129 research outputs found
A meaningful workplace : from theory development to applicability
Employees experience a loss of meaning in the workplace as a result of fragmentation and alienation (Casey, 2002). This seems to be the result of a change in the way in which people view their world and their experiences in the world, including their place of work. The purpose of the study was to investigate the loss of meaning at work. The investigation indicated a variety of factors as described by Terez (2000), Casey (2002), and Chalofsky (2010). The problem is not a singular problem which can be discussed in isolation, but tends towards a problem-complex, which relates to negative work-life-experiences and that result in the alienation of the individual from the self, work, the organization and others at work. The purpose of the study: “A meaningful workplace: From theory development to applicability” is to construe a meaningful workplace model through the identification and description of the constitutive dimensions which construe the underlying theoretical base. It was purposefully structured within the Organizational Behaviour domain, to indicate the applicability of the construct and its underlying theoretical base, in management practice in organizational settings. This purpose was pursued along the boundary lines of three objectives: To conceptualize the constitutive elements of the construct: meaningful workplace; to expand (develop) the theoretical base of the construct meaningful workplace and to present evidence for the existence of the construct based on empirical evidence from the world of work. The study follows a qualitative research methodology consisting of a constructivist approach, utilizing two data gathering methods, and interpreted from a phenomenological perspective with a consistent focus on the lived experience of people at work. Two data gathering methods were utilised. Firstly a literature review, of formal scholarly publications was undertaken to identify the constitutive dimensions of the construct. The research followed the lead of the Meaning of Work Project Team (1987), Terez (2000), and Chalofsky (2010), and others. Secondly three empirical data sets were investigated. The first data set consisted of the annual research results of the CRF Institute in relation to the “Best employer to work for”. The second data set consisted of information gleaned from verbatim responses in an exit interview report, being made available for the study. The third data set consists of Repertory Grid interview data. Results of the research indicate that the construct meaningful workplace is an emerging construct in literature and that the tenets exist as an ideal in the lived experience of employees. The study contributes to the expansion (development) of the underlying theory of a meaningful workplace while simultaneously also providing a parallel understanding of human behaviour at work.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012.Human Resource Managementunrestricte
Institusioneel vasgeloop? Die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika
The Netherdutch Reformed Church (Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika) finds itself in a
precarious situation. It could be described as a watershed moment in the life of this denomination.
The impasse developed due to various factors such as the loss of membership, the economic
situation, ecumenical isolation and various other influences, which eventually resulted in a
strong institutionalised organisation. Institutionalisation necessarily resulted in a shift of focus
from the essence of being Church towards institutional continuation. As a result, the organic
growth of the church suffered. This article investigates the institutionalism of the Netherdutch
Reformed Church from an open (living) systems perspective, thereby identifying the
dysfunctionality between form and function and ending with certain perspectives in respect of
a change in focus by the church to realise the true essence of being Church of Jesus Christ.http://www.hts.org.zaam2018Reformed Theological Colleg
Protestant ethic : contributing towards a meaningful workplace
Little did Max Weber know that his essay ‘Protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism’, written
in 1905 (which was republished in 1920), would survive the times and still be a source for
discussion and interpretation during the 21st century. Today as in previous times, work and
the workplace poses its challenges. The common thread through history seems to be attempts
to enhance the workplace, to better it, to convert it into a place where people could work with
a free spirit. Yet, in spite of all the attempts, one failure after the other has been recorded. In
a research program that endeavoured to construe the meaningful workplace, Protestant ethic
was identified as one possible contributory towards such an ideal. This article explores the
contribution of Protestant ethic as a contributory and sets it within the framework of universal
individual values pertaining to work and work-specific values. The article also indicates that
the Protestant ethic can indeed contribute towards a meaningful experience whilst performing
work-related tasks in workspace. The Protestant work ethic is more than a cultural norm that
places a positive moral value on doing a good job. Based on a belief that work has intrinsic
value for its own sake, it represents a value system that contributes to the experience of
meaningfulness whilst performing work.http://www.hts.org.zaam2013mn201
Should we treat soft tissue injuries with Actovegin
Actovegin is a biological drug produced from deproteinised hemodialysate of calf serum
with over 50 years of history for its clinical use. There have been many in vitro studies to
speculate its potential role and mechanism of action in cells; due to the nature of this drug
and serum based culture techniques for most in vitro experiments, presumptuous
conclusions and claims from these studies on performance enhancement should be
cautiously interpreted. There have been well-designed human in vivo studies suggesting it
does not enhance human performance, and has potentially good clinical applications to
treat injuries, strokes and diabetes. Recently, evidence has emerged suggesting Actovegin
has anti-inflammatory and anti apoptotic effects on injured tissues; further clinical research
is needed to define these effects. This article also provides a narrative review of Actovegin
summarizing outcomes from recent publications
Observing systemic conflict : the emotional affect on pastors in the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa
NOTE : Special Collection: Wim Dreyer Dedication, sub-edited by Jaco Beyers (University of Pretoria, South Africa).DATA AVAILABILITY : Derived data supporting the findings of this study are
available from the corresponding author, F.J.L., on request.Special Collection: Wim Dreyer Dedication, sub-edited by Jaco Beyers (University of Pretoria, South Africa).The Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa (NRCA) did not escape this existential crisis
of conflict. It manifests in various ways resulting in the bleeding of congregations, the
exodus of congregants and the closure of congregations, as many congregants that declare
themselves as members of the Church do not attend worship services or participate in the
Holy Communion and exit the church. The study was conducted in the NRCA to determine
the effect and response formation of observed conflict by ministers in their respective
congregations. The results of the study indicate that pastors and/or ministers do suffer
emotional trauma because of the conflict in the congregation which, according to their own
statements results in a loss of role performance. We provide an overview of the problem
statement and methodology of the study. We discuss an abbreviated, theoretical perspective
on conflict as a social phenomenon. We present the findings of our study and conclude
with an abbreviated process to equip pastors with the necessary emotional maturity and
self-management.
CONTRIBUTION : This study uncovers emotional trauma experienced by ministers, affecting
their role performance. We offer a succinct problem statement, research methodology, and
propose a scientifically informed process to enhance ministers’ emotional resilience within
the NRCA.http://www.hts.org.zaam2024Reformed Theological CollegeNon
A meaningful workplace : framework, space and context
An attempt was made to describe and to eventually implement work space that can be
defined as psychologically meaningful and which has increased during the past 5−10
years. Indications are that various researchers on different continents have embarked on a
journey to describe the meaningful workplace. Such a workplace is more than a geographical
location, it is psychological space; space where the individual employee performs tasks that
construe his or her work role, in collaboration with other individuals, within a framework of
predetermined time frames, according to certain procedures, based on identified needs and
within a formal workflow structure that is normally referred to as the organisation. Within this
framework employees become alienated as a result of which the organisation as well as the
individual suffer. The organisation experiences a loss of productivity, quality, innovation, et
cetera, and the employee a loss of meaning in life and work. Yet, the workplace remains the
space where meaning can be gained. It is both the framework and context for meaningfulness
at work. Within this framework certain factors and constitutive elements play a facilitating
role in experiencing meaningfulness. Various factors including values, and imbedded therein,
the Protestant Ethic (PE), (and various other factors, such as for instance spirituality, culture,
leadership and management style, etc.), play an important role as facilitating factors towards the
experience of meaningfulness at work. Developing a framework and context, on a conceptual
level for the positioning of these factors as contributories towards the meaningful workplace, is
a first priority. This is what this article is about: to conceptualise the workplace as psychological
space, framework and context for understanding the contributory role of PE (and other factors)
towards the experience of meaningfulness at work. The positioning of values and the PE as
Max Weber understood the concept will be presented in a follow-on article.http://www.hts.org.zaam2013ff201
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