Results of research on Guna Composition

A doctoral research was conducted by Sadhana Modh, Ph.D. to understand human response in organizations. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), one of the largest voluntary organizations in the world, was selected for this study. Active volunteers of the Sangh were given statements reflecting various attributes of the three Gunas and were asked to give their agreement or disagreement on a five point scale.

The research concept was based on the normative framework of Gunas (Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic). This framework needed empirical testing. The Guna framework was used to ascertain the Guna composition of a typical RSS volunteer and also to find out what makes RSS so unique and successful with unprecedented growth.

25 variables were chosen after two trial field research and multivariate analysis. The factor analysis of these variables gave many insights into the Guna characteristics. Table 1 gives the significant factors extracted after the factor analysis of these 25 variables. Table 2 gives the mean value and standard deviation of factors obtained after grouping the variables in each factor. Remark column suggests the interpretation of each factor for the sample. These factors were, then, used to understand the Guna framework of RSS workers.
Empirical Testing of Guna Framework

As discussed earlier, Guna framework can be used to explain the human response in a particular setting. A classification of factors obtained from factor analysis was carried out based on known characteristics of Gunas. The factor analysis proved that the three Gunas are independent in functions and it is possible to bring out Guna composition of people in an organisation. The mean values of all these factors reflect the nature of RSS as an organisation.

On the basis of a priory knowledge factors can be grouped as:

Sattvic Guna: Factor 3: Sattvic Agent/Actor Personality and Factor 6: Sattvic Nature

Rajasic Guna: Factor 1: Rajasic Worldview, Factor 2: Rajasic Action and Results of Action, Factor 4: Rajasic Motivation and Factor 8: Rajasic Strength

Tamasic Guna: Factor 5: Tamasic Actor/Personality, Factor 7: Tamasic Nature and Factor 9: Tamasic Motive

This framework was them verified using Discriminant Function Analysis. The results of Discriminant Function Analysis proved the result to be in conformity with the theoretical framework. The analysis revealed that the theoretical classification given above is statistically significant. The analysis revealed that the human response factors can be discriminated according to Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic Gunas. Since the results were consistently proved, this construct can be used to find the Guna composition (attribute/quality) of a person or an organisation at a given point of time.

Table 1: Order in which variables contribute to factors in the sample

FACTORS	VARIABLES WITH SIGNIFICANT LOADING
Factor 1: Rajasic Worldview	Nationalist, Passionate about his worldview, Devotion for his deity, Faith in Religion
Factor 2: Rajasic Action and Results of Action	Keenness to succeed, Skills of time management, Delighted when Successful , Loves his work and enjoys his life
Factor 3: Sattvic Agent/Actor Personality	Clarity in decision making , Believes in self control and Restraint, Taking responsibility for his/her action, Openness to others’ views
Factor 4: Rajasic Motivation	Seeks Power and Authority, Expectation of Reward, Believes in “end Justifies means”
Factor 5: Tamasic Actor/Personality	Half Hearted approach to work, Absence of Initiative, Loves to sleep during free time, Gets exhausted doing his work
Factor 6: Sattvic Nature	Believes in Sanctity of Methods, Cultural worldview
Factor 7: Tamasic Nature	Blames others for failure, Impulsive in decision-making , Loves partying
Factor 8: Rajasic Strength	Takes Initiative
Factor 9: Tamasic Motive	Disinterested in his/her work

Table 2: Mean and Standard deviation of Factors

FACTORS	Mean	Remark: RSS worker is
Factor 1: Rajasic Worldview	3.80	To a large extent believes in concept of nationalities and accepts differences in the world due to religion
Factor 2: Rajasic Action and Results of Action	3.99	To a large extent focussed on result of action
Factor 3: Sattvic Agent/Actor Personality	3.01	To some extent non-egoistic, firm, enthusiastic, unaffected by success or failure
Factor 4: Rajasic Motivation	2.13	Does not have a coloured judgement of ethical and unethical
Factor 5: Tamasic Actor/Personality	2.46	Not a Tamasic person i.e. not iimpulsive and arrogant, has ability to see other point of view; does not indulge in sense enjoyment
Factor 6: Sattvic Nature	3.66	To a large extent Calm, has self-restraint, is austere, wise, and believes in forgiveness, uprightness
Factor 7: Tamasic Nature	2.79	To a less extent he blames others for failure, Not impulsive, No time for partying
Factor 8: Rajasic Strength	4.25	To a large extent constant pursuit of mission
Factor 9: Tamasic Motive	2.41	To a small extent. Does not justify ethical to be unethical and vice-versa

Conclusions

On the basis of the mean values of factors given in Table 2, it can be concluded that an average RSS worker has a Sattvic Personality (self-restraint, austere, and believes in forgiveness, uprightness) and has a Rajasic worldview (Nationalist and Religious zeal). He is constantly in pursuit of his mission and is focussed. He does not have a coloured judgment of morality and does not blame others for his failures. He is ethical in his approach.

In conclusion an RSS worker could be called a “Sattvo-Rajasic” type personality according to Guna theory.
Potential for Future Research

Similar analysis can be done in other organisations to find out the Guna composition of various sections of employees. The analysis would tell us whether the organisation is inspired, dynamic or indolent and what the mix of these attributes is.