Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Workplace functioning'

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: One of the first labour reforms introduced by the then newly elected democratic government of South Africa was the introduction of statutory workplace forums. This ground-breaking chapter in the 1995 Labour Relations Act outlined the first legally mandated form of workplace participation, beyond the sphere of the collective bargaining arena. To date, however, the provisions of the Act which govern workplace forums have been subjected to criticism by both labour and business alike, as well as from academics. The sad reality is that there has been a minimal uptake in the establishment of these forums in the 13 years since the provisions of the Act came into force. This research report has delved into the reasons for this resistance, from the side of both labour and business. The multitude of reasons that exist have been grouped under a series of headings that have then allowed the writer to focus on finding factors that would facilitate the establishment of statutory workplace forums. In considering the factors that would facilitate the enhanced uptake and establishment of workplace forums, the research has guided the writer towards the implementation process per se, in particular the attitudinal and mind-set factors that are required as pre-requisites before the more legislatively focussed aspects of the implementation cycle should be undertaken. While there are no doubt valid concerns with several of the clauses in the legislative provisions, in the opinion of the writer these are not the predominant reasons for the failure of the workplace forum vehicle. The adversarial mindset that still exists between business and labour, as well as the worldviews and consequences that stem from such a mindset, has been the largest obstacle in the establishment of workplace forums. Until both parties, and the broader South African society within which all businesses exist, are able to make the fundamental shift from “win or lose” to “mutual gains through co-operation” the workplace forum vehicle will not be implemented, and the drive to further workplace participation will not be successful. The writer has suggested various changes that should be made to the legislation, and processes that should be put in place to start to lay the foundations upon which the workplace forum model can later be built up on. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Statutêre werkplekforums was een van die eerste arbeidshervormings wat deur die destyds nuut verkose demokratiese regering van Suid-Afrika bekend gestel is. Hierdie baanbrekershoofstuk in die Wet op Arbeidsverhoudinge van 1995 het die eerste vorm van werkplekdeelname met ’n regsmandaat buite die sfeer van die kollektiewe bedingingsarena uiteengesit. Die bepalings van die Wet wat op werkplekforums gerig is, is egter tot dusver aan kritiek deur arbeid, die sakesektor en akademici blootgestel. Die hartseer werklikheid is dat daar in die 13 jaar sedert die bepalings van die Wet in werking getree het ’n minimale opname in die vestiging van hierdie forums was. Hierdie navorsingsverslag verken die redes vir hierdie weerstand uit die oogpunt van arbeid sowel as besigheid. Die talle redes wat bestaan is saamgegroepeer onder verskillende opskrifte wat die skrywer in staat gestel het om faktore te vind wat die vestiging van statutêre werkplekforums fasiliteer. Wanneer daar gekyk word na die faktore wat die sterker opname en vestiging van werkplekforums kan fasiliteer, lei die navorsing die skrywer na die implementeringsproses op sigself. By die implementeringsproses is dit veral faktore soos houding en ingesteldheid wat as voorvereistes nodig is voordat daar aandag geskenk kan word aan aspekte van die implementeringsiklus wat meer op wetgewing gerig is. Hoewel daar ongetwyfeld geldige kommer oor verskeie van die klousules in die wetgewende bepalings is, is dit volgens die skrywer se mening nie die vernaamste redes vir die mislukking van die werkplekforummedium nie. Die antagonistiese ingesteldheid wat steeds tussen besigheid en arbeid bestaan sowel as die wêreldbeskouings en gevolge wat uit sodanige ingesteldheid spruit, is die grootste struikelblok in die vestiging van werkplekforums. Die werkplekforummedium kan slegs geïmplementeer word en die veldtog om werkplekdeelname te versterk kan net slaag indien albei partye, en die groter Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing waarin alle besighede bedryf word, ’n wesenlike skuif kan maak van “wen of verloor” na “gesamentlike voordele deur samewerking”. Die skrywer stel voor dat wetgewing verander word en dat prosesse geïmplementeer word om te begin om die grondslag te lê vir die bou van die werkplekforummodel.

This thesis investigated the relative importance of six emotional intelligence (EI) abilities comprising the Swinburne University Emotional Intelligence Test (SUEIT) in the prediction of (1) psychological resilience to negative life events, (2) romantic relationship adjustment and communication behaviour, and (3) employability skills. In Study 1, the strength of relationship between negative life events and distress varied across three latent classes, reflecting vulnerable, average, and resilient profiles. Graduated EI scores, in terms of emotional self-awareness, ability to express, and self-manage emotions, predicted membership to each class. Across the 414 survey respondents, these three EI abilities appeared to augment psychological resilience in the aftermath of negative life events. In Study 2, all six EI abilities were found to be weakly associated with dyadic adjustment, and moderately associated with eight relationship enhancing communication behaviours. The eight behaviours were themselves moderately to very strongly associated with adjustment. Mediation analyses revealed that each EI ability influenced dyadic adjustment through the communication behaviours it best predicted. Across the 116 romantic partners surveyed, those better able to express and self-manage emotion communicated in the most relationship enhancing ways. In Study 3, four of the six EI abilities were found to be differentially important in the prediction of seven Adaptive Performance dimensions, five Conflict Management strategies, three forms of Organizational Commitment, and seven Achievement Motivations. The abilities to think clearly under pressure, identify others' emotions, self-manage emotions, and manage others' emotions made valuable contributions, while emotional self-awareness, and the ability to express emotion, did not. Across the 105 workers surveyed, those with these four EI abilities appeared to have decidedly stronger employability skills, skills that distinguish between more and less successful workers of similar education and vocational experience, across all job families. These findings are largely consistent with EI theory, and with the small body of research to have examined similar effects in similar domains. Importantly however, the current findings offer much more specific insights into the relative importance of each EI ability in each context, and thus, the means by which emotional intelligence contributes to a psychologically healthy, intimately connected, and vocationally valuable life.

Workplace romances (WRs) have become a common occurrence and growing trend in today’s work-oriented culture. People are spending more time at work and in close proximity to their work colleagues which provides the ideal stage for romantic relationships to develop. Whilst on the one hand, WRs could have beneficial consequences for the individuals or organisations involved, they could also on the other hand be a problematic occurrence for some employers. The reason is that WRs have the risk of ending badly and that could open a field of possible complicated legal, emotional, ethical or productivity consequences. In the light of this problem, the general objective of this study is to explore the effects of dissolved romances on the psychosocial functioning and productivity of involved employees at an industrial clothing factory in Cape Town in 2012/13 and also to explore the consequent need for appropriate intervention through the existing employee assistance programmes (EAP). The study followed a qualitative research approach in that it covered detailed descriptions of involved employees’ experiences of their psychosocial functioning and productivity in the workplace amidst a relationship breakdown. A collective case study design was utilised because of its aims to understand a social issue, namely the breakdown of romantic relationships in the workplace, and studied the experiences and perceptions of a group of individuals affected by this phenomenon. The researcher conducted a word and concept analysis and an extensive literature study. This enabled the researcher to draw up a framework for the semi-structured interview schedule which was used to collect data.
Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2013.
lmchunu2014
Social Work and Criminology
unrestricted

Introduction The interest in relations between arts and workplace related health has increased. The focus has mostly been on the work of arts and health from a disease perspective and to the best of our knowledge the research focusing on relation between the artists and workplace related health from a salutogenic perspective is rare. In 2007 a project called the Contemporary Artists in Contemporary Society (CACS) Scania project was implemented and evaluated. The project consisted of twelve visual artists being positioned at eight workplaces on half time for a period of six months. The idea of the project was that unprejudiced meetings between the artists and the staff could result in workplace related health promoting processes. This study will try to unravel some of the mystery of how artists’ presence can result in workplace related promotion of health.    Aim The aim was to identify success factors for visual artists functioning as health promoters at a workplace.   Procedure The search for success criterion started with going through the project descriptions and the evaluation reports from the CACS Scania project. This exposition led to the selection of one project that was considered a particularly successful case. Two artists had been placed at the office for management of regional development in Scania. The employees consisted mainly of civil servants and administrators. The evaluation material belonging to this particular project was studied, searching for possible explanations to the success of the project. The material consisted of digital recordings from a focus group interview with five of the participating staff, an interview with the manager, an interview with the two artists as well as stories written by the two artists throughout the project and finally the project description as well as the folder that the two artists produced as a summary of the project. The analysis of the material was influenced by qualitative content analysis and three categories of success factors were found.   Results The experience of the participating staff The result showed that the staff mainly had had positive project related experiences. The staffs’ experiences could be linked to the salutogenic factors comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness. The various project related activities were found to be meaningful and the different activities were considered a pleasant reflective break from an everyday routine based and hectic practice. Some of the staff reported having problems managing the openness and indistinctiveness of the project, but the frequent communication with the artists, as well as support from the manager made the indistinctiveness manageable. The presence of the artists and the different project related activities were often found to be amusing, with adherent facilitation of wellbeing among the staff. At other occasions the presence of the artists could be considered disturbing. The artists brought new perspectives into the workplace that sometimes challenged the staffs’ customary way of thinking and acting, opening up possibilities for creativity and reflective processes of work related learning. It seemed as if the positive health related experiences of the staff relied on communication and mutual construction of intellectual fellowship and project related meaning (intersubjectivity).   A framework for the work of the artists Four criteria were considered a useful framework for a description of the artists successful work at the workplace. 1. Presence - The artists were often present at the workplace. 2. Inspiration – The artists were inspired by the workplace. 3. Activity - The artists were constantly presenting things and activated the staff through out the project 4. Communication – The artists communicated with the staff during the development, implementation and completion process of the project.   Organisational climate It seemed as if the organisational climate was suitable for using artists as health promoters. The staff and the manager were for instance describing them as willing to try new and innovative strategies for the development of their work in general and their work related health in particular.   Conclusion To conclude there is a health promoting potential when involving artists as health promoters at a workplace. For this potential to be realised we found three categories of success factors. The experience of the participating staff were considered important since positive experiences, with adherent positive feelings, form the base for psychological and biological processes that generally have a positive impact on health. These experiences are on the other hand dependent on other facilitating factors, that here can be linked to for instance the artists as well as the organisational climate.

Communication technologies have become a central characteristic of workplace functioning. The literature has suggested that the use of these technologies fundamentally changes the manner in which team members interact. The present study sought to reorganize previous research on the impact of virtuality on team emergent states and behavioral processes to elucidate how different degrees of team virtuality shape team functioning, and to investigate the manner in which these relationships differ according to team type, team membership stability, and publication year. Findings from 174 studies (total number of teams = 9204; total N approximately 26,050) suggest that there is not a strong relationship between team virtuality and emergent states and behavioral processes. However, moderator analyses revealed that a reliance on highly virtual tools may be most detrimental to action teams and ad hoc teams. Moreover, findings demonstrate that the degree to which virtuality shapes team transition and action process may be changing over time.

A common issue in leadership development is the high flyers who reach a position where their lack of “soft” skills hampers their performance and proves a barrier to their continued progression to higher levels of responsibility (Newell, 2002: 288). Business Schools offering Masters in Business Administration (MBA) programmes assist in developing managers with not just managerial competence but also with “soft” skills. By delivering educated business managers, these managers through their intellectual skills and community sensitive values, will lead future transformational processes. It is useful and interesting to consider how important emotional intelligence is for effective performance at work. A considerable body of research suggests that an employee’s ability to perceive, identify, and manage emotion provides the basis for the kinds of social and emotional competencies that are important for success in almost any position. Furthermore, as the pace of change increases and the world of work make ever-greater demands on an employee’s cognitive, emotional, and physical resources, this particular set of abilities will become increasingly important (Cherniss, 2000). The primary objective of this study is to determine the perceptions of the Masters in Business Administration (MBA), B-Tech in Business Administration (BBA), Advanced Business Programme (ABP) programmes and the Business School Alumni to determine the overall emotional intelligence profile of students as well as the effective team functions of the syndicate groups. Based on the main findings of the survey, it was concluded that emotional intelligence is an important factor for the NMMU Business School, MBA Unit students. The skills attained through the course work will not only improve team effectiveness in the syndicate group functioning but also enhance their performance in the business environment. The MBA team learning experiences enhances workplace learning as the ability to work in a team and ability to think and act independently are highly desired skills and competencies for success in the workplace.

The main purpose of this thesis was to evaluate and test the Job Stress Survey (JSS, Spielberger, 1991; Spielberger & Vagg, 1999), a self-report instrument which assesses workplace stress. In the thesis a thorough evaluation is made of JSS scales and items, and the relations to health, particularly musculoskeletal complaints. The aim of Study I was to evaluate the factor structure and the psychometric properties of a Swedish version of the JSS. The instrument was distributed to medical service personal and metal industry workers (n=1186). Factor analyses demonstrated a good resemblance between the present version and the American original version. The results also showed that the internal consistencies, as well as the test-retest reliabilities of the scales are high, and the concurrent validity are good. Study II examined work-related stress measured by JSS for the subgroups of gender, industry workers and medical service personnel, and special attention was given to the problem of differential item functioning (DIF) on these subgroups. The main findings were that both gender and occupation has a substantial impact on specific sources of work-related stress assessed by JSS scales and individual items. The result of the DIF analyses showed no item bias in the gender subgroup, but for the occupational subgroups there where items showing DIF in two of the scales. These items do not jeopardize the conclusions made on scale level since the number of items showing DIF are too few to make an impact on the overall result on the different scales. In Study III the relation between self-reported stress and health, particularly musculoskeletal problems were examined longitudinally in two metal industry factories. Results showed high levels of stress and musculoskeletal complaints in these factories and significant and strong relationships between the JSS scales and musculoskeletal, as well as psychosocial ratings. Lack of Organizational Support was found to be more related to musculoskeletal pain than Job Pressure. Longitudinal differences were found between the factories and between different types of musculoskeletal complaints. The general conclusions from the studies are that the present version of JSS shows a good resemblance with the American original, and that JSS is a useful instrument for studying relationships between stress and health.

Thesis (PhD) - Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, 2007.
Submitted as a requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology - 2007. Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (p. 323-373).

Organisations worldwide are attempting to increase individual job satisfaction, productivity and efficiency by implementing work teams. This research study evaluates the interventions considered necessary to optimally implement and maintain self-directed work teams (SDWTs). In order to complete this study it was necessary to address the characteristics associated with SDWTs, problems commonly experienced during implementation and functioning of SDWTs and the identification of the interventions used to promote the successful implementation and maintenance of SDWTs. These objectives were achieved by means of a comprehensive literature study. Subsequent to the literature study, a process model for the successful implementation and maintenance of a SDWT within a South African organization was developed. Thereafter, a questionnaire was developed based on the findings of the literature study and distributed to a randomly selected population. The objective of the questionnaire was to evaluate the interventions utilized during the implementation and maintenance of SDWTs. The results of the empirical study were statistically analysed and interpreted. Finally, conclusions and recommendations were made. The most important recommendations are as follows: Firstly, the trade union must be consulted and involved in the decision to implement SDWTs. Members of the team must be exposed to training interventions prior to the implementation of the SDWT. Thereafter, team members must undergo advanced training in interpersonal and problemsolving skills. Salary and reward structures within the organisation must be adapted to suit a teambased environment. Finally, the success of the SDWT will depend on the support provided by management. Management needs to exhibit total commitment to the change on a continuous basis.

Some basic but desirable employability skills are antecedents of job performance. The Workplace Skills Survey (WSS) is a 48-item situational judgment test (SJT) used to assess non-technical workplace skills for both entry-level and experienced workers. Unfortunately, the psychometric evidence for use of its scores is far from adequate. The purpose of current study was two-fold: (a) to examine the proposed structure of WSS scores using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and (b) to explore the WSS item functioning and performance using item response theory (IRT). A sample of 1,018 Jamaican unattached youth completed the WSS instrument as part of a longitudinal study on the efficacy of a youth development program in Jamaica. Three CFA models were tested for the construct validity of WSS scores. Parameter estimations of item difficulty, item discrimination, and examinee’s proficiency estimations were obtained with item response theory (IRT) and plotted in item characteristics curves (ICCs) and item information curves (IICs). Results showed that the WSS performed quite well as a whole and provided precise measurement especially for respondents at latent trait levels of -0.5 and +1.5. However, some modifications of some items were recommended. CFA analyses showed supportive evidence of the one-factor construct model, while the six-factor model and higher-order model were not achieved. Several directions for future research are suggested.

In order to remain competitive, many American businesses implement team-based work strategies. In many cases, however, teams fail in American organizations, which may be in part due to a conflict between American culture and the cooperative environment necessary for teams to function effectively. By comparing the literature regarding American culture, challenges faced by teams, and then corporate culture, it becomes evident that there are aspects of American culture that pose challenges but also that an appropriate corporate culture can mediate some areas of incompatibility. A collaborative corporate culture can induce cooperation among employees without asking employees to work in a manner that is counterintuitive, thus gaining the benefits of teams.

The post-apartheid government of the Republic of South Africa implemented new policies to promote equality in the workplace, in terms of both race and gender. As a result, more women are entering the labour market and working as bus drivers; an environment that is highly dominated by men. However, since occupations are historically sex-segregated, the bus driving industry is dominated by men. This set of circumstances therefore challenge women who choose bus driving as a career, for it is regarded as a male profession. This study focuses on one aspect of public transport in South Africa, with a specific focus on female bus drivers. The aim of the research is to explore the experiences of female bus drivers in Tshwane, South Africa in terms of how they deal with the challenges they are faced within the industry. The primary concern of the study is on the impact of their chosen career on their general well-being which is described as workplace relationships, occupational health and family-work balance. It further looks at the driving forces behind these women‘s choice to join the bus industry. Since women were traditionally based in the private sphere (family), the study then looks at how these women have adjusted to the working environment outside of their homes. Moreover, it looks at the relationships these women have with their managers, colleagues and passengers. A total number of sixteen female bus drivers participated in the study. Findings show that the incorporation of women in the bus driving industry has been a challenging one. It has been challenging especially for women as they are prejudged by the majority of people as being incapable of operating buses and as a result, they are faced with hostility. Some of the factors contributing to hostility towards female bus drivers are cultural beliefs, unemployment, competition and age differences. There are also other factors that influenced a shift over time from a negative perception to a more positive perception of female bus drivers over time such as female drivers‘ abilities and capabilities to drive. Due to the working conditions of bus drivers, female bus drivers reported having psychological, sleeping and muscular-skeletal problems. Additionally, balancing work and family life has proven to be difficult for many female bus drivers.
Dissertation (MSocSci)--University of Pretoria, 2013.
gm2014
Sociology
unrestricted

L’objectif de cette thèse est d’éclairer un phénomène invisible mais prégnant dans les organisations : les relations affinitaires au travail. Articulant les approches en psychosociologie et en philosophie avec une littérature plus récente propre aux sciences de gestion portant sur les réseaux et les workplace friendships, la thèse permet de mieux comprendre les relations affinitaires dans leur caractérisation, leur développement et leurs conséquences en contexte de travail. Basée sur deux niveaux d’analyse, individuel et groupal, la méthodologie se déploie autour de récits de vie et de quatre études de cas d’équipes de travail aux caractéristiques organisationnelles contrastées. Quatre types de relations affinitaires au travail sont ainsi identifiés : les « amis », les « collègues amis », les « amitiés stratégiques » et les « collègues ennemis ». Leur formation est non seulement influencée par des facteurs individuels et inter individuels, mais aussi par la structure et la culture organisationnelles. Leurs conséquences contrastées portent sur le bien-être et la motivation au travail, les relations de collaboration et le fonctionnement des équipes. Cette thèse montre que les relations affinitaires s’avèrent structurantes pour le fonctionnement d’une organisation à fort potentiel de collaboration
The purpose of this dissertation is to understand an invisible but significant phenomenon in organizations: friendship ties at work. The conceptual framework combines philosophy and psychosocial studies with network approach and workplace friendship perspectives from the management literature. It highlights the characterization, development and consequences of friendship ties at work. Through individual and group-level analysis, the methodology is based on life stories and multiple case studies of work teams. Four types of workplace friendships are identified: « personal friends », « work friends », « strategic friends » and « work enemies ». Their development is influenced by individual and inter individual factors as well as organizational structure and culture. Friendship ties have also consequences on well-being, motivation, collaboration and functioning of teams at work. The findings underline that workplace friendships are more structuring for the functioning of organizations based on strong potential of collaboration

Although every society member should be offered an equal chance to participate in working life, individuals with high-functioning autism encounter many barriers. Here, assistive technologies using AI and robotics can provide new possibilities to create accessibility and inclusion. This thesis followed the methodology of user-centred design by performing an online survey with 48 autistic professionals to understand their current work experiences and attitudes towards AI- and robotics-based assistive technologies. Based on the survey findings, neurotypical participants from different educational backgrounds ideated in workshops novel technological solutions. The survey results indicate that autistic professionals are open to AI and robotics to overcome, among others, barriers of sensory overload resulting from sounds and many simultaneous social interactions. Thus, the ideas of headphones using personalisation to cancel specific noises and a device summarising conversation content from team meetings for the remotely located professional can be supportive. Finally, the research results can be a starting point for future design ambitions addressing autistic individuals in their work environments.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Business Executive Coaching Johannesburg, 2017
This research focused on the influence that team coaching had on alleviating the challenges that emanate from team conflict. There is little work done to expand on how team coaching may assist in the transition from conflict to performance, within organisations. Organisations employ individuals who share similarities and also differ significantly in education levels, efficacies, personalities and worldviews. They appoint these diverse individuals to achieve their goals and objectives. These employees are organised to form teams that will perform different duties in alignment to organisational goals, and teams are more effective than individuals. Teams encounter challenges, and one challenge is conflict. There are three conflicts they may encounter: a) relationship, b) process, and c) task conflicts. For this qualitative research, constructive-interpretivism was appropriate because it meant that the researcher and the participant were interacting and the interaction surfaced deeper meaning. Phenomenological research design was used to explore participants’ conscious experiences which were then studied and interpreted. Data was collected from team coaches and their coachees, in different organisations, both from public and private sectors, using semi-structured interviews and observation. Key findings are that there is a skills gap in team coaching. Most team coaches interviewed are team coaches by virtue of being line managers. Others are trained coaches, but in different approaches and not in team coaching. The skills applied to resolve conflict are in line with their training as managers/leaders and some aligned to coaching skills. The other finding was that teams undergo some form of conflict and they were able to move from storming to performing, through the interventions by team coaches. The key message is that team coaching does influence team functioning towards the attainment of organisational goals.
MT2017

The aim of this study was to develop a scale to measure group functioning in work groups. The scale was developed based on the Integrative Model of Group Development. There were 76 individuals who participated in the study. There were 15 groups that participated in this study. The sample was drawn from an organisation in Johannesburg. The research design was non-experimental and cross-sectional in nature. The data collected were analysed using factor analysis, Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient and discriminant analysis. The results showed that the overall scale had two subscales which showed strong reliabilities. The implications of the findings are that further research is needed to match stages of group development with the behaviour of individuals in organisations. The findings indicate that more research on group functioning in the South African work context is required.

Thesis ([Ph. D.])--University of Jyväskylä, 2006.
Originally issued in series: Studies in sport, physical education and health ; 118 Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-91). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Business need required a holistic and focussed framework for best practices in the functioning of effective virtual teams, despite the fragmented nature of empirical studies in this field. This study endeavoured to explore the best practices in the functioning of effective virtual teams against four prominent and unique themes linked to purpose, processes, people and technology. The value of this study does not vest in the existence of virtual teams, but in their orderly operation, in terms of best practice and the value proposition of effectiveness. Following an exploratory qualitative strategy, the research was conducted according to the interpretivist branch of the phenomenological tradition, with a transcendental orientation in the social research field. A qualitative multi-case research design for the empirical study was selected, resulting in a non-probability sample within the software sector of the technology industry in South Africa. An original and pre-tested Lime Survey 2.0+ electronic questionnaire instrument was utilised as the instrument to collect information within a cross-sectional time horizon, to work in synchronisation with the collaborative asynchronous electronic architecture of virtual teams. Content analysis was applied to analyse data. The main findings indicated that effective virtual teams purposefully orientate themselves toward excellence through electronic management systems, a specific value system, with a knowledge seeking focus, and a seamless linkage in electronic infrastructure, applications, and platforms which contribute to the functionality of the effective virtual team. The main recommendations were that a pre-existing, functional, collaborative, integrated, electronic management system is regarded as the primary step in founding an effective virtual team. The focus of organisational leadership should be to embrace a holistic value system approach encapsulating specific elements of excellence, such as trust and independence. Human networking practices pursuing and sustaining knowledge are regarded as the key enabler for functioning of effective virtual teams. Lastly, a focussed seamless interface between the various electronic applications, platforms and infrastructures is recommended.
Human Resource Management
D. Com. (Human Resource Management)

Imago relationship therapy was originally applied to couples counselling by Dr Hendrix (1992, 1993). This model was applied to a group of senior managers from the Lonmin Platinum Mine to create an understanding of intrapersonal and interpersonal dynamics to reduce the conflict levels they experienced in the workplace. Imago theory is applicable to the workplace because of the influence of intrapersonal processes on interpersonal dynamics, which is the same influence that causes conflict in romantic relationships. Love relationships consist of three stages, namely romantic love, the power struggle stage, and the real love stage. In the organisational context, these stages are the initial excitement phase, the power struggle stage, and the conscious relating stage. The study aimed to obtain quantitative and qualitative data on the effects of the Imago theory programme presented to the group of managers. The study thus aimed to determine whether the managers experienced a shift in their consciousness after the programme had been presented. Furthermore, the study aimed to determine whether such a shift in consciousness would have an effect on the individuals’ overall emotional wellbeing and if it would increase their overall life satisfaction. Furthermore, the study investigates if the programme had a positive effect on their interpersonal relationships (particularly with their subordinates). Twenty-two senior managers and 22 subordinates participated in the study. Certain pre-tests were conducted, followed by the seven-module intervention. The same post-tests were conducted after the training had taken place. Quantitative and qualitative results were obtained. The quantitative results showed that the participants’ problem solving abilities improved and that they experienced marginally higher levels of life satisfaction. The reactivity levels experienced by the participants during conflict situations decreased, and their levels of marital satisfaction improved. The results also showed that the managers responded more positively to their subordinates after the intervention. Furthermore, the subordinates experienced their managers as being more flexible after the intervention. The qualitative results indicated that a shift in consciousness did take place as envisaged. The group understood both intrapersonal and interpersonal psychodynamics. They also willingly applied Imago concepts to improve their functioning in the organisational context.
Psychology
D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

Contexte : La protection à la jeunesse (PJ) est un milieu propice à la violence au travail où les employés subissent différentes formes de violence, comme la violence physique et des menaces de la part de leurs clients. Celles-ci affectent le fonctionnement au travail, qui inclut la qualité de vie au travail, l’absentéisme, le présentéisme et le sentiment d’efficacité personnelle à faire face à des clients agressifs. Deux interventions post-traumatiques sont offertes après un incident de violence en PJ au Québec : l’intervention basée sur le soutien des pairs aidants ou l’intervention usuelle, soit une référence vers des programmes d’aide aux employés. Bien que le soutien des pairs soit un facteur de protection important après un incident de violence, aucune étude n’a à ce jour prouvé son efficacité dans le milieu de la PJ. Également, le rôle de genre influence le rétablissement des victimes et peut avoir un impact dans la recherche de soutien social, mais aucune étude n’a évalué ce concept. Objectifs : (1) Vérifier le choix de traitement selon le sexe et le rôle de genre des victimes. (2) Examiner le lien entre le fonctionnement au travail et le rôle de genre des victimes de violence au travail à travers le temps. (3) Évaluer l’efficacité des interventions à la suite de la violence au travail dans le rétablissement du fonctionnement au travail. (4) Vérifier comment le rôle de genre modère l’impact de l’intervention des pairs aidants sur le fonctionnement au travail. Méthodologie : Le devis longitudinal quasi expérimental comporte 173 participants provenant de deux milieux de la PJ, 85% de femmes et 15% d’hommes. Les participants ont rempli des questionnaires validés pour vérifier le fonctionnement au travail et le rôle de genre, et ce à quatre temps de mesure : jusqu’à un mois suivant l’évènement de violence, deux mois, six mois et 12 mois après celui-ci. Résultats : La masculinité est associée au choix de traitement, alors que ceux-ci ont choisi significativement plus l’intervention usuelle que l’intervention des pairs aidants [F= (1, 97) = 8,69; p=0,004]. Un score élevé de féminité a été relié à moins de présentéisme au temps 1[ F= (3, 162) = 5,04 ; p= 0,00]., alors que le sentiment d’efficacité personnelle à gérer des clients agressifs varie à travers le temps pour les individus féminins [F = (3, 151) = 3.89; p = 0.01]. L’utilisation de l’intervention des pairs aidants peut augmenter l’absentéisme dans le mois suivant l’incident de violence [χ2 (3) = 8.93 (P = 0.03)]. Des niveaux faibles et moyens de féminité ont été associés à plus d’absences pour les victimes ayant reçu le soutien des pairs aidants un mois et un an après la violence vécue [χ2 (3) = 9.55 (P = 0.02)]. Implication : Le soutien des pairs permet aux individus moins féminins de s’absenter pour leur rétablissement, ce qui évite potentiellement qu’ils fassent du présentéisme au travail et donc qu’ils ne soient pas aptes à intervenir auprès de la clientèle. Des mesures préventives devraient être mises en place en fonction du rôle de genre.
Background: Youth protection is a work environment with high risks for various forms of violence, such as physical violence and threats. These may impact many aspects workplace functioning, including professional quality of life, absenteeism, presenteeism and confidence in coping with patient aggression. Two post-traumatic interventions are available after a violent event to workers in Quebec's youth protection centers: the peer support program and the usual intervention (a reference to the employee assistance program). Although peer support has been identified as a protective factor after workplace violence, no study has yet evaluated the efficacity of the peer support program to improve work functioning. Similarly, gender identity is a factor which can influence the impacts of workplace violence and impact social support seeking. However, the role of gender identity in the recovery of youth protection workers following workplace violence remains unknown. Objective: This study aims to: (1) examine if sex and gender identity will influence whether a victim will choose the partake in the peer support program or the usual intervention, (2) examine the association between workplace functioning and gender identity over time, (3) assess the effectiveness of the peer support program in improving work functioning following workplace violence, (4) evaluate how gender identity moderates the impact of the peer support program on work functioning following workplace violence. Methodology: This study used a quasi-experimental longitudinal design and included 173 participants from two Youth Protection Services, 85% are women and 15% are men. Participants completed validated questionnaires to measure work functioning and gender identity at four measurement points: up to one month, two months, six months and 12 months following workplace violence. Results: Masculinity was associated with the choice of the usual intervention over the peer support program [F = (1, 97) = 8.69; p = 0.004]. High levels of femininity can reduce presenteeism [F = (3, 162) = 5.04; p = 0.00] and confidence in coping with patient aggression varies over time for feminine individuals [F = (3, 151) = 3.89; p = 0.01]. The use of the peer support program can increase absenteeism one month after the workplace violence [χ2 (3) = 8.93 (P = 0.03)]. Low and average levels of femininity were associated with the increase of absenteeism for the victims who had chosen the peer support program one month and one year after the workplace violence [χ2 (3) = 9.55 (P = 0.02)]. Implication: Peer support allows individuals with low levels of feminity to take time off for their well-being, so it can prevent presenteeism which can affect their interventions. Preventive measures should be put in place to help victims according to their gender identity.