Masters Degrees (Industrial Psychology)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Industrial Psychology) by Author "Beukes, Johannes Abraham"

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    Sielkundige kontrak : wedersydse verwagtings tydens die aanvangsfase van militer-akademiese studie
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1994-11) Beukes, Johannes Abraham; VOS, H. D.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Industrial Psychology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Like many oth.er private and public entities, the Faculty of Military Science of the University of Stellenbosch has to deal with a large number of newcomers every year. As is the case at other institutions, newcomers to the Faculty experience adjustment problems in their new work environment. These problems lead to frustration, dissatisfaction, role conflict and role ambiguity which, in turn, may result in poor academic performances. One way of eliminating these problems could be to aspire towards a two-way psychological contract upon arrival of newcomers. This entails matching individual needs, abilities and skills with post and organisational requirements. A literature study indicated that new entrants experience a reality shock when confronted the first time by the gap between, on the one hand, expectations and dreams and, on the other, reality. It was also found that recruitment methods in the military environment often embrace rushed contracting and therefore inadequate discussion of each party's expectations. The literature also shows that, on the whole, recruits tend to have unrealistic expectations, based on information gleaned from the media, advertisements and films. In the light of the above, the purpose of this study was to measure the expectations of both prospective students and the organisation in order to determine whether there is any match between the two party's expectations. At the same time the matching of expectations and the concomitant influence on job satisfaction, productivity, expected tenure of service, career expectations and performance were investigated. The methodology employed was a literature study supported by empirical research. The literature study focused on the theoretical foundations and models of the psychologica contract. The empirical research consisted of the application of Kotter's model and questionnaire pertaining to the psychological contract. Empirical research did not support Kotter's entire model. However, three relationships were supported. These were: • Relationship #1: clear and consciously reasoned expectations have a bearing on the psychological contract; • Relationship #3: healthy understanding of each other's expectations show a strong relationship with a positive psychological contract; and • Relationship #8: the relationship between the psychological contract and career expectations. Statistically significant differences were also found between students with high expectations and students with low expectations vis-a-vis career expectations, as well as between the differences between students' expectations and organisational expectations. Possible explanations for the above findings are presented, and recommendations are made for further research.