Psychological capital, positive work environment and successful ageing at workplace in local government organisations : a case of Kira municipal council, Wakiso district

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between psychological capital, positive work environment, and successful ageing in workplace. Using a correlational design, data was collected by help of a structured questionnaire from a stratified random sample of 258 employees of Kira municipal council. Data analysis techniques included descriptive and inferential statistics. A significant and inverse relationship (r =-.38, P0.01) was found between a positive work environment and successful ageing, and psychological capital was positively and significantly correlated with positive work environment at the workplace (r =39, P0.01). Psychological capital and positive work environment explained 38.7 % of the variation in successful ageing at workplace and a positive work environment significantly mediated (a*b = -.43, p≤0.01), the linkages amidst psychological capital and successful ageing. Therefore, to age successfully at the work place, employees need to have good psychological capital and positive work environment. In addition, Good psychological capital develops positivity in employees that motivates them to expand their personal energies and effectively utilise the available organisational resources to do their job tasks well. When employees feel more productive, they perceive their work environment as supportive which increases successful ageing. To sustain the role of psychological capital in successful ageing, local government organisations need to ensure that work environment supports psychological capital by enabling more autonomy, self-efficacy, creativity and innovation.