South African relief plan will not halt further slide

Subject South African relief package. Significance A 500-billion-rand (28-billion-dollar) socio-economic relief package that President Cyril Ramaphosa announced last week will use public- and private-sector funding to provide some assistance to businesses and households impacted by the COVID-19-related crisis. However, many details have yet to be clarified, implementation is a risk and the package will not prevent severe damage to the economy and social fabric. Impacts With or without support from international financial institutions (IFIs), Pretoria will be forced to undertake some structural reforms. The country will emerge from the crisis even more heavily indebted, and dependent on IFI lending in a way it never previously was. Social tensions could grow over contentious lockdown measures, such as bans on cigarette and tobacco sales (which face legal challenges).

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Moumita Acharyya ◽  
Tanuja Agarwala

PurposeThe paper aims to understand the different motivations / reasons for engaging in CSR initiatives by the organizations. In addition, the study also examines the relationship between CSR motivations and corporate social performance (CSP).Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from two power sector organizations: one was a private sector firm and the other was a public sector firm. A comparative analysis of the variables with respect to private and public sector organizations was conducted. A questionnaire survey was administered among 370 employees working in the power sector, with 199 executives from public sector and 171 from private sector.Findings“Philanthropic” motivation emerged as the most dominant CSR motivation among both the public and private sector firms. The private sector firm was found to be significantly higher with respect to “philanthropic”, “enlightened self-interest” and “normative” CSR motivations when compared with the public sector firms. Findings suggest that public and private sector firms differed significantly on four CSR motivations, namely, “philanthropic”, “enlightened self-interest”, “normative” and “coercive”. The CSP score was significantly different among the two power sector firms of public and private sectors. The private sector firm had a higher CSP level than the public sector undertaking.Research limitations/implicationsFurther studies in the domain need to address differences in CSR motivations and CSP across other sectors to understand the role of industry characteristics in influencing social development targets of organizations. Research also needs to focus on demonstrating the relationship between CSP and financial performance of the firms. Further, the HR outcomes of CSR initiatives and measurement of CSP indicators, such as attracting and retaining talent, employee commitment and organizational climate factors, need to be assessed.Originality/valueThe social issues are now directly linked with the business model to ensure consistency and community development. The results reveal a need for “enlightened self-interest” which is the second dominant CSR motivation among the organizations. The study makes a novel contribution by determining that competitive and coercive motivations are not functional as part of organizational CSR strategy. CSR can never be forced as the very idea is to do social good. Eventually, the CSR approach demands a commitment from within. The organizations need to emphasize more voluntary engagement of employees and go beyond statutory requirements for realizing the true CSR benefits.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean D. Darling ◽  
J. Barton Cunningham

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify unique values and competencies linked to private and public sector environments. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on critical incident interviews with a sample of senior leaders who had experience in both the public and private sectors. Findings The findings illustrate distinct public and private sector relevant competencies that reflect the unique values of their organizations and the character of the organization’s environments. This paper suggests a range of distinct public sector competencies including: managing competing interests, managing the political environment, communicating in a political environment, interpersonal motivational skills, adding value for clients, and impact assessment in decision-making. These were very different than those identified as critical for the private sector environment: business acumen, visionary leadership, marketing communication, market acumen, interpersonal communication, client service, and timely and opportunistic decision-making. Private sector competencies reflect private sector environments where goals need to be specifically defined and implemented in a timely manner related to making a profit and surviving in a competitive environment. Public sector competencies are driven by environments exhibiting more complex and unresolvable problems and the need to respond to conflicting publics and serving the public good while surviving in a political environment. Originality/value A key message of this study is that competency frameworks need to be connected to the organization’s unique environments and the values that managers are seeking to achieve. This is particularly important for public organizations that have more complex and changing environments.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-251
Author(s):  
Ashutosh Muduli ◽  
Jeegnesh J. Trivedi

PurposeThe increased popularity of social media has been prompting the recruitment managers to use social media recruitment. Very little has been studied on the effectiveness of social media recruitment from the recruiter's perspective. Influenced by the diffusion of innovation theory, the study measures the usefulness of social media recruitment through various prehire and posthire recruitment outcomes. The study also used the media richness theory to examine the role of credibility and satisfaction as a mediating variable.Design/methodology/approachData has been collected from the recruiters in the public and private sector of India. Available literature is studied to develop survey instrument validated through experts from industry and academia. Pilot study was conducted to test for any construct weaknesses. Data is analyzed using AMOS.FindingsThe study result proved that social media recruitment is significantly related to both prehire outcomes and posthire outcomes. The result also proved the mediating effect of credibility and satisfaction and suggests recruitment practitioner to emphasize on disseminating credible, relevant and sufficient information through suitable communication mode.Practical implicationsHR professional to be careful about the information provided through a social media recruitment method. Practitioner to establish credibility of the information to create a sense of satisfaction by the applicants toward the information. Thus, as the information becomes more credible, the attraction to the organization also increases, which in turn results in more applicants applying for the job.Originality/valueThis is the first quantitative study to examine effectiveness of social media recruitment under the influence of mediator – credibility and satisfaction considering the data from the recruiters.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akintayo Opawole ◽  
Godwin Onajite Jagboro

Purpose Demand–supply matrices with adverse consequences has occasioned government response to concession initiatives in infrastructure in Nigeria. However, concession-based projects have been trailed by administrative and legal controversies. While this scenario has negatively impacted the acceptability of a concession contract, there is, nevertheless, a paucity of research effort aimed at developing a sustainable framework. The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework for the evaluation and allocation of obligations of parties, thereby enhancing the synergy and cooperation between the public and private sector organization. Design/methodology/approach Data were obtained through a questionnaire administered to professionals in concession-based contracts in southwestern Nigeria, which included architects, estate surveyors, quantity surveyors, engineers and builders, accountants/bankers/economists and lawyers. The respondents were selected using random and respondent driven sampling approaches. The questions were structured to ensure that the respondents have appropriate experience in concession-based projects and hold appropriate positions as decision-makers so as to give credence to the collected data. Findings The study identified 47 contractual obligations in the specific context of developing countries. Based on “half-adjusting principle”, 13 of the obligations notably cost of land acquisition and cost of social disturbances were allocated to the public party; 18 of the obligations notably project design and cost of feasibility study were allocated to the private party; and 16 of the obligations including preparation of terms of a contract and relocation of third party facilities were shared by the parties. Originality/value The framework benchmarked the categorization of public and private parties’ obligations in concession-based public–private partnership (PPP) contracts. The study has the implication for the evaluation and allocation of obligations of parties, which could mitigate the risk of failure of PPP projects in relation to the specific context of developing countries.


Subject Outlook for the banking sector. Significance The two-year recession has made Brazil’s public- and private-sector banks increasingly risk-averse in their lending to households and companies. This is likely to persist in 2017, owing to a very uncertain and fragile economic recovery, high unemployment and elevated levels of private-sector debt. Impacts Less-aggressive lending by national state banks will help public finances and give private banks a chance to increase market share. Spanish Santander will be the only foreign bank capable of competing in Brazil’s retail banking segment in the coming years. Other foreign banks lacking the necessary scale for profitable retail banking will focus on other niches.


Significance While the measures have been welcomed by investors, they depend on Pretoria reaching a deal with civil servants, whose unions have denounced the government’s plans. Impacts Despite commitments to a series of growth-boosting structural reforms outlined last year, progress will likely remain halting. Renewed funding for embattled South African Airways (SAA) will be a recurring source of public and political contention over the short term. Debt costs could rise further if a ratings downgrade sees investors demand even higher yields on South African debt.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinita Kaura

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of service quality, perceived price and fairness and service convenience on customer satisfaction. It also aims to compare multiple regression models between public and new private sector banks.Design/methodology/approachA cross‐sectional research on 445 retail banking customers through a questionnaire is conducted. The population of the study consists of valued retail urban customers of banks in Rajasthan, India, who frequently visit bank premises for transactions, have accounts in at least two banks and have availed of at least one information technology based services. Responses are analysed using regression analyses.FindingsDimensions of service quality are employee behavior, tangibility and information technology. Dimensions of service convenience are decision convenience, access convenience, transaction convenience, benefit convenience and post‐benefit convenience. For public sector banks, except tangibility, all antecedents have positive impact on customer satisfaction. For private sector banks except tangibility and benefit convenience all antecedents have positive impact on customer satisfaction. Significant difference in beta coefficient is found between public and private sector banks regarding employee behavior, decision convenience, access convenience and post‐benefit convenience.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has taken into account a specific category of retail banking customers. Thus, it limits generalization of results to other banking populations.Practical implicationsThis study highlights the importance of service quality, service convenience and price in satisfying customers. Bank managers can focus on these factors to satisfy customers.Originality/valueThe paper emphasizes the significance of service quality, price and SERVCON on customer satisfaction for Indian banking sector. It compares the multiple regression models for public and private sector banks.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Agostino ◽  
Chiara Costantini

Purpose Public and private sector organisations are widely endorsing digital transformation processes, but little is known about the level of digitalisation of an organisation as a whole. The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework to assess an organisation’s level of digital transformation as a whole, taking the field of museums as an exemplary case of application. Design/methodology/approach The framework draws upon a scoping literature review of studies examining dimensions, metrics and methods for the assessment of the digital transformation of organisations. The framework has been validated by applying it to a sample of 400 Italian museums and further interviews with museum directors. Findings The authors propose an assessment framework composed of five main dimensions: people, technology, process, customer and strategy and investment. These dimensions are further deployed in sub-dimensions measured through a set of questions. The weighted average of results per dimension and sub-dimension supported the development of a composite index of organisational digital readiness. Originality/value The developed framework contributes to the current debate on the measurement of an organisation’s level of digital transformation as a whole, and it can offer practitioners a managerial tool to assess the organisation’s digital readiness.


Significance Now that Zeman has successfully retaken the presidency with 152,000 more votes than his pro-Western rival Jiri Drahos after a campaign that was dominated by domestic issues, attention will focus once again on forming a majority government after the largest parliamentary party, ANO 2011, lost a vote of confidence on January 16. Impacts Consumer confidence may strengthen in the short term as the old ANO-CSSD government’s policies take effect, providing an economic boost. Robust household consumption and public- and private-backed investment may also contribute to stronger GDP this year. Although monetary policy is set to tighten, in response to signs of overheating, interest rates will remain at historic lows. The outlook for the economy in the short term is upbeat, with a strong outturn expected for the fourth quarter of 2017. Structural reforms will be required over the medium term to reduce the risk of capacity constraints, especially in industry.


Subject The US 2020 census. Significance The United States will hold its ten-yearly census in 2020, with census day itself on April 1. The census is one of the most important foundations of US public and private sector activity -- its data helps allocate federal funds and political power and informs business decisions. However, there are concerns that 2020 will see a historic undercount of marginalised communities. Impacts The census will lead to the enhancement of Texas’s political power and influence. Texas’s greater political weight will further increase the importance of the Hispanic community in US politics. Texas’s political rise could elevate the fossil fuel industry, but possibly also wind and solar power and green technology. There will be further court cases challenging electoral redistricting decisions.


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