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An integrative review of the effect of organisational change management on employee performance
No full textIn the current business landscape, organizations face various challenges, with one of the most pressing being the necessity to improve performance. As organizations adapt to a rapidly changing environment, the ability to facilitate performance enhancements during periods of change is crucial for achieving long-term success. Additionally, the ongoing advancement of technology, evolving consumer behaviours, and introducing new regulatory frameworks require organizations to effectively manage the complexities arising from these swift transformations. Considering this, the objective of this study was to examine the impact of change management on employee performance. To accomplish this, an integrative review was conducted, which began by defining the concept of change and exploring the motivations behind it. Furthermore, the study discusses various perspectives on the organizational management concept of employee performance and assesses the effects of change management on employees. The findings reveal that change can harm employees, particularly regarding motivation and job satisfaction. Conversely, the results indicate that well-designed and effectively executed change management strategies can have a positive impact on employee performance and help reduce turnover
Teachers’ attitudes and challenges towards the implementation of entrepreneurship education in Limpopo primary and high schools
No full textWith this study we aimed to investigate teachers’ attitudes and challenges towards the implementation of entrepreneurial education in South African primary and high schools in the Mopani district of the Nkowankowa circuit in the Limpopo province. Simple, random sampling was used to select 101 teachers from 25 rural schools. The quantitative method was employed to investigate teachers’ attitudes and challenges towards the implementation of entrepreneurial education. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the teachers’ attitude towards entrepreneurship education. In this article, 2 factors – teachers’ attitudes towards entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurship education challenges within school constructs – are discussed. The statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS), with the aid of descriptive statistics, was used to analyse the data. The Cronbach alpha scores for all internal consistency scales were 0.90. The reliability test indicates that 0.80 and above is more reliable, and 0.90 offers the best scores. Face validity was established by determining the factor structure of the instrument. Concerning Bartlett’s test of sphericity, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) was found to be 0.805, and it was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Literature reports that KMO values between 0.7 and 1 indicate that the sampling is adequate. The results show that 96% of teachers felt that the challenge with regard to the implementation of entrepreneurial education was a lack of training. The results disclose that the majority of teachers (93.1%) indicated that entrepreneurship education was relevant in schools. Based on these findings, we propose that entrepreneurship should be implemented as a standalone subject within the basic education curriculum. In support of this vision, financial and physical resources are a vital propellant in achieving this trajectory
Navigating tradition and modernity in'Seven Doors', a Netflix's 2024 Nigerian series: exploring religious syncretism and cultural identity
No full textThis paper examines the portrayal of religious syncretism in Netflix's 2024 Nigerian series Seven Doors, analyzing how the narrative represents the intersection between traditional Nigerian religious practices and modern faith systems. Through a qualitative content analysis of the six-episode series, this study explores the fictional representation of traditional religious elements, particularly the Ifa divination system and ancestral worship, as they interact with contemporary religious perspectives in modern Nigerian Yoruba storytelling. While acknowledging the limitations of using creative media as primary evidence for theoretical frameworks, the analysis investigates how the series employs religious syncretism as a narrative device that reflects broader cultural discourses in contemporary Nigeria. The study contextualizes the series' fictional portrayal within existing scholarship on religious syncretism, positioning Seven Doors as a cultural text that offers insights into popular perceptions and representations of religious coexistence in Nigeria. By examining this media representation alongside established theoretical and empirical research on Nigerian religious practices, this paper contributes to the growing body of literature on religious representation in African media and explores how streaming platforms participate in cultural conversations about traditional African religious practices in modern contexts
Multicultural education as a strategy for peace in schools
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master in Public Administration: Peace Studies, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2024.This study addresses the urgent need for multicultural education in South African schools,
considering the challenges posed by a diverse demographic landscape and the prevalence of
violence, xenophobia, and tribalism. The study is prompted by the limited focus on issues
beyond race, particularly concerning the experiences of migrant learners facing difficulties
related to language, cultural differences, and social integration. The absence of explicit
multicultural education in the school curriculum exacerbates these challenges, contributing to
violence and exclusion.
This study was aimed at exploring the potential of multicultural education in fostering a
worldview that promotes peace, cultural competency, and positive socialisation within South
African schools. By employing the integrative theory of peace as a theoretical framework, the
research aimed to conceptualise how multicultural education can be strategically integrated
into the education curriculum to address violence, promote tolerance, and empower learners
and teachers.
The research methodology involved a qualitative approach, utilising interviews, focus groups,
and direct observation in an action research setting. The study was conducted in an independent
school in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, with a diverse population of learners and educators.
Triangulation was employed to ensure the validity, reliability and trustworthiness of the
findings, and ethical considerations prioritised participant well-being and informed consent.
The research objectives included exploring the overall role of multicultural education,
investigating perceptions of different cultures, forming an action research team to suggest
multicultural education components, and testing the outcomes of the intervention strategy. The
central research question examined whether multicultural education could contribute to
developing and maintaining peace while fostering a worldview that embraces diversity in
schools.
The findings reveal the potential of multicultural education to bring about a paradigm shift,
empower learners, and contribute to positive social dynamics, contribute to teaching respect
and regard for other culture and thus lead to peaceful existence in different cultural groups. The
study concludes by emphasizing the importance of integrating multicultural education into the South African school curriculum as a crucial strategy for promoting peace, understanding, and
embracing the nation's cultural diversity.
A management model for the expansion of the wholesale and retail cooperative sector in South Africa
No full textIt is well recognized internationally that cooperatives can provide a wellspring for the development
of economies. The factors enhancing the establishment, resilience, and sustainability of cooperatives in
the wholesale and retail sector in South Africa are examined in this paper with the purpose of proposing
a management model that could support the development and sustainability of cooperatives in this sector.
The paper identifies four themes necessary to be in place for the successful establishment and sustainability
of cooperatives. The research approach was qualitative, cross-sectional and descriptive. Three groups of
respondents were sampled, two groups were interviewed telephonically, the third as a focus group. These
included retail cooperative owners or managers and experts in the field of cooperatives in the retail sector.
A questionnaire was developed around the four themes and served as the basis of a discussion guide for the
focus group. The first theme, Legislation, appears to be soundly in place, while the remaining three themes:
Management and infrastructural issues; Training and skills issues and Marketing issues are found to be wanting.
In order to overcome these weaknesses, a management model is proposed which can facilitate the development
of cooperatives in the shorter term as well as being able to capacitate the emerging cooperatives for sustainability
in the longer term. Further research into possible structures for emerging retail cooperatives is suggested
Nonlinear wave-mechanical effects in Korteweg fluid magma transport
No full text5 pages, typos correctedStatistical mechanics arguments and Madelung hydrodynamical presentation are applied to the transport of magma in volcanic conduits. An effective wave equation with logarithmic nonlinearity becomes apparent in systems of this kind, which describes the flow of a two-phase barotropic Korteweg fluid with capillarity, and allows multiple eigen solutions thus leading to wave-mechanical effects. We study spontaneous symmetry breaking in the erupting lava which flows up the conduit, so that fluid fragmentation and nucleation of density inhomogeneities occur; therefore, changing temperature can trigger a transition between the "magma-dissolved gas" fluid and magmatic foam phases. This phase structure is studied by both analytical and numerical methods. In the fluid phase, cell-like inhomogeneities occur which are described by solitary wave solutions with a Gaussian density profile; we derive the many-body interaction potential for these inhomogeneities. For the foam phase, we demonstrate the existence of topological kink solitons which describe bubble-type inhomogeneities; their stability is ensured by the conservation of a topological charge
A framework for aligning librarians’ roles and skills with 4IR technologies at the Durban University of Technology, South Africa
No full textThe Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has introduced transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, big data, and blockchain that are reshaping various sectors, including libraries. This article recommends a framework to align librarian roles and skills with these 4IR technologies, focusing on the Durban University of Technology (DUT). The framework ensures that DUT librarians can effectively use these technologies to enhance services and meet evolving and diverse user needs. By examining the connection between librarian competencies and 4IR technologies, the article provides a roadmap for DUT libraries to navigate the challenges and opportunities of this technological revolution
The application of nanotechnology to improve the quality of harvested rainwater in a selected rural community
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Philosophy in Quality Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2025.Water scarcity remains a global challenge, with millions of people lacking access to clean and safe
drinking water. In many rural communities, there is a widespread belief that rainwater collected
from rooftops is naturally pure and safe for consumption without treatment. This reliance on
untreated rainwater raises concerns regarding water-related health risks, particularly in regions
with limited access to water treatment infrastructure. The aim of this study was to explore the use
of nanotechnology to enhance harvested rainwater quality in the rural Umkomaas community in
South Africa (SA).
The study adopted a mixed-methods research approach, collecting quantitative data through a
structured questionnaire from 221 households that use rainwater harvesting systems, alongside
qualitative insights from 16 interviews. Participants were selected through convenient sampling to
gain a comprehensive understanding of the community's experiences and challenges regarding
rainwater harvesting systems. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the
quantitative data, and thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative data. The results revealed
roof harvesting was prevalent due to its simplicity, with plastic tanks commonly used for storing
rainwater. The primary uses of harvested rainwater included household cleaning, cooking, and
drinking. Participants reported frequent occurrences of illnesses such as abdominal pain and
diarrhoea, linked to the consumption of contaminated or untreated rainwater. The contamination
resulted from poor storage conditions, lack of filtration, and exposure to environmental pollutants.
The study advocates for nanotechnology application as a viable solution to address contamination
issues, proposing a dual nanofiltration system that incorporates filters at both storage container in-
and outlets. This approach includes wood-based nanofiltration membranes due to their unique
material properties, which make them particularly well-suited for water filtration applications. By
integrating nanotechnology into rainwater harvesting systems, this study presents an approach for
enhancing public health outcomes and demonstrates the potential for sustainable practices that
align with the broader goals of water security and community resilience. The research implications
extend beyond the rural Umkomaas community, offering valuable insights for similar communities
facing water scarcity and quality challenges globally.
A model to operate an on-campus retail store for workplace experiential learning
No full textMany retailers argue that university students do not have the practical experience and skills required in the workplace when graduating. This paper reports on research undertaken to address this issue and to identify a model to guide development and implementation of a retail store, on a university campus, to be used for work-integrated learning. A literature review was undertaken before a qualitative survey was conducted with 22 respondents, including retail lecturers, retail chain staff and other learning and retail experts. Data collection was via questionnaires, administered during semi-structured interviews. Lecturers provided details on activities and assessments used for practical assignments. Peer feedback via focus groups critiqued the findings once analysis was complete, increasing the trustworthiness of findings. A model was proposed that best suited the needs of retailers, learners and the university. Suggestions for further research are provided
The use of competitive intelligence as a strategic tool for student recruitment in public universities
No full textCompetitive intelligence strategies are employed by higher education institutions to assist with student recruitment. These competitive intelligence (CI) strategies help maintain or increase market share in education. Utilising competitive intelligence is crucial for firms in competitive markets, assisting in strategic planning and execution. Higher education organisations can benefit from CI to make informed decisions and develop strategic goals. The competition between selected public universities that reside in the same town has resulted in devising competitive strategies to attract grade 12 students with effective and innovative student recruitment strategies. The study sought to examine how competitive intelligence is used as a strategy to promote student recruitment at selected public universities. The study adopted a quantitative research approach where 234 first-time entering university students were used as key informants. To collect data, a questionnaire was used and is attached. It was discovered that both institutions utilised similar strategies to recruit students. Results reveal that the selected public universities employ traditional and technology-based strategies for student recruitment, relying on past success rather than a standardised approach based on competitive intelligence. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of competitive intelligence strategies in student recruitment, aiming to promote diverse communication needs among current and potential students