Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Employment interviewing'

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007.
The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on November 27, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

This study extends the literature on interview validity by attempting to create a structured employment interview with both construct- and criterion-related validity. For this study, a situational interview was developed with the specific purpose of enhancing the interview's construct validity while retaining the interview's predictive power. To enhance the construct validity, two guidelines were applied to the creation of the interview based on previous research in interview and assessment center literature limit the number of applicant characteristics to be rated to 3; and (2) ensure that the dimensions to be measured are conceptually distinct. Based on these two guidelines, three constructs were chosen for assessment of real estate sales agents extraversion, proactive personality and customer orientation. The critical incident technique was used to develop six interview items. To test the construct validity of the interview, the six items were correlated with other measures, specifically, self-report questionnaires and managers' ratings, of extraversion, proactivity and customer orientation. Correlations were weak, at best (rs ranged from -.06 to .25). To test the predictive validity of the interview, the six items were correlated with both objective and subjective measures of performance. Predictive validities were stronger, ranging from .23 to .30. These findings are consistent with previous research on employment interviews which have found that although the predictive validity of the interview is strong, the construct validity is very weak, leaving researchers to wonder what it is that the interview is actually measuring. Possible explanations for these findings are offered, and the implications of these findings are discussed.

Thesis (M.S.)--Central Connecticut State University, 2002.
Thesis advisor: Glynis Fitzgerald. " ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Organizational Communication." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-67). Also available via the World Wide Web.

The order of interview questions during the interview may influence candidate ratings, giving an unfair advantage to some candidates. This study was done to test the effect of the interviewer's need for cogniton, the desire to use cognitive energy, on primacy and recency effects during the employment interview. A transcript of competency-based behavior description interivew questions was given to nearly 300 participants. Evidence was found for recency effects only, and no significant differences were found that could be attributed to the interviewer's need for cognition.

The focus of this paper is to emphasize the importance for every employer to avoid unfair discrimination during the recruitment process and to value diversity in the workplace. This is not only a legal requirement, but also gives an employer the best chance of getting the right person for the job. It is crucial to understand that job applicants are mostly people that employer’s do not actually employ, but might be able to make an unfair discrimination claim against the employer if the claimant believes he/she was not selected for a job because the employer discriminated against them unlawfully in the recruitment process. When writing the job description and a person specification, the employer should state clearly what tasks the person will have to execute and what skills will be needed for the job. Job descriptions should accurately describe the genuine essential duties and inherent requirements of the job. Personnel specifications should accurately describe the relevant, non-discriminatory and objectively justifiable requirements to be met by the post-holder. Specifications should not have any requirements that are not directly related to the job and it is important for employers to provide evidence that each recruitment and screening practice is job-related and consistent with business necessity. Employers are advised to devise and implement recruitment procedures and guidelines for all staff and applicants involved in the process of recruitment and to ensure that these incorporate the principles of the organisation’s equal opportunity principles. Employers should administer recruitment and other selection procedures without regard to race, colour, national origin, sex, religion, age and disability. Even though South Africa is now governed by a new democratic order, historical workplace inequalities still need to be addressed. Not only compelled to redress inequalities by the Constitution, the South African government was motivated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to enact laws that would prohibit discrimination and promote the economic advancement of the majority. Recruitment tests or selection procedures must be job-related and its results appropriate for the employer’s purpose. If a recruitment procedure screens out a protected group, the employer should determine whether there is an equally effective alternative selection procedure that has less adverse impact and, if so, adopt the alternative procedure. The justification of discrimination in recruitment practices and affirmative action is only meaningful if it is targeted towards particular aims. One of the more important defences against unfair discrimination in the workplace is the general fairness defence. The general fairness defence is considered to be an applicable defence based on fairness in situations where the two statutory exceptions do not apply. This means than when one looks at the concept of unfair discrimination it implies that discrimination may be justified in certain circumstances Legislation prohibits discrimination on various grounds especially throughout the process of recruitment and selection. There are limited exceptions to the general principle that it is unlawful to use gender, race, religion or sexual orientation as a criterion in the recruitment process. These exceptions are known as genuine occupational qualifications and the specifications for jobs should be carefully examined to ensure that there are no factors contained that are indirectly discriminatory. Focus must be placed on avoiding indirect discrimination in job factors. In the early stages of the recruitment process, an employee specification should be written that describes the type of person the employer seeks to be appointed in terms of qualifications, experience, skills and personal attributes. The imposition of inappropriate or unsuccessfully high standards or criteria may indirectly discriminate against people from a particular minority or racial group or religion. Employees must have the necessary skills to demand employment equity status especially where a designated employer does not have sufficient affirmative action employees and is obliged to rectify the situation. However, this does not mean that affirmative action applicants must be chosen above non-affirmative action employees. The principle of reversed discrimination stands firm if the motivation for appointing a particular person is based on a genuine desire to promote diversity, to apply affirmative action and to increase the numbers of people from a disadvantaged group in employment, or to create a more balanced workforce.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Illinois State University, 1993.
Title from title page screen, viewed February 15, 2006. Dissertation Committee: Clayton F. Thomas (chair), Ronald L. Laymon, Patricia A. O'Connell, Jeffrey B. Hecht, Leslie L. O'Melia. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-132) and abstract. Also available in print.

Thesis (MTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007
Since 1994 government has attempted through various sets of legislation and regulations to create a policy environment, which is conducive and supportive of effective recruitment and selection and service delivery. The Public Service has currently embarked on restructuring in an attempt to improve its service delivery. An effective and efficient recruitment and selection system should facilitate achievement of that goal. The general research aim is to evaluate and measure the effectiveness of recruitment and selection and its impact on service delivery amongst staff within the Department of Economic Development and Tourism in the Provincial Government of the Western Cape. Research has shown that motivated and satisfied employees are more productive and that there is an improvement on service delivery. Factors, which influence employee motivation, are inter alia as efficient recruitment and selection methods, achievement, advancement, being treated with respect and personal growth and development. The sample group (N=121) consists of male and female employees, contract employees, permanent employees and interns within the Department of Economic Development and Tourism in the Provincial Government of the Western Cape.

This research was conducted to determine the influence of recruiters' perceptions on students' demonstration of emotional and social competencies during the interview process and if employers' perceptions factor into decisions regarding advancement to second round interviews. This is a pilot study and the research investigated the importance of social and emotional competencies. This study is strengthened by the use of "real" interviews and immediate collection of employer perceptions. This is a case study using mixed methodology, specifically triangulation, to examine employers' perceptions of students' emotional/social competencies demonstrated during face to face interviews. These competencies included: ability to demonstrate meeting or exceeding goals, articulate strengths and weaknesses, demonstrate composure, demonstrate active listening skills, and build rapport. In a correlation analysis there was a significant correlation in two competencies that factored into students being invited to a second round interview. These competencies were the ability to articulate strengths and weaknesses and ability to demonstrate active listening skills. Additionally, while recruiters in this study indicated they either were aware of differences in culture or did not take cultural differences into consideration when making decisions for second round interviews, the results seem to show that culture was a factor.

This study was the investigation of the effects of five factors related to hiring handicapped individuals. The five factors were psychological disability, physical disability, no disability, and a good or poor work record. The purpose of the study was to determine whether a relationship existed between perceived employment decisions and (a) applicant disability; (b) applicant work record; and (c) personnel managers' demographic characteristics.
The population from which the sample was drawn consisted of personnel managers in personnel associations and educational administrators in the piedmont and eastern sections of North Carolina in June and July of 1983. The sample for the study consisted of 133 persons, stratified by size of company or institution.
The personnel managers were randomly assigned to one of six experimental conditions in a 2 x 3 (levels of disability x levels of work record) factorial design. Each subject reviewed staged information on the job applicant prior to listening to a taped job interview of the applicant. After hearing the interview, managers rated the quality of the interview, using the Job Interview Rating Scale and stated the probability that they would hire the applicant on the Probability Of Hire Score. Factors affecting personnel managers' decisions to hire the handicapped were identified through a personnel managers' questionnaire.
Higher ratings of the job interview and higher probability of hiring occurred when a positive work record was present. Applicants were less likely to be hired if they had a psychological disability. Ratings of job interviews were not affected by disability levels. There were no interactions between work records and disability status. "Ability to perform job" and "productivity" were ranked by the managers as the most influential among the 26 factors considered by personnel managers when making decisions to hire the handicapped. None of the demographic variables of personnel managers of age, sex, education and experience were significant in their relationship to hiring. Sex of the interviewer appeared to be the best predictor of interview rating.
Ed. D.
Vita.
Abstract.
Bibliography: leaves 94-106.
This dissertation may contain sensitive information and is therefore not available online.

This study examined the moderating impact of gender on the use of humor during employment interviews. Consistent with expectancy violation theory, I hypothesized that the use of humor by female candidates would cause more extreme evaluations than the use of humor by male candidates. In other words, when positive (affiliative) humor is used, females will be rated more positively than males, but when negative (aggressive) humor is used, females will be rated more negatively than males. I also hypothesized that the relationship between humor condition and evaluations would be partially mediated by state positive affect. I also posed a research question regarding how recall of what was said in the interview would relate to humor and evaluations. This experiment was a 2 (gender) x 3 (affiliative humor, aggressive humor, no humor) factorial design. Participants received brief interviewer training, interviewed a confederate playing another participant as the applicant, and then completed measures. Data from 221 undergraduate students were analyzed. Results demonstrate support of some hypotheses, including a main effect of humor condition on evaluations and partial mediation of state positive affect. Practical and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.
ID: 028917073; System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader.; Mode of access: World Wide Web.; Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Central Florida, 2010.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 91-98).
Ph.D.
Doctorate
Department of Psychology
Sciences

I used a Community Psychology approach, involving Participatory Action Research with Qualitative methods, to both explore the employment interview experiences of disabled people and to effect positive change for disabled participants discriminated against in the labour market. In the opening chapters I set the action research enterprise within the socio-economic and political climate of the time. I follow this by describing the ethical, ideological, epistemological and methodological concerns that have driven my particular process of inquiry. 1 pay particular attention to the research process and reflect upon personal, social, organisational and political implications of the project. I review literature on disability, disability legislation and employment interviews and place my own work in the context of this. As well as reporting my findings on the difficulties disabled people face when seeking to enter the labour market, I describe the multiple research interventions I engaged with. These ranged from giving research participants welfare benefit advice through to consulting on the Government's Disability Discrimination Act. The main focus for the project became one of developing and marketing a Code of Practice on the recruitment and retention of disabled employees. I worked collaboratively with disabled research participants in developing and marketing this Code with four major employer organisations in order to affect change in employer staffing policies.

This study replicated and extended an earlier study by Banki and Latham (2010) and developed an equivalent SJT and SI in order to examine whether the two methods correlated differently with cognitive ability, personality, job experience, and job performance. The results of this study showed that the SJT and SI only correlated .20 and that the correlations for the SI with Extraversion, customer service experience, and overall work experience were significantly different from the correlations for the SJT. Participants felt that the SJT and SI provided the same opportunity to perform one's skills and level of scoring consistency. However, participants felt significantly more anxiety during the SI than the SJT. The practical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.
ID: 029050814; System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader.; Mode of access: World Wide Web.; Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Central Florida, 2010.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 169-192).
Ph.D.
Doctorate
Department of Psychology
Sciences

The impact of attire on assessments of job applicants was investigated by creating three dress conditions for two male and two female rates. A formal, intermediate, and casual condition were portrayed for each of the four stimuli. Stimuli were rated on six dimensions relevant to performance as a retail department store manager in a between-subjects design. Results indicate that the role of attire in estimates of performance depends on the sex of the rater and the sex of the ratee. Dissimilar ratings were obtained from males and females who assessed individuals in a particular dress condition. These results indicated that the hypothesized main effects for dress and rater sex were overly simplistic. The implication of this finding for future research is discussed. Findings also suggested the importance of including a reasonable range and portrayal of attire in studies of this type. The inclusion of an intermediate apparel condition showed that raters prefer this attire over formal wear under certain rating conditions. The importance of this finding for future attire research designs is discussed.
M.S.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2009.
Title from PDF t.p. (viewed June 30, 2010). Additional advisors: Loretta A. Cormier, James C. McCroskey, Larry Powell. Includes bibliographical references (p. 25-29).

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigated race-group similarity effects as a form of interviewer bias in selection interview ratings. Social Identity Theory predicts that interviewers would assign higher ratings to interviewees of the same social group (the so-called in-group) primarily through the mechanism of similarity attraction. Research findings up to now have lent only partial support to this hypothesis. This study argues that interview structure may help to explain inconsistent research findings since structure could inhibit the functioning of the similarity-attraction mechanism. The present research pursued two objectives, namely (1) to determine the degree to which race-group similarity (between interviewer and interviewee) exerts a biasing effect on selection interview dimension ratings, (2) to determine whether same-group bias increases when interview structure is experimentally diminished. This experimental study manipulated the degree of structure in interviews (high- and low-structured conditions) and compared the degree to which race group similarity effects were evident under each condition. Interviews were simulated by showing video-taped interview segments to a sample of participants and asking them to rate interview dimensions on rating scales that had been compiled to reflect the degree of structure in each condition. The data were analysed using Hierarchical Linear Modelling (HLM) and multiple regression analysis to determine whether similarity effects were present in the interview rating data. The results support the hypothesis that racial similarity effects are found under low-structured conditions, as well as the hypothesis that interview structure moderates the influence of similarity effects. However, racial similarity effects were also found with the highly structured condition. Although these effects were smaller than in the low-structured condition, they were statistically significant. Future research should attempt to replicate this study as a field study to test the generalisability of the findings.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek onderhoudvoerdersydigheid in die vorm van rasgroepsoortgelykheidseffekte in seleksie-onderhoudbeoordelings. Sosiale Identiteitsteorie voorspel dat onderhoudvoerders diegene van dieselfde rasgroep (die sogenaamde ingroep) met hoër beoordelingstellings sal aanslaan, primêr deur die werking van die soortgelykheidaangetrokkendheidsmeganisme. Navorsingsresultate tot op hede leen slegs gedeeltelike steun aan hierdie hipotese. Hierdie studie argumenteer dat die rede vir teenstrydige navorsingbevindinge moontlik die gevolg van die bemiddelende effek van onderhoudstruktuur kan wees, aangesien struktuur moontlik die funksionering van die soortgelykheid-aangetrokkendheidsmeganisme kan inperk. Die studie streef dus twee doelwitte na, nl. (1) om die mate waartoe rasgroepooreenstemming tussen die onderhoudvoerder en onderhoudnemer ’n sydige invloed op onderhouddimensietellings uitoefen te bepaal en (2) om te bepaal of soortgelykheidseffekte toeneem namate onderhoudstruktuur eksperimenteel verlaag word. ’n Eksperimentele ontwerp is gebruik waarbinne onderhoudstruktuur (hoog- en laag gestruktuurde toestande) in video-opnames van onderhoude nageboots is. ’n Groep beoordelaars het hierdie stimilusmateriaal beoordeel aan die hand van beoordelingskriteria wat opgestel is om die mate van struktuur binne elke toestand te reflekteer. Gevolglik is die mate van rasgroepsoortgelykheidseffekte binne elke struktuurtoestand vergelyk. Die navorsingsdata is met gebruik van Hiërargiese Lineêre Modellering (HLM) en veelvoudige regressie ontleed om die teenwoordigheid van soortgelykheidsydigheid te bepaal. Die resultate steun die hipotese dat rassoortgelykheidseffekte onder laaggestruktuurde toestande voorkom, asook dat onderhoudstruktuur ’n modererende rol speel. Nietemin is soortgelyke effekte ook onder die hoog gestruktuurde toestand gevind. Alhoewel hierdie effekte kleiner as onder die laaggestruktuurde toestand was, was dit steeds statisties beduidend. Toekomstige navorsing kan poog om ‘n soortgelyke ondersoek as ‘n veldstudie te onderneem om die moontlikheid van veralgemening van die resultate te bepaal.

This case study describes an academic library search committee's decision-making, practice, and assessment of using performance-based interviews as part of a national search for lecturer-level positions with a primary focus of reference and research services and minimal expectations of teaching information literacy in the classroom. The search committee determined performance-based interviews were successful in establishing candidates’ depth of skill in simulated reference transactions. The authors recommend incorporating an element of unscripted job simulation to employment interviews in libraries of all types.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES
In a scenario which more and more the process of selecting candidates for job becomes more demanding (JOSEPH, 2013), the study of job interviews in English is of great importance. However, it has been receiving little attention in language studies. The purpose of this research is to compare the English job interview register with the other English language registers along the five dimensions of variation identified by Biber (1988 et seq.) through Multidimensional Analysis (MDA). To do so, this research is based on Corpus Linguistics (CL) that deals with the collection and exploitation of corpora with the purpose of helping to research a language or part of it. (BERBER SARDINHA, 2000; 2004). The corpus of this study was the Job Interview Corpus (JIC), composed of 40 real job interviews conducted in Germany with native speakers from Australia, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States, totaling approximately 50,000 words. In order to enable MDA, the study corpus, JIC, was grammatically tagged with the Biber Tagger and later processed by the Biber Tag Count, which calculated the frequency of 67 linguistic variables considered in this study. The MDA results showed how the English job interviews of the study corpus, JIC, resemble or differentiate from the other English language registers along the five dimensions of variation (BIBER, 1988 et seq.). Since there are no precedents of studies within the CL devoted to the investigation of English job interviews in a multidimensional analysis, this research intends to fill this gap in the academic field
Em um cenário em que cada vez mais o processo de seleção de candidatos a uma vaga de emprego se torna mais exigente (JOSEPH, 2013), o estudo das entrevistas de emprego em inglês é de grande importância. No entanto, o tema tem recebido pouca atenção nos estudos linguísticos. O objetivo desta pesquisa é comparar o registro entrevista de emprego em inglês com os outros registros da Língua Inglesa ao longo das cinco dimensões de variação identificadas por Biber (1988 et seq.) por meio da Análise Multidimensional (AMD). Para tanto, esta pesquisa se fundamenta na Linguística de Corpus (LC) que se ocupa da coleta e exploração de corpora com a finalidade de servir para uma pesquisa de uma língua (BERBER SARDINHA, 2000; 2004). O corpus de estudo utilizado nesta pesquisa foi o Job Interview Corpus (JIC), composto por 40 entrevistas de emprego reais realizadas na Alemanha com falantes nativos oriundos da Austrália, Estados Unidos, Irlanda e Reino Unido, totalizando aproximadamente 50 mil palavras. A fim de viabilizar a AMD, o corpus de estudo, JIC, foi etiquetado gramaticalmente com a ferramenta computacional Biber Tagger e posteriormente processado pelo Biber Tag Count que calculou a frequência das 67 variáveis linguísticas consideradas neste estudo. Os resultados da AMD demonstraram como as entrevistas de emprego em inglês presentes no corpus de estudo, JIC, se assemelham ou se diferencia dos demais registros da Língua Inglesa ao longo das cinco dimensões de variação (BIBER, 1988 et seq.). Uma vez que não há precedentes de estudos dentro da LC dedicados à investigação das entrevistas de emprego em inglês em uma análise multidimensional, a presente pesquisa pretende preencher esta lacuna na área acadêmica

This sociological study explores the past and current higher education (HE) experience of educationalists at Gaza’s universities and how this experience may be evolving in the shifting socio-political context in the Arab World. The thesis is motivated by three questions: 1. What are the perspectives of academic staff in the Faculties of Education at Gaza’s universities on their own past HE experiences? 2. What are the perspectives of students and their lecturers (academic staff) in the Faculties of Education at Gaza’s universities on students’ current HE experiences? 3. How do educationalists in the Faculties of Education at Gaza’s universities perceive the shifting socio-political context in the Arab World, and what current or future impact do they think it will have on the education context at Gaza’s universities? To examine these questions, I conducted an inductive qualitative study. Using 36 in-depth, semi- structured interviews which lasted between (90-300 min), I collected data from educationalists (15 academic staff; 21 students) at two of Gaza’s universities. Due to difficulties of access to the Gaza Strip, the participants were interviewed via Skype from Cambridge. Informed by the literature review, and triangulated with other research activities, such as reviewing participants’ CVs, browsing universities websites, and keeping a reflective journal, a thematic analysis was conducted on the interview data. Theoretically, although this study has benefited from conceptual insights, such as those found in Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed and in Pierre Bourdieu’s work on symbolic violence, it is a micro-level study, which is mainly data driven. The findings of this research show that in the past, educationalists were relatively more passive in terms of shaping their HE experiences, despite efforts to become resilient. In the present, students and their lecturers continue to face challenges that impact negatively on their participation and everyday life at Gaza’s universities. However, how the HE experience will evolve out of this context in the future is uncertain. The Arab Spring revolutions have had an influence on Gaza HE institutions’ campuses as they have triggered more awareness of students’ grievances and discontent. Because of some political and educational barriers, however, students’ voices are a cacophony; they remain split between “compliance” and resistance (Bourdieu, 1984, p. 471; Swartz, 2013, p. 39). Previously, Sara Roy (1995) rightly indicated a structure of “de-development” in the Gaza Strip (p.110). The findings from this research show that the impact of occupation and of the changes in the Arab World on the educational context in Gaza are more complex than previously thought. There is a simultaneous process of construction and destruction that is both external and internal to educationalists and which undermines academic work at Gaza’s universities. Based on this, the study concludes by explaining six implications of this complex structure for academic practice at Gaza’s universities, offering nine policy recommendations for HE reform, and highlighting six areas for future research.

Based on analyses of recorded real-life selection interviews in a law firm and in a government department, this study illustrates how crucial it is for job applicants to use the valuable skill of Impression Management (IM), that is, the attempt to portray a particular image by controlling the information available to others so that they will view the actor as he or she intended. By using verbal and non-verbal behaviours persuasively, job applicants can create an image of professionalism in a short period of time, structuring the interviewers’ impressions formed of the applicant in order to lead to high suitability ratings and job. Currently, there is much competition for jobs, hence applicants are faced with increasingly sophisticated selection techniques that aim to ensure only the best applicants are appointed. This study is located within the fields of communication and selection interviewing research and is underpinned by moral and ethical issues in regard to the deployment of power and empowerment of job applicants. The necessarily communicative approach involved qualitative data collection and description i.e. Conversation Analysis (CA) and Content Analysis (ContA). It is argued that because power influences language and language influences power, applicants may empower themselves in interviews by examining their beliefs and by adopting more powerful verbal behaviour. In time, and with further academic inquiry, more equality in interpersonal relations in the workplace could become the norm. The hope is that this study could be a catalyst for future research on preventing misuse of power through communication in the workplace and in social life.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

M.A. (Psychology)
The interview appears to be a very popular but nevertheless unreliable and invalid selection instrument. A need therefore exists to improve the selection interview and to place it on a more scientific basis. The purpose of this study can be summarized as the development of: an interview decision-making model an interview reference framework a selection interview interpretation guide Before these topics were discussed, the nature, definition, value, problematics and improvement of the selection interview were examined. Attention was given to the nature, purpose, function, formulation and classifica~ion of interview questions as well as to the interview as a measuring instrument and requirements such as objectivity, appropriateness, adaptability, standardization, reliability and validity. Various decision-making models were examined and discussed, and the decision-making attributes of the decision-maker (the interviewer) were studied. The requirements of the decision making process were discussed and a decision-making model was subsequently developed...

Based on analyses of recorded real-life selection interviews in a law firm and in a government department, this study illustrates how crucial it is for job applicants to use the valuable skill of Impression Management (IM), that is, the attempt to portray a particular image by controlling the information available to others so that they will view the actor as he or she intended. By using verbal and non-verbal behaviours persuasively, job applicants can create an image of professionalism in a short period of time, structuring the interviewers’ impressions formed of the applicant in order to lead to high suitability ratings and job. Currently, there is much competition for jobs, hence applicants are faced with increasingly sophisticated selection techniques that aim to ensure only the best applicants are appointed. This study is located within the fields of communication and selection interviewing research and is underpinned by moral and ethical issues in regard to the deployment of power and empowerment of job applicants. The necessarily communicative approach involved qualitative data collection and description i.e. Conversation Analysis (CA) and Content Analysis (ContA). It is argued that because power influences language and language influences power, applicants may empower themselves in interviews by examining their beliefs and by adopting more powerful verbal behaviour. In time, and with further academic inquiry, more equality in interpersonal relations in the workplace could become the norm. The hope is that this study could be a catalyst for future research on preventing misuse of power through communication in the workplace and in social life.

The main purpose of this study was to explore the threats to internal and external validity that international research on structured employment interviews may have been prone to. On the basis of this exploration, suggestions were rendered on how the perceived threats to internal validity could have been managed. In addition, commentary was offered on whether or not the threats to external validity appear to have been actualised in the international studies that were compared. These constituted the secondary aims of the study. In order to accomplish the primary aim of the study a qualitative approach was employed. Using the literature on the threats to internal and external validity as a fundamental point of departure, studies on the two main variants of structured employment interviews (viz. behaviour description interviews and situational interviews) were analysed. This analysis yielded an insight into the potential threats that are likely to have impacted on the validity findings that were obtained in these studies. On the basis of these insights, suggestions, pertaining to how the threats to internal validity could have been managed, were proposed. In addition, a meta-analytic technique, for comparing the findings across multiple studies, was employed to comment on whether or not the threats to external validity appear to have manifested in the studies in question. These combined insights served as the foundation for offering a South African perspective on the threats to internal and external validity, which included recommendations on how they could be effectively managed in validation research in the South African context.
Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Initial research on structuring the interview process investigated structure’s impact on the interview’s psychometric properties (e.g., reliability and validity). In contrast, the empirical literature has begun to consider the impact of increased interview structure on job applicant reactions to the interview and the companies that utilize them. Current research has studied the effects of interviewer characteristics on applicant reactions and the effects of different types of selection procedures on applicant fairness reactions. In addition, while studies have examined the impact of applicants’ perceived control on their reactions to selection procedures, few studies have examined this impact specifically for the employment interview. Given the widespread use of the interview in selection, this study adds to current research by focusing on applicant reactions to four elements of the interview identified as being salient to applicants (i.e., the degree to which the interviewee perceives that applicants are asked the same questions, the use of situational or behavioral type questions, controlling the use of ancillary information by the interviewer, and the degree to which questions from the applicant are controlled). In addition, this study focused on need for control as a moderator of the relationships between interview structure and fairness perceptions, recommendation intentions, and acceptance intentions. Participants consisted of 161 students voluntarily participating in three different interviewing scenarios: unstructured, semi-structured, and structured interviewing scenario. The participants completed post-interview measures asking them about their perceptions of fairness, their intention to recommend the company to others, and their intention of accepting an offer if one is made by the company. Although the hypothesized relationships between elements of structure and applicant evaluations of the interview were largely not supported, the results did indicate that student applicants perceived semi-structured and structured interviews to be fairer than unstructured interviews. In addition, the results suggest that more structured interviews may lead to lower behavioral intent to recommend the job to others or accept a job offer. Implications of the results are discussed in terms of how interview structure relates to the candidates’ perception of fairness, recommendation intentions, and acceptance intentions.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
In order to help individuals feel more engaged within work organizations and more satisfied with their jobs, employers have started to administer stay interviews within organizations, with the end goal being to retain organizational members. Stay interviews have become a proactive solution to the retention problem and have been seen as an alternative to the exit interview. This study proposes that through the use of stay interviews, organizational members will feel more engaged, satisfied, and committed to an organization, which will ultimately result in the retention of organizational members.

Evaluation determines the impact of social services as well as job performance and assures communities that social workers render effective services. Post audits are done as part of performance management at the Christian Social Councils in the Highveld Synodal Region. The purpose of this research is to look at the experiences of social workers that had a post audit to determine whether adjustments to improve the audit system are needed. A qualitative approach with an exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was followed. Participants were identified according to the purposive sampling method. Data was collected during semi-structured interviews. The data was analysed and verified according to the models of Tesch (in Creswell, 2003) and Guba (in Krefting, 1991), respectively, and processed in the research report.
Social Work
M. A. (Social Science)

Text in English with abstracts in English, TshiVenda and Afrikaans
This research sought to propose a personnel selection model encompassing the influence of cognitive intelligence, ability emotional intelligence, trait emotional intelligence, and personality on job performance. Using a quantitative cross-sectional research design, the researcher investigated the interrelationships between the variables relevant to the study using a convenience sample of N = 299 that consisted of Zimbabwean supervisory and professionally qualified and experienced specialists of different ages and genders, and from different job tenures, and job types. To get a true picture of the relationships between the predictor and criterion variables, the interaction (moderating) effects between the sociodemographic variables (age, gender, job tenure, and job type) and the predictor variables (cognitive intelligence, ability emotional intelligence, trait emotional intelligence, and personality) in predicting the criterion of job performance were also examined. The researcher used correlational and inferential multivariate statistical analysis (structural equation modelling, regression analyses, and tests for significant mean differences) to test the research hypotheses. The results from the study indicated that cognitive intelligence was the best predictor of job performance, followed by ability emotional intelligence, and then by personality. Trait emotional intelligence could not account for any variance in job performance. The results showed significant interaction effects between personality and job tenure (judging-perceiving personality types) and job types (extraversion-introversion personality types) in predicting job performance. Significant sociodemographic mean differences in the levels of the predictor variables were also identified. The identified predictive powers of the variables, the interaction effects between the identified sociodemographic and the predictor variables in predicting job performance, and the significant sociodemographic mean differences in the levels of predictor variables need to be considered for personnel selection practices in order to understand the nature of variables that may enhance or inhibit job performance. From a theoretical perspective, the research advanced personnel selection theory by empirically and scientifically identifying the core elements of personnel selection, and proposing a personnel selection model for use by industrial psychologists and organisations.
Ṱhoḓisiso heyi i ṱoḓa u dzinginya tshiedza tsha maitele ane a shumiswa hu tshi tholwa vhashumi ane a katela ṱhuṱhuwedzo ya vhukoni ha muhumbulo nga u angaredza, vhukoni ha u dzhiela nṱha na u langula vhupfiwa, vhukoni ha u dzhiela nṱha na u langula vhupfiwa kha zwithu zwine zwa fana, na vhuḓifari kha kushumele mushumoni. Hu tshi khou shumiswa maitele a ṱhoḓisiso a nḓila yo dzudzanaho ya u kuvhanganya na u saukanya data u bva kha zwiko zwo fhambanaho, u guda zwine zwa khou itea kha tshigwada nga tshenetsho tshifhinga, muṱoḓisisi o ṱoḓisisa vhushaka vhukati ha zwithu zwine zwa fhambana zwo teaho kha ngudo, hu tshi khou shumiswa sambula ya vhathu vhane zwa leluwa u vha swikelela N = 299, i katelaho vhaṱoli na vhathu vha re na ndalukano dza mushumo na vhomakone vha re na tshenzhelo vha vhukale ho fhambanaho, mbeu, tshifhinga tshe vha shuma na tshaka dza mushumo kha vhathu vha Zimbabwe. U wana tshifanyiso tsha vhukuma tsha vhushaka vhukati ha zwithu zwine zwa khou humbulelwa na zwithu zwo ḓisendekaho nga zwiṅwe, ṱhuṱhuwedzo ine ya itea khathihi vhukati ha zwithu zwivhili hune u ṱangana hazwo zwa vha na ndeme khulwane u fhirisa zwipiḓa vhukati ha zwiṱaluli zwa vhathu (vhukale, mbeu, tshifhinga tshe vhashuma, lushaka lwa mushumo) na zwithu zwine zwa khou humbulelwa (vhukoni ha muhumbulo nga u angaredza, vhukoni ha u dzhiela nṱha na u langula vhupfiwa ,vhukoni ha u dzhiela nṱha na u langula vhupfiwa kha zwithu zwine zwa fana, na vhuḓifari) kha u humbulela nḓila dza kushumele mushumoni na dzone dzo ṱoḓuluswa. Muṱoḓisisi o shumisa khoriḽeshinala na siṱatisiṱiki tsha iniferinshiaḽa maḽithivareithi musi a tshi khou saukanya (tshiedza tsha siṱatisisṱika, maitele a siṱatisiṱika a u humbulela vhushaka vhukati ha zwithu, na u linga ndeme ya phambano ya siṱatisiṱika) u linga u vhonela phanḓa kha khonadzeo ya ṱhoḓisiso. Mvelelo u bva kha ngudo dzo sumbedzisa uri vhukoni ha muhumbulo nga u angaredza ho vha tshishumiswa tsha kushumele, ha tevhelwa nga vhukoni ha u dzhiela nṱha na u langula vhupfiwa, ha fhedzisela nga vhuḓifari. Vhukoni ha u dzhiela nṱha na u langula vhupfiwa kha zwithu zwine zwa fana a vhu khwaṱhisedzi phambano kha kushumele mushumoni. Mvelelo dzo sumbedzisa tshanduko ine ya vha hone kha tshithu tshithihi i ḓitika nda ndeme ya tshiṅwe tshithu vhukati ha vhuḓifari na tshifhinga tshe vha shuma (mihumbulo ine ra vha nayo ri tshi sedza zwithu na nḓila ine ra tshilisa ngayo ḓuvha ḽiṅwe na ḽiiṅwe) na tshaka dza mushumo (na tshaka dza vhuḓifari dzo sedzaho nga nnḓa na nga ngomu) kha u humbulela kushumele. Ndeme ya phambano vhukati ha zwigwada zwivhili zwa matshilisano na vhathu kha zwithu zwine zwa khou humbulelwa na zwone zwo dovha zwa topolwa. Zwithu zwo topolwaho zwine zwa khou lavhelelwa, zwithu zwivhili zwo ḓiimisaho nga zwoṱhe zwi tshi ṱangana arali ṱhuṱhuwedzo ya tshithu tshithihi i tshi fhambana yo ḓitika nga vhuimo ha zwiṅwe zwithu vhukati ha zwithu zwa matshilisano na vhathu na zwithu zwine zwa khou humbulelwa, ṱhoḓea dzine dza tea u dzhielwa nṱha kha maitele ane a shumiswa hu tshi tholwa vhashumi u itela u pfesesa lushaka lwa zwithu zwine zwa nga engedza kana u thivhela kushumele. U bva kha mihumbulo ine ya khou ṱoḓisiswa, ṱhoḓisiso yo ṱuṱuwedza thyeori ya maitele ane a shumiswa hu tshi tholwa vhashumi nga u sedza na u topola zwithu zwa ndeme zwa maitele na milayo ya sainthifiki, na u dzinginya tshiedza tsha u thola vhashumi u itela u shumiswa nga vhaḓivhi vha muhumbulo vhane vha shuma na kutshilele na kushumele kha zwiimiswa.
Hierdie navorsing het gepoog om ʼn model vir personeelkeuring te ontwikkel op grond van die invloed van kognitiewe intelligensie, vermoë- emosionele intelligensie; eienskap- emosionele intelligensie en persoonlikheid op werkprestasie. Die navorser het ʼn kwantitatiewe dwarssnitnavorsingsontwerp gebruik, en die onderlinge verbande tussen die toepaslike veranderlikes ondersoek. Die geriefsteekproef van N = 299 het bestaan uit Zimbabwiese toesighoudende, opgeleide en ervare spesialiste van verskillende ouderdomme en uit beide geslagte wat verskillende dienstydperke agter die rug het, en uiteenlopende poste beklee. Om ʼn getroue beeld van die verbande tussen die voorspeller- en kriteriumveranderlikes te kry, is die interaksie- (modererende) effekte tussen die sosiaal-demografiese veranderlikes (ouderdom, geslag, dienstydperk en soort werk) en die voorspellerveranderlikes (kognitiewe intelligensie, vermoë- emosionele intelligensie; eienskap- emosionele intelligensie en persoonlikheid) in die voorspelling van die kriterium van werkprestasie ook ondersoek. Die navorser het ʼn korrelasie- en afgeleide, meerwisselende statistiese ontleding (strukturele vergelykingsmodellering, regressieontledings en toetse vir betekenisvolle gemiddeldeverskille) gedoen om die navorsingshipotese te toets. Die uitslag van die studie toon dat kognitiewe intelligensie die beste voorspeller van werkprestasie is, gevolg deur vermoë- emosionele intelligensie en persoonlikheid. Eienskap- emosionele intelligensie kon geen rekenskap van enige veranderlike in werkprestasie gee nie. Volgens die resultate is daar betekenisvolle interaksie-effekte tussen persoonlikheid en dienstydperk (keurder-waarnemer persoonlikheidstipes) en die soort werk (ekstroversie-introversiepersoonlikheidstipes) in die voorspelling van werkprestasie. Betekenisvolle sosiaal-demografiese gemiddeldeverskille in die vlakke van die voorspellerveranderlikes is ook aangedui. Die voorspellende kragte van die veranderlikes, die interaksie-effekte tussen die sosiaal-demografiese en die voorspellerveranderlikes in die voorspelling van werkprestasie sowel as die beduidende sosiaal-demografiese gemiddeldeverskille in die vlak van voorspellerveranderlikes moet vir personeelkeuringspraktyke in ag geneem word om die aard van veranderlikes wat werkprestasie kan verhoog of inhibeer, te verstaan. Uit ʼn teoretiese oogpunt het die navorsing die persoonkeuringsteorie gevolg deur die kernelemente van personeelkeuring op ʼn empiriese en wetenskaplike wyse aan te toon, en ʼn personeelkeuringsmodel vir bedryfsielkundiges en organisasies aan te bied.
Industrial and Organisational Psychology
D. Phil. (Consulting Psychology)