The aim of the study is to design a needs assessment data collection instrument; administer it to a representative sample of employees in the department; and to analyze the findings in order to make recommendations regarding the design of an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) in the Northern Province. The literature review concentrates on the design and application of needs assessments for EAPs. A data collection instrument, the SAGENA was designed, piloted and then trans,ated into the major languages spoken by DWAF employees in the region, and content is given. Out of the total population of 7,381 employees, a stratified, random sample of DWAF employees was selected for the study. A total of 550 employees completed the questionnaire, which represented a 7,45% sample with a 93% response rate. The findings showed that 97% of employees felt that an EAP would have a positive impact on their well-being and work performance. The majority said they would use counselling for themselves (71%) as well as for referring colleagues and subordinates (67%). The most prevalent problems (financial problems, retrenchment, retiring and HIV fears etc.) and least prevalent problems of employees are reported in the study as well as employees' preferences for various forms of EAP services. Finally recommendations are made regarding the design of an EAP for DWAF: Northern Province. / Social Work / M.A.(Socal Science)

The aim of this study was to identify those job factors that determine the level of motivation in the Nigerian Federal Civil Service Commission and to establish how this knowledge can be used to increase motivation and job satisfaction across the Nigerian Federal Civil Service. A wide variety of theories on motivation and job satisfaction were studied. Herzberg's dual-factor theory of job satisfaction was used as the defining basis for the empirical part of the study. The findings both supported and refuted the theory. Both intrinsic and extrinsic job variables influenced the work motivation of respondents, with specific extrinsic variables having a significant effect, contrary to Herzberg's findings. A difference was also recorded among senior staff who appeared more motivated by intrinsic variables and junior staff who tended to emphasise extrinsic job variables. / Public Administration / D. Admin.

The study of people's capacity to remain healthy when exposed to constant stressors has long been the focus of research. Stress resistance research has focussed on the adaptive worth of successful coping strategies, certain personality characteristics as well as social support. Two concepts which have gained eminence as contributing to an individual's ability to deal effectively with life's stressors are: (1) Sense of coherence; and (2) Emotional intelligence. The aim of this study was to determine the possible relationship between sense of coherence and emotional intelligence. A once-off cross-sectional survey design was used. The sample population consisted of 54 South African marine officers serving in the merchant navy. The SOC-29 and the BarOn Emotional Intelligence Inventory (BarOn EQ-i) were used as measuring instruments. · Sense of coherence was positively related to emotional intelligence. The results showed that there is a correlation of large effect between total sense of coherence and total emotional intelligence (r = 0,73) in marine officers. The results also showed that there are correlations of large effect between the subscales of the SOC-29 and the BarOn EQi / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

L’objectif de la recherche (dans le cadre de trois études empiriques) est d’expliquer comment la perception du contexte organisationnel politique peut être mobilisée pour améliorer la performance et la pro-activité des employés et pour réduire leurs intentions de démissionner. Notre approche théorique s’inscrit dans la théorie de l’auto-détermination (Deci & Ryan, 2000) et s’appuie sur la théorie de la conservation des ressources (Hobfoll, 2002) ainsi la théorie dite de « Human Agency » (Bandura, 2006), et la science de la psychologie positive (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2014). Une étude quantitative est menée au Pakistan pour évaluer les conceptualisations formulées. Nos résultats révèlent que les employés ayant un capital psychologique élevé développent de manière durable des comportements conduisant à la performance et qu’ils demeurent proactifs dans des contextes organisationnels perçus comme fortement politiques. En même temps, ces employés subissent une vulnérabilité psychologique qui les pousse à démissionner. A l’opposé, la perception d’un contexte organisationnel politique offre aux employés politiquement doués une source d’opportunités qui satisfait leurs besoins psychologiques tout en maintenant leurs proactivités. Enfin, en prenant en compte les effets motivationnels du contexte organisationnel politique, nous avons trouvé que ce dernier gêne l’intériorisation de la motivation extrinsèque au travail. En conclusion, l’idée que les jeux politiques ne peuvent pas être éliminés dans les organisations, nous suggérons aux managers d’équiper les employés de ressources psychologiques et sociales afin d’obtenir un fonctionnement optimal à tous les niveaux / This dissertation (in a series of three empirical studies) seeks to explicate how perceived politics in organizations can be used for accomplishing effective employee performance and proactivity, and to lower employees’ intentions to quit. We ground our theoretical frameworks in self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) and also borrow support from conservation of resource theory (Hobfoll, 2002), human agency (Bandura, 2006), and the science of positive psychology (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2014). A quantitative survey was conducted in Pakistan to assess the proposed conceptualizations. Our findings reveal interesting patterns of relationships. We find employees with high psychological capital hold a sustainability demeanor in their performance and proactive behavior, when encountering high perceived politics. At the same time, they experience a psychological vulnerability that drives them to quit. On the contrary, perceived politics presents politically skilled employees an opportunistic / challenging turf that satisfies their innate psychological needs and uphold their proactive activities. Lastly, with regard to the motivational effects of perceived politics, we find that perceived politics hinders the internalization of extrinsic motivation at work. We conclude that employees are an integral part of an organization constituency and their well-being implies an organization’s sustainability. Since, politics cannot be eliminated we suggest managers to equip employees with psychological and social resources for the sake of optimal functioning at all levels

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / In Chapter 1, I describe social competence, task competence and self-protection in an organisational context. In Chapter 2, I review key self theories and relate them to the self-competence construct. In Chapter 3, I review the research on self-competence to show that there is a need for a construct of social competence and self-protection. I discuss the limitations of three self-competence theories: Bandura’s (1977) self-efficacy theory, Williams and Lillibridge’s (1992) self-competence theory and Tafarodi & Swann’s (1995) self-competence/self-liking theory. In Chapter 4, I present my selfcompetence model. I raise the research questions and specify my hypotheses. In Chapter 5, I describe the construction of Social and Task Competence Scale. I present evidence of the reliability and factor structure of the Social and Task Competence Scale. I concluded that scale revisions were needed. In Chapter 6, I present evidence of the reliability, factor structure and predictive validity of the revised Social and Task Competence Scale and Self-Protection Scale. I describe the results of an experiment that investigated the interaction of task setting, social competence, task competence and selfprotection. I concluded that the measures predicted performance. In Chapter 7, I investigate the factor structure and reliability of the revised Social and Task Competence Scale and revised Self-Protection Scale. I provide evidence of the convergent and discriminant validity of these measures with reliable measures of self-competence, selfesteem, self-monitoring, personality and social desirability. In Chapter 8, I investigate the factor structure and reliability of the Social and Task Competence Scale and Self-Protection Scale after final revisions and show that these measures are acceptable for use in scientific research. I present evidence of their convergent validity with a valid andreliable measure of emotional intelligence, and describe experimental results that supported the hypothesised relationships between perceived task difficulty, social competence, task competence and self-protection and task performance. In Chapter 9, I discuss the implications of my research for self-competence theory, self-regulation and self-esteem and the prediction of social and task performance in organisations.

This research explores the relationship between personality traits, Psychological Capital and job performance amongst sales employees within an Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sector in South Africa. The study was conducted through quantitative research. The study used the Basic Traits Inventory short form (BTI) to measure personality traits; the Psychological Capital questionnaire (PCQ) to measure the Psychological Capital; and the Job Performance questionnaire (JBQ) to measure individual performance. A biographical questionnaire was also used. The questionnaires were administered to a population of 145 sales employees, 85 of whom were based in the company’s Johannesburg office, with the rest dispersed in the company’s Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, wider Free State and Mpumalanga offices. In view of the fact that the sample was small, 100% of the population was included in the study. A theoretical relationship between the constructs was determined and an empirical study provided evidence of the degree of relationship that existed between them. The results reveal significant relationships to exist between some sub-scales; however, statistical significance could not be reached for some correlations. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The aim of the study is to design a needs assessment data collection instrument; administer it to a representative sample of employees in the department; and to analyze the findings in order to make recommendations regarding the design of an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) in the Northern Province. The literature review concentrates on the design and application of needs assessments for EAPs. A data collection instrument, the SAGENA was designed, piloted and then trans,ated into the major languages spoken by DWAF employees in the region, and content is given. Out of the total population of 7,381 employees, a stratified, random sample of DWAF employees was selected for the study. A total of 550 employees completed the questionnaire, which represented a 7,45% sample with a 93% response rate. The findings showed that 97% of employees felt that an EAP would have a positive impact on their well-being and work performance. The majority said they would use counselling for themselves (71%) as well as for referring colleagues and subordinates (67%). The most prevalent problems (financial problems, retrenchment, retiring and HIV fears etc.) and least prevalent problems of employees are reported in the study as well as employees' preferences for various forms of EAP services. Finally recommendations are made regarding the design of an EAP for DWAF: Northern Province. / Social Work / M.A.(Socal Science)

The aim of this study was to identify those job factors that determine the level of motivation in the Nigerian Federal Civil Service Commission and to establish how this knowledge can be used to increase motivation and job satisfaction across the Nigerian Federal Civil Service. A wide variety of theories on motivation and job satisfaction were studied. Herzberg's dual-factor theory of job satisfaction was used as the defining basis for the empirical part of the study. The findings both supported and refuted the theory. Both intrinsic and extrinsic job variables influenced the work motivation of respondents, with specific extrinsic variables having a significant effect, contrary to Herzberg's findings. A difference was also recorded among senior staff who appeared more motivated by intrinsic variables and junior staff who tended to emphasise extrinsic job variables. / Public Administration and Management / D. Admin.

The study of people's capacity to remain healthy when exposed to constant stressors has long been the focus of research. Stress resistance research has focussed on the adaptive worth of successful coping strategies, certain personality characteristics as well as social support. Two concepts which have gained eminence as contributing to an individual's ability to deal effectively with life's stressors are: (1) Sense of coherence; and (2) Emotional intelligence. The aim of this study was to determine the possible relationship between sense of coherence and emotional intelligence. A once-off cross-sectional survey design was used. The sample population consisted of 54 South African marine officers serving in the merchant navy. The SOC-29 and the BarOn Emotional Intelligence Inventory (BarOn EQ-i) were used as measuring instruments. · Sense of coherence was positively related to emotional intelligence. The results showed that there is a correlation of large effect between total sense of coherence and total emotional intelligence (r = 0,73) in marine officers. The results also showed that there are correlations of large effect between the subscales of the SOC-29 and the BarOn EQi / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

The present thesis addresses the issue of assessment of employees in an organization in the public administration. Assessment of employees is a key motivation factor in human resources management, and it is one of the tools to achieve the employees' productivity. At the same time the assessment helps increase the prestige of the authority and satisfaction of the citizens. The aim of the present thesis is to analyze the current state of the system of assessment in an organization in the public administration, to look for deficiencies in the system as they influence the motivation of employees, and to propose changes for improvement. The first part of the thesis presents the theoretical framework of performance management, the theory of work motivation, assessment, and the remuneration of employees. In the practical part of the thesis the municipal office in question is introduced, and the current situation of the employees assessment system is analyzed. This part also includes the results of the realized questionnaire. The final part brings recommendations which can help the organization to increase the efficiency of the employees assessment.