The role of knowledge management and information sharing in capacity building for sustainable development—an example from South Africa

2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 695-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rejoice Mabudafhasi
2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-68
Author(s):  
Collins Ngwakwe ◽  
Fortune Ganda ◽  
Oladele John Akinyomi

This paper examined the stance of independent directors on corporate sustainable development initiative in South Africa and Nigeria. This has become apposite considering the role of independent directors in corporate strategic decisions and performance. It is believed that independent boards strive to direct corporate decisions to protect the investors and thus improve financial performance. Given that sustainability initiative is currently occupying a vital strategic position in protecting firms against inherent and imminent climate change and financial risks, the paper undertakes a survey of South African and Nigerian companies to ascertain the role of independent directors on corporate sustainable development initiatives. Using a mix method of primary and secondary data analysis, the paper finds that independent boards in both countries of study understand the importance of sustainability; however a pragmatic stance on sustainability is more visible in South Africa where independent boards are members of and/or participate in nominating corporate sustainability committees. The paper suggests the need for improved detailed disclosure on sustainability in the Nigerian corporate annual reports; the Nigerian Stock Exchange may boost this initiative by establishing a social and environmental reporting index supported by an annual survey of company sustainability disclosure. It also suggests the need to include sustainability awareness and interest in the metrics that are used in the appointment of independent boards in Nigerian companies


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 6537
Author(s):  
Reginald Masocha

This paper investigates the role of normative environmental configuration forces on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adopting sustainable development practices in South Africa. A research survey was performed, and data were gathered from SMEs utilizing owners and managers as respondents. Non-probability sampling at the hand of the convenience method was utilised and 220 respondents constituted the final sample. The analysis of data constituted factor analysis and hypotheses were tested through the structural equation modelling technique. The study hypothesised that normative forces have an impact on the participation of SMEs in the extents of sustainability practices, namely social, environmental and economic. The results led to the supporting of all the hypotheses postulated in the study. Thus, the major recommendation was to support the training, networking and professional affiliations of SMEs in sustainable development issues in order to ensure proliferation of sustainable development amongst these firms.


Author(s):  
Tshimangadzo Selina Mudau

The chapter presents the use of community engagement as a tool to facilitate rural development in (South) Africa. In its discussion, the researcher used desktop literature review to analyze, compare, and gain insights guiding the use of community engagement to enhance social transformation and sustainable development. The discussion is advanced from the historical background of the emergence of African universities and community engagement. The focus was reflected against the backdrop of the Western approach used among various global universities. In this view, the underpinning objectives, relationship with the researched, and the role of the researching university are detailed. Practical evidence of positive collaborative results within the (South) African communities within the rural and urban communities by universities and other organizations have also been provided. A contrast of various types of community engagement is also provided.


Author(s):  
Francisco Carlos Paletta ◽  
Bárbara Pelissaro

A Sociedade do Conhecimento se configura por trazer como características intrínsecas à sua definição a associação das dinâmicas das ações voltadas à organização da informação com os aparatos tecnológicos da comunicação, ganhando força na produção do conhecimento. Ter e fornecer acesso a essas informações condiz com o desenvolvimento econômico de cada país e seus interesses sociais, funcionando como agente determinante de desenvolvimento sustentável. O que então poderia servir para unir nações e conhecimento tem servido cada vez mais para consolidar uma separação de caráter estritamente financeiro. Daí a importância de investir no uso das tecnologias e nos profissionais da informação, área que representa status avançado na evolução da sociedade e, na mesma medida, investir em estudos voltados à informação e à gestão do conhecimento, para entender as diferentes necessidades de quem anseia por informação, as dificuldades de quem a procura e os caminhos a trilhar para facilitar ou tornar menos árdua a busca pelo conhecimento.AbstractThe Knowledge Society is based on having features intrinsic to its own definition the combination with the dynamics of actions for the organization of information with technological devices of communication, gaining strength in the production of the knowledge. Having and providing the access to such information is in accordance with the economic development of each country as its social interests, working as a crucial role of sustainable development agent. What could contribute as a basis for bringing knowledge and nations together, in the reality it has been used more and more as a reason to strengthen the separation strictly financial nature. Then, it is clear the importance of investments in the employment of technologies and information professionals, area which represents a valuable status in the development of the society and also, at the same level, continuous investments in studies on information and knowledge management in order to understand different needs of those looking for information and their difficulties and the ways to make it easier the hard search for knowledge.KeywordsUser studies. Information seeking model. Information sciences. Library science. Knowledge society.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Christine Jeptoo Cherutich ◽  
Dr. Charles Nyiro

Purpose: The objectives of the study which were to determine the effects of leadership, technology, culture, people and knowledge management success as enabler factors in ensuring success of knowledge management in Kenya Wildlife Service. The research also draws on existing studies, frameworks and models that have already identified the factors that potentially affect the success of KM. Meeting the challenges of sustainable development in the 21st century necessitates utilization of vital disciplines like KM in the management of state corporations. The use of KM for sustainable development has shown that effectiveness depends on strategic planning and use of tested models.Methodology: A review of the literature shows that most models point to enablers that are necessary. Questionnaires were administered through both e- mails and hand delivery. Secondary data was obtained from both published and unpublished records. Questionnaires were tested for both reliability and validity. Qualitative and quantitative techniques were used to analyze data with the assistance of SPSS software program version 21.Results: A good response rate of 94% was realized. It was established that most of the enabler’s factors indicators have positive impact on success of knowledge management. The study further adopted a regression analysis to determine the relationship between the variables at 5% confidence level of significance. The study findings showed that the four variables had a significant influence on performance of the firm.Contribution to policy and practice: The study recommended that a similar research should be conducted in a different fields. The findings showed that 74.7 % of the knowledge management success is explained by the four variables that are leadership, culture, technology and people and the remaining 25.3 % can be accounted by the standard error.


Author(s):  
Loretta Feris

This article seeks to analyse good governance decision-making in the environmental context through an understanding and interpretation of the relationship between good environmental governance (evidenced inter alia by decision-making by public authorities) and sustainable development in South Africa.  It critically assesses recent case law in an attempt to understand the way in which our courts are evaluating authorities’ environmental decisions.  In reaching its objectives, this article considers also how environmental decisions are made in the first place and asks the question: what are the value choices underlying government’s decisions and what role does sustainable development play in informing decisions for good environmental governance.


Author(s):  
Oliver Fuo

Local government in post-apartheid South Africa has undergone fundamental transformation. This is evident from its extensive governing powers and functions and its expanded developmental mandate. At the forefront of sustainable development, municipalities have legislative and executive powers to administer the matters listed in Schedules 4B and 5B of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. Moreover, matters listed in Schedules 4A and 5A of the Constitution can be assigned to municipalities by national and provincial governments. Like other spheres of government, municipalities are obliged to contribute towards realising s 24 of the Constitution – guaranteeing environmental rights. However, the exact contours of their powers in promoting the objectives of s 24 of the Constitution are ill-defined and subject to ongoing definition by way of legislation, policies and case-law. This article argues that environmental litigation presents courts an opportunity to further redefine the powers of municipalities in fostering constitutional environmental objectives in South Africa. Drawing from Le Sueur and Another v eThekwini Municipality and Others [2013] ZAKZPHC 6 (30 January 2013), this article demonstrates how courts can play an important role in clarifying the environmental powers and functions of municipalities in South Africa. This article is based on a review of legal and extra-legal sources.


2007 ◽  
Vol 18-19 ◽  
pp. 383-387
Author(s):  
S.Y. Bassi

To achieve meaningful and sustainable development of Africa, the continent must of necessity look inwards particularly in the areas of Science, Engineering, technology capacity building; and this is in view of the growing trends in globalization. There must be an active collaboration and networking between research and industry on the one hand and between researchers across the nations of Africa. This will promote technical cooperation which is sine qua non to the development of the continent. A survey project on viable technological invention and innovation in Engineering Research and Development (R&D) in Nigeria and their impact on industry development by the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA) indicates that: (a) though quite some achievements have been recorded in this sector, most of the inventions and innovations are still at the level of incubation: (b) funding is a critical factor limiting development of the Engineering Research and Development (R&D) sector: (c) there is minimum linkage and collaboration among researchers, as well as between Research and industry, (d) the engineering base remains small, fragmented and operating below the thresholds that would enable it make any meaningful impact on industrial development: (e) brain drain is a key challenge as some of the best and brightest engineers migrate to greener pastures mainly in the western countries. This paper review the result of this project and argues for concerted efforts by all relevant stakeholders to promotes full development and commercialization of viable inventions and innovations towards the rapid development of Africa. The role of the DTCA in this is also highlighted.


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