Positive work and organisational psychological functioning of academics in the open distance learning work environment

Abstract

The research was conducted from the perspective of a positive psychological paradigm and investigated the interrelationship dynamics between the psychological constructs of resistance to change, work engagement and psychological capital which have been under-researched in the rapidly changing open distance learning work environment of academics. A quantitative survey was conducted on a probability sample of 423 (N=423) academics at a South African open distance learning higher education institution. Confirmatory- and exploratory factor analysis, in the absence of goodness of fit, revealed a four-construct measurement model for resistance to change, a two-factor measurement model for work engagement and a four-construct measurement model for psychological capital. A correlational analysis revealed significant relationships between resistance to change, work engagement and psychological capital and structural equation modelling indicated an adequate fit of the conceptual structural model. Tests for statistically significant mean differences revealed no differences between male and female academics, or between the educational levels of groups of academics, with regard to levels of resistance to change, work engagement and psychological capital. At a theoretical level, the research provided insight into the different concepts and theoretical models that lead to the development of positive psychological functioning, such as understanding of the notion of resistance to change in the work environment. At an empirical level, the new knowledge and insights derived from the results may add to a broader perspective on interrelationships between the psychological behavioural constructs of resistance to change, work engagement and psychological capital. This research has also added to the body of knowledge on how academics’ positive psychological behaviour can contribute to a positive organisation as well as to individual well-being in a changing open distance learning work environment.