Requisite supervisory behaviours in support of a workplace learning intervention: a capability approach to build HERO mining teams

MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2019HERO mining teams are a workplace learning intervention, designed and implemented to develop and cultivate positive levels of hope, efficacy, resilience and optimism. The intervention refers to the psychological capital construct, commonly referred to as HERO, a resource-based view of personal inner resources (Luthans & Youssef-Morgan, 2017:339). The research is conducted within the field of positive psychology, as founded by (Seligman, 2010:5), and focuses on the application of positive psychology through interventions in the context of a platinum mine in South Africa. The intervention was co-created between employed stakeholders at the platinum mine and facilitators of SMLsolutions, the provider. This research aims to close the gap between knowing, and doing psychological capital interventions, specifically as applied in the mining context. The six (6) research questions led the journey; the first four questions clarify the HERO construct and theoretical foundation proved by positive psychology; the development of HERO through an intervention approach. The literature concludes with a contextualisation HERO for mining and the importance of positive institutional practices in support of HERO. The last two research questions are answered through an empirical research design employing qualitative, semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The research explores the current intervention, and how HERO is developed. Requisite supervisory behaviours tot support and sustain HERO, are identified. These supervisory behaviours are believed to support the HERO teams intervention and the institutional practices, the sustainability of the mining team's improved levels of hope, efficacy, resilience and optimism. Based on the evidence, the study then provides recommendations of future HERO interventions and supportive supervisory development towards building a positive institutional practice.Master