Factors involved in subjective career success of soldiers in the South African National Defence Force : an exploratory study

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since the 1970s, economic recession, industrial restructuring, technologicalchanges, and intensified global competition has changed the nature of work.Consequently, employees have changed, many organisations are changing andjobs are minimized to keep up with global demands. However, militaryorganisations and jobs seem to be lagging behind. Although the military isrecruiting young generations, many of its jobs are still traditional military jobs thatpose heavy demands and dangerous circumstances on the soldiers, hence, thepurpose of this particular study. The aim of this study is to explore the relationshipbetween subjective career success (SCS), work circumstances (WC) andpersonality factors (PF) of soldiers in the South African National Defence Force(SANDF). The existence of the relationship between the variables was exploredthrough a non-experimental controlled inquiry. The variables under study weredefined as follows: subjective career success is characterised by increase in thelevel of skills, increase in self-esteem, increased autonomy and responsibility inthe position the person holds, and working with interesting colleagues; WC isdefined as working conditions in which physical, mental, and emotional activitiesare directed towards accomplishing a specific task. Work circumstancesencompass job demands, job characteristics, salary, and job security of soldiers;and PF includes locus of control in the workplace, self-efficacy and assertivebehaviour in the workplace.A sample of 57 participants was selected from officers (Second Lieutenant –Captain and equivalent rank) studying at the South African Military Academy (herereferred to as SAMA), Faculty of Military Sciences, Stellenbosch University.Another sample of 113 Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) (Leading-Seamen –Chief Petty Officers) was selected from SAS SALDANHA (South African NavalGymnasium). In total, a sample of 170 was drawn for this research.Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between independentvariables and dependent variable; and multiple regression analysis was used todetermine factors that explain SCS of soldiers in the SANDF. The results showed a significant partial relationship between job characteristicsand SCS. Furthermore, a significant correlation emerged between salarysatisfaction and satisfaction with job security. Insignificant relationship emergedbetween job demands and SCS. Insignificant results also emerged in therelationship between locus of control, self-efficacy and assertive behaviour (PF)and SCS respectively. As a result, it was concluded that WC have a partialrelationship with SCS; and PF does not have any relationship with SCS. However,the results of the multiple regressions analysis provided that only job securitysatisfaction, salary satisfaction, locus of control and self-efficacy explain SCS,concluding that WC and PF in this research partially explain SCS of soldiers.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University