Browsing by Subject "mediation"

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    Open Access
    How audio-visual stimuli in automated asynchronous video interviews affect applicant reactions: social presence, fairness and organisational attractiveness
    (2022) Patel, Ahmed; de Kock, Francois
    Over the past decade, the use of asynchronous video interviews (AVIs) has increased exponentially, largely spurred by ongoing technological progress and shifts to remote work. Although prior research shows interview design can influence applicant reactions, the effect of video interview design factors on interviewee reactions remains unclear. The present study determines the influence of AVI stimulus format (text-based vs. audio-visual questions) on applicant perceptions of social presence, fairness and organisational attractiveness. To this end, a between-subjects posttest-only experimental design was used in two separate samples (South African sample, N = 58; USA sample, N = 169, Combined samples, N = 227). Participants were randomly assigned to either the control or experimental group. Participants completed a mock interview on a commercially available AVI platform and then answered a questionnaire measuring perceptions of social presence, fairness, and organisational attractiveness. Bootstrapped independent sample t-tests and serial mediation were used to test the hypotheses. Within Sample 1, applicant perceptions of social presence, fairness and organisational attractiveness were higher for the audio-visual and text-based AVIs, thereby supporting the proposition that audio-visual stimuli lead to higher perceptions of social presence, fairness and organisational attractiveness. Conversely, Sample 2's findings were non-significant (p > .05). While there were mixed results, the findings of this study provide preliminary evidence which suggests that within the South African context, audio-visual stimuli can be used in AVIs. Organisations in the American context should pay close attention to the effects of AVI stimulus format on applicant reactions as the findings from the American sample were not conclusive. Future research should investigate applicant reactions to different forms of AVI stimulus during a multi-stage selection process
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    Open Access
    The politics of change? A critical analysis of power sharing in Kenya after Kofi Annan's mediation in 2008
    (2020) Hijnekamp, Elisabeth; Jolobe, Zwelethu
    This thesis explores the relationship between the mediation led by Kofi Annan in 2008 in Kenya, in the middle of the post-election violence that took place after the presidential elections, and the performance of the subsequent power sharing agreement. This study does so by focusing on five variables, as defined by Alexandre Raffoul, that are particularly relevant in understanding barriers to elite cooperation in power sharing settlements. By analysing problems relating to the balance of power, inside and outside spoilers, identity and political accountability problems and credible commitment problems, barriers to a successful power sharing agreement can be examined. To analyse how the mediation affected power sharing, five variables concerning the mediation are examined, namely the use of leverage, horizontal and vertical inclusivity, relationship-building and the content of the agreement. These five variables are combined one-on-one with the power sharing analysis to determine how mediation affects the performance of power sharing. This study argues that the type of mediation shapes the performance of power sharing, and that barriers to elite cooperation in the power sharing period can be addressed in the mediation phase of conflict to prevent future tensions. This knowledge can contribute to improving mediation efforts and make power sharing a more viable undertaking. By regarding mediation as an integral process to peacebuilding and to change mediation designs when applicable, conflict can be addressed in a more sustainable way that will bring long-term benefits.