EUREKA: Social and Humanities
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The effect of performance management of strategy on an executive decision support framework for the financial service sector of a developing economy
Full text linkStrategic alignment from a performance perspective is difficult to achieve manually. Transparently aligning organizational strategy to each employee’s key performance indicators reduces the risk of duplication and redundancies in performances. Executive Decision Support Framework (EDSF) results in efficiency, cost reduction, and employee satisfaction when their performance is aligned with organizational goals on a continuous basis. This study posits that achieving optimum strategic alignment for the organization and reducing inefficiencies is a function of data and its ensuing analytics.
This paper presents mathematical evidence to confirm that Performance Management of Strategy is integral to an Executive Decision Support Framework (EDSF).
A mixed method research approach was followed where semi-structured interviews were held with Chief Information Officers. The semi-structured interviews formed the basis of survey design. The survey questionnaires were qualitatively analysed using structural equation modelling and the maximum likelihood estimates method, to mathematically prove Performance Management of Strategy is an integral part of Executive Decision Support Framework
This research provides evidence that Performance Management of Strategy is integral to and must be contained in the Executive Decision Support Framework.
Performance Management of Strategy is mathematically linked to an EDSF. Although Performance Management of Strategy comprises latent variables, there is a strong correlation between information quality and an EDSF
The geostrategy of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) and third parties: a focus on China: AfCFTA and Third Parties: A focus on China
No full textThe primary objective of this article is to interrogate Sino-Africa trade relations and questions if Africa a passive receiver of both Chinese and Western influence? This paper is divided into four sections. The first section of the paper outlines the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCTA). It is followed by a discussion of the political factors, driving Africa's desire for greater integration. The second section explains the potential trade impacts of the AfCFTA on African states and illustrates the rationale and appetite for the AfCFTA. Section three examines bilateral relations with third-parties, with a focus on China, speculating about the future of Sino-African trade relations and the AfCFTA. Finally, section four concludes the study. The discussion and findings suggest the following. Firstly, that African officials perceive the role of China in a positive light, and China is seen as a fellow developing country. Secondly, African leaders laud China for its contribution to the growth of African nations and their economic development. Thirdly, however, China is criticized for poor working conditions, this section should read and is seen to negotiate is seen to negotiate unfair deals and for some scholars China perpetuates the neo-colonial relationship and, in some countries, there have been violent protests against China. This study encompassed a qualitative, exploratory approach, which relied heavily on both primary and secondary sources of data
Translanguaging in an English First Additional Language context in the further education and training phase
Full text linkEnglish is used as a medium of teaching and learning in most South African public schools although most of these learners are English First Additional Language (EFAL) speakers. To counter this anxiety, translanguaging as a multilingual intervention becomes handy. Translanguaging is about engaging in multilingual discourse practices; it is an approach to bilingualism that is centred not on languages, as has been often the case but on the practices of bilinguals that are readily observable. This study aimed at exploring how grade 11 EFAL learners feel/behave when the teacher orders them to abandon their home languages the moment they enter the classroom and how to promote one’s home language in the classroom.This qualitative study involved 12 grade 11 EFAL learners, equally divided into two interview focus groups. These EFAL learners were purposively selected from one education district in South Africa. The findings indicate that learning involves building on what the learner knows, so that the learner brings it to the current situation, restructures it and creates new knowledge. Also, more knowledge is needed about how to prepare teachers to best serve multilingual learner populations, including how to incorporate new understandings of translanguaging into instruction and assessment practices
Transactional leadership and its effect on supply chain management in manufacturing SMEs
Full text linkThe continued lacklustre performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa has brought the quest for lasting solutions. One of the options available is to tap into the areas of leadership and supply chain management (SCM) as potential sources of SME growth.
This study analysed the link between transactional leadership and SCM in manufacturing SMEs in South Africa. The research constructs included transactional leadership, supply chain execution (SCE), and performance.
The research was conducted in Gauteng, North-West and the Free State provinces. Furthermore, the study focused on established manufacturing SMEs, registered with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA).
A quantitative research approach using a correlational design was used. 411 SME owners, managers and professional employees participated in the study.
Management by exception exerted a positive effect on SCE. In turn, SCE positively impacted customer service (CS) but did not affect supplier performance.
The impact of transactional leadership on the execution of SCM in manufacturing SMEs is minimal and is demonstrated through management by exception. Effective implementation of SCM in these businesses is essential for optimising CS
Wildlife crime and rhino poaching in South Africa: a qualitative document analysis of patterns and frequency of visitations of adventurers
Full text linkThe study describes rhino poaching as an illicit anti-social behaviour that has constantly been on increase in South Africa. Predominantly, KwaZulu-Natal, and specifically Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, became a highly protected zone for biota and wildlife sustainability. However, with environmental crime becoming more sophisticated in this province, criminal justice and anti-poaching teams need to be more equipped continuously with the necessary tools and strategies, required to stand united against wildlife crime. The study adopted document analysis to explore the use of cell phone data records as a forensic investigative instrument for tracing the frequency and patterns of activities of the two largest syndicate groups of rhino poachers from Mpumalanga and Winterveld to Hluhluwe-imfolozi park. Findings unfolded that cell phone records are a viable cellular geographic tool for tracing the footprints, patterns of movement and activities of illegal rhino hunters, affecting the poaching levels at Hluhluwe-imfolozi Park. The study’s findings were incredibly insightful into the behavioural activities of poachers, being one of the first to broaden the lens of cell phone data analysis on this scale. Evidence from the movement analysis revealed that poaching depends on a multitude of factors, such as global pandemic, border control measures, poaching levels rising in reserves, decreased policing measures and a lack of proactive strategies. The study concludes that cell phone data records, considered in isolation, cannot be reflected upon accurately, as a panacea for wildlife crime, without supporting facts from police procedure of intelligence gathering, local knowledge and partnership with local communities. Lastly, within the specific study area, it allows a unique view and perspective of the travel patterns of very sophisticated and advanced syndicate groups, as well as creating room for additional deeply rooted studies of poaching activity and incursions in South Africa
An insight into the socio-psycho contexts and modus operandi of South Africa’s worst serial killers over time
Full text linkOver the years, several myths have been peddled within societies and academic circles in relation to exploring the mysterious lives of serial killers. Socio-psycho factors have been used to explain some of their criminal behaviour. Some mythologies about serial killers are that most of them are loners, abused children, and sexually motivated killers. Some researchers have also attributed mental challenges, drugs, and alcohol as possible motives for serial killers. In some instances, some serial killers have confessed to heard unknown controlling voices, urging them to kill their victims. We are not in a rational or neutral position to know whether voices, hearing by serial killers, are actually factual experiences or not. However, to enter a plea of insanity for murder is widely known with the criminal law field. This is the reason why in some cases, offenders are accessed to ascertain their fitness to stand trial. This article deals with a very serious challenging crime and highlights the safety of citizens. The article has three aims, first, to explore and debunk the secretive world of serial killers. Second, to explore the serial killer’s motives and modus operandi. Third, to highlight the dangers serial killers pose to society. Some of the findings are that serial killer does not always live a life of a loner, and some understudy of serial killers found out some of them live a family life. Several serial killers were abused as children and from dysfunctional families and social backgrounds. Most serial killers are men and there is a patriarchal domineering and controlling personality, ascribed to serial killer
The dynamics of implementing climate change adaptation at the local municipal level
Full text linkThe purpose of the paper is to evaluate the dynamics of implementing climate change objectives within the South African local government. Climate change has been intensifying over the years and cities are recognised to be vulnerable. The promulgation of various acts and plans, such as the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996), Spatial Planning and Land Use and Management Act (SPLUMA), National Urban Development Framework and Integrated Development Plan (IDP), is to ensure environmental protection inclusive of climate change mitigation and adaptation. However, the multiplicity of challenges, such as budgetary constraints, lack of political will, capacitated personnel, coupled with service delivery backlogs, deter the commitment by the municipality to implement measures to adapt and mitigate climate change. The persistence of climate change effects around the city has reduced the resilience of South African cities. The resilient theory asserts that cities must have the ability to operate post any perturbation. The adaptation to climate change around the city is important to ensure the system’s ability to be resilient. The study found that the multiplicity of factors, interplaying within the City of Polokwane, demonstrates difficulties to adapt and mitigating climate change. The study concludes that the employment of solar systems, maintenance of drainage systems and proper planning are key determinants of affective planning in an attempt to mitigate and adapt to climate chang
Human resource professionals and readiness for the future of work
Full text linkThe current shift in the world of work, moving from a conventional to a digitalized workplace, has necessitated that professionals embrace and prepare for emerging work patterns. This study evaluates the readiness of human resource (HR) professionals for future work, given the emerging trends of the technologies of the fourth industrial revolution in Nigeria. This is particularly important because the HR professionals are responsible for the entire workforce in any organization and there are concerns that if HR is left out in the current transition to the fourth industrial revolution, many business segments will witness setbacks. The study leveraged on primary data and a survey of 218 HR professionals was conducted across organisations using survey monkey. Chi-square test of independence was used to ascertain the HR professionals' readiness, vis-a-vis their current grade level, supervisory responsibilities, and personal development plans. Findings revealed that most HR professionals are generally not ready for future work in Nigeria, as indicated by a p-value above 0.05. The result further shows that the higher the grade level, the less prepared they are for future work. This paper emphasized how human resource practitioners can prepare for the emerging shift in their world of work and policy recommendations were highlighte
Influence of school category on teachers’ self-efficacy and its domains in selected secondary schools
Full text linkTeachers’ self-efficacy remains one of the most important constructs that determine their delivery and competence in schools. In Kenya, it has been reported, that there is low teachers’ self-efficacy, however, no analytic attention had been paid to the influence of school category. The study examined the influence of school category on teachers’ self-efficacy in Kenyan secondary schools. The study used Concurrent Embedded Design. The sample size comprised 327 teachers, obtained using stratified sampling technique. The Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale and an interview schedule were used to collect data. The reliability of teachers’ self-efficacy was ascertained by using Cronbach’s alpha and a reliability coefficient of 0.992 was obtained. Quantitative data was analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Variance, while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The results indicated that the influence of school category on teachers’ self-efficacy was significant, Wilk’s λ (2, 324)=0.893, p=0.000. Furthermore, the results show that the influences of school category on teachers’ self-efficacy in student engagement, F (2, 324)=11.498, p=.000, instructional strategy, F (2, 324)=8.432, p=.000, and classroom management, F (2, 324)=10.173, p=.000, were all statistically significant. The study recommends that Teachers’ Service Commission should organize mentorship programs for teachers to boost their self-efficacies
IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE BALANCED SCORECARD THROUGH IMPLEMENTING ISO 31000 RISK ASSESSMENT AT SHOFA PHARMACY
Full text linkThis study aims to integrate the Balanced Scorecard and Risk Management at Shofa Pharmacy and its one branch. The risk assessment is based on the ISO 31000 framework model and the Balanced Scorecard is based on a financial perspective, a customer perspective, an internal business perspective and a learning and growth perspective. The results of risk identification show that the risks, faced by Shofa Pharmacy, are financial risk, operational risk, technology risk, business ethics risk, health and safety risk, economic risk, legal risk, political risk, market risk, and project risk. Based on the results of the analysis, the highest risk is a technology risk with the risk group in information technology protection, economic risk with the fall in a demand risk group, political risk with an inflation risk group and project risk with an evaluation risk group, then risk management is carried out to reduce the risk level