1,720,983 research outputs found
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Get PDFThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Book Review: Western Empires, Christianity, and the Inequalities between the West and the Rest, 1500– 2010
No full textBook Title: Western Empires, Christianity, and the Inequalities between the West and the Rest, 1500– 2010Book Author: Sampie TerreblanchePenguin: Johannesburg, 2014. 584 p
International learning : the role of transnational corporations in the development of small businesses' international competitiveness in South Africa
Get PDFSubmitted in fulfillment of part of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Technology in the Faculty of Management Sciences at Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2007.The South African small business sector, particularly the manufacturing industries, such as textile, clothing, and automotive industries, are not considered internationally competitive. This shortcoming is seen in the context of liberalizing and transforming the South African economy, and the threat of foreign
competition such as China. This study takes a systems view of the problems that are facing small businesses in South Africa, drawing on historical, theoretical and
empirical sources within a proposed framework for small business international
learning. The various elements in the framework include international
competitiveness challenges facing small businesses, which, the author argues,
create tension for survival within small businesses; the limited role of the small
business support regime in South Africa; and the role of Foreign Direct Investment through Transnational Corporations (TNCs). Therefore, this study investigates the international learning processes of small businesses and develops a new theoretical model to illustrate and elucidate interventions to strengthen international learning processes of these small businesses.
Methodology
The manufacturing sector was chosen as the ideal sector for this study since it
contributes significantly to the GDP and levels of employment of a country, and is
at the receiving end of new production methodologies and technologies and
other competition dynamics. This sector, at a small business level, is currently
experiencing international competitiveness challenges in South Africa. The methodology followed an initial exploratory, qualitative approach followed by a formal, empirical, quantitative approach. The research questionnaire met the quality criteria as established through content validity, criterion related validity, and reliability criteria. This questionnaire was administered to a sample of 300 out of a population of 800 manufacturing small firms in Durban, using an unrestricted random probability sampling method. A total of 255 completed questionnaires were returned, and the results were expressed at the 95%
confidence level with a confidence interval of 0.05.
Results and Discussions
From the correlation analysis of the level of importance and extent of implementation of international learning processes, four international learning processes, whose implementation can be enhanced by an improvement in the importance of international competitiveness challenges and support, were extracted. These international learning processes include increased learning
activities on management, sales and marketing, finance, and also the image of
small businesses.
Through the consolidation of the results of the correlation analysis, a theoretical
model for the identification and development of international learning processes
was created.
Conclusion
From the small business practice and policy point of view, this study s findings
suggest that the international learning processes of small businesses confronted
by international competitiveness challenges in transforming developing economies can be strengthened by applying the theoretical model developed in this study. From the government, TNCs, and small businesses perspective, this study s findings also suggest that the establishment of linkage programmes and enhancement of learning activities, which revolve around the identified international learning processes as established in the theoretical model, will
enable the attainment of international competitiveness of small businesses. This
study, therefore, proposes the implementation, in the short-term, of information and linkage support at sector level that addresses the enhancement of the
identified international learning processes; and the implementation, in the longterm,
of a grand-scale small businesses and TNCs linkage programme in line with the premise provided in the theoretical model.
Variations on the Author
Get PDF“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
The impact of leadership and management capacity on municipal service delivery in Bushbuckridge Local Municipality
No full textSubmitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences: Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2018.This thesis is about an investigation of the impact of leadership and on service delivery in Bushbuckridge local municipality in Mpumalanga province. This study looked at the internal and external factors that affect service delivery in Bushbuckridge Local municipality (BLM). Bushbuckridge local municipality has had some service delivery challenges over the years which affected its ability to deliver services. In 2013, BLM was placed under administration in terms of section 139 (5) (a) of the constitution of the republic of South Africa due to the collapse of service delivery.
Local government is one of the arms of government located closest to the citizens and constitutionally tasked with the responsibility of delivering basic services to the citizens. Failure to deliver these services has a direct impact on the day to day lives of citizens. Poor service delivery or the lack of it thereof has often triggered service delivery protests. This study is therefore an effort to look at how municipal officials, councillors and ward committee members’ leadership and management capacity contribute to poor service delivery in Bushbuckridge local municipality.
To explore the challenges affecting service in BLM the following research questions were used:
• Do ward councillors; proportional councillors; and municipal officials; have the appropriate skills to execute their work effectively?
• Do the municipal officials have an understanding of the underlying factors affecting service delivery in Bushbuckridge local municipality?
• What organizational/institutional factors affect service delivery in Bushbuckridge local municipality?
• How do environmental factors affect the delivery of services in Bushbuckridge local municipality?
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• How effective are the ward committees as a platform for public participation in the affairs of local government?
• How does the leadership capacity of ward committees impact on their contribution to service delivery?
• What is the link between leadership, management capacity and service delivery?
This study was conducted using mixed research methods where qualitative and quantitative data was collected. Data was collected using a face to face method by the researcher using a paper based data collection tool. A total of 67 Participants from the Bushbuckridge local municipality were enrolled into the study. The qualitative data was analysed used Stata, while the qualitative data was analysed using Atlas.ti.
The quantitative results have been presented in the form of graphs, pie charts and tables while qualitative results have been presented according to themes where similar responses have been grouped together. The findings are discussed in chapter six to establish the relationship with the research questions of this study. A number of conclusions based on findings are drawn in chapter seven which is the final chapter of this thesis.
The impact of Batho-Pele principles at King Edward VIII Hospital.
Get PDFThesis (MPA)-University of Durban-Westville, 2001.Abstract not available
Small and medium scale manufacturing enterprises in Kenya:a perspective on alternative sources of financing
Get PDFA thesis submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Administration & Law in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Commerce in Management in Department of Accounting and Audit at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2005.Small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) form the majority of the enterprises in the Kenyan economy. They employ a large share of the labour force. The sector is perceived as an alternative employer. Recent studies show that SMEs are at least as important as large firms in the creation of gross and net new jobs. Notwithstanding their importance, most SMEs are unable to exploit the increased market opportunities due to a number of constraints. This is because of either low productivity, incapacity to face competition from imports or in export markets, constraints to adapt new technologies and or a lack of finance.
Financing of the sectors' activities is always cited as one of the problems facing the sector. The literature review on SME's access to bank finance indicates that most SME operators have limited access to bank finance. SME access to the formal financial sector is constrained by high risks and transaction costs associated with commercial lending. To develop them and maintain their contribution, initiatives are required to enable them grow and flourish. The aim of this study was to provide a perspective on use of alternative finance by SMEs in Kenya. The study focused on three manufacturing sub-sectors, namely: Textile and Garment, Furniture and Wood products and Metal and Metal products. To achieve this aim, the study sought to identify factors influencing the financing structure of SMEs such as enterprise demographic factors, investigate alternative methods or models of SME financing; identify factors which limit SMEs access to credit from the formal financial market, main sources of SMEs finance, and suggest and recommend measures to improve SMEs finance in Kenya.
The study employed survey research design methodology in which combinations of research methods were used. These included questionnaire survey, observation; face to-face interviews and literature review. Various enterprise finance theories making up the meta-theoretical framework used in the study and empirical studies of small enterprises' capital structure are discussed as aprelude to the empirical study. Empirical data was collected from 380 respondents to answer research questions and to test various hypotheses concerning the determinants of capital structure of the enterprises in the study. The aspects of capital structure covered in the analyses were alternative sources of finance [long-term and short-term and the demographic characteristics of the SME operators and their enterprises. Quantitative data from the survey was analyzed with the application of micro fit software and descriptive statistics. Content analysis was applied to qualitative data from open-ended questions and structured interview schedule on key informants.
The findings indicates that the SME manufacturing activity is male dominated; majority of the manufacturing SME operators fell in the 30-49 age categories; had secondary education; do not to have any formal training in business management; have not changed accounts from one bank to the other; and majority of the enterprises in the survey are sole proprietorships. Further, empirical results indicate that interest rate and collateral requirement are the major factors influencing choice of finance. The overall results show that personal savings is used as the main source of enterprise financing. Specifically, there was general agreement amongst the operators that bank finance is least used and that alternative finance is least used and poorly understood or not understood at all. In addition, there was a very insignificant level of computer literacy among the SME operators in the study.
The study notes that SME financing in Kenya; and in particular the use of alternative finance needs to be addressed. It is recommended that a Small Business policy division be established by the government of Kenya, responsible for promoting small business policy; establishment of a business portal to not only harmonise, but also facilitate provision of online support services to the maximum number of financial and other services; establishment of a central data bank on national business activities including those of small and medium-scale enterprises. The system to maintain comprehensive and objective data sets relating to the financing of SMEs, particularly on demand for and supply of financing; promote inter-firm linkages and provide information on availability of alternative sources of finance. The study further suggests a hybrid structure of SME financing between the micro-finance institutions (MFIs) and the formal financial institutions.
The model suggests an introduction of micro and small business finance windows in commercial banks, developing linkages between micro financial institutions and commercial banks. In addition, the study proposes the establishment of a national SMEs development bank that will act as a revolving fund to boost the development of SMEs. The proposed bank to be linked to municipal/city council SMEs revolving funds. This will ensure that there is an all-round concerted effort at stimulating and monitoring SME activities. The strategy will help allocate limited national resources to target industrial activities that will jump-start the industrial process, using both local and foreign resources. It is further recommended that longitudinal studies be considered to meet data needs in the SME sector. Such studies will help identify real financing gaps among other gaps in the sector for the application of intervention measures.
In conclusion, the study makes a distinct contribution to the theory and practice of financial management, specifically alternative financing in the small and medium-size organizations, not only in Kenya but for other countries in Africa as well. The study also presents a basis for educational, developmental and training parameters, which enlightened institutions can implement in formal training programmes. Finally, organisations that facilitate the financing of small and medium-size businesses are encouraged to maintain comprehensive and objective data sets relating specifically to the financing of SME's
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Get PDFWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
A comparative review of programs for adult education in Lesotho and the lessons that South Africa can learn from them
Get PDFThesis (MPA)-University of Durban-Westville, 1995.The dissertation is a review and comparison of the programmes for adult education (AE) in South Africa and Lesotho. The two countries share some historical affinities and are geographically contiguous. Thus much can be learnt from a comparative analysis of the two. An extensive description of the two countries' strategies of AE is made and how these have evolved over the years. Much library-based research was carried out with respect to the position of AE in South Africa. In addition, some field work was also undertaken. This focussed mainly on the valuable role played by the South African Committee for Higher Education (SACHED). Interviews with the Director: Kwazulu Natal - South Africa (lan Mkize), shed light on the work done by SACHED in the past and the direction it would be following in the future. It is a fact that this body is the foremost Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in South Africa in the field of AE. SACHED has also played an important role by making submissions which assisted with the drawing up of the Government White Paper on Education and Training. One of the important programs that SACHED is engaged in currently with is ASECA (A Secondary Education Curriculum for Adults). In conversations with the then ASECA Regional Co-ordinator, Dhaya Sewduth, the success of the implementation of ASECA was already evident. It seems clear that since the program has been so well received, the number of students enrolled is set to exceed all expectations. The researcher obtained a great deal of information from the NEPI Reports - especially those concerning Adult Education and Adult Basic Education. These Reports have been the result of great debate and research by some of the best academics and practitioners in the field. All the resources, whether primary or secondary, enable one to make a few generalised conclusions: - black education has suffered from centuries of neglect by the government of the day - as a result, huge backlogs exist in schools, equipment and personnel - although there is some disagreement as to the exact figure, the illiteracy rate among the adult population (i.e. in the age group 20 years or older) is very high - 31% according to the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) (1993; 6). - present provision is grossly insufficient - greater funding is urgently required from state, the corporate sector and NGO’s - the current poor state of education with the resultant high drop out rate means that AE will remain a priority for some years to come - AE can be a valuable way of affirming the previously disadvantaged communities enabling them to take their rightful places in mainstream society The AE experience in Lesotho was examined from a different perspective. Much time was physically spent in Lesotho and information was obtained from a wide spectrum of service providers and role players. The Institute of Extra Mural Studies (IEMS) of the National University of Lesotho (NUL) is one of the main role players in AE. Thus much time was spent here collecting information and interviewing the key personnel. It became clear from these interactions that IEMS has direction and foresight and is clearly focussed on its central task - it sees itself not only as a trainer of AE but it also trains the trainers. One of the main drawbacks is the lack of funds. A most encouraging feature is that the rural areas are not neglected and receive their fair share of attention. The situation in South Africa is opposite to that in Lesotho and rural areas suffer from abject neglect. The Lesotho Distance Teaching Centre (LDTC) is mainly concerned with preparing students to pass exams on a part-time basis (Std 6, Std 8 and Cambridge Overseas School Certificate - COSC). However, it is also involved in AE and literacy work. Although the Centre clearly does sterling work in its chosen field, it does suffer from certain handicaps - the chief of these being insufficient funds to carry out all its desired projects and a very high staff turnover (mainly because of poor salaries). As a result, staff use the Centre as a starting point to obtain better paying portions in other departments of the public service. The Lesotho Association for Non Formal Education (LANFE) has a large number of affiliates from different parts of the country. The Organisation survives completely on funding provided by DVV (German Adult Education Association). Although LANFE does provide some training and a window for goods produced by members, it is completely at the mercy of donor funding and is unable to find ways of generating funds on its own in any other way. A matter of immediate concern is that DVV is currently to end its funding in 1996. A characteristic feature of Lesotho is the large variety of NGO's operating in Lesotho because of the great poverty of the country. Greater co-ordination is necessary to prevent duplication of infrastructure and services. Such resources are sadly wasted in a country where this should not be allowed to happen. The poor state of full time schooling, especially primary education, is such that there will be high drop out rates for some time to come. Thus the provision of AE will be a continuing necessity. Lesotho has a wide diversity of service providers in the NGO sector. A strong point in favour of positive results from AE is the hemogenous nature of the population who speak a common language. South Africa on the hand has a wide diversity of people of different tribes, languages and cultural persuasions. Some of the main lessons that South Africa can learn from Lesotho are : - greater commitment from government regarding AE. - greater amount of improvement attached to AE so that it features more permanently in the agendas and budgets. - greater penetration of AE programs in the rural areas. - increased funding. - AE should be given greater prominence in the RDP budget. - AE could become an important tool to affirm the previously disadvantaged and correct some its worst excesses. Lesotho can also benefit from the South African experience. One way could be by the establishment of Departments of Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET). The AE experience in South Africa up to date has been a sad saga of grossly insufficient provision on a small scale for a potential number running into many millions. Finally, greater commitment and resources are necessary from the state and the donor communities. However, there must be better co-ordination to prevent duplication and to allow for economies of scale
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