scholarly journals Book review: Organisational behaviour: A contemporary South African perspective

2004 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Thatcher
Keyword(s):  
Performance Management ◽  
South African ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Work Motivation ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Organisational Change ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Organisational Behaviour ◽  
The Individual

Authors: Helen Schultz (Ed.), Jeffrey Bagraim, Tracy Potgieter, Conrad Viedge, Amanda Werner Publisher: Van Schaik Publishers According to the authors the aim of this book is to present an interdisciplinary approach to the understanding of organisational behaviour within the contemporary South African environment. Within this framework, the book targets (senior) undergraduate and postgraduate students in Industrial/Organisational Psychology and Human Resources Management. The text is written in a simple, conversational style (as was the intention of the authors) that should be suitable for most undergraduate students at English-speaking tertiary institutions. The book is organised into three sections based on a model of four components of organizational behaviour: the individual, the group and the organisation. The fourth component of the model, the environment, refers specifically in the context of this book, to a contemporary South African approach to understanding behaviour in organisations. In the ‘individual’ section, the authors cover topics such as individual differences (e.g. personality, attitudes, perceptions, emotional intelligence, etc.), ethics, work motivation, and performance management. In the ‘group’ section, the authors look at issues of group and team dynamics, power and empowerment, communication, decision-making and leadership. Finally, in the ‘organisation’ section, the authors address issues of contemporary organisational design, organisational change and employee well-being (e.g. stress management, job satisfaction, etc.).

Influence of ethnic values on public sector performance management

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 234-250
Author(s):  
Newman M.K. Lam ◽  
James MacGregor
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Administrative Culture ◽  
Foreign Influence ◽  
Research Findings

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine whether deeply rooted ethnic values persist in public administration in spite of strong foreign influence in education and administrative culture. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents the theories and concepts on ethnic values, in particular Chinese and Canadian administrative values in order to examine their differences. Victoria of Canada and Hong Kong of China, both former British colonies, have been selected as the study sites due to their similarity in British education and administrative culture. Comparable samples of human subjects were drawn from the public sectors of Hong Kong and Victoria, who were either students or graduates of a master of public administration program. A questionnaire containing questions on program evaluation and staff promotion was administered to participants. Findings The survey results show that, while organizations may have similar administrative systems and cultures, employees revert to their ethnic values for matters concerning their immediate well-being – staff promotion in this case. The findings also suggest that employees endorse good practices and reject bad ones more often than they believe their organizations do. Research limitations/implications The purpose of this study is to examine whether lengthy foreign influence can change deeply rooted ethnic culture. The research results are not aimed at and may not be relevant to explaining a current situation. Practical implications The research findings may help improve public administration, in particular regarding issues of human resources management. Social implications The research findings may provide a better understanding of social behavior in the work place. Originality/value This paper contains original data for a comparative analysis that appears to have never been done before. It provides empirical proof that deeply rooted ethnics values are very difficult to change in spite of a long history of foreign influence.

scholarly journals Opinber stefna, skólakerfið og hlutverk kennara: Viðbragðsbúnaður skólans

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-134
Author(s):  
Sigrún Harðardóttir ◽  
Sigrún Júlíusdóttir
Keyword(s):  
Human Service ◽  
School Health ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
School Policy ◽  
Present Knowledge ◽  
Policy Issues ◽  
Welfare Institutions ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Educational Conditions

The article focuses on public school policy in Iceland, in a historical perspective, the teacher´s role and contemporary challenges in the school system. Attention is paid to the increased complexity of teachers´ role as educators and that of guarding the welfare and well-being of the individual schoolchild. The ongoing changes in teachers´ role are related to changed social and family conditions coinciding with development in society and (human service) welfare institutions. This may especially regard school children when confronted by crises in their parents´ lives or other unexpected, harmful situations in their personal life. Results from Icelandic research on current socio-educational conditions of schoolchildren and their families are presented. Increasing cooperation between school, health and social system with an interdisciplinary approach is advocated. Referring to present knowledge and call for revised legislation and policy issues some ideas of renewal of service are presented and discussed.

scholarly journals Hubungan Motivasi Kerja, Karakteristik Individu dan Kompensasi terhadap Disiplin Kerja Perawat Rumah Sakit Cikunir Bekasi Tahun 2018

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
Dini Rahmawati Permana
Keyword(s):  
Work Motivation ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Individual Motivation ◽  
A Value ◽  
Nursing Career ◽  
The Individual

Discipline is a function of operational human resources management the most important because the better the working discipline employees the better performance is achieved. Factor affecting the discipline of work i.e. the motivation of working nurses to increase productivity, the characteristics of the individuals belonging to each nurse, as well as the existence of the application of the compensation is good for the welfare of nurses. This research aims to look at the description of the work discipline Hospitals Cikunir bekasi as well as find out how relationships work, the characteristics of individual motivation and compensation against the discipline of nursing work in a hospital Cikunir Bekasi. This research uses a quantitative approach with methods "Cross Sectional". The research sample is all over the nurses as much as 30 people were taken with the total sampling method.   Univariate analysis done subsequent to see frequency distribution, bivariat analysis using Pearson Correlation and multivariate analysis using multiple linear regression. The test results showed that the bivariate variables work motivation, compensation and individual characteristics have a significant relationship against the discipline of work. Whereas, in multivariate test of variables of individual characteristics, work motivation and compensation the most dominant effect significantly to the discipline of work i.e. the individual characteristics of the variable with a value of 0.002 0.546 Beta with significance.  To increase work discipline nurses RS Cikunir Bekasi, required the effort of increasing internal and external training of nurses and nursing career, improving the motivation of working nurses by providing a reward or promotion position in accordance with performance assessment the nurse.

scholarly journals Perceived psychological stress among undergraduate students: role of academic factors of a medical college of Kathmandu

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-62
Author(s):  
Jyoti Badan Tuladhar
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Stress ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Academic Stress ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Academic Factors ◽  
Medical College ◽  
The Individual

Introduction: Stress refers to a dynamic interaction between the individual and the environment, which described as external demands (physical or mental) on an individual’s physical and psychological well-being. The objective of this study was to assess the perceived psychological stress and perception of academic stress among undergraduate students. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire- based survey was carried out among 853 undergraduate students (medical, dental and nursing) of Kathmandu Medical College, Kathmandu Nepal during August 2017 to July 2018. Perceived stress was assessed using Perceived Stress Scale-14 and perception of academic stress 18-item questionnaire was used to assess the academic factors of stress using self-administered technique. Result: The overall mean perceived stress score was 45.23 ±4.96, 99.6% of participants were in the group of more stressed and overall mean score of perception of academic stress was 54.68 ±9.10, and 56.3% of participants were in the group of academic stress. The correlation between perceived psychological stress and academic stress was 0.070 with P value of 0.040. Conclusion: Higher level of perceived stress and academic stress were reported by the students and there was weak significantly positive correlation between perceived psychological stress and academic stress.

Simple Pleasures: How Goal-Aligned Behaviours Relate to State Happiness

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Wang ◽  
Marina Milyavskaya
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Goal Pursuit ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Personal Goals ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Goal Alignment ◽  
Goal Progress ◽  
Unique Effect ◽  
The Individual

Goal progress has been consistently linked to subjective well-being and happiness (Klug & Maier, 2015), but do the individual actions of doing something helpful for personal goals have similar effects? The current study investigates how goal alignment – the perception that you are engaging in activities that are aligned with personal goals - might be associated with state happiness. We hypothesized that people will feel happier when the activities they are performing are aligned with their goals. The study also explored the roles of goal progress and competence in this relation. Data on goal-activity alignment, goal progress, competence, and state happiness were collected in an experience-sampling study with undergraduate students (N = 159) and a survey study with Amazon MTurk workers (N = 252). Using multilevel analyses and regression analyses, results indicated that participants were happier when they were pursuing activities that were more closely aligned with their goals than when pursuing less goal-aligned activities; the results remained significant after accounting for goal progress. Participants who were more goal-aligned on average reported greater state happiness; this effect was nonsignificant when goal progress was accounted for. Results suggest that goal alignment has a significant and unique effect on state happiness and that goal pursuit has very immediate benefits that begin as soon as individuals start doing actions helpful for their personal goals.

scholarly journals An exploration of individual experiences of constant organisational change

2003 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Williams ◽  
A. Crafford ◽  
L. Fourie
Keyword(s):  
Change Management ◽  
South African ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Resistance To Change ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Organisational Change ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Individual

Ongoing change is an inevitable part of the current organisational context. Change management practices are oftencited as a reason for resistance to change, and as a cause of stress for individuals during change interventions. A qualitative study was undertaken in a technical division of a large South African organisation to explore the individual experiences of employees in the face of constant organisational change. Grounded theory analysis confirmed that constant organisational change and the related change management practices were indeed a source of unpleasant individual experience for employees at the time. Yet, no serious long-term effects of stress were evident. It is suggested that Strümpfer’s (1983–2000) work on salutogenesis and fortigenesis may be useful in explaining the outcome. Further research incorporating larger sample sizes and multiple triangulation methods in the data gathering process is recommended.Opsomming Kontinue verandering is ’n onvermydelike deel van die huidige organisasiekonteks. Veranderingsbestuurspraktyke word gereeld geopper as ’n rede vir die weerstand teen verandering asook die oorsaak van spanning by individue tydens veranderingsintervensies. ‘n Kwalitatiewe studie in die tegniese divisie van ’n groot Suid-Afrikaanse maatskappy is onderneem om die individuele ervaring van werknemers tydens konstante organisasieverandering te ondersoek. ’n Begronde teorie- ontleding het aangetoon dat konstante organisasieverandering en die gepaardgaande veranderingsbestuurspraktyke inderdaad ’n bron van onaangename ervaring vir werknemers is. Desnieteenstaande was ernstige langtermyn gevolge van spanning nie waarneembaar nie . Dit word aangevoer dat Strümpfer (1983–2000) se werk oor salutogenese en fortigenese nuttig mag wees in die verklaring van die bevindings. Verdere navorsing wat groter steekproefgroottes en intermetodiese kruisvalidering tydens die data-insamelingsproses insluit, word voorgestel.

“I Am Grateful That I Still Live Under One Roof With My Family”: Gratitude Among South African University Students

2020 ◽  
pp. 216769682097069
Author(s):  
Carolina F. du Plessis ◽  
Tharina Guse ◽  
Graham A. du Plessis
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
South African ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Developmental Trajectory ◽  
Socioeconomic Resources ◽  
Material Resources ◽  
University Life

During the transition from school to university, students are faced with many challenges to their well-being. This is especially true in resource constrained societies like South Africa. While there is extensive research linking well-being with gratitude, less is known qualitatively about what individuals are grateful for. A sample of 933 undergraduate students submitted gratitude lists, resulting in over 9,000 unique “gratitude items.” Thematic analysis revealed several prominent themes, such as gratitude for relationships, material resources, being at university, life and health, and, finally, religious gratitude. These themes are discussed in the context of the importance of family relationships in the lives of emerging adults, the core role played by the educational context, the importance of socioeconomic resources and the association between religion, gratitude, and well-being. Strengthening these resources and cultivating gratitude for these prominent targets of appreciation may support students in their developmental trajectory.

scholarly journals A holistic interdisciplinary approach towards environmental justice and youth empowerment

2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marichen A. Van der Westhuizen
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Environmental Justice ◽  
South African ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Youth Empowerment ◽  
Environmental Initiatives ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
African Youth

South African youth is described as marginalised and vulnerable because of, amongst others, high unemployment rates, a lack of access to opportunities and environmental degradation that threatens their and future generations’ well-being. Both social work and faith-based organisations place value on the empowerment of marginalised youth, as well as on the importance of participatory environmental initiatives. Practice guidelines to effectively empower youth in this regard are, however, lacking. This discussion was aimed at determining how environmental social work can take place in collaboration with faith-based organisations to contribute to both the empowerment of youth and environmental justice. A search of literature from 2010 onwards was conducted, focusing on the terms ‘sustainable development’, ‘marginalised youth’, ‘environmental and/or green social work’ and ‘faith-based organisations’. Central themes were identified through a thematic analysis. Four central themes were identified for youth empowerment through an interdisciplinary approach to contribute to environmental justice, namely environmental responsibility, attitude, knowledge and concern. It was concluded that the potential of an interdisciplinary environmental approach may be based on collaboration and an openness to include a renewed change orientation where disciplines work together across boundaries in multiple spaces to support environmental change and youth empowerment simultaneously.Contribution: The framework for collaborative initiatives may service as a guide to support marginalised youth to actively participate in social and environmental justice initiatives to contribute to their own and future generations’ well-being.

scholarly journals CONSIDERING NONLINEAR CONNECTIONS IN THE INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT MODEL

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (32) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesna Čančer ◽  
Živana Veingerl Čič ◽  
Simona Šarotar Žižek
Keyword(s):  
Performance Management ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Employee Performance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Individual Performance ◽  
Performance Management Systems ◽  
Individual Employee ◽  
Nonlinear Connections ◽  
The Individual

To discuss nonlinear connections between constructs of the conceptual model of individual employee performance management in Slovenian service sector. Constructs were analyzed with the validated measurement instrument, adapted to the Slovenian context due to preliminary research. Existence of significant nonlinear connections between them was checked by structural equation modeling. The software tool Warp PLS 5.0. based on the Warp2 algorithm was used. Holistic employee development methods significantly improve employees’ work satisfaction, individual performance, and well-being. The quality of the conceptual model obtained with Warp PLS 5.0 supports the consideration of nonlinear connections between constructs. They exist between the constructs of the conceptual model of the individual employee performance management system in e.g. the Slovenian service sector. Results make employees and managers aware that existing performance management systems are inadequate. Hence, one must place this knowledge of the situation and trends of individual work performance as the basis for sensible management action, including new performance management systems based on a requisitely holistic approach, focusing on the individuals and their performance, not on the performance management system. The designed employee performance model is individually oriented and applies mentoring, coaching, sponsorship and intergenerational cooperation. It clarifies how one can use holistic employee development to improve individual employee performance, job satisfaction, and well-being.

scholarly journals The concept of preventing negative consequences of work overload based on positive interactions between work and life, and promotion of workers’ healthy behaviors

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Agata Basińska-Zych ◽  
Agnieszka Springer
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Work Overload ◽  
Healthy Behaviors ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Work And Life

Aim: The main aim of this article is to identify negative health consequences resulting from work overload and lack of work-life balance, as well as to present characteristics of positive healthy behaviors in the workplace as counteracting strategies. The paper is a part of the discussion on the concept of corporate wellness which forms the basis for the development of organization’s health culture.Design / Research methods: The paper is based on a review of literature concerned with the factors influencing worker welfare. Moreover, it presents two case studies on comprehensive health programs implemented by Mars Poland and the Belgian branch of Protect & Gamble.Conclusions / findings: Based on the review of foreign and domestic literature, the authors propose a model describing the relationship between individual variables impacting worker welfare. In this model, it is assumed that the interaction between work and life, and workers’ healthy behaviors such as physical activity and rest after work (sleep) are crucial to workers’ regeneration.Originality / value of the article: The value of the paper lies in the interdisciplinary approach to the development of worker well-being. Apart from the perspective of human resources management, the outlined concept also takes into account the issues relating to workers’ mental and physical health.Implications of the research: The theoretical assumptions presented in the paper will become a starting point for a research project to be conducted on Polish enterprises. Its objective will be to identify the possibilities of counteracting the negative effects of workload congestion through the promotion of healthy behaviors in the workplace and support of workers in their creation of a positive work-life interaction.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document