Enhancing Learners' Personal Resources through Narrative: Embracing Diversity

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 22-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Val Rapmund ◽  
Cora Moore
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Personal Resources ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Personal Problems ◽  
Learner Support ◽  
African Context ◽  
Strengths Approach ◽  
The Impact

A shift is proposed from the traditional ‘deficit approach’ towards a ‘strengths approach’ in learner support in the South African context. The Student Self-Empowerment and Enrichment Programme serves as an example of a strengths approach in which diversity is embraced, and where facilitators and students are engaged in the process of making new meaning in conversation with one another. The narrative research approach is followed and narrative analysis is the method adopted for the interpretations. The following themes were identified as important in enhancing learners' personal resources: Benefiting from the sharing of information and experiences; The role of different backgrounds in seeking connection; The facilitator-participant relationship; Responsibilities; Communication skills; Change; Personal problems; Strengths reflected in the narratives. The results bear evidence of the impact of the programme, and the benefit of replacing traditional methods of teaching with more egalitarian and participatory methods. Embracing diversity benefits facilitators and learners alike, and contributes to the richness of life stories and the ability to function in new ways.

Towards validating a framework of adaptive schemata for entrepreneurial success

2006 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bae Amanjee ◽  
F Crous ◽  
A Crafford
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Job Creation ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Personality Characteristics ◽  
Entrepreneurial Success ◽  
African Context ◽  
Successful Entrepreneurs ◽  
Industry Sectors ◽  
The Impact

The role of entrepreneurship within the context of an emerging economy has been well documented. Specifically within the South African context, the concept of entrepreneurship has been embraced by most industry sectors particularly for its resultant job creation and associated economic benefits. To date, psychologists have attempted to understand and define the factors that predispose individuals to embark on entrepreneurial careers, focusing primarily on the personality characteristics of entrepreneurs. However, entrepreneurial research from a cognitive psychological framework has been limited. Specifically, the impact of schemata on the success of the entrepreneur has received little exposure. A study was conducted to examine the presence and type of schemata inherent in successful entrepreneurs. The findings indicate that successful entrepreneurs display varied manifestations of adaptive schemata.

scholarly journals Managing employee well-being: A qualitative study exploring job and personal resources of at-risk employees

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecile Gauche ◽  
Leon T. De Beer ◽  
Lizelle Brink
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
South African ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Job Resources ◽  
Personal Resources ◽  
South African Context ◽  
The South ◽  
African Context ◽  
The Impact

Orientation: Job and personal resources influence the well-being of employees. Currently, limited information exists in literature surrounding the experience of these resources in employees identified as at-risk of burnout.Research purpose: To investigate the experience of job and personal resources from the perspectives of employees identified as at-risk of burnout.Motivation for the study: Empirical evidence on the integrative role and influence of job and personal resources on the well-being of employees in the South African context is currently limited. Attaining a better understanding of the manner in which at-risk employees experience resources can empower organisations to actively work towards creating an environment that allows for optimal employee well-being.Research design, approach and method: A phenomenological approach was taken to conduct the study in a South African-based financial services organisation. A combination of purposive and convenience sampling was used, and 26 employees agreed to participate. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, and data analysis was performed through the use of thematic analysis.Main findings: Employees identified as at-risk of burnout acknowledged both job and personal resources as factors influencing their well-being. Participants in this study elaborated on received job resources as well as lacking job resources. Information was also shared by participants on personal resources through describing used personal resources as well as lacking personal resources.Practical/managerial implications: Knowledge gained from the study will contribute to empower organisations to better understand the impact of resources on the well-being of employees, and allow organisations to adapt workplace resources to ensure adequate and appropriate resources to facilitate optimal employee well-being.Contribution: This study contributes to the limited research available in the South African context regarding the experience of job and personal resources from the perspective of at-risk employees. The study may also enable organisations to create a workplace that is more supportive and empowering with appropriate resources to deliver on expected demands.

Zmiana modelu zarządzania i nadzoru nad jakością kształcenia w szkolnictwie wyższym. Perspektywa doświadczeń Republiki Federalnej Niemiec

2020 ◽  
pp. 137-149
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Szewior
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Education ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
University Management ◽  
Strategic Partner ◽  
Higher Education Reforms ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Desk Research

The author focuses on the manner and effects of German higher education reforms that have changed the model of university management. The point of reference is the quality of education and its role, how universities ensure it, and how it is verified through evaluation and accreditation. These elements divide the article into two parts: a part about quality and a part about evaluation and accreditation. The analysis includes the impact of global processes and Europeanization. The research approach is characteristic for public policies, sciences of management and quality. The theories used in this article: the theory of systems and neo-institutionalism, as well as perspectives: the university as an active strategic partner, entrepreneurial university, the third role of universities. The publication is based on desk research and on the analysis of processes.

scholarly journals Factors associated with emotional exhaustion in healthcare professionals involved in the COVID-19 pandemic: an application of the job demands-resources model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Barello ◽  
Rosario Caruso ◽  
Lorenzo Palamenghi ◽  
Tiziana Nania ◽  
Federica Dellafiore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Exhaustion ◽  
Patient Engagement ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Personal Resources ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the present cross-sectional study is to investigate the role of perceived COVID-19-related organizational demands and threats in predicting emotional exhaustion, and the role of organizational support in reducing the negative influence of perceived COVID-19 work-related stressors on burnout. Moreover, the present study aims to add to the understanding of the role of personal resources in the Job Demands-Resources model (JD-R) by examining whether personal resources—such as the professionals’ orientation towards patient engagement—may also strengthen the impact of job resources and mitigate the impact of job demands. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 532 healthcare professionals working during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. It adopted the Job-Demands-Resource Model to study the determinants of professional’s burnout. An integrative model describing how increasing job demands experienced by this specific population are related to burnout and in particular to emotional exhaustion symptoms was developed. Results The results of the logistic regression models provided strong support for the proposed model, as both Job Demands and Resources are significant predictors (OR = 2.359 and 0.563 respectively, with p < 0.001). Moreover, healthcare professionals’ orientation towards patient engagement appears as a significant moderator of this relationship, as it reduces Demands’ effect (OR = 1.188) and increases Resources’ effect (OR = 0.501). Conclusions These findings integrate previous findings on the JD-R Model and suggest the relevance of personal resources and of relational factors in affecting professionals’ experience of burnout.

scholarly journals Lockdowns, lives and livelihoods: the impact of COVID-19 and public health responses to conflict affected populations - a remote qualitative study in Baidoa and Mogadishu, Somalia

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorien H. Braam ◽  
Sharath Srinivasan ◽  
Luke Church ◽  
Zakaria Sheikh ◽  
Freya L. Jephcott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Or Education ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Authorities in Somalia responded with drastic measures after the first confirmed COVID-19 case in mid-March 2020, closing borders, schools, limiting travel and prohibiting most group functions. However, the impact of the pandemic in Somalia thereafter remained unclear. This study employs a novel remote qualitative research method in a conflict-affected setting to look at how some of the most at-risk internally displaced and host populations were impacted by COVID-19, what determined their responses, and how this affected their health and socio-economic vulnerability. Methods We conducted a remote qualitative study, using Katikati, a 1-to-1 conversation management and analysis platform using short message service (SMS) developed by Lark Systems with Africa’s Voices Foundation (AVF), for semi-structured interviews over three months with participants in Mogadishu and Baidoa. We recruited a gender balanced cohort across age groups, and used an analytical framework on the social determinants of health for a narrative analysis on major themes discussed, triangulating data with existing peer-reviewed and grey literature. Results The remote research approach demonstrated efficacy in sustaining trusted and meaningful conversations for gathering qualitative data from hard-to-reach conflict-affected communities. The major themes discussed by the 35 participants included health, livelihoods and education. Two participants contracted the disease, while others reported family or community members affected by COVID-19. Almost all participants faced a loss of income and/or education, primarily as a result of the strict public health measures. Some of those who were heavily affected economically but did not directly experienced disease, denied the pandemic. Religion played an important role in participants’ beliefs in protection against and salvation from the disease. As lockdowns were lifted in August 2020, many believed the pandemic to be over. Conclusions While the official COVID-19 burden has remained relatively low in Somalia, the impact to people’s daily lives, income and livelihoods due to public health responses, has been significant. Participants describe those ‘secondary’ outcomes as the main impact of the pandemic, serving as a stark reminder of the need to broaden the public health response beyond disease prevention to include social and economic interventions to decrease people’s vulnerability to future shocks.

Towards a dialect-neutral assessment instrument for the language skills of Afrikaans-speaking children: the role of socioeconomic status

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRENETTE SOUTHWOOD
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Assessment Instrument ◽  
Socioeconomic Background ◽  
Parental Education Level ◽  
Father Figures ◽  
African Context ◽  
Neutral Language

ABSTRACTThe aims of the study were to establish whether there is a correlation between the socioeconomic background of Afrikaans-speaking children and their performance on a dialect-neutral language test, and to ascertain whether the allowance the test currently makes for parental education level is sufficient. The Afrikaans version of the DiagnosticEvaluation ofLanguageVariation(Seymour, Roeper & de Villiers, 2005a) was administered to 231 Afrikaans-speaking children age 4 ; 0 to 9 ; 11 from various socioeconomic backgrounds. A positive correlation was found between the composite language scores as well as the scores for each of the language domains (syntax, pragmatics, semantics) and the primary female caregivers' highest level of education. Children with father figures present did not outperform those without. It appears that the original manner of accommodating parental education level in interpreting the children's language scores on the test is sufficient and need not be refined for the South African context.

scholarly journals Social cohesion and social capital: Possible implications for the common good

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Cloete
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
South African ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Common Good ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
The Common Good ◽  
Bridging Social Capital ◽  
African Context ◽  
The Common

The main objective of the article is to identify the possible implications of social cohesion and social capital for the common good. In order to reach this overarching aim the following structure will be utilised. The first part explores the conceptual understanding of socialcohesion and social capital in order to establish how these concepts are related and how they could possibly inform each other. The contextual nature of social cohesion and social capital is briefly reflected upon, with specific reference to the South African context. The contribution of religious capital in the formation of social capital is explored in the last section of the article. The article could be viewed as mainly conceptual and explorative in nature in order to draw some conclusions about the common good of social capital and social cohesion.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article contributes to the interdisciplinary discourse on social cohesion with specific reference to the role of congregations. It provides a critical reflection on the role of congregations with regard to bonding and bridging social capital. The contextual nature of social cohesion is also addressed with specific reference to South Africa.

scholarly journals An attack on the Cross: Spiritual leaders’ accounts of fear and resilience during COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mammusa Rosinah Lekoa ◽  
Sibusiso Louis Ntuli
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Church Leaders ◽  
Spiritual Leaders ◽  
Vulnerable Communities ◽  
Difficult Time ◽  
Essential Services ◽  
The Face ◽  
African Context ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Church

This paper provides accounts on the impact that COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown(s) had on the Church and its leaders in the South African context. The study explores challenges that the leaders faced and how they dealt with them to remain standing despite their fears. The context is COVID-19 pandemic, which brought mass deaths, fear, confusion and frustration to congregations globally. Church leaders faced a challenge to show resilience amid fear because they too were directly affected. Governments introduced regulations that imposed lockdowns to control the spread of the virus. Limiting contact by restricting distance amongst citizens. The church was one sector that could not operate. Although some sectors were never declared essential services like churches, this left vulnerable communities without support in the face of fear. Spiritual leaders had to demonstrate resilience to support the congregants. The key question the researchers seek to understand is to what extent did the church remain resilient during COVID-19 pandemic? And how did the church leaders deal with fear despite anointing and expectations from the congregants and communities? A qualitative approach was used in this study. COVID-19 has shown that Church leaders are humans and they are also fearful, however their faith in God has assisted them to show resilience even at this difficult time. The study also asserts that governments should consult different groupings of faith-based organisations, not only those that are under organised bodies before embarking on restrictions for pandemic control. Communities encompass many churches and leaders require support to assist them from church members.

A conceptual framework for using social innovation as an approach to local economic development

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pontso Chomane ◽  
Maréve I. Biljohn
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
South African ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Antecedents And Consequences ◽  
The Impact

Background: Approaches such as social innovation were visible during many of the responses that public-sector organisations, civil society, communities, and the private sector collaboratively implemented to address the issues of unemployment and the impact of economic challenges during the global COVID-19 pandemic. The use of social innovation as an approach to local economic development by South African municipalities, however, reveals a research gap in terms of a conceptual framework for enabling such use.Aim: This article explores a conceptual framework for using social innovation as an approach to local economic development by South African municipalities.Setting: Conventional top-down local economic development approaches by South African municipalities have become inadequate for dealing with contemporary local economic development challenges. Such inadequacy calls for municipalities to rethink and adapt their approach to dealing with economic challenges and to developing and implementing their local economic development strategies.Methods: Through an interpretivist paradigm, the adopted methodology is underpinned by a qualitative research approach. Content analysis was performed of relevant research documents concerning social innovation and local economic development. From this content analysis, a conceptual framework was developed through an inductive approach.Results: The findings illustrate that the praxis for using this conceptual framework is vested in the interconnected nature of its attributes, antecedents, and consequences, which will contribute to the achievement of certain local economic development outcomes.Conclusion: This article suggests that a conceptual framework could contribute to stimulating future research concerning the phenomenon and can serve as an impetus and direction for research inquiry.

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