research further aimed to establish whether specific personalistic variables such as conscientiousness, neuroticism, agreeableness, negative affectivity, positive affectivity and emotional intelligence influence the relationships between the organisational variables and work-life interaction. The observed inter-correlations show that the organisational variables are weakly to moderately correlated with most of the work-life dimensions. The results confirmed that there are negative correlations between role conflict, work demand and the positive forms of work-life interaction, and positive correlations between these two variables and the negative forms of work-life interaction. In contrast, work-home culture is positively related to the positive forms of work-life interaction, and negatively to the negative forms of work-life interaction. The moderated regression analyses found that only neuroticism and agreeableness had significant moderating effects on the relationship between work demand and work-life interaction, whilst a greater number of mediating effects were observed. An overview of the multiple regression analyses with the work-home interaction dimensions as dependent variables, found a significant difference between the amount of variance explained by the organisational variables and the additional variance explained by the personalistic variables in two analyses pertaining to positive work-home interaction and positive home-work interaction. The study has confirmed the role of organisational variables in the experience of work-life interaction and the positive role of the work-home culture of the organisation has been highlighted. The results provided limited support for the role of personalistic variables as moderators and more substantial support for its role as mediators of work-life interaction. The impact of positive affectivity was especially noticeable. The results further indicated that work engagement was significantly positively correlated with positive work-home interaction, negatively correlated with negative work-home interaction, and positively correlated with positive home-work interaction. These findings provide additional motivation to include selected personalistic variables in the selection process so that the likelihood of work engagement could be optimised through increased work-live balance. It further suggests focusing the attention of employees suffering from negative work-life interaction on their personal processing of the challenges experienced and their coping strategies The results indicated that the conceptualised theoretical model was seriously flawed and too simplistic and that it required serious reconsidering. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Werknemerbetrokkenheid het noodsaaklik geword vir die langtermyn volhoubaarheid en prestasie van organisasies. In die huidige studie is die hipotese gestel dat werk-lewe-interaksie werknemers se werksbetrokkenheid op ‘n direkte wyse bevorder. Werk-lewe-balans is in hierdie studie soos volg gedefinieer: Dit is om genoeg tyd te hê om aktiwiteite binne beide werk- en gesinsverband af te handel, deur ’n volgehoue sin van ekwilibrium of harmonie in die lewe te handhaaf, met gelyke of gebalanseerde betrokkenheid, insette en tyd gewy aan verskillende rolle, sowel as ’n balans tussen die eise en hulpbronne in ’n persoon se lewe, en die gevolglike bereiking van ’n vlak van bevrediging binne beide werk- en persoonlike rolle. (De Cieri, Holmes, Abbott & Pettit, 2005; Hudson, 2005). Werk-lewe-balans het ’n positiewe uitwerking op die werknemer, in die sin van hoër vlakke van werkstevredenheid en toewyding, en verbetering in persoonlike gesondheid en welstand. Vir die organisasie word dit geassosieer met verbeterde werwing en retensie van personeel, verbeterde werksproduktiwiteit en prestasie, verbeterde organisatoriese prestasie en winsgewendheid, en verhoogde werksbetrokkenheid. In die huidige studie is werk-lewe-interaksie as oorkoepelende konsep vir die doeleindes van die empiriese studie aanvaar. Die studie se oogmerk was om die aanleidende oorsake van die werk-lewe-interaksie in ’n bepaalde werksomgewing te identifiseer ten einde pogings te informeer wat gemik is op die bevordering van werk-lewe-balans. Die verwagting was dat persoonseienskappe die verhouding tussen organisatoriese veranderlikes en werk-lewe-interaksie sou beïnvloed. ’n Literatuuroorsig het gelei tot ’n teoretiese model wat gebruik is in ’n ondersoek na die determinante van werk-lewe-interaksie en die vraag of werk-lewe-balans werknemers se werksbetrokkenheid verhoog. Die doel van die studie was om vas te stel of daar ’n negatiewe verhouding is tussen rolkonflik, werkseise en werk-lewe-interaksie, en ’n positiewe verhouding tussen werk-lewe-kultuur en werk-lewe-interaksie. Die navorsingsprojek het verder beoog om te bepaal of spesifieke persoonsveranderlikes soos pligsgetrouheid, neurotisisme, aangenaamheid, negatiewe affektiwiteit, positiewe affektiwiteit en emosionele intelligensie die verhoudings tussen die onafhanklike veranderlikes en die afhanklike veranderlikes respektiewelik beinvloed. Die waargenome interkorrelasies het getoon dat die organisatoriese veranderlikes swak tot matig gekorreleer het met die meerderheid werk-lewe-interaksie veranderlikes en werknemerbetrokkenheid. Die resultate het bevestig dat daar negatiewe korrelasies was tussen rolkonflik, werkseise en die positiewe vorms van werk-lewe-interaksie, en positiewe korrelasies tussen hierdie twee veranderlikes en die negatiewe vorms van werk-lewe-interaksie. Daarteenoor is werk-lewe-kultuur positief verbind met positiewe vorms van werk-lewe-interaksie, sowel as werknemerbetrokkenheid, en negatief aan die negatiewe vorms van werk-lewe-interaksie. Die gemodereerde meervoudige regressie-ontledings het getoon dat slegs neurotisisme en inskiklikheid beduidend die verband tussen die organisatoriese veranderlikes en die werk-lewe-interaksie dimensies gemodereer het, terwyl daar ‘n groter getal bemiddelende effekte waargeneem is. In ’n oorsig van die meervoudige regressie-ontledings met die werk-lewe-interaksie dimensies as afhanklike veranderlikes, is ’n betekenisvolle verskil gevind in die variansie verklaar deur middel van die organisasie veranderlikes en die bykomende variansie wat deur die persoonsveranderlikes verklaar is. Die studie het die rol bevestig van organisatoriese veranderlikes in die ervaring van werk-lewe-interaksie; en die positiewe rol van die werk-lewe-kultuur van die organisasie is uitgelig. Die resultate het beperkte steun verleen aan die rol van persoonsveranderlikes as moderators van die verband tussen organisatoriese veranderlikes en werk-lewe-interaksie, maar meer substansiële steun aan persoonsveranderlikes as mediators van hierdie verband. Die impak van positiewe affektiwiteit was veral opmerklik. Die huidige bevindinge het getoon dat werknemer betrokkenheid beduidend positief korreleer het met positiewe werk-huis-interaksie, negatief gekorreleer het met negatiewe werk-huis-interaksie, en positief gekorreleer het met positiewe huis-werk-interaksie. Hierdie bevindinge verskaf bykomende motivering om geselekteerde persoonsveranderlikes in die seleksieproses in te sluit, sodat die waarskynlikheid van werknemerbetrokkenheid geoptimaliseer kan word deur verhoogde werk-lewe-balans. Dit dui verder ook daarop dat die aandag van werknemers wat negatiewe werk-lewe-steurings ervaar, gefokus moet word op hul persoonlike verwerking van die uitdagings wat hulle in die gesig staar en hul hanteringstrategieë. Die resultate het aangetoon dat die gekonseptualiseerde teoretiese model ernstig gebrekkig en simplisties was en dat ernstige herbesinning daaromtrent nodig is.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Workplace bullying as a serious psychosocial workplace problem have been a subject of immense discussion in foreign literature since the mid-1980s. In a nutshell, workplace bullying refers to instances where an employee is systematically and continually being subjected to mistreatment and victimisation in the workplace by another or several others through recurring negative harmful acts. The negative effects of workplace bullying on the victim, bystander and organisation is well documented in research literature. However, in South Africa inquiry into the phenomenon is not nearly as extensive as in the global community. As a result, the purpose of the present study was to partially address the deficiency that exists in South African workplace bullying literature. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate the nature and prevalence of workplace bullying in two distinct workplaces, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and Power Group, in the Western Cape, South Africa. A quantitative non-experimental ex-post facto design is employed in the investigation. Data from both the SANDF (n=105) and Power Group (n=73) are presented (N-178). Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations (SD), and percentages) are used to describe the total sample and the response data on different factors. The Chi-Square and F test were computed in order to test several differences between numerous variables for the total sample, SANDF, and Power Group. The results of the present study show that workplace bullying is a widespread problem in both the SANDF and Power Group. Between 30% and 50% of respondents had been bullied in their respective workplaces. The SANDF were found to have a higher reported prevalence of workplace bullying than Power Group. Victims are frequently subjected to work-related bullying on either a weekly or monthly basis for a period ranging between twelve months and two years. Significantly more men than women were reported as the perpetrator of workplace bullying. Those in leadership positions were more often reported as perpetrators of workplace bullying than colleagues/peers, subordinates, or clients. The results of the present study show no significant difference in the reported victimisation for gender, age, ethnicity, and level of responsibility. Those with a certificate or lower level of education were found to be at a higher risk of being bullied in the workplace than those with a diploma or higher level of education. In the case of Power Group, significant differences were found in the reported victimisation for levels of responsibility and levels of education. Workplace bullying is addressed more frequently at Power Group than in the SANDF, despite it being reported in both work environments. he present study found that neither the SANDF nor Power Group had a workplace bullying policy in the organisation.

Thesis (MComm (Psych))--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Skills development is a crucial element in improving the effectiveness with which organisations operate in the current global arena. The level of skills of employees in any organisation should be of significant managerial concern. The principal aims of this study is firstly to investigate the success achieved in skills development initiatives in the agricultural sector in South Africa and secondly to develop a theoretical framework of important individual and organisational variables for skills development in agriculture. Management on farms need to develop the skills of their employees in order to ensure effective adaptation to changes in the sector. A strong need for development also exists among South Africans working in the agricultural environment, as the sector is rapidly modernising and the people employed in this sector often possess low skill and literacy levels. The key question is whether the skills development strategies and initiatives of farms are conducive to successful human resource development, in light of the specific individual and organisational context. A multiple case study research design was used, exploring the various ways in which six different farms approach skills development and the variables which impacted on the success thereof. These approaches and effects are compared to the literature and across cases to move towards the development of a skills development framework applicable to the unique agricultural context in South Africa. Data collection included primary (semi-structured interviews with employees and management) and secondary (background and administrative) information to comprehensively describe each case. Pattern matching was used to determine common trends between the cases and illustrate them in terms of a conceptual framework. General support was found across the six cases for the complex and extensive framework of variables. The following individual variables were found to have an impact on the effectiveness of skills development: ability to learn, motivation to engage in and transfer training, attitude to skills development, locus of control, and perceived ability to learn. Organisational variables which affected the effectiveness of skills development included the following: labour relations, organisational strategy, culture, climate, and systems. Many of these variables comprised a number of sub-variables, which were also shown to be relevant in the framework. Variables in the individual and organisational frameworks were also found to demonstrate interactive effects within and across framework boundaries. The results of the study serve as thought provoking reading for managers, which could stimulate critical thought and an inquisitive attitude to skills development on their farms. In general, training and development was approached in a very informal manner in terms of strategy, goals, and practice. Managers can surely benefit from adopting greater formalisation in these aspects as it would ease the process of planning, implementing, and evaluating training. In certain instances additional variables or interrelationships were identified for future study. The establishment of the framework of variables serves to inform future research: it represents a point of departure for research in a critical field where little recent research has been published. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die ontwikkeling van vaardighede is 'n kernbelangrike aspek om die doeltreffendheid waarmee organisasies in die huidige internasionale speelveld optree te verbeter. Die vaardigheidsvlakke van werknemers in enige organisasie behoort van kernbelang te wees vir bestuurders van sulke organisasies. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie is dus eerstens om die mate van sukses met vaardigheidsontwikkelingsinisiatiewe in die landbousektor te ondersoek en tweedens om 'n teoretiese raamwerk van die belangrikste individuele en organisatoriese veranderlikes vir vaardigheidsontwikkeling in landbou te ontwikkel. Die vaardigheidsvlakke van werknemers in die landbousektor moet deur die werkgewer ontwikkel word om te verseker dat effektiewe veranderinge in hierdie sektor plaasvind. Daar is 'n besonder sterk behoefte aan vaardigheidsontwikkeling onder werknemers in die landbousektor van Suid-Afrika , aangesien die sektor 'n snelle moderniseringsproses ondergaan, maar die werknemers in baie gevalle oor besonder lae vaardigheids- en ontwikkelingsvlakke beskik. Die vraag bestaan of die strategieë en inisiatiewe wat deur die werkgewer geïmplementeer word wel aanleiding gee tot suksesvolle menslike hulpbronontwikkeling, gegewe die spesifieke individuele en organisatoriese konteks. Deur gebruik te maak van veelvoudige gevallestudies as navorsingsmetode, is daar gekyk na ses verskillende plase se benadering tot opleiding, asook die impak en sukses van hierdie opleiding. Hierdie benaderings en invloede word vergelyk met die literatuur en tussen gevallestudies met die oog op die ontwikkeling van 'n vaardigheidsontwikkelingsraamwerk spesifiek binne die unieke konteks van die Suid-Afrikaanse landbousektor. Data-insameling behels primêre inligting (semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude met werknemers en bestuur), en sekondêre inligting (agtergrond- en administratiewe) om elke geval omvattend te beskryf. Patroonpassing is gebruik om algemene tendense tussen die gevallestudies te identifiseer en vervolgens die gevallestudies met die konseptuele raamwerk te vergelyk. Die ses gevallestudies het die komplekse en omvattende raamwerk van veranderlikes in die geheel ondersteun. Resultate toon aan dat die volgende individuele veranderlikes 'n klaarblyklike impak gehad het op die doeltreffendheid van opleiding en ontwikkeling: die vermoë en motivering om te leer en vaardighede oor te dra; die houding teenoor opleiding ontwikkeling; die lokus van beheer; en die waargenome vermoë om te leer. Die doeltreffendheid van opleiding en ontwikkeling is ook deur die volgende organisatoriese veranderlikes beïnvloed: arbeidsverhoudinge, organisatoriese strategie, kultuur, omgewing en stelsels. Die sub-veranderlikes van die individuele en organisatoriese veranderlikes is ook as relevant binne die raamwerk aangedui. Verder is die voorgestelde verwantskappe tussen veranderlikes (binne sowel as oor die grense van die individuele en organisatoriese raamwerke) ook ondersteun. Die resultate van hierdie studie dien as insette vir bestuurders om kritiese denke en 'n ondersoekende ingesteldheid teenoor opleiding en ontwikkeling op hul plase te stimuleer. Opleiding en ontwikkeling is oor die algemeen op 'n baie informele wyse geïmplementeer ten opsigte van strategie, doelwitbepaling en uitvoering in die praktyk. Bestuurders kan baat vind by die formalisering van bestaande praktyke omdat dit die proses van beplanning, implementering en evaluering van opleiding en ontwikkeling kan vergemaklik. Addisionele veranderlikes en interverwantskappe is geïdentifiseer vir verdere navorsing. Die samestelling van die raamwerk van veranderlikes dien juis as uitgangspunt vir toekomstige navorsing in 'n kerngebied wat min aandag in navorsing geniet.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A study on intention to leave and efficiency that was conducted in the healthcare industry reported that an employee contemplating leaving an organisation cuts corners and compromises quality (Waldman, Kelly, Arora & Smith, 2004). In other words, employees with high intention to leave are more likely to disobey rules and procedures. Swain (2006) further argued that companies must weigh up the untold losses involved with an employee who has little to no loyalty towards an organisation, or no respect for the company’s equipment, against recruitment and development costs. It was therefore argued that a combination of high turnover intention and a diminished level of organisational commitment could influence an employee’s attitude towards safety procedures and, as a result, lead to an increase in accidents (Graham & Nafukho, 2010). This study utilised an extensive literature review on work climate, job satisfaction, organisational commitment, turnover intentions and accident rates and a conceptual model of safe driving dynamics in trucking to illustrate the notion that truck drivers with a diminished level of organisational commitment and the intention to leave may experience higher accident rates. A South African retail group made all their drivers available for the study, i.e. the entire population. The raw data was obtained through self-administered pencil-and-paper questionnaires. A response rate of 50% was achieved. Using Partial Least Squares analysis, the study found all three mindsets of organisational commitment to predict turnover intention. The practical implications of these findings could assist management in the improvement of an array of work behaviours such as job performance, work attendance and organisational citizenship, and decrease turnover rate. The study could not find any significant support for the predictive effect of turnover intention on risky driving behaviour. Future researchers, however, are encouraged to develop a model that could assist Human Resource professionals in the understanding, development, and implementation of interventions to increase organisational commitment, reduce intention to leave, actual turnover, and, consequently, costly truckload accidents. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die bevindings van ’n studie oor intensies tot bedanking en doeltreffendheid wat in die gesondheidsorg industrie onderneem is, het aangedui dat ’n werknemer wat oorweeg om ’n organisasie te verlaat, die werk afskeep en gehalte in gedrang bring (Waldman, Kelly, Arora & Smith, 2004). Werknemers met sterk intensies tot bedanking is dus meer geneig om riglyne en vasgestelde prosedures te verontagsaam. Verder het Swain (2006) aangevoer dat maatskappye die onberekende verliese verbonde aan ’n werknemer wat geen respek vir die maatskappy se toerusting koester nie, moet opweeg teenoor werwing en ontwikkellingskostes. Daarvolgens is aangevoer dat ’n kombinasie van hoë intensies tot bedanking en ’n verlaagde vlak van organisasieverbondenheid ’n werknemer se houding teenoor veiligheidsprosedures kan beïnvloed en gevolglik tot ’n toename in ongelukke kan lei (Graham & Nafukho, 2010). Die huidige navorsingstudie het van ’n uitgebreide literatuurstudie met betrekking tot werksklimaat, werkstevredenheid, organisasieverbondenheid en ongeluksyfers, en ’n konseptuele model van veilige bestuursdinamika in vragmotorvervoer, gebruik gemaak om die idee dat vragmotorbestuurders met ’n verminderde vlak van organisasieverbondenheid en die intensie om te bedank ‘n hoër ongeluksyfer kan beleef. ’n Suid-Afrikaanse kleinhandel groep het al hul vragmotorbestuurders (dus die hele populasie) vir die studie beskikbaar gestel. Die roudata is met behulp van self-geadministreerde potlood-en-papier vraelyste verkry. ’n Responskoers van 50% is verkry. Met die gebruik van parsiële kleinste kwadrate analise, het die studie bevind dat intensies tot bedanking deur al drie ingesteldhede van organisasieverbondenheid voorspel word. Die praktiese implikasies van hierdie bevindinge kan bestuur help om ’n verskeidenheid werksgedrag, soos werkprestasie, werkbywoning en organisatoriese gemeenskapsgedrag, te verbeter en personeel-omsetafname te bewerkstellig. Die studie het nie daarin geslaag om beduidende ondersteuning vir die voorspellingseffek van intensies tot bedanking op riskante bestuursgedrag te vind nie. Toekomstige navorsers word egter aangemoedig om ’n model te ontwikkel wat menslike hulpbron-bestuurders sal help met die verstaan, ontwikkeling en implementering van ingrypings wat organisasieverbondenheid verhoog, sodat intensies tot bedanking en personeel-omset verlaag, en daardeur ook duur vragongelukke verminder word.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigated the growing phenomenon of teams in the workplace, and how team effectiveness can be established. It was therefore important to establish what contributes to team effectiveness. The aim of this study was to investigate existing relationships between constructs that play a significant role in enhancing team effectiveness. These constructs include transformational leadership, organisational trust, and psychological empowerment. This study was therefore undertaken to obtain more clarity about these aspects. Based on existing literature, a theoretical model depicting how the different constructs are related to one another was developed and various hypotheses were formulated. Data for the purpose of the quantitative study were collected by means of an electronic web-based questionnaire. A total of 224 completed questionnaires were returned. The final questionnaire comprised of four scales, namely the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ), the Workplace Trust Survey (WTS), the Psychological Empowerment Scale (PES), and the Team Effectiveness Scale (TES). The postulated relationships and the conceptual model were empirically tested using various statistical methods. Reliability analysis was done on all the measurement scales and satisfactory reliability was found. The content and structure of the measured constructs were investigated by means of confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses. The results indicated that reasonable good fit was achieved for all the refined measurement models. Subsequently, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to determine the extent to which the conceptual model fitted the data obtained from the sample and to test the hypothesised relationships between the constructs. The results indicated positive relationships between transformational leadership and organisational trust; organisational trust and team effectiveness; transformational leadership and psychological empowerment; psychological empowerment and organisational trust; and psychological empowerment and team effectiveness. However, no support was found for a direct relationship between transformational leadership and team effectiveness. The present study contributes to existing literature on team effectiveness by providing insights into the relationship between transformational leadership, organisational trust, psychological empowerment and team effectiveness. Furthermore, this study identified practical implications to be considered in management practices in order to enhance team effectiveness. The limitations and recommendations present additional insights and possibilities that could be explored through future research studies. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die huidige studie is op die toenemende belangrikheid van spanne in organisasies gebaseer, en op hoe te werk gegaan moet word om spaneffektiwiteit te verseker. Dit was dus belangrik om vas te stel watter eienskappe tot spaneffektiwiteit bydra. Die studie het ten doel gehad om die verwantskappe tussen konstrukte wat ‘n beduidende rol in spaneffektiwiteit binne die organsiasie speel, te ondersoek. Hierdie konstrukte omvat transformasionele leierskap, vertroue, asook sielkundige bemagtiging. Die studie is dus uitgevoer om meer duidelikheid oor hierdie aspekte te verkry. ‘n Teoretiese model wat voorstel hoe die verskillende konstrukte aan mekaar verwant is, is op grond van die navorsing oor die bestaande literatuur ontwikkel. Verskeie hipoteses is hiervolgens geformuleer. Data vir die doel van die kwantitatiewe studie is deur middel van ‘n elektroniese web-gebaseerde vraelys ingesamel. ‘n Totaal van 224 voltooide vraelyste is terug ontvang. Die finale vraelys is uit vier subvraelyste saamgestel, naamlik die Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ), die Workplace Trust Survey (WTS), die Psychological Empowerment Scale (PES), en die Team Effectiveness Scale (TES). Die gepostuleerde verwantskappe en die konseptuele model is empiries met behulp van verskeie statistiese metodes getoets. Betroubaarheidsanalise is op die betrokke meetinstrumente uitgevoer en voldoende betroubaarheid is gevind. Die inhoud en die struktuur van die konstrukte wat deur die instrumente gemeet is, is verder deur middel van verkennende en bevestigende faktorontledings ondersoek. Die resultate het redelike goeie passings vir al die hersiene metingsmodelle getoon. Daarna is struktuurvergelykings-modellering (SVM), gebruik om te bepaal tot watter mate die konseptuele model die data pas, en om die verwantskappe tussen die verskillende konstrukte te toets. Die resultate het positiewe verwantskappe tussen transformasionele leierskap en vertroue; vertroue en spaneffektiwiteit; transformasionele leierskap en sielkundige bemagtiging; sielkundige bemagtiging en vertroue; asook tussen sielkundige bemagtiging en spaneffektiwiteit aangedui. Geen steun is egter vir die direkte verband tussen tranformasionele leierskap en spaneffektiwitiet gevind nie. Hierdie studie dra by tot die bestaande literatuur betreffende spaneffektiwiteit deurdat dit insig bied in die aard van die verwantskappe tussen die konstrukte. Die studie identifiseer ook praktiese implikasies wat in bestuurspraktyke in aanmerking geneem behoort te word om spaneffektiwiteit te versterk. Die beperkings en aanbevelings van die studie dui op verdere insig en moontlikhede wat in toekomstige navorsing ondersoek kan word.