scholarly journals Relationship between strategic planning and financial performance: The case of small, micro- and medium-scale businesses in the Buffalo City Metropolitan

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shingirai Gomera ◽  
Willie T. Chinyamurindi ◽  
Syden Mishi
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
South African ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Implementation Evaluation ◽  
African Context ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
And Control

Background: Arguments are made for strategic planning as an important organisational capability used to realise a firm’s goals and objectives. Despite this, conflicting views appear to emerge from the extant literature over the link between strategic planning and financial performance. Notably, within a South African context, a few studies have been conducted ascertaining this relationship especially within small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs). Aim and setting: The study aimed to determine this relationship using survey responses from a sample of 225 respondents classified as owners or managers of SMMEs operating within theBuffalo City Metropolitan in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Method: Data were analysed through regression and correlation analysis. Results: Findings reveal strategic planning to have a positive relationship with the financial performance of the SMMEs. Furthermore, aspects of strategic planning (formulation, implementation, evaluation and control) were also found to have a positive relationship with financial performance. Conclusion: Suggestions for theory and practice are made based on these findings, including how the adoption and usage of strategic planning cannot only be an important organisational capability but also a basis for attaining a competitive advantage within the SMME.

scholarly journals Facebook versus Twitter: Which one is more credible in a South African context?

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim L. Viljoen ◽  
Langelihle Dube ◽  
Tichaona Murisi
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Word Of Mouth ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Electronic Word Of Mouth ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Descriptive Research ◽  
African Context ◽  
Independent Variable

Background: Studies conducted have shown that half of the South African population uses either or both Facebook and Twitter social networking sites for social satisfaction and for the evaluation of products and purchase decisions. This is a direct result of the continuous technological advancements worldwide and the permeative nature of social media.Objective: The focus of this study is to evaluate the credibility of Facebook and Twitter messages while establishing which of the mediums is perceived as more believable by consumers. The results of this research direct information technology practitioners, business managers, business owners, and marketing managers on the viability of these communication mediums.Method: A positivistic paradigm was used in this study through the use of a descriptive research design which consisted of a survey of 446 respondents located in East London, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Respondents were either selected randomly or through convenience sampling and were between age 18 and 55.Results: It was established that both Facebook and Twitter are significantly related to the independent variable of ‘intention to purchase’, with Twitter having a stronger correlation with the independent variable than Facebook. The context of the study was set in relation to the purchase intention of specific mobile phone brands.Conclusion: Based on these results, it can be concluded that Twitter electronic word-of-mouth can be considered to be more credible than Facebook electronic word-of-mouth; thus this should be considered when advertising or promoting products via these mediums.

scholarly journals Separation of ownership and control in South African-listed companies

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blanché Steyn ◽  
Lesley Stainbank
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Listed Companies ◽  
South African Context ◽  
Valuable Contribution ◽  
Self Interest ◽  
African Context ◽  
Using Data ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

This article tests the separation of ownership and control in South African-listed companies that leads to the divergence of interest between shareholders and directors. Where listed companies are owned by so many shareholders that their diffused shareholding results in negligible control over the directors who manage the assets of the company, it is likely that the directors will manage and direct the company to maximise their self-interest to the detriment of the interest of the shareholders. The separation of ownership and control and the maximisation of self-interest are central themes in the agency theory. Researching their validity in a South African context where the market is less liquid and the stock exchange is significantly smaller can add a valuable contribution to the continuing debate on corporate governance in the country. The article analyses 186 listed South African companies using data extracted over four years to test whether there is separation of ownership and control and whether such separation leads to the maximisation of self-interest. Data were extracted for the years 2005 and 2006, using the shareholding in 2006 to determine control, and for the years 2009 and 2010, using the shareholding in 2010 to determine control. Directors’ remuneration as a percentage of assets was used as a proxy for the maximisation of directors’ interest, and profit attributable to shareholders as a percentage of assets was used as a proxy for the maximisation of shareholders’ interest. These proxies were used to test the impact of control during the two controlling periods, namely 2006 and 2010.The article finds that the majority of listed companies in South Africa are controlled by a dominant shareholder. However, there are still a significant number of companies where the directors have de facto control. Contrary to the expectation that companies controlled by directors will aim to maximise directors’ remuneration, or companies controlled by shareholders will aim to maximise profit attributable to shareholders, this article finds the opposite to be true. This is possibly an indication that the controlling parties might consider factors other than their direct financial self-interest, or that there is an inherent cost associated with control.

scholarly journals God's household and the poor in contextual ecclesiology

2001 ◽  
Vol 57 (1/2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J.A. Vos
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
New Testament ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Practice Experience ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The Social ◽  
Mediterranean World ◽  
The New Testament ◽  
African Context

As a consequence of the bipolar tension between theory and practice, experience (considered in the South African context) influences the church's reflection on Practical Theology. Insight into the economic system of the Mediterranean world helps us to understand the complexities involved in positioning poverty, as well as the role of the New Testament faith community in its interaction with the poor. The social system in the ancient world, within which poverty was encountered, cautions us against taking a simplistic view of the poor. We cannot duplicate social systems and impose them on current situations. The New Testament, which is set against a particular system, speaks of the Kingdom of God as a place where the poor must be cared for. The New Testament (especially the Gospel of John) lets us understand that a church, which has a family orientation as its basis, should provide a home for the poor.

scholarly journals Determinants of social media usage among a sample of rural South African youth

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Herring Shava ◽  
Willie T. Chinyamurindi
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
South African ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Rural South ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
African Youth

Background: Youths have been found to utilise and adopt information communication technology (ICT) faster than any other population cohort. This has been aided by the advent of social media, especially Facebook and Instagram as platforms of choice. Calls have been made for more research (especially in rural communities) on the usage of ICT platforms such as social media among the youth as a basis for interventions that not only allow for better communication but also for learning. Objectives: The research investigated the relationship between knowledge sharing, habit and obligation in relation to social media usage among a sample of rural South African youth. Method: This study is descriptive by design. Primary data were collected from 447 youths domiciled within a rural community in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa using a self-administered questionnaire. The respondents to the study were all social media users. A combination of descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to make meaning of the data. Results: The study found a significant positive correlation to exist in all three independent variables (knowledge sharing, habit and obligation) with the dependent variable (social media usage) concerning Facebook usage among the sample of South African rural youth. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the research, recommendations and implications with regard to theory and practice are made.

Influence of strategic planning and organizational resources on financial performance of state corporations: A case of Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO)

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Jackson Gachara ◽  
Washington Okeyo
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Leadership Theory ◽  
Critical Examination ◽  
Organizational Resources ◽  
Electricity Transmission ◽  
Company Limited ◽  
Strong Positive Relationship

Abstract Influence of strategic planning and organizational resources on the financial performance of state corporations. The study aimed to establish the influence of strategic planning and organizational resources on the financial performance of state corporations a case study of KETRACO with specific objectives being to examine how strategic planning and organization resources affect financial performance. The findings will be used as a reference point to other researchers in the same field. The study findings will be beneficial to the foundation of future studies and provided a critical examination and the knowledge generated by this study will enable scholars to improve and develop a better understanding of the subject. The study was anchored on adaptive leadership theory and reinforced by trait leadership theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design with a target population of 385 respondents. Stratified proportion sampling was used to select 121 respondents. Questionnaires were used for data collection, and a pilot study was conducted on the questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The study established a strong positive relationship between strategic planning and financial performance (r= 0.548, p=0.000), and that strategic planning significantly influences financial performance. The regression analysis revealed a relationship R = 0.302 which showed a significant correlation and revealed that organization resources and financial performance are significantly connected, the study established a strong positive relationship between the organization resources and financial performance (r= 0.302, p=0.004). The study concludes that strategic planning statistically and significantly affects financial performance and that there is a positive relation between organization resources and the variations in financial performance can be explained by other study variables. The study recommends that KETRACO management should develop and formulate guidelines, governing structure, and strategic plans for effective implementation of organizational goals and objectives. Keywords: Financial Performance, Strategic Planning, Organization Resources, Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited, State Corporations in Kenya.

The Impact of Strategic Planning on Organizational Performance: The Case of Public Organization in Qatar: أثر التخطيط الاستراتيجي على الأداء المؤسسي: دراسة حالة منظمة حكومية بدولة قطر

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thmer Mohammed Maharmeh
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Random Sample ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Simple Random Sample ◽  
Public Organization ◽  
Strategic Objectives ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

The main objective of the research is to investigate the degree of effects of strategic planning and its dimensions (vision and mission, strategic objectives and values, projects and operational plans, and follow-ups and control) on organizational performance. Data was collected by using a closed-ended survey from simple random sample of employees. Data were analyzed by using suitable descriptive and analytical statistical methods available at SPSS. Results of data analysis revealed that there is strong and positive relationship between strategic planning and organizational performance. It was found that organizational performance is greatly influenced by strategic planning. Based on that, it was recommended to support strategic planning in public organizations.

E-Government Considerations

2015 ◽  
pp. 329-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawren Singh
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
National Income ◽  
Control Model ◽  
South African Government ◽  
The South ◽  
African Government ◽  
Industrial Age ◽  
African Context ◽  
And Control

Governments are faced with a number of challenges that are due to the increase in the size of the population and the increase in demands from the population for efficient and effective access to services. While the needs of the citizens have evolved, government structures still reflect industrial-age organisational thinking based on a command-and-control model (Tapscott, 2010). In order to deliver services, substantial funding is required; at the same time, there has been a feeling that government has consumed too large a portion of the national income and that in general the payments made by the citizens have got to be curtailed. In this dilemma of being able to balance the supply and demand for services, government has looked at using ICT to modernise the service-delivery process. The South African government is using ICT to modernise its process; this chapter is an overview of the South African context.

scholarly journals Graduate entrepreneurial intentions in the rural provinces of South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
M J Malabana ◽  
E Swanepoel
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intention ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intentions ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
The Future ◽  
African Context ◽  
Commerce Students ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

This paper investigated the entrepreneurial intentions of 355 final year commerce students from two universities in the predominantly rural provinces of South Africa, namely Limpopo and the Eastern Cape. The study was based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). The objectives of the study were to test whether the TPB can help explain the entrepreneurial intentions of rural university students in a South African context and to assess whether these students will have the intentions to start their own businesses in the future. The study was conducted by means of a survey using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that the TPB is a valuable tool in understanding entrepreneurial intentions, and that the majority of students intend to start a business in the future. The attitude towards becoming an entrepreneur explained the most variance in entrepreneurial intention of the respondents, followed by perceived behavioural control. Subjective norms did not have a significant effect on entrepreneurial intention. The results suggest that the TPB could be a valuable tool for measuring entrepreneurial intentions as part of a comprehensive entrepreneurship development programme in rural areas.

E-Government Considerations

2015 ◽  
pp. 216-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawren Singh
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
National Income ◽  
Control Model ◽  
South African Government ◽  
The South ◽  
African Government ◽  
Industrial Age ◽  
African Context ◽  
And Control

Governments are faced with a number of challenges that are due to the increase in the size of the population and the increase in demands from the population for efficient and effective access to services. While the needs of the citizens have evolved, government structures still reflect industrial-age organisational thinking based on a command-and-control model (Tapscott, 2010). In order to deliver services, substantial funding is required; at the same time, there has been a feeling that government has consumed too large a portion of the national income and that in general the payments made by the citizens have got to be curtailed. In this dilemma of being able to balance the supply and demand for services, government has looked at using ICT to modernise the service-delivery process. The South African government is using ICT to modernise its process; this chapter is an overview of the South African context.

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