A new playing field, game and/or different rules? Into the future with industrial psychology as a discipline and profession

Abstract

The aim of the article is to reflect on the future of Industrial Psychology as a discipline and profession. The key consideration is whether Industrial Psychology must reposition itself in the future in terms of a new playing field, game and/or different rules. It is argued that the future playing field of Industrial Psychology will remain essentially the same, although nuance shifts may and/or need to occur. However, the current and emerging content and dynamics within the world of Industrial Psychology will require significant, and even radical, changes in the game and rules within this world. These changes may even necessitate a renaming of Industrial Psychology. Opsomming Die doel van die artikel is om oor die toekoms van Bedryfsielkunde as dissipline en professie te besin. Die kernoorweging is of Bedryfsielkunde sigself moet herskep vir die toekoms in terme van ‘n nuwe speelveld, spel en/of spelreëls. Daar word geredeneer dat die toekomstige speelveld van die Bedryfsielkunde basies dieselfde sal bly, hoewel klemverskuiwing mag en/of behoort plaasvind. Die huidige en ontluikende inhoud van en dinamika in die wêreld van die Bedryfsielkunde sal egter beduidende, en self ingrypende, veranderinge in die spel en spelreëls binne hierdie wêreld teweeg bring. ‘n Naamverandering vir die Bedryfsielkunde mag selfs oorweeg moet word.