International Journal of Education and Management Studies

K. N. Jayakumar ¹, S. Kadhiravan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Periyar University, Salem, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Extensive reviews invariably suggest that organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) improves organizational effectiveness and it has become increasingly clear that effective management of human resource is critical for organization's sustained competitive edge. The IT industry is no exception. The Indian IT industry employs more than two million professionals and the number keeps increasing. The functions, culture, values and employer employee dynamics of IT industry is very different from the traditional organizations. Starting from Barnard in 1938 to till date many tools were developed in the West and some in India to measure the construct OCB. Reviews suggest that nature of Industry influences the OCB and using a measure developed in a traditional organizational context cannot capture the phenomena precisely in another industry. Hence, Industry specific measures are needed. But it is hard to fmd a tool to measure the OCB of IT professionals in India. The aim of the present study is to develop an OCB measure exclusively meant for the Indian IT professionals. The research process involved reviewing literature, choosing the dimensions of OCB, item generation, scale development and establishing the reliability and concurrent validity with the purpose to aid researchers and practitioners in the field of organizational behaviour.

Keywords

Organizational Citizenship Behaviour, it Professionals, Reliability, Validity

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K. Kumar ¹, S. Kadhiravan ²

Affiliations
1 Center for Improving Relationship and Personal Effectiveness, Puducherry, IN
2 Department of Psychology, Periyar University, Salem, Tamilnadu, IN

Abstract

The educational institutions, parents, and students themselves are very much concerned about their academic performance, High academic demand may have serious negative consequences. Some students find it more difficult to cope with such demand than others do, which leads to unpleasant consequences such as dropout, even suicide etc. A number of studies and laboratory experiments have confirmed that when stress exceeds individuals' optimum level, performance decreases. The ways students appraise their situation is important and are prime target in prevention and intervention of stress related problems. The researchers have developed a scale based on Lazarus cognitive appraisal theory. Modified inverted U shape model was used to explain the concept of relationship between stress and performance. The scale consist of 48 items using 4 point scale ranging from 'not at all true to exactly true' yielding 4 score labeled as threat/avoidance, challenge, confusion, and withdrawal. The items are farther classified and scored as personal, interpersonal and work/task yielding students' specific difficulties. In study-1, developed scale was administered to 158 under graduate students from three arts and science colleges of Puducherry. After a month's interval the same scale was administered to the same students. The test, re-test result revealed that the scale possessed adequate reliability. In study-2, along with the developed scale, widely used perceived stress scale, life orientation scale and coping self-efficacy scale were administered to 146 under graduate students from four arts and science colleges of Puducherry. The result revealed that the developed scale possessed adequate validity. Details and implications are presented in this paper.

Keywords

Stress, Performance Measure.

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A. Madalaimuthu ¹, S. Kadhiravan ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Periyar University, Salem, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Department of Psychology Periyar University, Salem, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Civil service aspirants in India undergo rigorous coaching classes and take regular test series for competitive examination. They endure immense stress in course of preparation throughout the year. Various factors like tough competition among aspirants, depleting resources, unpredictable nature of competitive examinations, and inadequate family support could contribute to their stress. Continuous exposure to such stressful environment tends to have negative effects on physical as well as emotional health of aspirants. Coping skills and strategies could help aspirants to overcome the challenges posed by stressful encounters. This study explored the relationship between coping skills and positive mental health among civil service aspirants. A sample of 122 aspirants from civil service coaching centers in Chennai was selected through simple random sampling and the data was collected with the help of Coping Skills Inventory and Positive Mental Health Inventory. Results revealed that coping skills of aspirants had a significant positive relationship with personal growth and autonomy, emotional support dimensions of mental health. The findings are discussed in this article.

Keywords

Coping Skills, Mental Health, Civil Service Aspirants.

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