'n Oorsig van kritiek rondom bedryfsielkunde as suiwer en toegepaste wetenskap

Abstract

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. Opsomming '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.

Keywords

• Bedryfsielkunde