Resumen

GROBLER, A  y  POWELL, K. Enhancing psychological capital: The impact of authentic leadership and passion for work in a South African context. JCMAN [online]. 2018, vol.15, n.1, pp.655-676. ISSN 1815-7440.

BACKGROUND: Against the backdrop of an unstable and evolving external environment, South African (SA) organisations need to enhance levels of psychological capital in the workforce in order to improve business performance and employee well-being. In addition, research indicates there is little known about how psychological capital develops. OPPORTUNITY INVESTIGATED: This article assesses the relationship between authentic leadership, passion for work and psychological capital and makes recommendations to managers on how to develop employee psychological capital. PURPOSE: To contribute to the understanding of psychological capital antecedents by determining the relationship between authentic leadership and psychological capital, mediated by passion for work within the South African organisational context. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional design was used, supported by quantitative statistical analysis. Data was generated by means of surveys (1771 participants from private and public sector organisations). FINDINGS: Hierarchical multiple regression analysis and structural equation modelling provides evidence that authentic leadership predicts psychological capital, both directly and through the mediating role of passion for work. IMPLICATIONS: The findings add to the limited empirical knowledge on the role of authentic leadership and passion for work in enhancing psychological capital. The results suggest that a strong pipeline of authentic leaders and increased levels of harmonious work passion among employees may enhance psychological capital. LIMITATIONS: Potential limitations include only concentrating on two predictors of psychological capital, aiming at the individual level of analysis which carries the risk of self-reporting bias, and not adapting the scale wording to the South African (multi-lingual) context.

Palabras clave : Authentic leadership; harmonious passion for work; obsessive passion for work; optimism; psychological capital; resilience; self-efficacy and hope.

        · texto en Inglés     · Inglés ( pdf )