Department of Industrial Psychology

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https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/69

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Browsing Department of Industrial Psychology by browse.metadata.advisor "Bailey, Lisa T."

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    An explanatory study of work engagement among special needs teachers : the moderating role of job crafting
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12) Muningua, Annelisa; Bailey, Lisa T.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Industrial Psychology.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : The labour market opportunities are increasingly becoming dependent on the knowledge and skills required by the job. In Namibia, persons with disabilities continue to face labour market disadvantages as a result of the low levels of qualifications that are needed to secure a job in the labour market. Persons with disabilities need to attend school, at its basic level, before advancing to tertiary institutions where qualifications can be obtained. Thus, special needs teachers play a key role in enhancing the learning process of persons with disabilities, hence the importance and engagement of the special needs teacher as a key focus of the study. The objective of this research study was therefore, to pin point the work factors that are most salient in accounting for variance in the work engagement of special needs teachers in Windhoek, Namibia. A secondary objective of this research study was to test the effects of job crafting on the relationship between the identified work factors and work engagement. Nine hypothesis were formulated based on literature discussions. An ex post facto correlation design was used as a research design. Data was collected using a self-administered hardcopy questionnaire from 89 special needs teachers in Windhoek, Namibia. It was uncovered that three of the eight hypotheses were found to be statistically significant. The results of the study uncovered that co-worker support significantly and positively impacts work engagement. The results also uncovered that job crafting has a significant moderating effect on the relationships between co-worker support and work engagement, as well as work autonomy and work engagement. These findings allow for interventions to be tailored at individual and organisational level to be developed to enhance work engagement. The study provides insight for stakeholders in the special education fraternity on ways in which work engagement of special needs teachers can be enhanced.
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    An investigation into the psychological characteristics that South African entrepreneurs attribute to the success of their businesses
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-12) Pirie, Natasha; Bailey, Lisa T.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Industrial Psychology.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : South Africa currently faces high levels of unemployment and inequality, and many sources have identified entrepreneurship as a mechanism by which these challenges can be tackled. To explore the personal experiences of entrepreneurs that enable them to run successful businesses in the South African context and achieve the research objectives of this study, a qualitative research design was employed based on the interpretive paradigm. A phenomenological approach was followed using a combination of purposive and snowball sampling. Data was collected from a total of 14 participants through two phases, namely semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with successful entrepreneurs (including coaches or specialists working with entrepreneurs for phase 2). In summary, the results of the study indicated that 1) the perceived challenges faced by entrepreneurs in South Africa include financial challenges, insufficient and ineffective formal support structures and poor educational systems and support; 2) the perceived opportunities available to entrepreneurs in South Africa relate to entrepreneurship education and support; 3) the psychological characteristics that South African entrepreneurs attribute to the success of their businesses include conscientiousness, emotional stability (moderate levels), and openness to experience from the Big 5 model of personality, as well as risk propensity; 4) the contextual factors attributed to entrepreneurial success in South Africa involve social capital and leveraging of previous skills and experience; and lastly, 5) the reason for becoming and succeeding as an entrepreneur is due to passion. With these insights, various interventions could be developed to inspire and support individuals to become entrepreneurs, as well as to equip them with the skills and mindset needed to run successful ventures, thereby helping to alleviate the desperate situation regarding poverty and income inequality in South Africa.