Employees across the world experience change in the workplace due to a fast-fluctuating environment in which organisations operate. According to Maumo and Kinnunen (1999) a transformation has taken place in the industrialised world of work over the last few decades. Downsizing, right-sizing or restructuring have become familiar terms in difficult economic conditions and implies that rationalising of jobs are inevitable. Organisations attempt to reduce costs, which in turn places pressure on employees to modify their jobs, seek alternative employment (intention to quit) and relocate, all of which are likely to fuel job insecurity (Hartley, Jacobson, Klandermans & Van Vuuren, 1991; Iyo & Brotheridge, 2004). The unemployment rate in South Africa is one of the highest in the world with 36% of its citizens being unemployed in 1999 (Kingdon & Knight, 2001). What's more is that, according to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey, 4.1 million people in South Africa were classified as unemployed in 2009. Frequent reorganisation and statements regarding flexibi lity are signals that one's job security is not secure. Even vague signals of downsizing or change may encourage employees to have intention to quit (Iyo & Brotheridge, 2004). When organisations start to downsize, some people may expect to become unemployed. Sverke, Hellgren and Naswall (2002) state that organisational change is an antecedent to job security. Mauna and Kunnunen (1999) agrees that objective circumstances of an insecure job situation can be defined as the experience of job insecurity, while according to De Witte (1999) the growing emphasis on more flexible employment contracts also intensify feelings of job insecurity. Job insecurity has been found to predict stronger intention to quit within the organisation (Ashford, Lee & Bobko, 1989). This means that a flexible, multiskilled, knowledgeable, interchangeable and adaptable workforce are exposed to new management techniques as well as altered labour relations/human resource policies and activities, which in turn influence employers' obligations, employees' obligations, the state of the psychological contract, job insecurity and employees' intention to quit (Ekkerd, 2005). The primary objective of this research is to investigate the relationship between the psychological contract, individual characteristics, job insecurity and the intention to quit of security employees (N=217) in the Vaal Triangle. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Constructs were measured by means of the psychological contract (employer obligations, employee obligations and the state of the psychological contract), an "individual characteristics" questionnaire, a job insecurity questionnaire and an intention to quit questionnaire. The research method for each of the two articles consists of a brief literature review and an empirical study. Factor analyses, as well as Cronbach alpha coefficients were computed to assess the reliability. Validity of the different product moment correlation coefficients, and regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between the constructs employed in this research. Significant differences are found between various individual characteristics and the scores of the psychological contract (employer obligations scale, employee obligations scale and the state of the psychological contract scale), the individual characteristics questionnaire, job insecurity scale and the employee's intention to quit scale. A practically significant correlation was found with a small effect between the state of the psychological contract, employer obligations and employee obligations. Results demonstrate a significant relationship between the psychological contract, type of contract, gender and tenure. No significant relationship was found between the psychological contract and age and qualification of the employees. Multiple regression analysis indicates that employee obligations predicted negative intention to quit. Job insecurity predicted positive intention to quit. Conclusions are made, limitations of the current research are discussed and recommendations for future research are put forward. / MCom. Industrial Psychology, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

The world of work in South Africa has and is still changing. These changes include the introduction of the Employment Equity Act, Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment and the advancement in technologies. In addition, South Africa is now a globalised country and this means that it is faced with the challenge of keeping up with the trends of doing business and working in line with other globalised countries. The effect of tllis in the teaching environment may be linked to the high demands and changes placed on teachers. They have to increase the standard of education and change old ways of teaching. With these rapid changes and demands teachers may feel that they are not competent enough and have limited resources to achieve what it is expected of them by the Government. Consequently, this causes a feeling of job insecurity amongst teachers, especially when they feel that what the government is demanding of them do not compare to the resources available. Job insecurity has an influence on the individual as well as the organisation. On the individual's side, it results in reduced levels of psychological well-being characterised by incidents such as anxiety, social dysfunction, irritation and strain-related psychosomatic complaints. With regard to the organisation, some individuals psychologically withdraw from the job or the whole organisation when they experience a feeling of job insecurity. In addition, there is an increase in absenteeism. Although a feeling of job insecurity is a reality in thc South African world of work, only limited numbers of programmes are implemented to address the problem. To overcome a feeling of job insecurity, employees need to be resilient. When faced with challenges, stressful events and changes individuals cope and adapt in varied ways and show varying degrees of resilience. Furthermore, there is a lack of research on the relationship between job insecurity, general health and resilience of teachers in South Africa. The objective of this study was to determine whether a relationship exist between job insecurity, general health and resilience. The cross-sectional research design was used with a survey technique to collect data from an available random sample of teachers in the Sedibeng West District. The measuring battery consisted of four questionnaires namely; a Job Insecurity Questionnaire (JIQ), 28-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Resilience Scale (RS) and a Biographical Questionnaire. A positive correlation was obtained between job insecurity and psychological distress, suggesting that increased levels of job insecurity are associated with increased levels of psychological distress. Negative correlations were found between job insecurity and resilience as well as resilience and general health, suggesting that individuals who have high levels of resilience also have low levels on job insecurity and psychological distress respectively. A statistically significant difference was found on job insecurity with regard to cultural groups and the employment contract of teachers. Conclusions were drawn from the findings and recommendations were made for the Department of Education and future research. / The world of work in South Africa has and is still changing. These changes include the introduction of the Employment Equity Act, Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment and the advancement in technologies. In addition, South Africa is now a globalised country and this means that it is faced with the challenge of keeping up with the trends of doing business and working in line with other globalised countries. The effect of this in the teaching environment may be linked to the high demands and changes placed on teachers. They have to increase the standard of education and change old ways of teaching. With these rapid changes and demands teachers may feel that they are not competent enough and have limited resources to achieve what it is expected of them by the Government. Consequently, this causes a feeling of job insecurity amongst teachers, especially when they feel that what the government is demanding of them do not compare to the resources available. Job insecurity has an influence on the individual as well as the organisation. On the individual's side, it results in reduced levels of psychological well-being characterised by incidents such as anxiety, social dysfunction, irritation and strain-related psychosomatic complaints. With regard to the organisation, some individuals psychologically withdraw from the job or the whole organisation when they experience a feeling of job insecurity. In addition, there is an increase in absenteeism. Although a feeling of job insecurity is a reality in the South African world of work, only limited numbers of programmes are implemented to address the problem. To overcome a feeling of job insecurity, employees need to be resilient. When faced with challenges, stressful events and changes individuals cope and adapt in varied ways and show varying degrees of resilience. Furthermore, there is a lack of research on the relationship between job insecurity, general health and resilience of teachers in South Africa. The objective of this study was to determine whether a relationship exist between job insecurity, general health and resilience. The cross-sectional research design was used with a survey technique to collect data from an available random sample of teachers in the Sedibeng West District. The measuring battery consisted of four questionnaires namely; a Job Insecurity Questionnaire (JIQ), 28-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Resilience Scale (RS) and a Biographical Questionnaire. A positive correlation was obtained between job insecurity and psychological distress, suggesting that increased levels of job insecurity are associated with increased levels of psychological distress. Negative correlations were found between job insecurity and resilience as well as resilience and general health, suggesting that individuals who have high levels of resilience also have low levels on job insecurity and psychological distress respectively. A statistically significant difference was found on job insecurity with regard to cultural groups and the employment contract of teachers. Conclusions were drawn from the findings and recommendations were made for the Department of Education and future research. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2008.

In order to stay competitive in an economic landscape characterised by constant turmoil and change, organisations in the chemical industry are engaging in various adaptive strategies like mergers, acquisitions and diversification. Adaptation strategies may vary but they all have similar results in common, one of which is the exposure of employees to feelings of uncertainty and job insecurity. Identifying factors that enable employees to effectively deal with job insecurity is becoming an increasingly important topic for research. The primary objectives of this research were to investigate the relationship between job insecurity, general health and organisational citizenship behaviour of employees in a chemical industry, as well as to determine whether self-efficacy mediates the relationship between job insecurity and general health on the one hand and between job insecurity and organisational citizenship behaviour on the other hand. The research method consists of a literature review and an empirical study. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect the data. An availability sample (N = 205) was taken from employees in a chemical industry. The Job Insecurity Questionnaire (JIQ), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Organisational Citizenship Behaviour Scale (OCB), General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale (GPSES) and a biographical questionnaire were administered. The statistical analysis was carried out with the SPSS program. Principal component factor analysis confirmed a two factor structure for job insecurity consisting of affective job insecurity and cognitive job insecurity. Factor analysis resulted in three factors for general health, namely psychosomatic symptoms, severe depression and social dysfunction. The two factors of the OCB were confIrmed and were labeled altruism and compliance. The unidimensional structure of the GPSES could also be confirmed and was labeled self-efficacy. All scales indicated acceptable reliability with Cronbach alpha coefficients varying from 0,70 to 0,89. Spearman product-moment correlations indicated a statistically positive correlation (practically significant, medium effect) between cognitive job insecurity and affective job insecurity. Results further indicated that an increase in psychosomatic symptoms will lead to an increase in severe depression and social dysfunction, while an increase in severe depression will be associated with an increase in social dysfunction. It was found that when altruism increased, self-efficacy will also increase. The hypothesised mediating effect of self-efficacy was only partially demonstrated for the relationship between affective job insecurity and general health, as demonstrated by severe depression. Self-efficacy was further shown to mediate the relationship between cognitive job insecurity and altruism. The relationship between cognitive job insecurity and affective job insecurity as dependent variables and compliance as an independent variable were partially mediated by self-efficacy. MANOVA analysis indicated that female employees experienced higher levels of cognitive job insecurity than male employees. White employees and employees with a degree exhibited more organisational citizenship behaviour, as demonstrated by compliance. Results further indicated that African employees and employees with a qualification of up to Grade 11 experienced higher levels of severe depression. Recommendations for future research were made, as well as recommendations to the participating organisation. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2008.

Organisations have been under enormous pressure due to the changes that they are constantly faced with. Most organisations have at some stage been involved in restructuring, laying-off of employees, and outsourcing of non-core business activities with the aim of coping with the change process. When organisations go through these changes, they still need to support their employees. They must ensure that the employees' roles are clarified, and that they feel secure in their jobs in order to improve their commitment to the organisation. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between perceived organisational support, role clarity, job insecurity and organisational commitment. Employees from a business unit in a petrochemical organisation were targeted for this research. The study population included employees from managerial, non-managerial and specialist categories. A cross-sectional design was used to achieve the research objectives. Measures of Perceived Organisational Support (POSQ), Role Clarity (RCQ), Job Insecurity (JIQ), Affective Organisational Commitment (OCQ) and a biographical questionnaire were administered for the study. The statistical analysis was carried out with the help of the SPSS program as well as the AMOS program. Pearson product-moment correlations indicated that when perceived organisational support increases, affective organisational commitment and role clarity will also increase. When perceived organisational support increases, role conflict and job insecurity will Vll decrease. Affective organisational commitment as well as role clarity is predicted by perceived organisational support. MANOYA analysis indicated that male employees experience higher levels of role conflict than their female counterparts. It seems that employees in first line management and professional categories experience significantly higher levels of perceived role conflict than employees in lower level positions. Employees in non-management positions experience significantly higher levels of affective job insecurity than employees in senior management positions. Employees in senior management positions experience significantly lower levels of cognitive job insecurity than employees in non-management positions. Recommendations were made for future research. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2008.

Le sentiment d’insécurité vis à vis de son emploi, en tant que facteur de stress, influence négativement le comportement lié au travail des employés. Dans cette recherche, nous nous sommes intéressés à la relation entre l’insécurité de l’emploi et le comportement innovateur des employés, étant donné que cette dernière n’a été pas étudiée dans la littérature. Le but de notre recherche est de savoir dans quelle mesure l’insécurité de l’emploi diminue le comportement innovateur des employés.Pour répondre à cette question, nous avons formulé l’hypothèse fondamentale que l’insécurité de l’emploi diminue les motivations d’un employé à innover et par conséquent diminue son comportement innovateur. La motivation d’un employé à innover a été analysée sous l’angle des attentes en matières de performance et d’image : un employé est motivé à innover lorsqu’il cherche à accroitre ses gains en matière de performance ou à améliorer son image dans l’organisation. À contrario, un employé s’abstient d’innover lorsqu’il perçoit qu’elle risque d’influencer négativement son image.Nous avons testé notre hypothèse sur un échantillon de 343 employés de différentes industries situées en France. Le résultat de notre recherche a montré que le sentiment d’insécurité de l’emploi est effectivement lié négativement au comportement innovateur des employés, au sens où cette insécurité diminue ses gains perçus en matière de performance et d’image. Que ce soit au plan académique ou au plan du management des organisations, l’apport de notre recherche consiste à proposer l’insécurité de l’emploi comme un nouvel antécédent du comportement innovateur des employés. / Ob insecurity or the threats of unemployment has been recognized to be a stress maker at the workplaces, leading to a decrease in productive behaviors in organizations. This doctoral dissertation is interested in the relationship between job insecurity and employees’ innovative behavior, considering the fact that no previous studies have been made on the latter. The aim is to find out by which means job insecurity affects an employee’s decisions on the introduction of new product ideas, applying new work methods, and suggestions about new ways to achieve the objectives at the workplace. To answer this question, this hypothesis was suggested and tested, that job insecurity reduces the employee’s motivation to innovate and therefore reduces its innovative behavior. An employee’s motivation has been studied in terms of his expectations of performance and image. An employee is motivated to innovate in order to increase its gains in performance or image in the organization, whereas an employee prevents himself to innovate when he perceives the risks of endangering his image. After defining the concept and its components, we tested our hypothesis on a sample of 343 employees of different companies in France. We found that job insecurity is negatively related to innovative behavior of an employee. While he loses his motivation to gain, he does no more innovation, as he looks no more for either performance or improving his/her image. Either through an academic way or an organization management, the contribution of this research represents job insecurity as a new antecedent of employee’s innovative behavior in the workplace.

Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

Thesis (M.A.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2005.

Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2005.

Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2005.

Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.