Entrepreneurial resilience: the case of Somali grocery shop owners in a South African township

Most studies on entrepreneurship have highlighted the relative importance of a conducive environment for the development of entrepreneurship. This notwithstanding, entrepreneurship has been noted to thrive even under the most adverse conditions, such as during economic, social and political instabilities. Using resilience as the propensity to bounce back after adversity and xenophobia, crime, unhealthy competition, etc. as correlates of adversity or an unconducive business environment, this paper investigated the preponderance of Somali grocery shops in South African township despite the perceived hostility of the business environment. Anchored on the qualitative research approach, a purposive sample of 13 participants provided the required data for analysis. Specifically, the data collection took the form of focus group interviews in which two groups of 6 and 7 informants were purposively selected to be part of the interviews. Prominent in the results was the fact that almost all the current Somali grocery shops in the study area have been victims of crime and theft. Furthermore, virtually all the Somali grocery shops that were victimized during the xenophobic outburst have since re-opened. The foregoing themes of resilience and adversity unmistakably indicate the propensity of Somali grocery shop owners’ ability to bounce back. As to what township entrepreneurs worry or fear most, clearly the fear of the re-occurrence of the xenophobic attacks surpassed that of burglary, theft and death. As to what fuels Somali’s persistence and preponderance in townships, both push and pulled factors were reported. Reporting on risk aversion, it was noted that most of the founders (here referred to as an entrepreneur) are not actively involved in running the shops. They simply recruit others to do the job on their behalf. Under this circumstance, the risk is limited to financial risk. This approach is quite different for other African immigrants in the same township. Keywords: entrepreneurship, turbulent business environment, xenophobia, entrepreneurial resilience, South Africa townships. JEL Classification: M00

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Espousal of combined assurance model in South Africa’s public sector

Public and Municipal Finance ◽

10.21511/pmf.05(4).2016.03 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 23-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shewangu Dzomira

Keyword(s):

Public Sector ◽

South African ◽

Internal Control ◽

Good Governance ◽

Jel Classification ◽

Research Approach ◽

Inclusive Approach ◽

Legitimate Interests ◽

Auditor General ◽

Symbolic Content

The study seeks to examine the espousal of the combined assurance model in South Africa’s public sector, since there is not solitary autonomous unit that offers assurance in seclusion but various units add to the assurance progression. The study is grounded on stewardship theory in which various concepts of stewardship imply it to be a function of governments’ accountability for the wellbeing of citizens. This research study followed a qualitative research approach in which data were analyzed qualitatively based on an interpretative philosophy which examined meaningful and symbolic content of qualitative data from general reports on the provincial audit outcomes for the period (2014-2015). It was concluded that the level of appreciation of the combined assurance model and assurance provision in South African public sector is commendable, although there is still a need to improve and fully implement the model so as to attain good governance through stewardship advance. To that end, the governing body in South Africa’s public sector needs to augment its monitoring of harmonized and all inclusive approach in internal control systems, risk management and compliance issues. This serves in the best legitimate interests and expectations of the “inclusive stakeholders” via embracing of stewardship approach. Keywords: combined assurance, public sector, stewardship, Auditor General. JEL Classification: E61, H20

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What are the indicators of a successful business rescue in South Africa? Ask the business rescue practitioners

South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences ◽

10.4102/sajems.v21i1.1726 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Shaneen Conradie ◽

Christiaan Lamprecht

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

Business Environment ◽

Research Approach ◽

The South ◽

Consistent Manner ◽

Actual Outcome ◽

Successful Business ◽

High Level ◽

Delphi Research ◽

Indicators Of Success

Background: Business rescue, in terms of Chapter 6 of the Companies Act No 71 of 2008, is still relatively new to the South African business environment. The need for a successful business rescue regime is beyond doubt. However, a consistent manner to measure the success of the regime has not been determined. Previous research into possible indicators of business rescue success was based on a review of international business rescue regimes that share the same underlying philosophy as the South African business rescue regime. Aim and Setting: This study extends previous research efforts by soliciting the opinions of 16 South African, senior business rescue practitioners on the indicators of business rescue success. Method: The researchers used a qualitative research approach. The Delphi research technique was used to gather qualitative and quantitative empirical data from business rescue practitioners. Results: The experts reached a high level of consensus on various indicators of a successful business rescue. Most notable are that business rescue should save as many jobs as possible and that the actual outcome should be compared to that estimated in the business rescue plan. A novel indicator of success is the business rescue points saved or rescued, when using the public interest score. Conclusion: The study makes a valuable contribution to the debate on what constitutes a successful business rescue by adding the considered opinion on indicators of success by one group of experts in the field of business rescue, namely senior business rescue practitioners.

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Overcoming challenges associated with managing change towards Digital Banking - a case of a South African bank

Journal of Contemporary Management ◽

10.35683/jcm20054.97 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 70-92

Author(s):

S MAHARAJ ◽

◽

RID POOE ◽

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

Diffusion Of Innovation ◽

Business Environment ◽

Theory Of Change ◽

Primary Data ◽

Future Research ◽

Research Approach ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Environment Change ◽

Managing Change

In today’s highly competitive business environment, change has become the order of the day for businesses that want to survive and stay competitive through the winds and turbulences of change. Change comes as a consequence of companies repositioning themselves in anticipation of rapid advancements in technology, quest for new opportunities in different geographical markets, and the need for new strategic intent. The aim of this study was to explore challenges faced by a South African bank following the integration of the three (3) business units towards digital banking. In exploring this question, the study adopted a quality research approach which involved purposive sampling where semi-structured interviews were held with 20 bank employees who were affected by the integration process. Following the primary data collection and data analysis, the following five (5) themes emerged, which represented the main challenges which employees associated with managing change toward digital banking by the focal bank: 1) lack of guiding principles for the change process, (2) clash of sub-cultures of the various units, (3) employee involvement and engagement, (4) absence of post-integration plan, and (5) lack of communication. By drawing from the Kurt Lewin’ theory of change and the diffusion of innovation theory, the study extended our understanding of these theories in the context of integration literature. The themes were analysed In light of the emerged themes, recommendations were made and directions for future research were suggested.

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An Investigation into Factors that Contribute to Learner Migration in South African Schools

The Journal of Social Sciences Research ◽

10.32861/jssr.63.224.235 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 224-235

Author(s):

Botha R. J. Nico ◽

Neluvhola T. G. Grace

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

School Effectiveness ◽

Theory Model ◽

Coherent System ◽

Research Approach ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Migration System ◽

Final Sample ◽

Legislative Framework ◽

Group Interviews

The purpose of this study was to investigate the various factors which contribute to learner migration in South African schools and to suggest ways in which learner migration can be addressed. A qualitative research approach was used for the study and data was collected by means of individual – and group interviews. The sample of the study consists of one Expert Management Information System (EMIS) member and one principal from a secondary school in each of the nine provinces as well as four parents and four learners from four of the nine provinces. The final sample were 50 participants (n=50). Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with the 9 EMIS-members and 9 principals, while focus group interviews were conducted with the 16 parents and 16 learners. The findings of the study correspond with the reasons for learner migration in terms of Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological theory model. This model is firmly grounded in reality, thereby allowing the researchers to determine how stakeholders are influenced in terms of learner migration. The findings of the study indicate that learners are migrating to other schools due to, inter alia, the new legislative framework, school management and leadership practices of principals, school effectiveness issues, infra structure of schools as well as socio-economic factors. The study underscores the need for structuring the South African learner migration system that is guided by a coherent system of policies that enables principals to manage learner migration effectively.

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Evaluating the use of SMS and social media as research tools in an ethnography of South African township youth

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e570782013-018 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Michelle Nebergall

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

South African ◽

South African Township ◽

Research Tools

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PERCEPTIONS OF SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTH OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES: A CASE IN THE LEPELLE-NKUMPI MUNICIPAL AREA

Commonwealth Youth and Development ◽

10.25159/1727-7140/1637 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 77-89

Author(s):

Matshidiso Kanjere

Keyword(s):

Leadership Development ◽

Young People ◽

South African ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Research Approach ◽

Practical Applications ◽

South Africans ◽

African Youth ◽

Multiple Challenges ◽

The Government

The South African youth faces multiple challenges that range from illiteracy, drug and alcohol abuse, crime and HIV/AIDS, to unemployment. These challenges and many other ills in society have led to interventions by government, and private and other civil societies. The government has established and initiated a number of programmes that aim at building capacity and helping the youth to cope with these multiple challenges. Some of the programmes are aimed at building leadership capacity among the impoverished youth in rural communities. A lot of money is being invested in these programmes, which are meant to develop young South Africans. However, there are some young people who do not participate in these programmes. They are also not in the formal education system, self-employed or employed elsewhere. And they are despondent. The government, private sector and non-governmental organisations are trying hard to bring these youths and others into the developmental arena, so that they can be active participants in the economy of the country in the near future. However, little research has been conducted to assess the broad impact of the various programmes in the country. The contribution that these programmes are making toward improving the livelihoods of young people has to be determined on a larger scale. Nevertheless, this article reports on an investigation that was conducted on a smaller scale, at the Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality. The aim of the research was to explore the perceptions young South Africans have of the leadership development programmes that they have participated in. A mixed research approach was used to collect data and the key findings indicated that knowledge accumulated through participation in the programmes does not always translate into practical applications. However, the programmes were deemed to be valuable in instilling a positive life-view. The study recommends that support systems be established in the rural areas to assist young people with life challenges.

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The Impact of Big Data on Electronic Commerce in Profit Organisations in Saudi Arabia

Research in World Economy ◽

10.5430/rwe.v10n4p106 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 106

Author(s):

Bader A. Alyoubi

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Big Data ◽

Inventory Management ◽

New Technologies ◽

Predictive Analytics ◽

Business Environment ◽

Primary Data ◽

Research Approach ◽

Multiple Sources ◽

The Impact

Big Data is gaining rapid popularity in e-commerce sector across the globe. There is a general consensus among experts that Saudi organisations are late in adopting new technologies. It is generally believed that the lack of research in latest technologies that are specific to Saudi Arabia that is culturally, socially, and economically different from the West, is one of the key factors for the delay in technology adoption in Saudi Arabia. Hence, to fill this gap to a certain extent and create awareness about Big Data technology, the primary goal of this research was to identify the impact of Big Data on e-commerce organisations in Saudi Arabia. Internet has changed the business environment of Saudi Arabia too. E-commerce is set for achieving new heights due to latest technological advancements. A qualitative research approach was used by conducting interviews with highly experienced professional to gather primary data. Using multiple sources of evidence, this research found out that traditional databases are not capable of handling massive data. Big Data is a promising technology that can be adopted by e-commerce companies in Saudi Arabia. Big Data’s predictive analytics will certainly help e-commerce companies to gain better insight of the consumer behaviour and thus offer customised products and services. The key finding of this research is that Big Data has a significant impact in e-commerce organisations in Saudi Arabia on various verticals like customer retention, inventory management, product customisation, and fraud detection.

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Measurement properties of the construct of the code of ethics content: The South African experience

South African Journal of Business Management ◽

10.4102/sajbm.v49i1.197 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 49 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mercy Mpinganjira ◽

Mornay Roberts-Lombard ◽

Goran Svensson ◽

Greg Wood

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

South African ◽

Goodness Of Fit ◽

Code Of Ethics ◽

Codes Of Ethics ◽

Measurement Model ◽

Measurement Properties ◽

Survey Method ◽

Research Approach ◽

Sampling Frame

Background: Many organisations develop codes of ethics to help guide business conduct. However, not much is known about the contents of codes of ethics. Objectives: This article aims at investigating the code of ethics content construct and its measurement properties using a sample of firms from South Africa. Method: The study followed a quantitative research approach. The sampling frame consisted of the top 500 companies in South Africa. A structured questionnaire was administered using the telephone survey method. The respondents consisted of company secretaries and heads or managers responsible for ethics in the respective companies. At the end of the data collection period, a total of 222 usable responses were obtained. Results: The findings show that South African top companies have comprehensive codes of ethics as evidenced by the high mean values obtained from all of the content items under investigation. The findings also support the notion that the code of ethics content construct is multidimensional. Seven different dimensions were confirmed in the analysis. The measurement model of the ethics content construct was found to be valid as evidenced by the goodness-of-fit measure and measures of validity. Conclusion: The study shows that the code of ethics construct is multi-dimensional in nature. The framework provided in this study can also be used in developing, evaluating and strengthening existing codes where such need arises. This study contributes to theory on business ethics and presents the first tested measurement model of the code of ethics construct in South Africa.

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