Browsing by Author "De Kok, Marinus Bertus"

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    Remedying unemployment through affirmative development : the validation of the prediction model and qualitative assessment of an employment accelerator programme
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12) De Kok, Marinus Bertus; Malan, Johan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Industrial Psychology.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : This thesis investigates the role and response of the human resources practitioner in the context of the current South African socio-economic reality, specifically as it relates to income inequality, poverty, and unemployment. A range of current issues and challenges facing the country are thus discussed, with due reference to the nation’s political past. A need for, and pressure towards, economic equity is identified and discussed critically in relation to relevant legislation and its implications and consequences for organisations and the human resource fraternity, particularly in terms of selection, and the use of psychometric assessment. An appropriate organisational response to these specific challenges seems to be the implementation a multi-stage selection procedure that involves a large affirmative development component and rests upon the use of learning potential assessment. Learning potential assessment has gained much popularity in South Africa and is thus discussed thoroughly. The research-initiating question thus involved identifying whether such an approach would have practical value and, if so, what ground still needs to be covered to achieve justification and meaningful application thereof. The resulting research objectives included the delineation of the current literature on learning potential assessment, including that of Stellenbosch University; finding and investigating appropriate examples in practice; and evaluating available approaches to answer the research-initiating question aimed at informing research and practice going forward. The researcher subsequently identified Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator as a progressive non-profit organisation following a model that closely resembles the multi-stage selection model proposed by scholars of the Department of Industrial Psychology at Stellenbosch University. As such, the researcher conducted an extensive evaluation of the Harambee programme in terms of a theoretical evaluation of the Harambee approach, with consideration of available literature and other information; the validation of the predictive validity of the Harambee prediction model; and explorative data analyses of available measurement data to identify linkages that may serve as impetus for future research. Correlational and multiple-regression analyses were conducted on a sample of candidates who have successfully completed the Harambee programme. The results supported the predictive validity of the Harambee prediction model. The qualitative theoretical evaluation of the programme considered the benefits of the Harambee programme and the similarities to the multi-stage selection model; identified possible areas of growth and improvement; and provided impetus for future research. The explorative analyses, however, did not identify any unexplored links worthy of further investigation. The findings and discussion show a need to advance current basic research in developing a learning potential competency model and using this model to create more effective measurement and affirmative development programmes within the framework of an integrated organisational response.