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The Concept of Good Governance and the King IV Principle 1 of Ethical and Effective Leadership as Absolutes for Effective and Efficient South African Higher Education Setting
Get PDFPublished ArticleEssentially, to fulfil their core mandate of teaching and learning, research and community engagement higher education institutions (HEIs) are highly dependent on an environment that is supportive to their effective and efficient functioning. Accordingly, this environment relies entirely on good governance, ethical and effective leadership roles and responsibilities. The two roles and responsibilities are critical in ensuring effective functioning, stability and success of HEIs. During 2012 there were about four South African HEIs that, in accordance with Section 41A of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act 101 of 1997, as amended) (RSA 1997:37) and section 38 of the Higher Education and Training Laws Amendment Act (Act 23 of 2012) (RSA 2012:8), were placed under administration, and this was as a result of challenges that they experienced which were related to poor governance and ineffective and unethical leadership. The reports of the independent assessors that were appointed to the four HEIs put under administration revealed how activities and behaviours, of especially those who had fiducial responsibility, compromised key elements embedded in good governance and effective and ethical leadership roles and responsibilities easily led to the HEIs being ineffective and unstable. The main aim of this article is to briefly interrogate the experiences of the four HEIs and highlight how good governance practices and the King IV Principle 1 of ethical and effective leadership roles and responsibilities are absolutes to effective, stable and successful South African Higher Education (SAHE) setting. In addition, as this article wish to demonstrate these roles and responsibilities are critical in ensuring that the post-1994 SAHEIs as public institutions are governed and led in a transparent and accountable manner
Environmental Influences, Employee Resourcing Strategies and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Performance: Case of South African Small Restaurants
Get PDFPublished ArticleOrientation: Small businesses’ contribution to economic growth and employment creation
cannot be disputed in South Africa, amid operating in an environment that is highly competitive
and reports of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) high failure rates, in general. In view
of this, and to our knowledge, no known theoretical study has been conducted in South Africa
examining how certain environmental factors might influence the use of appropriate resourcing
strategies for improved small businesses’ performance.
Research purpose: This theoretical article investigates the relationships between environmental
influences, employee resourcing strategies and business performance among South African
small restaurants.
Motivation for the study: There is a paucity of literature that has explored whether a
relationship exists between the three variables among small restaurant businesses in South
Africa, justifying the need for such an investigation.
Research approach/design and method: This article, which is conceptual in nature, adopted a
systematic literature review which entails combining all existing research literature related to
the three variables so as to arrive at logical inferences.
Main findings: The research contends that a relationship exists between the three variables.
Practical/managerial implications: Small businesses need to be aware of the environmental
influences that may contribute to business failure so that they attune employee resourcing
strategies to the environment to achieve high performance.
Contribution/value add: The article contributes to extant literature on the interplay between
environmental factors, resourcing strategies and firm performance in small restaurant
businesses of emerging economies
Iyengar-Sudarshan Method Application to Drought Social Vulnerability: Free State Province, South Africa
Get PDFPublished ArticleFree State province is one of the few provinces that was declared drought disaster-struck in 2015. This
province is said to be the bread-basket of South Africa therefore protecting it and its human capital is
crucial. Social vulnerability to drought was assessed in this study using Iyengar-Sudarshan method. The
objective of the study was to; determine municipalities that are socially prone to drought disaster impacts
and help with resource mobilisation and allocation in drought relief programmes. Indicators were drawn
from Census (2011) data available online. The study appliedIyengar-Sudarshan method in vulnerability
computation and munipalities grouped by statistical K-means clustering. The results showed major
municipalities in the province less vulnerable compared to the rest of other municipalities. The results
concur with reality where Mangaung, Metsimaholo and Matjhabeng are some of the largest municipalities
in the province. However, about 80% of the municipalities in this province are prone to devastating effects
of climate change variability. This implies that an attention should be given to areas with high population
such a Maluti a Phofung which harbours the highest number of agricultural households in the province and
all other areas in accordance with vulnerability levels
Does Firm Size Matter in Innovation in Small Accommodation Businesses in Developing Economies?
Get PDFPublished ArticleThe tourism industry and in particular the accommodation sector is fast growing and competitive. To survive,
accommodation businesses need to engage in sustainable innovation. However, literature is fragmented on
the drivers of innovation in the accommodation sector specifically on small accommodation businesses
(SABs). Such limited empirical information exposes small businesses to intense competition from their large
business counterparts. The study sought to establish whether firm size influences innovation in SABs in
South Africa and Zimbabwe. The study examined and compared the influence of different sizes of SABs
(micro, small and medium (SMMEs) on different dimensions of innovation (Product/service, process,
marketing and organisational (PPMO) in Zimbabwe and South Africa where owner/managers of small
accommodation businesses were participants. A cross sectional comparative research design was used.
Using stratified random sampling, two samples each of 139 were drawn from target populations of 257 and
331 SABs from Manicaland and Free State provinces in Zimbabwe and South Africa respectively. Data was
collected using questionnaires and analysed using ANOVA F tests. The results of the study showed that
regardless of nationality, there is strong evidence of no association between firm size (SMMEs) and
innovation. Specifically, SMMEs have no influence on the different dimensions (PPMO) of innovation. Hence
firm size does not matter on innovation among SABs in Zimbabwe and South Africa. It is recommended that
owner/managers of SABs in Zimbabwe and South Africa should not use firm size as a driver of innovation
but instead explore, embrace and invest in those drivers that stimulate sustainable innovation. Furthermore,
future studies should consider including qualitative information from owner/managers of small
accommodation businesses in order to retrieve and add more depth to the study
Making Community-Based Tourism Sustainable: Evidence from the Free State Province, South Africa
No full textPublished ArticleCommunity-based tourism (CBT) has been promoted as a way of development whereby the socio-cultural, environmental and economic needs of local communities are met through tourism product offerings. CBT is concerned with ensuring that the local community benefits directly from the tourism industry. CBT is known to contribute to social and economic survival of the marginalised communities in developing countries and the preservation of natural resources in the affected areas. In developing countries, tourism has often been observed as the spin around for small-scale enterprises and job creation, and therefore the uplifting of local communities’ standard of living. Where CBT is practiced well, there is a potential to provide some exceptional opportunities for communities by offering not only better benefits, but also enhancing their contribution in planning and management of tourism in their communities. The primary goal of the study was to investigate the sustainability of financial investment in community-based tourism projects in the Thabo Mofutsanyana Municipality. Secondary objectives were set, namely: to determine if the projects can sustain themselves after funding support has been terminated, to determine the oversight role played by government on how funding has been utilised, and to formulate guidelines on how to increase the sustainability of CBT projects. CBT projects have the potential of opening up avenues for locals and economically deprived communities to have a meaningful contribution in tourism. The qualitative study sought to investigate the sustainability of financial investments in CBT within the Thabo Mofutsanyane area. The results indicated that financial investments are important for CBT. Financial investments are not an end, as marketing planning and skills development can ensure the success of CBT. This article offers developing destinations will critical success factors for CBT projects that are used to create a tourism supply chain for residents and citizens of a tourism destination
Raffia Palm (Raphia Hookeri) Wine: Qualitative Sugar Profile, Functional Chemistry, and Antidiabetic Properties
Get PDFPublished ArticleThe effects of short-term fermentation on the sugar quality, functional chemistry, antioxidant and antidiabetic
properties of Raffia palm (Raphia hookeri) wine were investigated. Palm wine samples were subjected to open air
fermentation for 24 and 48 h. The samples showed significant (p < 0.05) antioxidant activities with little or no
differences between the unfermented and fermented samples. There was a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on α-
glucosidase, α-amylase and intestinal glucose absorption with increasing fermentation time. Both non-fermented
and 24 h fermentation led to increased muscle glucose uptake in a dose-dependent manner. 1H NMR spectroscopy
showed the presence of allose, cellobiose, d-tagatose, fructose, galactitol, gluconic acid, rhamnose, sucrose,
xylose and β-N-acetylglucosamine in the samples. FTIR spectroscopy showed the presence of alcohols,
phenols, 1° and 2° amines and aromatics functional groups in all samples. Fermentation led to the addition of the
functional group, bend alkenes. These results suggested that un-fermented and fermented Raffia palm wine may
have antioxidant and antidiabetic properties
Morphology and Properties of Electrospun PCL and Its Composites for Medical Applications: A Mini Review
Get PDFPublished ArticlePolycaprolactone (PCL) is one of the most used synthetic polymers for medical applications
due to its biocompatibility and slow biodegradation character. Combining the inherent properties
of the PCL matrix with the characteristic of nanofibrous particles, result into promising materials
that can be suitable for di erent applications, including the biomedical applications. The advantages
of nanofibrous structures include large surface area, a small diameter of pores and a high porosity,
which make them of great interest in di erent applications. Electrospinning, as technique, has been
heavily used for the preparation of nano- and micro-sized fibers. This review discusses the di erent
methods for the electrospinning of PCL and its composites for advanced applications. Furthermore,
the steady state conditions as well as the e ect of the electrospinning parameters on the resultant
morphology of the electrospun fiber are also reported
Enhancing the Use of a Teaching Portfolio in Higher Education as a Critically Reflexive Practice
Get PDFPublished ArticleTeaching portfolios in higher education are used for the purpose of reflecting on the lecturer’s practice to
improve student learning. Significant to academic development is the need to encourage staff to engage
in scholarly writing about their teaching and student learning as a critically reflexive practice through the
development of teaching portfolios. It was noted through the implementation of an academic development
programme at a university of technology across faculties that not many lecturers were in possession of
teaching portfolios and for the few who were, their main reason for developing them was for promotion
or to participate in teaching awards. This paper is about exploring the use of teaching portfolios for
critically reflecting on one’s teaching to enhance student learning, underpinned by Schon’s reflection
on- and in- action principle. The study used qualitative interpretive research design to determine the
awareness of university teachers on the purpose and importance of teaching portfolios. It was found that
19 participants were aware of the reflective purpose of the portfolios while 11 compiled them out of
compliance. This outcome implies that more lecturers need to be engaged in developing critically reflexive
teaching portfolios for enhanced teaching and student learning, as well as for increased participation in
the scholarship of teaching and learning
Effective Use of Video Lectures for Design Project Students
Get PDFPublished ArticleVideos are used as an educational tool in many higher education institutions around the world. At the University of South Africa, video lectures were used to communicate essential information to the students regarding the module Design Project III. The question can thus be asked, how can video lectures be used to establish better communication between the study leader and students in Design Project III, and what are student’s perceptions on the use of video lectures? In this research, a case study was used, where lecturing videos were recorded and communicated to the students in the module Design Project III. Student perceptions regarding the videos were recorded with a questionnaire. Several advantages and disadvantages were identified and reported on. Students felt that the video lectures were relevant, easily accessed and beneficial to their studies. Some of the disadvantages were the cost of data to access the videos. The positive responses from students may be an indication that video lectures can be used with great success in design-based modules in South Africa
Design Rules For Conformal Cooling Channels In Plastic Injection Moulds Produced Through Direct Metal Laser Sintering Of Maraging Steel
Get PDFDissertationAdditive Manufacturing (AM) is fast becoming a common process in the manufacturing and tooling industry at large. Subsequently, AM has been identified as one of the key technologies in Industry 4.0 through the design freedom and versatility in the possible shortened lead times offered.The application of AM has recently become quite appealing in the Injection Moulding (IM) industry. The development of metal powders for Selective Laser Melting (SLM) has created the potential for SLM to be used for the manufacture of high-volume production IM tooling inserts. The design capabilities of tool designers have been enhanced through the use of AM in the tool making environment by lending its greatest advantage: freedom of design. Since AM offers virtual freedom of design, this has led to the implementation of conformal cooling channels for tooling, which has shown to be instrumental in enhancing productivity and ultimately increasing profitability. The cooling of IM tools is a vital stage in the IM process which has a direct impact on the profitability and productivity of the process. The efficiency of injection mould tooling is positively influenced by an enhanced cooling rate achieved through conformal cooling, which in turn has a positive influence on the quality of the parts produced.
The aim of this study was to further enhance the use of AM in the IM industry through the refinement of design rules for conformal cooling channels. By utilizing Finite Element Analysis (FEA)-based techniques and practical experiments, the end goal has been achieved through the determination of physical limitations of conformal cooling channels built through the Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) process, an AM technique used to fuse metal powders through application of a high-power-density laser.
Furthermore, one of the challenges faced during this study led to the development of a stress-relieving heat treatment for maraging steel components built using the DMLS process. This was achieved through subsequent applications of a combination of heat treatments followed by 3D-scanning techniques and hardness measurements. This process was iterated until a virtually stress-free component was achieved.
Ultimately, the refined design rules were applied to an IM toolset in an attempt to compare the cooling efficiency and productivity of conformal cooling channels produced using AM and that of conventionally machined cooling channels.The results indicated that conformal cooling has a significant impact on the reduction of cycle times resulting in an improved cooling efficiency. In a broader perspective, a design process was documented to further augment the design thought process as applied AM in the IM tooling industry. Together with the documentation of the refined design rules for conformal cooling channels, this provides a valuable tool to the IM design industry at large