Applying Qualitative Methods in Organizations: A Note for Industrial/Organizational Psychologists

Early approach to research in industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology was oriented towards quantitative techniques as a result of influences from the social sciences. As the focus of I/O psychology expands from psychological test development to other personnel functions, there has been an inclusion of qualitative methods in I/O psychology practice. The present paper therefore examines how qualitative methods like observation, interviews, ethnography, focus group discussion, nominal group technique, Delphi method, and projective techniques can be used by I/O psychologists in organizational studies. It is believed that knowledge gained on the application s of these qualitative methods would enhance understanding of workers’ behaviors in organizations and facilitate management decisions. Empirical studies are also presented, on how these qualitative methods have successfully been used in organizatio

Psychological Factors Influencing Perceived Entrepreneurial Success Among Nigerian Women in Small-Scale Businesses

This paper considered self-concept, perceived managerial competence, work stress and business commitment as important psychological variables for perceived entrepreneurial success among female entrepreneurs. A study was conducted to examine these factors, using 213 female entrepreneurs. The results showed that although all the predictor variables jointly accounted for perceived entrepreneurial success only business commitment contributed significantly. But in the independent prediction of the variables, only self-concept and business commitment were significant. Additionally, number of children significantly influenced perceived success with females having 5 children and more, and those having 1-2 children reporting better success than those without children or having 3-4 children. However, marital status did not significantly influence perceived entrepreneurial success. The study concludes that success for female entrepreneurs relies on a high self-concept regarding their role in business, commitment to business and reduction of a conflict between home responsibilities and business. The authors also encourage women to attend training programs on business management

PERSONNALITY ATTRIBUTES AND TAX MORALE AS PREDICTORS OF WILLINGNESS TO PAY TAX: A STUDY OF TAX PAYERS, OGUN STATE NIGERIA

From the history of revenue generation in Nigeria, various governments; local, state and federal have tried to increase the level of tax compliance. Most often adopted is an obdurate attitude towards all taxpayers by applying laws and regulations to sanction and fine evaders. These means of enforcement proved to be without a significant success. Towards the end of the 20th century, governments have realized that a change is needed in order to increase revenue generation through tax collection. Adopting psychological strategies, rather than economic laws and regulations, could impel voluntary decisions for tax payment. This paper therefore examined personality attributes (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism) and tax morale as predictors of Ogun State taxpayers’ willingness to pay. An ex-post facto research design was adopted, while participants comprised 154 taxpayers randomly selected at the tax paying station in Ogun State. Personality attributes and tax morale were hypothesized to jointly and independently predict tax payers’ willingness to comply with tax regulations. Gender difference in the willingness to pay also was also investigated. Standardized psychological instruments were used to measure the variables in the study. Results showed that each of extraversion (r = .34; p0.05. The study concluded that higher personality attributes on openness to experience, conscientiousness, and agreeableness, and low neuroticism disposition, including high tax morale predisposes taxpayers’ willingness to pay in Ogun State whereas no gender difference in willingness to pay was established. It is recommended that tax implementers should understand the personality of tax payers and educate them on tax morale in other to increase their willingness to pay tax

The role of information and aspiration in bargaining behaviour

The study examines how information and aspiration level affect bargaining behavior. Eighty (80) students of the staff Development Centre, Bureau of Establishment and Training, Osogbo, Osun State, served as participants for the study. They were assigned to treatments conditions, in a 2 x 2 factorial design experiment. The experiment was conducted in a laboratory. The independent variables were information (complete versus incomplete) and aspiration level (high versus low). The dependent variable was bargaining behavior and was considered as aspiration, opening bids and bargaining outcomes. Data obtained revealed that participants with incomplete information had higher aspiration level and higher opening bid than those with complete information. Those with complete information and were of high aspiration had better bargaining outcome than those with complete information but were of low aspiration. Participants with incomplete information and were of low aspiration had better bargaining outcome than those of incomplete aspiration and of high aspiration. It was encouraged that bargainers should endeavor to have information about opponents to enhance bargaining relationships. But where such information is not available, bargainers could reduce their aspiration levels. African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Vol. 9(2) 2006: 257-27

Gender, perceived economic status and personality factors influencing attitudes to buying insurance services: a study of some selected Nigerians

This study concerns gender, perceived economic class and personality attributes as factors influencing consumers' attitudes to insurance services in Nigeria. Personality attributes studied were Type A–Type B and introversion-extraversion, which were examined as high or low. Standardized psychological scales were administered to 223 bank customers as respondents. The 2 x 2 analysis of variance (ANOVA) results showed that individuals low in Type A–Type B and introversion-extraversion measures were least favourably disposed to insurance services, while those high on type A but low on extraversion, and those low on type A but high on extraversion, were most disposed to insurance services. While 60.54% of the total respondents indicated non-ownership of insurance services, only 39.46% indicated ownership. More males than females indicated ownership, while more high economic status individuals as against low or middle economic groups indicated use. The conclusion is that there is a low rate in patronage of insurance services in Nigeria, which might be attributed to the inability of the insurance personnel to identify target patrons and adopt different marketing strategies, based on an individual's gender, economic status and personality, in marketing insurance services. Journal of Psychology in Africa 2004, 14(2): 127–13