In this contribution to the special issue, we explore implications of decolonial theory for understanding climate change skepticism and environmental concern. The empirical portion of this project entailed interviews about perceptions of recent extreme weather, climate change, and environmental concern with N = 41 visitors to a Kansas (USA) state park, a population we selected for their (presumed) high environmental concern. Although most respondents reported personal experience of extreme weather, only a smaller subset believed these events reflected anthropogenic climate change (ACC). Consistent with other research, this tendency to be skeptical of climate change and its connection to extreme weather was greater among white participants than participants of color, a pattern we interpret as collectively motivated white ignorance about the role of modern/colonial violence in the production of the ecological crisis. Results also revealed an environmental concern characterized by wilderness preservation and individual action. We conclude by situating climate change perceptions and environmental concern within a decolonial perspective as an alternative foundation for environmentalism and psychology.

ORIENTATION: A multicultural country like South Africa needs fair cross-cultural psychometric instruments. RESEARCH PURPOSE: This article reports on the process of identifying items for, and provides a quantitative evaluation of, the South African Personality Inventory (SAPI) items. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: The study intended to develop an indigenous and psychometrically sound personality instrument that adheres to the requirements of South African legislation and excludes cultural bias. RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH AND METHOD: The authors used a cross-sectional design. They measured the nine SAPI clusters identified in the qualitative stage of the SAPI project in 11 separate quantitative studies. Convenience sampling yielded 6735 participants. Statistical analysis focused on the construct validity and reliability of items. The authors eliminated items that showed poor performance, based on common psychometric criteria, and selected the best performing items to form part of the final version of the SAPI. MAIN FINDINGS: The authors developed 2573 items from the nine SAPI clusters. Of these, 2268 items were valid and reliable representations of the SAPI facets. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: The authors developed a large item pool. It measures personality in South Africa. Researchers can refine it for the SAPI. Furthermore, the project illustrates an approach that researchers can use in projects that aim to develop culturally-informed psychological measures. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD: Personality assessment is important for recruiting, selecting and developing employees. This study contributes to the current knowledge about the early processes researchers follow when they develop a personality instrument that measures personality fairly in different cultural groups, as the SAPI does.

ORIENTATION: This study explored strategies for identity work that are central to the negotiation and regulation of employee work identity. RESEARCH PURPOSE: The main aim of this study was to explore employee narratives and identify the strategies available to them in the process of identity work, as they defined themselves at work. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: As there is a scarcity of research on identity work in South Africa, this study wanted to advance knowledge about identity work and the strategies used for regulating and negotiating an identity at work by exploring these constructs in this context. RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH AND METHOD: A qualitative research process formed the basis for this study. Nineteen employees from a global manufacturing company participated in two semi-structured in-depth interviews. Grounded theory was applied to analyse and interpret the data. MAIN FINDINGS: Nine strategies for identity work were identified and categorised into four broad themes (personal philosophies; relationships; career management and negotiating balance). PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: Employees followed various strategies for defining themselves at work and this may have some implications for employee work engagement and productivity. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD: This study expands on current theoretical knowledge of identity work, and provides insights into the strategies people use to regulate and negotiate their identities at work.

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was used to investigate polymorphism among 43 Hirsutella thompsonii isolates (33 from Thailand) obtained from various mite species. The outgroups were an unidentified Hirsutella isolate along with Hirsutella nodulosa and Hirsutella kirchneri. Phylogenetic analyses of the AFLP data showed significant variation among isolates and the existence of three H. thompsonii clades. We also investigated the isolates using PCR with specific primers for the Hirsutella exotoxin gene Hirsutelin A (HtA) and 18 of these isolates were used for sequencing of the partial beta-tubulin gene. Phylogenetic analyses of beta-tubulin sequences showed two distinct H. thompsonii clades, one of which included AFLP clades I and II. For both markers grouping of the H. thompsonii isolates was not related to either host mite species or geographical origin, although for the HtA gene one clade contained only isolates with no detectable HtA band. These results confirm the high intraspecific polymorphism of H. thompsonii, and maximum likelihood analysis showed no monophyletic group within this species. To refine the taxonomy of this genus other studies should be undertaken using additional molecular markers and several other Hirsutella isolates.