Psychological marginality and dual commitment among black first line supervisors in South Africa

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2016-07-18

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Bergman, Rodney Nathan

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Abstract

The industrial supervisor is the classical example of the person in the middle or the 'marginal person' Placed between management and the workforce, supervisors encounter conflicting expectations and demands. For the black supervisor in South African industry, these problems are exacerbated, typically having been promoted from the ranks and operating at an essentially white management, black workforce interface. Previous researchers have discussed the dysfunctional consequences faced by these people and, further, have alluded to the possible relationship between this and supervisors' dual loyaltles. This research examines the marginality of black supervisors and how this relates to their possible dual commitment. Towards this end, a psychometrically sound measure of psychological marginality was constructed, following which an empirical investigation was undertaken to investigate the relationship between black supervisors' psychological marginality and their dual allegiances. Factor analytical techniques revealed that black supervisor's marginality comprises two variables; namely, management marginality and worker marginality. The relationships between both marginality variables and levels of organisational commitment, union commitment and dual commitment were not significant. This suggests that the management and worker marginality experienced among black supervisors is not related to dual commitment, unilateral commitment and alienation. Implications of these findings for theory and practice are discussed and directions for future research provided. The primary shortcoming of the study was small sample sizes as a result of the sensitive nature of the subject. However, this was mediated by the rigorous methodology adopted throughout.

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A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts, University of tho Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, for the Degree of Mastel' of Arts. Johannesburg 1991

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