THE RELATIONSHIP AMONG SELF-LEADERSHIP, LOCUS OF CONTROL AND JOB PERFORMANCE OF ENGINEERS IN A POWER DISTRIBUTION UTILITY, ESKOM

Abstract

Researchers have investigated self-leadership-performance and locus-performance relationships independently and this has resulted in the eclipsing of researchers’ knowledge on the combined effects of self-leadership and locus of control on performance. This study, therefore, focused on the challenges at Eskom Holdings SOC Limited (hereinafter referred to as “Eskom”) with regard to projections about electricity demand, cost overruns owing to delays in the completion of infrastructural/ electrification projects and poor electricity distribution across residential areas which have contributed to electricity theft, in relation to the combined influence of self-leadership and locus of control on job performance. It sought to develop deeper theoretical knowledge on the combined effects of self-leadership and locus of control on job performance of Eskom engineers in Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa, well aware of the above noted challenges and the complexities of continued blackouts experienced nationally, as especially noted in 2015. One hundred and thirty four (134) questionnaires were administered to the Eskom Bloemfontein engineering workforce (i.e. engineers, technologists and technicians) and one hundred and seven (107) were correctly completed and returned, representing a response rate of 79.8%. Self-leadership was measured using an abbreviated version of a Revised Self-Leadership Questionnaire (RSLQ) while Locus of Control was measured using a questionnaire developed from literature that examined its constitutive components. The results of this study suggest a positive correlation between: locus of control and job performance; and between the behaviour focused self-leadership, constructive thought and job performance of the Eskom engineering workforce. The results also demonstrate a positive relationship between the combined influence of self-leadership and locus of control on job performance of the Eskom engineering workforce. Implications for the initiation and fostering of self-leadership, locus of control and improved job performance of Eskom Bloemfontein engineering workforce are discussed in Chapter 5.