Sense of Coherence in Managers during COVID-19 and the New World of Work: A Mixed-Method Study

During COVID-19, the working world has changed inevitably, and many managers experience extreme strain and stress. This study determines how managers cope with the changes during COVID-19 from a positive psychology and salutogenic perspective. It employs a hermeneutical research design and an interp...

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Autores principales: Claude-Hélène Mayer, Cemonn Wegerle, Rudolf M. Oosthuizen
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Lenguaje:EN
Publicado: MDPI AG 2021
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Acceso en línea:https://doaj.org/article/625344c949d24ddbb893884c9c4f551c
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spelling oai:doaj.org-article:625344c949d24ddbb893884c9c4f551c2021-11-11T16:37:01ZSense of Coherence in Managers during COVID-19 and the New World of Work: A Mixed-Method Study10.3390/ijerph1821114921660-46011661-7827https://doaj.org/article/625344c949d24ddbb893884c9c4f551c2021-10-01T00:00:00Zhttps://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/21/11492https://doaj.org/toc/1661-7827https://doaj.org/toc/1660-4601During COVID-19, the working world has changed inevitably, and many managers experience extreme strain and stress. This study determines how managers cope with the changes during COVID-19 from a positive psychology and salutogenic perspective. It employs a hermeneutical research design and an interpretivist paradigm by using a mixed-method research approach in which managers’ sense of coherence (SOC) is investigated quantitatively through the 29-item Life-Orientation scale and qualitatively through semi-structured interviews. Purposeful and snowball sampling techniques are used. The sample consists of 17 managers. Data were collected in different organizations within South Africa and analysed through content analysis, linking quantitative and qualitative data in a holistic, integrated and complex way. In terms of the quantitative findings, the managers scored at the medium and higher end of the SOC-scale in comprehensibility, followed by manageability and finally meaningfulness. Male managers in the age group 47–57 scored highest. Female and younger managers scored lower on average. Lowest scores in comprehensibility and manageability were scored by a young female manager, while in meaningfulness the oldest male participant scored lowest. The qualitative findings show that high scoring SOC managers apply complex thoughts to the present and future workplace scenario. Individuals with lower SOC scores do not present as much knowledge, complex thinking and argumentation structures during the interview in comprehensibility scores as high scoring SOC managers, yet still acquire resources to manage the workplace (manageability). High meaningfulness scores are associated with creating meaningful workplace interaction (human–human and machine–human), knowledge distribution through technology, impactfulness, experiencing the job as meaningful, including helping others, and achievements. Managers have a complex view of the world and findings show the complex connections of a high/low SOC scores and the managers’ explorations and systemic understanding regarding their managerial world. Conclusions and recommendations for theory and practice are given.Claude-Hélène MayerCemonn WegerleRudolf M. OosthuizenMDPI AGarticlemixed-method studysalutogenesissense of coherencemanagersCOVID-19MedicineRENInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 18, Iss 11492, p 11492 (2021)
institution DOAJ
collection DOAJ
language EN
topic mixed-method study
salutogenesis
sense of coherence
managers
COVID-19
Medicine
R
spellingShingle mixed-method study
salutogenesis
sense of coherence
managers
COVID-19
Medicine
R
Claude-Hélène Mayer
Cemonn Wegerle
Rudolf M. Oosthuizen
Sense of Coherence in Managers during COVID-19 and the New World of Work: A Mixed-Method Study
description During COVID-19, the working world has changed inevitably, and many managers experience extreme strain and stress. This study determines how managers cope with the changes during COVID-19 from a positive psychology and salutogenic perspective. It employs a hermeneutical research design and an interpretivist paradigm by using a mixed-method research approach in which managers’ sense of coherence (SOC) is investigated quantitatively through the 29-item Life-Orientation scale and qualitatively through semi-structured interviews. Purposeful and snowball sampling techniques are used. The sample consists of 17 managers. Data were collected in different organizations within South Africa and analysed through content analysis, linking quantitative and qualitative data in a holistic, integrated and complex way. In terms of the quantitative findings, the managers scored at the medium and higher end of the SOC-scale in comprehensibility, followed by manageability and finally meaningfulness. Male managers in the age group 47–57 scored highest. Female and younger managers scored lower on average. Lowest scores in comprehensibility and manageability were scored by a young female manager, while in meaningfulness the oldest male participant scored lowest. The qualitative findings show that high scoring SOC managers apply complex thoughts to the present and future workplace scenario. Individuals with lower SOC scores do not present as much knowledge, complex thinking and argumentation structures during the interview in comprehensibility scores as high scoring SOC managers, yet still acquire resources to manage the workplace (manageability). High meaningfulness scores are associated with creating meaningful workplace interaction (human–human and machine–human), knowledge distribution through technology, impactfulness, experiencing the job as meaningful, including helping others, and achievements. Managers have a complex view of the world and findings show the complex connections of a high/low SOC scores and the managers’ explorations and systemic understanding regarding their managerial world. Conclusions and recommendations for theory and practice are given.
format article
author Claude-Hélène Mayer
Cemonn Wegerle
Rudolf M. Oosthuizen
author_facet Claude-Hélène Mayer
Cemonn Wegerle
Rudolf M. Oosthuizen
author_sort Claude-Hélène Mayer
title Sense of Coherence in Managers during COVID-19 and the New World of Work: A Mixed-Method Study
title_short Sense of Coherence in Managers during COVID-19 and the New World of Work: A Mixed-Method Study
title_full Sense of Coherence in Managers during COVID-19 and the New World of Work: A Mixed-Method Study
title_fullStr Sense of Coherence in Managers during COVID-19 and the New World of Work: A Mixed-Method Study
title_full_unstemmed Sense of Coherence in Managers during COVID-19 and the New World of Work: A Mixed-Method Study
title_sort sense of coherence in managers during covid-19 and the new world of work: a mixed-method study
publisher MDPI AG
publishDate 2021
url https://doaj.org/article/625344c949d24ddbb893884c9c4f551c
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AT cemonnwegerle senseofcoherenceinmanagersduringcovid19andthenewworldofworkamixedmethodstudy
AT rudolfmoosthuizen senseofcoherenceinmanagersduringcovid19andthenewworldofworkamixedmethodstudy
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