Savina Harrilall, Leon T. de Beer
Abstract
There has been no research done on the impact of civility interventions in cultivating civility and minimizing incivility within South African financial services. The research aimed to address the dearth of research on civility interventions in South Africa. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the M-Power intervention in promoting workplace civility by fostering a “civility loop”. Using adapted (in)civility scales, the study also explored the impact on witnessed (in)civility, work engagement, and learning. This longitudinal quantitative study used an experimental design with purposive and random sampling. Participants were randomly assigned to Experimental (n=24) and Control (n=33) groups, with pretests and post-tests. JuliusAI was used to analyze the data via mean difference testing across groups, and sentiment analysis was applied to qualitative feedback. The study found that the M-Power intervention showed a significant, positive impact on civility (though delayed) but no significant effect on incivility or work engagement. Learning outcomes were evident, aligning with M-Power’s aim to foster civility by raising awareness and response strategies, contributing to a more civil workplace climate. The findings underscore the effectiveness of positive psychology in fostering a “civility loop” and suggest the need for patience when assessing interventions and the necessity of reinforcement to sustain long-term benefits. This study contributes valuable insights into the impact of civility interventions and their effectiveness in fostering a more civil work climate.