College of Law and Management Studies

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/6699

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 36

A study into prospective changes in consumer behaviour and buying patterns of graduate millennials due to COVID-19 in South Africa.
(2021) Lakman, Ushir.; Pelser, Theunis Gert.
The purpose this study is to determine the prospective changes in consumer behaviour and buying patterns of graduate millennials post COVID 19 in South Africa. To this end, a quantitative research project has been undertaken. Primary data was collected via a survey. Several theories were discussed such as consumer behaviour models, the buy decision process and dynamic consumer journey to gain a better understanding of the research that was conducted. Additionally, technology adoption models such as the TRA, TPB, TAM, ETAM and in particular MOCA is discusses as the study is seeking to determine behavioural movement toward online purchasing because of the pandemic. Research was conducted on the pandemic as well as the economy of South Africa as these are important consideration when conducting a study on consumer behaviour. This study seeks to contribute to the existing knowledge on technology adoption and consumer behaviour, particularly to determine whether the switch to online purchases during the pandemic is a permanent development or just as a result of consumers being forced to due to the pandemic. These findings may prove valuable to retailers and developers. It could provide a new lens with which to inform their marketing decision as well as development plans for the future.
An assessment of employee perception on the procurement process of a Southern African sugar company.
(2024) Gopal, Naveshan.; Chasomeris, Mihalis Georgiou.
In today's business landscape, competition is fierce, and procurement is a critical component of any organisation's success. Efficient and cost-effective procurement of goods and services, along with streamlined procurement processes, are crucial in helping businesses gain a competitive edge. However, the success of any procurement process depends not only on its technical aspects but also on how the people involved perceive and experience the process. Therefore, to gain valuable insights into the procurement practices of a Southern African sugar company, this study aims to explore the perceptions of its employees regarding its procurement process. To achieve the aim the researcher conducted a comprehensive literature review and used a mixed-methods research approach. This approach was deemed most suitable for the study. Considering the research design an online survey consisting of both open-ended and closed-ended questions was designed and disseminated to participants recruited for the study. To ensure that the study covered all aspects of the procurement process, the survey tested the perceptions of four departments, namely agricultural, engineering, operational support, and procurement. Each department was divided into three groups of employees, including line managers, middle managers, and senior managers. Participants were from three geographical locations, namely local, foreign, and the head office. Furthermore, participant data was evaluated according to years of work experience, specifically up to five years, five to ten years, ten to fifteen years, and greater than fifteen years. The online survey was designed using the principles of a mixed-method research approach. The survey questions were categorised according to the following themes: planning, supplier selection, specific management and contract management. The close-ended questions used a 5-point Likert scale, analysed quantitatively and used Factor Analysis. The open-ended questions were designed and analysed using NVivo version 14. The study recommends regular feedback and updates to bridge communication gaps, tailored training programmes to enhance planning skills, evaluating, and enhancing procurement systems, addressing skills gaps, enhancing awareness of procurement function, better communication between departments, and regular performance evaluations.
An exploratory study of the financial sustainability of philanthrojournalism in South Africa.
(2024) Khanyile, Charity.; Yalezo, Bhasela.
This research study delves into the intricate dynamics of donor funding for news organisations in South Africa, aiming to uncover the advantages and drawbacks of relying predominantly on external financial support. Through a qualitative approach and employing a case study design, the research explores the multifaceted challenges of achieving financial sustainability in philanthrojournalism within the South African context. The study places a keen focus on examining the potential influence that donors may exert on the editorial independence of these entities. Furthermore, it investigates the feasibility of integrating donor funding with traditional revenue sources. Grounded in the interpretivist research paradigm, the study utilises a nonprobability purposive sampling method to select its sample, while data collection hinges on semi-structured interviews. Fifteen potential participants were approached, however only 14 responded. The data analysis is anchored in thematic analysis, facilitating the exploration of emerging patterns and themes within the dataset. Drawing its theoretical framework from Resource Dependency Theory, this research uncovers notable challenges related to sustainability, stemming from the inherent dependence on external sources, which may not always align with the overarching goals and mission of news entities. Moreover, the findings indicate that donor funding may apply noteworthy influence on news agendas and priorities, potentially affecting the coveted editorial independence of these companies. In light of these findings, the study offers several recommendations to navigate the complex terrain of donor-funded newsrooms. It reiterates the necessity for news organisations to strike a delicate balance between accommodating donor interests and preserving editorial autonomy, thereby safeguarding their credibility and independence. This study underscores the critical significance of establishing explicit boundaries and ethical guidelines to maintain editorial independence in the context of donor-funded media outlets. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse surrounding financial sustainability in the evolving landscape of news organisations and offers valuable insights into the dynamics of donor funding in the realm of journalism.
An investigation of sustainable leadership practices of port executive in the Port of Durban.
(2021) Zungu, Nontobeko Londiwe.; Kanyangale, MacDonald.
Ship and port activities in a port such as Durban in South Africa are key in ensuring sustainability and growth of the economy in acceptable ways that meet the needs of industries and all citizens. While the practices of sustainability by strategic leaders of a port are critical in ensuring sustainable operations in every part of port activity, little is known about what members of the port executive actually do when it comes to leading sustainability at the port of Durban in South Africa. The objective of this qualitative study is to explore the sustainable leadership practices of Port Executives at the Port of Durban in South Africa. This exploratory study was conducted using qualitative in-depth interviews with nine experienced members of the port executive to explore their day-to-day practices of sustainable leadership in the port environment with multiple stakeholders whose activities have various environmental impacts at societal level while others relate to organisational sustainability of the port of Durban. The participants in this study were selected using purposive sampling technique because they are involved in shaping the strategic direction of shipping and port activities which affect sustainability and operations in the long term. Data were gathered using semi structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis to get dominant themes depicting sustainable leadership practices, practices of reinforcing green management, challenges of becoming sustainable leaders and key competences of sustainable leadership of a hybrid port. Results reveal a variety of four sustainable leadership practices by port executives at the port of Durban. These include prioritisation of environmental sustainability, commitment to strategic partnerships, strategic thinking about the business and people, and community building and corporate social responsibility. The key gaps in the sustainable leadership practice of port executive include silo behaviour, poor communication and strategic failure to develop green human capital. Port executives enforced green management practices by driving and reinforcing waste management practices and green innovation. However, this was predominantly operational, weak, but also poorly strategized to create and develop a lasting sustainability culture at the port. More importantly, lack of sustainability literacy within the upper echelon and sustainability expertise among employees undermined the practice of sustainable leadership by Port Executive. The study has proposed a framework of sustainable leadership competences for a port and also areas of future research.
Assessing the implementation of electronic consultation in the Ghanaian health sector.
(2023) Nketia, Mark Ofori.; Maharaj, Manoj Sewak.
The Covid-19 pandemic sparked the buzz word “e-consultation” because people preferred having medical attention remotely. The researcher carried out this study with the aim to help improve access to healthcare by identifying the key issues in the adoption and use of e-consultation in the Ghanaian Health Sector. The study evaluates how e-consultation systems influence the delivery of health care services in hospitals, assesses the attitudes of clinicians and patients towards e-consultation systems and provides a framework to enhance its usage. To assess the implementation of successful e-consultation, the researcher developed a conceptual model that bridged the Delone & Mclean’s IS success model, and Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation Theory to form a suitable model for the study. The research utilized a sequential exploratory method, combining qualitative and quantitative methods to gain an in-depth understanding of the dynamics and challenges associated with e-consultation in the specific context of Ghana. The study found that the implementation of e-consultation is integrated in the internal hospital management system of very few hospitals. Hence most clinicians resort to using e-consultation informally with the help of WhatsApp video, Zoom, phone calls and other open source platforms. Also, it was found that the attitudes of clinicians and patients towards e-consultation implementation is influenced by various factors that range from system quality, information quality, ease of use, connectivity, and education. Besides, the growing concern of privacy and data security issues shows that healthcare providers should strengthen the development of e-consultation information systems. It transpired that the Ministry of Health does not have a suitable policy on software standards for e-consultation. The poor regulatory framework is a major factor contributing to resistance to the use of e-consultation. The rotated factor matrix extracted using the Principal Axis Factoring shows a high level of correlation and consistency among various factors under study. Attitude came first followed by Regulatory framework, acceptance and diffusion. The study, therefore, proposed a model for e-consultation implementation which would help regularize the implementation of e-consultation as well as enhancing the rate of diffusion of e-consultation, its adoption and usage by hospitals and the public.
Barriers inhibiting women progression to leadership positions within KwaZulu-Natal municipalities: a case of eThekwini Municipality.
(2024) Mfungula, Sibongile Fortunate.; Nzimakwe, Thokozani Ian.
Despite these several laws that are enshrined in the Constitution, women are still underrepresented in leadership and senior management positions, and there is still much that needs to be done to address gender inequality in the workplace. Gender equality is a top global priority reflecting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number five which aims to achieve gender equity and empower girls and women equally to their male counterparts. Although women have made unprecedented strides in climbing the ranks of middle management positions in government, they are still less presented in senior leadership positions, particularly in local government which includes municipalities. The study aims to identify and assess barriers that prevent the progression of women in senior leadership positions in municipalities within KwaZulu-Natal, with specific reference to eThekwini Municipality. The study employed a qualitative approach that opts for a phenomenological research design to identify the socio-cultural phenomenon that predominates in municipalities and creates hurdles that hinder women from advancing into top management positions. The data collection used semistructured one-on-one interviews with a purposive sample of 10 managers in various municipal business clusters. With the use of an interpretative paradigm, the researcher was able to elucidate the various realities that women experience in pursuing senior leadership positions within the eThekwini Municipality. The study found that eThekwini Municipality's organisational culture and climate predominantly supported gender prejudices that favoured men. Other factors identified were associated with gender stereotypes that perpetuate traditional roles and functions, which creates unbalanced opportunities and expectations of what women can and cannot do. Similarly, factors that affect them as individuals, such as their lack of confidence, lack of mutual support, and dual responsibility were found to be hindering women’s progression into senior leadership positions. The study also provided a precis of measures that may be taken by the municipality to ensure that gender transformation occurs with greater speed to enable women to advance to top management roles. These include change management programmes, close monitoring of gender policies, empowerment of women, and redress of political interference.
Challenges facing the Cuban-South African medical collaboration for medical capacity building in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2023) Chinniah, Valerie.; Maharaj, Ashika.
The South African public healthcare system faces significant disparity between the demand for healthcare services and the availability of skilled medical professionals. To address this, the government collaborated with Cuba to train South African students from disadvantaged backgrounds, with the intention that they would return to serve in underserved areas upon qualification. The aim of the study was to identify challenges at macro, meso, and micro levels of the Cuban-South African medical collaboration. The overarching question was whether the exploration and resolution of the challenges within this collaboration could contribute to optimising the effectiveness of the programme aligned with the WHO’s SDGs for UHC and health care reforms, emphasizing primary health care in South Africa. Drawing on theoretical perspectives including Migration Theory, Resource-Based Theory, and Human Capital Theory, a conceptual model was developed to highlight the importance of investing in human resources for competitive advantage. An exploratory, qualitative study was conducted by reviewing relevant human resources for health policy documents, and through interviews with University of KwaZulu-Natal programme administrators, programme managers and South African students in Cuban cohorts, providing a holistic investigation into the challenges facing the collaboration. Document analysis and purposive snowball sampling methods were utilised to choose pertinent policies, records, and participants for this study. This combined approach aimed to gather comprehensive insights by examining documented policies and capturing the first-hand experiences and perspectives of individuals actively engaged in the Cuban-South African medical collaboration. Thematic analysis of relevant policies revealed misalignment with South Africa's healthcare objectives. Interviews highlighted challenges such as adapting to the institutional and cultural differences, technical, social and psychological hurdles. Despite training in Cuba, students' primary healthcare skills are often under utilised upon their return, emphasizing the need to recognize and preserve these skills for use in underserved areas. Therefore, a model was developed from these findings to guide stakeholders in enhancing the programme experience. The study recommends acknowledging and utilising primary healthcare skills acquired in Cuba to improve healthcare delivery in rural and underserved areas. This could lead to sustained quality healthcare for marginalized communities and contribute to a transformation in healthcare culture.
Effects of digital transformation on employee morale in the business banking department of a financial organization.
(2023) Dookie, Deepak.; Chummun, Bibi Zaheenah.
Abstract available in PDF.
Examining emotional intelligence and self-efficacy to business management at a state-owned entity in South Africa.
(2023) Ndimande, Philani Emmanuel.; Mashau, Pfano.
The recent past has been challenging for the state-owned company because of mismanagement and abuse of leadership power. The devasting effects of weakening leadership, in critical business processes have resulted in a breach of business processes and the contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). The organisation has also suffured a devasting lost of critical skills due to the impact of COVID-19. All these issues are largely linked with the emotions of individuals, the calibre of leaders in this organisation and the overall approach to business management. The contamporary environment requires leaders that are able to work with others, lead and be prepared to be led, and ensure collaboration amongst stakeholders. This requires emotional intelligence and positive self-efficacy. It is necessary to examine the contribution of Emotional Intelligence and Self-efficacy in managing the state-owned entity. The study used a quantitative research approach to examine the relationships between variables. A census method of sampling was employed, and the entire population (n = 130) of management was studied through the distribution of the questionnaire made up of four tests; demographical questionnaire, GEIQ adopted questionnaire, GSE adopted questionnaire and BMT self-created questionnaire. Reliability, validity, and ethics were considered. The study findings revealed that demographics such as race, age, gender, and education had no statistical significance on EI and SE at this organisation. The correlation analysis revealed that there is correlation and statistical significance between the managers’ EI, SE, and business management in organisation. Recommendations from the study are such that all management levels and divisions, or departments of the organisation should be studied, and probability sampling should be considered to comprehensively study the variable. The methodology should be mixed-method approach gain full insight of managers’ emotions. The organisations can improve performance by giving continuous support to employees, this will create confidence in their capabilities and create a positive work environment. The emotional transitions in the organisation caused by COVID-19 and the repositioning strategy requires an effective change management process and transparency to be driven by top management. This study contributed to the sustainability of SOEs under the era of ethical leadership.
Exploring how the emotional intelligence-social capital nexus in academics impacts third stream income: a case study of University of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2023) Reddy, Devendren Vengatas.; Proches, Cecile Naomi Gerwel.; Moodley, Thiruveni.
South African universities have been facing financial challenges brought about by the legacy of the apartheid education system. The higher education system is looking for solutions to manage the financial sustainability of institutions. The aim of the study was to determine whether the emotional intelligence and social capital nexus in academics has an impact on attitudes towards third stream income at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Third stream income draws on commercial practice to raise income through consultancy, commercialisation of research, philanthropy and the creation of public private partnerships. A challenge facing institutions is getting academics to participate in third stream income because they are consumed with academic responsibilities of teaching, learning and research. Literature review was conducted, which included the development of a mini case study of UKZN based on the 2017- 2021 strategic plan and factors that impacted third stream income generation at the university. The thesis used the four-dimensional theory of emotional intelligence model of Goleman, Boyatzis and McKee (Goleman et al., 2002:47) and the three-dimensional model of social capital (Nahapiet and Ghoshal, 1998). This thesis used a sequential exploratory mixed-methods case study methodology. The qualitative part of the study comprised 13 interviews and two focus group interviews. The quantitative part of the study was based on 100 respondents who participated in an online questionnaire. The qualitative data analysis used a thematic analysis, and the quantitative data analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics 26.0 software. The study found a strong relationship between the emotional intelligence – social capital nexus and attitudes towards third stream income. The study recommends the construction of a coaching framework to develop the participation of academics at UKZN in third stream income. Further research is required on the impact of how emotional intelligence can be used to grow social capital in academia. These studies may look at what the motivators are for academics to participate in third stream income generation and how to promote academic benevolence to promote increased social capital to support third stream income generation.
Exploring leadership competencies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Library in a digital age.
(2024) Magagula, Mbongiseni Phillip.; Kanyangale, MacDonald.
Digitalization as a mega-trend is affecting the library sector, triggering challenges and opportunities that demand new competencies for leaders of academic librarians. The objective of this qualitative study was to explore library leadership competencies in the digital age according to the perspectives of library leaders at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The study adopted an interpretive paradigm and non-probability sampling method to purposively select nine library leaders from the University of KwaZulu-Natal for in-depth interviews. Interview data were analysed using thematic analysis. The results from the study have shown that library leaders at the University of KwaZulu-Natal demonstrate a variety of five leadership styles and three key leadership competencies for the academic library to adapt to the changes brought by digitalization. The leadership struggles with clarity on the direction at UKZN, collective and shared leadership, an inclusive, partnership and alignment style, and the autocratic and adaptive leadership styles. Secondly, this study revealed three leadership competencies used by leaders of the academic library at UKZN to deal with adaptive change and provide services in a digital age. These leadership competences include developing people and programmes to achieve change within rules; strategic thinking competences; and leading teams. Lastly, the study provided a Leadership Competencies framework for library leaders in the digital age at UKZN, comprising seven different leadership competences and four tasks and roles by leaders at UKZN, which are necessary for effective academic library leadership in the digital era. The study recommended a variety of leadership competences that are key to leading the academic library through adaptive challenges in the digital era. Areas for future research were also highlighted.
Exploring the influence of instant message marketing communication on the attitudes and behavioural intentions of Generation Z consumers in Zimbabwe.
(2024) Marumbwa, John.; Govender, Krishna Kistan.
The mobile technology revolution has transformed society and business across the globe, with mobile instant messaging applications (MIM apps) now challenging social networking sites (SNS) as the most widely adopted means of communication for individuals and groups. With over 3 billion users across the globe exchanging more than 23 billion messages daily, for marketers, MIM apps present a ubiquitous, pervasive, and rich marketing communications (MC) channel that supports interactive and dialogic communications with young consumers, particularly in developing countries like Zimbabwe. Thus, this study aimed to establish, through a quantitative approach, firstly, the central route and peripheral route characteristics of instant message marketing communications (IMMC) and their influence on the attitude of Gen Z consumers in Zimbabwe, secondly, the influence of subjective norms, perceived control and consumer attitude towards IMMC on behavioural intentions, and thirdly, the moderating role of impulsiveness on the relationship between the attitude of the Gen Z consumers towards IMMC and their behavioural intentions. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Stratified sampling method was used to survey 410 Gen Z consumers at Great Zimbabwe University, situated in Masvingo, Zimbabwe. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the research hypotheses. Regarding the central route characteristics of IMMC, the study revealed that informativeness and entertainment did not influence consumer attitude, whereas personalisation had a positive influence and irritation generating a negative association. Notably, all the peripheral route characteristics of IMMC, namely; credibility, interactivity and media richness had a significant and positive influence on the attitude of Gen Z consumers. Concerning the planned behaviour constructs, namely; subjective norms and perceived control, a significant and positive association with consumer attitude was observed, but when tested against behavioural intention, only subjective norms and consumer attitude revealed a significant and positive relationship whilst perceived control demonstrated a negative association. It is recommended that mobile marketing practitioners should consider the peripheral route characteristics of IMMC messages along with personalisation and irritation. It is further suggested that mobile marketing communication planners and designers should consider the influential role of subjective norms and consumer attitude on the behavioural responses of Gen Z consumers.
Exploring the sustainable leadership of the top managers at Ermelo regional hospital.
(2021) Bodibe, Oupa Phillip.; Kanyangale, MacDonald.
Sustainability as a megatrend is influencing the leadership of different organizations in the world, including hospitals to maintain and improve the quality of their services. Despite calls in the literature for guidance on sustaining interventions regarding sustainability in hospitals, there is a dearth of research on leading and implementing sustainability in a hospital setting. The primary objective of this qualitative study was to examine the practices of Sustainable Leadership adopted by the Top Management Team at Ermelo Regional Hospital in Gert Sibande District in South Africa. Purposive sampling was utilized to identify and select 8 members of the top management team who participated in face-to-face, semi-structured, in-depth, and audio-recorded interviews to collect data. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns which depict practices that enable or impede practices of Sustainable Leadership by members of the Top Management Team. The study’s limitation is that it only included a small sample which makes it not possible to generalize the findings. The key results of this exploratory study are that Ermelo Regional Hospital’s Top Management has got various practices of Sustainable Leadership that they use. These include staff development through training, encouraging leaders at all levels to be part of the organizational effort towards sustainability, flexible working and favourable labour relations which creates a sense of shared responsibility. However, succession planning was found to be influenced by nepotism and corruption while staff management is mostly crippled by the prevalence of autocratic leadership. The need for engaging the employees often through regular meetings to provide up-dates and share hospital performance were also emphasized as critical as they result in a work setting where effective communication becomes the norm and challenges are timeously addressed. The study concludes that while Ermelo Regional Hospital’s Top Management Team is trying in terms of skill development, the leadership style is less supportive of inclusive, sustainabilityrelated practices. Furthermore, the pillars of sustainability such as the environment and community are not given enough attention by the Ermelo Regional Hospital leaders, which adds challenges to practice effective Sustainable Leadership in a hospital setting. A few recommendations are provided as well as potential research areas.
Health expenditure, health outcomes and productivity in sub-Saharan Africa: sustainable thresholds, moderation and forecasting.
(2023) Adegoke, Yetunde Oluranti.; George, Gavin Lloyd.; Mbonigaba, Josue.
SSA is known to be confronting distinctive health problems and growth challenges, thereby, inadequate health expenditure, poor health outcomes and their implications for productivity require investigation. This situation persists despite evidence-related policy produced in the past, suggesting the need to investigate further the nature of the relationship between interrelated variables. This study aims to investigate the nonlinear effect of PHE on health outcomes and the moderating role of education on health outcomes, forecast the performance of different PHE scenarios in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), examine the effect of PHE and health outcomes on TFP and assess the moderating role of education in the relationship between PHE and TFP. The study utilizes various techniques including Panel spatial correlation consistent-ordinary least squares (PSCC-OLS and PSCC-FE) for Objective One, Feasible quasi-generalized least squares (FQGLS) for Objective Two. Fixed and random models, panel two-stage least squares (P2SLS), and panel threshold regression for Objective Three. System panel generalized method of moments (GMM) for Objective four. This study concludes a nonlinear relationship between PHE and health outcomes exists. Furthermore, the interaction of PHE and education would improve health outcomes. Second, an overall increase in PHE by 30% would achieve the SDG target of 70 maternal deaths in only Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. In addition, about 60% of the countries in SSA might be able to achieve the SDG target for child mortality by the year 2030. Third, including PHE and health outcomes into the TFP framework would guarantee a further increase in TFP growth in SSA, and a threshold level of PHE above 3.5% of the GNP could achieve better health outcomes and a further increase in TFP growth in SSA. Fourth, the interactive impact of PHE and education might cause an improvement in TFP in SSA. The study pioneers the investigation of nonlinear, threshold, moderating, forecasting and collaborative effect of PHE, the information is essential for optimizing, redistributing and utilization of resources, specifically, a minimum of 38 dollars per person will achieve better health and productivity in SSA.
How safe is our food? A critical overview of the South African food safety legal framework.
(2023) Govender, Noresha.; Stevens, Clydenia Edwina.
Foodborne diseases such as listeriosis, food fraud and recall of food products have become a serious cause for concern. These food safety challenges have brought food safety concerns to the fore. Moreover, food safety challenges have severe consequences on people’s health and the economy since the food industry contributes significantly to the South African economy. This thesis sought to address the central issue of food safety in South Africa. It has been highlighted that several food safety regulations and various regulatory bodies have been created in South Africa to deal with food safety. This thesis aimed to analyse the various regulations implemented by the South African Government to deal with food safety, the international food safety regulations and the current food safety challenges that exist in South Africa to assess the extent to which the South African legal framework regulates food safety and how effective have they been in addressing these food safety challenges. Further, the thesis aims to explore consumer rights and remedies under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 and provide a discussion of product liability and how businesses can be held accountable for unsafe food products. The research has found that despite these food safety regulations and the international commitment to ensure food safety, there are frequent food safety outbreaks and a high incidence of foodborne diseases in South Africa. This means that food in South Africa is not very safe. The main findings of this thesis were that there is an ineffective enforcement of these regulations, a gap in food safety governance and a lack of consumer awareness. Furthermore, it has been found that food safety laws are complex, and there is a lack of coordination between the DOH, DALRRD and the DTIC, who are responsible for ensuring and regulating food safety. The thesis argues that food safety is a shared responsibility and all stakeholders must play their part in improving food safety. Lastly, several recommendations have been provided to address these concerns and prevent future food safety risks.
Impact of coronavirus on the motivation and performance of the sale team within a petroleum company in Southern Africa.
(2022) Govender, Thirumoney.; Mutambara, Emmanuel.
The unanticipated spreading of the Coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) has had a devastating impact on the world, including South Africa. South Africa was susceptible to this impact as government enforced strict regulatory lockdowns, which required new ways of working in a workforce that was used to faceto-face business interaction. This study focused on retail sales employees within a petroleum company and the adaptation of their characteristics to drive work performance during the Coronavirus Pandemic. The main characteristic that this study focused on, was the motivational factors that influenced the employee’s lives for better or worse. The retail sales employees (Territory Managers) are responsible for the business development of service stations. Their roles include monitoring of fuel sales, convenience store sales, safety and regulatory compliance of the service station, environmental and disaster management of the site, routine corporate contractual monitoring of the equipment and infrastructure, and housekeeping of the site. Qualitative research was conducted via semi-structured interviews to 12 Territory Managers, from the perspective of the employees, to gain a better understanding of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The non-probability purposive sampling method was used. The research methods consisted of secondary research from existing academic and corporate literature, as well as primary research from the interviews that were conducted with the retail sales employees. The research found that the impact of the pandemic touched every person’s life in some way or the other. Whilst some people found ways to cope with the pandemic, others gave in to the stress which impacted on their physical and mental wellbeing. The research also pointed out the gaps in the company’s support system for employees and the company’s readiness to deal with the impact of the crisis. This study's main goal was to offer suggestions to the business, to help decisionmakers support employees’ productive ability, so that the employees remain inspired and performanceoriented during times of crisis.
The impact of internal marketing and job satisfaction on service quality in the public health sector: the case of Zimbabwe=Umthelela Wezokumaketha Wangaphakathi kanye Nokuneliseka Kwezingabunjalo Losizo Emkhakhani wezempilo: Isimo Sase Zimbabwe.
(2022) Mutanho, Peter.; Soni, Sanjay Shantilal.
Despite the growing concern about service quality in the public health sector in the developing world, studies focusing on internal marketing, job satisfaction and service quality in the public health sector are significantly missing in Zimbabwe. The major purpose of this study was to determine the influence of internal marketing and job satisfaction on service quality in the public health sector of Zimbabwe. The current study sought to answer the following questions: What is the influence of internal marketing on job satisfaction in the public health sector? What is the impact of job satisfaction on service quality in the public health sector? And, what is the effect of internal marketing on service quality in the public health sector? A pragmatic philosophy was adopted by the researcher in the current study, which resulted in the use of a mixed-method approach. The mixed-method approach allowed the researcher to use quantitative and qualitative techniques in the same study. A case study design was used, which allowed the researcher to concentrate his efforts on public health workers at Chitungwiza Central Hospital found to have an informed and deep understanding of internal marketing, job satisfaction and service quality. In drawing the sample for the current study, the researcher used stratified sampling to select both health workers and patient participants. Data was collected from a sample of 573 participants who comprised 240 health employees and 333 patients using structured questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data was then tested using descriptive statistics, multiple linear regressions, explanatory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural modelling. The study ascertained that strategic rewards and organisational structure have a positive relationship with job satisfaction; job satisfaction and service quality-patient are positively related; job satisfaction and service quality and service quality-employee rated are positively related; strategic rewards, organisational structure, organisational culture, and employee empowerment have a statistically significant relationship with both service quality employee-rated and patient-rated. Iqoqa Yize kunokukhula ngokukhathazeka ngezingabunjalo emkhakheni wezempilo kumazwe asathuthuka emhlabeni, ucwaningo olubuka izimakethe zangaphakathi, ukweneliseka ngomsebenzi kanye nosizo kulomkhakha kuyagqoza eZimbabwe. Inhloso enqala yalolu cwaningo kube wukuhlola umthelela wezimakethe zangaphakathi kanye nokweneliseka ngokomsebenzi nezingabunjalo emkhakheni wezempilo eZimbabwe. Lolu cwaningo luhlose ukuphendula lemibuzo elandelayo: Yini umthelela wezimakethe zangaphakathi ekugculisekeni ngokomsebenzi emkhakheni wezempilo? Yini umphumela wezimakethe zangaphakathi ekugculisekeni ngokomsebenzi emkhakheni wezempilo? Nokuthi, yini umsebenzi wezimakethe zangaphakathi ekugculisekeni ngokomsebenzi emkhakheni wezempilo? Injulalwazi ye-pragmatic philosophy isetshenziswe ngumcwaningi kulolu cwaningo, okuholele endleleni exubile yocwaningo. Le ndlela exubile yocwaningo ivumele umcwaningi ukuthi asebenzise amasu ekhwalithethivu nalawo ekhwantithethivu, kulo lolu cwaningo. Uhlaka locwaningo lusetshenziselwe ukuvumela umcwaningi ukuba agxile kubasebenzi bomkhakha wezempilo base Chitungwiza Central Hospital abavele njengababambi-qhaza abanothile ngolwazi lwezimakethe zangaphakathi, ukuneliseka ngokomsebenzi nezingabunjalo lokusiza. Ukutomula isampula kulolu cwaningo, umcwaningi usebenzise amasampula asakuhleleka ukuqoka abasebenzi bezempilo neziguli ezingababambiqhaza. Imininingo iqoqwe kubabambi-qhaza abangama-573 abaqukethe abasebenzi bezempilo abangama-240 neziguli ezingama-333 kusetshenziswa izinhlolombuzo ezihlelekile kanye nezingxoxo. Imininingo eyiKhwalithethivu ihlolwe kusetshenziswa izibalo ezichazayo (descriptive statistics) , i-multiple linear regressions, ukuhlaziya amaqiniso ngokuchazayo (explanatory factor analysis) , ukuhlaziya okuqinisekisayo (confirmatory factor analysis) kanye ne structural modelling. Ucwaningo lukuqinisekisile ubukhona bomvuzo ohleliwe kanye nokuhleleka kwesikhungo njengezinto ezenza umphumela omuhle ebudlelwaneni bokugculiseka ngokomsebenzi obuzingabunjalo kokusizakala kweziguli kanye nobuzingabunjalo bokusiza abasebenzi kuhlobene kahle; umvuzo ohleliwe, ukuhleleka kwesikhungo, usiko lwesikhungo kanye nokuthuthukiswa kwabasebenzi kunobudlelwane obumqoka ngokwezibalo nabasebenzi kanye neziguli ezikaliwe.
Investigating impact of coronavirus lockdown regulations on public transport operations recovery of eThekwini Municipality.
(2024) Dube, Nkosinathi Blessing.; Ngwenya, Tony Charles Simphiwe.
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted worldwide lockdown measures, significantly impacting public transportation systems. This study examines the effects of lockdown regulations on public transport operations in eThekwini Municipality, South Africa, and assesses potential solutions. Using a quantitative approach, a survey was conducted with 50 randomly selected residents of eThekwini Municipality. The results reveal that awareness and preparedness are the primary factors influencing the impact of COVID-19 lockdown regulations on public transport activities. Additionally, demographic factors such as age, ethnicity, and years of experience were found to influence attitudes, preparedness, awareness, and responsibility towards public transportation during the lockdown. The study recommends enhancing staff training and developing capabilities to handle pandemic-related impacts in the transport sector. This research contributes valuable insights to assist decision-makers in eThekwini Municipality in making informed choices regarding transportation service delivery in the context of public health crises.
Leadership challenges facing the Ladysmith Provincial Hospital.
(2022) Mzimela, Innocent Khethukuthula.; Mutambara, Emmanuel.
Leadership is critical in any organisation. In the healthcare fraternity, the main reason for the existence of health care facilities is to serve human life, meaning that the management of these public institutions have a bearing on the services that get delivered to the public. However, there remains some gaps, with regards to how leadership in public healthcare facilities affect the quality of care given to the public. This study thus investigated the leadership challenges facing Ladysmith Provincial hospital. The main objectives of the study included to identify the current leadership challenges facing the Ladysmith Provincial Hospital, to assess the impact of the challenges on healthcare service at Ladysmith Provincial Hospital’s performance, as well as to critically analyse the factors that affect the execution of effective leadership practices at Ladysmith Provincial Hospital. The qualitative approach was adopted, whereby ten purposively selected participants were drawn from the various departments of the organisation, including the management. The main findings of the study indicated that the participants were particularly concerned about the high turnover rate in the institution, and essentially, the fact that the vacant positions do not get filled on time- thereby leaving a void in the operational processes of the organisation. The participants bemoaned financial challenges, human resources issues, as well as ineffective leadership in their organisation, noting that their leadership lacked the qualities of a good leader, while others did not possess the required qualifications for the positions that they occupied. Overall, the challenges identified have huge implications on service delivery. In view of these findings, some recommendations were made: the need to improve the leadership’s competencies through refresher courses, workshops and some form of training- to enable them to demonstrate the personal qualities of good leadership. It was indicated that the institution needed to put in place a more strategic and effective succession planning approaches across the board- in order to avoid the unnecessary challenges being faced in the absence of qualified personal to take up certain leadership positions. The poor infrastructures call for an urgent need to replace the broken equipment- through baseline support, so that the healthcare workers can execute their duties effectively.
Perceptions of teachers and school management teams on their participation in school-based professional development and its Impact on their teaching practice.
(2023) Malope, Nosipho.; Chikandiwa, Christopher Tarisayi.
The present study aims to investigate the viewpoints of educators concerning their participation in professional development initiatives within educational institutions. One facet of the research investigates the levels of participation and satisfaction among teachers and School Management Teams (SMTs). On the other hand, the other component focuses on the function of Subject Specialists as Departmental Heads (DH) in strategising and facilitating professional growth initiatives for educators at the institutional level. This study is grounded on the Continuing Professional Development (CPTD) policy, which mandates educators to amass 150 professional development points within three years. Professional development points can be obtained through diverse activities such as self-initiated, school-initiated, and externally initiated programmes. The research places particular emphasis on teacher development that educational institutions initiate. The study's results indicate that educators and School Management Teams (SMTs) were actively engaged in a diverse array of teacher development initiatives conducted within the school setting. The activities above hold significant value because they can furnish efficacious strategies that augment classroom practices. Nevertheless, the findings suggest that the SMTs were remiss in their obligation to report school-initiated activities to the South African Council for Educators (SACE), a crucial element in overseeing and promoting the professional growth of teachers. The present study employs a quantitative methodology, and the data were obtained through two survey instruments that the researcher developed. The questionnaires comprise several segments encompassing diverse topics. The Post Level 1 questionnaire for teachers comprises 25 questions, whereas the SMT questionnaire encompasses 31 questions. The themes that are covered in this study comprise various aspects such as engagement in teacher development initiatives, significance and influence of such activities, provision of resources to facilitate teacher development, duties and obligations of teachers, incentives for participation, guidance and assistance from School Management Teams (SMTs) (about SMT questionnaire solely), and allocation of time for teacher development. The adequacy of the sample size of 87 participants in this study should be emphasised, as it facilitated a thorough investigation of the research topic and yielded significant insights into the perspectives and encounters of educators and school administrators. The research was carried out within the Ehlanzeni district in Mpumalanga province, with a specific emphasis on a designated subset of educators and School Management Teams (SMTs) from the White Hazy1 Circuit, encompassing both primary and secondary schools. The statistical software package utilised for data analysis was SPSS version 27.0. The collected quantitative data is analysed using descriptive statistics, including graphs, cross-tabulations, and other figures, to present the results. The study utilised inferential methods, specifically correlations and chi-square tests, to analyse the data. The p-values determined the statistical significance of the results. A statistical significance was attributed to a significance level lower than 0.05. The study's results have significant policy implications that warrant consideration. The initial step is for the School Management Teams (SMTs) to ensure appropriate planning and allocation of time for teacher development within the school premises following the policy guidelines. Subsequently, Subject Matter Teachers (SMTs) must give precedence to their involvement in and documentation of Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD) endeavours, as it is a compulsory obligation stipulated by the SACE Act No.31 of 2008. Notably, the present study did not investigate the effects of teacher development programmes implemented within school settings on students' academic achievement. Therefore, it is recommended that additional research be conducted to explore this aspect.

Browse

Browsing College of Law and Management Studies by SDG "SDG3"