The prediction of turnover intention by means of employee engagement and demographic variables in a telecommunications organisation

This study sought to determine the prediction of turnover intention by employee engagement and demographic variables in a large South African information and communication technology (ICT) organisation. Cross-sectional survey data was collected from the organisation. Using a sample of 2276 participants the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) was employed to measure employee engagement, while the Intention to Stay Questionnaire (ISQ) measured turnover intentions. Employee engagement was significantly negatively related with turnover intentions. A factor analysis conducted on the UWES indicated that activation accounted for 10% of the variance in turnover intentions. Age and tenure had statistically significant negative relationships with turnover intentions, whilst qualification and race had significant positive relationships with turnover intentions. The results also confirmed the predictive model of employee engagement as well as the impact of the demographic variables of race, age, tenure on turnover intentions. The study has practical implications in relation to its ability to contribute to human resources activities in the form of differentiated remuneration and retention strategies based on differences in age and tenure.     

Expatriates’ success in Ethiopia: Empirical evidence on the overlooked impact of cultural value alignment

The present study assessed the impact on the work engagement of expatriates’ personal value orientation alignment with the host country’s national culture. Participants were 231 expatriates from seven countries who are working in Ethiopia (females = 17%; mean age = 36 years, SD = 2.72 years). The expatriates completed measures of personal value orientation, cross-culture adjustment, and work engagement levels. Structural equation modelling analysis indicated expatriates with personal value orientations that align with the host country’s national culture to have a higher work engagement level. Cross-cultural adjustment mediated the relationship between personal value orientation and work engagement. Expatriates’ personal value orientation fit with the host country’s national culture is a resource to accomplish their work successfully.     

Children's Pets and Adults' Self-Concepts

Self-concepts of adults were related to the age when they had their first pet. The Tennessee Self Concept Scale (TSCS) (Fitts, 1965) Total Positive self-concept scores were higher if subjects were under 6 years or over 10 years old than if they were between 6 and 10 years old when they had their first pet. Similar results were found for the TSCS Physical and Social subscales. Whereas gender effects were also found, no significant pet ownership or other childhood Companion Animal Bonding Scale (Poresky, Hendrix, Mosier, & Samuelson, 1987) effects were found.     

Delinquent Peer Group Formation: Evidence of a Gene X Environment Correlation

Emerging evidence suggests that variants of specific genes may influence some youths to seek out or associate with antisocial peers. Using genotypic data (N = 1,816) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (J. R. Udry, 1998, 2003), the authors tested this possibility. They found that the 10R allele of the dopamine transporter (DAT1) gene was associated with self-reported delinquent peer affiliation for male adolescents from high-risk environments (β range = .13-.14) despite controlling for delinquent involvement, self-control, and drug and alcohol use. The authors discuss the importance of using a biosocial framework to examine issues related to adolescent development.     

Chapter 10. Despite False Hopes,Forced Transition Creates Growth

SUMMARY

In this chapter, I discuss how each of six stages applied to the reported experiences of the volunteers, drawing examples from field logs and interviews and the data reflected in the previous chapters.     

Unmasking Dual Victimization

Abstract

This paper describes an intervention designed to enhance treatment participation with couples who are embroiled in longstanding conflicted interactions. Through the use of metaphor and externalization, couples are prompted to re-conceptualize their conflict and preempt typical interaction styles. Through this intervention, covert patterns that contribute to ineffective communication, emotional distance, and a lack of intimacy are exposed. When left unattended, these patterns can fester and result in ongoing forms and levels of relationship violence and/or dissolution. This intervention has also been useful in helping therapists appreciate the recursive nature of relationships and thus, maintain a systemic orientation.     

Are there multiple channels through which we connect with beauty and excellence?

This research answers the question whether there are multiple channels through which we connect with beauty and excellence, and thus contributes to the understanding of the structure of appreciation. Two models were examined: the appreciation of beauty and excellence (ABE) model [Haidt, J., & Keltner, D. (2004). Appreciation of beauty and excellence [awe, wonder, elevation]. In C. Peterson & M.E.P. Seligman (Eds.). Character strengths and virtues (pp. 537–551). New York, NY: Oxford University Press], and the engagement with beauty model [Diessner, R., Solom, R., Frost, N.K., Parsons, L., & Davidson, J. (2008). Engagement with beauty: Appreciating natural, artistic, and moral beauty. The Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied, 142, 303–329]. Study 1 describes the development and initial validation of the ABE Test (ABET), which assesses the types of appreciation included in Haidt and Keltner's (2004) model. In study 2, the ABE subscale of the Values In Action Inventory of Strengths [VIA-IS; Peterson, C., Park, N., & Seligman, M.E.P. (2005). Assessment of character strengths. In G.P. Koocher, J.C. Norcross, & S.S. Hill III (Eds.), Psychologists’ desk reference (Vol. 3, pp. 93–98). New York, NY: Oxford University Press], the Engagement with Beauty Scale (Diessner et al., 2008), and the ABET were included in a structural equation modeling analysis. Results suggested a new model encompassing the two previous ones, and distinguishing between natural beauty, artistic beauty, and non-aesthetic goodness.     

集体主义与贿赂

贿赂是指财物由行贿者向受贿者转移, 公共权力由受贿者向行贿者的暂时转移, 并涉及到为私利而滥用公共权力的过程。研究者认为集体主义是影响贿赂的文化心理根源, 而实证研究发现集体主义与贿赂的关系受到两个方面因素的影响。一方面贿赂的研究视角影响集体主义与贿赂的关系。研究一致证明集体主义促进贿赂行为意向。然而虽然大部分研究表明集体主义与贿赂感知和贿赂态度正相关, 但仍有少量不一致结果。另一方面集体主义类型也影响着集体主义和贿赂的关系。前人关于集体主义对贿赂的作用机制仍以理论探讨为主, 实证研究主要以道德卷入和计划行为理论为基础。未来可以从澄清不同贿赂研究视角的区别与联系、区分不同类型集体主义与贿赂的关系以及关注集体主义对贿赂的作用机制这三个角度进行深入探索。