African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies
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The Role of Academic Researcher Coaching in Enhancing Innovation and Knowledge Production in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in South Africa
Get PDFPerhaps the most significant global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is that it has catalysed accelerated innovation and change across various sectors. Businesses have had to pivot and innovate to survive in the “new normal”, medical and health care industries have had to adapt rapidly in order to stay ahead of the growing global health crisis brought on by the pandemic, and governments have had to think out of the box to manage the political, social and economic challenges engendered by Covid-19. Amidst all of this, the Higher Education sector has also been forced to adapt to the challenges of the pandemic. In the South African context, innovation in higher education has focused mostly on teaching and learning, specifically the accelerated shift from traditional face-to-face teaching to the use of online learning platforms. However, what has been neglected is innovation in knowledge production and research. This article explores the role of academic researcher coaching as a support mechanism to enhance innovation and knowledge production through postgraduate academic research. It is argued that academic researcher coaching will become an increasingly valuable tool to provide holistic support to researchers, and that complements the traditional research supervisor role
The Role of Communication Satisfaction in the Relationship between Leader-Member Exchange and Teachers’ Affective Commitment
Get PDFIn this research, the effect of leader-member exchange (LMX) on teachers’ affective commitment is examined using communication satisfaction as an intervening variable. Using a quantitative research method, data was collected with a cross-sectional survey. A regression analysis indicates that LMX has a significant effect on affective commitment of teachers in the five vocational colleges examined in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Further analysis showed that communication satisfaction (relational and informational communication satisfaction) partially mediated the influence of LMX (represented in this study as programme managers) on teachers’ affective commitment. The findings are consistent with previous studies about the influence of workplace relationships on teachers’ behaviors, especially supervisor-subordinate relationships. The implications of these findings are explained
Embedding Undergraduate Research through Industry-Based Projects: Student Experiences
Get PDFTraditionally, formal training in research methodology begins in postgraduate programmes; however, potential exists to embed high-impact research skills during the undergraduate programme to develop learning by inquiry, promote critical thinking and engaged scholarship. Identifying factors that affect students’ research engagement can provide important practical implications to effectively encourage and facilitate undergraduate research opportunities. This exploratory qualitative study investigates the undergraduate student experience of the research process embedded in collaborative industry-based projects, through focus-group discussions. Using predefined domains from the interview guide, key themes emerging from the focus group discussions included a process-orientated approach to research, knowledge synthesis through data collection and handling, data collection experience, and students’ experience of a collaborative and deep approach to learning. Key enablers of the research engagement included funding for undergraduate research and transfer of research skills into higher levels of study whilst key barriers were limited foundational research knowledge and the impact of emergency situations. Other emergent themes included knowledge transfer through early initiation of research in the undergraduate programme. Institutional and programmatic engagement is required to support undergraduate students with the rigours of becoming knowledge co-constructors for their graduate destination or continuation of postgraduate studies
Graduate Employability through Industry-Oriented, Problem-Based Learning: A Case Study
Get PDFHigher education is coming under increasing pressure. Central to this is the global growth in disruptive technologies, accelerated by responses to the recent global pandemic. The pressure on how education is taught is immense, especially as concurrently there is a change in the career objectives of graduates, and the skill sets required by employers, with transferability high on the wish list. This paper provides a discussion and case study of how one institution has taken up this challenge through the development of a new educational model, named Syntegrative Education. It highlights how Syntegrative Education, through symbiotic partnerships with industry, creates an industry-oriented ecosystem, embracing learning, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and social interaction, matching the learning experience with dynamic AI oriented industry employability demands, ensuring all graduates are future ready with entrepreneurial graduate attributes. The case study focuses specifically on the innovative change to delivery and assessment. Through the industry partnerships, students are introduced to research and inquiry based learning through real-life problems, proposed and initiated by industry. Industry also works as mentors for the students alongside academics. The article concludes by highlighting the potential for other institutions who wish to follow the same route of curriculum development
Regulation of Nanotechnology and Nano-Enabled Products: The Implications of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 in South Africa
Get PDFScientific advancements in nanotechnology have made it a popular choice in the business fraternity particularly because of its versatility in numerous applications, including nanomedicines, food products and cosmetics. However, there are potential risks associated with its use and exposure, especially to employees and consumers. The purpose of this literature review was to examine the implications of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) 68 of 2008 for nanotechnology and nano-enabled product (NEP) regulation in South Africa, particularly in the absence of regulations specifically relating to such technology and products. The objectives include an analysis of the consumer and manufacturer challenges and risks associated with the application of nanoparticles and nanomaterials, followed by an examination of the implications of the CPA for such application. The methodology entails an interdisciplinary research approach from an applied legal perspective with reference to literature and relevant legislative provisions. The evidence available on the challenges associated with NMs and NEPs suggests that such material and products are not without risks and potential hazards for the consumer. The CPA creates both obligations for business and rights for consumers. However, more conclusive scientific evidence is required to understand these issues and adequately protect the consumer through explicit legislation and regulations
Judicial Review as an Accountability Mechanism in South Africa: A Discourse on the Nkandla Case
Get PDFSeparation of powers among the three branches of government, in most Constitutional democracies, is a design to avert the tyranny of a personalized rule. With specific roles, in relationships characterized by separated but shared powers, each branch of government is a watchdog against the other in case of any abuse. In the South African governing system, the Constitution guarantees functional power relationships among the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary branches of the government. Nevertheless, the dominant party system, in practice, has weakened the legislative oversight and accountability powers to tame the excesses of the executive, contrary to the intendments of the drafters of the Constitution. Judicial review of the various legislative and executive actions, however, has created precedents that seek to reassert legislative capacity to hold the executive accountable. At one time or the other, the judiciary had indicted the legislature and the executive of dereliction of duties. Using primary and secondary data from judicial pronouncements, constitutional provisions, and other public documents, with extant literature, respectively, this paper reviewed the environment that prompted the activist posture of the South African judiciary. An entrenched culture of party loyalty and the incapacity of the legislature to enforce accountability have bolstered the need for assertive judicial review in ensuring accountability. The failure of the legislature to exercise its oversight power has provided the platform for the judiciary to rise as a formidable accountability instrument. Judicial independence, guaranteed by The Constitution, would continue to sustain the tenets of South African representative democracy
Undergraduate Inquiry-Based Research to Promote Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
Get PDFThe global sustainability agenda provides the opportunity for higher education institutions to mainstream the Sustainable Development Goals into their programmes to contribute towards achieving these goals. Using an inquiry-based research approach, underpinned by constructivism, this study aimed to determine how research concepts and research skills can be integrated effectively into a first-year module through inquiry-based learning. First-year students at a South African university were assigned research tasks to analyse journal articles and compile a summative project based on observations in urban ecosystems. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected via online, structured questionnaires, reflective practice schedules and semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed quantitatively using descriptive statistics and supported by qualitative analysis of open-ended responses. Some of the findings included main skills developed, communication and social skills; main challenges experienced, finding a study site and working with a partner; the research task was relevant to career and society, and enhanced understanding of the module content. The integration of research at undergraduate level fostered environmental stewardship, positive career aspirations, motivation to pursue further research, and promoted problem-solving to real-world problems. It is recommended that universities support more undergraduate programmes to adopt inquiry-based learning within authentic research tasks
Situating Inquiry Pedagogical Practices in the Classroom to Foster a High-Impact Research-Minded Learning Experience
Get PDFUndergraduate programmes should provide students with meaningful learning opportunities to acquire a range of knowledge, skills, and attributes. Within the current, fast, and ever-changing environments of learning, a student’s acquisition of self-reflection, problem-solving and critical thinking skills – and ultimately the ability to undertake an independent academic inquiry – is more evident than ever before. In this article, the authors imagine a shift in the traditional notion of the classroom as a space of knowledge dissemination, to the classroom becoming a space of knowledge creation It is within this space that differences intersect, influence each other, and hybridize in pursuit of inquiry-minded (and meaningful) learning experiences. The authors argue that adopting a reflexive pedagogic approach, underscored by the notion of inquiry-based learning, best aids the development of a student’s required skill set. In the reflexive context, lecturers and students are collaborators in the learning and teaching process through mutual inquiry. Based on Paulo Freire’s notion of critical pedagogy and supported by undergraduate research as a high-impact practice, reflexive pedagogical practices stimulate students’ agency, interest and performance – creating opportunities to establish baseline research skills on undergraduate level. This article is a conceptual exploration positioning inquiry-based learning, through reflexive practices, as part of the undergraduate curriculum at all three levels of undergraduate progression. Progression and the development of inquiry skills are proposed through structured inquiry in the first year, guided inquiry during the second year, and open inquiry at the third-year level
Do Supply Chain Capabilities have an Impact on Firm Performance? A Case of the Manufacturing Sector in Gauteng Province
Get PDFRapid technological growth, consumer fulfillment, shorter product life cycles, and more penetrating international competition define the business environment nowadays. The new competitive environment has required companies to acquire new ways of effectively pursuing a competitive advantage, since the competitive advantage of a firm now depends on operational efficiency and productivity across its functional areas. The main purpose of this research was to study the relation amongst supply chain capabilities (supply chain network design, supply chain information capabilities, and supply chain integration) and supply chain agility on firm performance in the Gauteng province’s manufacturing sector in South Africa. Structured questionnaires were circulated to different manufacturing firms in the Gauteng province. Data was analysed using SPSS and AMOS 26.0 software. Results showed that the level of firm performance in the manufacturing sector is dependent upon the effectiveness of supply chain capabilities and the existence of a sound long-term relationship between partners in the supply chain. Manufacturing managers and proprietors may be able to enhance the levels of firm performance by making improvements to supply chain technologies and improving supply chain agility by cultivating long-lasting sound relationships with key suppliers and customers
‘We just want to be heard!’ Dataveillance and Location Data – Do South Africans Care?
Get PDFPeople’s perceptions of digital communication platforms as related to dataveillance, and location data are examined in order to offer suggestions for increasing regulatory strength on the part of the government. Qualitative data collected from 65 participants through unstructured interviews were analysed. The analysis reveals that most of the participants are concerned about what the technology companies do with data collected without their consent. However, because of the numerous advantages digital platforms offer, they are not bothered about the technology companies’ use of the data collected without their consent. The same applies to location data. Recommendations are offered that could help the South African government strengthen its regulatory framework