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Prof. Freda van der Walt

Prof. van der Walt

NRF RATING	C3
POSITION	Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences \| Full Professor
PORTFOLIO	Professor Freda van der Walt is an NRF-rated scholar in Organisational Behaviour with over two decades of experience in higher education and academic leadership. She holds a PhD in Organisational Behaviour and is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as an Industrial/Organisational Psychologist, as well as a Master Human Resource Practitioner with the SABPP. Her research focuses on workplace spirituality, mental health, ethical leadership, and well-being, with publications in leading national and international journals. She currently serves as Dean in the Faculty of Management Sciences. Professor van der Walt has supervised numerous Masters and Doctoral candidates, contributed to national research and funding panels, and received multiple institutional awards for excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. Her leadership philosophy is grounded in inclusivity, service, and evidence-based practice, aimed at fostering environments where students and faculty members can thrive.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE	Workplace Spirituality Leadership Mental Health & Well-being
PUBLICATIONS	Tigedi, RN, van der Walt, F & Nyetanyane, MP. (2025). Understanding workplace flourishing: Insights from South African employees. E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (EHASS)DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256145 Thasi, ME. & van der Walt, F. (2025). Human Resource practitioners’ perspectives on talent management in the South African gold-mining sector. SAJHRM. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1667884 Khoza, NG. & van der Walt, F. (2025). A systematic review on AI-enhanced pedagogies in higher education in the Global South. Frontiers in Education, Garg N, Van Der Walt F. & Burgess J. (2025). Editorial: Navigating the psychological landscape of remote work: understanding, resilience, and well-being, volume II. Front. Psychol. 16:1681363. Van der Walt, F. & Wiese, L. (2025). The role of leadership and values in creating a positive organisational culture. South African Journal of Higher Education, 234-249. Lezar, L.W.P. & Van der Walt, F. (2024). Psychological well-being in a multicultural work environment: The role of cultural intelligence. Journal of Contemporary Management, 112-133. Maboza, M.H. & Van der Walt, F. (2024). Nurturing perseverance: The influence of workplace spirituality. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 1-10. Van der Walt, F., Nkoyi, A., & Thithi, M. (2024). The influence of selected factors on perceived enjoyment of the online learning experience: Lessons for post-COVID-19 classrooms. Frontiers in Education, 1-11. Bansal, S., Garg, N., Singh, J., & Van der Walt, F. (2024). Cyberbullying and mental health: Past, present, and future. Frontiers in Psychology, 1-19. Fitong Ketchiwou, G. & Van der Walt, F. (2023). The role of personal factors and skills development in women’s career advancement. South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, 1-10. Lezar, L.W.P. & Van der Walt, F. (2023). Cultural intelligence, flourishing, and thriving in the South African work context. Sage Open, 1-16. Tshisa, N. & Van der Walt, F. (2022). Emotional well-being of black African queer employees in the workplace. SA Journal of HRM, 1-7. Fitong, G., Naong, N.M., Van der Walt, F., & Dzansi, L. (2022). Investigating the relationship between selected organisational factors and women’s skills development aspirations and career progression: A South African case study. SA Journal of HRM. Moses, M., Nkoyi, A., & Van der Walt, F. (2021). Determinants of impulsive buying behaviour in social commerce: A stimulus-organism-response framework perspective. The Retail and Marketing Review, 119-130. Likhi, M.M.P. & Van der Walt, F. (2021). The influence of perceived cultural intelligence of school principals on job satisfaction and trust. Management Dynamics, 15-30. Tshisa, N. & Van der Walt, F. (2021). Discrimination challenges and psychological well-being of black African queer employees. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology. Mkhize, D., Fouché, J., & Van der Walt, F. (2021). Budget preparation and implementation at selected secondary schools to enhance quality education in South Africa. Journal of Educational Studies, 97-112. Thasi, M.E. & Van der Walt, F. (2020). Work stress of employees affected by skills shortages in the South African mining industry. The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 243-250. Nkoyi, A., Tait, M., & Van der Walt, F. (2019). Predicting the attitude towards electronic banking continued usage intentions among rural banking customers in South Africa. South African Journal of Information Management, 21(1), 1-8. Van der Walt, F. & Steyn, P. (2019). Workplace spirituality and the ethical behaviour of project managers. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 45(1). Jonck, P., Van der Walt, F., & Sobayeni, C.N. (2019). Demographic predictors of work ethics in a South African sample. African and Asian Studies, 18(4), 325-341. Van der Walt, F. (2018). Workplace spirituality, work engagement and thriving at work. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 44(0), 1-10. Taljaard, J. & Van der Walt, F. (2018). Employment and inequality challenges facing South African Agriculture in a minimum wage dispensation. African Journal of Public Affairs, 10(4), 212-229. Jonck, P., Van der Walt, F., & Sobayeni, C.N. (2017). Investigating the relationship between work values and work ethics: A South African perspective. SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 15, 1-11. Jonck, P., Van der Walt, F., & Sobayeni, C.N. (2017). A generational perspective on work values in a South African sample. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 43, 1-9. Van der Walt, F. & Adonis, V.A. (2017). Measurement of implementation of integrated development planning: A conceptual framework for South African municipalities. African Journal of Public Affairs, 9(7), 41-52. Van der Walt, F. (2016). Self-harming behaviour among university students: A South African case study. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 26(6), 508-512. Van der Walt, F., Mpholo, T.S., & Jonck, P. (2016). Perceived religious discrimination as predictor of work engagement, with specific reference to the Rastafari religion. Verbum et Ecclesia, 37(1), 1-9. Van der Walt, F. & De Klerk, J.J. (2015). The experience of spirituality in a multi-cultural work environment. African and Asian Studies, 14(4), 253-288. Van der Walt, F. & De Klerk, J.J. (2014). Measuring spirituality in South Africa: Validation of an instrument developed in the USA. International Review of Psychiatry, 26(3), 368-378. Van der Walt, F. & De Klerk, J.J. (2014). Workplace spirituality and job satisfaction. International Review of Psychiatry, 26(3), 379-389.
BOOK(S) OR CHAPTER(S) IN BOOK(S)	Mahomed, F.E., Proctor, C., & Van der Walt, F. (2024). Developing Character Strengths to Foster the Well-Being of First-Year University Students. In K. Dube (Ed.), Redefining Education and Development. Springer, Cham. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-69954-2_11. Van der Walt, F. (2022). The Role of Spirituality in Ethical Decision-Making During Projects. In N. Garg (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Integrating Spirituality in Modern Workplaces. IGI Global. ISBN: 978-16-68-42533-6. Van der Walt, F. & Nkoyi, A. (2022). Students’ Learning Styles and Perceptions of Online Learning: Exploring a Multi-Modal Approach to Teaching and Learning. In E.T. Woldegiorgis & P. Jonck (Eds.), Higher Education in the Face of a Global Pandemic. Brill. ISBN: 978-90-04-51446-1. Van der Walt, F. & Lezar, L. (2019). Flourishing and Thriving for Well-Being. In M. Coetzee (Ed.), Thriving in Digital Workspaces: Emerging Issues for Research and Practice. Springer International. ISBN: 978-3-030-24462-0. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-2446. Van der Walt, F. (2015). Self-Harming Behaviour Among a Community Sample of South African Young Adults. In E. Xeni (Ed.), Exploring Ethnographic and Non-Ethnographic Approaches of Suicide and Self-Harm. Inter-Disciplinary Press, Oxford, UK. ISBN: 978-1-84888-422-9. Conference proceedings Nyetanyane, P.M. & van der Walt, F. (2025). Managerial perspectives on regulating personal social media use in South African workplaces. 18^th International Business Conference (IBC), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 21-24 September 2025. Adonis, V.A. & van der Walt, F. (2024). Navigating service delivery in a developing state: A South African perspective. Proceedings from the 30^th International Conference – Recent advances in retailing and consumer services sciences (RARCS). Van der Walt, F. & De Klerk, J.J. (2013). Workplace Spirituality and Job Satisfaction: A Conceptual Model. World Academy of Researchers, Educators, and Scholars in Business, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Education (WARES). Van der Walt, F. & De Klerk, J.J. (2013). Spiritual-Based Organisations and Job Satisfaction. International Conference on Good Governance, Conflict Resolution, Decentralisation, and Socio-Economic Development (GLAFAD). Van der Walt, F. & De Klerk, J.J. (2013). Spiritual Workplaces: Differences Between Perceptions and Intentions. International Conference on Development Finance and Economic Transformation. Van der Walt, F. & De Klerk, J.J. (2013). The Role of Spirituality in Ethical Decision-Making During Projects. Proceedings from the World Academy of Researchers, Educators, and Scholars in Business, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Education
PRESENTED CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS	Khoza, N.G. & van der Walt, F. (2025). Systematic Review On AI-Enhanced Pedagogies in Higher Education in the Global South. 11^th Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) conference, CUT Bloemfontein. 8-10 October 2025. Nyetanyane, P.M. & van der Walt, F. (2025). Managerial perspectives on regulating personal social media use in South African workplaces. 18^th International Business Conference (IBC), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 21-24 September 2025. Van der Walt, F. & Nyetanyane, M.P. (2024). Academic Success: A Construct Analysis. 10th Annual International Conference on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in Higher Education, CUT, Bloemfontein, 3-5 October 2024. Adonis, V.A. & van der Walt, F. (2024). Navigating service delivery in a developing state: A South African perspective. 30^th International Conference – Recent advances in retailing and consumer services sciences. Spain, 27-30 June 2024. Qumbisa, N., Khoza, N. & van der Walt, F. (2024). Ameliorating Collaborative Online International Learning Projects to Promote Internationalization in Higher Education. IFOR Paris Conference on Education, Paris, 13-17 June 2024. Nyetanyane, M.P. & van der Walt, F. (2024) The Promotion of Academic Success of Undergraduate Students: A Positive Education Approach. BOU 1^st international conference on open and distance learning, Gaborone, Botswana, 8-10 May 2024. Van der Walt, F. & Maleke, M.M.P. (2024). The impact of organisational trust on teachers’ job satisfaction: The mediating role of behavioural leadership trust. 7^thBiennial AFAM 2024 Conference, Stellenbosch University Business School, 8-10 January 2024. Nyetanyane, MP and Van der Walt, F. (2023). Exploring the role of character strengths and thriving in promoting academic success of undergraduate students. 8th annual SoTL conference. CUT, Bloemfontein, 15-16 October 2023. Hlatywayo, M. & Van der Walt, F. (2023). Hlatywayo, M. & van der Walt, F. The role of workplace spirituality and spiritual leadership in promoting ethical behaviour in the South African small business environment, International Conference on Management, Entrepreneurship and Economics, New Dehli, India, 15-16 September 2023. Van der Walt, F. & Van Straaten, L. (2023). A case study of the performance culture of a university of technology. The 4^th International Conference of the HR Division (HRIC). North-West University, South Africa, 31 May-2 June 2023. Van der Walt, F. (2023). The importance of introducing organizational spirituality to reduce disengagement in a developing country. The mediating role of thriving at work. Society of Interdisciplinary Business Research (SIBR). Japan, Tokyo, 5-6 January 2023. Van der Walt, F. Rambe, P. & Mabanza, N. (2022). Student perceptions of access and usage of digital information at a University of Technology. 7^th Annual International Conference on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in Higher Education. Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein. 6-7 October 2022. Thithi, M., van der Walt, F. & Nkoyi, A. (2022). Drivers of students’ perceived enjoyment of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa: Lesson and directions for post-pandemic instruction. 7^th Annual International Conference on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in Higher Education. Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein. 6-7 October 2022. Khoza, G.H., Qumbisa, N. & van der Walt, F. (2022). Ameliorating collaborative online international learning projects to develop internationalisations at a Higher Educational Institution. 7^th Annual International Conference on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in Higher Education. Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein. 6-7 October 2022. Van der Walt, F. & Nkoyi, A. (2021). Investigating the antecedents of students’ learning self-efficacy during emergency remote teaching in South Africa. 3rd Biennial SOTL in the South Conference, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, University of Johannesburg, 22-25 November 2021. Van der Walt, F. & Nkoyi, A. (2021). Students’ perceptions of online teaching and learning: challenges and opportunities. 6^th Annual International Conference on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in Higher Education, Virtual Conference, Central University of Technology. 8-9 October 2021. Nyaile, M., Jordaan, H. & Van der Walt, F. (2021). Barriers to the development and progress of women entrepreneurs operating in the informal sector: A review of literature, 3^rd International Virtual Conference on Entrepreneurial Development (ICED), Central University of Technology, 8-10 September 2021. Msokoli, N. & Van der Walt, F. (2020). Emergency Remote Learning at Central University of Technology – The good, the bad and the ugly. 5th Annual International Conference on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in Higher Education, Virtual Conference. 8-9 October 2020. Joannou, N. & Van der Walt, F. (2020). Online assessments during Covid-19: Expectation versus reality. HELTASA Conference, Central University of Technology, Virtual Conference. 30 November – 3 December 2020. Msokoli, N. & Van der Walt, F. (2019). Suggestions to prepare the youth for the 4^th Industrial Revolution. SoTL of the South conference, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein. 9 October 2019. Nyetanyane, M.P. & Van der Walt, F. (2019). Career development of woman managers in male-dominated working environments. 31^st conference of the South African Institute of Management Scientists. Nelson Mandela Bay. 8-9 September 2019. Tshisa, N. & Van der Walt, F. (2019). Sexual orientation discrimination, wellbeing and career advancement of black African managers. 31^st conference of the South African Institute of Management Scientists. Nelson Mandela Bay. 8-9 September 2019. Masupa, E., van der Walt, F., Rambe, P. & Nkoyi, A. (2019). Factors influencing Internet Banking Adoption Decisions of Rural Dwellers in developing Country. 14th MBAcademy International Conference on Management Businesses Organisation and Innovation (IMBAC2019). Barcelona, Spain, August 2019. Masupa, E. & Van der Walt, F. (2019). The implications of e-service perceptions for entrepreneurs in the service sector: A case study of a South African rural population. The 2^nd biennial international conference on entrepreneurship development. 4-5 April 2019. Nyetanyane, M.P. & Van der Walt, F. (2018). Challenges women managers are experiencing in male-dominated working environments: A South African study. Academy of World Business Marketing and Management Development (AWBMAMD) Conference. 17-20 July 2018. Athens, Greece. Mpholo, T.S. & Van der Walt, F. (2018). The relationship between perceived religious discrimination and job satisfaction, with specific reference to the Rastafari religion. Academy of World Business Marketing and Management Development (AWBMAMD) Conference. 17-20 July 2018. Athens, Greece. Lezar, L.W.P. & Van der Walt, F. (2018). The relationship between Cultural Intelligence & Thriving at work: Preliminary empirical results. 1^st Africa Positive Psychology Conference (APPC). 4-7 April 2018. North-West University, Potchefstroom. Etzebeth, T.J., Van der Walt, F., Taylor, A. (2017). Knowledge and practical competence of Motor Vehicle Accident and Claims Administration in the SANDF. 3rd Mauritius International Conference on Social Science & Humanities (ICSSH), 14-15 December 2017. Middlesex University, Mauritius. Lezar, LWP. & Van der Walt, F. (2017). The relationship between cultural intelligence, thriving at work and psychological well-being. National Research Conference. 7-8 December 2017. Mancosa: Durban. Van der Walt, F. (2017). The relationship between workplace spirituality, human thriving and work engagement: A case study of SMMEs in the Free State province. 1^st International Conference on Entrepreneurial Development. 5-7 April 2017. CUT: Bloemfontein. Thasi, M.E. & Van der Walt, F. (2017). Talent Management in the South African mining industry: A case-study of Free State gold mining companies. The SAIMS 29^th Annual Conference. 10-12 September 2017. UFS: Bloemfontein. Nyetanyane, M.P. & Van der Walt, F. (2017). Challenges women managers are experiencing in male-dominated working environment: A South African study. The SAIMS 29^th Annual Conference. 10-12 September 2017. UFS: Bloemfontein. Mkhize, D., van der Walt, F. & Modise, A. (2017). Improving and Sustaining good Practices of Financial Management in Secondary Schools in Lejweleputswa District. 44^th Southern African Society for Education (SASE) Conference. 4-6 October 2017. Gaborone, Botswana. Thasi, M.E. & Van der Walt, F. (2016). Job satisfaction and work stress of engineers and artisans working in South African gold mines. 4^th International Conference on Leadership & Management in Projects driven industries in South Africa. 5-7 September 2016. CPUT: Cape Town. Masupa, E. & Van der Walt, F. (2016). The influence of internet banking adoption decision-making on rural banking customers’ experience of service quality and customer satisfaction. 4^th International Conference on Leadership & Management in Projects driven industries in South Africa. 5-7 September 2016. CPUT: Cape Town. Nyetanyane, M.P. & Van der Walt, F. (2016). A study of the organisational dynamics which shape the work experiences of female managers in male dominated working environments. 4^th International Conference on Leadership & Management in Projects driven industries in South Africa. 5-7 September 2016. CPUT: Cape Town. Thasi, M.E., Van der Walt, F., Chipunza, C. & Jonck, P. (2015). Job satisfaction of engineers and artisans working on gold mines in South Africa. Leadership & Management in Projects Driven Industries in South Africa (LAMIPISA). Cape Town, South Africa. Ramavhea, G., Fourie, J., Van der Walt, F. & Mokhampanyane, M.C. (2015). The relationship between demographic variables and financial literacy of university students. Leadership & Management in Projects Driven Industries in South Africa (LAMIPISA). Cape Town, South Africa. Van der Walt, F. & De Klerk, J.J. (2013). Workplace Spirituality: Differences between perceptions and intentions. International Conference on Development Finance and Economic Transformation, 27-29 October 2013. Polokwane, South Africa. Van der Walt, F. & De Klerk, J.J. (2013). Spiritual-based organisations and job satisfaction. International Conference on Good Governance, Conflict Resolution, Decentralisation and Socio-Economic Development (GLAFAD).Global Action for Africa’s Development: Pan African Parliament. 13-15 November 2013. Midrand, South Africa. Van der Walt, F. & de Klerk, J.J. (2013). Workplace Spirituality and Job Satisfaction: A conceptual model. World Academy of Researchers, Educators and Scholars in Business, Social Sciences, Humanities and Education (WARES). 22-25 July 2013. Cape Town, South Africa.
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