Browsing by Author "Nxumalo, Gugu Ntobeko"

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    The moderating role of perceived organisational support on the effect of the leader member exchange relationship and power distance on occupational stress among employees in a military training unit
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Nxumalo, Gugu Ntobeko; Mthembu, O. S.; Bester, P. C.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Industrial Psychology.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Employees in organisations are the most significant and valuable assets as they are the main drivers to attaining organisational objectives. However, sometimes employees in a workplace may experience occupation-related stress, resulting from the kind of relationship employees have with their leaders and/or the high-power distance culture. Hence, employers constantly strive to ensure that employees remain motivated, focused, and stress-free by showing them that the organisation supports them in any possible way. That is because if employees perceive that an organisation is supportive and leaders maintain good relationships with them, that might minimise the experienced occupation-related stress. This study examined the effect of leader-member exchange (LMX) relationship and power distance (PD) on occupational stress. It further examined the moderating role of perceived organisational support (POS) on the effects that LMX and PD have on occupational stress experienced by employees in a military training unit (MTU). The sample comprised 206 Military Health Training Formation (MHTF) personnel (students and staff members) from different rank groupings, with different gender, age, and years of experience. The sample was drawn from the population using convenience sampling technique. This sampling method allowed this study to draw participants from MHTF members who were conveniently accessible during the data collection phase. Based on the accessed sample representing the total population of the MHTF, it cannot be confidently claimed that they are representatives of the targeted population. Thus, results and conclusions cannot be generalised but provides a status of the investigated variables within the MTU environment. This research adopted a quantitative research approach using an exploratory approach. The measuring instruments used to collect data for this research were 12-item LMX multidimensional scale, 5-item Power Distance Index (PDI) from the Cultural Value Scale (CVSCALE), 9-item General Work Stress Scale (GWSS) and 10-item Perceived Organisational Support Scale (POSS). Data collected for this study were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Linear Structural Relationship (LISREL). The SPSS was used to compute item reliability statistics, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and moderation analysis. In contrast, LISREL was used to compute confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), structural equation modelling (SEM), as well as the measurement and the structural models. The results of the study showed that LMX relations have a negative significant effect on occupational stress and PD has nonsignificant effect on occupational stress. The results further revealed that POS has a significant negative moderation effect on the impact of LMX on occupational stress. The same effect was found where POS has a significant negative moderation effect on the impact of PD has occupational stress.