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Professional leadership investigation in big data and computer-mediated communication in relation to the 11th Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Global Blueprint global blueprint
No full textMethodology–The method adopted here is a research design and with the use of a quantitative researchdesign approachto carry out the analysis, thestudy investigated the connection between leadership influence, communication satisfaction, and job satisfaction in the context of CMC. Convenience sampling was used to gather the data, and structured questionnaires were used to protect the privacy and identity of the participants. The association between employee engagement and CMC was examined using multiple regression analysis. Findings–The questionnaireused in this study also evaluated participants' perceptions of workplace leadership, their satisfaction with communication, and their job satisfaction with the 11thSustainable Development Goals. The results showed a gender distribution with a slight female preponderance among the 103 participants (48 men and 55 women).
Furthermore, they indicated that computer-mediated communication (CMC) channels account for 65.4% of organizational communication. These results demonstrate the widespread adoption and utilization of information and communication technologies (ICTs) within the surveyed organizations. Practical Implication–The substantial presence of internet-based communication channels, representing 65.4% of organizationalcommunication, emphasizes these channels' crucial role in facilitating effective communication within these organizations. Overall, the study analyses the effects of big data and CMC on professionalism and provides insights into gender distribution among participants. Research Limitations–Encouraging inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements is the focus of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11. Although it focuses on housing and urban challenges, its theoretical implications can be applied to several different sectors, such as professional leadership in big data. Theoretically, SDG 11 may have the following effects on Big Data-related professional leadership investigations
Student protests and the brand image of a South African University of Technology
No full textStudent protests, often violent, can damage perceptions about universities and harm brand images. This study investigated the effects of student protests on the brand image of a university of technology in South Africa. An e-mailed questionnaire provided a sample of 402 students selected via purposive, quota and convenience sampling at a prominent University of Technology in South Africa. Participation was voluntary, confidential, and anonymous. Data was captured and analysed using descriptive and inferential, univariate and bivariate, statistics. Findings showed that student protests did disrupt learning, affecting operations such as the academic calendar being shortened, delay in graduation and threats to completion of the syllabus. Protests have a negative impact on the University’s brand image, sometimes leading to students deregistering due to the unsafe environment. Suggestions are provided for universities to better cope with student protests and further research is recommended with other universities to ascertain the wider impact of student protest
Exploring the lived experiences of vulnerable females from a low-resource setting during the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textThe onset of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the mental health and well-being of women in vulnerable settings. Currently, there is limited evidence that explores the wellness of elderly women under the associated restrictions. This study explores the lived experiences of elderly women in a vulnerable community in Durban, South Africa. A face-to-face, in-depth qualitative approach was implemented to interview 12 women aged 50 years and over. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings suggest that social interactions, the effect of a high death rate, and financial strain predominantly affect stress and anxiety levels. Despite the women being in receipt of pensions and/or other grants, their supplementary income was reduced. This, together with the additional expenses incurred during the lockdown, resulted in anxiety over finances. The lack of social interaction, with limits on visiting family and other loved ones when they were ill, along with the limit on the number of people attending the funerals of loved ones were also stressful. This study also reports on the resulting coping mechanisms, which included using hobbies such as baking and sewing as a means of self-care. Religious beliefs also relieved stress while home remedies were used as preventative measures during the lockdown restrictions due to COVID-19
Size matters : the market–non-market strategy nexus and firm performance in South Africa
No full textPurpose: This study seeks to discover how a firm’s size and its use of both market and non-market strategies (MS and NMS) impact firm performance in South Africa.Design/methodology/approach: We used the Prolific platform to gather survey data from 247 executives and managers across the country representing a variety of firm sizes and industries. Cronbach’s alpha, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and structural equation modelling via partial least squares (PLS-SEM) were then employed to test constructs and hypotheses. Configuration theory and social exchange theory (SET) are the conceptual foundations for this study.Findings/results: Firm size is a driver of the market strategy of differentiation, but not cost leadership. Larger firms are also more likely to pursue both political and social NMS. Differentiation and social NMS positively impact firm performance, but cost leadership and political NMS do not.Practical implications: Managers should emphasise differentiating their products and services rather than being a low-cost provider. When considering various non-market strategies, they should emphasise social NMS. Although large firms are more likely than small firms to pursue political NMS, they do not appear to accrue any benefit.Originality/value: This study fills gaps in the strategy-performance literature by directly linking firm size to strategic choices and by analysing the effects of different types of MS and NMS on firm performance. As such, it is valuable to both academics and practitioners. This study also advances our understanding of MS and NMS in South Africa.</jats:p
12 Polyphenol oxidases : the future toward global sustainability
No full textPolyphenol oxidases (PPOs) are enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of phenolic compounds, which are abundant in many plant-based foods. PPOs are crucial in postharvest losses and food waste, especially in developing countries with underdeveloped food supply chains. There has been a growing interest in utilizing PPOs for sustainable food production and preservation, modifying phenolic compounds to develop new food products, detecting phenolic compounds in various products, and utilizing bioremediation, agriculture, biotechnology, and waste management techniques to promote global sustainability. These advances have the potential to provide effective solutions toward achieving a more sustainable future. The most promising application of PPOs for achieving global sustainability is their use as a natural preservative to prolong the shelf life of fresh produce. They can be used to produce novel food products, such as functional foods and nutraceuticals, by modifying the phenolic compounds. The approach can add value to the food industry by creating new products with health benefits and reducing waste. PPOs can be used in bioremediation processes to degrade phenolic compounds found in industrial wastewater and produce natural antioxidants from food waste, promoting circular economy principles. They can also contribute to sustainable agriculture by increasing plant resistance to pests and diseases, reducing synthetic pesticides and herbicides, and improving crop yields. Overall, PPOs have a promising role in creating a more sustainable environment. This chapter thoroughly examines the latest developments in utilizing PPOs for sustainable food production and waste management. It emphasizes the enzyme's potential in natural preservation, novel food production, bioremediation, and sustainable agriculture. Additionally, the authors explore the wide range of applications for PPOs, such as biosensors, bioremediation, agriculture, and biotechnology
The influence of career growth opportunities on administrative officers' job satisfaction at a selected university in South Africa
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Master of Management Sciences in Administration and Information Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2024.Career growth opportunities play a crucial role in influencing employee satisfaction
across various sectors globally, including among administrative officers in South
African higher education institutions. Despite their vital role in organisational support,
limited research exists on how career growth impacts the job satisfaction of these
professionals. This study addresses this gap by exploring the relationship between
career growth opportunities and job satisfaction among administrative officers at a
selected South African higher education institution.
Grounded in Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory, the study employed a post-positivist
research paradigm, integrating both quantitative and qualitative methods. Data was
collected through a survey design, using questionnaires administered to administrative
officers. Descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis were utilized to interpret
the findings.
The study offers several recommendations to enhance career growth and job
satisfaction, thereby fostering a work environment conducive to both individual
development and organisational success.
Expanding development programs beyond technical skills is essential. By
incorporating leadership, conflict management, and personal growth opportunities,
institutions can equip administrative officers with the necessary tools to lead teams,
manage workplace challenges, and build resilience. This comprehensive development
approach will not only improve job performance but also prepare staff for future
leadership roles, enhancing career mobility and retention.
Establishing clear career pathways is critical for long-term engagement. A structured
and transparent progression framework, supported by mentorship and regular career
workshops, will provide administrative officers with a clear understanding of their
advancement opportunities. Additionally, cross-training and lateral movement options
will broaden their expertise, ensuring continued motivation and commitment to the
institution. Furthermore, enhancing recognition mechanisms will ensure administrative officers
feel valued and motivated. Formal recognition programs, paired with personalized
feedback from management, can foster a culture of appreciation and drive higher
levels of job satisfaction. Performance-based incentives, such as bonuses or salary
adjustments, will further reinforce the value of their contributions.
Improving job clarity is also essential for increasing job satisfaction. Regularly updated
job descriptions, aligned with officers' skills and aspirations, along with clear
performance expectations, will foster a sense of purpose, boost productivity, and
ensure accountability.
Finally, investing in employee well-being is vital for maintaining a healthy, engaged
workforce. Flexible work arrangements, stress management resources, and wellness
programs can enhance morale, reduce burnout, and create a more resilient and
productive administrative team.
By implementing these recommendations, institutions will not only cultivate a more
satisfied and motivated administrative workforce but also strengthen overall
organisational performance and sustainability. These targeted strategies will lead to
increased productivity, reduced turnover, and a deeper commitment to institutional
success.
A new relaxed Tseng method for finding a common solution of fixed point and split monotone inclusion problems
No full textIn this paper, we study the problem of nding a common solution to a xed point
problem involving a nite family of -demimetric operators and a split monotone inclusion
problem with monotone and Lipschitz continuous operator in real Hilbert spaces. Motivated
by the inertial technique and the Tseng method, a new and e cient iterative method for
solving the aforementioned problem is introduced and studied. Also, we establish a strong
convergence result of the proposed method under standard and mild conditions
Financial literacy operationalization model for agribusiness entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe
No full textAgribusiness is the cornerstone of the Zimbabwean economy as most people survive on
agricultural related activities and it is regarded as the first step to fighting poverty among the
rural population. However, the sector has not been performing well in terms of productivity due
to various factors, which include poor management of borrowed funds, higher loan defaults and
financial exclusion. The study sought to assess the level of financial knowledge, financial
behaviours, and financial attitudes of agribusiness entrepreneurs and to develop an
operationalisation model for improving financial literacy. Pragmatism research philosophy
guided this research to use mixed method approaches and sequential mixed method research
design. Quantitative data was first collected using a research questionnaire, followed by
interviews that were conducted to build upon quantitative results. Multistage cluster sampling
and convenience sampling was used to select research participants. Research findings
established that agribusiness entrepreneurs: (1) have low financial knowledge, (2) exhibit poor
financial behaviours (3) have good financial attitudes except for diverting a portion of business
loans for personal use. The general level of financial literacy was very low among agribusiness
entrepreneurs. Hence the study recommended a financial literacy operationalisation model for
agribusiness entrepreneurs for consideration by policy makers
Evaluation of the application of Integrated Financial Management Information Systems in selected municipalities of KwaZulu-Natal
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Business and Information Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2024.This study evaluates the implementation and effectiveness of Integrated Financial Management
Information Systems (IFMIS) in selected municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South
Africa. The study is driven by the observation that the current financial systems in these
municipalities are not fully integrated, contributing significantly to issues of corruption, fraud,
and inefficiency. The primary aim is to assess whether the existing financial management
information systems can generate credible reports that aid in strategic decision-making by
management and stakeholders.
Given the qualitative nature of the study, interpretivism emerged as the most suitable research
philosophy. A purposive sampling method was employed to select municipalities that best
addressed the research objectives, involving 12 senior officials from three municipalities. This
study used in-depth interviews for data collection, and thematic analysis was employed to
analyse data collected from selected municipalities, utilising a cross-case analysis approach to
explore unexpected findings, commonalities, contradictions, and conclusions across multiple
cases. Innovation Diffusion Theory and Technology-Organisation-Environment were used to
underpin the study.
The research highlights the significant gaps in the current systems, including limited reporting
capabilities, inadequate training provided to the relevant officials, insufficient server capacity,
a high level of UIFW expenditures, and weak security controls. These deficiencies contribute
to sub-optimal financial management and service delivery performance. Moreover, the study
identifies critical barriers to the successful implementation of IFMIS, such as resistance to
change, and technical challenges. It also explores best practices and proposes new
technological approaches that could enhance the financial management capabilities of
municipalities. The research concludes by developing a framework for the successful
implementation of IFMIS, aimed at improving financial accountability, transparency, and
efficiency in municipal operations. The key findings suggest that while IFMIS has the potential
to significantly improve financial management and service delivery, its success depends on
addressing the identified challenges and adopting a comprehensive implementation strategy.
The study provides valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, decision-makers
in the municipalities, and other stakeholders involved in enhancing financial systems in local
government.
The effects of internal communication on institutional success : a case study of a selected University of Technology
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences specialising in Human Resources Management, Durban, South Africa, 2024.This study, is grounded in Quirke’s internal communication framework and using Durban
University of Technology (DUT) as a case study, investigates the role of effective internal
communication in enhancing employee relations, employee engagement, and diversity
management to drive institutional success within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
Employing a quantitative research design, the study utilised a pre-coded, structured
questionnaire with closed-ended questions, organized into specific main themes aligned
with the research objectives. The target population comprised DUT employees, and a
simple random sampling method was used to select 310 participants, comprising both
administrative and academic staff. The data was analysed using descriptive and
inferential statistics, including factor analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM).
Findings indicate that communication practices are generally perceived as positive, but
highlight concerns regarding decision-making participation and feedback mechanisms.
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified four key components: internal
communication and engagement, continuous feedback and goal attainment,
communication clarity and attainment, and work environment satisfaction and
engagement. The SEM analysis provides valuable insights into the complex interplay
between communication variables and their impact on employee engagement and goal
attainment. These insights suggest that targeted communication strategies focusing on
clarity, inclusivity, and support can significantly enhance workforce engagement and
alignment in HEIs.
The study emphasises that improving clarity in communication channels and fostering a
supportive communication environment can positively influence employee engagement
and goal attainment in HEIs. Additionally, promoting inclusive communication practices
can further amplify these effects by facilitating a more transparent and participative
communication culture in institutions of higher learning. This research contributes to
organisational communication theory advancement by empirically validating the
relationships outlined in Quirke’s Progression of Internal Communication Framework in
the context of HEIs. By elucidating the mechanisms through which communication
channels, supportive communication environment, clarity in communication, and inclusive
communication influence employee engagement, employee relations, diversity management and ultimately goal attainment, the study provides fresh dimensions on
internal communication dynamics, and their implications for higher institutions’ success.