Pub Date : 1900-01-01DOI: 10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1042
Simphiwe Magagula, N. Mugovhani, S. Yende
In recent years, there have been debates regarding the scope of Creative Arts subject in the existing curriculum known as the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement offered in the South African public schools. Crucial points in question include that the curriculum does not fully equip learners with the requisite skills for their respective areas of interest. This article interrogates these, and many other challenges encountered in teaching and learning this subject. The study adopted a qualitative research method to collect data, using methods such as semi-structured interviews with the principals, teachers, as well as selected learners from the selected public schools. A substantial review of previous and recent scholarly writings was used to substantiate the findings. The over-arching finding is that this Creative Arts subject requires some intervention strategies and revision by the government and all relevant stakeholders. This study concludes by affirming that the Creative Arts subject plays a vital role in schools, but some issues have contributed to the ineffectiveness of the subject. There is a clear indication that one of the main contributions to the ineffectiveness of the Creative Arts subject in schools is to find specialist educators in each art form.
{"title":"Challenges Encountered in the Enhancement and Optimal Teaching and Learning of the Creative Arts Subject in South Africa","authors":"Simphiwe Magagula, N. Mugovhani, S. Yende","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1042","url":null,"abstract":"In recent years, there have been debates regarding the scope of Creative Arts subject in the existing curriculum known as the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement offered in the South African public schools. Crucial points in question include that the curriculum does not fully equip learners with the requisite skills for their respective areas of interest. This article interrogates these, and many other challenges encountered in teaching and learning this subject. The study adopted a qualitative research method to collect data, using methods such as semi-structured interviews with the principals, teachers, as well as selected learners from the selected public schools. A substantial review of previous and recent scholarly writings was used to substantiate the findings. The over-arching finding is that this Creative Arts subject requires some intervention strategies and revision by the government and all relevant stakeholders. This study concludes by affirming that the Creative Arts subject plays a vital role in schools, but some issues have contributed to the ineffectiveness of the subject. There is a clear indication that one of the main contributions to the ineffectiveness of the Creative Arts subject in schools is to find specialist educators in each art form.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"51 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114784069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 1900-01-01DOI: 10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1017
A. Naicker, E. Singh
Traditionally, 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.
{"title":"Embedding Undergraduate Research through Industry-Based Projects: Student Experiences","authors":"A. Naicker, E. Singh","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1017","url":null,"abstract":"Traditionally, 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.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"80 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126330007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 1900-01-01DOI: 10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1149
Nkululeko Zondi, Zikho Qwatekana, S. Dube
Solid waste management is a global challenge, particularly in economically developing countries due to their growing population, urbanisation, and increasing waste generation. Municipalities in South Africa are responsible for general waste management in both residential areas and industrial sites. However, waste management is not implemented in all rural areas of South Africa, even against the background of socioeconomic improvement and increased consumption patterns in these communities. This study aims to examine the relationship between rural socioeconomic conditions and solid waste generation and management. The target population of this study is five rural communities of the Vulindlela area, which is situated west of Msunduzi Municipality in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. A total of 50 households were randomly selected as sample sites as the result of a detailed field survey in 2022 and 50 respondents participated in the study for interview through cluster sampling technique. The study uses a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods. Primary data about the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents were gathered through close-ended questions. Open-ended questions in the semi-structured interviews were utilised to gather data on Vulindlela residents’ perceptions of waste pollution effects and strategies implemented in their area. Microsoft Excel version 2305 was used to perform basic descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) to examine the socio-economic characteristics of respondents. While a thematic content analysis was undertaken to analyse the open-ended question data which was on respondents’ perceptions of waste pollution in their area. The study findings suggest that Vulindlela is a socioeconomically diverse rural community, with households earning between 500 and 31,000 Rand per month. In addition, grocery expenditures range from 800 to 3100 Rand per month. Communities characterised by lower income generation dispose of their waste inside their households, apart from certain waste such as nappies that are disposed of in freshwater ecosystems and open spaces, while those who earn more money have diverse waste types and dispose of their waste at illegal dump sites.
固体废物管理是一项全球性挑战，特别是在经济发展中国家，因为它们的人口不断增长、城市化和废物产生不断增加。南非的市政当局负责住宅区和工业场所的一般废物管理。然而，即使在这些社区的社会经济改善和消费模式增加的背景下，南非的所有农村地区也没有实施废物管理。本研究旨在探讨农村社会经济条件与固体废物产生和管理之间的关系。本研究的目标人群是位于夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省彼得马里茨堡姆松杜兹市西部的Vulindlela地区的五个农村社区。通过2022年的详细实地调查，随机抽取50户家庭作为样本点，采用整群抽样技术对50名受访者进行访谈研究。这项研究采用了定性和定量相结合的方法。调查对象的社会人口特征的主要数据是通过封闭式问题收集的。利用半结构化访谈中的开放式问题收集有关Vulindlela居民对其所在地区废物污染影响和实施策略的看法的数据。使用Microsoft Excel version 2305进行基本的描述性统计(频率和百分比)，以检查受访者的社会经济特征。同时进行了主题内容分析，以分析关于答复者对其所在地区废物污染的看法的开放式问题数据。研究结果表明，Vulindlela是一个社会经济多样化的农村社区，家庭每月收入在500至31,000兰特之间。此外，杂货支出从每月800到3100兰特不等。收入较低的社区除了在淡水生态系统和露天场所处置尿布等某些废物外，还将废物处置在家庭内部，而收入较高的社区的废物种类多样，并将废物处置在非法倾倒场。
{"title":"Modernisation of Rural Communities: Solid Waste Management Implication","authors":"Nkululeko Zondi, Zikho Qwatekana, S. Dube","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1149","url":null,"abstract":"Solid waste management is a global challenge, particularly in economically developing countries due to their growing population, urbanisation, and increasing waste generation. Municipalities in South Africa are responsible for general waste management in both residential areas and industrial sites. However, waste management is not implemented in all rural areas of South Africa, even against the background of socioeconomic improvement and increased consumption patterns in these communities. This study aims to examine the relationship between rural socioeconomic conditions and solid waste generation and management. The target population of this study is five rural communities of the Vulindlela area, which is situated west of Msunduzi Municipality in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. A total of 50 households were randomly selected as sample sites as the result of a detailed field survey in 2022 and 50 respondents participated in the study for interview through cluster sampling technique. The study uses a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods. Primary data about the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents were gathered through close-ended questions. Open-ended questions in the semi-structured interviews were utilised to gather data on Vulindlela residents’ perceptions of waste pollution effects and strategies implemented in their area. Microsoft Excel version 2305 was used to perform basic descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) to examine the socio-economic characteristics of respondents. While a thematic content analysis was undertaken to analyse the open-ended question data which was on respondents’ perceptions of waste pollution in their area. The study findings suggest that Vulindlela is a socioeconomically diverse rural community, with households earning between 500 and 31,000 Rand per month. In addition, grocery expenditures range from 800 to 3100 Rand per month. Communities characterised by lower income generation dispose of their waste inside their households, apart from certain waste such as nappies that are disposed of in freshwater ecosystems and open spaces, while those who earn more money have diverse waste types and dispose of their waste at illegal dump sites.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"68 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134157077","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Located within the broad framework of critical approach and critical pedagogy, this paper reflects on personal experiences of being caught within the complexities of research ethics in the scholarship of teaching and learning. The paper presents multiplicities in the interpretation and application of ethical procedures in the drive to maintain rigour and transformation in teaching and learning research. Whilst advocating for adherence to research ethics, the paper problematises resistance to change often mounted by those in power in the name of ethics. By implication, the paper exposes the technocratic utility of research ethics at the expense of emancipation and at the same time argues for contextual interpretation and application of ethical procedures for the emancipation of the marginalised. The paper is conceptualised and presented in the tradition of autoethnographic thick description. The findings reveal differences of opinion about the adopted ethical procedures. Whilst on the one hand, many participants identify with the ethical spirit adopted by the researcher, on the other hand, some participants rejected the ethical stance of the researcher. The conclusions suggest that the adoption of covert ethical approaches coupled with critical pedagogy in the context of the scholarship of teaching and learning are most likely to attract pitfalls in research ethics.
{"title":"My Trepidation: Personal Ethical Pitfalls and Dilemmas in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning","authors":"B. Ntombela","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v3i1.967","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v3i1.967","url":null,"abstract":"Located within the broad framework of critical approach and critical pedagogy, this paper reflects on personal experiences of being caught within the complexities of research ethics in the scholarship of teaching and learning. The paper presents multiplicities in the interpretation and application of ethical procedures in the drive to maintain rigour and transformation in teaching and learning research. Whilst advocating for adherence to research ethics, the paper problematises resistance to change often mounted by those in power in the name of ethics. By implication, the paper exposes the technocratic utility of research ethics at the expense of emancipation and at the same time argues for contextual interpretation and application of ethical procedures for the emancipation of the marginalised. The paper is conceptualised and presented in the tradition of autoethnographic thick description. The findings reveal differences of opinion about the adopted ethical procedures. Whilst on the one hand, many participants identify with the ethical spirit adopted by the researcher, on the other hand, some participants rejected the ethical stance of the researcher. The conclusions suggest that the adoption of covert ethical approaches coupled with critical pedagogy in the context of the scholarship of teaching and learning are most likely to attract pitfalls in research ethics.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"45 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127567429","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nigeria is a country consistently tilting towards one violent situation or another. Since its independence in 1960, Nigeria has witnessed numerous ethnoreligious conflicts that have threatened its corporate existence. For example, age-long feelings of relative deprivation by certain sections of the country, have given rise to the continuous reference to a need to address the national question: a phenomenon that describes the aggregation of concerns by the different nationalities on how they can or should cohabit in the same federation. However, elections, and the entire electoral process, often serve as precipitates of ethnoreligious conflicts in Nigeria. Aside from the tensions that always sprout about who becomes what, there is a more prominent challenge of where the candidate comes from. Thus, elections in Nigeria often get reduced to geographical linings of candidates, rather than their competence or political ideology. This is often festered by the need to provide opportunities for all geographical sections of the country to produce the President, thus giving rise to the idea of a rotational presidency as a negotiated approach. The article examined the rotational presidency, vis-à-vis its implication for inclusiveness, peace, the national question, and development in Nigeria. The study utilised historical materials, elite theory, and the consociational model of power sharing to explore how the political activities towards elections have shifted the attention of the populace away from the pedigree and the leadership potentials of the aspirants/candidates to their ethnic and religious backgrounds. The study suggests how good leaders can emerge without jettisoning inclusiveness.
{"title":"Nigeria and ‘Negotiated Elections’: Examining the Impact of Rotational Presidency on Peace, the National Question, and Development","authors":"O. Faluyi","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v4i1.995","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v4i1.995","url":null,"abstract":"Nigeria is a country consistently tilting towards one violent situation or another. Since its independence in 1960, Nigeria has witnessed numerous ethnoreligious conflicts that have threatened its corporate existence. For example, age-long feelings of relative deprivation by certain sections of the country, have given rise to the continuous reference to a need to address the national question: a phenomenon that describes the aggregation of concerns by the different nationalities on how they can or should cohabit in the same federation. However, elections, and the entire electoral process, often serve as precipitates of ethnoreligious conflicts in Nigeria. Aside from the tensions that always sprout about who becomes what, there is a more prominent challenge of where the candidate comes from. Thus, elections in Nigeria often get reduced to geographical linings of candidates, rather than their competence or political ideology. This is often festered by the need to provide opportunities for all geographical sections of the country to produce the President, thus giving rise to the idea of a rotational presidency as a negotiated approach. The article examined the rotational presidency, vis-à-vis its implication for inclusiveness, peace, the national question, and development in Nigeria. The study utilised historical materials, elite theory, and the consociational model of power sharing to explore how the political activities towards elections have shifted the attention of the populace away from the pedigree and the leadership potentials of the aspirants/candidates to their ethnic and religious backgrounds. The study suggests how good leaders can emerge without jettisoning inclusiveness.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"35 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131367436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shilela Masemola, O. Omoruyi, Johan Van der Westhuizen
Public procurement occupies a key role in government departments and public entities. Supplier selection, a sub-function of procurement, has become one of the elementary roles of procurement managers since it virtually affects any industry’s competitiveness. Therefore, selecting suitable suppliers brings substantial benefits to enterprises and increases customer satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between supplier selection practices, supplier risk management, supplier commitment, and procurement performance in the public health industry in Gauteng province. The survey material was designed in a structured questionnaire to measure the study constructs. The collected quantitative data were analysed using the SMART-PLS 3 structural equation modelling procedure. The study results showed positive and significant relationships amongst all variables except for one. Supplier risk management had a weak and insignificant connection with procurement performance. The results are essential to the existing literature on procurement performance within public health industries in developing countries such as South Africa. The study concludes by suggesting recommendations for limiting the impact of the identified challenges on procurement performance.
{"title":"Antecedent Factors of Procurement Performance in the Public Health Sector in the Gauteng Province","authors":"Shilela Masemola, O. Omoruyi, Johan Van der Westhuizen","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v4i1.983","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v4i1.983","url":null,"abstract":"Public procurement occupies a key role in government departments and public entities. Supplier selection, a sub-function of procurement, has become one of the elementary roles of procurement managers since it virtually affects any industry’s competitiveness. Therefore, selecting suitable suppliers brings substantial benefits to enterprises and increases customer satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between supplier selection practices, supplier risk management, supplier commitment, and procurement performance in the public health industry in Gauteng province. The survey material was designed in a structured questionnaire to measure the study constructs. The collected quantitative data were analysed using the SMART-PLS 3 structural equation modelling procedure. The study results showed positive and significant relationships amongst all variables except for one. Supplier risk management had a weak and insignificant connection with procurement performance. The results are essential to the existing literature on procurement performance within public health industries in developing countries such as South Africa. The study concludes by suggesting recommendations for limiting the impact of the identified challenges on procurement performance.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"200 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123856936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 1900-01-01DOI: 10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1162
Sarah Jembere, P. Moodley, N. Kiliswa
Service robots are humanoid and non-humanoid machines that communicate and deliver services to customers of an organisation. They are Artificial intelligence (AI) enabled and display human intelligence (Wirtz et al., 2018; Blut et al., 2021). Service robots may undertake cognitive-analytical activities and emotional-social duties. Artificial Intelligence is built-in to service robots, allowing them to interact with the customer as regular hospitality services thrive on providing interpersonal interactions to create customer value. As substitutes for human employees, service robots may posit a psychological and emotional challenge to the traditional view of hospitality services, such as human frontline employees. Professional Service Robots (PRS) have proven to have the potential to drastically change the service industry. The use of PSR is lagging in an African context, necessitating more research on factors that may influence acceptance. This study aims to explore the cultural factors that influence consumers’ acceptance of PSR. The Service Robot Acceptance Model (sRAM) is adopted as a guiding framework for this study. Using an exploratory qualitative research approach data is collected using three focus groups, with 16 participants in total, using the simulation method. Interviews were also conducted with seven participants who were purposively selected based on age, gender, and race. Sexual orientation was found to have a positive influence on acceptance while beliefs and norms were barriers to acceptance, with the Ubuntu philosophy being one of the main reasons for rejection. Language appeared to have a huge role, as forwarded by the sRAM. The results suggest that acceptance of PSR is also dependent on cultural factors, however, its influence is lesser in certain types of service sectors. The research recommends that practitioners, service robot developers, and implementers should consider the culture of the consumers when implementing service robots.
服务机器人是人形和非人形的机器，它们与组织的客户沟通并提供服务。它们支持人工智能(AI)并显示人类智能(Wirtz等人，2018;Blut et al.， 2021)。服务型机器人可以承担认知分析活动和情感社会职责。服务机器人内置人工智能，使它们能够与客户互动，因为常规的酒店服务通过提供人际互动来创造客户价值。作为人类雇员的替代品，服务机器人可能会在心理和情感上挑战传统的酒店服务观念，比如人类一线员工。专业服务机器人(PRS)已被证明具有彻底改变服务行业的潜力。在非洲的情况下，PSR的使用是滞后的，因此需要对可能影响接受程度的因素进行更多的研究。 本研究旨在探讨影响消费者接受PSR的文化因素。 采用服务机器人接受模型(sRAM)作为本研究的指导框架。采用探索性定性研究方法，采用模拟方法，通过三个焦点小组(共16名参与者)收集数据。研究人员还根据年龄、性别和种族对7名参与者进行了采访。研究发现，性取向对接受度有积极影响，而信仰和规范是接受度的障碍，乌班图哲学是拒绝的主要原因之一。语言似乎扮演着巨大的角色，正如sRAM所提出的那样。结果表明，社会责任报告的接受程度也取决于文化因素，然而，其影响在某些类型的服务部门较小。该研究建议从业人员、服务机器人开发者和实施者在实施服务机器人时应考虑消费者的文化。
{"title":"Acceptance of Professional Service Robots: A Cross-Cultural Study","authors":"Sarah Jembere, P. Moodley, N. Kiliswa","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1162","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1162","url":null,"abstract":"Service robots are humanoid and non-humanoid machines that communicate and deliver services to customers of an organisation. They are Artificial intelligence (AI) enabled and display human intelligence (Wirtz et al., 2018; Blut et al., 2021). Service robots may undertake cognitive-analytical activities and emotional-social duties. Artificial Intelligence is built-in to service robots, allowing them to interact with the customer as regular hospitality services thrive on providing interpersonal interactions to create customer value. As substitutes for human employees, service robots may posit a psychological and emotional challenge to the traditional view of hospitality services, such as human frontline employees. Professional Service Robots (PRS) have proven to have the potential to drastically change the service industry. The use of PSR is lagging in an African context, necessitating more research on factors that may influence acceptance. This study aims to explore the cultural factors that influence consumers’ acceptance of PSR. The Service Robot Acceptance Model (sRAM) is adopted as a guiding framework for this study. Using an exploratory qualitative research approach data is collected using three focus groups, with 16 participants in total, using the simulation method. Interviews were also conducted with seven participants who were purposively selected based on age, gender, and race. Sexual orientation was found to have a positive influence on acceptance while beliefs and norms were barriers to acceptance, with the Ubuntu philosophy being one of the main reasons for rejection. Language appeared to have a huge role, as forwarded by the sRAM. The results suggest that acceptance of PSR is also dependent on cultural factors, however, its influence is lesser in certain types of service sectors. The research recommends that practitioners, service robot developers, and implementers should consider the culture of the consumers when implementing service robots.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"40 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124272836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The present study focusses on exploring the impact of parental support on the academic performance of students with disabilities. A qualitative study approach was used to explore students with disabilities' perspectives of parental support and the impact it has on their academic performance. This qualitative study purposively selected eight participants. They were subjected to semi-structured, open-ended, one-on-one interviews, and these interviews were recorded using an audio recorder with their permission. The collected data was analysed using thematic content analysis. Parental support may take numerous forms, including emotional, physical, and financial assistance. As a result, parental support influences academic success and the adjustment of students living with disabilities to their new environment. However, parental knowledge, attitudes, and tolerance of a student's disability have been shown to be obstacles to meaningful parental support. This study concludes that for students with disabilities to perform to their maximum potential, parents must be trained and empowered to provide necessary support including motivating their children.
{"title":"Exploring the Perspectives and Parental Roles in the Academic Performance of University Students with Disabilities","authors":"S. Mntambo, W. Hlengwa, J. Adam, S. Krishna","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v3i1.924","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v3i1.924","url":null,"abstract":"The present study focusses on exploring the impact of parental support on the academic performance of students with disabilities. A qualitative study approach was used to explore students with disabilities' perspectives of parental support and the impact it has on their academic performance. This qualitative study purposively selected eight participants. They were subjected to semi-structured, open-ended, one-on-one interviews, and these interviews were recorded using an audio recorder with their permission. The collected data was analysed using thematic content analysis. Parental support may take numerous forms, including emotional, physical, and financial assistance. As a result, parental support influences academic success and the adjustment of students living with disabilities to their new environment. However, parental knowledge, attitudes, and tolerance of a student's disability have been shown to be obstacles to meaningful parental support. This study concludes that for students with disabilities to perform to their maximum potential, parents must be trained and empowered to provide necessary support including motivating their children.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"100 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122611310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 1900-01-01DOI: 10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1157
Oshea Roopnarian, Shalini Singh, Raveen Rathilall
The emergence of digitalisation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution has resulted in a significant shift in practices, resulting in a disconnection among organisations, employees, and technology, particularly affecting developing nations like the BRICS group which have faced disproportionate challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this paper is to explore the role of quality in the context of intelligent and automated systems operating in a technologically advanced environment. The study employs a systematic literature review methodology, which encompassed a rigorous process of identifying and selecting 38 articles, followed by a comprehensive thematic analysis. The findings highlight that organisations need to adapt their quality systems to effectively operate in a world dominated by intelligent and automated systems. The implication is that by leveraging digital technologies, organisations can embrace the integration of quality with machine learning, programmable logic controllers, adaptive feedback loops, automated information collection, and blockchain technology to develop a value-based, transparent, and secure quality system. The proposed roadmap and model derived from this study affords organisations the opportunity to establish an intelligent quality ecosystem that aptly aligns with the requisites of the technologically advanced era, thereby ensuring the attainment of excellence in quality during the digital era.
{"title":"The Convergence of Quality and Digitalisation in a Changing World: Implications for Developing Nations such as the BRICS Group","authors":"Oshea Roopnarian, Shalini Singh, Raveen Rathilall","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1157","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1157","url":null,"abstract":"The emergence of digitalisation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution has resulted in a significant shift in practices, resulting in a disconnection among organisations, employees, and technology, particularly affecting developing nations like the BRICS group which have faced disproportionate challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this paper is to explore the role of quality in the context of intelligent and automated systems operating in a technologically advanced environment. The study employs a systematic literature review methodology, which encompassed a rigorous process of identifying and selecting 38 articles, followed by a comprehensive thematic analysis. The findings highlight that organisations need to adapt their quality systems to effectively operate in a world dominated by intelligent and automated systems. The implication is that by leveraging digital technologies, organisations can embrace the integration of quality with machine learning, programmable logic controllers, adaptive feedback loops, automated information collection, and blockchain technology to develop a value-based, transparent, and secure quality system. The proposed roadmap and model derived from this study affords organisations the opportunity to establish an intelligent quality ecosystem that aptly aligns with the requisites of the technologically advanced era, thereby ensuring the attainment of excellence in quality during the digital era.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121344492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 1900-01-01DOI: 10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1015
J. Rulfs, Louis E. Roberts, M. Buckholt, J. Whitefleet-Smith
In an effort to introduce discovery-based learning in our undergraduate laboratory curriculum, we joined two collaborative, crowd-sourcing efforts to engage early career undergraduates in searching for novel antibiotics or bacteriophages as antimicrobial therapies. This was the first step in transforming the curriculum into one focused on providing research experiences to all our undergraduates. Our goal was to engage students in open-ended research projects that foster a sense of ownership, advance knowledge, and introduce relevant skills. We also developed courses built on faculty research programs and biotechnology industry practices. In one, students design cell culture models of tissue regeneration. Another connects to faculty research investigating stress responses in a model of mycobacterial tuberculosis. In an immunotherapies course, students design cell culture and protein purification strategies to maximize generation of a monoclonal antibody. In our newest course, students examine number and diversity of soil nematodes in urban locations. This course has evolved to include interdisciplinary research into the environmental history of the sites. Assessments demonstrated gains in concrete skills and related concepts, and in aspects such self-efficacy. All are measures shown to increase retention and student future success.
{"title":"Redesigning Undergraduate Laboratories: From Recipes to Research","authors":"J. Rulfs, Louis E. Roberts, M. Buckholt, J. Whitefleet-Smith","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1015","url":null,"abstract":"In an effort to introduce discovery-based learning in our undergraduate laboratory curriculum, we joined two collaborative, crowd-sourcing efforts to engage early career undergraduates in searching for novel antibiotics or bacteriophages as antimicrobial therapies. This was the first step in transforming the curriculum into one focused on providing research experiences to all our undergraduates. Our goal was to engage students in open-ended research projects that foster a sense of ownership, advance knowledge, and introduce relevant skills. We also developed courses built on faculty research programs and biotechnology industry practices. In one, students design cell culture models of tissue regeneration. Another connects to faculty research investigating stress responses in a model of mycobacterial tuberculosis. In an immunotherapies course, students design cell culture and protein purification strategies to maximize generation of a monoclonal antibody. In our newest course, students examine number and diversity of soil nematodes in urban locations. This course has evolved to include interdisciplinary research into the environmental history of the sites. Assessments demonstrated gains in concrete skills and related concepts, and in aspects such self-efficacy. All are measures shown to increase retention and student future success.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129607364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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