International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478)
Not a member yet
2644 research outputs found
Sort by
The influence of business process outsourcing on the productivity of the mobile telecommunication companies
Get PDFEconomics of business and increased focus on operating efficiencies are leading mobile telecom service providers to outsource non-core business process elements, infrastructure systems, and customer service, although the trade-off on the influence of business process outsourcing (BPO) on the firm’s productivity is still inconclusive. Few empirical studies or research have been conducted to analyze the influence of BPO on the firm’s productivity levels in the mobile telecom operators of Southern African developing countries. This research tries to redress the existing knowledge gap and the limited body of literature by providing both descriptive and empirical evidence on the influence of BPO on the firm‘s productivity levels of mobile telecom operators. A structured closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect raw data from 210 employees. Descriptive and chi-square tests were conducted to establish the statistically significant relationship between business process outsourcing and the firm’s productivity levels. The results reflect a statistically significant relationship between the implementation of BPO and the firm’s productivity. The study has practical implications for service and industrial practitioners, managers, scholars, and government policymakers in that they can strategically plan their BPO practices and link those practices to the organizations\u27 productivity performance. Further research can be conducted in other industries in order to do comparison studies confirming lessons gained across industries on the effect of BPO on a firm’s productivity levels
The effect of lean manufacturing and physical work environment on labor productivity in the apparel industry in Indonesia: case study
Get PDFIn general, this research aims to analyze and determine the effect of the application of lean manufacturing which is focused on eliminating waste and the influence of the physical work environment on labor productivity. This research used primary data through the distribution of questionnaires conducted to employees of Company X with a total of 230 respondents from sections in departments directly related to research variables. Data analysis methods using the Structural Equation Model (SEM) measured by the Partial Least Square (PLS) model, and data processing using SmartPLS 4.0 Software. Based on the results of calculations, data analysis shows that the application of principles related to lean manufacturing, which in this research is focused on the process of eliminating waste has a positive effect on the productivity of the workforce. The creation of a physical work environment that meets standards also positively affects the productivity of the workforce
The influence of technological preparedness on trust in e-commerce by South African SMEs with demographics as mediation variables
Get PDFThis study investigates the impact of Technological Preparedness on trust in e-commerce by SMEs in South Africa. The study examined the role of an organisation’s Technological Preparedness in influencing the use of e-commerce. A positivist research paradigm and quantitative research approach underpins this study. Demographical factors were used as control variables. A total of 497 respondents participated in the research, and the findings highlighted the significance of Technological Preparedness in influencing trust in e-commerce by SMEs in South Africa. The findings suggest that demographics such as Age, Gender, Education Level, Province of origin, Business Category, and Internet Experience had little or no influence on trust in e-commerce compared to Technological Preparedness. The technological limitations SMEs experience significantly influence their trust in e-commerce, impacting their adoption and usage of e-commerce in their businesses. This study contributes to the existing literature on the adoption of technology by SMEs in developing countries. It provides insights for policymakers to develop effective policies that support the usage of e-commerce by SMEs to facilitate growth and sustainability. Based on the findings, government policies should improve to focus more on addressing technological issues and empower SMEs to enhance their preparedness to adopt e-commerce
Factors contributing to gender disparities in academic achievement at a tertiary institution in Botswana
Get PDFThis study seeks to explore the factors contributing to gender disparities in academic achievement among tertiary students at an educational institution in Botswana. While academic achievement among male and female students has garnered increased attention, limited research has focused on the tertiary level. Employing a transformative qualitative research approach, the study utilized in-depth interviews and documentary analysis for data collection. Thematic Content Analysis was employed for data analysis. Results indicated that, although male students outperformed female students in all subjects, the gender gap was not significantly pronounced. Factors affecting female students included biological aspects such as menstruation, mood swings, menstrual pain, and absenteeism, along with challenges related to unplanned pregnancies, psychological stress due to financial strain, and economic difficulties. The study recommends the implementation of an Intersectional Gender Mainstreaming Framework in higher education institutions to address gender gaps in academic achievement
Challenges and opportunities of the COVID-19 pandemic on women entrepreneurs operating in the informal food sector: A post COVID-19 analyses
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is to explore the challenges and opportunities of the COVID-19 pandemic for women entrepreneurs operating in the informal food sector. An exploratory qualitative approach is used to guide the collection and analysis of data which were collected from a sample of twenty women entrepreneurs. Verbatim transcriptions of digital recordings were analyzed thematically. The findings of the study indicate that women experienced the worst economic effects of the pandemic and faced a range of challenges, such as decreased customer base and demand, loss of income, lack of government and private support, safety and security fears, disrupted supply chains, and requirement for trading permits. Whereas the opportunities encompassed usage of digital technologies, alternative markets and new product offerings, and establishment of Informal women business networks. From the study findings, it is hence vital that policies acknowledge the importance of women and informal food vendors in the nation\u27s informal food system
Stepping into the shoes of absent parents to provide educational support: voices of house parents at a Children\u27s Home, South Africa
Get PDFParental involvement is recognised as a significant factor in education globally. However, evidence suggests a scarcity of research focusing on parental involvement in education of vulnerable children in South Africa. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the perspectives of house parents at Sunshine Haven Children’s Home regarding parental involvement in the education of vulnerable children. Informed by Epstein’s theory of overlapping spheres of influence, the qualitative study adopted an interpretivist paradigm and a case study design. Data were obtained through focus group interviews with a group of five purposefully selected house parents at Sunshine Haven Children’s Home. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study reveal that, according to house parents’ perspectives, parental involvement in education for vulnerable children is not satisfactory. House parents experienced challenges in offering educational support, including lack of resources, lack of confidence in assisting with children homework and lack of effective communication between school and home. Therefore, the study recommends the forging of a viable partnership between teachers and house parents, the development of targeted interventions and training programmes and the allocation of resources to enhance parental involvement and ultimately improve the academic performance and wellbeing of vulnerable children
Optimising postgraduate supervision using multilevel modeling techniques in a constrained higher education environment
Get PDFThe paper developed a multilevel model (MLM) of postgraduate (PG) supervision to improve the academic publication and PG completion rate. Crowdsourcing essentials were used in the development of the model. The crowds consisted of the MLM made of students from Honours to doctoral levels. Teamwork was also implored, where the teams were level mates and supervisory teams. The simplest form of the model has the potential to generate over 65 academic manuscripts for journals. Monitoring of the supervision process can provide maximized completion of the PG research studies. Research capacity building would be effected for the doctoral and master’s students making them able to supervise and co-supervise from Honours to doctoral levels upon completion of their studies. The study condemned the use of a single supervisor for several doctoral students. It recommended the implementation of the model (the MLM PG Supervision Framework). It further recommended that doctoral students should be assigned co-supervisors, preferably varied for different students, to enable diversity in the supervision experience
Politics and conflicts in South African cooperative government: analysis of the discursive issues under the 1996 constitution
Get PDFGlobally, there is welter of evidence demonstrating that cooperative government is likely achievable where the same political party in charge of the national government is also a power holder at sub-governments level. This has been the experience of the South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) which has been in charge of the national government and the majority of provinces for 30 years, except in few instances where opposition parties are in control. Since the ANC lost Western Cape (WC) province to the Democratic Alliance in 2004, cooperative government has been a difficult practice due in part to party ideological differences. The contradictions often play out at executive levels but the silence of legislation, in as far as ensuring that cooperative government is achievable for common goal, necessitates attention. This non-empirical article refers to numerous cases of intergovernmental tensions, with the intention being to debate the discursive issues under the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (hereafter referred to as 1996 Constitution). Following comprehensive reflection, the article concluded that the extent to which national government is showing inherent inertia to work with WC and other areas where the DA is governing has been perpetuated by the lacuna in the current legal framework, but most of the conflicts have much to do with party ideology and politics of the ‘left’ where parties just oppose executive decisions and programmes not on substance but because they are official opposition. As a result, the continuation of these actions stands to bedevil the national and provincial executive relations in a decentralised South Africa.
Analysis of private security companies compliance to the private security industry’s regulatory framework in Gauteng: a South African case study
Get PDFThis article explores some of the shortcomings of the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) in regulating and effecting control over the Private Security Industry (PSI) in South Africa. In South Africa, all Private Security companies must comply with PSIRA by registering as security providers, however this study revealed a non-compliance. This shortcoming is demonstrated by fly-by-night security companies that provide security services at shopping centres and shopping malls particularly in the parking areas who fail to comply with PSIRA in terms of registration. The main aim of this research was to analyse whether the PSCs comply with the regulatory framework as per the Private Security Industry Regulation Act 56 of 2001 in South Africa in Gauteng Province. A qualitative research design was applied to determine whether PSIRA enforces compliance as per regulatory framework and to establish whether the current private security service providers are registered with PSIRA. The population of the study involved security managers and owners of the private security companies in South Africa. The findings revealed that there is non- compliance to PSIRA by Security providers. It is recommended that the regulator be capacitated with resources to improve its compliance
Understanding the influence of religiosity, halal label, eco label, and halal green perception on customer loyalty: a study of Muslim women Generation Z in Malang City
Get PDFThe growth of the cosmetics industry in the world has increased rapidly in recent decades. Cosmetics manufacturers face intense competitive pressure, both from halal cosmetics products and regular cosmetics products. The existence of this intense competition requires companies to be responsive to consumer needs, so companies must ensure that their product offerings are aligned with consumer demand, to encourage consumer adoption. As explanatory quantitative research, the purpose of this research is to figure out the characteristics of muslim women Generasion Z and determine the effect of Religiosity, Halal Label, Eco Label and Halal Green Perception on Customer Loyalty, both directly and indirectly. The object of this research is a Muslim women Generation Z who uses halal green cosmetics in Malang City with a total sampel of 200 respondents.The technique of collecting data using a closed questionnaire and analyzed with SmartPLS 3.0. As a result, religiosity has no significantly influence on customer loyalty, but Halal Label and Eco Label significantly affect customer loyalty. Furthermore, religiosity, halal label and eco label have a directly positive impact on halal green perceptions. It is worth noting that Halal Green Perception also indirectly plays a role by mediating between religiosity, halal label and eco label on customer loyalty. Although religiosity does not play a direct role in influencing Customer Loyalty, it does not mean that these products cannot attract Generation Z\u27s interest. It should be noted that although the level of Religiosity of Generation Z varies, this generation can still choose halal green cosmetics based on considerations of product quality assurance such as halal label and eco label