International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478)
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Digital literacy: a foreign language for students from rural areas in South Africa
Get PDFThe Digital literacy has become an imperative part of higher education, since the Covid19 outbreak, traditional institutions had to adapt digital learning techniques. However, students from rural schools were left in the dark. Since there are still some extremely poor schools in the rural parts of South Africa, where there is still no access to electricity. Therefore, the ability to use any digital tools remains a huge challenge for such students. The transition from a rural school to an urban higher education institution that is very tech savvy and living in the 4th industrial revolution is extensively difficult. Subsequently, the success of students from rural schools gets hindered. However, this doesn’t necessary mean that these students are incapable of succeeding in their respective programs. This paper aims to explore the challenges faced by students from rural schools regarding digital literacy. The research methodology will be a quantitative approach, the sample will be drawn from students in traditional universities who are coming from rural high schools. The findings of this paper will be used to recommend ways of increasing the success rate of learners from rural schools in digital literacy and skills development for traditional universities in South Africa.
Keywords: Digital Literacy, Inclusive Education, Student Succes, South African Higher Education
Subject classification codes: I230; I240; I21
Navigating the 21st century marketplace: the role of digital marketing in SME development in Nigeria
Get PDFThe ever-evolving digital marketing landscape has continuously adapted to technological advancement, consumer behaviour and ecosystem trends. The 21st century marketplace needs traditional marketing practices, and digital platforms to ensure the actualisation of their growth and development in the ecosystem. The study examined how different digital marketing platforms can influence SMEs\u27 operations and performance (Online marketing, and ICT initiatives). The study employed a quantitative design with primary data collection via a questionnaire designed based on 5-Likert’s Scale to answer the research questions; if there is a significant relationship between Online Marketing and SMEs\u27 Business Competitiveness, and if ICT initiative has a positive relationship with SMEs\u27 Business Growth. Two (2) hypotheses were formulated and tested using a statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). To ascertain the hypotheses formulated, both descriptive and regression analyses were carried out, and the output clearly showed a significant influence of digital marketing on the performance of SMEs. The result shows a positive impact of online marketing on SME business competitiveness. However, this study concluded that in the technology-driven environment, 21st-century SMEs will always see the usefulness and relevance of digital marketing because of its role in improving their performance. This study recommends that SMEs incorporate intensive digital platforms and engage in time-to-time updates of their online marketing channels
Are hotels meeting customer expectations regarding service quality: A study of hotels in Pretoria, South Africa
Get PDFThis study explores customers\u27 perceptions of the service quality provided in the hotel industry in Pretoria, in the Republic of South Africa. Considering the growth of the hotel industry in Pretoria, this study revealed that customers expect to receive a high level of service quality, leading to customer satisfaction and producing a positive perception of hotel service quality. An exploratory research design was adopted, and qualitative data were collected by interviewing hotel customers. Regarding limitations, this study was conducted at one selected hotel in Pretoria. Atlas.ti software was used to analyse the collected data. The analysis of the data identified several specific themes that were relevant to shaping the perceptions of the respondents in terms of service quality and their satisfaction with the service quality received. The themes supported existing literature regarding (i) the factors influencing perceptions of service and (ii) the specific influences within those themes, which were elaborated on, finally leading to recommendations for managing service quality perceptions in the hotel industry.
The effects of behavioral intention to use e-procurement system on public procurement performance in emerging countries: buyer-supplier perspectives from Tanzania
Get PDFThis article aims to assess the direct and indirect influence of suppliers\u27 and buyers\u27 behavioral intention on the performance of public procurement in Tanzania. This is accomplished by analyzing their utilization of the e-procurement system, using an adapted rendition of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. The study used an explanatory cross-sectional survey research design and implemented a stratified sampling method to choose a sample of 312 participants, comprising of both customers and providers. The data collecting process included administering a questionnaire consisting of closed-ended questions and conducting a thorough examination of pertinent documents. The gathered data was then examined using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling, with the aid of SmartPLS 4 software. The findings indicate that behavioral intention has a favorable, direct, and indirect impact on the performance of public procurement. The research suggests that the effectiveness of public procurement is indirectly impacted by the behavioral inclination of both buyers and suppliers to use the e-procurement system. Moreover, the efficiency of the e-procurement system is significantly impacted by the use patterns of both purchasers and vendors. Therefore, it is recommended that developing countries, such as Tanzania, should take into account the behavioral intention and usage behavior of both buyers and suppliers before, during, and after the adoption of an e-procurement system.
 
Transformational leadership and organizational culture of Islamic boarding school mediated by employee engagement
Get PDFThis study examines the effect of transformational leadership and organizational culture on employee performance in teachers of formal boarding schools in Bangkalan, Madura through the mediation of employee engagement. This research was conducted at three boarding schools in Bangkalan, Madura. This research uses saturated sampling. Primary data were obtained by distributing questionnaires to 89 teaching staff. Data analysis used the Least Square partial structural equation model (SEM-PLS) with the Smart-PLS 3.0 application. The results showed that transformational leadership and organizational culture have a positive and significant effect on employee performance. This study also found that employee engagement is able to partially mediate the effect of transformational leadership on employee performance. Employee engagement also acts as a partial mediation on the effect of organizational culture on employee performance. Based on these findings, it is necessary to pay attention and optimize the practice of transformational leadership style and organizational culture continuously to be able to improve employee performance
Leveraging on indigenous knowledge systems for leadership development in young men: Discernable lessons from Ulwaluko amongst Xhosa speakers.
Get PDFUlwaluko or Traditional Male Circumcision is an old African practice that has survived years of criticism and attenuation of Western civilization through religion and education. With the growing Western influence on the continent, there is mounting questioning of the virtues of ulwaluko in some circles even amongst Africans themselves. Proponents of ulwaluko see the ritual as a potent tool for leadership development amongst young men. By adopting a qualitative research design, the authors collected data by interviewing young men who recently performed the ritual. Adopting a phenomenological approach helped the author understand the lived experiences of the target group. The researcher found that over time, there have been influences that sought to weaken and derail the intended objectives of ulwaluko. The researcher also found that leadership development has always been and continues to be integral to the ritual. The recommendations from the study are that the custodians of African cultural beliefs, customs, and values should reclaim their scope of influence and dominance on cultural practices. Greater awareness also needs to be created of the virtues of ulwaluko particularly amongst the younger generations. The author concludes that ulwaluko still plays a pivotal and prominent role in leadership development amongst young African males and that its benefits cannot be undermined.
 
Influence of valuable resources in performance of SMEs in Nairobi County
Get PDFAbstract
Resources and capabilities in SMEs are only advantageous when the SMEs have the potential to execute the right strategies and processes. SMEs must analyze their business environments and understand the resources available to operate efficiently and effectively and achieve a sustained performance. This study is the subject of the influence of valuable resources on performance of SMEs. This study used a cross-sectional survey design. The target population for this study comprised of 121, 680 SMEs. The research used stratified random sampling technique. The sample size of this study was 399 SMEs. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Findings showed that there was a positive significant correlation between valuable resource and SMEs performance (r=.270; p<.01). According to the linear regression analysis valuable resources account for 7.3% of SMEs performance. According to the regression coefficients, one-unit increase in valuable resources improved SMEs performance by 0.269 units (? = 0.269). The t-statistics results showed that t = 4.778, p<0.05. Therefore, there was enough evidence to reject the null hypothesis and conclude that valuable resources have a statistically significant influence on SMEs Performance. The study concluded that valuable resource has a significant relationship with SMEs Performance. Valuable resources have a statistically significant influence on SMEs Performance. Increasing valuable resources in an SMEs will help the enterprise register higher performance.
Key Words: Organizational Resources, Valuable Resources, Performanc
Legal protection for informal sector workers in employment development in Indonesia: challenges and opportunities
Get PDFThis research aims to investigate, rationalize and identify the issue of legal protection for informal workers which is in the critical category. Therefore, this article is entitled Legal Protection for Informal Sector Workers in Employment Development in Indonesia: Challenges and Opportunities. The research method used is a normative juridical approach, document study, using qualitative methods in analyzing data and using secondary data as the source. The results of this research found that Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning the Determination of Government Regulations instead of Law Number 2 of 2022 concerning Job Creation into Law (Undang-Undang Nomor 6 Tahun 2023 tentang Penetapan Peraturan Pemerintah Pengganti Undang-Undang Nomor 2 Tahun 2022 Tentang Cipta Kerja Menjadi Undang-Undang or UU 6/2023) does not regulate informal workers at all, so there is a vacuum in terms of legal protection for informal workers in Indonesia. Therefore, national legislation is needed regarding legal protection for informal workers, which essentially contains work agreements between employers and informal workers/labourers. In this way, the government and the legislature are expected to be able to establish regulations and legislation to protect informal and vulnerable workers amidst the increasing informalization of the labour market due to the impact of accelerated advances in information and communication technology
Challenges confronting nurses caring for persons diagnosed with intellectual disability at a Mental Health Institution in Gauteng, South Africa
Get PDFThis paper aims to explore and describe the challenges experienced by nurses caring for persons diagnosed with intellectual disability. Caring for persons with intellectual disability is understood be challenging for families. This could be worse for nurses due to the challenging behaviour the persons with intellectual disability present with. This may be exacerbated by the attitudes nurses have towards persons with intellectual disability. The researchers ask the following questions: “What are the challenges experienced by nurses caring for persons with intellectual disability?” We employed an exploratory-descriptive research design, using in-depth individual face-to-face interviews to explore the nurses’ experiences. Using Tesch’s method of open coding, two overarching themes emerged: (1) Care-related challenges and (2). Facilitation of a supportive, caring environment. The findings of the study demonstrate that the experienced challenges are related to the mental status of the persons diagnosed with intellectual disability, the therapeutic environment, shortage of specialized personnel and role ambiguity. Hence, the nurses yearn for a supportive environment which includes family support and support from the institution\u27s management, including the provision of psychosocial support, which plays a pivotal role in achieving a safe, caring environment. The findings of this study could be used to develop strategies to facilitate a supportive, caring environment to minimize therapeutic challenges
Examining the impact of political patronage on the efficacy of SAA in executing its mandate
Get PDFPolitical interference has been one of the leading factors in inhibiting state-owned entities reach their mandates. Through political patronage, political elites are the gateway to the SOE\u27s thus impacting the efficacy of most state-owned entities. In this regard, South African Airways (SAA) is also one of the entities in the grip of corruption due to political patronage. Therefore, this political patronage has been the difference between the efficacy of SAA in executing its mandate. SAA has been taking center stage due to corruption, maladministration, and failure to execute its mandate as a result of political interference as well as patronage. This paper reviews existing literature on the effect of political patronage on the efficacy of SAA in executing its mandate. In doing so, the paper employed qualitative techniques. Document analysis was utilized to understand the effect of political patronage on SAA\u27s ability to execute its mandate. Eventually, the paper discovered that political patronage affects the ability of SAA to execute its mandate. The paper then closes by making recommending mechanisms for inhibiting political interference in SOE most specifically SAA