scholarly journals HIV/AIDS in the workplace and the impact on firm efficiency and firm competitiveness: The South African manufacturing industry as a case study

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhardus Van Zyl ◽  
Carol Lubisi
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Survey Questionnaire ◽  
Power Functions ◽  
The South ◽  
Firm Efficiency ◽  
Log Linear ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hiv Aids

The aim of the article was to determine the extent of the negative impact of HIV/AIDS in the workplace on firm efficiency and firm competitiveness. The South African manufacturing sector was used as a case study. The above-mentioned research was deemed necessary, as very limited research has been published specifically on the technical measuring of the extent of the impact of HIV/AIDS on firm efficiency and firm competitiveness in South Africa. A survey questionnaire was designed for use in the research in order to capture the extent of the impact of HIV/AIDS on all levels of firm efficiency and firm competitiveness. A detailed statistical analysis of the results of the survey questionnaire and the parameter estimates of impact log-linear econometric power functions indicated that the negative impact of HIV/AIDS on firm efficiency and firm competitiveness was becoming more prevalent and serious, as it is underpinned by the statistical significance of the results and the high elasticity coefficients of the estimated log-linear power functions. It is recommended that human resource managers implement and manage HIV/AIDS programmes more effectively in order to counter the extent of the negative impact on firm efficiency and firm competitiveness.

scholarly journals The impact of employee remuneration inequalities on employee productivity in the South African workplace

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhardus Van Zyl
Keyword(s):  
Panel Data ◽  
South African ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Employee Productivity ◽  
The South ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
The Impact

Orientation: This article is part of an ongoing research project on various aspects of employee productivity in the South African workplace.Research purpose: The aim of this article is to determine firm-based employee productivity impacts as a result of employee remuneration inequalities (excess-remuneration and under-remuneration) in the South African workplace.Motivation for the study: The study focuses on understanding the impact and magnitude of employee remuneration inequalities on employee productivity in a unionised South African workplace.Research design: The article adopts two distinct estimation models. The aim of the additive multivariate linear estimation model is to determine the sign and the significance of the impact of both under- and excess-remuneration levels on employee productivity when employee characteristics such as levels of training, work experience and managerial involvement are considered. The second model is a fixed-effect panel data estimation where the full sample set of the relevant firm-based data is used. The aim of the panel data estimations is to estimate the robustness of the additive multivariate linear estimates. The manufacturing industry of Gauteng has been chosen as the case study, given the importance of this industry, in the gross geographical product of Gauteng province and the availability of firm-based data.Main findings: Estimation results indicate a strong and significant negative impact of under-remuneration on employee productivity levels. Excess-remuneration levels have a small positive impact on employee productivity levels.Practical/managerial implications: The estimations indicate the necessity to eliminate remuneration inequalities and opt for equalised remuneration structures for similar occupations in the market to enhance employee productivity levels.Contribution/value-added: The study contributes to our understanding of the impact of remuneration inequalities for similar occupations on employee productivity.

scholarly journals The South African long distance trucking industry’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-206
Author(s):  
DJ Fourie ◽  
R Schoeman
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Trucking Industry ◽  
The South ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Aids Epidemic ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hiv Aids

The aim of the paper is to provide substantiated information to the long distance trucking industry on the impact that HIV/AIDS has or may have on their businesses.   The current and future impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the long distance trucking industry is unknown. The extent any action taken within the industry to mitigate and manage the effects of HIV/AIDS is also unknown, but thought to be minimal. Unless businesses and other entities in business (trade unions or associations) together with government become informed and proactive regarding the impact of HIV/AIDS on their businesses, the epidemic could run the worst course within the sector.

scholarly journals The impact of non-unionised participation platforms on employee productivity in the South African workplace

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhardus Van Zyl
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Employee Productivity ◽  
The South ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Function Model ◽  
Log Linear ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Douglas Production Function

The aim of the article is to determine the impact that different participation platforms might have on employee productivity levels of the lower-skilled non-unionised employee segment of the South African workplace. A firm-based dynamic log-linear Cobb-Douglas production function model is used as it allows for the incorporation of the dynamic characteristics of the non-unionised employee segment of the South African workplace. The main conclusions of the study are that, i) the positive productivity spill-over effects of a formal committee participation platform in the lower-skilled non-unionised employee segment of the South African workplace are superior to non-committee participation platforms and, ii) a more dispersed racial participation rate, greater gender spread and a dynamic age spread for non-unionised employees are important contributing factors towards the enhancement of higher productivity levels for lower-skilled non-unionised employee participation platforms.

scholarly journals The impact of corruption on service delivery: a topical matter in the South African Municipalities

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mabeba SJ ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
South African ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
The South ◽  
Basic Services ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Impact

One of the topical challenges facing South African municipalities recently is corruption. From time-to-time citizens learn about and witness the corrupt practices of public officials in the Local Government sphere. Arguably, the phenomenon of corruption has both direct and indirect impact on service delivery with specific focus to municipalities. Section 152(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996) states that the Local Government sphere has the mandate to ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner. Subsequently, some of the communities across the country still wish to have access to basic services namely: water, electricity, community halls and proper tar roads to name a few. As a result, at times it seems impossible for municipalities to smoothly render such services due to corrupt practices emanating in the South African Local Government sphere. This article aimed to explore the impact of corruption on service delivery in the South African municipalities. The article fully relied on secondary data as it collects information from newspapers, books, journal articles, conference proceedings, officials report and academic dissertations. In pursuit of all this, Afrocentricity: a theory of social change has been placed in context with a view that the needs of the society should be placed at the center of the local government sphere. To be specific, these needs are but not limited to water and electricity. Looking at the findings of the study, indeed literature can confirm that corruptions have negative impact on the ability of the municipalities in South Africa to provide basic services. Because the interests of the public are competing with those of the municipal officials. Therefore, at the end of the day service delivery is compromised due unlawful practices.

Valuing Arts Festivals, A case study of the South African National Arts Festival

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jen D. Snowball
Keyword(s):  
Economic Impact ◽  
South African ◽  
Event Management ◽  
The South ◽  
Impact Studies ◽  
Cultural Festivals ◽  
Arts Festival ◽  
Economic Impact Studies ◽  
The Impact

The South African National Arts Festival (NAF) is in its 42nd year and has evolved to be one of the largest cultural festivals in Africa. The value of cultural festivals extends well beyond the financial (that is, economic) impact, including such things as building social cohesion, cultural capital and identity. Significant advances in measuring such values, using both qualitative and quantitative techniques, have been made in the past 30 years. Nevertheless, economic impact studies are still one of the most widely used valuation methods for cultural events, largely because they demonstrate to funders, government and artistic producers the monetary contribution of the events to the city or region in which they take place. Economic impact studies are thus a powerful tool for arts proponents in arguing for increased resources and demonstrating the impact of this sector of the cultural industries. Using research undertaken at the National Arts Festival, this chapter discusses the measurement of festival impacts, describing the method and results, and pointing out how festival organisers used the information. It also demonstrates how impact studies, if conducted in multiple years, can track changes in festival audience composition, which can be useful for event management and organisation.

scholarly journals The impact of economic globalisation on the South African auto industry

2003 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 178-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oumar Bouare ◽  
Khuli Tlabela ◽  
Jaré Struwig ◽  
Zakes Langa
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Auto Industry ◽  
The South ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Domestic Industry ◽  
Duopoly Model ◽  
Log Linear ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Economic Globalisation

This paper assesses the impact of economic globalisation on the South African auto industry. First, a duopoly model of differentiated products is used, which allows the determination of the free trade and protection dividing line. This determines the stay-exit function, which shows the profitability level of the domestic industry. Second, to determine the relationship between employment, profitability and export in the auto industry, a log-linear equation is estimated in which the logarithm of employment is expressed as a function of the logarithm of the distance between the stay-exit function and the trade line and the logarithm of export. These estimates suggest that policy makers take measures to either prevent the destruction of the domestic industry and the decrease in employment in the auto industry, or increase its profitability and employment.

scholarly journals THE EFFECT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDIA ON HIV/AIDS AWARENESS

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole King
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Media Law ◽  
The South ◽  
Integral Role ◽  
African Context ◽  
The Media ◽  
African Media ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hiv Aids

A gap exists in the South African media law with regards to HIV/Aids because HIV/Aids is normally dealt with in a scientific context rather than looking at the issue from a media law perspective. HIV/Aids is, however, still an issue which is highly relevant, particularly in a South African context, and oftentimes there is insufficient emphasis which is placed on the ever-growing pandemic in our country. Radio, television, newspaper and other forms of media possess the power to reach many people across the country and therefore they have an important and integral role to play in the fight against HIV/Aids. The media can have a significant impact on the stigmatisation of a person living with HIV/Aids and they will also have a role to play in the promotion of various preventative campaigns. The impact of the media on the disclosure of one’s HIV/Aids status should also be considered. Therefore, by conducting research and exploring these topics, it can be determined whether the media are fully utilising their power as an educational and preventative tool in the fight against HIV/Aids or whether there is room for improvement.

scholarly journals THE RELEVANCE AND IMPACT OF SOUTH AFRICAN LABOUR LAW IN THE MINING SECTOR: A FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION PERSPECTIVE

Obiter ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faheemah Karolia-Hussain ◽  
Elmarie Fourie
Keyword(s):  
Collective Bargaining ◽  
South African ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
The South ◽  
Mining Sector ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
The Impact

The mining sector is one of the contributors to the South African economy and improving productivity is important if it is to remain competitive in the global marketplace. Thus, the technologies that will be created by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) are important to the mining sector. However, if this leads to mining companies being less reliant on labour, then these changes will have a negative impact on the jobs of mineworkers.This article looks at the legal framework that governs the mining sector in South Africa in the context of 4IR. The Labour Relations Act (LRA) provides for collective bargaining and strike action, but collective bargaining in the South African mining sector is failing and has not produced the desired result. Strike action has become more common and strikes are often violent and unprotected. Secondly, occupational health and safety risks are present in the mines despite protective legislation – namely, the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA). Workers experience harsh working conditions underground. Lastly, workers’ skills need to be developed if they are to retain their jobs in 4IR. In terms of legislation, workers should receive training if such training is available for their sector. Consideration urgently needs to be given to the impact on and relevance of 4IR to the labour legal framework in the mining sector. Furthermore, changes to the law in readiness for 4IR and its impact on the workforce in the mines should be considered.

Modernisation of Higher Education – Willful Action or Wishful Thinking? The Case of Bulgaria

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 3-17
Author(s):  
Elena Blagoeva
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
National Level ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

The impact of the last global economic crisis (2008) on the European economy put a strain on higher education (HE), yet it also pushed the sector towards intensive reforms and improvements. This paper focuses on the “Strategy for the Development of Higher Education in the Republic of Bulgaria 2014-2020”. With a case study methodology, we explore the strategic endeavours of the Bulgarian government to comply with the European directions and to secure sustainable growth for the HE sector. Our research question is ‘How capable is the Bulgarian HE Strategy to overcome the economic and systemic restraints of Bulgarian higher education?’. Because the development of strategies for HE within the EU is highly contextual, a single qualitative case study was chosen as the research approach. HE institutions are not ivory towers, but subjects to a variety of external and internal forces. Within the EU, this is obviated by the fact that Universities obtain their funds from institutions such as governments, students and their families, donors, as well as EU-level programmes. Therefore, to explore how these pressures interact to affect strategic action on national level, the case method is well suited as it enabled us to study the phenomena thoroughly and deeply. The paper suggests the actions proposed within the Strategy have the potential to overcome the delay, the regional isolation and the negative impact of the economic crisis on the country. Nevertheless, the key elements on which the success or failure of this Strategy hinges are the control mechanisms and the approach to implementation. Shortcomings in these two aspects of strategic actions in HE seem to mark the difference between gaining long-term benefits and merely saving face in front of international institutions.

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