Self-harming behaviour among university students: A South African case study

Published ArticleThis study investigated the prevalence of self-harming practices among South African university students. Respondents were 201 students attending a small university of technology in South Africa (females = 55%; males = 45%). The students completed a survey on their self-harming behaviours by type, frequency, and context of occurrence. The data were used to descriptively profile self-harming behaviours among the students. Secondary analysis considered any group differences by gender. In total, 19.4% of the respondents reported deliberate self-harm. Mental pain was reported as the most prevalent category of behaviours, at 23.4% of the sample. Most of the types of deliberate self-harming behaviour were engaged in only once. Statistically significant associations were found between gender and substance abuse and risky general behaviour, respectively, where females were at higher risk of engaging in both self-harming behaviours

Workplace spirituality, work engagement and thriving at work

Published ArticleIn order to create competitive advantage in an increasingly turbulent economic environment, sustainability of high performance is crucial. Only a few individuals have the drive, mindset, discipline and ability to sustain high performance on a daily basis. Thus, it is necessary to consider what can be done so that employees can sustain high performance over the long term. Research purpose: The purpose of the study was to establish whether spiritual workplaces will enhance employees’ work engagement and thriving at work. Motivation for the study: Two important mechanisms for understanding the human dimension of sustainability are thriving at work and work engagement. However, because work engagement and thriving are affective-motivational states, it is necessary to consider contextual factors that promote these positive states. As work engagement and thriving at work move beyond mere energy, to a sense of connectedness, it seems important that spiritual workplaces are created. Research approach, design and method: The study was quantitative in nature, and data were collected from employees working at small, medium and macro enterprises (SMMEs) in one geographical area in South Africa. The final sample consisted of 259 employees. A survey that was cross-sectional in nature was conducted by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Main findings: The findings of the study show that there is a positive and significant relationship between workplace spirituality, work engagement and thriving at work. Furthermore, workplace spirituality significantly influences the variance in both work engagement and thriving at work. Practical or managerial implications: In order for SMMEs to promote work engagement and thriving at work, spiritual workplaces need to be created. Furthermore, emphasis needs to be placed on the work experience, rather than on work outcomes. It is also important that SMMEs develop employees holistically, that they create spiritually based organisational cultures and that they pay more attention to relationship management and networking. Contribution or value-add: The study contributes to the literature on workplace spirituality, work engagement and thriving at work

The relationship between workplace spirituality and job involvement: A South African study

Published ArticleAlthough workplace spirituality has been investigated over the past 20 years, much remains unknown about this topic. The aim of the study was to confirm previous research findings regarding the relationship between workplace spirituality and job involvement for a South African sample, and to extend the current limited body of knowledge regarding workplace spirituality by determining a relationship between job involvement and workplace spirituality. From a positive psychological framework, it is postulated that workplace spirituality will lead to job involvement. The intention was to determine whether a change in job involvement can be attributed to workplace spirituality. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 412 employees chosen from two organisations in Welkom, South Africa. The sociodemographic variables, workplace spirituality and job involvement were measured using a quantitative measuring instrument. The main findings of this research indicated a positive statistical significant relationship between workplace spirituality and job involvement. The results showed that a change in job involvement can be attributed to workplace spirituality. These findings have deepened the current understanding of workplace spirituality and positive workrelated attitudes

The relationship between spirituality and job satisfaction

In order to obtain an improved understanding of behaviour at work, employees should be studied from physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions. Although the physical and psychological dimensions of individuals at work have been studied extensively, the spiritual dimension has been neglected for many years. The objective of the present research was to determine the relationship between spirituality and a positive work-related attitude, i.e. job satisfaction. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 600 white collar workers chosen from two organisations in different industries in South Africa. Personal spirituality, organisational spirituality, job satisfaction, and perceptions were measured. The data was analysed by means of a Principal Factor Analysis, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Item Analysis, Correlation Analysis, and Regression Analysis. Some instruments used in the study were revalidated. The primary result of this research indicated a positive relationship between organisational spirituality and job satisfaction. In addition, weak negative relationships were found between personal spirituality and job satisfaction, as well as personal spirituality and organisational spirituality. Personal spirituality showed statistically significant associations with biographical-type variables such as gender, ethnical grouping, and strength of religious conviction. The association between personal spirituality and strength of religious conviction significantly differed between the private hospital and educational organisation. Organisational spirituality showed a statistically significant association with age. The association between organisational spirituality and gender significantly differed between the private hospital and educational organisation. The two organisations were also found to differ in terms of organisational spirituality, with the educational organisation measuring higher on organisational spirituality than did the private hospital. Job satisfaction and perceptions did not show statistically significant associations with any of the biographical-type variables. Furthermore, it was determined that the respondents perceive personal spirituality and job satisfaction to be related. These findings deepened the understanding of personal spirituality, organisational spirituality, and job satisfaction. It brought new insight into the significant role which spirituality plays in the context of the workplace. To survive in the 21st century, organisations need to be spiritually-based. This in turn will lead to workers being satisfied with their entire work experience.Thesis (PhD (Organizational Behaviour))--University of Pretoria, 2008.Human Resource ManagementPhDunrestricte

Measuring spirituality in South Africa: Validation of instruments developed in the USA

Published ArticleSpirituality is receiving increased attention in the context of the workplace. Research consistently shows that spirituality is signifi cantly correlated with mental health and well-being. Most of the research on spirituality, particularly in the context of the workplace, is conducted with instruments developed in the USA. However, the inter-cultural measurement of constructs remains a concern, because instruments developed in one culture are not necessarily transferable to another culture. In the current study, the transferability of two spiritual measures developed in the USA, namely the Human Spirituality Scale (HSS) and the Organizational Spirituality Values Scale (OSVS) are considered for a sample from South Africa. The results confi rm the construct validity of the HSS and the OSVS, but indicate that the factor structures of the HSS and the OSVS should be analysed and reconfi rmed when used, particularly in a South African sample. The study provides evidence that the HSS and the OSVS cannot be transferred indiscriminately to a South African sample. This insight contributes to the quality of future research studies in South Africa, not only on the important aspect of spirituality, but also when applying instruments developed elsewhere in the world

Workplace spirituality and job satisfaction

Published ArticleIn order to obtain an improved understanding of behaviour at work, employees should be studied from physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions. Although the physical and psychological dimensions of individuals at work have been studied extensively, the spiritual dimension has been neglected for many years. The objective of the current research was to determine the relationship between workplace spirituality and a positive attitude related to work, that is, job satisfaction. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 600 white-collar workers, chosen from two organizations in different industries in South Africa. The research results indicate that there is a positive relationship between workplace spirituality and job satisfaction. These fi ndings deepen the understanding of personal spirituality, organizational spirituality, and job satisfaction. They bring new insights into the signifi cant role which spirituality plays in the context of the workplace. To survive in the 21st century, organizations need to be spiritually based. This, in turn, will lead to workers being satisfi ed with their entire work experience

The Experience of Spirituality in a Multicultural and Diverse Work Environment

Published ArticleWorldwide, the study of spirituality is receiving increased attention, but very little is known about spirituality and its manifestation in African organizations. The aim of this research was to explore the experience of spirituality in a multicultural and diverse working environment, in order to enhance understanding of the functioning of spirituality in relation to diversity in the workplace. In particular, the study explores workplace spirituality from an individual and an organizational perspective within diverse organizations operating within a multicultural society. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 600 white collar workers from two organizations in different industries in South Africa. The research findings indicate that there is an inverse relationship between workplace spirituality and individual spirituality. Furthermore, the study confirmed that the experience of both personal and organizational spirituality is impacted by several diversity characteristics within a multicultural environment. In order to improve understanding of the experience of spirituality in multicultural societies and organizations, further empirical research is recommended. Globally, organizations need to realize the importance of embracing spirituality, in order to function effectively in a multicultural environment

Investigating the relationship between work values and work ethics: A South African perspective

Published ArticleUnethical behaviour is a worldwide phenomenon, within increasingly unethical societies. Within these societies, individuals are required to make decisions on many different matters on a daily basis, where it is not always easy to distinguish a good decision from a bad decision. Vyas- Doorgapersad (2007) argues that developing countries, such as South Africa, are more susceptible to unethical behaviour because of widespread poverty, relatively low public-sector compensation, a lack of risk mechanisms (e.g. insurance and a well-developed market), opportunities created by complex, poorly defined, continually changing, and inadequate rules and regulations, a lack of properly established laws and principles, a lack of institutions to enforce a code of conduct and an absence of watchdog agencies. Unethical behaviour in South Africa, mainly in the form of corruption through bribery, has reached crisis proportions (Patel, 2013) and, as such, on a daily basis, citizens are confronted with media reports of corruption, fraudulent activities and bribery, among other things

Skills Shortages and Job Satisfaction–Insights from the Gold-Mining Sector of South Africa

Published ArticleThe article reports on the levels of job satisfaction of mining-sector employees, as well as the perceived influence of skills shortages on the job satisfaction of these employees. The findings emanating from the study indicate that the respondents did experience job satisfaction, and that perceived skills shortages in two core occupational categories did not influence job satisfaction. The study has augmented the body of knowledge vis-à-vis the relationship between perceived skills shortages and job satisfaction. This is particularly important, since the mining industry remains a key driver of economic growth in South Africa, despite the negative perceptions that have beset the sector following the Marikana massacre of 2012

FINANCIAL LITERACY OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS – A CASE STUDY OF A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Published ArticleLow financial literacy levels of students are receiving worldwide attention due to the impact it has on financial decision-making during the adult years. In line with this international trend on low financial literacy, South African students demonstrate low levels of financial literacy, which is of great concern if one takes into consideration that they are the future participants of an economy that is on the verge of a recession. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine undergraduate students’ financial literacy at a public university in South Africa. A cross-sectional study was conducted of a sample of 300 undergraduate students. The findings of the study enabled a more in-depth understanding of the financial literacy of undergraduate students, which holds important implications for financial literacy training. The participants’ knowledge regarding the issues relating to general financial literacy was observed to be low. They also performed poorly in terms of banking and taxation and financial planning, interest rates and general inflation. It was also reported that there is a significant difference between many groups within the biographical data. The research confirmed that there is a need for financial literacy training among students. This should focus on content areas where they lack financial literacy, in order to ensure that students experience financial well-being during the adult years. Better informed adults would make better financial decisions