Die verskil tussen \'n wildernisekspedisie en \'n sentrumgebasseerde spanbouprogram ten opsigte van persoonlike effektiwiteit

Abstract

Outdoor team building programmes are becoming more popular in the corporate
world in order to enhance organisational effectiveness. However, together with this growing popularity there is a certain amount of scepticism that exists around the effectiveness of these programmes. The purpose of this study is to determine the differences between a wilderness expedition and the better known centre-based team
building programmes with regard to personal effectiveness. Studied were 35 students
(n=17 men and n=18 women), aged 18-22 from the North-West University (Potchefstroomcampus). The research instrument used (ROPELOC) is a questionnaire developed and piloted by Richards et al. (2002). This questionnaire measures personal effectiveness through seven major components and was administered in the form of a quantitative pre- and post-tests to all three groups (two experimental groups and control group). Results showed that only one practical significant (d0.8) difference occurred between the two experimental groups. Based on the amount of pre- and post-test scores this study recommends a centre-based team building program in order to improve personal effectiveness. However, very valuable information was found in the descriptive results. These include feelings of awe and wonder for the natural environment, solitude and privacy.

Keywords: Outdoor management development; Outdoor experiential education; Wilderness expedition; Personal effectiveness; Team building.

South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation Vol. 30 (2) 2008: pp. 53-69