Doctoral Degrees (Industrial Psychology)

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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Industrial Psychology) by browse.metadata.advisor "Du Toit, J. B."

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    Female apparel shopping behaviour within a multi-cultural consumer society : variables, market segments, profiles and implications
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001-12) Du Preez, Ronel; Visser, E. M.; Du Toit, J. B.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Industrial Psychology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Female apparel shopping behaviour in a multi-cultural consumer society is a complex phenomenon. This study set out to identify the variables that influence female apparel shopping behaviour in a multi-cultural consumer society and to determine whether distinct clusters of female apparel shoppers could be identified. Three theoretical models from the two study disciplines, Consumer Behaviour and Clothing and Textiles, were investigated, i.e. the Sproles Model of Fashion Adoption, the Engel-Blackwell-Miniard Model of Consumer Decision-Process Behaviour and De Klerk's Clothing Consumer Decision-making Model. These models were synthesised and developed further into a new conceptual theoretical model of variables influencing female apparel shopping behaviour in a multi-cultural consumer society. The Macro conceptual theoretical model presented the variables under market dominated variables, market and consumer interaction variables and consumer dominated variables. The scope of the study was delimited by the choice of two primary variables under each classification, for further investigation. The variables investigated were: the place of distribution, the apparel product, shopping orientation, patronage behaviour, socio-cultural influences (family, lifestyle and culture) and demographics. An overview of the South African apparel industry was provided and future trends in retailing were highlighted. Literature on shopping orientation as a variable was extensively studied, resulting in a proposed new classification system. Lifestyle and cultural consciousness, i.e. the individualist and collectivist orientation, and the impact thereof on female apparel shopping behaviour were investigated. Data for this exploratory study were generated by means of a store-intercept research method. A questionnaire was developed and trained fieldworkers undertook in-store interviews with approximately eight hundred female apparel shoppers representative of three population groups, African/black, coloured and white. The data analysis yielded acceptable questionnaire reliability and multivariate statistics showed shopping orientation and lifestyle to be multi-dimensional constructs with three components each. The three shopping orientation components were labelled shopping selfconfidence and enjoyment; credit-prone, brand-conscious and fashion innovator and local store patronage. A Yuppie lifestyle, apparel-orientated lifestyle and a traditional lifestyle were the three labels ascribed to the lifestyle components. Three clusters of female apparel shoppers were formed by means of cluster analysis, according to the three components of lifestyle and shopping orientation respectively, the two cultural consciousness scales and eleven patronage behaviour items. A demographic profile of each cluster completed the typology of the three female apparel shopper groups. Group one was the largest (49%) and was labelled Actualisers. Group two (28%) was labelled Strugglers and group three (22%) Aspirationals. The female apparel shopper could therefore be successfully segmented into distinct market segments with statistically significant differences in profiles. The profiles showed similarities to international and South African typology research. The results are presented in a conceptual model. The following main implications for manufacturers, marketers, retailers, researchers, educators and students can be stated: .:. Knowledge regarding consumers will be of paramount importance for survival in the competitive and more globally orientated 21st century . •:. The female apparel market is not homogeneous. Different groups of consumers require different types of products and will evaluate them differently. Modern technology such as CAD, EDI, QR and CIM should be implemented to assist stakeholders in this regard. Fashion changes rapidly and if the window of opportunity is not seized, it is lost . •:. Different advertising and marketing strategies are necessary to reach the various female apparel shopper groups. Special attention should be given to advertising approaches and media vehicles that will gain the attention of the various groups . •:. Electronic retailing and marketing will form a large part of future retailing and marketing activities. Stakeholders should be geared towards seizing these opportunities for growth. .:. Researchers, educators and students will benefit from the application of the Conceptual Theoretical Model - a Macro perspective. It could provide a conceptual framework for curriculum development, be used as an evaluation tool and assist in the understanding of the complexities of variables impacting on female apparel shopping behaviour in a multi-cultural consumer society. Recommendations for future research were made in order to encourage researchers to research the complex nature of female apparel shopping behaviour in a multi-cultural consumer society scientifically.
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    Sexual harassment of women in the workplace
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1997-03) Otto, Marinda; Du Toit, J. B.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economical and Management Sciences. Dept. of Industrial Psychology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sexual harassment is a serious problem for many working women and research has proven beyond doubt that sexual harassment at work is not an isolated phenomenon. On the contrary, it is clear that for many women sexual harassment is an unpleasant and unavoidable part of their working lives. Sexual harassment pollutes the working environment and can have a devastating effect upon the health, confidence, morale and performance of those affected by it. The anxiety and stress produced by sexual harassment commonly lead to those subjected to it taking time off work due to sickness, being less efficient at work, or leaving their job to seek work elsewhere. There are also adverse· consequences arising from sexual harassment for employers. It has a direct impact on the profitability of the enterprise where staff take sick leave or resign their posts because of sexual harassment, and on the economic efficiency of the enterprise where employees' productivity is reduced by having to work in a climate in which individuals' integrity is not respected. As a first step in showing management's concern and their· commitment to dealing with the problem of sexual harassment, employers should issue a policy statement which expressly states that all employees have a right to be treated with dignity, that sexual harassment at work will not be permitted or condoned and that employees have a right to complain about it should it occur. An important means of ensuring that sexual harassment does not occur and that if it does occur, the problem is resolved efficiently is through the provision of training. Such training should aim to identify the factors which contribute to a working environment free of sexual harassment and to familiarise participants with their responsibilities under the employer's policy. The development of clear and precise procedures to deal with sexual harassment once it has occurred is of great importance. The procedures should ensure the resolution of problems in an efficient and effective manner. Both informal and formal methods of resolving problems should be available. The exploratory study showed that men and women recognised the more serious forms of sexual harassment as such, but there was less consensus and a great deal of ambivalence in employees' use of the term sexual harassment on the less serious, but decidedly more common, interactions. Concerning men and women's attitudes towards women in general, women in the workplace, sexual harassment and sexual experiences at work, there do exist some significant differences. The major study led to the following findings: The percentage of female employees who have encountered sexual harassment .. accumulated to 55,44 percent. Unwanted sexual teasing, jokes, remarks or questions, unwanted sexually suggestive looks or gestures, and unwanted deliberate touching, leaning over, cornering, or pinching were the most frequently experienced forms of sexual harassment. The alleged harassers were described as men in the age group 30 to 49 years, married, with a qualification of standard 9 to.1 0 and they were perceived as being of average attractiveness. With regard to women's reactions to sexual harassment, objecting was found to be the most frequently used response, followed by the option to avoid the harasser and thereafter to ignore the behaviour. Reasons given for not reporting these incidents are that they did not think it was serious enough, they did not want to make a fuss, and they saw no real need to report it. Among the emotional responses that harassment elicits, anger was experienced the most, followed by embarrassment, disgust and insult. The psychological and physical reactions included. experiencing tension, feeling irritated and . depressed, a sense of powerlessness and fear and anxiety. It does not seem that these experiences interfere too much with the work situation. It did cause women to be less friendly and affected the way they relate to other people. Eventually this will have a definite impact on the workplace, the people's productivity and ultimately the profitability of the company.