scholarly journals Sustaining South African small and medium-sized enterprises through monetary access and Literacy in the COVID-19 ERA

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-75
Author(s):  
Thabiso Sthembiso Msomi ◽  
Odunayo Magret Olarewaju ◽  
Xolani Ngcobo

Abstract Research background: Monetary access and literacy are significant factors of concern confronting the survival and sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises. Purpose: This led to this paper seeking to understand the impact monetary access and monetary literacy have on the sustainability of SMEs in the COVID-19 era. Research methodology: The method was employed by this study is a quantitative research method, which is supported by a positivism research paradigm. Data was collected using a questionnaire completed by 310 sampled participants. Using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences to analyse data, descriptive, the Pearson correlation and regression analyses were used to estimate the model. Results: The Pearson correlation indicated a positive and significant correlation between monetary access and monetary literacy to the sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises (r = 0.564). The result indicated that some small and medium-sized enterprises do possess basic monetary skills while some do not. A significant number of small and medium-sized enterprises do not understand basic monetary terms, which justifies the lack of monetary literacy. Novelty: The study recommends that government agencies that assist with business registration should include a monetary training course as part of registration formalities. Further to that, the study recommended that government, banks and other business support institutions should simplify support programmes for the prosperity of small and medium-sized enterprises during and post COVID-19 pandemic.

2001 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 31-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. G. Netswera

Central to the current South African economic debates are the issues of equity, black empowerment and the promotion of small business activities. The promotion of small business activities is felt relevant as they are assumed to be addressing most of the country’s unemployment problem and those mentioned above while contributing largely to the GDP. Assumed problems facing this industry include the unavailability of support systems. This quantitative research explored through telephonic interviews, the perceptions of 60 Johannesburg small business operators of their small business support systems. The findings revealed access to information to be the perceived most important support system and business partnerships and subcontracting the least accessible.


Author(s):  
Sibangilizwe Ncube ◽  
Mark H.R. Bussin ◽  
Lukas De Swardt

Orientation: Return on the investment in variable pay programmes remains controversial because their cost versus contribution cannot be empirically justified. Research purpose: This study validates the findings of the model developed by De Swardt on the factors related to successful variable pay programmes.Motivation for the study: Many organisations blindly implement variable pay programmes without any means to assess the impact these programmes have on the company’s performance. This study was necessary to validate the findings of an existing instrument that validates the contribution of variable pay schemes.Research design, approach and method: The study was conducted using quantitative research. A total of 300 completed questionnaires from a non-purposive sample of 3000 participants in schemes across all South African industries were returned and analysed.Main findings: Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, it was found that the validation instrument developed by De Swardt is still largely valid in evaluating variable pay schemes. The differences between the study and the model were reported.Practical/managerial implications: The study confirmed the robustness of an existing model that enables practitioners to empirically validate the use of variable pay plans. This model assists in the design and implementation of variable pay programmes that meet critical success factors.Contribution/value-add: The study contributed to the development of a measurement instrument that will assess whether a variable pay plan contributes to an organisation’s success.


2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 609
Author(s):  
Mirela Borges ◽  
Sergio José Nicoletti

ABSTRACTObjectives: to describe, in the perception of nurses, the impact of a Nutritional Support training on the job and Identify the correlations between support organizational support to the transfer and characteristics of customers with the impact of training in the work of nurses. Method: it’s a nature quantitative research, a cross-sectional, correlacional and descriptive study. The data was collected by means a questionnaire asked to 114 nursing professionals. The data was stored and analyzed using the program Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, being carried out analyses descriptive and relevant to study. Results: more than 50% of trainees agreed have a positive impact of training support nutrition at work. The impact of training in nutritional therapy of nursing was significantly correlated with the support organizational (r=0,64, p=0,00). Conclusion: the higher the support of the Organization to training, the higher the positive impact on the work of trainees. Descriptors: organizational support; education; nursing; job training.RESUMOObjetivos: descrever, na percepção dos profissionais de enfermagem, o impacto do treinamento admissional em Suporte Nutricional no trabalho e identificar as correlações entre Suporte Organizacional, Suporte à Transferência e Características da Clientela com o impacto do treinamento no trabalho dos profissionais de enfermagem. Método: pesquisa de natureza quantitativa, onde se realizou um estudo transversal, correlacional e descritivo. Os dados foram obtidos mediante questionário aplicado a 114 profissionais de enfermagem, armazenados e analisados utilizando-se do programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (versão 13.0), cujas análises foram descritivas e inferenciais. Resultados: mais de 50% dos treinandos concordaram ter um impacto positivo do treinamento Suporte Nutricional no trabalho. O Impacto do treinamento em terapia nutricional no trabalho da equipe de enfermagem esteve significativamente correlacionado com o Suporte Organizacional (r=0,64, p=0,00). Conclusão: conclui-se que, quanto maior o Suporte de Transferência e o Suporte Organizacional maior foi o Impacto do treinamento no trabalho. Descritores: suporte organizacional; educação; enfermagem; capacitação profissional.RESUMENObjetivo: describir, en la percepción de las enfermerías, el impacto de la capacitación en apoyo nutricional en el lugar de trabajo y determinar las correlaciones entre el apoyo organizativo, apoyo del la transferencia y las características del cliente con el impacto de la capacitación en el trabajo de las enfermerías. Métodos: investigación de carácter cuantitativo, donde há sido hecho un estudio transversal, descriptivo y correlacional. Los datos fueron obtenidos mediante un cuestionario aplicado a 114 profesionales de enfermería. Los datos fueron almacenados y analizados utilizando el programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, y se lleva a cabo el análisis descriptivo e inferencial de interés para el estudio. Resultados: más del 50% de los alunos de acuerdo a tener un impacto positivo de apoyo nutricional de formación en el trabajo. El impacto de la formación en la terapia nutricional en el trabajo del personal de enfermería fue significativamente correlacionado con el apoyo organizativo (r=0,64, p=0,00). Conclusión: en conclusión, cuanto mayor sea el apoyo a la transferencia y el apoyo organizativo fue el mayor impacto de la formación en el trabajo. Descriptores: apoyo organizativo; educación; enfermería; capacitación profesional.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-148
Author(s):  
Ariel Ora ◽  
Roland Sahatcija ◽  
Anxhela Ferhataj

AbstractLearning style is a crucial element in the academic life of students. It plays a fundamental role in the selection of a suitable teaching method of instruction. The aim of this research paper is the study of the perception of the hybrid learning and students’ learning style. In addition, another objective of the study is to analyze the perception of the hybrid learning in accordance with the learning style. This paper employs quantitative research and the descriptive and comparative methods. The study sample consists of 89 Albanian university students. Data analysis was conducted through SPSS 20 and JASP-0.8.1.2. The statistical analyses utilized in this paper are distribution tables, crossed tabulation, student test, Pearson correlation coefficient, Bayesian Independent Samples T-Test, and One - Way ANOVA. The conclusion of the data analysis shows that most students used the visual learning style in order to study. Students have a positive perception of the hybrid learning. There exists an insignificant statistical correlation between learning styles and the perception of the hybrid learning. The area of study has an impact on the components of the hybrid learning.


Author(s):  
Lufungula Osembe

Mobile technologies are increasingly making important contributions to the lives of many users. Various factors are said to influence the decision of users to remain connected and be in constant interaction with other users from the same or different social networks. This paper used the Social Shaping of Technology (SST) theory to assess the influence of users’ social networks on their decision to use, choose and purchase a smartphone device. The study used a quantitative research method to analyse data. Data were collected from a sample of young adults aged between 15 and 35 years residing in Durban, South Africa. The study revealed that social networking sites influence users’ decision to use, choose, and purchase a smartphone device. The findings also revealed factors that are perceived as influential in the perceptions of users about their social networks and their interactions with users from the same social networks.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1030-1043
Author(s):  
Evangelis Pardede ◽  
WILLIAMS KWASI PEPRAH ◽  
Patience Boatemaa Antwi-Yamoah

Introduction: Planning is essential to healthcare institutions.  The first important factor that indicates the effectiveness and efficiency of an organization is planning and the realization of how the vision and mission that have been set up are implemented. However, organizational culture plays a key role in setting a plan for hospitals. It is upon this premises that this study seeks to find the impact of organizational culture on planning as professed by employees in the hospital and the significant difference between sex and age when planning was considered.    Method: This was quantitative research which was designed as descriptive-correlational. The self-constructed instrument was conveniently administered to 108 hospital employees within Laguna in the Philippines to measure their hospital organizational culture and planning. The statistical study treatment was based on SPSS version 23, where Mean and Standard Deviation and Pearson Correlation and t-test were used to analyze the data.    Result: The results revealed that hospital planning was very high, and they strongly agree with the influence of their organizational culture. Furthermore, the study resulted that there is a high correlation between organizational culture and planning. There was a significant difference in sex, however, there was no significant difference in age. The implication is that hospitals must make sure that their firms’ culture supports planning so that they can meet their objectives.  Discussion: The study recommends that hospitals must make sure that their cultural practices support planning. This is among the various ways to achieve hospitals success and make them effective and efficient. 


2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motshedisi S. Mathibe ◽  
Johan H. Van Zyl

Small Medium and Micro Enterprises in South Africa were operating in the era of the apartheid regime but were not given enough support and were not a priority in the government of those days. Before democratic transition, the South African government was mainly giving attention to large businesses as well as state-owned enterprises. It was only in the late 1970s and the early 1980s that the South African government realised the importance of the small enterprise sector and its contribution to the countrys economy. The democratic regime of the early 1990s gave SMMEs an opportunity to participate in the South African economy. A White Paper of 1995 introduced the strategy to promote and develop SMMEs in South Africa and to design an SMME policy framework that will focus its attention on supporting and developing SMMEs. The aim was to enable SMMEs to grow as a way of creating a balance in the economy (away from state-owned and large enterprises) As a result, different support mechanisms have been implemented to support and develop SMMEs in the country since the democratic government took over in 1994. This paper evaluates the business support programmes that have been implemented in South Africa since 1994, specifically in the Free State Province for the development and support of SMMEs. In this respect, the paper compares and evaluates the ability of the business support programmes that have been put in place to develop and support SMMEs in order to grow and become sustainable. This is done by means of a brief overview of the international business support services and an assessment of the South African SMME policy environment. The study also conducted five structured interviews with the management representative of the five different business support programmes in the Free State Province. Some of the key findings indicate that not many SMMEs are aware of business support programmes in the Free State and are even less informed as to where to access finances. At the same time, it was found that staff responsible for business support programmes appears to be incompetent, and therefore, deliver poor quality services. From this study it can be concluded that of all the programmes the government-driven initiatives to develop and support SMMEs struggle the most to become operational. The business support programmes focused on markets to some degree, but seldom made it an inherent requirement. This paper recommends that there should be monitoring and evaluation systems available to document the quality of the service delivery to SMMEs in the Province, and to train the staff of the business support programmes to deliver high-quality services to entrepreneurs. The study compared five business support programmes in the Free State with regards to developing and supporting SMMEs in the province. As a result, the value of the findings might well be considered in terms of future provincial planning documents and policy.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shun Zhang ◽  
Huangqi Duan ◽  
Yu Wu ◽  
Weimin Xia ◽  
Subo Qian ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) secondary to partial nephrectomy (PN) is a challenging clinical issue. During PN anaemia develops due to haemodilution and blood loss, which decreases oxygen transfer and provokes tissue hypoxia, leading to postoperative adverse outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of perioperative anaemia on postoperative AKI after PN.Methods This retrospective cohort study included 68 adult patients undergoing PN for a single nonmetastatic renal tumor. Detailed clinical information was systematically reviewed and analyzed. Serum concentrations of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and creatinine (sCr) were tested before, 2 hours and 1 day after PN surgery. Perioperative anaemia was assessed according to haematocrit (Ht) value at the same timepoint. Association between perioperative anaemia and postoperative AKI were explored by logistic regression analyses and pearson correlation analysis. Results The rate of perioperative anaemia in patients undergoing PN was 35.3% when the criteria of Ht < 30% was adopted. AKI developed in 32.4% of the patients when KDIGO criteria was applicated and in 51.5% of the patients when the criteria of serum NGAL >150 ng/mL was used. The incidence of AKI in patients with perioperative anaemia was higher than that in patients without anaemia. Univariate logistic regression analyses showed perioperative anaemia was a relevant factor of postoperative AKI in patients undergoing PN.Conclusions Perioperative anaemia might be a risk factor of postoperative AKI after PN. But the detailed interrelation still needs to be verified by large-scale prospective studies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurie A. Sharp ◽  
Marc Hamil

Much literature has presented evidence that supplemental digital resources enhance student performance with mathematics. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of a web-adaptive digital resource, Think Through Math©, on student performance with state-mandated annual standardized mathematics assessments. This study utilized a quantitative research design and conducted multiple regression analyses among 723 students from a north Texas school district that showed high-levels of use with Think Through Math© during the 2015-2016 school year. Data from Think Through Math© reports and annual standardized mathematics assessments were collected and analyzed from elementary, intermediate, junior high, and high school campus levels. Results of the multiple regression analyses were reported for each campus level, as well as several statistically significant and positive associations.


Author(s):  
Anees Kathrada ◽  
Yaeesh Yasseen ◽  
Zakiyyah Varachia

Background: South African state-owned entities (SOEs) have become synonymous with issues such as poor service delivery and wasteful expenditure. State-owned entities are accountable to various stakeholders with the annual report viewed as an accountability mechanism. Given the different components of the annual report, this provides management with the opportunity to use different elements to present a better image of the SOE. Some elements that can be used to manipulate information are graphs.Aim: The purpose of this study was to analyse the use of graphs in the annual reports of SOEs and to conclude whether SOEs use graphs to manipulate information presented.Setting: The annual reports of the 277 SOEs included in the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) schedules as of 31 March 2018 were analysed.Methods: This study followed a quantitative research method. Content analysis is used to identify impression management techniques used in the graphs of SOEs.Results: The findings indicate that 64% of SOEs present graphs in their annual reports, with non-financial graphs being disclosed more than financial graphs. Using the graph discrepancy index (GDI), it was found that SOEs tend to overstate data trends more than understating trends resulting in a better image of the SOE being presented. The presentational features of graphs were not used excessively to influence users.Conclusion: Graphs appear to be used as a form of impression management to manage users’ perceptions of SOEs. Given the impact of the annual report on users’ decision, the distortion of graph may impact the decisions taken.


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