International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478)
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Experiences of online teaching in South African university: Towards teacher professional development
Get PDFThe purpose of the study was to investigate the importance of Teacher Professional Development in the implementation of online teaching as a tool for distance learning since the onset of COVID- 19. Before the outburst of the coronavirus pandemic, lecturers were used to face-to-face contact sessions, and most of the students did not have laptops. So, the distressing experience of COVID-19 has catalyzed the need for continuing professional teacher development. The study employed the theory of reasoned behavior and the theory of planned behaviour. The theory of reasoned action aims to explain the relationship between attitudes and behaviours within human action. It is used to predict how individuals will behave based on their pre-existing attitudes and behavioural intentions. The latter includes behavioural control as an additional determinant of intentions and behaviour. The study adopted qualitative methodology and employed the case study. The data was collected through interviews with four university lecturers, who were chosen through purposive sampling technique. The data revealed that most teachers perceived online teaching as a good intervention during the period of COVID- 19. However, teachers lacked training and experience when it comes to online teaching. This resulted in lot of uncertainty when it came to online teaching, and frustration for older teachers. In conclusion, the paper highlighted the need for teacher development in the form of in-service training and suggested that teachers should register for short courses on online learning, implementing mentorship programs by the tertiary institutions
Artificial Intelligence in higher education: a decade’s bibliometric snapshot, emerging themes and future research
Get PDFArtificial intelligence has become an integral part of higher education, significantly transforming the landscape of higher education. This study aims to identify, analyse and visualise peer-reviewed academic research output on artificial intelligence (AI) and graduate attributes in higher education. Data was gathered from the Scopus database over a decade (2014-2024), with search terms related to artificial intelligence, graduate attributes, and higher education. Following the PRISMA method guidelines, 106 articles were deemed necessary for review. Bibliometric methods, content and thematic analysis were used to identify main themes, and VoSviewer software was used to analyse the data. The findings revealed research productivity, citation overview, the main subjects, the territory of the leading researchers, thematic choices and future research opportunities and directions. Themes such as the impacts of AI on graduate attributes emerged, which may assist policymakers, educational institutions, teachers and students in their strategies and choices for adopting and using AI. The study recognised research trends, provided insights into the current state of AI and higher education research, and identified potential gaps in the literature on the research landscape of AI, graduate attributes, and higher education. The study can guide future researchers on emerging thematic opportunities
Reforming public sector supply chains in Limpopo: Unveiling governance challenges and strategic imperatives
Get PDFSupply Chain Management (SCM) plays a vital role in any organization, facilitating trade both globally and locally. An organization with a robust SCM can easily meet demands, ensuring that goods or services are readily available and delivered promptly. However, poor structuring and management of SCM can lead to significant challenges, including service delivery failures. This study aims to analyze supply chain practices in the public sector in Limpopo Province, specifically focusing on public entities. The study seeks to identify weaknesses within the supply chain practices of public entities in Limpopo, highlighting issues such as lack of strategic alignment, inadequate policy implementation, and poor enforcement of SCM rules and regulations. A qualitative research approach was employed, collecting data through interviews with various experts from different public sectors to address the identified flaws in SCM practices. The findings reveal that there is a significant misalignment between supply chain and organizational strategies, which has led to service delivery backlogs, high levels of corruption, and continuous strikes across the province for better services. The study also finds that top-level management, including provincial leaders, do not perceive SCM as vital enough to warrant their attention, resulting in limited support for SCM practitioners. The lack of strategic focus and governance failures in SCM contribute to financial inefficiencies and poor service delivery, underscoring the need for provincial leaders to adopt a more strategic approach to SCM as a tool for improving public service delivery. This study provides insights into the critical role of SCM in the public sector, highlighting the urgent need for effective strategies, policy enforcement, and managerial support to mitigate governance and compliance failures. The research underscores the necessity for public entities in Limpopo to realign SCM strategies with organizational goals to enhance service delivery and combat corruption
A literature review on sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship: Encouraging positive change in a dynamic world
Get PDFSustainable innovation and entrepreneurship have emerged as pivotal drivers of positive change in today\u27s dynamic world, where environmental, social, and economic challenges intersect. This paper explores the nexus between sustainable innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal impact, examining the evolution, principles, and case studies that exemplify the transformative potential of sustainable ventures. Through an analysis of leading exemplars across industries, including Tesla, Patagonia, and Unilever, key lessons learned and best practices are identified, highlighting the importance of stakeholder collaboration, transparency, and long-term commitment to sustainability. Moreover, the paper assesses the impact of sustainable innovation on society, emphasizing economic growth, environmental conservation, and social equity as critical outcomes. Looking ahead, emerging trends in sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship present opportunities for future ventures, yet challenges such as regulatory complexity and resource scarcity must be addressed. Recommendations for encouraging a culture of sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship globally include promoting collaboration, incentivizing sustainable practices, and investing in education and research. By embracing sustainability as a guiding principle, businesses can drive positive change, foster innovation, and contribute to a more resilient, equitable, and environmentally sustainable future
Affordance of Internet of Things for educational resources management for E-learning domain
Get PDFThe Internet of Things (IoT) offers dual dimensions of affordance for educational resources management (ERM), particularly in a Comprehensive open distance e-learning institution in South Africa. The affordance of IoT for educational resources management is not well articulated in a CODEL institution. The study aimed to establish the role of IoT in the administration and management of educational resources. Technology affordance theory is used to establish the role, perceptions, and causality of IoT affordance in ERM. The research opted for the qualitative approach to establish the role and causality of the IoT affordance of ERM. The study found that the CODEL institution is IoT-driven when handling ERM. The main contribution relates to two propositions such as South African higher education institutions, including the CODEL institution, require the articulation and realignment of an IoT-driven business enterprise system for the implementation of OER in tuition; and in an IoT-driven context such as CODEL, where OER are implemented, there is a motive for academics and institutions to develop an Artificial Intelligence or interactive robot for creating and locating OER. It suggests that CODEL should realign its business enterprise system with IoT-driven infrastructure and adopt artificial intelligence practices for OER advancement. Future research should investigate the availability of IoT in all South African higher education institutions
When cannabis use privately finds itself in the workplace a reflection on Enever v Barloworld equipment: A division of Barloworld SA (Pty) Ltd (2024) 45 ILJ 1554 (LAC)
Get PDFIn this case note, we disagree with the Labour Appeal Court’s decision in which it found that the dismissal of an employee for testing positive for cannabis consumed in her private home was unfair on account of discrimination. In particular, we hold the view that the finding that the employer could not prove intoxication, was misconceived. We argue that because the employee admitted to being dependent on cannabis, proof of intoxication or impairment was unwarranted. We lean on the literature which evinces that cannabis users suffer from cognitive deficits. We then argue that cognitive decline is no more than an impairment that may affect productivity
Emotional intelligence and lecturer satisfaction: mediating effects of workplace environment and work-life balance in Ghanaian higher learning institutions
Get PDFThis study examined the direct and mediating relationships between lecturer’s emotional intelligence, work-life balance, workplace environment and job satisfaction among higher learning institutions in Ghana. The study adopted cross-sectional explanatory and correlational research approach. A total of two hundred and forty-eight (248) lecturers were sampled from twenty (20) randomly selected colleges of education in Ghana to participate in the study. Questionnaires served as the data collection instruments. Seven (7) hypotheses were tested for direct and mediating relationships among the variables using Partial Least Squares (PLS) Structural Equation Modelling. For direct effects, the following were found: Significant positive relationships existed between lecturer’s emotional intelligence and job satisfaction as well as lecturer’s emotional intelligence and workplace environment. The results also indicated that, a significant positive relationship exists between lecturer emotional intelligence and work-life balance. Moreover, significant positive relationships were found to exist between work-life balance and job satisfaction as well as workplace environment and job satisfaction among lecturers. For indirect effects, it was found that work-life balance and workplace environment mediated the relationships between lecturer’s emotional intelligence and job satisfaction. The study contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence from the Ghanaian context and highlights the need for higher education institutions to prioritize emotional intelligence development among their staff. Practical implications include recommendations for training programs and supportive policies aimed at fostering emotional intelligence, promoting a positive work culture, and enhancing overall job satisfaction among lecturers. Future research directions include longitudinal studies and investigations into other cultural, institutional and contextual factors that influence job satisfaction in academic settings
An investigation of the impact of green perceived value and green perceived risk on repurchase intention through green trust in green product Adidas
Get PDFThis study examines the impact of green perceived value and green perceived risk on repurchase intention mediated by green trust in Adidas green products. This study is explanatory and employs a quantitative methodology. The study\u27s population comprised individuals who purchased Adidas green products. This study employs a purposive sampling technique. The sample size consists of 190 respondents. The data utilized in this study were gathered by questionnaire. The acquired data were analyzed using SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) PLS. The findings indicated that Green Perceived Value positively enhances repurchase intention and trust. Furthermore, Green Perceived Risk adversely affects repurchase intention and trust, while Green Trust enhances repurchase intention. Green Trust can enhance the relationship between Green Perceived Value and Green Perceived Risk regarding repurchase intention, but its mediation role is partial. This study highlights that to increase repurchase intention, Adidas should focus on high green perceived value through consistent product quality and emphasize its environmental commitment to attract younger consumers. Although green perceived risk is low, Adidas should minimize negative risks and maintain product quality. Additionally, green trust plays a crucial role in strengthening consumer confidence and attracting new customers
Is traffic police SERVQUAL assessment different among drivers in terms of experience? : Case study of the Philippines and South Africa
Get PDFDesigning tailored services is critical to enhancing client satisfaction for private and public services such as road traffic. Among the factors associated with car accidents are traffic violations of established rules and regulations. Indeed, driving skills and practice have become crucial in a complex and dynamic road environment. The study’s objective was to advise traffic department managers on how to customize their service for drivers regarding their experience. A questionnaire assessing their expectations and perceived performance with regard to six traffic service quality dimensions, namely tangibility, reliability, promptitude, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy, was self-administered to 886 motorists chosen using a simple random sampling technique in the Philippines and South Africa. Data collected were analyzed using ANOVA and Post Hoc Tuckey HSD. Results indicate that less experienced drivers had a better appreciation of traffic service quality provided by traffic departments and officers. Therefore, more focus should be placed on experienced drivers to raise their level of satisfaction
Exploring the impact of green human resource management on pro-environmental behaviors: a study in Afghanistan\u27s industrial sector
Get PDFGreen human resource management, or GHRM, is a relatively new idea but is already thought to be an essential tool for fostering sustainable behavior in businesses. We intended to find out how GHRM affects worker pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) by using worker engagement (WENG) and the green psychological climate (GPC) as mediators. The study tested and analyzed the suggested model using the PLS-SEM technique via SmartPLS 4. To gather data from 324 valid respondents—HR managers and employees—we used a quantitative study approach. These participants were chosen randomly from three industrial parks in Afghanistan. The analysis\u27s findings demonstrated that GHRM possessed a positive impact on employees\u27 PEBs. Furthermore, the employees\u27 pro-environmental behaviors PEBs are fostered by the green psychological climate GPC and worker engagement WENG. The study presents new findings indicating that, in the Afghanistan industrial context, GHRM both directly and indirectly affects employees\u27 PEBs through the partially mediating effects of GPC and WENG. The present research is significant because it fills in the gaps in the literature and offers new perspectives on GHRM. Notably, there aren\u27t many GHRM studies that focus on Afghanistan\u27s industrial sector. Furthermore, in analyzing these connections and evaluating the mediation effects, this study contributes to the body of knowledge currently available on PEBs. Additionally, this study makes a practical contribution to the industrial sector by offering guidance on how to improve managers\u27 understanding of GHRM policies, enhance employee PEBs at work, and foster an environmentally friendly organizational culture