scholarly journals Organisational inertia: Contrasting results in Australia and South Africa

2003 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gert Roodt ◽  
Carli Kinnear ◽  
Ronel Erwee
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Measuring Instruments ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Australian Institute ◽  
High Internal Consistency

This study investigates the similarities of scores on the Organisational Inertia Survey in executive samples in Australia and South Africa. The study builds on previous research on the metric qualities of the Organisational Inertia Survey and problems associated with assuming cross-cultural equivalence of measuring instruments. The sample for this study included a SA sample of 617 executives from different companies and 340 Australian executives from the Australian Institute of Management who participated in an Australian survey. The results show that a twofactor structure with a high internal consistency was extracted in the combined sample. The conclusion from further analyses is that significant differences exist in the obtained Organisational Inertia scores between Australian and South African examples and between male and female respondents. Opsomming Hierdie studie ondersoek die ooreenkomste tussen tellings van Australiese en Suid-Afrikaanse bestuurders op die organisasietraagheidvraelys. Die studie bou op vorige navorsing rakende die metriese eienskappe van die organisasietraagheidvraelys en probleme wat met die aanvaarding van tussen-kulturele ekwivalensie van meetinstrumente geassosieer word. Die steekproef vir hierdie studie het 617 Suid-Afrikaanse bestuurders uit verskillende maatskappye ingesluit en 340 Australiese bestuurders van die Australiese Bestuursinstituut wat aan die ondersoek deelgeneem het. Die resultate dui op ’n tweefaktor struktuur met ’n hoë interne betroubaarheid wat uit die gekombineerde steekproef onttrek is. Die gevolgtrekkings uit verdere ontledings is dat daar beduidende verskille bestaan in organisasietraagheidtellings tussen Australiese en Suid-Afrikaanse bestuurders en tussen manlike en vroulike respondente.

Measurement of organisational inertia: portability of a South African scale in an Australian context

2001 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gert Roodt ◽  
Carli Kinnear ◽  
Ronel Erwee ◽  
Don Smith ◽  
Bernadette Lynch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Measuring Instruments ◽  
Single Factor ◽  
The South ◽  
Australian Context ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
High Internal Consistency ◽  
Different Populations

This research investigates whether the metric qualities of the South African Organisational Inertia Scale have cross-cultural equivalence in the Australian context. The underlying theoretical model and research in South Africa is discussed and problems associated with assuming cross-cultural equivalence of measuring instruments are noted. A sample of convenience of 340 participants, constituted from different populations, participated in this investigation. A single factor with a high internal consistency was extracted in contrast to the South African results of two factors with high internal consistencies. Opsomming Hierdie navorsing is daarop gerig om vas te stel of die metriese eienskappe van die Suid-Afrikaanse Organisational Inertia Scale kruiskulturele ekwivalensie in die Australiese konteks het. Die onderliggende teoretiese model en navorsing in Suid-Afrika word bespreek en probleme wat met die aanvaarding van kruis-kulturele ekwivalensie gepaard gaan, word aangedui.n Geleentheidsteekproefvan 340 deelnemers, saamgestel uit verskeie populasies, het aan die ondersoek deelgeneem.'n Enkele faktor met hoe interne konstantheid is onttrek in teenstelling met die Suid-Afrikaanse resultate waar twee faktore met hoe interne konstanthede verkry is.

scholarly journals Reflections on a field across time and space: the emergent medical and health humanities in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 263-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Jane Hume ◽  
Megan Wainwright
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
The South ◽  
Health Humanities ◽  
Cultural Experience ◽  
The North ◽  
Qualitative Evidence ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Personal Reflections

In this paper, we draw on our own cross-cultural experience of engaging with different incarnations of the medical and health humanities (MHH) in the UK and South Africa to reflect on what is distinct and the same about MHH in these locations. MHH spaces, whether departments, programmes or networks, have espoused a common critique of biomedical dualism and reductionism, a celebration of qualitative evidence and the value of visual and performative arts for their research, therapeutic and transformative social potential. However, there have also been differences, and importantly a different ‘identity’ among some leading South African scholars and practitioners, who have felt that if MHH were to speak from the South as opposed to the North, they would say something quite different. We seek to contextualise our personal reflections on the development of the field in South Africa over recent years within wider debates about MHH in the context of South African academia and practice, drawing in part on interviews conducted by one of the authors with South African researchers and practitioners and our own reflections as ‘Northerners’ in the ‘South’.

Exploring Guanxi in a Cross-Cultural Context

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
_ _
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Employment Decisions ◽  
Employment Relationships

Abstract Using a case study of recently arrived Cantonese-speaking migrants, this article examines the role of guanxi in shaping Chinese newcomers’ economic activities and opportunities in South Africa. In Johannesburg, Cantonese-speaking migrants tend to be employed in restaurant and fahfee (gambling) sectors, which are partially inherited from the early generations of South African Chinese. Through narratives and stories, this article reveals that Cantonese newcomers often strengthen personal and employment relationships through the practice of guanxi, but that doing so can also constrain their employment decisions. Moreover, the ambiguous boundary between the act of bribery and the practice of guanxi may facilitate Chinese participation but can also result in the victimization of the newcomers.

scholarly journals Burnout and engagement: A South African perspective

2003 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Rothmann
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Causal Models ◽  
Item Bias ◽  
Measuring Instruments ◽  
Factorial Validity ◽  
Multicultural Context ◽  
Construct Equivalence ◽  
African Perspective

Work wellness, and more specifically burnout and engagement are important focus areas of research and intervention in South Africa. However, few studies have been conducted regarding the factorial validity, construct equivalence and item bias of measuring instruments of burnout and work engagement. Furthermore, few studies have been conducted regarding causal models of burnout as well as interventions to prevent and/or manage burnout in a multicultural context. Little is known about the causes of work engagement and interventions to increase it. Research should be conducted to validate measuring instruments of burnout, work engagement and predictors thereof in multicultural contexts. Research is also needed regarding the effectiveness of interventions to manage work engagement and to prevent and/or manage burnout. Opsomming Werkwelstand, en meer spesifiek psigiese uitbranding en begeestering is belangrike fokusareas vir navorsing en intervensie in Suid-Afrika. Tog is min studies onderneem rakende die faktorgeldigheid, konstrukekwivalensie en itemsydigheid van meetinstrumente van psigiese uitbranding en werksbegeestering. Verder is min studies onderneem ten opsigte van oorsaaklike modelle van psigiese uitbranding sowel as intervensies om uitbranding in ‘n multikulturele konteks te voorkom en/of te bestuur. Min is bekend oor die oorsake van werksbegeestering en intervensies om dit te verhoog. Navorsing moet onderneem word ten einde meetinstrumente van psigiese uitbranding, werksbegeestering en voorspellers daarvan in ‘n multikulturele konteks te valideer. Navorsing rakende die effektiwiteit van intervensies om werksbegeestering te bestuur en psigiese uitbranding te voorkom en/of te hanteer, is ook noodsaaklik.

scholarly journals Links or disconnect: a first consideration of inflation expectations and inflation credibility, with specific reference to South Africa

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jannie Rossouw ◽  
Vishnu Padayachee ◽  
Adel Bosch
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Inflation Expectations ◽  
International Literature ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
South Africans ◽  
General Lack ◽  
Domestic Inflation

This paper compares international and domestic inflation expectations and inflation credibility, and hypothesises about a possible link or disconnect between inflation expectations and inflation credibility among South Africans.  No similar tests have previously been performed using South African data, and there is also a general lack of domestic and international literature on any such possible link or disconnect.  While research shows that inflation expectations are taken into account by all countries targeting inflation, inflation credibility is very seldom considered.  Although the hypothesis is confirmed in certain instances, it is refuted by a disconnect between the inflation expectations and inflation credibility of male and female respondents in South Africa, which cannot be explained by available data.

Further Validation of a Subtle Racism Scale in South Africa

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 116-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Duckitt
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
White Students ◽  
Strong Correlation ◽  
Subtle Racism ◽  
Preliminary Validation ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
High Level ◽  
The University

Obvious and transparent measures of traditional racism no longer appear to adequately assess anti-black prejudice in more sophisticated samples. This, together with a growing tendency for traditional measures to elicit antagonistic responses from subjects, led in an earlier study to the development and preliminary validation of a South African subtle racism (SR) scale. The current research used a new sample, in which the use of traditional measures of anti-black racism would have been very difficult, to cross-validate the SR scale. It also extended the validation of the SR scale by investigating its association with self-reports of actual interracial behaviour. The findings from 303 white students at the University of the Witwatersrand showed a high level of internal consistency on the SR scale, and a strong correlation with an interracial behavioural intention scale. These findings as well as significant correlations with self-reported interracial behaviour support the validity of the SR scale. Contrary to earlier thinking, the findings also indicate a very powerful relationship between anti-black prejudice and authoritarianism.

scholarly journals The prevalence of substance use in anaesthesia practitioners in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 14-20
Author(s):  
JL Van Der Westhuizen ◽  
F Roodt ◽  
M Nejthardt ◽  
T Esterhuizen ◽  
M Flint ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
South African ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
The United States ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Moderate Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
South African Society

Background: In the United States the mortality associated with substance abuse among anaesthesia residents is twice that of non-anaesthesia residents. Since no data exist, the primary objective of this cross-sectional study was to establish the prevalence of substance use in South African anaesthesia practitioners. Secondary objectives were to compare the prevalence in male and female practitioners, and in private and state practice anaesthetists. Years of experience and level of training were explored as possible risk factors for hazardous or harmful use. Methods: Participants completed a self-administered, validated WHO questionnaire, over a ten-day period surrounding the 2018 South African Society of Anaesthesiologists (SASA) congress. All doctors practising anaesthesia in South Africa were eligible. Recruitment was via an email link sent to all SASA members, as well as a web-based link at the congress. Results: A total of 1 961 SASA members and 113 non-members (anaesthesiologists, registrars and non-specialists) were invited to participate (total 2 074). There were 434 responses (response rate 20.9%, margin of error 4.18%); 364 were suitable for analysis. The most commonly lifetime-used substances were alcohol (92.8%), tobacco (42.3%), cannabis (34.7%), and sedatives (34.4%). Questionnaire scores defined low-, medium- and high-risk categories according to substance use during the previous three months. Sedative (12.6%) and alcohol (12.1%) users were deemed to be at moderate risk. The prevalence of opioid use was 1.9% (n = 7). Prevalence of substance use was similar in male and female practitioners, as well as in those working in private practice or in state hospitals. Conclusion: The prevalence of current use of alcohol and sedatives is of major concern. A significant proportion of respondents were assessed to be at moderate risk of hazardous or harmful substance use. Gender and practice setting have little impact on substance use. Wellness efforts should be aimed at all anaesthesia practitioners in South Africa.

scholarly journals Die korrespondensie van J.J. Venter met H.A.L. Hamelberg: ontleding van ’n sendingbeskouing

2009 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. H. Fick
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
South African ◽  
Church And State ◽  
Church History ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
The Other ◽  
Free State ◽  
Missionary Work ◽  
Reformed Church

The correspondence of J.J. Venter with H.A.L. Hamelberg: an analysis of a view of mission The controversy regarding the view of missionary work has recurred in South African church history from time to time. This was also the case in the Reformed Church in the Orange Free State during the nineteenth century. It becomes apparent from the 1879 to 1881 correspondence of J.J. Venter with H.A.L. Hamelberg, the then Consul-General of the Free State in the Netherlands. Venter wrote to Hamelberg about his dis- appointment with the reverend Dirk Postma, the first minister of the Reformed Church in South Africa. According to Venter they had been misled: they had asked for a preacher and got a missionary instead. Venter’s view of mission is based on a peculiar view of the doctrine of predestination: he approved of missionary work only if the fruit of election becomes apparent in the lives of the objects of the missionary work. Venter wrote particularly to Hamelberg, a “fellow-tribesman” more than a religious think-alike. This fact, as well as the correspondence reveals Venter’s actual view on the doctrine of predestination and it is clearly shown in this article. Although Venter’s own writings speak of a Pietistic “Busskampf”, his view of mission is rather in line with orthodoxy’s insistence on a structural link between church and state. Cross-cultural mission was therefore unthinkable, unless there is proof of a change in the other culture.

scholarly journals Validity of the standard shiftwork index for South African shiftworkers in the transport industry

1999 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Visser
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
South African ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Factor Analytic ◽  
Train Drivers ◽  
Further Development

A major problem in shiftwork research has been the lack of uniform measuring procedures across studies. The Standard Shiftwork Index (SSI) contains a battery of self-report questionnaires which was developed to address this need. The objectives of this study included examining the cross- cultural applicability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the SSI scales for a predominantly Afrikaans-speaking sample of 728 train drivers and to provide normative distribution statistics for this sample. Factor analytic results and the correlations between the various scales supported the constnuct validity of the SSI scales. Means obtained on the scales were compared with means obtained for British shiftworkers and non-shiftworkers. The inclusion of job satisfaction and involvement scales, and scales to assess sleep variables appeared to augment an outcome- based theoretical model proposed by the compilers of the SSI. It was concluded that the SSI is a useful research tool for use with shiftworkers, but that further development of some of the scales is advisable. Opsomming 'n Belangrike leemte in navorsing oor skofwerk is die gebrek aan eenvormige metingsprosedures. Die Standard Shiftwork Index (SSI) behels verskeie selfbeoordelingvraelyste wat in Engeland ontwikkel is om hierdie behoefte aan te spreek. Die doelwitte van hierdie studie was om die tussenkulturele toepaslikheid, interne konsekwentheid en konstrukgeldigheid van die SSI-skale vir 'n hoofsaaklik Afrikaanssprekende steekproef van 728 treindrywers te bepaal en om normatiewe statistiek vir hierdie steekproef te verskaf. Faktoranalitiese resultate en die korrelasies tussen die onderskeie skale het hul konstrukgeldigheid ondersteun. Gemiddeldes wat op die onderskeie vraelyste behaal is, is vergelyk met gemiddeldes wat vir Britse skofwerkers en nieskofwerkers verkry is. Die insluiting van werktevredenheid- en werkbetrokkenheidskale, asook skale oor slaap, het die uitkomsgebaseerde teoretiese model van die opstellers van die SSI aangevul. Die SSI kan beskou word as 'n nuttige navorsingshulpmiddel vir gebruik met skofwerkers, maar verdere ontwikkeling van sommige van die skale is gewens.

scholarly journals Cross-cultural equivalence of the organisational culture survey in Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Erwee ◽  
B. Lynch ◽  
B. Millet ◽  
D. Smith ◽  
G. Roodt
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
African Origin ◽  
Logical Positivist ◽  
Australian Institute ◽  
Australian Context ◽  
Recent Trends ◽  
Conceptual Equivalence ◽  
Clear Statement

The aim of this study is to assess whether the cross-cultural equivalence of the Organisational Culture Survey (OCS) persist in an Australian context. The nature of the instrument is presented which includes a clear statement of its South African origin and its’ place within a logical positivist paradigm. The sample consisted of 326 respondents from a population of managers of the Australian Institute of Management. This study confirms the instrument’s validity and internal consistency within an Australian context, but that further research is required into the functional and conceptual equivalence of the survey items and dimensions underpinning the items to conclusively establish its utility. Finally, aspects of the ‘organisational culture’ construct underlying the survey need revision given recent trends in related systems, complexity and chaos theories.OpsommingTechnikons propageer die beoefening van ko˛peratiewe onderwys,’n opvoedkundige strategiewat leer deur produktiewewerkservaring integreermet die teoretiese kurrikulum. ByTechnikon SAegter, het slegs sowat 35% van die formele programme ’n verpligte leerervarings komponent.Teoretiese-begrondings navorsingsmetodologie is gebruik omsekere basiese veronderstellings van akademiese personeel te bepaal. Eerder as om’n spesifieke navorsingsprobleemas vertrekpunt te gebruik, ondersoek teoretiese-begronding’n areavan belang en laat die metodiek die relevante sake toe omte voorskyn te kom. Semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude,met vier ope vrae, is gevoer met ’n gestratifiseerde eweskansige steekproef van 25 akademiese personeellede vanTechnikon SA. Daar is bevind dat alhoewel daar beperkte oortuiging en gewillige uitlewing van kooperatiewe onderwys is, is dit nie beduidend as kenmerkend van die organisasie kultuur vanTechnikon SA nie.

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