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The mental models of managers in the agricultural sector

M.Com. (Industrial Psychology) / A qualitative study was conducted utilising the repertory grid technique to identify personal constructs. From the personal constructs mental models emerged which provided an indication of the management paradigm of each participant. The study consisted of eight participants that were based on wine farms in the Western Cape. Following the labour unrest on the wine farms a study was conducted to determine whether the farmers are functioning within the emerging paradigm of management. It is suggested that a new paradigm of management is emerging which is critical for the sustainability of organisations. The paradigm of sustainability consists of three broad areas namely: financial, environmental and social sustainability. These three areas have to be present within the organisation for it to be sustainable. The results of the study indicate that the paradigm within which the farmers manage their farms are not aligned with the emerging paradigm. There are areas that correspond and other critical areas that do not.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:11578
Date21 June 2014
CreatorsFourie, Christopher
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
RightsUniversity of Johannesburg

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