Participation in decision making.
- Authors: Valoyi, M.J. , Lessing, B.C. , Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Decision making , Employees
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6343 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1088
- Description: The aim of the present study was to determine the extent to which employees would like to participate in decision making concerning various organisational issues, especially those concerning: the work itself, working conditions, human resources issues, and corporate policy and planning. The sample consisted of 146 participants, including managers, middle managers, and junior officials from a South African development corporation. A questionnaire to measure employees' desire to participate in decision making was specially constructed for this investigation. It has found that employees with higher academic qualifications were more desirous to participate in decision-making at all levels than employees with lower academic qualifications. This was also true for employees in higher job grades than in lower job grades. Men were more desirous to participate in decision making than women. The implications of the findings are discussed.
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Personnlikheidstrekke as voorspellers vir ontvanklikheid vir verandering by bestuurders.
- Authors: Kleynhans, P.J.L. , Schmidt, C. , Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Personality characterstics , Change management , Change readiness , Organisational change
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6337 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1082
- Description: Personality characteristics as predictors for managers’ readiness to change. The purpose of this study was to establish the degree to which change readiness can be predicted by certain personality dimensions. A sample of 115 managers took part in the study. As a result of the multi- dimensional nature of the construct readiness for change, the prediction was administered through a canonical correlation. In this instance change readiness (criteria) was presented in the form of three separate measurements i.e. California Psychological Inventory (CPI)), Reaction to Change Inventory (RTC) and the Perceptions of Organisational Change Inventory (POC). The scales of the Jung Personality Questionnaire (JPQ) and a Locus of Control Inventory served as predictors in the study. The results of the study indicate that it is indeed possible to predict change readiness on the basis of personality analysis.
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The development of a statistical procedure to correct the effects of restriction of range on validity coefficients.
- Authors: Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Validities , Validity coefficients
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/384833 , uj:6328 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1074
- Description: In the validation of tests used for selection purposes, the obtained validity coefficients are invariably underestimates of the true validities, due to explicit and implicit selection in respect of the relevant variables. Both explicit and implicit selection leads to restriction of range of the relevant variables, and this in turn reduces the obtained validities. A formal proof for this is given. A number of researchers have developed formulae for correcting sample validities in order to get better estimates of the true validities (Pearson, 1903; Thorndike, 1949; Gulliksen, 1950; Rydberg, 1962 and Lord & Novick, 1968). It is, however, virtually impossible to obtain a complete view of the problem of restriction of range in this way. In the present paper a different approach has been followed: Population correlations have been computed for various degrees of truncation of the explicit selection variable. This has been done for population correlations ranging from 0.10 to 0,99. A graphical display, indicating the shrinkage of the population correlations for various truncation ratios, has been prepared.
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Bestuursontwikkelingsbehoeftes in die Suid-Afrikaanse lugmag: 'n vergelykende studie van die persepsies van die vier kultuurgroepe.
- Authors: Theart, J.J. , Lessing, B.C. , Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Management development needs , Cultural groups , Managerial skills
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6342 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1087
- Description: Management Development Needs in the South African Air Force: a comparative study of the perceptions of four cultural groups. The object of the study was to determine whether the perceptions of managers and supervisors from different cultural groups in the South African Air Force differ concerning their managerial skills, and to determine to what extent the perceptions of the superiors differ from those of their subordinates. A questionnaire of perceived management development needs was used to determine whether specific training needs exist. It was found that there are indeed statistically significant differences between the various cultural groups’ perceptions of their management development needs and that training needs exist within all four cultural groups.
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The construction of a normative scale of locus of control.
- Authors: Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Normative scale , Locus of control , Social learning theory , Attribution theory
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6362 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1106
- Description: The primary objective of the study was to construct a normative scale of locus of control for use with students and adults. A corollary of the study was to establish the personality, interest and cognitive correlates of locus of control. Conceptually the instrument is based on attribution theory and on social learning theory. The first edition of the Locus of Control Inventory (LCI) was applied to 356 first-year university students during 1994. A factor analysis of the 65 items of the inventory yielded three factors. The factors were interpreted as Autonomy, Internal Control and External Control. Three scales, corresponding to the three factors, were constructed, and yielded reliability coefficients of 0,80; 0,77 and 0,81 respectively. Following this the cognitive, interest and personality correlates of the LCI were determined. The implications of the findings are discussed.
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Management by objectives in relation to optimal experience in the workplace.
- Authors: Loubris, S. , Crous, F. , Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: Optimal experience , Workplace , Pearson product moment
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5704 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2951
- Description: In order to discover whether Management by Objectives could be used to create optimal experience in the workplace, two tests were constructed. These were a measure of Management by Objectives (42 items) and a measure of Optimal Experience (24 items). First and second-order factor analyses were performed on both inventories to identify the true factors. Item analyses were performed to verify the reliability of both instruments. Pearson Product moment correlations were computed to assess the relationship between the constructs. The implications are discussed.
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Locus of control in relation to flow.
- Authors: Taylor, C.M. , Schepers, J.M. , Crous, F.
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Flow , Locus of control , Attribution theory , Autonomy , Internet control
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6400 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1168
- Description: The principal objective of the study was to examine the relationship between locus of control and optimal experience (flow) in carrying out work and/or study activities. Two questionnaires measuring the aforementioned constructs were administered to a group of first and second-year Human Resource Management students (n=168) between the ages of 16 and 30. The results suggest that more frequent experience of flow is positively correlated with Autonomy and Internal Locus of Control. Limitations, lines of future research, implications and further contributions are discussed.
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Construction of a computerised information-processing test battery.
- Authors: Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Computerised information processing test battery
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6351 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1095
- Description: The primary goal of the study was to construct a computerised information-processing test battery to measure choice reaction time for up to and including six bits of information, to measure discrimination reaction time with regard to colour patterns and form patterns, to measure rate of information processing with regard to perceptual stimuli and conceptual reasoning, and to develop a suitable scoring system for the respective tests. The battery of tests was applied to 58 pilots. In order to develop an appropriate scoring system for each of the tests, the various scores (trials)were intercorrelated, and where necessary, subjected to factor analysis.
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Non-natural deaths in the Republic of South Africa with specific reference to road deaths.
- Authors: Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Road deaths , Road safety
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6404 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1171
- Description: All information from the outside reaches us via our senses. The incoming information must be processed as quickly and effectively as possible, and suitable decisions must be made, based on this information. To perform this function properly, we humans depend on our senses and higher intellectual abilities. Depending on the nature of the informatio, affective components may also be present. The figures form a frightening picture of South Africa and the question can rightly be asked: What ca be done to improve this situation? One of the areas in which we can all contribute is road safety.
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Overcoming the effects of differential skewness of test items in scale construction.
- Authors: Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Differential skewness , Scale construction , Test terms , Simplex , Pseudo simplex
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6399 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1167
- Description: The principal objective of the study was to develop a procedure for overcoming the effects of differential skewness of test items in scale construction. It was shown that the degree of skewness of test items places an upper limit on the correlations between the items, regardless of the contents of the items. If the items are ordered in terms of skewness the resulting intercorrelation matrix forms a simplex or a pseudo simplex. Factoring such a matrix results in a multiplicity of factors, most of which are artefacts. A procedure for overcoming this problem was demonstrated with items from the Locus of Control Inventory (Schepers, 1995). The analyses were based on a sample of 1662 firstyear university students.
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Construction and evaluation of a scale of consumer shopping experience.
- Authors: Gillham, B.A. , Crous, F. , Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Consumer shopping experience , Decision-making
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6355 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1099
- Description: Generally speaking consumer psychology have focused primarily on the problem solving and decision making processes underlying buying behaviour. As a result, the experience of consumers engaging in the activity of shopping has been neglected. The purpose of this study was to construct and evaluate a scale of consumer shopping experience. The instrument indicated that shopping experience is not merely a means to an end, but in many cases an end in itself. The Shopping Experience Survey consisting of 54 items was developed and administered to 426 respondents consisting of students at a large tertiary institution. The study indicated that the Shopping Experience Survey is highly reliable (rxx=0,965) and sensitive to group differences.
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The role of locus of control and achievement motivation in the work performance of black managers.
- Authors: Bothma, A.C. , Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Work performance , Black managers , Locus of control , Achievement motivation
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6329 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1075
- Description: The primary objective of this study was to predict the work performance of Black managers by using three measures of Locus of Control and five measures of Achievement Motivation. Work performance was assessed by superiors with the aid of the Performance Appraisal Questionnaire of Schepers (1994) which yields three scores, viz, Work Performance, Creativity/Initiative and Management Skills. The sample comprised 102 Black male employees in supervisory and more senior positions in a diversified and geographically dispersed chemical company. In analysing the data, the three sets of measures were intercorrelated and subjected to a factor analysis. Three factors were identified; amongst others a factor representing work performance. A composite score was accordingly computed which served as the criterion measure in a regression analysis. Furthermore, a canonical correlation procedure was used to maximise the correlation between the predictor variables and the dependent variables. Two statistically significant canonical correlations were obtained. It was found that both the Locus of Control Inventory and the Achievement Motivation Questionnaire can be used as predictors of work performance as assessed by means of the Performance Appraisal Questionnaire (PA).
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The construction of a normative instrument for measuring organisational citizenship.
- Authors: Joubert, E.E. , Crafford, A. , Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Normative instrument , Organisational citizenship
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6360 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1104
- Description: The aim of the study was to construct a normative instrument for measuring organisational citizenship. Based on studies done on organisational citizenship, a framework for identifying the locus of organisational citizenship was developed, and a questionnaire based on this framework was constructed. A factor analysis of the items of the instrument yielded two factors. These factors were interpreted as situational and dispositional loci of organisational citizenship. The two scales were subjected to item analysis and yielded reliability coefficients of 0,946 and 0,908 respectively. The implications of the findings are discussed.
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Die ontwikkeling en evaluering van 'n entrepreneurskaporiëntasie-vraelys.
- Authors: Venter, C.M. , Crous, F. , Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship orientation , Measuring instrument , Psychological flow
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6358 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1101
- Description: The development and evaluation of an entrepreneurship orientation questionnaire. The principal aim of the study was to construct a measuring instrument based on a contextual theory of entrepreneurship to measure entrepreneurship orientation. A secondary aim of the study was to determine whether a correlation exists between entrepreneurship orientation and psychological flow. An adapted Psychological Flow Questionnaire was used to measure the respondents’ experience of activities in their daily lives. The questionnaires were applied to 276 respondents consisting of a group of students taking courses in entrepreneurship on the one hand and a group of students taking no such courses, on the other hand. Both instruments were subjected to factor analysis and item analysis. From the study a statistically significant difference in terms of entrepreneurship orientation was found to exist between the entrepreneurship students and the non-entrepreneurship students. A statistically significant positive correlation was found to exist between entrepreneurship orientation and psychological flow. The implications of the findings are discussed.
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The predictive validity of the selection battery used for junior leader training within the South African National Defence Force.
- Authors: Muller, J.J.S. , Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Cognitive ability testing , Career success , Physical stress , Mental stress
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/373542 , uj:6353 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1097
- Description: The principal objective of the study was to determine the predictive validity of the test battery used for the selection of junior leaders in the South African National Defence Force. A sample of 96 respondents completed certain indices of the SPEEX-Battery as well as the Advanced Ravens Progressive Matrices test. The test results were compared with the course results. Using canonical correlation analysis, a highly significant relationship was found between the independent variables and the dependent variables (r = 0,787; p<0,00005). The predictors with the highest loadings were cognitive ability, conceptualisation, reading comprehension, listening potential, physical stress, and mental stress.
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The power of multiple battery factor analysis in coping with the effects of differential skewness of variables.
- Authors: Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Multiple Battery Factor Analysis , General Scholastic Aptitude Test
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6361 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1105
- Description: The principal objective of the study was to determine the power of Multiple Battery Factor Analysis (MBFA) in coping with the effects of differential skewness of the variables used. Generally speaking, joint analyses result in factors of skewness. To examine the problem the General Scholastic Aptitude Test (GSAT) and Senior Ability Tests (SAT) were jointly applied to a sample of 1 598 first-year university students, and subjected to both a Principal Factor Analysis (PFA) and a MBFA. Three factors were obtained in both instances. The PFA yielded factors of skewness and the MBFA factors of content. The implications of the findings are discussed.
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Rate of information processing and reaction time of aircraft pilots and non-pilots.
- Authors: Barkhuizen, W. , Schepers, J.M. , Coetzee, J.
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Schepers’ Computerised Information Processing Test Battery , Aircraft pilots , Information processing , Reaction time
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6348 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1092
- Description: Reaction time and rate of information processing are cited as critical components in the make-up of pilots. A need was identified to establish the validity of various chronometric measures in the selection of pilots. Fifty-eight military and commercial pilots and twenty non-pilots were subjected to Schepers’ Computerised Information Processing Test Battery, which measures reaction time, form discrimination time, colour discrimination time, rate of information processing(perceptual) and rate of information processing (conceptual). Five hypotheses and one postulate were formulated and tested. The results indicate that pilots could be differentiated from non-pilots with 92,3% accuracy. However, the results need to be cross-validated before they are used for selection.
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Some personality and cognitive correlates of career maturity.
- Authors: Coertse, S. , Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 2009-02-27T07:22:31Z
- Subjects: Career maturity , Career Development Questionnaire
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/384730 , uj:6499 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2211
- Description: The principal objective of this study was to determine the personality and cognitive correlates of career maturity. The sample comprised 1476 first-year students from different faculties at a South-African university. The Career Development Questionnaire was used to determine the career maturity levels of the respondents. Based on the scores in respect of the Career Development Questionnaire the respondents were divided into a career mature, a career immature and a middle group. These groups were then compared in respect of various personality and cognitive constructs. Statistically significant differences were found in respect of most of the personality constructs but not in terms of the cognitive constructs. The implications of the findings are discussed.
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Die houdings van manlike bestuurders teenoor die vordering van vroue binne die bedryfskonteks: 'n kultureel vergelykende studie.
- Authors: Van Aarde, W.A. , Schepers, J.M.
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Male mangers , Attitudes in business context
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6335 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1080
- Description: The attitude of male mangers toward the advancement of women in the industrial context: A comparative cultural study. The main aim of this study was to determine the attitudes of male mangers towards the advancement of women coming form the four cultural groups – white, black, Coloured and Indian, as well as women in general, within the business context. Five independent questionnaires were developed for this purpose. In general, it was found that black male managers were more positive in their attitudes towards women, than white male managers. In comparing the attitudes of male mangers towards women coming from the various cultural groups, it appeared that white male managers exhibited a particular hierarchical order of preferences, whilst black male mangers only indicated differences regarding whites versus Coloureds, and Indians versus Coloureds.
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The relationship between career maturity, career expecations and perceptions of job and organisational knowledge of engineering bursars.
- Authors: Le Roux, H. , Schepers, J.M. , Lessing, B.C.
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Career maturity , Career expectations , Job perceptions , Organisational knowledge
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/390094 , uj:6332 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1078
- Description: The principal aim of this study was to determine whether there is a statistically significant relationship between career maturity, and career expectations and perceptions of job and organisational knowledge of engineering bursars. The sample comprised 168 engineering bursars from a variety of South African universities. A questionnaire was developed to measure bursars’ career expectations and perceptions of job and organisational knowledge. The sample was divided into homogeneous clusters on the basis of two dimensions – career expectations and perceptions of job and organisational knowledge. These clusters were compared in respect of career maturity. Statistically significant differences were found. A secondary aim of the study was to examine the impact of certain demographic variables on career maturity, career expectations and perceptions of job and organisational knowledge. The implications of the findings are discussed.
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