African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies
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Extending Green Supply Chain Management to the Mining Sector in South Africa: Implications for Corporate Performance
Get PDFThe South African mining sector faces numerous challenges that limit the performance of firms, chief among them environmental management, labour, and operational issues. An important research gap exists on how the adoption of green supply chain management (GSCM) can contribute to the mitigation of some of these challenges. This study investigates the connection between GSCM, employee satisfaction, operational and relational efficiency, and enterprise performance in the mining sector in South Africa. The study employed a quantitative method using a cross-sectional survey design. A structured research questionnaire was used to collect data from supply chain professionals at two leading mining firms based in the North-West Province, South Africa. The collected data were analysed using a structural equation modelling procedure based on the partial least squares technique. The study reveals the positive influence of GSCM on employee job satisfaction, operational efficiency, relational efficiency, and enterprise performance. The study also confirms that relational efficiency and operational efficiency both exert a positive influence on enterprise performance. However, employee job satisfaction exerted no influence on enterprise performance. GSCM itself exerted a direct positive influence on enterprise performance. The application of GSCM in the mining sector should be recognised as part of the solutions to motivating supply chain professionals and stimulating important internal and external efficiencies, leading to the enhanced performance of the firm
Building a Capable State: Unpacking Critical Skills Development Challenges in the Public Sector
Get PDFWhilst the active repositioning of the role of South Africa’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) has been a key thrust of governments response to slow economic growth, not enough attention has been given to exploring the challenges of building the capability of public services. More specifically, there has been insufficient scholarly focus that critically unpacks the nature and extent of skills development and human resource challenges facing management in SOEs. In order to fill this gap, this paper reports on the findings of a study undertaken at Transnet Capital Projects (TCP), a former project execution wing of Transnet SOE. Data collected from 191 respondents, in a survey of TCP project management teams, revealed that whilst the technical service providers contracted to deliver on mega-projects possessed the requisite skills, experience, and expertise, Transnet project’s personnel had limited experience and exposure to execute high value mega-projects. Moreover, the study highlighted low levels of management retention, with the high turn-over rates alluding to systemic internal challenges. These findings, nearly ten years since the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP) intent on professionalising the public service, is worrisome and points to a need for an urgent intervention if the vision of building a developmental state is to be realised
Action Implementation and Performance Assessment with Continuous Improvement and Innovation Process in Sharptooth Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Small Businesses in South Africa
Get PDFContinuous Improvement and Innovation (CI&I) is a business management strategy that concentrates thinking and action on the things that makes the real difference. Performance assessment is the most significant step in CI&I, as it analyses and reports on outcomes – it reveals which goals have been achieved and which are still to be achieved. Emerging aquaculture farmers are not searching for handouts; they want to compete on a commercial scale. Aquaculture can only attract investors if it becomes profitable and viable. As part of the research reported here, role-players in sharptooth catfish businesses attended focus group discussions, and were equipped to implement actions and assess their own performance. The performance assessment process was followed to monitor the action that had been taken and to report results. Mechanisms such as action monitoring and support; observation; the formulation of questions and ideas; identifying opportunities; performance assessment; and achievement stacker were applied to assess the achieved outcomes. The study led to the identification of markets and potential customers; signed orders; access to processing plants; the printing of business material (e.g., stickers); training; and the completion of new ponds. Questionnaires were sent out and completed. An experiment with earthworms and tilapia fry used as catfish feed was completed successfully. In conclusion, the outcomes of this study have revealed a need for further research that would assist small businesses in the catfish industry in growing and becoming profitable
Building the Capacities of Young South African Men in Responsible, Loving and Nonviolent Fathering
Get PDFThe absence of many fathers from their children’s lives has been a long-term feature of South Africa and has had profound negative social consequences. It also means that young men grow up without being educated in what it means to be a father. This article reports an action research project which began by exploring the experiences of young men in Durban about being fathered and their attitudes concerning fathering. A training programme in responsible, loving, and nonviolent fathering was devised and carried out. Outcome evaluations were carried out soon after the training and then four years later it is suggested that positive changes in attitudes towards fathering occurred among the trainees
The Itinerant Curriculum as an Alternative Pathway for Responsiveness in African Higher Education in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Get PDFThe Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us, and it has serious implications for education globally. The educational curricula used in the first, second, and third industrial revolutions may not necessarily be useful in this era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), as societal and organisational demands have changed. Curricula in African higher education needs therefore to adapt to the changing demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or else students may be unprepared for the demands of future organisations and the society. Therefore, to enhance the responsiveness of the curriculum in Africa, this paper examines the itinerant curriculum as an alternative pathway to other highlighted curricula in the literature. The study posits how the itinerant curriculum can be used to achieve curriculum responsiveness, economically, culturally, disciplinarily, and in learning. The study concludes that the itinerant curriculum is an important tool that can help African higher education achieve curriculum responsiveness in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Reflections on Rural Household Water Insecurity: Evidence from Goboti and Khubvi in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo Provinces, South Africa
Get PDFSouth Africa continues to grapple with water insecurity, especially regarding access to rural household water. Access to water in rural areas is communal, yet its distribution remains uneven. A mixed-methods approach was used to elicit data for this study. Quantitative data were collected from 211 households using the survey method where a questionnaire was administered. Qualitative data were collected using key-informant interviews with 20 participants. Quantitative data were analysed using the SPSS software. Qualitative data were analysed using the thematic content analysis technique. The findings indicate that water resource management is intertwined with water allocation. Evidence from Goboti and Khubvi reflect structural inequities and the lack of equalisation of opportunities, especially considering the absence of socially inclusive policy interventions, including the Water Services Act (No. 108 of 1997), which has arguably failed to address the challenges impeding rural household water provision. Further, findings unveiled the fallacy that rural households have a greater acceptance of communal water. This study reflects on how the mandate for transformation has been ignored, prompting the need to understand the implications of lack of water in resource-constrained rural settings. Thus, it is imperative to focus on representation and inclusion within rural communities. More importantly, a commensurable allotment of water resources in South Africa’s post-apartheid extractive political economy and political power of water management remains necessary if water access must be attained
Training as a Tool for Service Delivery: A Case Study of Health Care Workers in Gwanda, Zimbabwe
Get PDFThe healthcare sector across most global south countries is challenged by various issues and this includes poor service delivery. The delivery of quality service within healthcare institutions is complicated by unprecedented emigration of healthcare workers to the global north. The other challenges include, poor funding and infrastructure, limited medical resources, equipment, and shortage of health care experts. As such this study examines how on and off the job training of healthcare workers impact service delivery. Adopting a quantitative paradigm, the paper identifies the training provided to healthcare workers and examines the effectiveness of the training for effective service delivery. A closed-ended structured questionnaire was used to elicit responses from 80 healthcare workers at Manama Mission Hospital in Gwanda, Zimbabwe. Findings revealed that practical hands-on experience (on-the-job training) supported with effective supervision and guidance from more experienced health workers aids effective service delivery. Training targeted at effective service delivery, constant assessment, and provision of constructive feedback from senior staff members are crucial measures for an effective healthcare system. Beyond constant training, measures must be put in place to ensure the retainment of healthcare experts within the country as an overstretched healthcare system will continue to battle with ineffective service delivery. This study adds to the body of knowledge related to employee training of healthcare workers within Zimbabwe
Decolonising South African Agriculture – Bringing Dignity Back to Small-Scale Farming
Get PDFDecolonisation should include not only political independence, but also the return of factors of production to the formerly colonised people so that they can use them to participate meaningfully in the economy, facilitating their economic emancipation from former colonial rulers. This not only involves putting the factors of production back into the hands of the colonised but also empowering them to generate wealth. Hence, the re-balancing of the agricultural landscape to actively include small-scale agriculture is part of the decolonisation process. Returning viability and dignity to small-scale farming entails reconnecting people to the land. Therefore, African investments in agriculture need to be focused on small-scale farming so that income inequality and poverty can be alleviated. The paper proposes that the promotion of small-scale agriculture change achieves both the objectives of reversing the impact of colonialism and restoring dignity to Black farming, as well as providing quality employment within local communities. The paper does not suggest that every farm must be small-scale, but that every small-scale farm be given an equal opportunity to produce and contribute to the economy as these farms can provide business opportunities for marginalised groups, namely the youth and women. Hence, the question remains - Where does one acquire the resources and expertise to kick-start the recalibrating of agricultural production on a small-scale? The answer lies in a mixture of finance and business skills from firms through Corporate Social Investment that creates partnerships, both public and private, that sow the seeds of small-scale success
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on KwaZulu-Natal Generation Z Attitude towards Domestic Tourism
Get PDFThe study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on KwaZulu-Natal generation z attitude toward domestic tourism. Generation Z represents much of the consumer groups at present and is considered a very important cohort because it prioritizes experience over possession, which increases their motivation to travel. The study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on KwaZulu-Natal Generation Z members’ attitudes towards domestic tourism in South Africa, while focusing on the effect of the pandemic, the study examines whether there are differences in their attitude toward domestic tourism before and during the pandemic. Data was collected online from November to December 2021 using a structured questionnaire survey sampling 200 respondents. Through the theoretical lens of planned behaviour, this study explored the relationship between attitude, perceived behaviour control, subjective norms and risk factors that influences the travel choices of Generation Z members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings reveal that despite the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the KwaZulu-Natal Generation Z members, they portray a positive attitude towards domestic tourism. The results also show that Generation Z members appreciate and acknowledge the positive quality of life (QOL) they get from participating in tourism activities especially within their domestic space. However, because of the peculiarities of the pandemic and the need to ensure safety, respondents prefer individual trips to group trips, and individual accommodation to group accommodations. This research contributes to scholarship that examine how COVID-19 pandemic influenced travel behaviours and deepened the uncertainty associated with domestic tourism across various regions of the globe
Perceptions Regarding Digital Payments in Online Shopping amongst Millennials in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Get PDFContemporary business continues to leverage the opportunities of internet connectivity for marketing, sales, and visibility. Digital payment plays an imperative role in online shopping transactions. With the evolution of online shopping, there has been a paradigm shift from traditional payment methods to a faster digital payment method. This paper assesses millennials’ perceptions of digital payments for online shopping. A cross-sectional study was undertaken using a quantitative method. Three hundred and ninety-three millennials completed a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were utilised to summarise and analyse the results. Respondents used different types of digital payments for online shopping, namely, credit card, debit card, micropayment, digital wallet, PayPal, Bitcoin, and in-app purchase. Some of the challenges pertaining to digital payment methods are security, privacy, and trust issues. There is a dire need to develop various interventions and strategies such as standardisation of the browser and device support to educate consumers, integrate more banks, develop synergy with credit card companies, reduce fees for low-risk transactions, make digital payment easier, and personalise the digital payment process and its value chain to make digital payments more secure and safe for effective transaction and online payments