Team building and salutogenic orientations contextualised in a performance model

Abstract

The purpose of this research has been to investigate the relationships between team building, salutogenesis and performance. Team building was investigated by focusing on the directive and interactive dimensions of • climate • supervisory support • team work. Salutogenesis was investigated by focusing on the concepts of • sense of coherence • locus of control • self-efficacy. Work performance was investigated by focusing on • performance measurement criteria • self-appraisal as a cognitive mediator between performance and salutogenesis. In the literature survey a performance model was postulated to explain the relationships between team building, salutogenesis and performance. The personality profile of the optimal functioning individual in the context of the performance model was compiled from the personality profiles of the optimal functioning team member, the optimal functioning individual and the optimal performing individual. In the empirical investigation a sample (N = 245) of mine employees completed a battery of questionnaires using computerised data collection. The battery was subjected to item-test correlations, Cronbach alpha coefficient measurements and factor analyses, to establish the reliability and structure of each questionnaire. lntercorrelations were calculated and analysed to test the relationships between the dimensions, and concepts. Following this, the factor analysis of a five factor model established the relationships between the dimensions and concepts of team building, salutogenesis and performance. Finally, LISREL-analyses were performed to test the conceptual structure of the relationships. The empirical findings indicate that team building forms a construct based on directive and interactive dimension of climate, supervisory support and team work. Salutogenesis forms a construct and it includes the incorporation of work performance as a concept of salutogenic orientations. The relationship between the constructs was confirmed using LIS REL-analysis, thus validating the integration of the dimensions and properties within each construct into the properties of a performance model; and the personality profiles within each construct into the personality profile of the optimal functioning individual. The empirical results were integrated with the literature review. Team building and salutogenic orientations are integrated into a performance model which explains the relationships between the work environment, the behaviour of the individual and his/her performance within the context of the work environment.