Pub Date : 1900-01-01DOI: 10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1062
A. Ayandibu
Higher education institutions (HEI) face several obstacles because of the digital revolution that must be solved for them to play a more and bigger part in innovation ecosystems and economies. Therefore, HEIs and policymakers are always in need of a research administrative structure that is mainly favorable and creates an atmosphere where researchers can generate high-quality research outputs. This study aims to outline the problems that university research management and administration face when trying to promote research, innovation, and commercialization. There will be a study of the existing literature to propose a theory (The Triple Helix Model) that is relevant to this study. The study followed a scoping review of literature that is relevant to the subject matter. Practical answers to the questions will then be used in this framework. According to the research cited in this article, HEIs must set up strategic structures and activities to advise policymakers on how to frame robust support systems for research, innovation, and commercialization.
{"title":"Challenges Associated with Research Management and Administration in Universities","authors":"A. Ayandibu","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1062","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1062","url":null,"abstract":"Higher education institutions (HEI) face several obstacles because of the digital revolution that must be solved for them to play a more and bigger part in innovation ecosystems and economies. Therefore, HEIs and policymakers are always in need of a research administrative structure that is mainly favorable and creates an atmosphere where researchers can generate high-quality research outputs. This study aims to outline the problems that university research management and administration face when trying to promote research, innovation, and commercialization. There will be a study of the existing literature to propose a theory (The Triple Helix Model) that is relevant to this study. The study followed a scoping review of literature that is relevant to the subject matter. Practical answers to the questions will then be used in this framework. According to the research cited in this article, HEIs must set up strategic structures and activities to advise policymakers on how to frame robust support systems for research, innovation, and commercialization.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"71 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":"129011440","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.v5i1.1091
Debate on the validity of the Law of Proportionate Effect (LPE) on firm growth is ongoing decades after it was postulated by Gibrat in 1931. The theoretical model which asserts that firm growth follows a random walk has been largely tested in developed economies using data from non-incubated firms, with scanty research in developing regions like Africa. This paper, therefore, aims to address this gap by being the first to assess the validity of Gibrat's law on incubated small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa. The study utilised four-year panel data from 300 incubated SMMEs across the country, for the period between 2018 to 2021. Utilising the Law's generalised growth rate model, the generalised least square regression modelling was harnessed, using R Software. The findings, using sales as firm size proxy, confirmed Gibrat’s Law. The results showed that firm size had no effect on the sales growth rate of incubated firms, on the other hand when employment proxied performance the LPE was rejected. The findings provide important implications for both practitioners and pertinent stakeholders in the SMME sector in South Africa.
{"title":"Do Firms’ Growth Rates Follow a Random Walk? Evidence from Incubated Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa","authors":"","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1091","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1091","url":null,"abstract":"Debate on the validity of the Law of Proportionate Effect (LPE) on firm growth is ongoing decades after it was postulated by Gibrat in 1931. The theoretical model which asserts that firm growth follows a random walk has been largely tested in developed economies using data from non-incubated firms, with scanty research in developing regions like Africa. This paper, therefore, aims to address this gap by being the first to assess the validity of Gibrat's law on incubated small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa. The study utilised four-year panel data from 300 incubated SMMEs across the country, for the period between 2018 to 2021. Utilising the Law's generalised growth rate model, the generalised least square regression modelling was harnessed, using R Software. The findings, using sales as firm size proxy, confirmed Gibrat’s Law. The results showed that firm size had no effect on the sales growth rate of incubated firms, on the other hand when employment proxied performance the LPE was rejected. The findings provide important implications for both practitioners and pertinent stakeholders in the SMME sector in South Africa.","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":"132333146","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.v5i1.1217
J. Adebisi, Prisca Ibili, Michael Emezirinwune, K. Abdulsalam
In an environment with unstable power supply, incessant load shedding and inconsistent energy availability remains a major challenge. Hence, there is a need for an urgent alternative source of energy to mitigate this challenge. Over the years, fossil fuel-based energy sources have been considered as an effective solution, however the greenhouse gases emissions from these sources contribute largely to the rise in the depletion of the ozone layer which eventually leads to pollution and global warming. This work contributes to efforts in curbing this menace by reducing the use of diesel generators and focus more on a hybrid renewable energy system. This study, used selected residential buildings as a case study. A photovoltaic system and a diesel generator were incorporated as hybrid energy system, and the data gathered was processed using the HOMER software. The output of the simulation provided two optimal systems (PV-Diesel Generator, Battery coupled with the complete Hybrid system) and (PV- Diesel generator). The optimal and cost-effective system from the analysis is the PV-diesel hybrid system. This consists of a 10kW solar PV, 45kW Diesel generator, a 10kW converter and six 6FM200D batteries. This study provides a synergy of individual subsystems as analyzed in the result to enhanced the reliability of the system.
{"title":"Comparative Study of Hybrid Solar Photovoltaic - Diesel Power Supply System","authors":"J. Adebisi, Prisca Ibili, Michael Emezirinwune, K. Abdulsalam","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1217","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1217","url":null,"abstract":"In an environment with unstable power supply, incessant load shedding and inconsistent energy availability remains a major challenge. Hence, there is a need for an urgent alternative source of energy to mitigate this challenge. Over the years, fossil fuel-based energy sources have been considered as an effective solution, however the greenhouse gases emissions from these sources contribute largely to the rise in the depletion of the ozone layer which eventually leads to pollution and global warming. This work contributes to efforts in curbing this menace by reducing the use of diesel generators and focus more on a hybrid renewable energy system. This study, used selected residential buildings as a case study. A photovoltaic system and a diesel generator were incorporated as hybrid energy system, and the data gathered was processed using the HOMER software. The output of the simulation provided two optimal systems (PV-Diesel Generator, Battery coupled with the complete Hybrid system) and (PV- Diesel generator). The optimal and cost-effective system from the analysis is the PV-diesel hybrid system. This consists of a 10kW solar PV, 45kW Diesel generator, a 10kW converter and six 6FM200D batteries. This study provides a synergy of individual subsystems as analyzed in the result to enhanced the reliability of the system.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"243 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":"131626281","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.v5i1.1182
M. Diko
There is a bone of disconcertion concerning citing in academia – a disconcertion that tends to denote that “old” citations and/or references do not generate significant and relevant credibility to an author’s academic discourse. This perception about old references then regularises what I view as an imprecise perception that “old” material makes a less consequential impact on the author’s discourse. Similarly, there is a defective assumption that “new” or “latest” citations or references warrant the author’s credibility in academic discourses. It is these conflicting, and yet competing presumptions that I view problematic. Therefore, my question is, should a particular citation be discredited on the basis that it is gauged “old”? However, I am aware that an “old” citation may suggest a researcher’s lack of extensive research or may be dependent on the researcher’s focus of study. However, what if, as old as it is, it remains applicable and contemporaneously significant? What if as old as it is, it can be figured as a point of departure for future scholarly discourses? Personally, this premise of “old” citation(s) leaves an outstanding gap between what is a credible and determinative citation, and how the philosophy of knowledge is generated from such citations.
{"title":"Matters Concerning Citing in Academic Discourses","authors":"M. Diko","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1182","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1182","url":null,"abstract":"There is a bone of disconcertion concerning citing in academia – a disconcertion that tends to denote that “old” citations and/or references do not generate significant and relevant credibility to an author’s academic discourse. This perception about old references then regularises what I view as an imprecise perception that “old” material makes a less consequential impact on the author’s discourse. Similarly, there is a defective assumption that “new” or “latest” citations or references warrant the author’s credibility in academic discourses. It is these conflicting, and yet competing presumptions that I view problematic. Therefore, my question is, should a particular citation be discredited on the basis that it is gauged “old”? However, I am aware that an “old” citation may suggest a researcher’s lack of extensive research or may be dependent on the researcher’s focus of study. However, what if, as old as it is, it remains applicable and contemporaneously significant? What if as old as it is, it can be figured as a point of departure for future scholarly discourses? Personally, this premise of “old” citation(s) leaves an outstanding gap between what is a credible and determinative citation, and how the philosophy of knowledge is generated from such citations.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"154 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":"133914161","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.v4i1.1044
Abednigo Ngcobo, C. Mafini, W. Okoumba
The South African mining sector faces numerous challenges that limit the performance of firms, chief among them environmental management, labour, and operational issues. An important research gap exists on how the adoption of green supply chain management (GSCM) can contribute to the mitigation of some of these challenges. This study investigates the connection between GSCM, employee satisfaction, operational and relational efficiency, and enterprise performance in the mining sector in South Africa. The study employed a quantitative method using a cross-sectional survey design. A structured research questionnaire was used to collect data from supply chain professionals at two leading mining firms based in the North-West Province, South Africa. The collected data were analysed using a structural equation modelling procedure based on the partial least squares technique. The study reveals the positive influence of GSCM on employee job satisfaction, operational efficiency, relational efficiency, and enterprise performance. The study also confirms that relational efficiency and operational efficiency both exert a positive influence on enterprise performance. However, employee job satisfaction exerted no influence on enterprise performance. GSCM itself exerted a direct positive influence on enterprise performance. The application of GSCM in the mining sector should be recognised as part of the solutions to motivating supply chain professionals and stimulating important internal and external efficiencies, leading to the enhanced performance of the firm.
{"title":"Extending Green Supply Chain Management to the Mining Sector in South Africa: Implications for Corporate Performance","authors":"Abednigo Ngcobo, C. Mafini, W. Okoumba","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v4i1.1044","url":null,"abstract":"The South African mining sector faces numerous challenges that limit the performance of firms, chief among them environmental management, labour, and operational issues. An important research gap exists on how the adoption of green supply chain management (GSCM) can contribute to the mitigation of some of these challenges. This study investigates the connection between GSCM, employee satisfaction, operational and relational efficiency, and enterprise performance in the mining sector in South Africa. The study employed a quantitative method using a cross-sectional survey design. A structured research questionnaire was used to collect data from supply chain professionals at two leading mining firms based in the North-West Province, South Africa. The collected data were analysed using a structural equation modelling procedure based on the partial least squares technique. The study reveals the positive influence of GSCM on employee job satisfaction, operational efficiency, relational efficiency, and enterprise performance. The study also confirms that relational efficiency and operational efficiency both exert a positive influence on enterprise performance. However, employee job satisfaction exerted no influence on enterprise performance. GSCM itself exerted a direct positive influence on enterprise performance. The application of GSCM in the mining sector should be recognised as part of the solutions to motivating supply chain professionals and stimulating important internal and external efficiencies, leading to the enhanced performance of the firm.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"84 3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"113940758","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.v5i1.1114
Shalini Singh, K. Kanny, G. Redhi
There has been extensive research on improving and innovating current treatments for irritable-bowel-syndrome using nanotechnology. However, there are growing challenges to progress these drugs to clinical trials and commercialisation. This study sought to develop a framework to manage key features, overlooked in current studies, to improve the development of drugs. An integrative literature review was used to extract themes by using a summative content analysis to interrogate information. Validity was established when saturation of information was achieved. Reliability focussed on the repeatability of key information. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity, quality by design attributes, metrology, and standardisation of practice emerged as important themes. These themes together among others, were used to develop the framework to manage the drug development process: Knowledge-based society, Foresight planning, Multidisciplinary approach, Unified definition, Adapt to existing standards and guidelines, Precautionary principle, Case-by-case approach, Quality-by-design, Scale-up and Training. The framework provided reflections that no study has considered. The framework will ensure that drug development will be approached strategically to avoid duplication of research-designs, including risk mitigation, quality at the source and supplier-chain management to progress drug development to clinical trials and beyond.
{"title":"An Integrative Review to Progress the Responsible Development of Nano-Drugs","authors":"Shalini Singh, K. Kanny, G. Redhi","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1114","url":null,"abstract":"There has been extensive research on improving and innovating current treatments for irritable-bowel-syndrome using nanotechnology. However, there are growing challenges to progress these drugs to clinical trials and commercialisation. This study sought to develop a framework to manage key features, overlooked in current studies, to improve the development of drugs. An integrative literature review was used to extract themes by using a summative content analysis to interrogate information. Validity was established when saturation of information was achieved. Reliability focussed on the repeatability of key information. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity, quality by design attributes, metrology, and standardisation of practice emerged as important themes. These themes together among others, were used to develop the framework to manage the drug development process: Knowledge-based society, Foresight planning, Multidisciplinary approach, Unified definition, Adapt to existing standards and guidelines, Precautionary principle, Case-by-case approach, Quality-by-design, Scale-up and Training. The framework provided reflections that no study has considered. The framework will ensure that drug development will be approached strategically to avoid duplication of research-designs, including risk mitigation, quality at the source and supplier-chain management to progress drug development to clinical trials and beyond.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"297 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":"123460431","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}
This study explores the plethora of challenges encountered in ensuring that research conducted in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Africa is ethical and morally unobjectionable. The study reflects on the roles and accountabilities of various stakeholders in contributing to the various challenges, either directly or indirectly. Data were collected using a narrative review of literature. Several challenges militate against the conduct of ethically sound research. The challenges can be categorised at two levels: the individual level and the system level. They include but are not limited to the lack of ethical awareness among emerging researchers, researchers not embracing ethics as their full responsibility, and the prevalence of a wide knowledge gap between researchers and participants. On the part of HEIs, challenges such as the lack of functional ethics committees, institutions’ failure to improve ethical literacy among emerging researchers, and a lack of mechanisms to monitor researchers’ conducts during the course of studies, particularly in empirical research, have been identified. A focus on the wider African research space illuminates such challenges as language barriers, diverging cultural and religious practices, rules and regulations of the land, and lower literacy levels in some parts of the continent. To mitigate these challenges, we recommend that HEIs should prioritise the conduct of ethical research through increased funding, through the institution of monitoring mechanisms, and through ensuring that highly and appropriately qualified personnel are constitutive of ethics committees to ensure best practice.
{"title":"Navigating the Contours of Ethical Research in Higher Education: An African Perspective","authors":"E. Madondo","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v3i1.978","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v3i1.978","url":null,"abstract":"This study explores the plethora of challenges encountered in ensuring that research conducted in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Africa is ethical and morally unobjectionable. The study reflects on the roles and accountabilities of various stakeholders in contributing to the various challenges, either directly or indirectly. Data were collected using a narrative review of literature. Several challenges militate against the conduct of ethically sound research. The challenges can be categorised at two levels: the individual level and the system level. They include but are not limited to the lack of ethical awareness among emerging researchers, researchers not embracing ethics as their full responsibility, and the prevalence of a wide knowledge gap between researchers and participants. On the part of HEIs, challenges such as the lack of functional ethics committees, institutions’ failure to improve ethical literacy among emerging researchers, and a lack of mechanisms to monitor researchers’ conducts during the course of studies, particularly in empirical research, have been identified. A focus on the wider African research space illuminates such challenges as language barriers, diverging cultural and religious practices, rules and regulations of the land, and lower literacy levels in some parts of the continent. To mitigate these challenges, we recommend that HEIs should prioritise the conduct of ethical research through increased funding, through the institution of monitoring mechanisms, and through ensuring that highly and appropriately qualified personnel are constitutive of ethics committees to ensure best practice.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"9 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":"126894250","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.v5i1.1267
Ndivhuho Tshikovhi, F. Netswera, B. De Conti
The BRICS encompasses nations with increasing relevance for the world in various dimensions that includes but not limited to the fact that it carries 40 percent of the world population at 3,24 billion people and contributes about US$ 23,4 trillion to the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). BRICS has opted to operate and make maximum contribution and influence globally through its three pillars of: political and security cooperation, financial and economic cooperation, and cultural and people to people cooperation. Through the work that BRICS champions in these pillars, it is making unparalleled global influence in the spheres of economic, political, social, demographic, and environmental architecture. The primary objective of this special journal issue is to consolidate a wide range of viewpoints and scholarly investigations pertaining to the interplay between climate change, entrepreneurship, local development within the BRICS nations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, both during and after its occurrence. Policymakers, government agencies, and international organizations heavily depend on robust research findings to formulate and implement policies and programs that are effective in achieving their intended objectives. Research conducted in these specific domains, therefore, has the potential to yield evidence-based recommendations that can effectively reinforce economic growth, promote sustainable development, and foster social progress within the BRICS nations.
{"title":"Editorial: Climate Change, Entrepreneurship, Local Development in BRICS Nations During and After COVID-19","authors":"Ndivhuho Tshikovhi, F. Netswera, B. De Conti","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1267","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1267","url":null,"abstract":"The BRICS encompasses nations with increasing relevance for the world in various dimensions that includes but not limited to the fact that it carries 40 percent of the world population at 3,24 billion people and contributes about US$ 23,4 trillion to the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). BRICS has opted to operate and make maximum contribution and influence globally through its three pillars of: political and security cooperation, financial and economic cooperation, and cultural and people to people cooperation. Through the work that BRICS champions in these pillars, it is making unparalleled global influence in the spheres of economic, political, social, demographic, and environmental architecture. The primary objective of this special journal issue is to consolidate a wide range of viewpoints and scholarly investigations pertaining to the interplay between climate change, entrepreneurship, local development within the BRICS nations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, both during and after its occurrence. Policymakers, government agencies, and international organizations heavily depend on robust research findings to formulate and implement policies and programs that are effective in achieving their intended objectives. Research conducted in these specific domains, therefore, has the potential to yield evidence-based recommendations that can effectively reinforce economic growth, promote sustainable development, and foster social progress within the BRICS nations.","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":"128714960","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.v5i1.1040
B. Zulu, Tony Ngwenya, B. Zondi
The general state of entrepreneurship reveals that despite the efforts of the South African government to stimulate entrepreneurship through a policy framework, many SMMEs remain unsustainable. SMMEs in the country continue to experience a high failure rate of almost 70% to 80% within the first 5 years of operation. Policymaker’s have attempted to advance local economic development through various developmental models, as key economic development drivers, without success. Studies reveal that there is a misalignment in the various developmental instruments aimed at the development of the SMME sector and its reality. This study sought to explore challenges faced by SMMEs within the ocean economy in KZN province. This study was conducted with SMMEs in the ocean economy in the KZN province. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 SMMEs participating in the ocean economy in the KZN province. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The generated data from the research study showed that entrepreneurs are faced with various challenges which influence the organisation’s capacity to operate appropriately and sustainably. Understanding key challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the ocean economy in the province can help policymakers and entrepreneurs to navigate sustainable approaches to the sector’s development.
{"title":"An Evaluation of the Factors that Impact the Sustainability of Maritime SMMES in the Kwazulu-Natal Province","authors":"B. Zulu, Tony Ngwenya, B. Zondi","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1040","url":null,"abstract":"The general state of entrepreneurship reveals that despite the efforts of the South African government to stimulate entrepreneurship through a policy framework, many SMMEs remain unsustainable. SMMEs in the country continue to experience a high failure rate of almost 70% to 80% within the first 5 years of operation. Policymaker’s have attempted to advance local economic development through various developmental models, as key economic development drivers, without success. Studies reveal that there is a misalignment in the various developmental instruments aimed at the development of the SMME sector and its reality. This study sought to explore challenges faced by SMMEs within the ocean economy in KZN province. This study was conducted with SMMEs in the ocean economy in the KZN province. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 SMMEs participating in the ocean economy in the KZN province. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The generated data from the research study showed that entrepreneurs are faced with various challenges which influence the organisation’s capacity to operate appropriately and sustainably. Understanding key challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the ocean economy in the province can help policymakers and entrepreneurs to navigate sustainable approaches to the sector’s development.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"30 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":"125411197","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.v5i1.1034
B. Mokoena
Outsourcing the management of migration services has grown globally in recent years. With particular reference to South Africa, Department of Home Affairs(DHA) followed this trend d by outsourcing visa issuance to Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) in 2014 to enable more secure and efficient service delivery in the permitting arena. The purpose of the study was to address a need to understand better the effect of service quality dimensions that are critical in assessing customer satisfaction and future behavioural intention in VFS centres within South Africa. The theoretical framework of the study is based on the convergence of three theories. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative research design and reports on the results from a survey of foreign students in a selected higher education institution (HEI) in South Africa. Descriptive statistics, correlations and regression analysis were used to evaluate relationships between constructs. In terms of predictive relationships, except for tangibility, the other four service quality dimensions showed significant relationships with customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction in turn showed significant relationships with the future behavioural intentions of the respondents towards VFS. In addition, the outcome of this study provides a useful tool for gaining insight into service quality dimensions that foreign nationals requiring visas consider as important. The study concludes by alluding to the limitations and implications for further research.
{"title":"Foreign Students Perceptions on Selected Service Quality Dimensions, Customer Satisfaction and Future Behavioural Intentions within Visa Facilitation Services Centres in South Africa","authors":"B. Mokoena","doi":"10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1034","url":null,"abstract":"Outsourcing the management of migration services has grown globally in recent years. With particular reference to South Africa, Department of Home Affairs(DHA) followed this trend d by outsourcing visa issuance to Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) in 2014 to enable more secure and efficient service delivery in the permitting arena. The purpose of the study was to address a need to understand better the effect of service quality dimensions that are critical in assessing customer satisfaction and future behavioural intention in VFS centres within South Africa. The theoretical framework of the study is based on the convergence of three theories. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative research design and reports on the results from a survey of foreign students in a selected higher education institution (HEI) in South Africa. Descriptive statistics, correlations and regression analysis were used to evaluate relationships between constructs. In terms of predictive relationships, except for tangibility, the other four service quality dimensions showed significant relationships with customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction in turn showed significant relationships with the future behavioural intentions of the respondents towards VFS. In addition, the outcome of this study provides a useful tool for gaining insight into service quality dimensions that foreign nationals requiring visas consider as important. The study concludes by alluding to the limitations and implications for further research.","PeriodicalId":389941,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies","volume":"12 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":"117308580","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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