Job Characteristics, Optimism, Burnout, and ILL Health of Support Staff in a Higher Education Institution in South Africa

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastiaan Rothmann ◽  
Nadia Essenko
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Job Characteristics ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Higher Education Institution

scholarly journals An exploration of stereotype perceptions amongst support staff within a South African higher education institution

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Given R.B. Moloto ◽  
Lizelle Brink ◽  
J. Alewyn Nel
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Diverse Workforce ◽  
The Impact

Orientation: After the 1994 democratic elections, South African organisations had to replace discriminatory policies with new policies to integrate all people and to embrace diversity. As a consequence stereotypes may be more prevalent in diverse working environments.Research purpose: The objective of this study was to explore the experience of stereotypes amongst the support staff within a higher education institution.Motivation for this study: Changes within South African working environments, and specifically higher education institutions, resulted in more diverse management teams and a more culturally diverse workforce. With this in mind, the experience of stereotypes may become more prevalent within South African working environments. Many researchers have focused on stereotypes; however, studies on stereotypes within South Africa are limited, especially within higher education institutions. Research approach, design and method: The research approach was qualitative and a case study design was employed. A combination of both quota and convenience sampling was used. The sample consisted of (N = 30) support staff within a higher education institution in South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data.Main findings: The results indicated that the participants do experience stereotypes within their workplace and also hold stereotypes of other people within their workplace. The most prevalent stereotypes mentioned by participants were age, gender, racial and occupational stereotypes. There is also an indication that stereotypes have cognitive, emotional and behavioural effects on the stereotyped.Practical/managerial implications: Organisations should do away with stereotyping by embracing and managing diversity and dealing with stereotypes, specifically within higher education institutions. When managers are aware of stereotypes and the effects thereof in the organisation, they can make every effort to eradicate the stereotypes and address the impact thereof.Contribution: In an environment where there is a diverse workforce, stereotyping is more likely to exist. This study will provide useful information about stereotypes within a higher education institution seeing that there are a limited number of studies on this topic within South Africa and within this specific occupation. The results of the study will enlighten the organisation to become more aware of stereotypes and the debilitating impact that they have on the individual and the organisation, thereby providing the organisation with the opportunity to address stereotypes and the impact thereof on employees and the organisation.

scholarly journals Job insecurity, sense of coherence and the general health of employees at a higher education institution in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 660-670
Author(s):  
Sam T Setati ◽  
Marius Stander ◽  
Wilfred Isioma Ukpere
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
General Health ◽  
Job Insecurity ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Cross Sectional

This study investigated the relationship between job insecurity, sense of coherence and general health of employees in a higher education institution in South Africa. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A random sample (n = 229) was taken from academic and non-academic staff members of the institution. The Job Insecurity Inventory, General Health Questionnaire and Orientation to Life Questionnaire were administered. The results showed that a negative relationship exists between job insecurity and general health, while a positive relationship exists between sense of coherence and general health. High job insecurity and a weak sense of coherence predicted ill health. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that higher education institutions should attend to job insecurity by communicating effectively with employees, in order to clarify expectations, and ensure support from supervisors. Developing the employees’ sense of coherence can positively impact on their wellness. Owing to the cross-sectional design of the study, no conclusions regarding causality was drawn.

scholarly journals Gender diversity, ethnic diversity and employee performance in a South African higher education institution

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simbarashe Zhuwao ◽  
Hlanganipai Ngirande ◽  
Wiseman Ndlovu ◽  
Sam T. Setati
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Diversity Training ◽  
Employee Performance ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Diversity Management ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Legal Compliance ◽  
Higher Education Institution

Orientation: Although there has been an improvement in workforce diversity in South Africa, gender and ethnicity issues such as discrimination, prejudice and sexual harassment prevail within organisations. This is because organisational leaders view diversity as a matter of legal compliance instead of as a value addition to organisational growth and profitability. Based on this, it is important for organisations to understand the economic side of diversity and not just be content with having such a workforce.Research purpose: This study investigated the effects of gender and ethnic diversity on the performance of employees in a selected higher education institution in South Africa.Motivation of the study: The study was conducted to determine whether gender and ethnic diversity influences the performance of employees in a higher education institution in South Africa. It is believed that by doing so, the study may assist organisational leaders to determine strategies and best practices that will create culture that is inclusive rather than exclusive.Research approach/design and method: A cross-sectional research design was used. A stratified random sample (n = 258) was chosen by dividing employees into homogeneous strata of academic and non-academic employees. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data. Pearson product moment correlation and multiple regression analysis were performed.Main findings: The results show that gender diversity and ethnic diversity are positively and significantly related to employee performance. The study recommends that higher education institutions implement effective diversity management policies and strategies to improve the effectiveness of gender and ethnic diversity towards the performance of employees.Practical/managerial implications: The study recommends organisations to embrace diversity and not just abide by the affirmative action policies and be satisfied with having such a workforce. To achieve this, effective diversity management programmes such as diversity training and mentoring programmes should be implemented to ensure that all employees are properly trained on diversity issues.Contribution/value add: First of all, the findings of this study will add to existing knowledge that will aid in the understanding of gender and ethnic diversity in general and its relevance to employee performance, which in turn leads to organisational performance. Furthermore, this study will be an eye opener to organisational leaders and employees as it will help them to begin to see that diversity is a blessing rather than a matter of legal compliance. It will help organisations to see the need for having diversity and confirm that employees can work together despite their differences.

scholarly journals Occupational stress, organisational commitment and ill-health of employees at a higher education institution in South Africa

2005 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Coetzee ◽  
S. Rothmann
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Occupational Stress ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Organisational Commitment ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Control Work

The objectives of this study were to assess the indicators and moderators of occupational stress at a higher education institution in South Africa, as well as differences based on language and years of experience at the institution. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The participants included academic and support staff at a higher education institution (N = 372). An Organisational Stress Screening Tool (ASSET) and a biographical questionnaire were administered. Workload, control, work-relationships and pay and benefits were the major occupational stressors in the institution. Compared to the international norm, participants reported higher levels of physical and psychological ill-health and perceived lack of commitment from the organisation. Analysis of variance revealed differences in occupational stress levels for all the biographical variables tested. Organisational commitment moderated the effect of occupational stress on ill-health. Opsomming Die doelstellings van hierdie studie was om die aanwysers en verligtende faktore van beroepstres in ’n hoëronderwysinstansie in Suid-Afrika te identifiseer, asook moontlike verskille gebaseer op taal en jare ervaring by die instansie te bepaal. ’n Dwarsdeursnee-opnameontwerp is gebruik. Die deelnemers het bestaan uit akademiese en ondersteuningspersoneel verbonde aan ’n hoëronderwysinstansie (N = 372). ’n Organisasiestresgraderingsinstrument (ASSET) en ’n biografiese vraelys is afgeneem. Oorlading, kontrole, werksverhoudinge en salaris en byvoordele was die vernaamste stressore in die instelling. Vergeleke met die internasionale norm, het deelnemers hoër vlakke van fisieke en psigologiese ongesondheid gerapporteer, en ook ’n gebrek aan verbondenheid komende van die werkgewer ervaar. Variansieanalise het verskille in werkstresvlakke uitgewys vir al die biografiese veranderlikes wat getoets is. Organisasieverbondenheid het die effek van beroepstres op ongesondheid gematig.

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