Perceived organisational support, self-efficacy and productive energy across different generations in the independent pharmacy sector of South Africa

Abstract

Background and Aim The Independent Pharmacy Sector in South Africa is experiencing numerous challenges, ranging from competition from the retail pharmacy sector to government legislation changes. Specifically, human resource challenges with the historic composition of a multi-generational workforce (for the first time in history, five different generations work alongside each other in the independent community pharmacy) pose problems in terms of service delivery; motivation, productivity and attaining pharmacy goals and targets. This study aims to investigate the impact of perceived organisational support, self-efficacy and productive organisational energy across different generations in the independent pharmacy sector of South Africa. Method This study followed a descriptive, quantitative, non-experimental design with a cross-sectional survey approach. Data was collected across the independent pharmacy sector in South Africa (N=525). The Survey of Perceived Organisational Support (SPOS), New General Self-efficacy Scale (NGSE) and Productive Energy Measure (PEM) were administered. Exploratory Factor Analysis, Reliability Analyses, Descriptive Analyses and Regression Analysis were applied. Results The following was found: • There is a statistically significant relationship between Perceived Organisational Support and Self-efficacy on the Baby Boomer Generation and Generation X. • There is a statistically significant relationship between Perceived Organisational Support and Productive Organisational Energy (Affective Dimension) on the Baby Boomer Generation; Generation X, Generation Y and Generation Z. • There is a statistically significant relationship between Perceived Organisational Support and Productive Organisational Energy (Behavioural Dimension) on the Traditionalist Generation and Generation Y. • There is a statistically significant relationship between Perceived Organisational Support and Productive Organisational Energy (overall) on all of the Generations. • There is a statistically significant relationship between Self-efficacy and Productive Organisational Energy (Affective Dimension) on the Traditionalist Generation, the Baby Boomer Generation and Generation Y. • There is a statistically significant relationship between Self-efficacy and Productive Organisational Energy (Behavioural Dimension) on the Baby Boomer Generation and Generation X. • There is a statistically significant relationship between Self-efficacy and Productive Organisationai Energy (overall) on the Baby Boomer Generation and Generation X. Practical Relevance As far as could be established, not much research has been conducted on the five different generations in the workplace; specifically combined with the constructs of perceived organisational support, self-efficacy and productive organisational energy. This study will attempt to further provide insights into the generational composition of the Independent Pharmacy Sector of South Africa, but on a larger perspective, provide valuable information on how different generations experience the research constructs, as for the first time in history, five different generations share a workplace. Furthermore, this study investigates productive organisational energy in a South African context and will further provide valuable insights. The combination of perceived organisational support and self-efficacy on different generations does not seem to have been studied in this way, further contributing to the body of research on the relationship between these two constructs amongst different generations.