International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478)
Not a member yet
2644 research outputs found
Sort by
Exploring stochastic volatility in financial market
Get PDFFinancial markets areconstantly fluctuating in response to a range of factors. These fluctuations connote volatility which are unpredictable behaviour that deviates significantly from the patterns observed in stable conditions. It is therefore important to use standard stochastic volatility models to capture the time-varying nature of volatility during periods of financial distress in other to make informed decisions. The aim of this study was to explore stochastic volatility in financial markets during periods of financial distress using a Heston model. The sample financial markets were, the CAC 40, the DAX, the JSE, the Nasdaq Index and the Nikkei-225. The 2007/2008 financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic were used as sample time frames. The findings of this study revealed extortionate stochastic volatility during the Covid-19 pandemic compared to the 2007/2008 financial crisis. Since the 2007/ 2008 crisis stemmed from a collapse in the financial system, the nature of the event was more localized within the financial sector and had a somewhat more predictable unfolding than the Covid-19 pandemic. By Implication, it may be suggested that it was more difficult to price assets during the Covid-19 pandemic due to extreme uncertainty which resulted in inflated option premiums as investors sought hedging strategies
An era of political destruction: The post-South Africa’s 2024 Elections Outcome
Get PDFThe study provides a critical political analysis of South Africa’s 2024 election outcomes. It argues that the black electorate chose a political landscape that will continue to violate, dehumanize, and in some contexts, kill them. The article purposefully demonstrates that the election outcomes signify despair, coloniality as well as its power and a very dark future for the historically colonized people, even though some voters may have voted for political parties based on meritocracy. This study uses a qualitative research method and a secondary data collection method. This means that this article engages academic journals, books, newspaper articles, and research reports. Moreover, it finds that coloniality is evident because black voters were not able to outrightly put a black collective in power that jigsawed and declared its policies within the template of the Freedom Charter and objectives of the ANC Youth League of 1944. For this reason, the aim of this article is to expose that black voters chose a political landscape where they would continue to face the end of their own existence. The study concluded that the government must revisit the CODESA agreements that led to the compromise of the Freedom Charter to come up with a new social order that will create a new humanity that is detached from all forces of white oppression.
Cancer profiling in the littoral region of cameroon: Insights from a major health centre
Get PDFCancer remains a significant public health concern worldwide, necessitating ongoing efforts to understand its epidemiology and im- prove patient care. This cross-sectional epidemiological study, based on third-party statistics collected over a period of one and a half years (from October 2021 to March 2023), aimed to examine the sociodemographic characteristics and clinical profiles of cancer patients in the Littoral Region of Cameroon. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires, with strict adherence to ethical considerations. The study included 307 cancer patients.Key findings indicate a predominance of breast cancer, a significant proportion of patients aged 41-50 years, and a majority diagnosed at stage 4 of the disease. These results highlight the urgent need for early detection and targeted interventions in cancer care. Furthermore, the research explores factors contributing to the high rate of late-stage cancer diagnoses, such as lack of awareness, insufficient diagnostic facilities, and economic barriers that prevent many patients from seeking timely medical help. Based on these findings, the study recommends the development of comprehensive cancer management strategies, including enhancing public health education, improving diagnostic and treatment capacities, and implementing policy reforms aimed at making healthcare more accessible and affordable. Such measures are essential for reducing the burden of cancer in Cameroon and improving the overall health outcomes for its population
Connecting corporate communication to employee engagement for organisational success at Bakoena Services Pty Ltd
Get PDFThere is a disconnect between corporate communication and employee engagement which often leads to poor organizational culture and ultimately poor performance. Therefore, the study aims to address this phenomenon and connect corporate communication to employee engagement for organisational success. Organizations are aware of the indisputable connection between their success and employee engagement in the current competitive environment. With a qualitative method using an interpretivism research paradigm, this study explores how corporate communication at Bakoena Services Pty Ltd. promotes employee engagement. Senior, middle, and junior staff members provide detailed perspectives. The study used semi-structured interviews to investigate how employees feel about the channels of communication that are currently in place, as well as how effective they are perceived to be and how they affect engagement. It also looked at tactics and planned communication enhancements that Bakoena Services Pty Ltd. might use to encourage employee engagement. This study added to our knowledge of the complex interplay within a particular organizational setting between corporate communication and employee engagement as well as made contributions theoretically to the stakeholder theory which underpinned the study. The conclusions provided Bakoena Services Pty Ltd. with insightful information about modifying its communication strategies to foster a workforce that is more engaged, content, and eventually more productive. The study\u27s findings give suggestions for enhancement as well as insight into the role of corporate communication in promoting employee engagement at Bakoena Services Pty Ltd. The study\u27s main recommendation is to strengthen the role of human resources, which is crucial in addition to communication reform. The study also concludes that human resource staff members ought to be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in communication, engagement strategies, feedback management, and leadership development
Impact of job insecurity, job stress and negative emotions on counterproductive work behaviour among academic employees in Ghana
Get PDFThe antecedents of counterproductive work behaviour (CWB) in the higher education sector have remained unexamined in available literature. Moreover, the impact of job insecurity, job stress, and negative emotions on the occurrence of CWB within the academic context have hardly been interrogated. This study therefore, aimed at investigating the impact of job insecurity, job stress and negative emotions on CWB and further examining the mediating role of job stress and negative emotions in the occurrences of CWB among academics. Data was collected from 716 academics in Technical Universities in Ghana using self-reported questionnaires with close-ended questions and a convenient sampling technique. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was conducted to verify the measurement structure of the constructs. Structural Equation Model was employed to test the hypotheses in the conceptual model. The result showed a statistically significant direct effect of job insecurity, job stress and negative emotions on the occurrence of counterproductive work behaviour among academics. It was further revealed that there is a positive relationship between job insecurity and job stress, with job stress partially mediating the relationship between job insecurity and counterproductive work behaviour. Furthermore, negative emotions acted as a partial mediator in the relationship between job stress and counterproductive work behaviour. The findings have implications for higher education institutions in taking steps to address job insecurity, job stress, and negative emotional experiences of academics to mitigate counterproductive work behaviour among academics
Backyard gardening in the face of exacerbating rates of hunger and poverty in South Africa
Get PDFBackyard gardening holds immense promise as a viable solution to combat the escalating rates of hunger and poverty in South Africa. This study examines the dynamics of backyard gardening, its significance, potential contributions to food security and the myriad challenges it faces. The literature review explores the diverse dimensions of backyard gardening drawing insights from scholarly research and policy documents. The study underscores the pivotal role of backyard gardening in addressing food security, enhancing nutrition and promoting socio-economic resilience within communities. However, significant barriers such as limited access to land, water scarcity and inadequate support structures pose formidable challenges to its widespread adoption and effectiveness. Analysing the legislative frameworks, policy landscape and organisational initiatives surrounding backyard gardening illuminates’ pathways for overcoming barriers and harnessing its transformative potential. Moreover, it underscores the importance of reimagining backyard gardening as a dynamic strategy for inclusive development, grounded in principles of equity, sustainability and community empowerment. Through strategic interventions aimed at promoting equitable land tenure, enhancing water resource management and fostering community capacity building, South Africa can leverage backyard gardening as a powerful tool in its quest for a more resilient and food-secure future
Government efforts and shortcomings in elevating indigenous languages in South Africa over 30 years: A systematic review
Get PDFThis systematic review examines the initiatives and challenges faced by the South African government in promoting indigenous languages following the end of apartheid. This study evaluates progress, identifies barriers, and offers recommendations for future policy and practice. A systematic literature review approach was utilised to analyse government policies and initiatives aimed at promoting indigenous languages from 1994 to 2024. Searches conducted in electronic databases utilised terms such as "South Africa indigenous languages." The inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed articles, government reports, and policy documents that concentrate on language revitalisation initiatives. Findings reveal ongoing challenges stemming from historical marginalisation and systemic obstacles associated with colonial and apartheid-era policies. Indigenous languages, despite being constitutionally recognised, encounter significant implementation gaps, resource limitations, and societal attitudes that impede their incorporation into education, governance, and media. Recommendations emphasise the importance of improved policy implementation via augmented funding, initiatives for educational capacity-building, and the promotion of indigenous languages in media and public discourse. Addressing negative societal attitudes and promoting cultural pride is crucial for fostering linguistic inclusivity and preserving the diverse linguistic heritage of South Africa
Systemic failures and human rights violations: lessons from the Life Esidimeni Tragedy
Get PDFThe Life Esidimeni tragedy represents one of the most egregious human rights violations in South Africa\u27s contemporary history. This article examines the series of events that led to the deaths of 141 mental healthcare patients and the severe maltreatment of over 1,400 others following their forced relocation from the Life Esidimeni facility to various unlicensed NGOs. The Gauteng Department of Health\u27s decision to end its contract with Life Esidimeni without adequate planning or consultation led to a humanitarian disaster characterized by neglect, abuse, and gross violations of human rights. This paper reviews the timeline of events, the systemic failures, and the outcomes of various inquiries and legal proceedings, drawing lessons from the incident to inform future healthcare policies and practices. The findings emphasize the need for stringent oversight, transparent decision-making processes, and the protection of vulnerable populations in healthcare settings. The discussion reflects on the broader implications for mental healthcare reform and the importance of accountability and justice in preventing such tragedies. It also underlines the necessity of comprehensive policy frameworks and robust enforcement mechanisms to safeguard the rights and well-being of mental healthcare users
Nexus of fraud mitigation practices and profitability of insurance companies in South Africa
Get PDFThe objective of this study was to evaluate how measures taken to prevent fraud impact the Profitability of insurance companies operating in South Africa. The study adopted a descriptive research approach and surveyed a sample of 70 licensed insurance companies in the country. Primary sources of data were obtained by engaging claims managers in each of the firms, and descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The results of the study revealed that fraud mitigation measures significantly affect the Profitability of insurance companies in South Africa. The implementation of fraud prevention, detection, and response measures had a positive impact on the Profitability of these firms. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the Insurance Regulatory Authority establish regulations that mandate all insurance providers to collect and report statistics on fraud. Insurance firms should provide their employees with comprehensive training on fraud management and implement strict penalties and disciplinary measures for employees involved in fraudulent activities, as they can undermine the effectiveness of the fraud mitigation process
Exploring the role of the minibus-taxi industry on promoting taxi entrepreneurship in South Africa
Get PDFFrom the 1930s, the South African minibus-taxi industry has been playing a fundamental role in supporting the growth and development of minibus-taxi entrepreneurs. The minibus-taxi industry in South Africa is often misunderstood due to its informal nature. However, it is worth noting that the South African minibus-taxi industry has created economic opportunities for taxi entrepreneurs, and today it has an annual turnover of R38-billion to R50-billion. This study investigated the role of the South African minibus-taxi industry in promoting the development of taxi entrepreneurship in Mankweng taxi ranks, within the Limpopo Province and its limited within this area. The mixed-method research approach was used with a stratified-random sampling using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 110 taxi entrepreneurs. In addition, the study conducted group focus interviews purposively with 12 minibus-taxi bosses. Qualitative data was analysed using descriptive analysis and quantitative data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software and then transported to the Microsoft Excel for further analysis where necessary. The findings reveals poor business planning; weak support from both the Mankweng Taxi Association and government; and high fuel prices affects the day-to-day business activities and causing majority of minibus-taxi entrepreneurs running their businesses at loss without realisation. The study recommend an urgency for the Mankweng minibus-taxi group and their key stakeholders to design an entrepreneurship model suitable for the industry’s development to boost the local economy. This study sought to demonstrate the importance of unlocking the full potential of minibus-taxi entrepreneurship through sufficient support from both the government and minibus-taxi associations to address structural challenges, limited access to resources and finance, and regulatory complexities to lessen the burden of running the minibus-taxi business. The study challenges policy-makers intentionally to design programs aimed at incorporating the minibus-taxi business into boosting the overall economy in a formal manner