Towards a substantive workplace model: exploring workplace stress and family stress dynamics

• Main Author: Le Roux, Christoffel Anthony
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Job stress; Work and family; Stress (Psychology)
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3046

D.Comm. === The aim of my study was to attain new insights into the dynamic interactions between the family and the workplace. Furthermore, the aim of this research project is to contribute methodologically, theoretically, practically and scientifically to the theme of workplace and family stress. For the purpose of my study I believe that a qualitative as opposed to a quantitative methodology is more appropriate. Literature reviewed on these methodologies, led me to the opinion that I would be in a position to express myself fully, with my own worldview, which I would probably not have been able to do with quantitative research. A contemporary qualitative research method was used to ultimately develop my substantive model. My unit of analysis was people from an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions provider. I made use of semistandardised interviews to gather my data and paid attention to the considerations for effective qualitative interviewing and preparation as pointed out by Mason (1996). I ended up interviewing six individuals after reaching a point of saturation. This is the point where I ascertained that the interviews could not contribute meaningfully to the information that I had already gathered with regard to the categories. I followed the law as laid down by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The interviews were transcribed and I commenced with the Grounded Theory process. Furthermore, I adhered to the guidelines for assessing the quality of my study as indicated by Lincoln and Guba (1985) and Marshall and Rossman (1999). The results of this Grounded Theory process enabled me in the design of my substantive model. Three core dimensions emerged from the design process, namely, the job, the family and the personality, which I termed the internal environment. These dimensions formed the central part of the substantive model. The substantive model depicted the unidirectional interactions of the core dimensions mentioned. The model also depicts the external environment and the universe as influencing forces on the core dimensions. Even though the external environment and the universe were not part of the scope of the study I felt that it was necessary to include them in the model. In essence the model described my definion of the family setting, namely: “The family setting is a complex, meaningful system of unidirectional interactions between the family, the job, the personalities, the external environment and the universe of all the individuals concerned” (as defined by the author). In closure, I believe that the theoretical, methodological and practical, contributions derived from this study will add significant value to further exploration of this topic.