RESEARCH PROPOSAL – TOPIC 2
The Relationship Between Sense of Coherence,
Maladjustment and Counterproductive Work Behavior
of Office Workers in the Private Sector
UNIQUE NUMBER: 848287
07 SEPTEMBER 2020
,The Relationship Between Sense of Coherence, Maladjustment and
Counterproductive Work Behavior of Office Workers in the Private
Sector
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
1. Plagiarism Declaration 2
2. Literature Review 3
2.1 Introduction 3
2.2 Variables 3
2.3 Previous Research 4
3. Problem Statement 6
3.1 Research Question 6
4. Research Objectives 6
5. Method of Investigation 7
5.1 Research Design 7
5.2 Sampling 7
5.3 Data Collection 8
5.4 Data Analysis 11
5.5 Ethical Considerations 11
6. Conclusion 12
7. Rubric 13
8. Reference List 19
1|Page
, 2. Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
With this research proposal it is aimed to expose a possible gap in the current literature
to whether there is a relationship between soc, maladjustment and counterproductive
work behaviour. There have been many researches to identify what each of these
constructs mean and what their impact is on a person’s life, whether it is personal or
in the work environment. The aim of this literature review is to evaluate the research
that has been done on the above-mentioned constructs and to find where there is a
possible gap in the current research between each construct.
2.2 Variables
By looking at the impact that SOC and maladjustment may have on counterproductive
work behavior, the variables in this proposal are identified as:
2.2.1 Independent Variable:
Sense of Coherence and maladjustment is independent variables.
Sense of Coherence (SOC) is a dispositional orientation. It is a composition of
experiences that a person had and how they preserve to use the experiences to
advance themselves. The construct is put together by three components, namely
comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness. Al of these components
together reflects on a person’s ability to react to stressful situations (Eriksson &
Lindström, 2005).
According to Berg and Theron (as cited in Research Report in Employee and
Organisational Wellness, 2020) work maladjustment refers to psychological
maladjustment, as well as to inefficiencies in personality functions at the workplace.
3|Page