scholarly journals COVID-19 and the future of work and organisational psychology

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amalia Pérez-Nebra ◽  
Chrysavgi Sklaveniti ◽  
Gazi Islam ◽  
Ivana Petrović ◽  
Jennifer Pickett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Research ◽  
Scientific Discipline ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Future Of Work ◽  
The Future ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Work Psychology ◽  
Value Add ◽  
Enormous Number

Orientation: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a ‘coronafication’ of research and academia, including the instrumentalisation of academic research towards the demands of society and governments. Whilst an enormous number of special issues and articles are devoted on the topic, there are few fundamental reflections on how the current pandemic will affect science and work and organisational psychology in the long run.Research purpose: The current overview, written by a group of members of the Future of Work and Organisational Psychology (FOWOP) Movement, focuses on the central issues relating to work and organisational psychology that have emerged as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.Motivation for the study: The study discusses the inability of dominant theories in work and organisational psychology to understand contemporary problems and the need to advance the theoretical realm of work psychology. We also discuss the need for pluralism in methodologies to understand the post-COVID-19 workplace, the urgency of attending to neglected voices and populations during the COVID-19 crisis and teaching during COVID-19.Research approach/design and method: This article uses conceptual argumentation.Main findings: The COVID-19 crisis forces work psychology to address at least its theorising, methods, unheard voices and teaching in the COVID-19 crisis.Practical/managerial implications: On the basis of this article, researchers and practitioners may be better aware of the neglected perspectives in the current pandemic.Contribution/value-add: This article adds to the understanding of the future directions for a sustainable Work and Organisational Psychology as an applied scientific discipline during and beyond the COVID-19 crisis.

scholarly journals The validity of world class business criteria across developed and developing countries

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre J. Parker ◽  
Theo H. Veldsman
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
General Assumption ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Class Standing ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
World Class ◽  
Value Add ◽  
Business Challenges ◽  
Developing And Developed Countries

Orientation: World class implies being able to respond effectively to the prevailing business challenges in a manner that surpasses competitors and to compete effectively in the global economy.Research purpose: To assess the validity of the general assumption in the literature that world class criteria are equally applicable worldwide.Motivation for research: The possibility exists that developing countries require an adjusted mix of world class criteria and practices to become globally competitive.Research design, approach and method: A quantitative field survey research approach was adopted. A web-enabled questionnaire was designed, covering 35 world class practices grouped under 7 world class criteria. A cross-section of the senior management from 14 developing and 20 developed country’s organisations partook in the study.Main findings: It was empirically confirmed that the majority of world class practices posited in the literature are used by participating organisations; that world class criteria do not apply equally across developed and developing countries; and that more important than country location, is the deliberate choice by an organisation’s leadership to become world class. An empirically based model of ascending to world class was proposed.Practical/managerial implications: Regardless of country location, the leadership of an organisation can make their organisation world class by applying the proposed world class model.Contribution/value add: A reliable web enabled instrument was designed that can be used to assess an organisation’s world class standing; the assumption that world class criteria are equally valid across developing and developed countries was proven partially incorrect; since becoming or being world class is also a leadership choice regardless of location.

scholarly journals Transformative consumer research: Its origins and possible enrichment of the field of consumer research in South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leona M. Ungerer
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Consumer Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Traditional Research ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Additional Approach ◽  
Value Add ◽  
Transformative Consumer Research

Orientation: This article provides a rationale for considering transformative consumer research as a research approach for investigating the relationship between consumption and consumers’ well-being in South Africa.Research purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the principles underlying transformative consumer research, including how it differs from traditional research methods and pointing out some established research areas in this field.Motivation for the study: Apart from pointing to a lack of literature, this article highlights the relevance of this approach for emerging countries by investigating the principles and practices embedded in transformative consumer research. It provides some indication of how an investigation of these areas may contribute to enhancing the relevance of consumer research to its various stakeholders.Research design, approach and method: The author used a literature review to conduct the study.Main findings: It appears that consumer research currently lacks external and internal relevance. A transformative consumer-research approach may address some of the fundamental problems in the way consumer psychologists plan and conduct their research, contributing to this lack of relevance.Practical/managerial implications: Most stages of the traditional research approach may need to be adapted for transformative research purposes. Some approaches appear particularly suited to transformative consumer research, including revelatory, incendiary, policy, participatory and coalition research. Contribution/value-add: This study’s primary contribution stems from suggesting a rather novel additional approach to enhance the relevance of consumer research in South Africa, pointing out some established practices in the field of transformative consumer research and suggesting how they may augment consumer research in South Africa.

scholarly journals Establishing a job-crafting and intrapreneurial link: Towards new approaches to innovative work

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelesh Dhanpat ◽  
Chris Schachtebeck
Keyword(s):  
Model Building ◽  
Job Crafting ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Innovative Work ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Value Add ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Deductive Research

Orientation: This research study focuses on establishing a link between job crafting and landmark studies on intrapreneurship.Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide a theoretical overview of intrapreneurship, intrapreneurial orientation and job crafting, and to explore theoretical linkages between these areas of enquiry.Motivation for the study: There is currently a dearth of research studies that explore the link between job crafting and intrapreneurial behaviours in existing organisations in the form of intrapreneurial orientation.Research design, approach and method: The study is presented as a conceptual paper in the form of a qualitative, theoretical study, employing a model-building approach. A deductive research approach is followed, and a narrative review methodology is employed.Main findings: The findings of this study from a literature search acknowledge the contributions of job crafting and intrapreneurial research within the management sciences, and we remain cognisant of the organisational implications of each, which have, to date, focused on the organisation, rather than the individual. With this in mind, we suggest that job crafting and intrapreneurial behaviours are empirically researched to validate the recommendations made.Practical/managerial implications: This study will help to establish the type of job-crafting interventions and job-crafting strategies needed to promote intrapreneurial behaviours in practice.Contribution/value-add: This study provides noteworthy insights, which include the suggestion that employees with a forward-looking disposition will engage in job crafting, with a focus on intrapreneurial behaviour. Furthermore, the study fills a void left in the current body of knowledge.

scholarly journals Talent management in the South African construction industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sydwell Shikweni ◽  
Willem Schurink ◽  
Rene Van Wyk
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
South African ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Talent Management ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
The South ◽  
Business Outcomes ◽  
Global Competitiveness ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Value Add

Orientation: The South African construction industry is constrained by the shortage of a skilled workforce due to global competition and insufficient graduate output. There is a need to evolve attract and retain the most valuable talent.Research purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate talent management in a prominent South African internationally operating construction company. The objective is to develop a framework for enhancement of talent management practices.Motivation for the study: The South African construction industry’s inability to retain talent, hampers global competitiveness and productivity. Talent shortages need to be addressed at a strategic level to remain competitive.Research approach/design and method: A qualitative research approach examined a single South African construction organisation in the Gauteng Province. Grounded theory was used to analyse data generated from interviews, participant observations and company documents.Main findings: Firstly, talent management in the construction industry supposes mutual actions from the organisation and its talented employees. Secondly, internal enablers drive business outcomes by in alignment with a well-crafted strategy. Thirdly, a regulatory framework should acknowledge labour market dynamics and diversity. Fourthly, internal and external enablers should be taken into consideration. Finally, effective implementation of talent management practices yields talent sustainability and competitiveness.Practical/managerial implications: The two conceptual frameworks developed indicate: (1) key factors that play a role in talent management, and (2) the interface between talented employees and the organisation.Contributions/value-add: The findings provide two proposed frameworks that could guide leadership to devise an enabling global competitive talent management environment in the construction industry.

scholarly journals Assessing the organisational and individual strengths use and deficit improvement amongst sport coaches

2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick W. Stander ◽  
Karina Mostert
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Strengths Use ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Value Add ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Sport Coaches ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Sport Coaching

Orientation: The orientation of this study is towards strengths use and deficit improvement and the relationship with engagement.Research purpose: To (1) determine whether adapted versions of the Strengths Use and Deficit Improvement Questionnaire (SUDIQ) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) are valid and reliable, (2) determine the relationship of the SUDIQ dimensions in the nomological net, and (3) test a structural model.Motivation for the study: To gain a better understanding of the outcomes of following a balanced approach within a sport coaching context.Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional research approach was used. An availability sample (N = 364) of teachers occupying roles as sport coaches from various schools across three provinces in South Africa was used. Structural equation modelling was used to test the factor structures and the structural model.Main findings: The results indicated a valid factor structure for the adapted SUDIQ and UWES. Relationships between the SUDIQ dimensions and job and personal resources were positive and significant. Individual strengths use was the strongest predictor of engagement. Individual deficit improvement and organisational strengths use were also significant predictors. Organisational deficit improvement did not significantly predict engagement.Practical/managerial implications: Evidence suggests the adapted SUDIQ and UWES can be utilised effectively in a sport coaching environment. Organisational strengths use is also important in managing engagement levels of sport coaches.Contribution/value-add: Valid and reliable measures were provided for use in a sport coaching environment. It substantiates the outcomes that can be gained by following a combined approach based on strength and deficit.

scholarly journals What will it take to make a successful administrative professional in the fourth industrial revolution?

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette A.J. Venter ◽  
Tessie H.H. Herbst ◽  
Chux G. Iwu
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
New World ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Whole Brain ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
The Future ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Administrative Professionals ◽  
Value Add ◽  
The Impact

Orientation: The rapid economic developments of the last decade have been driven by the impact of revolutionary developments in information and communication technologies. These technological developments have irreversibly and significantly affected the role of an administrative professional with regard to assimilation, processing and utilisation of information.Research purpose: This study investigates the impact of global and national key drivers of change and transformation on the skills requirements of administrative professionals with the aim of developing a future-focused success profile to enable them to be effective in the new world of work.Motivation for the study: The study is motivated by the personal experience of one of the researchers, and her observation of the impact of technological advances and the necessity for administrative professionals to integrate new skills, knowledge and attitudes into the new world of work.Research approach/design and method: This study followed a mixed methods approach, using both pragmatist and constructivist paradigms. The pragmatist approach provides meaning through the natural work environment of an administrative professional, whilst a constructivist approach is followed to compile a whole-brain success profile. From a sample of 354, a total of 219 responses were received, which represent a response rate of 62%. Data were collected through a visual analogue scale-type questionnaire.Main findings: The findings reveal that the skill requirements for the future success of an administrative professional involve proficiency to function from all quadrants of the whole-brain model.Practical/managerial implications: The curricula of undergraduate qualifications should be adapted to allow for shorter credit-bearing skill modules in line with the latest trends in technology, because the profession of administrative professionals is mainly skill-based. In addition, owing to the focus of the study on the new world of work, the findings could be related to most occupations.Contribution or value-add: This study contributes to the construction of a future-focused whole-brain model, according to the functional skills, essential skills and emerging skills required for optimal effectiveness of administrative professionals in the future-focused world of work.

scholarly journals Self-management strategies of graduate employees to enhance work engagement

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelesh Dhanpat ◽  
Dorothy L. Danguru ◽  
Oyisa Fetile ◽  
Kholeka Kekana ◽  
Kholosa N. Mathetha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Value Add

Orientation: The hiring of graduates is valuable to organisations. It is necessary to understand the self-management behaviours they display and the behaviours required to keep them engaged.Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore how self-management strategies enhance work engagement of recent graduates who find themselves in a new environment of the world of work.Motivation for the study: Employee engagement is of both academic and practitioner interest. With organisations hiring graduates, it is valuable to understand the self-management behaviours needed to remain engaged.Research approach/design and method: A qualitative research approach was employed through an interpretivist research paradigm. A purposive sample of 12 graduate employees (median age = 24) in various fields of work were interviewed (women = 11, men = 1; black = 11, coloured = 1). The graduates participated in semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis was conducted and five themes emerged.Main findings: Through an inductive approach, the five themes that emerged concerning self-management strategies used by graduates to enhance their work engagement are goal setting, self-cueing, self-observation, self-reward and self-punishment and work engagement practices.Practical/managerial implications: Self-management strategies help to sustain an engaged workforce. Organisations that make use of graduate recruitment will largely benefit from the findings.Contribution/value-add: There is limited research on the topic pertaining to graduate employees. Graduates remain relevant in the organisation, and hence, the study makes a contribution to theory and practice. A model is presented with recommendations for graduates and the organisation, which, when implemented, have the potential to enhance work engagement.

scholarly journals Future-Proofing the High-Performance Organization

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8507
Author(s):  
André de Waal ◽  
Julie Linthorst
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Action Orientation ◽  
Future Of Work ◽  
Sustainable Performance ◽  
Physical Environments ◽  
The Future ◽  
High Performance Organization

The future of work is one of the most crucial platforms currently for business leaders as organizations have to prepare themselves to adequately deal with megatrends and disruptors in their technical and physical environments. At the same time, megatrends and disruptors can present both business opportunities and threats. The research question this study dealt with was: How should high-performance organizations (HPOs) address megatrends and disruptors in such a way that they can secure sustainable performance? Thirteen megatrends and one disruptor were matched with the characteristics of HPOs, making use of the HPO Framework, which distinguishes five characteristics (management quality, openness and action orientation, long-term orientation, continuous improvement and renewal, employee quality), for mapping the predicted impact the megatrends and disruptor will have on HPOs. From this mapping exercise, clear opportunities and threats emerged for which solutions, i.e., courses of action to deal with the threats or take advantage of the opportunities, were identified from the literature. These courses of action will help leaders of HPOs in priority-setting and decision-making when making strategic plans and choosing solutions for their own organizations. Unfortunately, this study revealed that academic literature currently falls short at suggesting courses of action that organizations can use to deal with many of the megatrends and disruptors. This result creates an urgent call for in-depth academic research into ways that organizations, and specifically HPOs, should deal with the future of work changes as these courses of action have to be incorporated in future strategies such that they stay relevant for the daily practice of organizations.

scholarly journals Entrepreneurial development in South Africa through innovation: A model for poverty alleviation

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Errol Francke ◽  
Bennett Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Application ◽  
Black People ◽  
Disruptive Innovation ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Application Development ◽  
Mobile Application Development ◽  
Innovation And Technology ◽  
Black Economic Empowerment ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Value Add

Orientation: The development agency could be equipped with a model that will assist them in supporting mobile application development entrepreneurs towards enhanced competitiveness that could assist in alleviating poverty and reducing economic inequality.Research purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the evolution of a model to support mobile application development entrepreneurs towards enhanced competitiveness.Motivation for the study: This study was motivated by the views on black economic empowerment where little has been done to impact the lives of black people on a larger scale. Broader participation of black people in the formal economy is required to achieve sustainable development and prosperity. Studies suggest that innovation through technology transfer is regarded as a contributor to economic growth.Research design, approach and method: This study adopted the Critical Realist Methodology Model via an inductive research approach. Focused interviews with academics, small and medium-sized enterprises in the innovation and technology industry and development agencies were conducted.Main findings: There is business potential in mobile applications, but entrepreneurs have difficulty in commercialising these. They could be assisted with a model that would transform their applications into real business opportunities.Practical/managerial implications: The antidote to disruptive innovation is a management response. What is required from management is that it needs to bring about a paradigm shift in the way that the whole notion of a business is remodelled.Contribution/value-add: This study reveals a multi-factorial strategy model in the form of the Disruptive Innovation State Response Model that could support mobile application development entrepreneurs towards enhanced competitiveness.

scholarly journals Performance measurement dimensions for lecturers at selected universities: An international perspective

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabedi N. Molefe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
International Perspective ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Education Environment ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Performance Dimensions ◽  
Value Add

Orientation: The study was necessitated by the need to develop a generally accepted performance measurement dimension framework for lecturers at universities. Research purpose: The aim of the inquiry was to investigate the performance measurement dimensions for lecturers at selected universities in countries such as South Africa, USA, UK, Australia and Nigeria. Universities were selected on the basis of their academic reputation – being the best in their respective countries or continents.Motivation for the study: Whilst some studies mention certain attributes as important performance dimensions for the lecturer’s job, there was no scientific evidence to support this claim, hence the need for this study.Research design: A quantitative research approach was adopted with the objective of casting the researcher’s net widely in order to obtain as much data as possible with the view to arriving at scientifically tested findings. A questionnaire was sent out to 500 academics and yielded a response rate of 36%.Main findings: The study confirmed that a lecturer’s performance can be measured on the basis of seven performance dimensions and these dimensions, when tested, attracted a Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of above 0.70.Practical and managerial implications: This study has the potential to equip the leadership at universities in South Africa with an empirically tested guideline for formulating policy on performance evaluation frameworks for the lecturing staff.Contribution/value-add: The major contribution of this study has been its argument for performance measurement for lecturers in the higher education environment and also its confirmation of the seven postulated performance measurement dimensions for lecturers.

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