Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Industrial and Organisational Psychology

Purpose

The qualification proceeds on the pathway set by the undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce qualification, deepening and broadening the scientific study of human behaviour in the workplace. Being the first Postgraduate specialisation in the field of Industrial and Organisational Psychology (IOP), it aims to develop an increased measure of intellectual independence in students by exploring the interaction between individuals and work processes with a view to predicting and promoting well-being and productivity and facilitating the most advantageous use of human resources in the organisation.

Furthermore, the qualification prepares students for research based Postgraduate study. As aspiring practitioners in the IOP field, students will conduct research to determine why people choose particular careers. They will investigate ways of making the work environment more stimulating. They will uncover methods that employers can use to motivate employees, for example by offering different kinds of incentives for work, and ways for employees to enjoy their work more, thus looking forward to coming to work each day and becoming more productive and satisfied individuals. In short, once qualified, these candidates will be able to guide employers to create a workplace that facilitates and promotes employee performance and the retention of valued staff. They will be able to develop and apply tests for all functions in the workplace to ensure that employees are actually capable of doing the work required in a particular setting and psychologically well matched to the type of job that they are required to do. They will be concerned about the physical and mental well-being of employees and study employee attitudes and behaviour, evaluate businesses and conduct leadership training. Moreover, they will be able to develop training programmes and job performance standards as well as measure job performance.

Rationale

The curriculum of the qualification has been designed in such a way as to prepare competent Industrial and Organisational Psychology (IOP) practitioners for a variety of career pathways in business organisations, industry and other places of work, and for further academic study.

Industrial and Organisational Psychology (IOP) as a course of study has become increasingly relevant in the modern era. Evidence of that can be found in the significant volume of research-based publications, providing Industrial and Organisational Psychologists not only with a deeper understanding of human behaviour in the workplace, but also insight into the physical and psychological conditions of employees in diverse socioeconomic work environments. These insights ultimately result in an improvement in the quality of life for employees, as well as the overall effectiveness of organisations in a local and global context. IOP makes large contributions to organisational effectiveness by enhancing performance, satisfaction, wellbeing, motivation and attitudes of employees.

The development of training degree is another responsibility related to these professionals. Using job analyses, the knowledge and competencies required for particular jobs are identified and training programs developed, together with appropriate knowledge and skills assessment and qualification evaluation strategies.

The above outline provides sufficient motivation for the introduction of qualification such as the Honours qualification in IOP proposed here, since to a large extent the well-being of industry and organisational functioning depends on well-educated and competent Industrial and Organisational

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

All RPL applications will be considered according to (NMU) RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The admission requirement is

• Bachelor of Commerce Degree.

Or

• A similar qualification.

This qualification comprises of compulsory module at Level 8 totaling 114 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8,144 Credits

• Treatise, 30 Credits.
• Advanced Consumer Behaviour, 24 Credits.
• Advanced Human Resource Management, 20 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 10 Credits.
• Psychometrics, 20 Credits.
• Occupational Counselling, 20 Credits.
• Advanced Organisational Behaviour, 20 Credits.

1. Engage in independent learning and research activities by planning, designing, conducting and reporting on Industrial and Organisational Psychology (IOP) research conducted in organisational settings while adhering to appropriate research principles and protocols and applying appropriate research methods and analytical techniques.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of organisational behavioral theory and the competence to make professional contributions to organisational functioning in global contexts.
3. Integrate and apply the theories and functions of psychological assessment and psychometric testing in an industrial-organisational context with due consideration of its ethical implications.
4. Integrate and critically apply the major human resource theories and principles for the purpose of designing, delivering and evaluating Human Resources (HR) systems to enhance organisational effectiveness.
5. Integrate and critically apply the major occupational theories and principles for the purpose of designing, delivering and evaluating occupational counselling programmes with a view to promoting occupational well-being and the fulfilment of employee potential.
6. Integrate the theory, principles and practices of IOP, organisational behavior, occupational counseling, psychometrics and human resources as they contribute to the effective functioning of the business organisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of research design and methodology in the social sciences and applicable to the field of Industrial and Organisational Psychology (IOP).
• Submit a valid research proposal for a research project, including a preliminary literature review framing the research topic together with an appropriate research design.
• Demarcate a target area and/or population in which to collect data and data related to the research topic collected by means of a relevant measuring instruments.
• Table By following established research protocols, the research data appropriately and analysed using relevant analytical tools and procedures, and findings and conclusions prepared.
• Present a final research report in the form of an academic treatise, meeting academic and scientific discourse and American Psychological Association (APA) style conventions.
• Maintain ethical standards related to the research protocols including the reliability and validity of the research throughout.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Analyse, compare and critique contemporary behavioral theories, practices and techniques.
• Analyse significant organisational variables and their impact on employee and group behavior investigated and evaluated.
• Analyse the impact of formal and informal elements on the behavior of individuals and groups in organisations and appraised as well as their effect on the functioning of organisations.
• Assesse and report the potential effects of, and the interplay between, organisational-level factors such as leadership and management style, organisational structure, socio-economic conditions, culture and change on organisational behavior.
• Investigate and appraise the impact of interdisciplinary sources of knowledge on organisational behavior as well as processes of knowledge production.
• Analyse cases that challenge the dynamics of organisations and solutions proposed.
• Investigating and describe the effects of globalisation, technological innovation, workplace diversity and continuing demands for higher levels of ethical behavior on the management of change in organisations.
• Review and critique selected reports of current organisational research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Describe and evaluate the key elements of psychometric theory, including the statistical concepts used for analysing, interpreting and evaluating test results.
• Explain and exemplify the function of psychometric assessment as applied in industry and organisations will be explained and exemplified.
• Analyse and appraise selected psychometric assessment instruments.
• Explain and demonstrate the utilisation of psychological assessment in the workplace for developmental and counseling purposes.
• Describe the statutory control of psychological instruments and the role of ethics in assessment practice explained and demonstrated by means of examples.
• Analyse and critique emerging trends and developments in psychometric.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Use contemporary IOP theories, principles and practices as a platform to assess the design, implementation and management of human resources at numerous levels in organisations.
• Explore a thorough understanding of the internal and external environmental factors affecting organisations human resources, as well as the ethical implications of managerial decision-making and actions.
• Select the functioning of the entire HR system in organisations, from developing Human resources (HR) strategy through to implementing the HR strategy and recruitment, compensation and rewards, and training and development will be devised, applied and evaluated.
• Evaluate and critique emerging trends and challenges in the field of HR.
• Analyse and assess the rewards model and package structure of a company for adequacy and effectiveness and changes recommended appropriate to size, operations and organisational goals.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Review and critiqued Major occupational counseling theories in terms of the purpose, objectives, limitations and ethical dilemmas of occupational counselling.
• Review and critique the strengths and weaknesses of major occupational counselling theories with regard to culture, gender, social class, ability, status and other forms of diversity and challenges in the corporate environment.
• Evaluate and critique team-building techniques proposed by occupational counseling and IOP theory.
• Review, apply and appraise interview questions that test the attitude and aptitude of recruits toward creative problem-solving, working as a team member, and creating value for the customer while maintaining ethical standards.
• Analyse, evaluate typical workplace conflict situations and resolutions proposed that are compatible with organisational goals, corporate culture and personalities with due cognisance of the psychological need for respect, dignity and empowerment.
• Describe the ethical nature of the occupational counselor's relationship with the organisation and its employees, including the limits of confidentiality of the counselling services, ethical issues related to test construction and scoring, informed consent, the release of test data and the interpretation of test results.
• Administer and critique selected occupational assessment instruments.
• Review and evaluate cases of occupational counseling interventions and/or guidance programmes, and alternative courses of action proposed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Identify and assess Managerial and leadership behaviors that promote individual and group motivation in terms of their contribution to enhancing organisational behaviour.
• Integrate and apply relevant theories and principles of IOP, organisational behaviour and occupational counselling to specific HR management challenges in the workplace.
• Analyse and assess the impact of individuals, socio-political, economic and other groupings and organisational structures on the effectiveness of the business as an organisation.

Integrated Assessment

The treatise; in it design, preparation and presentation draws from all knowledge areas covered and therefore is used for Integrated Assessment. Also used are the case studies and practical projects.