Orientation: Maslach and Leiter (1997) have suggested that burnout constitutes an erosion of the soul. Burnout is a non-discriminatory phenomenon with a pronounced negative impact on the individual employee and the organisation and is particularly prevalent among educators.Research purpose: This study aimed to explore the probable reasons for burnout among secondary educators.Study motivation: Several South African studies have focused on the phenomenon of burnout among educators but the probable reasons for burnout in this population have not yet received adequate attention. This study extended earlier international research that probed this facet.Research design, approach and method: A mixed-methods design with a predominantly qualitative methodology was employed to explore the probable reasons for burnout among 59 educators from three urban secondary schools in Gauteng, South Africa. Data comprised Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey protocols and rich data work descriptions. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with the fi ve participants who tested highest on the burnout indicators. Main fi ndings:The results indicated that a negative learner profi le and workload were the most frequently cited reasons for potential burnout.

The view that corporate and/or organisation identity is a contributing factor to organisational success, is increasingly observed in the media. At the same time research interest in the concept appears to be on the increase. While identity is not a novel concept and has presented in different forms, it remains shrouded in ambiguity and is in need of more precise articulation. The present study revisited the origins of the identity concept and reviewed various perspectives on identity. A specific meaning structure and theoretical framework for the organisation identity concept is proposed and it is concluded that contemporary views of identity are increasingly embracing earlier psychological perspectives. OPSOMMINGDie siening dat korporatiewe en/of organisasie-identiteit 'n bydraende faktor tot organisasiesukses is, word toenemend in die media waargeneem. Navorsingsbelangstelling in die konsep skyn terselfdertyd toe te neem. Terwyl identiteit geensins 'n nuwe konsep is nie en in verskillende vorme voorkom, bly dit in vaagheid gehul en word 'n meer duidelike omskrywing daarvan benodig. Die huidige studie het die oorsprong van die indentiteitskonsep nagespeur en verskeie perspektiewe op identiteit in oënskou geneem. 'n Bepaalde betekenisstruktuur en teoretiese raamwerk word vir die identiteitskonsep voorgestel en die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat kontemporêre sienings van identiteit toenemend besig is om vroeëre psigologiese perspektiewe te omsluit.

Organisational transformation has become one of the most used change concepts of our time, but researchers and practitioners seldom pause to consider the meaning of this concept more explicitly. The meaning parameters of organisational transformation are explored from within the prevailing literature and considered in terms of the results of a qualitative study of limited scope conducted among managers of a local government institution. Both the literature and the findings of the study reveal substantial variation in the meaning of transformation, which is considered undesirable for change management practices. The implications of the study are briefly indicated. OPSOMMINGOrganisasie transformasie het een van die mees gebruikte veranderingskonsepte van ons tyd geword, maar navorsers en praktisyns verpoos selde om die betekenis van die konsep meer eksplisiet te oorweeg. Die betekenisparameters van organisasie transformasie word vanuit die bestaande literatuur ondersoek en vergelyk met die resultate van 'n kwalitatiewe studie van beperkte omvang wat met bestuurders van 'n plaaslike regseringsinstansie onderneem is. Beide die literatuur en die bevindinge van die studie toon omvangryke variasie in die betekenis van transformasie, wat as ongewens vir veranderingsbestuurspraktyke beskou word. Die implikasies van die studie word kortliks aangedui.

Although views on the nature of workplace spirituality abound, the meaning of the concept and its relatedness to other organisational constructs are everything but clear. Using a qualitative approach, the current study set out to explore the meaning of workplace spirituality among a group comprising 31 employees of a South African manufacturing concern. The findings derived through content analysis align well with literature perspectives on the phenomenon. The findings however also reveal that employee awareness and understanding of workplace spirituality are limited.

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