Academic and professional requirements, ethical considerations and skills in the application of industrial psychological knowledge

Abstract

The South African industrial psychologist is in a quandary; circumstances have deemed that for the most part he be a paid employee of a large organization and subject to the political pressures inherent in such a situation which can challenge the professional integrity of even the strongest practitioner. The situation demands a frank appraisal of the alternatives open to him. Using professionalism as a reference point this article explores the nature of the problems encountered by the industrial psychologist employed in an organizational setting the changing nature of his ultimate role within that structure and a definition of the additional knowledge and skills required to equip him for effective functioning. In conclusion consideration is given to some changes which might be introduced to the teaching programme for new entrants to the profession.

Opsomming
Die operasionele veld van die Bedryfsielkunde in Suid-Afrika stel besondere eise aan die beoefenaars van die professie. Omstandighede wil dit dikwels dat die bedryfsielkundige hoofsaaklik 'n besoldigde werknemer van 'n groot organisasie is en dus onderworpe is aan die politieke druk inherent in so 'n situasie. Dit op sigself stel hoë eise aan sy integriteit en maak 'n periodieke besinning oor die wese van sy werk noodsaaklik. Met professionalisme as uitgangspunt ondersoek die skrywers die aard van die probleme wat die bedryfsielkunde in die organisasie ondervind en die veranderende aard van sy rol binne die organisatoriese struktuur. Dit word gevolg deur 'n noukeurige omskrywing van die kennis en vaardighede wat van die bedryfsielkunde vereis word. Ten slotte word oorweging geskenk aan sekere moontlike veranderinge in die opleiding van voornemende professionele bedryfsielkundiges.