Mineshree Naidoo-Chetty, Marieta du Plessis
Abstract
Constant changes in the higher education arena led to academics needing to function in a volatile and complex environment. This has created unique demands which academics need to overcome. Academics, therefore, need to change their job design proactively. The effectiveness of a job crafting intervention among HEI academics in improving job resources and decreasing job demands was explored. Owing to constant changes in the higher education environment, it has become imperative that HEIs have a better understanding of how to assist academics when dealing with challenging or hindering demands in the workplace. Job crafting can be a proactive mechanism to alter demands and enhance job resources. This study attempts to contribute knowledge in assessing the effectiveness of a job crafting intervention with a pilot group of academic staff. A mixed-method, pre-experimental research approach was implemented (n = 9). Participants completed pre- and post-measures while participating in two, two-hour online job crafting training sessions. No significant quantitative differences between pre- and post-measurements emerged from the data, although participant reflections hint towards qualitative differences in work-related thinking and actions. The pilot study implied favourable acceptance of a brief job crafting intervention to consider changes to academic work by reducing demands and increasing resources. Organisations, specifically HEIs should know the opportunities that job crafting can provide. HEIs may, therefore, use interventions to foster employee job crafting behaviours.