Research in Social Sciences and Technology
Not a member yet
299 research outputs found
Sort by
The Risk Auditing for Accounting Standard Reform Through a Corporate Governance Perspective: A Case Study in Luckin Coffee
Full text linkThis study investigates how risk auditing, accounting standards, and corporate governance influence accounting reforms in China's Luckin Coffee. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 30 audit professionals from nine accounting networks. The gray correlation coefficient technique was used to assess the risks associated with Luckin Coffee, focusing on material misstatements at the financial reporting level. The analysis involved risk evaluation, judgment matrix consistency checks, and gray relational, descriptive, correlation, and content analyses. The findings reveal that: 1) The risk of material misstatement at the financial statement level was R1=0.473, and the risk at the hierarchical level was R2=0.527. 2) The highest audit risk factors, ranked by gray correlation degree, include: 1) Information system risk (0.754), 2) Management fraud risk (0.744), 3) Industry risk (0.733), 4) Revenue recognition (0.729), 5) Sales expenses (0.719), 6) Policy risks (0.719), 7) Supply chain management (0.585), 8) Business model risk (0.581), 9) Regulatory risk (0.546), and 10) Consumer acceptance (0.494). Corporate governance issues identified include: 1) Audit Committee neglect, and 2) Failure of the Nominating and Governance Committee. The study highlights key challenges in accounting standards reform: 1) Lack of effective monitoring, 2) Insufficient external oversight, and 3) Inadequate regulation of innovative retail models. The audit process for new retail business models poses unique regulatory challenges due to differences in distribution channels and customer service. This research contributes to achieving long-term goals of justice, peace, and economic progress
A Pedagogical Approach Towards Ameliorating the Global Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic Through Forest Restoration and Environmental Sustainability
Full text linkThis study investigated a pedagogical approach towards ameliorating the global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic through forest restoration and environmental sustainability. This research is considered apt and timely as it underscores the urgent need for forest restoration and environmental sustainability solutions in our fragile ecosystems amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its associated challenges, such as forest degradation and the complexities of forest conservation. The study was conducted using a systematic review of the COVID-19 pandemic and its imminent challenges towards achieving forest restoration and environmental sustainability, drawing insights from renowned international academic journals, electronic publications, Google Scholar, and other academic websites. Pedagogically, integrating these findings into rural education curricula can significantly enhance students' understanding of environmental issues and the importance of sustainability. By incorporating concepts of forest conservation and environmental sustainability into classroom teachings, educators can foster a sense of environmental stewardship among students. Specifically, in rural education, equipping students with knowledge about sustainable practices and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic empowers them to engage in local conservation efforts and advocate for sustainable development within their communities. This approach not only prepares students to address environmental challenges but also promotes holistic development and improved quality of life in rural areas. Suggested strategies for curbing the adverse effects of COVID-19 include reforestation, preservation of wildlife habitats, and controlling human population growth and urbanization. This study provides recommendations on forest conservation and environmental sustainability to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Charting the Skies and Seas: A Comparative Study of Career Awareness in Aviation and Maritime Professions Among Primary School Learners
Full text linkThe aviation and maritime sectors are vital for global transport and economic growth, yet attracting youth to these fields is challenging. This comparative analysis investigates primary learners' views on aviation and maritime careers, emphasising motivations, barriers and educational needs. Utilising Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) and Social Learning Theory of Career Decision-Making (SLTCDM), the research assesses how early exposure, outcome expectations and self-efficacy influence learners' interest in these industries. By focusing on primary school learners, a largely overlooked group in career development research, this study contributes novel insights into early-stage career perceptions. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted using feedback from learners attending a career exhibition targeting aviation and maritime professions. Results indicate that both fields are viewed as exciting and lucrative; however, aviation careers are linked to academic challenges and high training costs, while maritime roles are perceived as physically demanding and associated with prolonged family absences. Key motivators identified include financial security, opportunities for global travel and diverse career options, whereas significant barriers entail issues related to work-life balance, limited career awareness and industry-specific challenges. The findings underscore the need for structured career exposure, experiential learning, and mentorship programmes to connect learners with non-traditional careers. Practical implications include integrating career education into curricula, fostering industry-school partnerships, promoting gender diversity, and leveraging technology for career guidance. Addressing these challenges through targeted interventions can effectively attract a diverse, skilled workforce to the aviation and maritime sectors. 
Pedagogical Approaches for Teaching Education for Sustainable Development in the Technology Education Curriculum
Full text linkThis study investigates pedagogical strategies to teach sustainable development within the Technology curriculum in South African secondary schools, with an emphasis on the Senior Phase. Despite the global acknowledgment of sustainable development as a critical topic, its practical application in the South African Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) is limited. This study seeks to fill this gap by studying the pedagogical tactics used by Technology teachers to build sustainability skills. Eight technology teachers from the Ehlanzeni region in Mpumalanga Province were carefully chosen to participate. Data was collected through observations and interviews, and analysed using content analysis. The findings show that while teachers are aware of sustainable development concepts, converting this understanding into successful classroom implementation presents substantial hurdles. The study identifies teacher collaboration as the primary instrument for incorporating sustainable development principles into the technology curriculum; nevertheless, practical implementation was challenging. This study responds to the requirement of integrating sustainable development into all South African disciplines, notably the Technology curriculum It emphasises the importance of specific interventions to bridge the gap between policy intent and classroom practice.  
Examining the Assistance Needed by Prison Students to Succeed in their Distance Education Studies
Full text linkThis study investigates the educational experiences of twelve jailed students in prison in Namibia, with a specific emphasis on identifying the factors necessary for their academic achievement. The study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the jailed students' perspectives on the impact of education, utilizing audio-recorded interviews. The interviews were meticulously transcribed verbatim by an English-speaking transcriber to ensure the utmost accuracy and thoroughness in documenting the participants' narratives. The author employed an interpretive paradigm to analyze and delve into the subjective meanings and experiences of the pupils. This methodology enabled a comprehensive understanding of the influence of educational programs on the lives of jailed inmates, potentially aiding in their rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society. The findings offer unique insights into the significant influence that education may have in correctional settings, revealing the challenges and accomplishments encountered by incarcerated students. This study contributes to the broader discourse on education in prisons by focusing on the real-life experiences of prisoners. It highlights the need to provide jailed individuals educational opportunities to facilitate their personal and professional development. This study emphasizes the significance of tailored educational interventions in prisons to foster advantageous outcomes for incarcerated persons and society.  
The Opportunities for Professional Growth When Using Knowledge of Students’ Prior Science Ideas in the Teaching of Evolution and Genetics: A Self-Study
Full text linkThis inquiry sought to investigate the opportunities and potential challenges of engaging in a self-study approach as a strategy for enhancing professional growth during my teaching of the topic of evolutionary genetics to 24 twelfth-grade students. I had, for many years, experienced pedagogical deficits and shortcomings when teaching evolutionary genetics despite my professional knowledge from my teacher training. I always struggled to a) represent this content in ways that make it comprehensible to my students, b) motivate my students to accept this topic, and c) address students’ misconceptions. Vygotsky’s social constructivism of knowledge and the idea of pedagogical reasoning and action as propounded by Shulman were the key theoretical lenses that guided this inquiry. Collected data included pre- and post-intervention data, students’ conceptions of evolutionary genetics ideas, lesson transcripts, my reflections, pedagogical actions and reasoning during my teaching, and notes on collaborative activities with critical friends. The collected data was analysed from a quantitative and qualitative approach. Thematic analysis for emerging themes was done from a deductive to inductive data analysis approach. This study established that through the idea of opening up for professional feedback from critical friends, one ought to make one’s pedagogical reasoning and actions public. This opening up makes one ‘vulnerable’ to severe criticism or ‘attack' by critical friends. However, despite this setback, it offers unlimited professional growth opportunities beyond one’s personal biases, interpretations, and teacher training expertise on key issues of practice. The ‘negative’ and positive critiques from others are powerful critical reflection points for enhancing professional development. However, through engaging in open feedback collaborative sessions, a practitioner experiences internal tensions between the 'inner egoistic voice' and the probing 'outer voice'. Thus, the ability to objectively reconcile one’s inner voices in the wake of the usually unfriendly outer voices is a crucial starting point for one to realise professional growth as a practitioner
Episodes of Student Vandalism in Higher Education Institutions in South Africa
Full text linkThe South African higher education sector is annually buffeted with student unrest, ensuing costly vandalism of institutional property and jeopardy of academic progress. This paper explores episodes of vandalism in higher education institutions in South Africa. The literature review is utilised as a qualitative sub-methodology. 47 journal articles and one book chapter were accessed using data engines such as EBSCOhost, the Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest and Google Scholar to analyse and synthesise thematic findings. The study established the following findings: Student indiscipline emanating from their social backgrounds, destruction of property, reputational deficits, and litigation consequences to students. The paper recommends that the next academic studies focus on determining the global, regional and South African statistical prevalence of student vandalism in higher education institutions
Exploration of the Experiences of Lesotho Sleep in Domestic Workers in a Semi-Urban Settlement in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Full text linkThis study, conducted through a combination of interviews, surveys, and direct observations, examines the exploitation of sleep-in domestic workers from Lesotho who work in South African households. Based on data collected from 15 participants, the research brings to light the difficult living conditions these workers face, including a lack of privacy and inadequate working environments. The study identifies several key issues, such as the absence of written contracts, leaving workers susceptible to exploitation, unpaid overtime, and widespread non-compliance with minimum wage laws. The research shows that domestic workers encounter major obstacles in getting necessary healthcare and support services, which worsens their already unstable situation. The study also emphasizes the lack of chances for training and skills improvement, which hampers the workers' ability to enhance their lives and find better job opportunities. Many of these domestic workers are the main providers for their families and single parents, making the importance of fair pay and good working conditions even more crucial. The study highlights the significance of fair pay and good working conditions, stressing the urgent need for these rights and immediate policy interventions to be upheld. The research aims to bring attention to the systemic exploitation faced by this vulnerable group and advocate for essential reforms to protect their rights and improve their living and working conditions. Overall, the study emphasizes the pressing need for policy interventions and support mechanisms to empower domestic workers and enhance their quality of life in South Africa
Work-Integrated Learning in a Changing Educational Context
Full text linkTeaching, while acknowledged to be a noble career, can be a very difficult path. Preservice teacher educators are tasked with the immense duty of transforming preservice teachers into pedagogues that could and should make a difference to the lives of those they interact with. As teacher educators, we must strive to create continuing support and shared accountability, so that preservice teachers will be empowered as effective educators to extend themselves to ensure that the learners at schools attain their highest goals. This research looked at the way Work Integrated Learning (WIL) aides in this process. After the necessary ethical issues were addressed and permission obtained to conduct the study, final-year undergrad students, inservice teachers, and staff were encouraged to participate in this interpretative study. They were required to respond to an online questionnaire and a sample of participants was interviewed. The results are not unexpected and reinforce the idea that WIL learning has to adapt to the evolving technological culture that pervades all of society
Advancing Social Science Teaching Through GIS-Based Mapping and Forecasting of LULC Changes of Recreational Parks in Durban Metropolis
Full text linkThis study examines the spatio-temporal and projected dynamics of land use and land cover (LULC) changes in Durban Metropolis, South Africa. The research problem focuses on the growing tension between urban sprawl and the ecological sustainability of recreational parks in Durban Metropolis. As rapid urban expansion continues to encroach upon the recreational green spaces, it exacerbates degradation, threatening biodiversity and undermining ecosystem resilience. This study's significance extends to Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) by demonstrating how GIS technology can be integrated into research, teaching, and learning to enhance environmental literacy and promote sustainable development principles. This research also contributes to bridging the gap between environmental research and pedagogy, empowering educators and students to engage actively in ecosystem conservation. The study adopts the Place-Based Education (PBE) Frameworks, providing a foundation for understanding the interconnectedness between societies and ecosystems, thereby aligning well with the study’s emphasis on advancing environmental education. A quantitative research approach was employed, combining GIS-based spatial analysis of satellite imagery with quantitative data. Base maps from 2004, 2014, 2024 and projections for 2034 for 9 major parks were analyzed to project trends in vegetation loss and urban LULC for the study area in 2034, highlighting areas of significant ecological concern. Findings emphasize continued pressure on green spaces, underscoring the urgent need for conservation strategies. The study recommends integrating GIS-based tools in teaching sustainable urban development, fostering critical thinking, and promoting place-based learning to equip students with skills for analyzing and addressing real-world environmental challenges.