The development of Industrial Psychology at South African Universities: A historical overview and future perspective

Abstract

Over the past 100 years, Industrial Psychology has developed into a viable discipline that has meaningfully contributed to society's knowledge of work behaviour. This has improved the effectiveness of organisations and has increased the job performance of individuals and groups. The world is in a transitional phase, with organisations finding themselves on the edge of chaos. Industrial psychologists must be ready to help organisations to survive in these uncertain times. It will probably be expected of industrial psychologists to assume specialised roles, rather than the maintenance roles of the past. This offers new challenges to universities regarding the training of industrial psychologists. Opsomming Oor die afgelope 100 jaar het Bedryfsielkunde in 'n lewensvatbare dissipline ontwikkel, wat betekenisvol tot die gemeenskap se kennis van werksgedrag bygedra het. Dit het die doeltreffendheid van organisasies verbeter en die werkprestasie van individue en groepe verhoog. Die wêreld is in 'n oorgangsfase, met organisasies wat hulself op die rand van chaos bevind. Bedryfsielkundiges moet gereed wees om organisasies te help om in hierdie onsekere tydperk te oorleef. Daar sal waarskynlik van bedryfsielkundiges verwag word om eerder gespesialiseerde rolle te speel teenoor die instandhoudingsrolle van die verlede. Dit bied nuwe uitdagings aan universiteite met betrekking tot die opleiding van bedryfsielkundiges.