African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies
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The San Code of Ethics Versus International Ethical Guidelines: A Cross-Cultural Analysis
Full text linkThis study was designed to compare the San (Khoisan) code of ethics against key elements of the revised Council for International Organization of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) ethical guidelines, and the World Medical Association (WMA) Declaration of Helsinki. The study aimed to identify similarities and draw inferences in applying the San code of ethics when conducting biomedical research among indigenous populations groups in Africa and globally. In-depth interviews lasting 45 to 55 minutes were conducted among a group of 12 purposively sampled biomedical researchers in South Africa. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic content analysis. Participants observed some important similarities between the San Code of Ethics, the CIOMS ethical guidelines and the Declaration of Helsinki. Nevertheless, the research discovered that San peoples were of the opinion, that community involvement in biomedical research reduces exploitation, and enhances human dignity, and should be based on mutual respect, honesty, justice, fairness, and the ethics of care
Students’ Transition into Higher Education: Incorporating High-Impact Practices to Foster Smooth Transition and Academic Success
Full text linkThe transition into Higher Education (HE) is a problematic situation for students and academic institutions worldwide. This scenario is even more apparent in the South African environment as a majority of the student body resides in low-income, rural environments and are first-generation university students. Such a context presents unique challenges such as separation from family, cultural differences and family obligations, together with academic and social integration pressures, thus placing students in an unfamiliar environment within HE. If successful integration into HE is not achieved at this initial stage of entry, students face the risk of academic failure. The purpose of the study was to explore the challenges faced by South African first-year students as they transition into HE and the impact of peer mentorship on the successful progression of university students. Findings reveal that engaging in high- impact practices inherent in first-year student experiences ultimately leads to the promotion of student success in areas such as increased academic performance, participation in activities with educational goals, student contentment and persistence in completion of their studies. This paper proposes an intervention that supports a smooth transition of students into higher education as it draws from the strategies of High-Impact Practices (HIPs) applicable to undergraduate courses
Small and Medium Enterprises’ Success: Examining Social Media Effectiveness in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Full text linkSocial media has emerged as a crucial aspect of individuals' daily routines, particularly in the post-COVID-19 era. Consequently, it represents a promising channel for businesses to showcase their products and services to customers. This research aims to explore the perception of businesses regarding the effectiveness of social media in relation to business success in Pietermaritzburg’s beauty Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), South Africa. This study is qualitative in nature, purposively sampling 22 businesses and conducted semi-structured interviews. Thematic Analysis was utilised to analyse the gathered data. The results reveal the importance and effectiveness of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp in beauty SME marketing initiatives. Content creation was discovered as an important requirement of businesses with a focus on visual appeal. In addition, audience targeting, and engagement were emphasised as crucial components for building ties with customers and promoting brand loyalty. SMEs are encouraged to make use of all the functionalities of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp which offers SMEs opportunities to enhance online presence, engage target audiences and promote business success
Collaborative Supervision Pedagogy for Increased Postgraduate Student Success: The Importance of Writing Camps as an Alternative Supervision Programme
Full text linkA persistent challenge in postgraduate studies is the low retention and throughput rate following initial access, often due to delayed graduation. This issue is frequently exacerbated by the prevailing 'lonely scholar' model typically adopted by academic faculties and research supervisors. This paper proposes an alternative supervisory pedagogy grounded in a multifaceted, collaborative approach. It integrates the structured design of a writing camp with the traditional ‘master-apprentice’ supervision model. The study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of this collaborative support system in accelerating the completion of postgraduate research reports – dissertations and research articles – while enhancing the quality of scholarly output. Adhering to established ethical standards in social science research, the study employed a qualitative approach within a descriptive and programme evaluation research design. Thirty-nine pipeline students were purposively selected to participate in a writing camp, based on a defined set of selection criteria. Data were gathered through participant testimonials and a post-camp telephonic survey, then analysed using Atlas.ti (Version 23). Ethical principles – including voluntary participation, the right to withdraw, confidentiality, and anonymity – were rigorously upheld. Findings highlight the substantial benefits of collaborative supervision models in strengthening research and academic writing skills, alleviating the supervisory burden, and incorporating specialist input to enhance the overall quality of student research. The study recommends the early integration of writing specialists into postgraduate supervision to build student confidence and improve throughput rates
The Concept of Domicile in Matrimonial Causes in Nigeria: A Critique of the Status Quo
Full text linkProof of domicile is a condition precedent to the assumption of jurisdiction by High Courts in Nigeria. Under the Nigerian legal framework, it is the husband's domicile that matters in matrimonial causes. The wife is incapable of independent domicile. Women have always suffered untold hardship because of this rule. The husband seems to be at liberty to institute matrimonial proceedings anywhere he is domiciled with disregard to the wife's convenience. This research highlighted the difficulties confronting women as a result of this gender-insensitive mode of determining domicile in a matrimonial dispute. The paper employed the black letter research methodology and comparative learning to develop more effective and acceptable tests for determining domicile in matrimonial causes in Nigeria. This research concludes by recommending that the parties to the marriage's connecting factors, such as residence and convenience should be used in determining jurisdiction as opposed to solely the husband's domicile.
Goat Rearing for a Resilient Future: Enhancing Climate Adaptation among Smallholder Farmers in Umguza District, Zimbabwe
Full text linkThe agriculture sector is pivotal for the income and livelihoods of rural populations in the Global South, particularly in arid regions where small-scale livestock farming has emerged as a viable source of sustenance and economic stability. This study explores the potential of subsistence goat farming to enhance climate resilience among smallholder farmers in Umguza District, Zimbabwe. Data were gathered through 15 face-to-face interviews, eight key informant discussions, and two focus group sessions, with participants selected with the assistance of local leadership. The findings reveal that climate change vulnerability stems from erratic rainfall patterns, the failure of rain-fed agriculture, pervasive poverty, social inequality, limited access to extension services, and the impact of HIV/AIDS. Consequently, smallholder farmers face acute challenges including food insecurity, water scarcity, and livestock loss. Goat farming has been identified as a crucial strategy for building resilience, particularly because goats demonstrate higher survival rates than cattle during drought conditions. However, farmers face significant barriers, including lack of start-up capital, access to high-quality breeds, and insufficient information regarding disease management. The study emphasizes the need for further investigation into the effectiveness of subsistence goat farming as a climate adaptation strategy, advocating for community-led initiatives that integrate traditional knowledge, local resources, and social structures. By prioritizing community-based resilience efforts, smallholder farmers can develop tailored strategies to effectively combat the challenges posed by climate change in Zimbabwe
Exigency of Work-Life Balance in the Wake of Digitalised Workspace for Information Technology Staff in the Banking Sector
Full text linkDigitalisation has enabled ubiquity, transformed the conventional workspace, and reshaped how work is designed, performed and managed in organisations. Technology is increasingly infiltrating workspaces, with digitalisation catalysing employee work-life balance as it allows work to fit better around home and family responsibilities. Leveraging digitalisation in workspaces has enabled organisations to move towards working from home, embracing flexibility, employee productivity and autonomy. While this arrangement has been advocated for as 'accommodating', the risk of infringing on employees' personal lives and negatively affecting their work-life balance (WLB) and performance remains. This article examines the exigency of employee work-life balance and performance in digitalised workspaces in a Zimbabwean bank. The study employed qualitative methodology to obtain in-depth insights into the phenomenon. Using semi-structured interviews, data saturation was reached on the 10th interview of purposively sampled participants. Data were thematically analysed using the software ATLAS.ti Version 8. The themes raised in the study indicated that digitalisation offered the flexibility of working from home, giving employees time to do their own things. Digitalisation also enabled flexibility and autonomy, multitasking, and working from home, which were convenient in balancing employee work and personal lives, thus ensuring performance. However, work-life balance was affected by the blurry boundaries between work and personal lives caused by connectivity, polychronicity, health threats and lack of task prioritisation brought about by working from home. The study concluded that digitalised workspaces in the Zimbabwean bank allowed for employee work-life balance despite some challenges. Therefore, employees need to establish boundaries and block time to eliminate the risks impeding work-life balance
Exploring the Risks Associated with Organisational Digitalisation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: A Systematic Review
Full text linkThe Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) ushered in the era of digitalisation, organisational transformation, and innovation of processes, strategies and operations. Integration of modern technology can provide opportunities for improvement, contributing to an organisation’s productivity and efficiency, but also introduces risks that may influence organisational performance and success. To effectively integrate 4IR technology into organisational processes and functions, organisations must understand the new risks and how they can be mitigated. Despite the growing need to embrace digitalisation, the lack of clear guidelines remains challenging. This paper aims to address the gap by developing a theoretical model that identifies the risks encountered during organisational digitalisation and contributes to literature and understanding of the digitalisation risks during 4IR. A systematic literature review was conducted using four recognised databases to highlight the leading risk types that organisations face during the digitalisation of their operations. Ten risk types were identified, and a model was developed to indicate the risk items within each type and the relationships between them. This paper emphasises the importance of understanding and managing risks and adopting a comprehensive risk management approach, allowing organisations to ensure sustainable success in the digital era of the 4IR
Assessing the Challenges and Implications of Corporate and Social Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development Goals in South Africa: A Systematic Literature Review
Full text linkCorporate and social entrepreneurship (CSE) are crucial in driving sustainable development in South Africa, addressing key issues such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. Understanding the challenges and implications of these entrepreneurship forms is vital for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study employs a systematic literature review, adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, to examine these dynamics. A comprehensive search of Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and EBSCOhost databases ranging from 2018-2024, identified key challenges facing entrepreneurs, including regulatory and institutional barriers, financial constraints, and human capital deficiencies. The findings corroborate the critical role of CSE in fostering sustainable development through job creation, economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and inclusive economic growth. However, progress is significantly hindered by a complex regulatory environment, limited funding access, and inadequate entrepreneurial skills. The study underscores the necessity of simplifying regulatory frameworks, increasing financial support, investing in human capital, and fostering multi-stakeholder collaborations to create a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Recommendations include regulatory reforms, enhanced financial access, targeted education and training, and promoting sustainable business practices. By addressing these challenges CSE can significantly contribute to the SDGs in South Africa, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable society. This review provides insights for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders on strategies to enhance entrepreneurship's contribution to SDGs
Students’ and Lecturers’ Perceptions and Experiences on Engaging Students in Feedback Dialogues to Promote the Voices of Students in Learning in Higher Education
Full text linkStudents' involvement in discussions on feedback in higher education is often undervalued. Students’ voices in matters of teaching, learning and assessment need to be incorporated so that learning is not left only in the teacher's control. This study explored the perceptions and views of both the students and lecturers regarding students’ participation in feedback dialogues, aiming to access the subjective meanings participants ascribe to the phenomenon of ‘feedback’. The current feedback model typically positions lecturers as the primary source of information, with students acting as passive recipients of feedback. A shift in the conceptual feedback landscape is necessary to perceive feedback as a tool for improving performance and learning through collaborative lecturer-student dialogues. Archer’s theoretical model of feedback underpins this qualitative study, which employed a phenomenological design. Data were collected from 15 undergraduate education students and 6 lecturers through purposive and convenience sampling. Face-to-face, one-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with all 21 participants alongside two focus group discussions with the students. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that both students and lecturers embrace students’ involvement in feedback dialogues. Additionally, some lecturers actively engage students in feedback dialogues before conducting assessments. The findings suggest that lecturers should foster assessment and feedback conversations to improve student engagement with feedback. Furthermore, higher education institutions should monitor the implementation of feedback practices