Transforming culture through personal and career empowerment

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie Craig
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
Intervention Impact ◽  
African Context ◽  
Unique Approach ◽  
And Performance

Purpose – The world of work is shifting from traditional career paths, to relentless change, leaner structures, evolving roles and a need to find meaning through the work the author do. A new skill-set is required to survive and thrive in the new economy. The purpose of this paper is to explore how learning programs focused on personal and career empowerment can build these skills, increase engagement, enhance performance and impact culture positively. Design/methodology/approach – The paper summarises these new skill-sets required and raises critical questions: how do we create an environment for self and career empowerment? How do we act as catalysts for cultural and social transformation? It then outlines an approach to discovering the answers based on experiences facilitating I am Talent workshops for personal and career empowerment. Key insights and suggestions for personal and career empowerment topics and tools are highlighted. Findings – The paper goes on to share the post-intervention impact results of a case study organisation, on culture, engagement, learning and performance. Practical implications – The paper covers some practical skill areas that can significantly improve work and life results, in a world that is dynamic, uncertain and continuously changing. Social implications – Millennials come with whole new set of expectations and preferences in the way they interact with work. In a South African context, this is compounded by our educational and skills crisis resulting in many work entrants not being sufficiently prepared for the new world of work. Originality/value – The learning programme is based on a book, I am Talent, by the author of this paper and is a unique approach to building personal and career empowerment.

Positionality and Performance: Staging Antony and Cleopatra for South African schools in the context of decolonisation imperatives

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Néka Da Costa
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Performance Studies ◽  
Antony And Cleopatra ◽  
Pedagogical Strategies ◽  
Short Supply ◽  
Children's Theatre ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Dialogic Approach ◽  
African Context ◽  
And Performance

Since the start of the #RhodesMustFall and #FeesMustFall campaigns in 2015–16, decolonisation has been a prominent topic in the South African academy. Yet practical guidance as to how one might start to apply decolonisation and transformation strategies tangibly, both in education and pedagogy – and, more precisely for the purposes of this article, in theatre and performance spaces – has been in short supply. By adopting a dialogic approach which prioritises the voices of her collaborators, the author contextualises and critiques some of the key creative, philosophical and pedagogical strategies employed while rehearsing and performing a school’s touring production of Antony and Cleopatra for the National Children’s Theatre in 2018. Shakespeare is a symbol of colonial and imperial legacies, and the relevance of his work in both English and Performance Studies curricula merits scrutiny, as does the way in which we discuss, teach, perform and value it. Through an unfolding acknowledgement of the author’s own positionality in relation to the text and its performance in a contemporary South African context, this article exemplifies some of the contradictions and productive discoveries of the Antony and Cleopatra process, in the hopes of contributing to a more action-based approach to decolonisation and social justice in practising the arts and in arts education.

Reconsidering criminal law-based liability for corporations and directors in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1085-1094
Author(s):  
Herbert Kawadza
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Criminal Law ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Criminal Liability ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Criminal Sanctions ◽  
Fresh Perspective ◽  
African Context

Purpose It is recognised that the mere proscription of corporate offences is not adequate to deter misconduct or engender compliance. There is a need for the enforcement of the rules through robust culture-changing sanctions. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the inadequacies of criminal law liability in ensuring compliance with ethical corporate conduct in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach This paper is purely qualitative. For expository purposes, it draws from the Criminal Procedure Act, 51 of 1977 as well the corporate criminality enforcement trends and data from the National Prosecutions Agency’s annual reports to demonstrate that much as criminal liability is enshrined in a statute it has, however, not yielded the expected results. It situates the debate within the broader economic criminological scholarship. Findings This paper argues that even though the option of prosecuting corporations and directors is part of South African law, many corporate offences are not brought into the criminal justice system. Judging by its erratic imposition, criminal liability has failed to express the indignation and condemnation that are normally attached to criminal sanctions. Several reasons account for this. These include evidentiary, legal, technical and definitional complexities of some corporate offences, which lead to them being regarded as “unprosecutable crimes”. This has a negative impact on enforcement. Originality/value This paper is novel because it approaches the debate from a fresh perspective, economics and criminology. Not much scholarly attention has been devoted to analysing the efficacy of criminal sanctions in the South African context. This paper attempts to fill that gap.

scholarly journals The construct validity of the revised job diagnostic survey

2007 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Buys ◽  
C. Olckers ◽  
P. Schaap
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
South African ◽  
Item Analysis ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
South African Context ◽  
The South ◽  
African Context ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Job Diagnostic Survey

The Job Characteristics Model, the accompanying Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS) and the proposed steps for improving motivation, satisfaction and performance have been functionally utilized in South Africa as a revised job redesign practice to address some critical human resources problems currently facing managers and human resources practitioners. The aim of the study was ] to determine the construct validity of the Revised Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS) in the South African context. The Revised JDS was evaluated using item analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The finding of this study is in favour of the Revised JDS as a reliable and factorially valid instrument for South African use. The promising results of this study should pave the way for further research and the search for more conclusive evidence on the construct validity of the Revised JDS in the South African context.

scholarly journals Does integrated reporting enhance the value relevance of organizational capital? Evidence from the South African context

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 642-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maroua Tlili ◽  
Hakim Ben Othman ◽  
Khaled Hussainey
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Value Relevance ◽  
South African Context ◽  
Organizational Capital ◽  
The South ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
African Context

Purpose Despite the growing literature on integrated reporting (IR) adoption and the emphasis on integrated thinking capitals, prior research works only focused on the financial and non-financial reporting rather than the cornerstones of IR. In order to fill this gap, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the value relevance of organizational capital (OC) after the mandatory adoption of IR in South Africa over the period 2006–2015. Design/methodology/approach The authors have used quantitative methods to test the hypotheses. The South African context is unique since the Johannesburg Stock Exchange is the first to mandate listed firms to adopt IR following King III report in March 2010. Findings The findings provide the first evidence, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, on the positive and significant impact of IR adoption on the value relevance of OC. Originality/value The authors contribute to IR literature by providing new insight on the value relevance of one capital from a new perspective addressing the importance of resources as inputs to the business model highlighted by integrated thinking in the IR framework. The findings derive various implications for the International Integrated Reporting Council, managers, decision makers and the research community.

Pathways through homelessness: the perceptions of homeless children in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-160
Author(s):  
Anna Wilshire Jones Bornman ◽  
Carol Jean Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Well Being ◽  
South African Context ◽  
Homeless Children ◽  
The South ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
African Context

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore children’s pathways through homelessness within the South African context, with particular attention paid to pathways out of homelessness. This study focusses on factors influencing children’s successful transitions out of homelessness. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative exploratory design was used, using interviews with nine children who had exited or were in the process of exiting homelessness. Interviews were conducted at a children’s shelter in Pietermaritzburg or in the children’s home environments. Interviews were analysed thematically. Findings An ecological framework was used to frame the factors influencing children’s pathways in, through and out of homelessness in the children’s narratives. These included institutions, relationships and intrapersonal strengths and resources. The study suggested that constructive relationships with shelter staff and parental figures, as well as intrapersonal strengths, were the most prominent factors in children successfully negotiating their way through their homelessness. The importance of a relationship with the paternal family within some African cultures was also a point of leverage. Research limitations/implications Implications for policy and practise include the need for systemic change, as well as greater support for shelters and shelter staff. The issue of rivalry in the shelter context and the role of the paternal family in the reintegration process require more research attention. The research is limited to homeless children in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Practical implications This study provided feedback to the shelter regarding their strategies for assisting homeless children off the streets. It further provided evidence for the importance of the work of the shelter, to strengthen advocacy efforts. This may be useful to others in similar circumstances. Social implications This study highlights the importance of macrosystemic interventions in the efforts to assist homeless children, while at the same time not ignoring the inter and intra, personal elements to enhancing their well-being. Originality/value This paper is singular in its exploration of factors influencing children’s successful transitions out of homelessness within the South African context.

An empirical study of displaceable job skills in the age of robots

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Szufang Chuang
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Job Skills ◽  
Performance Information ◽  
Information Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
Physical Motion ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Hrd Professionals

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature on issues regarding the influence of skill-polarized workplace on jobs, human capital and organization from human resource development’s (HRD’s) perspective, this research identified 30 displaceable skills from endangered jobs and examined 423 adult employees’ awareness and level of technological redundancy based on the displaceable kills. Design/methodology/approach By using survey methodology, the findings discovered four displaceable skill sets – repeated physical motion and performance, information process and analysis, repeated physical control of equipment, and individual affective performance – existing in 23 occupations with varying degrees. Findings Evidently, about half of the respondents were not aware of their level of technological redundancy and the current changes caused by automation and advancing technology in the job market. Proper HRD interventions are needed to assist employees to adjust the job changes and coexist with machines and robots in the technologically dynamic workplace. Specific approaches and strategies to help employees to become robot-proof were provided and discussed. Originality/value This research offers important insights for HRD professionals to understand the phenomena of the current skill-polarized workplace and to potentially address the related issues of talent shortage, endangered jobs, and technological unemployment.

Promoting career awareness among IT students in a South African context

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 541-565
Author(s):  
J.T. Janse van Rensburg ◽  
Roelien Goede
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South African ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
South African Context ◽  
Career Awareness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
African Context ◽  
Capstone Projects ◽  
Theory Practice Gap ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an intervention strategy for promoting career awareness among IT students in a South African context, followed by a reflection thereof based on qualitative data collected from students. Career awareness during study has shown to be a factor in the work-readiness of IT graduates.Design/methodology/approachThe paper suggests an intervention strategy aimed at promoting IT students' career awareness. It provides context of the exit-level higher education (HE) module used to implement the intervention. Career awareness is achieved by industry talks, projects and events. Interpretive data collection and content analysis are used to understand the impact of the intervention from the students' perspective.FindingsRecommendations are made towards productive interventions for raising career awareness among IT students using industry participation in higher education. The proposed intervention comprises of a combination of industry talks, capstone projects and specific events. Students had largely positive reactions and made suggestions for additional interventions they would find beneficial. A hackathon attended proved the most influential where seven out of eight involved students received job offers from one company. Other students became aware of their own employability, limitations and preferred career paths.Originality/valueFindings provide confirmation on existing feasible approaches and also introduces new interventions that may be generalised to other fields of study. The paper not only provides an instructional design for a module to raise career awareness but also reflects on the feedback of the students. The reflection provided by students acts as a point of reference to ensure that the process followed for the intervention is practical within a South African context. The paper highlights the perceived benefits of involving industry in higher education to raise career awareness, factors that may prevent career awareness among IT students and valuable suggestions made by students to further enhance the intervention strategy. An implication of the research is a set of guidelines identified towards bridging the IT theory–practice gap. These guidelines can be used by many educators in similar environments to justify their interventions.

Assessing the functionality of the enterprise content management maturity model

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shadrack Katuu
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Content Management ◽  
Maturity Model ◽  
Extensive Discussion ◽  
Maturity Models ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Software Applications ◽  
Enterprise Content Management ◽  
African Context

Purpose The implementation of enterprise content management (ECM) software applications has been a subject of extensive discussion. Although a number of ECM scholars have provided guidance on ECM implementation, there is a gap in how to assess benefits accruing from the implementation. One of the approaches of assessment is the use of maturity models. This paper aims to examine the utility of other ECM maturity model (ECM3) as an assessment tool. Design/methodology/approach The study was undertaken based on two related research questions, the first explored ECM3 assessment within a South African context and the second explored the utility of other maturity models for ECM implementation and lessons learnt to improve ECM3. Findings The results show that all the South African institutions assessed using ECM3 had a low level of maturity and there are a number of maturity models comparable to ECM3, and the global survey provides the closest parallel to the survey conducted in South Africa. Originality/value The study offers a unique discussion on the possible utility of ECM3 as a maturity model for assessing ECM implementation. This was done by comparing it with maturity models developed or used by records professionals and through assessing the results of two surveys, one conducted amongst South African institutions and another conducted by the Real Story Group.

The 3-S typology of South African culinary festival visitors

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1560-1579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armand Viljoen ◽  
Martinette Kruger ◽  
Melville Saayman
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
South African ◽  
Market Segmentation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
African Context ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
General Profile ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Purpose This paper aims to identify and cluster visitors to a premier South African cheese festival based on their motivation for attending the festival. Design/methodology/approach A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from visitors over the three days of the festival, in which 519 usable questionnaires were included in the analysis. Three stages of the analysis were employed: a factor analysis examining the visitors’ motivation to attend the festival, a cluster analysis based on the motives identified by the factor analysis and an analysis of significant differences between the different market segments. Findings The general profile of respondents was similar to the profile of culinary tourists found in other studies. Furthermore, five key motives were identified, of which this combination has not been previously identified in the literature. The cluster analysis identified three distinct clusters, with heterogeneous behavioural and socio-demographic profile identifiers. Practical implications The value that this market segmentation technique holds regarding the marketing and branding of a(n) event/festival is that it could help managers/marketers to promote better culinary events/festivals in South Africa, by offering unique attributes that attract culinary visitors. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this study is a first attempt to segment culinary visitors based on motivational factors, especially within the South African context. Clustering based on motives proved to be a useful market segmentation tool and proposes a 3-S typology of visitors to food-related events/festivals, namely, social, serious and selective epicureans.

Patient satisfaction and GP trustworthiness, practice orientation and performance

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 532-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barend Van Den Assem ◽  
Victor Dulewicz
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
White Paper ◽  
Patient Relationship ◽  
Patient Trust ◽  
Doctor Patient Relationship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
And Performance ◽  
High Level

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the doctor-patient relationship from the patients’ perspective. It tests a number of hypothesized relationships with respect to the interaction inside the doctor-patient relationship including the continuity of care, doctors’ practice orientation and performance, which help enhance the understanding of patient trust and satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative survey using a closed-ended questionnaire provided a useable sample of 372 respondents. Findings – There was an overall high level of patient trust in and satisfaction with GPs as well as good patient rapport with their GPs. Patients who were most satisfied with their doctor perceived them to be more trustworthy, were more satisfied with their performance and perceived them to have greater preference for a sharing orientation than those patients who were least satisfied. Practical implications – The research findings suggest ways of maintaining and enhancing trust through training, continuing professional development, appraisals and assessments and revalidation of doctors. The skill sets and competencies related to trust and practice are presented in light of current practice trends and changing health care agendas, including the recent Department of Health White Paper, “Liberating the NHS” (2010). Since the questionnaire was able to discriminate between those patients who were most and least satisfied with their doctors, it identified what patients appreciate and are concerned about with respect to GPs and their practice. Originality/value – The research provides new insights and understanding of how patient satisfaction in the GP-patient relationship is influenced by GPs’ trustworthiness, practice orientation and performance, for academic and practitioner communities.

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