International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293)
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Perception of job satisfaction: insights from South African public sector administrative employees
Get PDFAdministrative employees are essential in delivering services to both internal and external stakeholders. Their function is to facilitate the seamless execution of daily operations within the organisation. Meeting the needs of these employees fortifies professional relationships and improves employee retention. This study investigates the perception of job satisfaction among administrative employees in the South African public sector. The study employed a quantitative research approach with a cross-sectional design, examining 180 administrative employees selected from a total population of 1,150 employees. Descriptive statistics were utilised to fulfil the primary objectives of the research. The study identified three out of ten ranked factors that hinder job satisfaction: supervision, relationships with co-workers, and fringe benefits. The determinants of job satisfaction were prioritised in the following order: (1) Pay, (1) Recognition, (2) Nature of work, (3) Appreciation, (4) Supervision, (5) Promotion, (6) Relationship with co-workers, (8) Communication, (9) Fringe benefits, (10) Growth. The study demonstrated a positive correlation between years of service and job satisfaction, indicating that employees with longer tenure exhibit greater job satisfaction. This research contributes to the existing literature by identifying the factors that influence employee work satisfaction. The findings highlight particular opportunities for advancement in South African public sector management, especially concerning barriers to job satisfaction and factors influencing employee satisfaction. Based on the findings, South African public sector policymakers ought to formulate strategies aimed at enhancing supervision, communication, and career advancement opportunities. This study suggests the development of a job satisfaction framework specifically designed for South African public administration by management
Assessing the impact of supply chain practices on operational efficiency and service delivery in local municipality (LM)
Get PDFABSTRACT
This study aims to investigate how supply chain management (SCM) practices employed by Local Municipality affect service delivery efficiency and effectiveness. Objectives include identifying specific supply chain strategies, evaluating their impact on operational performance, and providing recommendations for improvement. A qualitative research design was used, involving interviews with key stakeholders like supply chain managers. Findings reveal that effective practices, such as collaborative planning and demand forecasting, significantly enhance service delivery and resource management. However, challenges such as limited technological integration and insufficient staff training impede full effectiveness. The study concludes that targeted training and modern technology adoption are essential for improving operational efficiency and community service
Exploring the instructional media usage and preference of offenders at the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre, South Africa
Get PDFThis study explored the instructional media used in the correctional school and during rehabilitation programmes at the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre and the preferences of offenders. Underpinned by the positivism paradigm, a quantitative approach was followed, and a cross-sectional survey design was used. The enumeration sampling technique was used due to the small size of the population (n = 571). Data were collected from 402 participants who were sentenced offenders, thus yielding a response rate of 70.40%. A Kolb Learning Style Questionnaire was used to collect data. Version 26.0.0 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed as part of data analysis. The findings of this study revealed that offenders at the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre rely on teachers and chalkboard as the dominant media for instruction and that these have been used in the educational or schooling environment for many years. The Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre prefers using teacher and chalkboard instructional mediums, possibly to maintain security in the facility. Based on the findings it is recommended that Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre formulates and implements a strategy that seeks to deliberately provide variations of instructional media/mediums to accommodate different learning styles during the school lessons and rehabilitation programmes, as long as these do not affect the security within the facility
A note on intra-period compounding and the valuation of semi-annual and quarterly bonds
Get PDFThe valuation of redeemable semi-annual and quarterly bonds is a specialised and contentious subject in finance. While instructing on this subject, students frequently pose the subsequent four enquiries: Which semi-annual discount rate do we use to discount the bond’s cash flows to arrive at its present value? What time frame is utilised to compute the present value elements for discounting the bond\u27s cash flows? Do we obtain the identical bond value when assessing it from the views of the corporation and the investors? What is the appropriate discount rate for scenarios involving numerous discount rates from the present to the bond\u27s maturity date? This study illustrates that the semi-annual and annual percentage rate (APR) yield to maturity (YTM) rates are the most appropriate discount rates for valuing redeemable semi-annual and quarterly bonds. The present value factors are calculated using the time interval period, not the actual years. Assessing bonds from a company\u27s standpoint by employing post-tax cash flows and discount rates results in an undervaluation of the bonds. The arbitrage-free valuation method is the most appropriate technique for assessing redeemable semi-annual and quarterly bonds. This method use various annual APR YTM rates derived from the bond\u27s benchmark spot rate curve, valuing the bond as a collection of cash flows, with each cash flow treated as a zero-coupon bond. This allows each cash flow to be discounted at its specific discount rat
Navigating human rights and cultural dynamics in the context of gender-based violence in South Africa
Get PDFThis paper seeks to explore the realities of gender-based violence (GBV) within the African context with a special focus on how traditions, cultural norms, and values are perceived at the dawn of the recognition of human rights. Culture, human rights, and GBV are deeply interconnected and have significant implications for individuals, communities, and societies at large. It must be noted that the paper does not seek to condone patriarchy or harmful practices that promote gender-based violence; rather, it aims to create a balance between these cultural practices and responses to gender-based violence. The dawn of human rights and legislative frameworks, which to some extent challenge the existence of some practices as not being in line with human rights, has led to some power struggles and imbalances within the relationships. The introduction of human rights and equality, which resulted in most programs focusing on empowering women, such as the 50/50 principle, without necessarily preparing men to live with empowered women, may be perceived by men as challenging their authority. These developments may create frustrated men who see empowered women as a challenge to their leadership, culture, and tradition, and in defense, most men resort to violence as a way of trying to maintain their authority within the family structure. This paper will expand on how patriarchal social structures, cultural norms and traditional practices, colonialism, economic marginalization, resistance, and resilience impact efforts to address GBV. The author conducted desktop research and realized that efforts to prevent GBV should recognize the psychological realities and frustrations of culturally inclined men
Impacts of military expenditure and corruption on inclusive growth of emerging countries
Get PDFIn this study, the authors contribute to the existing literature by examining the impacts of military expenditure and corruption on inclusive growth in emerging countries. The focus is on Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) countries as a case study covering the period 1960 to 2018. The study uses using Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) estimation technique subdivided under two distinct phrases of Cold war and post-Cold war eras. Data used in this study are yearly data, covering 1960 – 2018 period and further subdivided into cold war and Post war era. Using ARDL, the results indicate military expenditure has negative effect on inclusive growth during cold war period. Even during the post-cold war period, which represents a phrase of low external threats to BRICS countries, military expenditure is found to have a negative impact on inclusive growth, and the result is statistically insignificant. The study contributes to the understanding of influence of Inclusive growth on military expenditure for emerging and developed bloc economies like BRICS. This study innovates by using ARDL to find out the impact of military expenditure in attaining an apex inclusive growth in developing economies like BRICS countries
The interplay between workplace bullying, quiet quitting and turn over intention: an integrative review
Get PDFThis integrative review explores the intricate and interconnected issues of workplace bullying, quiet quitting, and turnover intention—three pressing challenges that have a significant impact on organizational performance and employee well-being. The review highlights workplace bullying as a significant precursor to employee disengagement, often exemplified by quiet quitting, where employees diminish their discretionary efforts while remaining in their positions by synthesizing literature from organizational behavior, psychology, and management studies. This disengagement subsequently contributes to an increased intention to leave the organization. The review employs Organizational Justice Theory as a framework to elucidate how perceived disparities in distributive, procedural, and interactional justice contribute to this detrimental cycle of behavior. The findings indicate that unresolved bullying not only deteriorates organizational culture but also diminishes employee motivation and elevates the risk of voluntary resignation. Consequently, the review underscores the critical necessity for proactive organizational strategies, such as implementing anti-bullying policies, fostering supportive leadership, and monitoring employee engagement, as effective interventions. It also suggests avenues for future research, recommending longitudinal and cross-cultural studies to deepen the understanding of the causal relationships and variances in these dynamics across different organizational contexts
Challenges faced by women-owned SMEs in Bushbuckridge local municipality: A feminist inquiry into structural, cultural, and economic barriers
Get PDFTraditionally, the business landscape has been male-dominated; however, recent trends indicate a notable rise in female entrepreneurs within rural regions of South Africa. Women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality encounter various challenges, including issues with financing, access to education and training, gender bias, business skills development, and maintaining a work-life balance. Women entrepreneurs frequently encounter challenges in balancing their professional and family obligations due to numerous domestic duties and responsibilities. Their long-term business success may be jeopardised by these challenges. This study seeks to examine the challenges encountered by women-owned SMEs, focussing on the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality as the area of investigation. The investigation employed a qualitative approach to gather and examine the data. The investigation employed a semi-structured interview guide for data collection and utilised a thematic content analysis method to examine both empirical and secondary data. A snowball sampling technique was employed to identify appropriate participants, resulting in the successful sampling of forty (N=40) individuals in 2024. The findings indicated that the majority of participants had achieved their matriculation (grade 12) qualifications; however, they conveyed a desire for further skills and training in entrepreneurship to enhance their business management and growth. A significant number of women reported encountering various forms of discrimination, including being advised to stay at home and care for their husbands and children due to their gender. Women-owned businesses encounter barriers in obtaining resources, networks, and opportunities when compared to their male counterparts. The analysis suggests that businesses owned by women ought to receive equal opportunities as those owned by men. It is essential to enhance the capabilities of women-owned businesses by providing resources including technology, financial support, and training in sustainable business development. In conclusion, the study emphasises the importance of the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality acknowledging the contributions of women-owned SMEs and offering the essential support needed to address unemployment in the region. In the process of awarding tenders, it is essential for municipalities to guarantee the inclusion of women on the board of directors, in accordance with the stipulations set forth by the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act Amendment 42 of 2013
Examining the drivers of artificial intelligence adoption in Nigeria’s supply chain management landscape
Get PDFThe evolution of artificial intelligence and varying perspectives on its integration within the supply chain management landscape tend to influence organisations’ ability to adapt to changing market conditions and maintain relevance and competitiveness. Using a quantitative approach, this study explored the drivers of artificial intelligence adoption in Nigeria’s supply chain management landscape. A survey questionnaire was the primary means of collecting quantitative data from 80 local supply chain practitioners, which was analysed through statistical tests. Results from the study established support and leadership from senior management, availability of technological infrastructure, and regulatory framework and regulatory considerations as the foremost drivers of AI adoption in Nigeria’s supply chain landscape. The study\u27s findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, industry practitioners, and academic researchers. The study posits that fostering a conducive environment for AI implementation, addressing regulatory ambiguities, and enhancing technological capabilities will be imperative for unlocking the full benefits of AI in Nigeria\u27s supply chain management landscape
Oil production and ecological footprint in Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC): the moderating role of institutions
Get PDFThis study explores the effect of oil production (OP) on environmental sustainability in relation to the role of institutions in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), using annual data from 1990 to 2022. Estimates from the dynamic common correlated effects and dynamic seemingly unrelated regression indicate that oil production heightens the ecological footprint, while this devastating impact is lessened by its interaction with institutional quality. Furthermore, there is evidence that ecological footprint and oil production are causally related to economic growth in both directions. To promote a sustainable environment, oil production activities in OPEC should be incorporated into a strong institutional structure that supports the environment. OPEC should also enhance the proportion of renewable energy in its energy mix through subsidies, tax holidays and carbon pricing