OpenUCT :: Browsing by Author "Jaga, Ameeta"

Browsing by Author "Jaga, Ameeta"

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Open Access
Antecedents of work-family conflict among Hindu working women in South Africa: stressors, social support, and cultural values
(2014) Jaga, Ameeta; Bagraim, Jeffrey
Little is known about the antecedents of work-family conflict (WFC) among Hindu working women in South Africa, a minority subgroup shaped by a unique set of historical, political, and cultural dynamics. Responding to repeated calls in the literature for the examination of work-family issues in unique cultural contexts, this study began with 20 in-depth interviews to elicit the subjective meaning that Hindu women in South Africa give to their work-family experiences. The qualitative data were analysed adhering to the principles of thematic analysis. These findings, together with a review of extant literature, were used to develop a new and culturally nuanced explanatory model of the antecedents of WFC for this specific context. The antecedents of WFC in the explanatory model include role stressors, sources of social support, and specific individual-level cultural variables. The study’s propositions were tested with survey data from 317 respondents. Psychometric analyses confirmed the portability of the measures and the bi-directional nature of WFC; work-to-family conflict and family- to-work conflict. Multiple regression analyses showed that a significant amount of variability in work-to-family conflict and family-to work conflict were explained by within- domain and cross-domain role stressors; with work overload having the strongest predictive effect on both directions of WFC. The results further highlight the salience of family in Hindu culture, noting that family involvement functioned as an important resource in reducing both directions of WFC and that food-work overload had a distinctive effect on WFC as a significant within-domain and cross-domain stressor. Results of further moderated multiple regression analyses confirmed co-worker support as an important resource for alleviating work-to-family conflict and for buffering the negative effects that work stressors can have on work-to-family conflict. Likewise, the results confirmed spousal support as an important resource for reducing family- to-work conflict; however, paid domestic support increased family- to-work conflict directly and when interacting with food-work overload. Moderated multiple regression analyses additionally showed that work involvement interacted significantly with gender role ideology in predicting work-to-family conflict and that family hierarchy orientation interacted significantly with family involvement in predicting family- to-work conflict. Overall, the results of this study strengthen the argument for the importance of uncovering and examining culturally salient variables in work-family research.
Open Access
Attitudes to multiple role planning (ATMRP) among engineering students
(2012) Marais, Ilde; Jaga, Ameeta; Bagraim, Jeffrey
This study examined attitudes toward multiple role planning (ATMRP) amongst engineering students in South Africa (N = 146). ATMRP is an individual’s attitude or orientation toward planning for future involvement with work and family. Individuals with a more realistic attitude toward multiple role involvement are more likely to successfully manage a multiple role lifestyle. Exploratory factor analysis showed the multidimensionality of the ATMRP scale. The five dimensions were knowledge/certainty, commitment, independence, involvement and flexibility/compromise. The study examined the influence of cultural orientation i.e. gender role ideology, allocentrism and ideocentrism on their attitude toward planning for future work and family roles.
Open Access
Breastfeeding as foodwork in the workplace among black, low-income women in South Africa
(2022) Farista, Feranaaz; Jaga, Ameeta
Return to work is cited as a key reason for women ceasing breastfeeding due to the conflict between the labour of bodywork required for jobs, and breastfeeding as a labour of foodwork. Through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 33 black low-income mothers in Cape Town, South Africa, this study gives meaning to the labour of foodwork that these mothers perform. The data were analysed through an intersectional analytic lens to understand how race, class, and gender shape foodwork experiences. The study findings underscored the struggles, exacerbated by financial constraints, that low-income women endured balancing the demands of being a good mother and a good worker. Four key themes emerged that illustrate the compromised ability to enact foodwork: (1) foodwork experiences and precarity in the workplace, (2) structural inequalities and foodwork, (3) gender norms and social class: shaping child care and foodwork and, (4) local knowledges and foodwork. With these findings, recommendations for improving workplace support for low-income mothers foodwork activities are presented.
Open Access
Childfree employees: The effects of flexible work arrangements and childfree-friendly culture on organisational commitment
(2017) Jacobs, Albertus Abraham; Bagraim, Jeffrey; Jaga, Ameeta
Organisations are increasingly introducing flexible workplace practices and policies such as flextime and flexplace to increase the commitment of their employees and assist them to balance the competing work-life demands. At first, they were designed to create a family-friendly workplace for working mothers and, later, also for working fathers. Childfree employees (i.e., those with no children) were not included. There is little research on the impact of these work arrangements on the organisational commitment of these childfree employees. This dissertation tries to close that gap. Childfree employees (N = 134) working in over a dozen South African organisations participated in a self-report quantitative survey. It seems that the availability and use of flexible work arrangements did not significantly predict their organisational commitment. Organisational commitment related to only one dimension of the childfree-friendly culture scale, equal work expectations. Perceived organisational support (POS) mediated the relationship between organisational commitment and equal work expectations.
Open Access
Examining the predictors of co-worker attitude towards support for breastfeeding at work in clothing factories in Cape Town
(2020) Petersen, Rushda; Jaga, Ameeta
Return to work is a recurring reason for premature weaning of breastfeeding infants among low-income South African individuals. Yet, breastfeeding research has largely been examined from the health perspective, leaving a gap in the literature regarding research on breastfeeding as a workplace issue. Workplace support is needed to allow the combination of breastfeeding and work to become feasible for women returning to work. Informal support, particularly co-worker support, may be particularly important since formal workplace support are underutilised in low-income settings. This study seeks to provide insight into the factors which contribute to co-worker support for breastfeeding at work in a low-income factory setting, in Cape Town, South Africa. This study examined the relationships between coworkers' attitude towards support for breastfeeding at work and three possible predictors, (1) their perceptions of family supportive supervisor behaviours (FSSB) in the factory, (2) their personal breastfeeding experience and (3) their perceptions of fairness for breastfeeding at work. Furthermore, parental status was examined as a moderator on the relationship between co-workers' perceptions of fairness for breastfeeding at work and their attitude towards support for breastfeeding at work. Blue-collar workers in Cape Town clothing factories responded to the self-report questionnaire (N = 259). The study results revealed that FSSB, personal breastfeeding experience in the community (but not as a mother or in the factory), and perceptions of fairness for breastfeeding at work predicted positive attitude towards support for breastfeeding at work. Parental status did not moderate the relationship between perception of fairness for breastfeeding at work and co-worker attitude towards support for breastfeeding at work. Implications for practice and research are presented.
Open Access
Experiences of breastfeeding support at work: A qualitative study among clothing factory workers in South Africa
(University of Cape Town, 2020) Botha, Gina; Jaga, Ameeta
South Africa had the lowest exclusive breastfeeding rates in the world in 2012 at 8%. This increased to 32% in 2016 but the progress is still slow. Return to work is one of the main reasons working women stop breastfeeding. A descriptive qualitative research design was used to guide this study, which explored support for workplace breastfeeding. This study focused on a vulnerable group of low-income women working in clothing factories in Cape Town, a female dominated industry in South Africa. The research aimed to develop an improved understanding of breastfeeding support at work for these women. Given South Africa's legacy of colonialism and apartheid, these women are mainly black and poor. High poverty rates in this context often mean that they return to work soon after childbirth because of economic necessity, placing further constraints on breastfeeding. The study's findings confirm that despite legislated maternity protection and breastfeeding breaks, the enforcement of these laws is very low. In investigating the ways low-skilled, low paid women in clothing factories navigate this situation, four key themes emerged: 1) their workplaces are designed for men and machines; 2) they receive limited workplace breastfeeding support; 3) there is a lack of communication and transparency about breastfeeding at work and 4) their social and economic context plays a role in their ability to breastfeed at work. With these findings, low-cost recommendations for improving workplace support for breastfeeding are presented.
Open Access
Exploring low income working mother's perceptions of community support for exclusive breastfeeding after returning to work
(2020) Malatjie, Kabelo; Jaga, Ameeta
This qualitative study sought to explore low income working mother's perceptions of community support for exclusive breastfeeding after returning to work. The results from 12 indepth semi-structured interviews conducted with low income mothers, working full-time in a clothing factory located in the Cape Flats area, were analysed using thematic analysis. Three key themes emerged. The mothers generally expressed that they received informational support for breastfeeding from various members of their community, however there was a lack of emotional, instrumental, and appraisal support for these working mothers to continue to exclusively breastfeed after returning to work. Furthermore, the mothers come from communities in which there is a shared responsibility for raising babies. They are often given instructions and advice on how to feed their babies by different people and this advice often contradicts the World Health Organization's breastfeeding recommendations. Lastly, the mothers expressed that breastfeeding is an act that is usually reserved for stay at home mothers. Working mothers' breastfeeding intentions are generally not supported within their communities and working mothers are often encouraged to give their babies formula and other feeds as early as possible. It is important for organisations employing low-income mothers to understand the community context when designing workplace policies and interventions aimed at promoting exclusive breastfeeding. This will allow organizations to address their employees breastfeeding challenges in a culturally sensitive ways.
Open Access
Exploring managers' and supervisors' experiences of supporting breastfeeding at work: A qualitative study among clothing factory workers in South Africa
(2021) Junglee, Bibi Sharfa; Jaga, Ameeta
This study focuses on understanding supervisors' and managers' experiences of supporting breastfeeding support at work in the context of clothing factories in the Western Cape, South Africa. Return to full-time employment after maternity leave is the leading cause affecting mothers' breastfeeding decisions. A qualitative, exploratory research design was used. Secondary qualitative data from 17 in-depth semi-structured interviews with supervisors and managers were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Three major themes emerged: Influence of supervisors' socio- cultural beliefs and personal experiences on support orientation; Navigating productivity, mothers' breastfeeding needs, and co-worker emotions; and the nature of maternity and breastfeeding conversations. Drawing from the study findings, implications for managerial practices and policy recommendations are proposed to advance managerial and supervisory support for breastfeeding at work in low-income workplaces.
Open Access
Exploring the coping strategies used by South African Hindu mothers to manage work-family conflict
(2020) Harrilal, Sohana; Jaga, Ameeta; Bagraim, Jeffrey
This study explored the experiences of employed South African Hindu mothers. The purpose of the exploration was to better understand the coping strategies that these mothers used to deal with their work and family role expectations. South African Hindu mothers are a subset of people who originate from traditional or collectivistic, cultural backgrounds, yet, live in a society in which workplaces subscribe to mainly, Western business practices. By exploring the coping strategies of this collectivistic cultural group in South Africa, the implications are relevant to what is known about coping with work and family demands. Secondary analysis of qualitative data led to the findings of this research. Twenty, unstructured, in-depth interviews allowed participants to share their stories as they wanted. From these stories, findings were that South African Hindu mothers used internal psychological processes, and, external processes to cope with their family and work demands. Internal processes included, reappraisal, ideals on duty, guilt, gratitude and acceptance. External processes included coping by externalising feelings, being supported by others, and, planning and organising. The research considers the influence of cultural norms and traditions juxtaposed by a modern way of living in relation to coping with the demands of work and family expectations. Future studies may benefit from building knowledge on how collectivism shapes coping and what is known about coping for additional, collectivistic cultural groups, particularly, within the South African context
Open Access
Exploring the role of family on the career development of Xhosa-speaking graduates
(2021) Madyaka, Anela; Jaga, Ameeta
This study explored the role of family on the career development of Xhosa-speaking graduates in South Africa. There are multiple environmental and individual influences on career development. However, this study focused specifically on family. The Xhosa culture, like other African cultures, endorses cultural values of deference and strong familial connections with extended family. Data from fourteen semi-structured in-depth interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The key themes that emerged were (1) cultural beliefs, (2) social support and (3) the notion of black tax. The findings suggested that there is a strong relation between a family's cultural beliefs, family responsibilities and the perceived social support on graduate's career development. The understanding of ‘western' career aspirations with familial cultural expectations and support in forming a coherent self-concept could be considered a significant challenge in the career development of these Xhosa graduates. The findings supported the familial influences on graduates' career development and contributed new insights on how family influence is perceived and maintained from an intersectional perspective. The implications for career development in diverse contexts are offered.
Open Access
The intentions of working fathers to use flexible workplace arrangements : an application of the theory of planned behaviour
(2015) Steenkamer, Nikki Lee; Bagraim, Jeffrey; Jaga, Ameeta
This study utilised the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to investigate the intentions of South African working fathers to use flexible workplace arrangements (FWAs). The study aimed to broaden the limited knowledge of the experiences of working fathers in a South African context. Usable responses to an electronic questionnaire were received from white collar male employees across a variety of industries (N = 371). Exploratory Factor Analyses and reliability analyses showed strong support for the use of TPB scales in future behavioural research. Hierarchical binary logistic regression analyses showed that attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control help to predict working fathers intentions to use FWAs. Attitudes was the strongest predictor and subjective norms was the weakest. It was also found that intentions do not significantly predict actual behaviour for most of the FWAs assessed, however actual behavioural control helps predict actual use of FWAs. Support was found for using perceived behavioural control as a proxy measure for actual behavioural control. Theoretical and management implications of the present findings are discussed.
Open Access
The nature and outcomes of work-family enrichment
(2007) Jaga, Ameeta; Bagraim, Jeffrey
This study examined the nature and outcomes of work-family enrichment amongst South African retail employees (N = 336). Exploratory factor analysis evidenced the multi-dimensionality of work-family enrichment, its bi-directionality, and its distinctiveness from work-family conflict. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that work-to-family enrichment explains a significant proportion of the variance in organisational commitment, job satisfaction, and career satisfaction and that the affect component of family-to-work enrichment explains a significant proportion of the variance in family satisfaction. Implications for both work-family theory and management practice are discussed.
Open Access
The nature of work-family conflict and it's relationship with psychological health outcomes
(2013) Gilham, Candice Anne; Jaga, Ameeta
This study examined the nature and psychological health outcomes of work-family conflict amongst South African corporate employees from two organisations in the Western Cape (N = 160). Cross-sectional data was obtained via self-report questionnaires. Exploratory factor analysis evidenced the bi-directionality of work-family conflict, work-to-family conflict (W2FC) and family-to-work conflict (F2WC). Contrary to expecting a multidimensional model in each direction, exploratory factor analyses showed that W2FC was a unidimensional construct. However in the direction F2WC, a time and strain dimensions was found supporting its multidimensionality. Using standard multiple regression analysis, W2FC explained a significant proportion of the variance in psychological strain (i.e. anxiety and depression) and burnout (exhaustion and depersonalisation). Interestingly F2WC did not explain a significant proportion of variance in any of the psychological health outcomes. These results show that pressures arising in the work domain negatively influence employees' wellbeing. These results are discussed and management implications presented.
Open Access
Organisational climate and its effect on job engagement: exploring the mediating effect of employees level of job satisfaction
(2013) Koch, Timothy C; Jaga, Ameeta
This study examined two under-researched organisational climate facets, integration and family-focused supervisor support, as predictors of employees' job engagement. It further set out to explore the extent to which job satisfaction mediated these relationships. Results were based on self-reported survey data from 226 South African employees in the publishing, distribution and advertising industries. Standard multiple regression analysis showed that climates of both integration and family-focused supervisor support were significant predictors of job engagement. Baron and Kenny's four-step approach to mediation revealed that job satisfaction fully meditated the relationships between each of the organisational climate facets and job engagement. Implications for organisational climate research and managers are discussed.
Open Access
Personality as an antecedent of work-family conflict : a variable- and person-centred approach
(2015) Omrawo, Charlene; Jaga, Ameeta; Bagraim, Jeffrey
This study examined the relationship between personality and work-family conflict amongst working fathers in South Africa. Two conceptual approaches to personality were employed: a variable-centred approach using the Big-Five personality dimensions (Costa & McCrae, 1992) and a person-centred approach using Asendorpf and Aken's personality prototypes (1999). Cross-sectional survey data were collected from working fathers in a variety of South African organisations (N = 237). Scale portability and robustness of the work-family conflict and personality scale was established through exploratory factor analysis. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that Neuroticism explained significant variance in work-to-family conflict and that Conscientiousness, Neuroticism and Openness to Experience explained significant variance in family-to-work conflict. Cluster analysis confirmed the personality prototypes, Overcontrollers, Undercontrollers and Resilients in this sample. Analysis of Variance results showed no difference in experiences of work-to-family conflict across Resilients, Overcontrollers and Undercontrollers. However, results showed that Resilients experienced less family-to-work conflict than Undercontrollers. Implications for theory and practice are discussed. This study examined the relationship between personality and work-family conflict amongst working fathers in South Africa. Two conceptual approaches to personality were employed: a variable-centred approach using the Big-Five personality dimensions (Costa & McCrae, 1992) and a person-centred approach using Asendorpf and Aken's personality prototypes (1999). Cross-sectional survey data were collected from working fathers in a variety of South African organisations (N = 237). Scale portability and robustness of the work-family conflict and personality scale was established through exploratory factor analysis. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that Neuroticism explained significant variance in work-to-family conflict and that Conscientiousness, Neuroticism and Openness to Experience explained significant variance in family-to-work conflict. Cluster analysis confirmed the personality prototypes, Overcontrollers, Undercontrollers and Resilients in this sample. Analysis of Variance results showed no difference in experiences of work-to-family conflict across Resilients, Overcontrollers and Undercontrollers. However, results showed that Resilients experienced less family-to-work conflict than Undercontrollers. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Open Access
Proposing a context-sensitive model of family supportive supervision for breastfeeding at work from the global South
(2023) Mabaso, Prudence Bongekile; Jaga, Ameeta
Managing breastfeeding and employment remains a major challenge for working mothers and for the advancement of gender equality across the world. Despite global public health organisations' attempts to encourage workplace support for breastfeeding, progress remains slow particularly in countries with limited state resources. The small but growing body of research on combining breastfeeding and employment typically originates from high-income countries in the global North. Findings and theories from this literature cannot be uncritically imposed on low and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the global South which have distinct sociocultural, economic, and historic contexts. This study advances understanding and theorising of context-sensitive workplace support for breastfeeding by focusing on a specific form of informal support, family supportive supervisor behaviours (FSSB), in the public education sector in South Africa, a middle-income country in the global South. A qualitative research approach was adopted and enabled grounding of the research in the lived realities and material circumstances of working women in the local context. The contribution of the thesis is shown through three papers. The first paper is an exploratory qualitative study to understand practices and challenges related to breastfeeding at work in a public sector context. Thematic analysis of interview data from working mothers (n = 8) and senior managers (n = 4) in two provincial government departments in the Western Cape provided a context-sensitive understanding of breastfeeding at work. The study findings underscored the key role of supervisors in offering relatively low-cost informal support for mothers to better combine breastfeeding and employment. The second paper builds on the concept of informal support from supervisors as key catalysts to advance support for breastfeeding at work among a specific group of public sector employees, teachers. Interview data from teachers who are mothers (n = 13) and principals as their supervisors (n = 14) yielded findings that presented a critical understanding of FSSB for breastfeeding at work in a global South context. The findings from this study extend knowledge by emphasising the importance of contextual factors which affect supervisors' demonstration of, and mothers' accessing FSSB, cautioning against universalising the FSSB construct across diverse contexts. The final conceptual paper contributes to theory building by proposing a context-sensitive model of FSSB for breastfeeding at work from the global South. Sociocultural, economic, and historicalpolitical factors are proposed as important antecedents of FSSB, and interpersonal trust with one's supervisor as a potential moderator of the relationship between the contextual factors and FSSB. Implications for management and workplace policies in LMICs in the global South are presented and recommendations for future research that opens space for diverse ways of knowing are offered. Keywords: Breastfeeding at work, Blended work and family, Family supportive supervisor behaviours, Low and middle-income country context, Global South, Public education sector
Open Access
The relationship between family-focused organisational and supervisor support and positive work-outcomes
(2010) Mohasi, Mapalo; Jaga, Ameeta
This study examined the relationship between family-focused organisational and .supervisor support and the positive work outcomes, job satisfaction, affective commitment, continuous commitment and work-family enrichment.
Open Access
The relationship between schedule flexibility and domain-specific satisfaction via work-to-family enrichment for working parents in South Africa
(2016) Giuricich, Daniela Adriana; Bagraim, Jeffrey; Jaga, Ameeta
Employees discretion over the scheduling of their work hours, often referred to as schedule flexibility, has been repeatedly linked to increases in both job satisfaction and family satisfaction. Despite the international research, evidence on these relationships has not been empirically tested in the South African context. There is also a gap in understanding the role of perceived work-to-family enrichment on the relationship between schedule flexibility and domain-specific satisfaction. To address these gaps in our knowledge, this study investigated the relationship between schedule flexibility and domain-specific satisfaction amongst South African employees, and assessed the role of work-to-family enrichment as a mediator of this relationship. Work-to-family enrichment occurs when a resource gain in the work domain promotes gains in the family domain. The propositions were tested among working parents that used schedule flexibility (N= 121) across multiple organisations in South Africa. Working parents responded to a self-report online survey. The questionnaire contained, inter alia, measures of schedule flexibility use, schedule flexibility availability, work-to-family enrichment, job satisfaction, family satisfaction and personal demographics. Correlation and regression analysis were used to test the propositions. Preacher and Hayes' (2004) PROCESS script was used to test mediation effects. The results of the analyses indicated that there is a significant positive and proportional relationship between the use of schedule flexibility and domain-specific satisfaction. The use of schedule flexibility was more strongly correlated to job satisfaction than employee knowledge regarding the availability of schedule flexibility in the organisation. Further analysis showed that work-to-family enrichment mediated the relationship between schedule flexibility use and domain-specific satisfaction.
Open Access
The relationship between the use of flexible workplace arrangements and satisfaction with work-family balance amongst working fathers
(2015) Manne, Dina; Bagraim, Jeffrey; Jaga, Ameeta
This study examined the relationship between the use of flexible work arrangements and satisfaction with work-family balance amongst working fathers in South Africa. Two types of flexible work arrangements were examined. Formal flexible work arrangements included flextime, flexplace and paternity leave. Informal flexibility was examined as job control. Survey responses were collected online via Qualtrics (2014). Based on the data from a sample of working fathers employed on a full-time basis in South Africa (N = 371), hierarchical regression analyses indicated that the use of flexible work arrangements was not significantly related to satisfaction with work-family balance. This finding was inconsistent with conservation of resources theory (Hobfoll, 1989) whereby it was expected that using flexible work arrangements would generate employee resources required to effectively manage multiple role responsibilities, therefore facilitating satisfaction with work-family balance. Interestingly however, job control was found to explain a significant proportion of variance in satisfaction with work-family balance over and above work hours, commute time, neuroticism and number of children living at home. Moderated multiple regression analysis indicated that commute time moderated the relationship between job control and satisfaction with work-family balance such that as job control increased, employees with high and low commute time experienced greater satisfaction with work-family balance. The results of this study encourage greater attention to employee characteristics, such as job control, that represent resources useful for the effective management of work and family roles. Suggestions for future research and management implications are discussed.
Open Access
The relationship between work-family enrichment and individual health outcomes
(2013) Williams, Zahira; Jaga, Ameeta
This research examined the relationship between work-family enrichment and individual health outcomes amongst South African employees (N=160). Individual health encompassed personal well-being, depression and burnout within employees. Factor analysis confirmed that work family enrichment is bi-directional.

Browsing by Author "Jaga, Ameeta"

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