Medical Student And Faculty Perceptions Of Undergraduate Surgical Training In The South African And Swedish Tertiary Institutions: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Orientation: South Africa has been suffering from persistently high levels of unemployment since 2008. The youth is regarded as the most at-risk group in the South African labour market and unemployment amongst the youth is considered one of the most critical socio-economic problems in South Africa. Increasing one’s employability is essential to securing employment and enhancing one’s well-being.Research purpose: This study aimed to explore the self-perceived employability of undergraduate students at a South African university.Motivation for the study: Currently, there is a scarcity of published research on the self-perceived employability amongst undergraduate students at higher education institutions in South Africa.Research approach/design and method: The study was conducted within a positivistic research paradigm. A quantitative-based cross-sectional survey design was used. Convenience sampling was used to select the students who were included in the survey. Data were collected through a web-based survey, using a standardised coded questionnaire that consisted of a five-point Likert-type scale.Main findings: The results indicated that the respondents were relatively confident about their internal employability, but they were less confident about their opportunities in the external labour market.Practical/managerial implications: Understanding one’s employability and the accompanied issues creates awareness of one’s potential, skills and knowledge to become a successful citizen and employee.Contribution/value-add: The study shed light on the self-perceived employability of undergraduate students at a South African university and consequently contributes to the existing literature on employability in the South African context.

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A rasch analysis of a measure of stakeholders inputs for the South African occupational learning context

Risk Governance and Control Financial Markets & Institutions ◽

10.22495/rgcv5i3c1art1 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 94-103

Author(s):

Maelekanyo Christopher Tshilongamulenzhe

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

Rasch Analysis ◽

Survey Design ◽

Learning Context ◽

The South ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Good Person ◽

Trait Measurement ◽

Occupational Learning

This study assesses the psychometric properties of the Stakeholders Inputs (SI) scale which is designed for the South African occupational learning context. A quantitative, non-experimental cross-sectional survey design was used and data were collected from a sample of 652 respondents. Data were analysed using SPSS and Winsteps software. The findings reveal that the SI scale is a psychometrically robust instrument suitable for application in the South African occupational learning context. The measure shows a good person and item separation indices and no evidence of item misfit. All items contribute to a single trait measurement.

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Developing And Validating A Measure Of Monitoring And Evaluation For The South Africa Skills Development Context

Foundations of Management ◽

10.1515/fman-2015-0039 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 225-238

Author(s):

Maelekanyo Christopher Tshilongamulenzhe

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

South African ◽

Monitoring And Evaluation ◽

Skills Development ◽

The South ◽

Economic Sectors ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Development Context ◽

Skills Shortages

Abstract As nations around the world grapple with the deepening challenge of skills crunch, policies, strategies and interventions are being devised to develop and retain a competitive workforce. South Africa is not spared from the global talent war, and the persistence of skills shortages across most economic sectors makes the country vulnerable economically and socially. Legislative instruments and strategies were formulated and implemented to ameliorate the situation, but scientific evidence suggests a looming crisis due to poor monitoring and evaluation systems regarding the success of these instruments and strategies. This study develops and validates a monitoring and evaluation (ME) scale for the South African skills development context. A quantitative nonexperimental cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from 557 participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software (version 23.0). The findings show that the ME scale is scientifically valid and reliable and can be used with confidence in the South African skills development context. The findings provide scope for a validation study on an independent sample, and an evaluation of structural invariance of the ME scale across sample subgroups.

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Determinants of Employee Engagement in the South African Hospitality Industry During COVID-19 Lockdown Epoch: Employee Perception

African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure ◽

10.46222/ajhtl.19770720.113 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 487-499

Author(s):

Nyashadzashe Chiwawa ◽

Henry Wissink

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

Employee Engagement ◽

Hospitality Industry ◽

Human Resources Management ◽

Hospitality Management ◽

Research Approach ◽

The South ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Business Environments

Employee engagement has emerged as an important concept in hospitality management as well as in human resources management fields. The purpose of the study was to assess the determinants of employee engagement in the South African hospitality industry. The study was conducted against a backdrop caused by volatile uncertain, complex and ambiguous business environments in which business and hotels in general operate exposing employees in the hotel industry to serve in very difficult conditions due to the nature of the diverse and changing needs of their clients. The study used a sample of 260 employees from 15 hotels within and around eThekwini municipality territorial jurisdiction. A cross-sectional survey was used based on a deductive research approach. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected using a questionnaire. Research findings submits that hotels that put a strong emphasis on cultivating engaged workers reap substantial rewards. Employees who report being engaged at work have been shown to perform better at work, as employee involvement is related to organisational results such as efficiency, organisational citizenship, and overall job performance. The researcher recommends that organisations should examine the possible relationships between engagement and performance-related outcome variables that indicate improving engagement, as these provide a competitive advantage over rivals.

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Coping strategies in the South African police service

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology ◽

10.4102/sajip.v29i4.123 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

J. Pienaar ◽

S. Rothmann

Keyword(s):

Coping Strategies ◽

South African ◽

Survey Design ◽

The South ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Police Service ◽

South African Police Service ◽

Structural Equivalence ◽

South African Police

The objective of this study was to determine the internal consistency, construct validity, structural equivalence and item bias of the COPE, and to determine the differences between coping strategies of various demographic groups in the South African Police Service. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A random, stratified sample (N = 1431) was taken of police members in eight South African provinces. The COPE and a biographical questionnaire were administered. Four internally consistent factors were extracted, namely Approach Coping, Avoidance, Seeking Emotional Support and Turning to Religion. These factors showed structural equivalence for police members of all race groups and no items were biased. Differences in coping strategies were found for different ranks and races.Opsomming Die doelstelling van hierdie studie was om die interne konsekwentheid, konstrukgeldigheid, strukturele ekwivalensie en itemsydigheid van die COPE-vraelys te bepaal en om verskille tussen die coping-strategieë van verskillende demografiese groepe in die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens te bepaal. ’n Dwarssnee opname-ontwerp is gebruik. ’n Ewekansige gestratifiseerde steekproef (N = 1431) is van polisielede in agt provinsies van Suid-Afrika geneem. Die COPE en ’n biografiese vraelys is afgeneem. Vier intern konsekwente faktore, naamlik Benaderings-coping, Vermyding, Soeke na Emosionele Ondersteuning en Keer-na-Religie is onttrek. Hierdie faktore het strukturele ekwivalensie vir alle rassegroepe getoon en geen items was sydig nie. Verskille rakende coping-strategieë is vir verskillende rang en rasse gevind.

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The validation of a measure of organisational energy in the South African context

SA Journal of Human Resource Management ◽

10.4102/sajhrm.v9i1.308 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lynne Derman ◽

Nicolene Barkhuizen ◽

Karel Stanz

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

Financial Institution ◽

Survey Design ◽

Valuable Insight ◽

South African Context ◽

The South ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

African Context

Orientation: Previous research has highlighted the need to examine the relationship between people and organisations. This perspective facilitates the study of organisational energy.Research purpose: The purpose of this research was to validate a measure of organisational energy in the South African context and to investigate whether there are differences in organisational energy as perceived by employees based on their demographic characteristics and lifestyle variables.Motivation for the study: Managing energy in organisations is important as it drives motivation, powers teamwork, fosters creativity and gives organisations a competitive edge (Schiuma, Mason & Kennerley, 2007). Limited empirical research currently exists on the phenomenon of energy in organisations.Research design/approach method: The researchers used a cross-sectional survey design, with a convenience sample (N = 520) of employees in a South African financial institution. The researchers administered the EnergyScapes Profile.Main findings: Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a one-factor structure for the EnergyScapes Profile. The scale, labelled organisational energy, showed acceptable internal consistency. The researchers found statistically significant differences in the organisational energy levels of employees based on age, tenure, geographical region, relaxation, hypertension and diabetes, depression or psychosis.Practical/managerial implications: The research provides valuable insight for practicing managers about understanding the concept of organisational energy and encourages leaders to question the energy of their employees.Contribution/value-add: The insight the researchers gained by studying the concept of organisational energy contributed in a unique way and showed the importance of considering organisations as dynamic and interactive with the people that work for them.

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Involvement in and Views on Social Responsibility of Gauteng Members of the South African Society of Physiotherapy: A Cross-sectional Survey

South African Journal of Physiotherapy ◽

10.4102/sajp.v68i1.5 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 68 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

K Mostert-Wentzel ◽

LJ Masenyetse ◽

N Dinat ◽

A Botha ◽

LD Jonkers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Responsibility ◽

South African ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

P Value ◽

Continuous Variables ◽

African Society ◽

The South ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

South African Society

How do physiotherapists in Gauteng Province,who are members of the South African Society of Physiotherapy(SASP), view social responsibility?A cross-sectional survey was conducted after ethics approval.All 1 098 Gauteng members of the SASP were invited via a thirdpartye-mail to reach the a priori minimum sample size of 97. Theweb-based questionnaire was developed from literature, an earlierSASP survey and a position paper of the American Physical TherapyAssociation (APTA). Five experts validated the instrument.The Likert scale scores indicating agreement with indicatorsof social responsibility were totalled to form a composite socialresponsibility score. The chi-square test for independence was used to determine associations between the categorisedcomposite social responsibility score and categorical variables. Mean difference of continuous variables betweenthe categorised core for two groups were tested using the two-sample t-test. All variables with a P-value less than0.05 were included in the logistic regression analysis to investigate predictors of the necessity of social responsibility.The survey was completed by 163 participants. Of the sample, 96.9% viewed social responsibility as important.Subjects agreed most with “advocating for the health needs of society” (74,2%) and the least with “political activism”(6.1%). Compulsory community service positively influenced 74.6%.Most physiotherapists in the study viewed social responsibility as important and were involved in volunteering.There is scope to broaden the understanding among physiotherapists of what social responsibility entails.

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A Rasch analysis of the fear of coronavirus-19 scale in South Africa

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology ◽

10.4102/sajip.v47i0.1861 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 47 ◽

Author(s):

Sergio L. Peral ◽

Brandon Morgan ◽

Kleinjan Redelinghuys

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

South African ◽

Internal Validity ◽

Partial Credit Model ◽

South African Context ◽

The South ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

African Context

Orientation: Investigating the psychological aspects associated with the coronavirus disease might be important for psychological interventions. The fear of coronavirus-19 scale (FCV-19S) has emerged as a popular measure of coronavirus-19-related fear. However, its psychometric properties remain unknown in South Africa.Research purpose: This study set out to investigate the internal validity of the FCV-19S in the South African context using the Rasch measurement model.Motivation for the study: There have been some mixed findings on the psychometric properties of the FCV-19S in international research and its psychometric properties are yet to be investigated in South Africa. Investigating these psychometric properties can provide psychometric information to practitioners who wish to use this instrument in the South African context.Research approach/design and method: A cross-sectional survey research design was used. The FCV-19S was administered to 159 adults. The Rasch partial credit model was applied to the item responses to investigate the measurement quality of the FCV-19S.Main findings: The FCV-19S showed somewhat satisfactory internal validity in the South African context within the boundaries of the current sample, and clarity was obtained on the mixed findings obtained in the previous research. Potential shortcomings of the scale were identified that might reduce its applicability to the South African context.Practical/managerial implications: Our results provide tentative support for the internal validity of the FCV-19S in South Africa. Suggestions for the improvement of the scale are made.Contribution/value-add: This is one of the first studies to investigate the internal validity of the FCV-19S in South Africa. Our results hold important implications for the continued use of this scale and have helped to clarify some of the mixed findings obtained in previous research.

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Navigating on the precursors of work readiness amongst students in Johannesburg, South Africa

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology ◽

10.4102/sajip.v46i0.1778 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 46 ◽

Author(s):

Khensani Magagula ◽

Eugine T. Maziriri ◽

Musawenkosi D. Saurombe

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Work Readiness ◽

South African Context ◽

The South ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

African Context ◽

The Impact

Orientation: Research has been conducted regarding work readiness in a various contexts. However, there are deficiencies in studies that have focused on the precursors of work readiness in an African context.Research purpose: The primary objective of this study was to determine the impact of career self-efficacy (CSE), career exploration (CE) and self-perceived employability (SPE) on work readiness (WR) of students in the South African context, particularly in the Gauteng Province.Motivation for the study: There is an unequivocal gap between what educational institutions teach as well as what the South African labour market requires, highlighting a misalignment and one of many reasons graduates struggle to find work.Research approach/design and method: To close the research gap, the current study used a quantitative approach using the cross-sectional survey research design. A structured questionnaire was administered to 254 randomly selected students. The collected data were analysed using structural equation modelling.Main findings: The hypotheses testing results revealed that the WR was influenced significantly and positively by CSE, CE and SPE.Practical/managerial implications: The present research provides implications from which managers of institutions of higher learning can benefit. For instance, ensuring that experiential learning is involved in all the programmes. This will be more advantageous to students who would like to evaluate themselves to determine if they are work ready.Contribution/value-add: This study adds fresh understanding regarding the precursors that stimulate work readiness among students in a South African context.

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Development of a holistic wellness model for managers in tertiary institutions

SA Journal of Human Resource Management ◽

10.4102/sajhrm.v7i1.208 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Petrus A. Botha ◽

Hein Brand

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

Total Population ◽

Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Lifestyle Behaviour ◽

Holistic Wellness ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tertiary Institutions ◽

Risk Levels ◽

Low Levels

Individuals struggle to attain optimal wellness and health levels due to unhealthy lifestyle behaviour. A holistic wellness model was developed in this study to provide a framework for a cross-sectional survey to assess the wellness behaviour and health risk levels of managers in two South African universities. A census was done on the total population of 324 and responses were received from 89 managers. The study employed descriptive and inferential statistical procedures to analyse the quantitative data. The findings suggested that the managers had high levels of wellness behaviour and low levels of health risks. Physical fitness and nutrition as well as medical self-care wellness behaviour levels were identified as weaknesses among managers, for which urgent interventions are required.

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