Browsing by Author "Beharry-Ramraj, Andrisha."

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Assessing brand growth of the South African students congress membership at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2018) Mbambo, Sithembiso.; Beharry-Ramraj, Andrisha.
An assessment of the implementation of the performance management strategy used by South African breweries in east coast region.
(2018) Sibisi, Mthokozisi Cleopas.; Beharry-Ramraj, Andrisha.
Performance management is aimed at constant development of employees, wherein their input to the organization is acknowledged, and their future potential and developmental needs are identified. In other words, performance management aims at expediting an understanding that is shared through giving and receiving feedback with mutual accountability as it were. While so much is known about the performance management itself, little is known with regards to the implementation of the performance management strategy. This study seeks to assess the implementation of the performance management strategy, with special reference to the East Coast region of the South African Breweries. To do this, the study seeks to understand the performance management goals set by the organization, performance measurement and the performance feedback techniques. Similarly, the study seeks to understand the basis of reward for performance and to understand how performance objectives and activities in the organization are implemented. The qualitative research methodology type was employed. In essence, the exploratory research design was utilized, while 12 respondents comprising of managers and employees were purposively selected for the study. The in-depth interview type was used to elicit responses from the respondents. The date cleansing was done with Trcohim and Donnelly (2007) four indicators of reliability and validity of qualitative data, while the thematic qualitative data analysis was employed to analyse the qualitative data. The findings of the study indicate that performance management goals are set from the top and cascaded down throughout the company. These goals are set against company’s performance targets. Similarly, other findings showed that performance measurement are done on a routine basis such weekly, monthly and on annual basis. It was also found that there is one standard feedback system which is tracked every week on a one on one basis which leads to two performance reviews a year. Again, findings showed that reward system for performance is based on achieving performance targets set against KPIs. Lastly, findings exude that performance management decisions are imposed by top management and the goals for individuals are implemented with the aim of achieving their targets. Thus, the study recommend that for a the standardised target strategy due to the fact that there is standard tool of operating performance measurements in different geographical location that have different standards of living and products preferences. The need for a standardized format of providing feedback to employees and Human Resource Management should also in be involved in the process and the consideration of environmental influence in the administration of reward system. Lastly, it is recommended that there must be room for employee’s consultation on issues of performance implementation and employees must be full participants of any implementation strategy.
Challenges to management practices in public technical and vocational education and training colleges in the KwaZulu-Natal Province.
(2016) Beharry-Ramraj, Andrisha.; Fields, Ziska.
This study investigated Challenges to Management Practices in the public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. A mixed methods approach was used to conduct the study with a sample size of three hundred and eighty respondents for the quantitative study where the total population is 3700, and nine respondents for the qualitative study. These respondents were drawn from the nine different TVET colleges in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The sample of 380 is therefore a representative sample of the given total population. The significance of TVETs in skills development has been well acknowledged in literature, yet there is no evidence of the challenges faced by the TVETs in particular. This study undertook to examine the management practices in relation to the challenges faced by TVET sector in one of the leading provinces in the republic of South Africa. The statistical findings of the study were analysed using the regression analysis in the Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) as well as content analysis. The work was done by an institutionally appointed statistician. Among the key findings of the study was the qualification demographic profile where fifty per cent of the respondents have degrees as opposed to a full contingent of qualified staff. These point to the need for the needed skills development in the sector in order to encourage skills functionality of the colleges to be enhanced. Among the challenges in the colleges are included financial constraints, low throughput rates, inadequate lecturer qualifications, poor teaching environment, poor facilities and limited oversight procedures in relation to the governance of colleges. Unlike in the past, the principals are expected to possess managerial skills from the department of education as well as from other stakeholders. This points to the need for effective skills development. The need for effective management is emphasised in the study within the framework of four constructs: leadership, governance, change management, and staff development. The revived TVET figure was credited to the figure developed in this study towards effective management using the above four constructs. A figure comprising the four constructs holistically is necessary in the effective management of TVETs. A management house model was developed in light of existing TVET challenges. The educational policy makers and institutions are presented with a model figure necessary for effective management and would benefit from its usage. It is also that similar research is done in other developing as well as developed economies to investigate the variations that could inform remedial interventions for the TVET sector.
Consumers’ perception of online marketing: a case of University of KwaZulu-Natal Westville Campus students.
(2018) Mlambo, Nkosenomusa Sthembiso Snethemba.; Beharry-Ramraj, Andrisha.
Over the last decade, the Internet has assumed the role of being the most influencial platform for organisations to conduct their business. Likewise, the innovation of technological platform such as the web and social media platforms, has transformed the way in which markets communicate and interact. The increase in the use of the Internet among the youth, has also resulted in the increased reputation of online as a marketing platform. The youth, especially students, have embraced the Internet to a point that they have and use it as part of their daily activities and hence live actively through it. This has made them become market influencers and have also created new opportunities for organisations to market their products and services. The growing use of the Internet presents a rich interactive stage for marketers to capitalize on, in order to become relevant, become industry leaders, and influence consumers’ buying decisions. The understanding of consumers’ perception of online marketing is thus believed to enable marketers to make use of the Internet as a means for persuading the marketing behaviour of consumers. This study therefore aimed at understanding consumers’ perception of online marketing. A quantitative methodology was used to collect and analyse data in order to achieve the objectives of the study. Questionnaires were distributed to a total of 150 students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Westville Campus) and analysis was carried out on the collected data using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).The result obtained in this study revealed that consumer find it easy to interact with organisations through online marketing. Furthermore, the result of this study also revealed that consumers are slowly shying away from traditional marketing and that online marketing is in recent times becoming the largest form of marketing.
Corporate social responsibility practices: a case study of Automotive Company X in Pietermaritzburg.
(2018) Malinga, Sibusisiwe Anele.; Beharry-Ramraj, Andrisha.
Corporate “social responsibility (CSR) is a corporation's initiatives to evaluate and take responsibility for the effects of companies on the social and environmental wellbeing. This can be in form of providing safety, taking care of the environment, providing housing, providing health care, and other concerns by both small and large companies (Blackburn 2007). The concept of CSR started in the developed nations of North America and Western Europe which was a response to the great amount of consumer and civil society pressures. In South Africa, companies create problems for their communities in one way or the other because of their business. It is difficult to tell whether automotive companies in South Africa are engaging in CSR or not as there is no study that has been conducted in this regard. Despite the expansion of the automotive industry very little is known about the terms of contract between the automotive industry and society have established to serve human values and accept responsibility transactions. This led to the decision to conduct this study to ascertain the CSR activities carried out by companies in the automotive industry in South Africa Pietermaritzburg. The target population for this study were managers and employees at an automotive company in Pietermaritzburg. Non-probability sampling purposive sampling was used to select a total of 8 participants; four managers and four employees. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to generate the data needed from participants to understand the research problem under study. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Findings show that the company is carrying out discretionary, economic, legal and ethical responsibilities. There is however need to promote consumer awareness, environmental sustainability, and corporate reputations that can help the company to widen its scope and mandate of its strategic focus. There is also need to promote the returns that can be realised the implementation of CSR so that the company does not feel to be at loss in engaging in CSR activities. The existing legislation should be revised and intensified to prevent transgressors from eluding sanctions, and government should investigate inspiring ways of incentivizing the implementation” of CSR.
Environmental factors and strategies that impact on the success and failures of SMMEs in Maseru.
(2015) Masupha, Liako Priscilla.; Beharry-Ramraj, Andrisha.
In most, if not all, economies SMMEs operate in both the micro and macro environments, and are subject to intense internal and external forces. For the continued success of and in order for failure rates of SMMEs to decrease, all internal and external factors, as well as vital strategies employed by SMMEs, must be carefully monitored and analysed by the owner-managers of these small businesses including all relevant stakeholders such as the government and supporting institutions. The aim of this study was to analyse the environmental factors and strategies that result in a low rate of success and unfortunately a high failure rate of small, medium and micro enterprises in the city of Maseru. This study aimed to determine the extent to which SMMEs depend on assistance from financial institutions, with regard to the extent to which the Government of Lesotho’s intervention supports or hampers SMMEs’ endeavours to obtain financial assistance. The study also aimed to determine whether SMMEs have adequate training and development, and the extent to which these enterprises develop and practise strategic plans. A further aim was to determine the advertising strategies used by SMMEs for continued success, as well as the extent to which competition impacts on their success, leading to the short lifespans of these SMMEs. Primary data for this study was collected through questionnaires which were distributed to a sample of 250 SMMEs in Maseru. The sample was derived from the table for determining sample sizes from a given population by past scholars. Of the 250 questionnaires that were distributed, 180 respondents completed and returned questionnaires, which were thus used for data analysis. A quantitative approach was used for data collection and the data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS21). Data was presented in tabular form, followed by the researcher’s interpretation and observations regarding the findings. The findings revealed that there still persists inadequacy in financial assistance and lack of training and development for these small businesses. The findings reveal that SMMEs are indeed dependent on assistance from financial institutions as there seems to be high rates of self-funding and limited use of available financial institutions. The results also reveal the significance, awareness and extensive need of training and development activities and workshops for these enterprises. However, a vast majority of these workshops are in high favour of and usually target registered and formal SMMEs. SMME owner-managers engage in strategic planning even though the frequency in business planning is rather low, as well as advertising efforts which are regarded as cost-bearing routines due to insufficient funds, therefore resulting to a loss of customers to foreign-owned SMMEs, thus resulting to escalating competitive environment in the SMME sector. Of all the recommendations put forward, the most crucial one is with regard to the government’s intervention for financial support, to further encourage growth and development of these enterprises as they are key to sustained job creation and poverty reduction.
Students perception of service quality delivered at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville campus.
(2017) Mfingwana, Yolanda Philile.; Beharry-Ramraj, Andrisha.
Service quality is crucial for organisations, to measure customers’ perceptions, as they are factors that influence customer behaviour in the market environment. This study investigated service quality in higher education – so as to access and understand the perceptions of students, in order to deliver satisfactory service. Students encounter diverse challenges as they register in Institutions of higher education, while unprivileged students face immense economic pressure (Jensen and Markland, 1996). Institutions of higher education do not always follow the ethics of quality customer service, which has a great influence on students’ perceptions on unsatisfactory service, which may in turn lead to conflict between students and management. The quality of service delivered by the finance department of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus may have an influential effect on students, hence the need to investigate students’ perceptions. It is significant to understand students’ perceptions on service quality rendered, as it remains a prominent feature of presentation in organizations (Jensen and Markland, 1996). The intention of this study was to examine students’ perceptions on service quality delivered, to enable the researcher gain invaluable insight on the effectiveness and efficiency of service quality rendered to UKZN students. The study used the SERVQUAL model introduced by (Parasuraman, Zeithaml, and Berry, 1985) to direct the study. This study was conducted at UKZN in 2017. The aim of the investigation was to analyse the perceptions of students on service delivery at UKZN. Students are forever striking, due to financial service and fee increment every year, and their issues remain unattended to by the universities (Davis and Waghid, 2016). Service quality remains crucial in such organisations, hence the SERQUAL model was utilised in this research study, namely its five dimensions: Reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy and tangibles. Data was collected using quantitative survey methods. A sample of 97 students was targeted for the study. Questionnaires were administered to honours students in the disciplines of management, supply chain, marketing management and ISTN. The SPSS test was employed to analyse the data gathered from respondents. The study achieved its objectives on the efficiency and effectiveness of service quality delivered at UKZN (Westville Campus). The information gathered from the study assisted in the research recommendations for the study, and for future researchers.
A survey of the leadership style in the public sector: a case study of eThekwini Municipality.
(2013) Dube, Christine Kwanele.; Beharry-Ramraj, Andrisha.
The fluctuating rate of change in the external environment drives public sector organisations to constantly search for new ways to adapt to the changes and improve public service delivery. Public sector organisations need leaders who can simultaneously respond to the turbulent environment while meeting the requests of different stakeholders. They must adopt effective contemporary leadership styles and techniques that will enable them to be proactive to the prevailing pressures in the business environment, whilst attaining the organisational objectives. The demand for public sector services increases as the economy attempts to recover from the global recession. This demand also arises from the communities which have been promised a better life by the new democratic government of South Africa. The significance of public sector leadership becomes apparent in the light of the important role of the public sector in providing services to the society at large. It is the leadership of an organisation that is vital in planning and implementing the processes and operations of the organisation. The full range leadership theory, in particular transactional and transformational leadership styles, were used to survey the management in the municipality. The study adopted a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, in which both the management and employees of the municipality participated in the study. A purposive sampling technique was used in sampling the leaders, which yielded a sample size of three Unit Heads. To select the sample from the employees, stratified random sampling was used which yielded a sample size of 201 respondents. A descriptive research design was adopted for the qualitative aspect of the study and an exploratory design was adopted for the quantitative aspect of the study. The quantitative data was analysed using inferential and descriptive statistics and the qualitative data was analysed using the interpretative analysis method. The key findings revealed that the surveyed leaders at eThekwini Municipality are transformational to a greater extent and transactional to a lesser extent. The transformational leadership style is more dominant and also influential in the units under study. It was concluded that the leaders share the organisational vision with the employees, motivate the employees to realise the vision, encourage innovative ways of thinking and show a personal interest in employees and their development.