The aim is to assess the nature of knowledge development in industrial/organisational psychology (hereafter: I/O psychology) in South Africa, with a view to determine progress, strengths and weaknesses and to suggest directions for future development.For this purpose a broadly applicable, meta-theoretical approach to knowledge (Pietersen, 2000) is introduced and its suitability for I/O psychology as knowledge discipline discussed. This is followed by a meta-theoretically informed analysis and discussion of recent research trends, based on the contents of publications in the discipline's flagship journal, the South African Journal of Industrial Psychology. Past and recent reviews of the discipline are also incorporated in the discussion.The paper reviews the meta-theoretic (meta-type I) and scientific (meta-type II) approaches in local I/O psychological research. In order to contribute to an expanded approach to research and knowledge development in the discipline, the narrativeinterpretive approach (meta-type III) is briefly outlined. THEORETICAL REVIEWMeta-paradigmatic knowledge orientations The discussion in this paper utilizes an encompassing framework of four basic orientations or modes of knowledge (alternatively denoted as: meta-paradigms, meta-orientations, meta-perspectives, meta-theory, and by other terms similar in meaning-intent) developed by Pietersen (2000). These are regarded as super-ordinate and joint epistemological-cumontological orientations or predispositions consisting of partially overlapping core characteristics. Meta-paradigms are to be viewed as fundamental and distinctive 'ways of understanding' and function as universal and collective 'windows of mind' -as basic outlooks on the world. This, meta-scientific level of sense making needs to be distinguished from Thomas Kuhn's (1970) intra-scientific application of the term 'paradigm'. Kuhn uses various (overlapping) definitions for what he primarily takes to be guiding basic models of empirically established puzzle-solving knowledge within a scientific community. 'Paradigm' for Kuhn initially referred to "… accepted examples of actual scientific practice -examples which include law, theory, application, and instrumentation together -provide models from which spring particular coherent traditions of scientific research" (Kuhn, 1970, p. 10). Elsewhere, he regards a 'paradigm' as a "… strong network of commitments -conceptual, theoretical, instrumental, and methodological …" (1970, p. 42). In reaction to criticism, he finally settled (in the Postscript to The Structure of Scientific Revolutions") on 'paradigm' as referring to two types of meaning "… the entire constellation of beliefs, values, techniques, and so on shared by members of a given community …" (p. 175) and also as: "… the concrete puzzlesolutions…employed as models or examples …" (p. 175).In short, 'paradigm' for Kuhn primarily serves as an umbrella term for a number of related elements (having a Wittgensteinian 'family resemblance') that constitute the scientific undertaking it...

The epistemological nature of science and industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology is considered against the backdrop of scientific divergence and fragmentation, and the consequent need for theory development and knowledge integration. Two basic epistemologies, related to traditions of thought in western science, are identified, namely, the analytic and synthetic modes of knowledge. With the aid of a number of sensitizing concepts such as scope of knowledge, process of knowledge development and time-perspective of knowledge, the epistemological characteristics and preferences encountered in I/O psychology are discussed in some detail. The major conclusion is that the discipline is clearly operating within the classic (analytic or positivist) mode of scientific endeavour. The most important implication for future knowledge development is co-equivalence of both analytic (differentiative) and synthetic (integrative) modes of knowledge and related methods, which should be regarded in a dialectical manner. This is postulated as necessary in order to escape the threat of becoming a technological fragment of a science, tied to a onesided epistemology.Teen die agtergrond van 'n toenemend divergerende tendens in die wetenskap en die gepaardgaande behoefte aan teorie-ontwikkeling en kennis-integrasie, word aandag geskenk aan die epistemologiese aard van bedryfs/organisasie-sielkunde. Twee denktradisies word ge'identifiseer, naamlik, die analitiese en sintetiese benaderinge. Met behulp van 'n aantal sensiterende dimensies soos lokus van kennis, omvang (skopus) van kennis, proses van kennisontwikkeling en tydsperspektief van kennis, word die epistemologiese eienskappe en voorkeure van bedryfs/organisasie-sielkunde in besonderhede bespreek. Die hoofslotsom is dat die dissipline duidelik steeds beoefen word binne die analitiese (positivistiese) benadering tot kennis en waarheid. Die belangrikste implikasie hiervan vir toekomstige kennisontwikkeling is 'n gelykwaardigheid van beide die analitiese (differensierende) en sintetiese (integrerende) benaderinge tot kennis van die werksmens, wat op dialektiese wyse beskou moet word. Voorgenoemde word gepostuleer as van kardinale belang om die gevaar van 'n tegnologie-behepte en gefragmenteerde wetenskap wat verbind is aan 'n eensydige epistemologie, te vermy. 101Of late it seems to have become fashionable critically to reflect upon the status quo, and especially the theoretical adequacy, of psychology as scientific undertaking (see for example, Retief, 1985). Whilst a rejection of what scientific psychology consists of is regarded as unnecessary and unwarranted, a sober consideration of research and professional trends in the discipline at large leads to the general conclusion that all is not well. Despite the overall growth in empirically based knowledge of human behaviour, psychology as well as its applied offshoot, industrial/organizational psychology (hereafter referred to as I/O psychology), are increasingly becoming mosaics of fragmented and loosely connected research enterpri...

Comparison of Western (WH) and African humanism (AH) shows overlapping and complementary approaches to human nature in work organisations. The extant literature is conceptually, empirically and methodologically inadequate, and fails to consider 21st century employment realities. Shortcomings of WH and AH are presented. A dynamic and mutualistic approach to human nature, that includes both self-assertive (individualist) and self transcending (collectivist) tendencies, is briefly outlined. It provides a more comprehensive approach to humanism, for better understanding of human behaviour at work. There is currently too much rhetoric in the field. More research, especially the use of qualitative and narrative interpretive methodologies is required. <b>Opsomming</b> Vergelyking van Westerse (WH) met Afrika (AH) opvattings oor humanisme in werkorganisasies toon, verskille ten spyt, dat oorvleueling en aanvullende benaderingsmoontlikhede bestaan. Die betrokke literatuur is tans konseptueel, empiries en metodologies onvoldoende. Moderne indiensnemingsrealiteite word ook nie verreken nie. Tekortkominge in beide Westerse en Afrika humanisme word aangetoon. Navolging van ’n dinamiese en resiprokale benadering wat beide self-gelding (individualisties) en self-transendering (kollektiwisties) in menslike natuur insluit, word voorgehou as ’n meer omvattende beskouing wat ’n beter begrip van gedrag in werkorganisasies bied. Daar is heelwat retoriek in aansprake betreffende Afrika humanisme. Verdere navorsing, veral begronde en interpreterende studies, is noodsaaklik

<p>A critical overview of Industrial Psychology. The aim of this article is to provide a critical overview of Industrial Psychology as a pure and applied science. With regard to theory there are clear indications that the field still lacks an integrated explanatory base. Methodological criticism indicates excessive concern with quantification and research methods. With regard to application it seems that despite attempts to humanize work industrial psychology has not yet had significant impact on organisational life. There are also indications of dysfunctional behavioural tendencies among industrial psychologists such as strongly competitive relations. The general outcome is seen to be increasing fragmentation of scientific endeavour and emphasis on methods and techniques. The conclusion is that the discipline urgently requires integration of knowledge to counter increasing erosion of it as a science. In this regard, subject-philosophical analysis is considered an essential step. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Opsomming</strong> <br>'n Kritiese oorsig van die Bedryfsielkunde. Die doel van die artikel is om die stand van Bedryfsielkunde as suiwer en toegepaste wetenskap krities in oenskou te neem. Wat teorie betref, is daar nog weinig sprake van omvattende en geintegreerde gedragsverklarings in die Bedryfsielkunde. Metodologies word die vak deur 'n oormatige metode- en data-beheptheid gekenmerk. Die Bedryfsielkunde as toegepaste wetenskap het voorts nie soveel impak op bestuur en op organisasielewe as wat meskien algemeen aanvaar word nie. Daar is ook aanduidings van disfunksionele ged- ragstendense in vakgeledere, soos byvoorbeeld 'n sterk onderlinge mededinging tussen vakbeoefenaars. Die algemene eindresultaat is gefragmenteerde wetenskapsontwikkeling en 'n toenemende model- en tegniekgebondenheid. Die gevolgtrekking is dat tensy kennisintegrasie plaasvind, die vak op 'n identiteitskrisis afstuur. Grondslae-ondersoek word as onontbeerlik beskou om sodanige krisis af te weer.</p>

A meta-theory was developed that brought together implicit premises or world views that