scholarly journals Individual shareholders’ understanding of the content of interim reports of South African listed retail companies

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan GI Oberholster ◽  
Carolina Koornhof ◽  
Quintus Vorster

A number of studies conducted, and reports published, by international and local accounting bodies have found that the proliferation of disclosures in financial reports has hampered users’ understanding of these reports. The reports by accounting bodies also indicate that these users prefer more concise financial reports. These findings, in conjunction with a dearth of recent questionnaire-based research on whether individual shareholders understand the content of financial reports, resulted in this study on whether individual shareholders understand the content of interim reports. The study provides empirical proof that a sound knowledge of business, accounting and economic matters is a prerequisite for understanding interim reports in the case of individual shareholders. The results of the study indicate that individual shareholders have a limited understanding of the content of interim reports as a whole, and that a good knowledge of business and economic matters and of accounting results in an improved understanding of the content of interim reports. In particular, specialisation in accounting in undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, professional qualifications, and work experience in the financial field improve the understanding of individual shareholders.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 162-176
Author(s):  
Maphelo Malgas ◽  
Bonginkosi Wellington Zondi

The basis of this article is an article published by Thomas (2012) whose objective was to track over a two-year period the performance of five strategic South African state-owned enterprises with regards to issues of governance. These enterprises were ESKOM, South African Airways (SAA), South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Telkom, and Transnet. The paper revealed that there were serious transgressions in these entities and recommendations were made to address these. The aim of this article therefore was to establish whether or not the transgressions reported by Thomas are still happening within these entities. The data was collected from the 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, and 2017/2018 financial reports of these entities. The study revealed that the transgressions are still taking place. With regards to issues of sustainability SAA and SABC continue to make loses, with SAA continuing to be bailed out by the South African government against the will of the South African general public. Fruitless and wasteful expenditure increased in all the five entities mentioned above and no serious action has been taken by the South African government to hold the people responsible accountable. While Telkom, Transnet and Eskom were making profits these profits are not at the envisaged level.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zethembe Mseleku

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore youth graduate unemployment and unemployability as a development problem in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory study applied a qualitative research method to elicit the perspectives of youth graduates regarding their unemployment and unemployability. A total of 30 face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with unemployed youth who recently graduated from five South African universities.FindingsThe results indicate that, as youth graduate unemployment increases in South Africa, graduates become hopeless in terms of securing employment. The participants attributed their unemployment to multidimensional factors that include limited demand in the labour market, skills mismatch and lack of work experience.Research limitations/implicationsThis research exclusively focused on graduates from five South African universities; hence, the results of this small qualitative study cannot be generalised to the entire South African population. However, this paper offers important insights that may form the foundation for a nationwide study on a related topic.Originality/valueThis paper presents important insights that influence policy makers, government and other relevant stakeholders to develop alternative solutions to youth graduate unemployment. This paper recommends that government should play a critical role in bridging the gap between higher education and industry in order to address youth graduate unemployment. It also calls for a more cooperative effort between government, higher learning institutions and employers in order to create job opportunities for youth graduates in South Africa.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-35
Author(s):  
Geoff Bick ◽  
Fezile Sidubi

Learning outcomes They are as follows: to identify strategic growth opportunities for SMEs in the South African craft beer industry; to understand the complexities associated with operating a craft beer SME in the South African alcohol sector and analyse the SME’s strategic decision-making process that happens as a result; to understand the challenges and identify opportunities for entrepreneurship and growth in an emerging economy and niche segment; to develop a differentiation strategy for a small player in a competitive market; and to impart industry-specific knowledge and insight on the craft brewing industry. Case overview/synopsis The case is centred on the challenges that Hein Swart, managing director of Mitchell’s Brewery, is facing in sustaining business operations amid heavy regulations and increasing competition from existing craft breweries. In addition, there is the entry of a different type of competitor into the South African market that did not exist previously. The case narrative broadly presents several industry themes that interact with each other and create the existing complexities. Complexity academic level This case is targeted at postgraduate business school students with some work experience who want to build their critical thinking, business management and strategic decision-making skills such as Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and Executive MBA academic programmes, and also delegates on Executive Education programmes. The case is expected to be used as a case study for courses in entrepreneurship and strategic management; however, it can also be applied in strategic marketing courses. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1181-1198
Author(s):  
Alex Bignotti ◽  
Ingrid le Roux

PurposeIn spite of research on entrepreneurial intentions being a mature field of enquiry, little is known about the influence of experience on entrepreneurial intentions, especially among the youth and in developing contexts. This paper aims to investigate the impact of different types of experience – entrepreneurial early childhood experiences, prior start-up experiences, work experience, education and peer influence – on the entrepreneurial intentions of South African youth.Design/methodology/approachFirst, a quantitative survey of 827 secondary students was administered, and the results were analysed by means of hierarchical logistic regression. Second, two focus groups were conducted with secondary students representing two distinct segments of South African society to shed light on some of the unique survey findings.FindingsThe results revealed that the experiences of having attempted to start a business and having previously worked in a business, as well as entrepreneurship education, have a positive influence on youth entrepreneurial intentions, while peers' entrepreneurial intentions exert a negative influence. Peer influence and contextual factors such as family and community support, which are catalytic in other parts of the world, appear to dampen youth entrepreneurial intentions because of fear of failure and fear of competition.Originality/valueThis paper examines the influence of a broader taxonomy of experience types on youth entrepreneurial intentions than found in previous studies. It highlights the unique role played by specific types of experience and points to the need to include extra-curricular entrepreneurial experiences in interventions aimed at fostering youth entrepreneurial intentions in developing nations.


1991 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 53-62
Author(s):  
A. P. Du Plessis ◽  
D. S. Joubert

The value added statement as component of financial reporting in the RSA The value added statement was developed due to a need for more understandable financial information for the uninformed user of financial statements. Although not required by the Companies Act, since 1977 numerous South African companies have included a value added statement in their financial reports. The question can, however, be asked whether the inclusion of a statement of value added in financial reports will not put financial information at the disposal of a larger group of existing and potential users of financial statements. In such a case the inclusion of the statement should be made compulsory and the contents be standardized. During a study of the reasons for the publication and the presentation of the information of this statement by South African companies, it was found that companies probably publish this statement for the annual competitions for financial statements. The information contents of the statement is therefore disregarded.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-18
Author(s):  
S. Shrestha ◽  
R. Shrestha ◽  
R.M. Karmacharya ◽  
S. Ranjit

Background Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the foundational technique for the emergency treatment of cardiac arrest and the standardized training of it has been emphasized more than ever. Competence of the nurses in this lifesaving procedure is a critical factor in patient outcome from cardiac arrest and can largely prevent sudden death. Objective Many evidences suggest lack of knowledge on proper cardiopulmonary resuscitation among nurses so the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge on 2015 American Heart Association guidelines update for cardiopulmonary resuscitation among nurses working at University hospital and to identify the relationship between the level of knowledge and selected variables. Method Two hundred and sixty nurses working in Dhulikhel hospital participated in the study. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a predesigned questionnaire based on 2015 guidelines updates for cardiopulmonary resuscitation that incorporated total of 20 questions. Result Total 260 participated in the study and all were female. Only one third of the nurses had good knowledge regarding 2015 guidelines update for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. No significant results existed between the knowledge score and age of the nurses, duration of work experience. However, significant results existed between the knowledge score and qualification, designation of the nurses and previous training on cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Conclusion One third of the nurses had good knowledge regarding 2015 guidelines update for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in this study. Thus, knowledge and practical approach has to be updated with current guidelines in cardiopulmonary resuscitation in order to improve the safety and effectiveness of patient care.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy Milondzo ◽  
Johanna C. Meyer ◽  
Carine Dochez ◽  
Rosemary J. Burnett

Background: Cervical cancer, caused by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, is the leading cause of female cancer deaths in South Africa. In 2014, the South African National Department of Health introduced a free public sector school-based HPV vaccination programme, targeting grade 4 girls aged ≥9 years. However, private sector school girls receive HPV vaccination through their healthcare providers at cost. This study investigated HPV vaccination knowledge, attitudes and practices of caregivers of girls aged ≥9 years in grades 4–7 attending South African private schools.Methods: A link to an online survey was circulated to caregivers via an email sent to school principals of all private schools in four provinces enrolling girls in grades 4–7. Following a poor post-reminder response, a paid Facebook survey-linked advert targeting South African Facebook users aged ≥25 years nationally was run for 4 days, and placed on the South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre's Facebook page for 20 days.Results: Of 615 respondents, 413 provided HPV vaccination data and 455 completed the knowledge and attitudes tests. Most (76.5%) caregivers had good knowledge and 45.3% had positive attitudes. Of their daughters, 19.4% had received ≥1 dose of HPV vaccine. Of caregivers of unvaccinated girls, 44.3% and 41.1%, respectively were willing to vaccinate their daughters if vaccination was offered free and at their school. Caregivers of unvaccinated girls were more likely [odds ratio (OR): 3.8] to have been influenced by “other” influences (mainly online articles and anecdotal vaccine injury reports). Of caregivers influenced by their healthcare providers, caregivers of unvaccinated girls were more likely (OR: 0.2) to be influenced by alternative medical practitioners. Caregivers of vaccinated girls were more likely to have good knowledge (OR: 3.6) and positive attitudes (OR: 5.2). Having good knowledge strongly predicted (OR: 2.8) positive attitudes. Having negative attitudes strongly predicted (OR: 0.2) girls being unvaccinated.Conclusion: Providing free school-based HPV vaccination in the private sector may not increase HPV vaccination coverage to an optimal level. Since misinformation was the main driver of negative attitudes resulting in <20% of girls being vaccinated, an advocacy campaign targeting all stakeholders is urgently needed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-34
Author(s):  
Desak Ayu Sriary Bhegawati ◽  
Ni Nyoman Ari Novarini

Abstract Village Credit Institutions are microfinance institutions that reflect the existence of a community in society based on the principles of Balinese customary law. There are 4 problems with the hypothesis of this study, namely leadership ethics has a positive effect on the quality of financial reporting, the function of the Supervisory Body has a positive effect on the quality of financial reporting, Work experience has a positive effect on the quality of financial reporting. The level of accounting comprehension has a positive effect on the quality of financial reporting. Sampling of this study used saturated sampling with all 35 LPD units studied in Denpasar City. The analytical tool used in this research was Multiple Linear Regression. , the results of the study showed that Leadership Ethics, the function of the supervisory body, and the level of accounting understanding have a positive effect on the quality of financial reports at LPDs in Denpasar City. While work experience has no effect on the quality of financial reports at LPDs in Denpasar City. Improving the performance of LPD managers, especially the chairman, must prioritize leadership ethics. In addition, the function of the supervisory body is always improved and refers to procedures according to the rules for presenting financial statements. Accounting understanding also continues to be improved. Employee training continues to be improved because it provides more work roles for the LPDs so that the performance of the Denpasar City LPD continues to increase. Keyword : Quality of Financial Statements, Leadership Ethics, Supervisory Body Functions,  Level of Accounting Understanding


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Aboh Akande

Abstract Background: Nurses are particularly vulnerable to nosocomial tuberculosis (TB) infection because, being in the frontline of patient care, they are frequently exposed to patients with infectious TB disease. Although cost-effective measures are available for TB infection control (TBIC), they are often poorly implemented. Knowledge of TBIC is known to positively influence the practice of the measures. There is however limited data on the knowledge and practice of TBIC among nurses in Nigeria. This study was aimed at determining the levels of TBIC-related knowledge and practices of nurses in Ibadan, and associated socio-demographic factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized a self-administered questionnaire to collect data from 200 nurses in two secondary health facilities, in May 2014. STATA version 13 was used to analyze data: mean knowledge and practice scores of the nurses and logistic regression to explore their association with socio-demographic factors. Results: The respondents had mean knowledge and practice scores of 68.2% and 79.9% respectively. Using cut-off points of 80% and 100% for good knowledge and practice scores respectively, small proportions of the nurses had good scores- knowledge (10.5%) and practice (6%). Knowledge was found not to be significantly associated with the socio-demographic factors. Work experience was the only factor that was significantly associated with practice, with the more experienced nurses (>18 years of experience) having lesser odds of obtaining good practice scores (OR 0.25, 95%CI 0.06-0.94). Also, there was no significant association between knowledge and practice scores. No structured TBIC training had been conducted at this time. Conclusions: The study revealed that small proportions of the nurses had good knowledge and practice scores. The findings from this study will be useful for the planning of interventions to improve TBIC among nurses and other healthcare workers, and to benchmark monitoring and evaluation of the interventions. It is recommended that the nurses should be trained on TBIC to equip them with necessary knowledge and skills. This, together with appropriate TBIC policy directives, availability of TBIC equipment/supplies and facility architectural remodeling will contribute to optimal implementation of TB preventive measures.


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