The relationship between psychological conditions, workplace bullying and intention to leave

Abstract : Employees’ intention to leave has been cited as a predictor of actual turnover, which consequently leads to several undesirable consequences for organisations. One notable precursor of employees’ intention to leave is the experience of bullying within the work context. While previous research has consistently found a positive relationship between experiences of workplace bullying and employees’ intention to leave, researchers have also motivated the need to look into potential intervening factors of this relationship. As it has been suggested that an individual’s reaction to stressful events is a function of his or her personal resources, the present study sought to draw attention to the role played by the psychological conditions of meaningfulness, safety, and availability as individuals’ personal resources in how they respond (intention to leave) to stressful situations or environments (experiences of workplace bullying). Data on participants’ experiences of workplace bullying, their intentions to leave their current organisations and their perceptions of each of the psychological conditions were collected from South African employees (N = 201). The Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R), the Psychological Conditions Scale (PCS), and the Turnover Intention Scale (TIS-6) were employed for data collection. Mediation analysis was utilised to examine each of the psychological condition’s effect on the workplace bullying-intention to leave link. The results showed experiences of workplace bullying to predict intention to leave, with psychological meaningfulness and psychological safety partially mediating this relationship. Workplace bullying was thus found to have an effect on employees’ experiences of psychological meaningfulness and psychological safety which, in turn, exert an influence on intention to leave. This study contributes to the existing knowledge concerning workplace bullying and intention to leave by indicating the specific role played by the psychological conditions of meaningfulness and safety. Moreover, to practice, this study suggests that organisations can intervene in the relationship between workplace bullying and intention to leave through the development and maintenance of psychological meaningfulness and psychological safety.M.Com. (Industrial Psychology

The impact of care giving on the quality of life caregivers of patients with schizophrenia

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment for the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in Psychiatry Johannesburg, 2017Introduction: Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness, which is often characterized by a relapsing course with resultant effects on most areas of functioning due to the disability associated with it. The presence of any of the symptoms of schizophrenia can be extremely distressing for the families or caregivers who care for the patient. The term caregiver burden arose following the deinstitutionalization of mental health patients that was associated with integration of patients with severe mental illnesses into the community. Limited data of caregiver burden and its relationship with quality of life (QOL) is available in South Africa. The aim of the present study is to describe the nature of caregiver burden and to describe the relationship between caregiver burden and QOL. Methods: The study is descriptive and cross-sectional in nature and was conducted at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital from February 2014 to October 2014. Data was collected from caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in the form of questionnaires. Caregiver burden was assessed by the use of a Caregiver Strain Index questionnaire with a score greater than 7 suggesting a high caregiver burden. Quality of life was assessed with the World Health Organization Quality of Life brief questionnaire; it is scored on six domains each of which contributes to the caregiver’s overall impression of their quality of life. Results: Of the 127 participants identified for the study, eight six participated. Significant factors associated with higher caregiver burden were as follows: increased number of admissions per year, caring for adults less within the ages of 46-55 years, caring for patients with psychosocial stressors and living in a household with 3 to 4 people. Conclusion: The relationship between caregiver burden and caregiver QOL suggested that as caregiver burden increases, QOL decreases.MT201

Are dividend changes and share repurchases a good predictor of future changes in earnings?

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce in Finance. Johannesburg, South Africa March 2016The study examined whether: share repurchase events and changes in dividends were good predictors of future changes in earnings. The research also investigated how the South African market reacted to share repurchase events in the short-run. Using INET BFA, data for 226 dividend paying companies and 55 share repurchasing companies, trading on the JSE during the period 2003 to 2013, was collected. Dividend theory suggests that changes in dividends convey information content about the future earnings of the firm. After testing this theory, limited support was found for this notion. Firms that had increased dividends at (T0) showed significant earnings increases in that year. Nonetheless, some of the dividend increasing firms showed no subsequent unexpected earnings growth at (T1) and (T2). While the size of the dividend increase had a strong positive relationship with current earnings; it failed to predict future earnings with any consistency. Firms that had cut dividends at (T0) experienced a reduction in earnings in that year but showed increases in earnings at (T1). However, consistent with Lintner‘s (1956) model on dividend policy, firms that had increased their dividends were less likely to experience a reduction in earnings, as opposed to the no-change or dividend decrease groups. A linear regression model was employed in testing whether share repurchases were useful in predicting changes in future earnings. According to the results reported in the regression model, share repurchases are a good predictor of future changes in earnings. The study at hand then went on to explore how the South African market reacted to share repurchases. Through the utilisation of the Market Model-Event Study Methodology (with an event window of 41 days, 20 days prior and 20 days post the event), the findings of the report indicated that the South African market reacted positively to share repurchases. This was evidenced through positive: share price returns, abnormal returns and average abnormal returns, post the event. Nonetheless, cumulative average abnormal returns remained negative in the short-run. In addition, the results showed that firms engage in share repurchase activities in order to signal that the stock is undervalued. There was an observable trend of declining share prices before the share repurchase event. A few recommendations were proposed following the results obtained. Dividends are unable to predict changes in earnings. Therefore, a dividend cut, is not an indication that a company‘s earnings will decrease in the future or that the managers of that company foresee a decline in future earnings. From a share repurchase point of view, managers of JSE listed companies should not only focus on the short-term benefits of share repurchase events. These benefits are generally short lived as shares do return to their falling state, however authors such as Wesson, Muller and Ward (2014) have shown that the benefits of share repurchase events can also be observed in the long- run, A further point to note for both investors and managers of JSE listed companies is that share repurchases are a good predictor of future earnings. Therefore, it is very confusing for investors when a company announces a share repurchase event but does not follow through with it.MT201

Human resource mangemnet: recruitment, selection and retention of public healthcare specialist in selected hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanThis study focuses on the recruitment, selection and retention within the context of human resource management (HRM) in the South African Public Service focusing on the Ngwelezane Regional Hospital, the Lower Umfolozi War Memorial Regional Hospital/Queen Nandi Regional Hospital and the Stanger Regional Hospital. The development of HRM post-1994 in South Africa was highlighted by explaining the statutory and regulatory context that support the implementation of human resource (HR) practice. The introduction of the White Paper on HRM in the Public Service (WPHRMPS) (1997) outlined the need for a change in HRM. The need for change contained the transformation agenda which compelled a transition from Personnel Management (PM) to HRM. The main aim of this study was to determine the factors that influence the recruitment, selection and retention of public healthcare specialists in the selected hospitals. To realise the aim of this study, a conceptual and theoretical framework that influences this HR activity was adopted. A mixed methods research (qualitative and quantitative) was used to addressing the study’s research questions, expanding and strengthening the study’s conclusions and recommendations, consequently contributing to the body of knowledge. Applying a simple random sampling method enabled the study to secure a sample size of 119 (79.3%) for quantitative research. From this figure, five (5) participants were selected through purposive sampling to complete the qualitative instruments. Quantitative data was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics (2015) and one-way analysis of the variance (ANOVA) method was used. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis process to identify the connection between the variables associated with the research aims. Data analysis involved the coding process (themes and concepts). The findings of the study reveal that these hospitals used traditional bureaucratic processes and procedures when conducting recruitment, selection and retention, thereby overlooking an array of legislation governing this HR practice as well as international best practice models. Based on the findings of this study, the development of a model and checklist to assist the hospitals to attract, recruit, select and retain public healthcare specialists, was deemed essential. The study concludes with recommendations for further research into recruitment, selection and retention of public healthcare specialists

“Racial Heterosexual Habitus” and Management of Racial Education Discussions Within Black Female/White Male Romantic Relationships

Scholars (Steinbugler 2012; Twine 2010) have examined the role that the white racial lens can play in limiting the development of racial literacy for white partners in black/white relationships, while the role of gender ideologies has gone largely unexamined. Through analyzing “racially educational” conversations between 36 members of black female/white male heterosexual couples, I introduce the concept of “racial heterosexual habitus” and its influence in managing these discussions on race. I argue that it generates limits—as well as unique opportunities—for couples during these conversations about race. My findings reveal how black female heterosexual habitus orients black women to navigate these conversations by looking to black femininity to advocate against their partner’s racism and sexism and to also determine the conceptual limit of these conversations in deference to protecting white masculinity. However, contrary to understandings of black middleclass femininity, women in longer-duration relationships advocated for themselves in defense of their partner’s comments. Additionally, I show how white male heterosexual habitus limits the ability to develop racial literacy with its hegemonic masculine focus on achievement and autonomy. This work not only centers racialized gender ideologies in the study of interracial couples but also extends Bourdieu’s concept of habitus

An exploration of the use of homework as teaching and assessment strategy in the Foundation Phase : the case of three Durban North schools

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood.Homework in general is defined as schoolwork assigned to learners for completion at home. Teachers assign homework to consolidate what was taught during the class or to provide some consolidation tasks for learners. South Africa, being a developing country, has high levels of resource inequality and family structures are often unstable, with either one or both parents not being present. This can contribute to children not getting the home support that they need. This focus of this study was to explore the utilisation of homework as a teaching and assessment strategy in the Foundation Phase. This study adopted a case study methodology, with the case being schools located in the North of Durban. The following research methods were used to generate the data: semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis. Both these methods were utilised in order to generate the rich, thick data required in qualitative research. The sampling procedure considered appropriate for this study led to the selection of six grade three teachers. These teachers came from three different schooling contexts, i.e. a former Model C school, a former House of Delegates (Indian) school and former Department of Education and Training (African) school in a township. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed poor administration of homework by teachers. Most teachers assign homework in the Foundation Phase for the sake of giving it, in accordance with school policy. Learners do not benefit much from doing homework as generally teachers do not give any feedback, and complain about having no time to do this. Homework does not feature in the plans and time-tables for teachers. Moreover, Listening and Speaking periods are being used for assessment of learners’ homework. It was also clear that teachers work in deprived schooling contexts, where learners have no parental support to complete their homework tasks. There was also very little variation in the type of homework that was allocated to learners; all learners were mostly allocated the same homework, regardless of their learning barriers. Based on these findings, the study fundamentally asks whether the assignment of homework to younger learners is worthwhile, and also calls for more work in this area

Assessing the impact of social grants in alleviating poverty in South Africa

Magister Commercii - MComAmongst many challenges, South Africa is still struggling to address the problem of high levels of poverty in the country more than two decades after the apartheid regime has ended. The government has however remained resolute in its effort to alleviate poverty especially through the provision of social grants. The expansion of the social assistance scheme after the apartheid regime has played an important role in extending benefits to a wider population of South Africans particularly the poor and the vulnerable groups. The effects of social grants on poverty have been proven to be effective. This has been widely tested empirically using the monetary approach as a measurement of poverty. However, few academic works have studied this effect on multidimensional poverty. Moreover, existing studies have focused predominantly on single poverty dimensions. As a result, this study investigates whether social grants reduce multidimensional poverty in South Africa. This study uses the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) as a poverty measurement, which encompasses three dimensions of poverty. This dissertation found poverty to have declined over the years but it is still prevalent amongst households headed by blacks and females residing in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo provinces with large household. The relationship between social grants and multidimensional poverty is tested empirically through a logistic regression using the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) data for Wave 4, year 2014/15 to be specific. The empirical findings reveal that a R1 increase in income from social grants results in a 1% decrease in the odds of a household being multidimensional poor. As much as social grants reduce multidimensional poverty, they have been found to be statistically insignificant and thus less effective in the reduction of multidimensional poverty

Occupational Training for TVET College Civil Engineering Students in the Modern Era: Has Anything Changed?

Developing and maintaining a definitive list of scarce and essential skills is crucial for the TVET sector. TVET colleges should swiftly work on ‘workplace basics’ skills to attract different industries for their students. The purpose of this study was to inspect how TVET colleges prepare Civil Engineering students with occupational skills relevant for modern engineering era. Descriptive research design was used to describe trends of connection with the help of secondary data. This research design assisted to describe how TVET colleges prepare its Civil Engineering students with occupational skills relevant for modern engineering era. This study adapted Carnevale’s (1990) workplace basics as a conceptual framework. The collective findings revealed that TVET colleges faced several hurdles in their quest to equip Civil Engineering students with the necessary skills that would make them good candidates for taking up employment in industries against the backdrop of changes being wrought by the modern era. Among the recommendations, a call for professional teacher development with focus to 4th industrial revolution skills is made and that SETAs should support that initiative. Also such skills should be intensified in such a way that it may be easy to adapt to the 5th industrial revolution upon its arrival.&nbsp

Developing a South African services agenda : case study of the mining services sector

The services sector accounts for approximately 70% of South Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) and has emerged as one of South Africa's key exports with regional and global destinations. The sector is also a key provider of employment registering just above 8.5 million jobs in March 2014, according to Statistics South Africa. It is for this reason that the sector has been earmarked to give the required impetus to realise the export driven growth, which underpins the current government strategy for economic development and growth. Using the mining services sector, as a case study, this study highlights the importance of services, as an important input to operating costs in the production and manufacturing sectors. It further highlights the importance of services in determining the competitiveness of the manufacturing and production sectors, through effective sourcing and more importantly availability. This is done in the context of the growing African market, especially the mining sector and the opportunities presented by new mineral discoveries in Africa. This study is presented to support the development of a strategic and comprehensive trade strategy for services. Tracking the development of South Africa's trade policy, the rationale for the different positions that have been taken by government are presented to illustrate how government has used trade policy as a tool to advance its objectives at varying stages of South Africa's economic development. The study thereafter undertakes an analysis of the current trade policy to better understand how government view the role that is to be played by trade policy in supporting economic development. This analysis identifies gaps within the current trade policy in terms of the role that trade policy ought to play