Ethics in Accounting and Finance

2021 ◽  
pp. 30-41
Author(s):  
Vannie Naidoo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Public Enterprise ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Fair Share ◽  
Accounting Profession ◽  
The World ◽  
The Many

Ethics forms the cornerstone of business and commerce today. It is the lifeblood of every institution be it private or public enterprise. Organisations have to develop and implement a properly structured policy on ethics outlaying proper governance within the institution. Accounting and finance services are crucial in managing a company's finances and wealth. In the accounting profession, in order for there to be transparency and trust, ethics is a crucial area that needs to be present. The many scandals and ethical dilemmas faced by countries organisations throughout the world has made us pause and take stock of what is happening in industry and has prompted action in law and governance towards ethics and corporate governance. South Africa too, has had its fair share of scandal that has had its legal fraternity, government, and business sector develop the Kings I, Kings II, Kings III, and Kings IV laws that stipulate corporate governance and ethics. Organisations have to be honest, professional, and transparent in their business practices.

scholarly journals Competitive intelligence: An instrument to enhance South Africa’s competitiveness

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilma Viviers ◽  
M Muller ◽  
A Du Toit
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Competitive Intelligence ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Academic Field ◽  
Global Competitiveness ◽  
The World ◽  
Private And Public

The case for Competitive Intelligence (CI) as an instrument that can enhance the competitiveness of South African companies and South Africa as a country is strong. Various global competitive rankings measurements have indicated over a number of years the areas in which competitiveness is lacking. Moreover, these rankings have indicated that South Africa has failed to improve its position year on year. The fact that the world is becoming increasingly competitive for South African entities is undisputed. Coupled with a fluctuating exchange rate and the country’s geographical proximity, this poses unique challenges facing South African managers who have to deal with various regulations and legislative matters. In order to create and sustain an effective knowledge economy and to enhance global competitiveness, South Africa however has to put appropriate strategies/measures in place to stimulate, encourage and grow knowledge practices. Competitive Intelligence (CI) as a means of making more sense of the competitive business environment and to identify opportunities and risks in time to act upon can be effectively used as a means to enhance competitiveness. Valuable lessons from successful CI practices in the business sector and government can be learnt from elsewhere in the world. CI should be investigated and adapted for South Africa’s business environment. It is therefore the aim of this article to first attempt to describe the role of CI in enhancing competitiveness, specifically in South Africa and secondly, to stimulate thought on how to secure momentum in enhancing CI as an academic field by developing relevant CI courses as well as demonstrating the value of CI to companies in South Africa through research and collaboration between academics and the private and public sectors. 

scholarly journals ‘Make exercise the elixir across an economic divide’: A message to COVID-19 decision makers

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Jon Patricios ◽  
Robin Saggers ◽  
Jarrad Van Zuydam ◽  
Brad Gelbart
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Population Movement ◽  
Substantial Evidence ◽  
The World ◽  
The Many ◽  
Improve Access

South Africa, like other countries around the world, has used a lockdown strategy to address the initial phases of the COVID- 19 epidemic. The significant restrictions on population movement have included initially limiting exercise to the home. There is substantial evidence for the many benefits of exercise. This study specifically emphasises the benefits of exercise to the immune system, particularly for those most vulnerable to the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and proposes measures to improve access to exercise in a demographically diverse and economically disparate society.

scholarly journals The Prospects for Corporate Governance Operating as a Vehicle for Social Change in South Africa

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilian Miles ◽  
Mariette Jones
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Corporate Citizenship ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Governance Regime ◽  
Inclusive Approach ◽  
Legal Duty ◽  
Apartheid Regime ◽  
The Many

A range of scholarly literature has emerged recently which discusses the extent to which the corporate governance regime in South Africa can incorporate the interests of stakeholders. This is a timely question in view of present movements toward such an approach in the country. At face value, adopting an approach which combines the interests of shareholders with those of stakeholders is ideal in a country which is trying to redress the extreme inequalities caused by exploitative and discriminative policies under the apartheid regime. But, as this article will argue, there are significant challenges to be met if this approach is to succeed. The article also questions whether, in the context of an emerging economy, companies are the most appropriate vehicle through which to promote the interests of employees, the environment, the local community and society at large. This article will be structured as follows. Part 1 describes the many socio-economic challenges facing the South African government. Part 2 discusses its corporate governance regime, which imposes a legal duty on directors to adopt an ‘inclusive approach’ whilst managing their business and which continues to reiterate the value of good corporate citizenship and responsibility. Part 3 addresses the difficulties which arise from the inclusive approach. Part 4, which concludes, argues that increased involvement of the state through legal regulation is crucial in order to create a more robust framework in which the needs of society can be met.

SME Sustainability in South Africa Post-COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 419-437
Author(s):  
Vannie Naidoo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
Healthcare Education ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The World ◽  
Financial Losses ◽  
Education Business

COVID-19 has spread across countries throughout the world. This deadly virus has had devastating effects on government, society, healthcare, education, business, and the economy. As researchers and scientists throughout the world are searching for a cure, the virus remains deadly, and the infection rate is on the rise. SMEs throughout the world have been affected by this global pandemic. Since many countries imposed lockdown, SMEs were one of the most vulnerable in the business sector and suffered some devastating financial losses. During COVID-19, lockdown Stage 5 in South Africa occurred, where many SMEs that were non-essential were asked to shut down during this period.

scholarly journals A discourse analytical view of two South African case studies on the effects on HIV/AIDS in marriage

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 692-708
Author(s):  
J A Van den Berg ◽  
J Van den Berg ◽  
R Nichol ◽  
B De Klerk
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
South African ◽  
Cultural Landscape ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Complex Phenomenon ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hiv Aids

South Africa is the country with the highest incidence of HIV / AIDS in the world. In order to understand the complex phenomenon experienced by people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa, the diverse cultural landscape, amongst other factors, needs to be explored. In a qualitative study, the authors explore the impact of this phenomenon on marriage. Using psychiatric texts and by employing the method of Discourse  Analysis on two case studies, different ways of dealing with HIV/AIDS in marriage and the way it dramatically influences marriage are analysed. The impact of these previously untold stories of HIV/AIDS in marriage is seen especially in the lives of spouses who respond differently when managing this problem. In coping with the trauma of HIV/AIDS, spirituality plays a role. Using the biopsychosocial/spiritual-model within a post-modern view of therapy, the role of spirituality is described.  The research, viewed through a culture-sensitive lens, acknowledges the different ethical dilemmas involved. Certain limitations in the research methodology are discussed and the need for further research is highlighted.

scholarly journals Small business owners’ perceptions of business ethics and employee theft in the small business sector of South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 237-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Colin Cant ◽  
Johannes Arnoldus Wiid ◽  
Yu-ting Hung
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Business Ethics ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Ethical Behaviour ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Employee Theft

Cant and Ligthelm (2003:1) estimate that 70-80% of SMEs fail. One of the challenges that have been identified as contributing to the high failure rate of SMEs in South Africa is employee theft, which constitutes as a ‘crime’. The research study investigates small business owners’ perception of business ethics and employee theft in the small business sector of South Africa. The objective of this paper is to determine the ethical behaviour of business owners, explore the ethical dilemmas that small businesses are facing, establish the concern and impact of theft in the workplace, and the influence of loyalty on the matter. A questionnaire was constructed and random sampling was used to gather the responses of 38 small business owners. The research identified a strong positive linear relationship between the concern for ethical dilemmas/misconduct and employee theft in the workplace. The challenge now is to further the decrease of employee theft in small businesses in South Africa to ensure their success, as they play a vital role in the South African economy

scholarly journals Implications of COVID-19 Lockdown on South African Business Sector

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Chucks I Ede ◽  
Mfundo Mandla Masuku ◽  
Nokukhanya N Jili
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Formal Sector ◽  
Precautionary Measures ◽  
The Many ◽  
Firing Line

The COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa spelt untold adversity on many businesses in the country. This is attributable to the precautionary measures implemented by the South African government to contain the ferocious disease spread across various levels in the society. This article examined the many implications of the pandemic on the business sector in South Africa through the period just before June 2020. The article adopted a qualitative approach to critically examine the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business sector in South Africa. It utilised Statistics South Africa’s reports and contemporary literature on the effects of COVID-19 on the business sector which was used as a source of reference. The statistical evidence is based on experimental data for May 2020, as derived from over a thousand registered businesses operating within the formal sector from various industrial groupings in South Africa. The period under review is remarkable because the business's effect of the pandemic became visibly alarming while the lockdown phases were reduced from Level 5 to Level 4 within the period. The private sector of the economy, known for its huge economic sustenance of most of the country’s labour force, was already at the firing line as all ‘nonessential’ businesses succumb to government’s strict regulations on socioeconomic activities during the phased lockdowns. The hitherto struggling economy, barely sustained by this sector, eventually caved in with over half of its gross domestic product, shrinking attributable to the unparalleled adverse effects that attended the dreaded pandemic. Although government is still battling with the nation’s economic recovery process, many businesses counted their losses from the first few months of the lockdown, as portrayed by plentiful evidence from the national statistical body.

scholarly journals The benefits of good corporate governance to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa: A view on top 20 and bottom 20 JSE listed companies

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-279
Author(s):  
Radebe M. Sarah
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Good Corporate Governance ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Good corporate governance has been attributed to many large organizations’ success. From the boardroom to the triple bottom line, it has been hailed as one powerful tool that brought about sustainability of these organizations in this competitive era. While this is beneficial to large organizations, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can glean on such experiences to add their value to their companies which, in the long run could bring about new markets and improved business practices which can be ground breaking in their daily business dealings. Thus, if with the introduction of the King Report on good governance, competitive advantage is improved, SMEs are in a good position to sustain their businesses in turbulent economic conditions. This article is aimed at exploring the benefits with which good corporate governance can yield to top and bottom JSE listed SMEs in South Africa. A desktop method was used to analyze the financial statements of these SMEs companies with the view to gain understanding on their corporate governance activities and how well they benefit them. The findings show that good corporate governance is beneficial to SMEs.

Invasive Shot Hole Borers Euwallacea fornicatus, E. kuroshio, and E. perbrevis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

EDIS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Demian F. Gomez ◽  
Jiri Hulcr ◽  
Daniel Carrillo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Economic Impacts ◽  
Forest Resources ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Ambrosia Beetles ◽  
Invasive Insects ◽  
The World ◽  
And Control

Invasive species, those that are nonnative and cause economic damage, are one of the main threats to ecosystems around the world. Ambrosia beetles are some of the most common invasive insects. Currently, severe economic impacts have been increasingly reported for all the invasive shot hole borers in South Africa, California, Israel, and throughout Asia. This 7-page fact sheet written by Demian F. Gomez, Jiri Hulcr, and Daniel Carrillo and published by the School of Forest Resources and Conservation describes shot hole borers and their biology and hosts and lists some strategies for prevention and control of these pests. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr422

Small Industry, Gimmicks and Moscow Statistics, or How the Small Russian Enterprise Came into the World (Russian Physiological Sketch, 1830-1840)

2009 ◽  
pp. 123-129
Author(s):  
Yu. Golubitsky
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
Russian Enterprise ◽  
Small Enterprises ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
The World ◽  
Small Industry ◽  
Xix Century

The article considers business practices of Moscow small industry in the XIX century, basing upon physiological sketches of N. Polevoy and I. Kokorev, statistical data and the classification of professions are also presented. The author claims that the heroes of the analyzed sketches are the forefathers of Moscow small businesses and shows what a deep similarity their occupations and a way of life bear to the present-day routine existence of small enterprises.

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