scholarly journals Transformative consumer research: Its origins and possible enrichment of the field of consumer research in South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leona M. Ungerer
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Consumer Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Traditional Research ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Additional Approach ◽  
Value Add ◽  
Transformative Consumer Research

Orientation: This article provides a rationale for considering transformative consumer research as a research approach for investigating the relationship between consumption and consumers’ well-being in South Africa.Research purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the principles underlying transformative consumer research, including how it differs from traditional research methods and pointing out some established research areas in this field.Motivation for the study: Apart from pointing to a lack of literature, this article highlights the relevance of this approach for emerging countries by investigating the principles and practices embedded in transformative consumer research. It provides some indication of how an investigation of these areas may contribute to enhancing the relevance of consumer research to its various stakeholders.Research design, approach and method: The author used a literature review to conduct the study.Main findings: It appears that consumer research currently lacks external and internal relevance. A transformative consumer-research approach may address some of the fundamental problems in the way consumer psychologists plan and conduct their research, contributing to this lack of relevance.Practical/managerial implications: Most stages of the traditional research approach may need to be adapted for transformative research purposes. Some approaches appear particularly suited to transformative consumer research, including revelatory, incendiary, policy, participatory and coalition research. Contribution/value-add: This study’s primary contribution stems from suggesting a rather novel additional approach to enhance the relevance of consumer research in South Africa, pointing out some established practices in the field of transformative consumer research and suggesting how they may augment consumer research in South Africa.

scholarly journals Performance measurement dimensions for lecturers at selected universities: An international perspective

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabedi N. Molefe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
International Perspective ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Education Environment ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Performance Dimensions ◽  
Value Add

Orientation: The study was necessitated by the need to develop a generally accepted performance measurement dimension framework for lecturers at universities. Research purpose: The aim of the inquiry was to investigate the performance measurement dimensions for lecturers at selected universities in countries such as South Africa, USA, UK, Australia and Nigeria. Universities were selected on the basis of their academic reputation – being the best in their respective countries or continents.Motivation for the study: Whilst some studies mention certain attributes as important performance dimensions for the lecturer’s job, there was no scientific evidence to support this claim, hence the need for this study.Research design: A quantitative research approach was adopted with the objective of casting the researcher’s net widely in order to obtain as much data as possible with the view to arriving at scientifically tested findings. A questionnaire was sent out to 500 academics and yielded a response rate of 36%.Main findings: The study confirmed that a lecturer’s performance can be measured on the basis of seven performance dimensions and these dimensions, when tested, attracted a Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of above 0.70.Practical and managerial implications: This study has the potential to equip the leadership at universities in South Africa with an empirically tested guideline for formulating policy on performance evaluation frameworks for the lecturing staff.Contribution/value-add: The major contribution of this study has been its argument for performance measurement for lecturers in the higher education environment and also its confirmation of the seven postulated performance measurement dimensions for lecturers.

scholarly journals Critical success factors of a business tourism destination: Supply side analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Milandrie Marais ◽  
Engelina Du Plessis ◽  
Melville Saayman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Critical Success Factors ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Key Success Factors ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Tourism Sector ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Value Add

Orientation: Globally, destinations offer various products and services to visitors featuring different attributes and characteristics, making each destination unique. The critical success factors (CSFs) of each of these destinations may differ, making the management process more complex.Research purpose: The purpose of this research was to identify the CSFs for business tourism destinations in South Africa from a supply viewpoint.Motivation for the study: Because of the importance of CSFs, many previous studies have attempted to identify such factors within the tourism industry, but few concentrated on business tourism, especially in South Africa, leaving a gap in terms of knowledge. By means of identifying and understanding what these factors are for South Africa, the country could further develop its tourism sector, which could result in its being more competitive as a destination.Research design, approach and method: To achieve this goal, a qualitative research approach was followed by interviewing seven key business tourism coordinators in South Africa, to determine the key success factors of the business. The data gathered were transcribed and analysed using Creswell’s six steps in data analysis and interpretation.Main findings: Finances, human resources, product and customer-related aspects were identified as the CSFs for business tourism in South Africa.Practical/managerial implications: Educating the market and marketing value add-ons were identified as important for enhancing and making business tourism in South Africa more competitive.Contribution/value-add: The results could guide managers in the implementation of effective key success factors in an effort to mitigate management problems in a very competitive sector.

scholarly journals Motivational factors for engaging in dirty work entrepreneurship among a sample of African immigrant entrepreneurs in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Cobbinah ◽  
Willie T. Chinyamurindi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Motivational Factors ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Motivating Factors ◽  
Dirty Work ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurs ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Formal Employment ◽  
African Context ◽  
Value Add

Orientation: South Africa is witnessing a large number of African immigrants coming into the country. These immigrants seek formal and informal employment. One sector favoured is ‘dirty work’ within the informal sector.Research purpose: To investigate the immigrants’ motivational factors influencing migration and dirty work entrepreneurship in South Africa.Motivation for the study: Because of the dynamic nature of political and economic circumstances that affect a country’s employment options, calls have been made for empirical focus on understanding the career development processes of neglected sample groups such as immigrants and even those engaged in dirty work.Research approach/design and method: A qualitative research approach was utilised based on the narratives and stories of 27 immigrant entrepreneurs in the informal sector engaged in dirty work careers.Main findings: Three narratives emerged as motivating factors for migrating: (1) socio-economic issues, (2) lack of opportunities and (3) experience of a new life. Furthermore, three motivational factors led into dirty work careers: (1) challenges of breaking into formal employment because of immigration rules, (2) motivation from social networks the immigrants belong to and (3) an enterprising spirit, driven by ambition.Practical/managerial implications: Based on the findings, interventions can be proposed to assist not only those engaged in dirty work but also migrants and citizens seeking opportunities in this sector.Contribution/value add: This study advances the literature in dirty work research within a South African context. Further, the study gives currency to an often neglected yet important sample group in dirty work entrepreneurship, who also happen to be immigrants.

scholarly journals The validity of world class business criteria across developed and developing countries

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre J. Parker ◽  
Theo H. Veldsman
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
General Assumption ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Class Standing ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
World Class ◽  
Value Add ◽  
Business Challenges ◽  
Developing And Developed Countries

Orientation: World class implies being able to respond effectively to the prevailing business challenges in a manner that surpasses competitors and to compete effectively in the global economy.Research purpose: To assess the validity of the general assumption in the literature that world class criteria are equally applicable worldwide.Motivation for research: The possibility exists that developing countries require an adjusted mix of world class criteria and practices to become globally competitive.Research design, approach and method: A quantitative field survey research approach was adopted. A web-enabled questionnaire was designed, covering 35 world class practices grouped under 7 world class criteria. A cross-section of the senior management from 14 developing and 20 developed country’s organisations partook in the study.Main findings: It was empirically confirmed that the majority of world class practices posited in the literature are used by participating organisations; that world class criteria do not apply equally across developed and developing countries; and that more important than country location, is the deliberate choice by an organisation’s leadership to become world class. An empirically based model of ascending to world class was proposed.Practical/managerial implications: Regardless of country location, the leadership of an organisation can make their organisation world class by applying the proposed world class model.Contribution/value add: A reliable web enabled instrument was designed that can be used to assess an organisation’s world class standing; the assumption that world class criteria are equally valid across developing and developed countries was proven partially incorrect; since becoming or being world class is also a leadership choice regardless of location.

scholarly journals Developing and supporting coordinators of structured mentoring schemes in South Africa

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Penny Abbott ◽  
Xenia Goosen ◽  
Jos Coetzee
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Job Description ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
People Development ◽  
Value Add ◽  
Purposive Sample ◽  
The Coordinator

Orientation: Mentoring is considered to be such an important contributor to accelerated people development in South Africa that structured mentoring schemes are often used by organisations. There are at present few sources of development and support for coordinators of such schemes.Research purpose: The aim of this research is to discover what the characteristics of coordinators of structured mentoring schemes in South Africa are, what is required of such coordinators and how they feel about their role, with a view to improving development and support for them.Motivation for the study: The limited amount of information about role requirements for coordinators which is available in the literature is not based on empirical research. This study aims to supply the empirical basis for improved development and support for coordinators.Research design and method: A purposive sample of 25 schemes was identified and both quantitative and qualitative data, obtained through questionnaires and interviews, were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.Main findings: Functions of coordinators tend to be similar across different types of mentoring schemes. A passion for mentoring is important, as the role involves many frustrations. There is little formalised development and support for coordinators.Practical/managerial implications: The study clarifies the functions of the coordinator, offers a job description and profile and makes suggestions on how to improve the development of the coordinator’s skills.Contribution/value-add: An understanding of what is required from a coordinator, how the necessary knowledge and skills can be developed and how the coordinator can be supported,adds value to an organisation setting up or reviewing its structured mentoring schemes.

scholarly journals Establishing a job-crafting and intrapreneurial link: Towards new approaches to innovative work

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelesh Dhanpat ◽  
Chris Schachtebeck
Keyword(s):  
Model Building ◽  
Job Crafting ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Innovative Work ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Value Add ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Deductive Research

Orientation: This research study focuses on establishing a link between job crafting and landmark studies on intrapreneurship.Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide a theoretical overview of intrapreneurship, intrapreneurial orientation and job crafting, and to explore theoretical linkages between these areas of enquiry.Motivation for the study: There is currently a dearth of research studies that explore the link between job crafting and intrapreneurial behaviours in existing organisations in the form of intrapreneurial orientation.Research design, approach and method: The study is presented as a conceptual paper in the form of a qualitative, theoretical study, employing a model-building approach. A deductive research approach is followed, and a narrative review methodology is employed.Main findings: The findings of this study from a literature search acknowledge the contributions of job crafting and intrapreneurial research within the management sciences, and we remain cognisant of the organisational implications of each, which have, to date, focused on the organisation, rather than the individual. With this in mind, we suggest that job crafting and intrapreneurial behaviours are empirically researched to validate the recommendations made.Practical/managerial implications: This study will help to establish the type of job-crafting interventions and job-crafting strategies needed to promote intrapreneurial behaviours in practice.Contribution/value-add: This study provides noteworthy insights, which include the suggestion that employees with a forward-looking disposition will engage in job crafting, with a focus on intrapreneurial behaviour. Furthermore, the study fills a void left in the current body of knowledge.

scholarly journals The Job Demands–Resources model: Challenges for future research

2011 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelia Demerouti ◽  
Arnold B. Bakker
Keyword(s):  
Safety Climate ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Value Add ◽  
And Performance

Motivation: The motivation of this overview is to present the state of the art of Job Demands–Resources (JD–R) model whilst integrating the various contributions to the special issue.Research purpose: To provide an overview of the JD–R model, which incorporates many possible working conditions and focuses on both negative and positive indicators of employee well-being. Moreover, the studies of the special issue were introduced.Research design: Qualitative and quantitative studies on the JD–R model were reviewed to enlighten the health and motivational processes suggested by the model.Main findings: Next to the confirmation of the two suggested processes of the JD–R model, the studies of the special issue showed that the model can be used to predict work-place bullying, incidences of upper respiratory track infection, work-based identity, and early retirement intentions. Moreover, whilst psychological safety climate could be considered as a hypothetical precursor of job demands and resources, compassion satisfaction moderated the health process of the model.Contribution/value-add: The findings of previous studies and the studies of the special issue were integrated in the JD–R model that can be used to predict well-being and performance at work. New avenues for future research were suggested.Practical/managerial implications: The JD–R model is a framework that can be used for organisations to improve employee health and motivation, whilst simultaneously improving various organisational outcomes.

scholarly journals Talent management in the South African construction industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sydwell Shikweni ◽  
Willem Schurink ◽  
Rene Van Wyk
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
South African ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Talent Management ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
The South ◽  
Business Outcomes ◽  
Global Competitiveness ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Value Add

Orientation: The South African construction industry is constrained by the shortage of a skilled workforce due to global competition and insufficient graduate output. There is a need to evolve attract and retain the most valuable talent.Research purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate talent management in a prominent South African internationally operating construction company. The objective is to develop a framework for enhancement of talent management practices.Motivation for the study: The South African construction industry’s inability to retain talent, hampers global competitiveness and productivity. Talent shortages need to be addressed at a strategic level to remain competitive.Research approach/design and method: A qualitative research approach examined a single South African construction organisation in the Gauteng Province. Grounded theory was used to analyse data generated from interviews, participant observations and company documents.Main findings: Firstly, talent management in the construction industry supposes mutual actions from the organisation and its talented employees. Secondly, internal enablers drive business outcomes by in alignment with a well-crafted strategy. Thirdly, a regulatory framework should acknowledge labour market dynamics and diversity. Fourthly, internal and external enablers should be taken into consideration. Finally, effective implementation of talent management practices yields talent sustainability and competitiveness.Practical/managerial implications: The two conceptual frameworks developed indicate: (1) key factors that play a role in talent management, and (2) the interface between talented employees and the organisation.Contributions/value-add: The findings provide two proposed frameworks that could guide leadership to devise an enabling global competitive talent management environment in the construction industry.

scholarly journals Assessing the organisational and individual strengths use and deficit improvement amongst sport coaches

2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick W. Stander ◽  
Karina Mostert
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Strengths Use ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Value Add ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Sport Coaches ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Sport Coaching

Orientation: The orientation of this study is towards strengths use and deficit improvement and the relationship with engagement.Research purpose: To (1) determine whether adapted versions of the Strengths Use and Deficit Improvement Questionnaire (SUDIQ) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) are valid and reliable, (2) determine the relationship of the SUDIQ dimensions in the nomological net, and (3) test a structural model.Motivation for the study: To gain a better understanding of the outcomes of following a balanced approach within a sport coaching context.Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional research approach was used. An availability sample (N = 364) of teachers occupying roles as sport coaches from various schools across three provinces in South Africa was used. Structural equation modelling was used to test the factor structures and the structural model.Main findings: The results indicated a valid factor structure for the adapted SUDIQ and UWES. Relationships between the SUDIQ dimensions and job and personal resources were positive and significant. Individual strengths use was the strongest predictor of engagement. Individual deficit improvement and organisational strengths use were also significant predictors. Organisational deficit improvement did not significantly predict engagement.Practical/managerial implications: Evidence suggests the adapted SUDIQ and UWES can be utilised effectively in a sport coaching environment. Organisational strengths use is also important in managing engagement levels of sport coaches.Contribution/value-add: Valid and reliable measures were provided for use in a sport coaching environment. It substantiates the outcomes that can be gained by following a combined approach based on strength and deficit.

scholarly journals A review of four decades of research in organisational career psychology by academia in South Africa

2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dries Schreuder ◽  
Melinde Coetzee
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Career Guidance ◽  
The Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Career Interventions ◽  
Career Psychology ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Value Add ◽  
Career Research

Orientation: Career research in organisations has increased in importance since the 1970s, which heralded new directions for organisational career research and practice both globally and nationally. Research purpose: The study critically reviewed trends in organisational career psychology research in South Africa from 1970 to 2011 in terms of global and present national challenges that require empirical investigation in the contemporary South African world of work context.Motivation for the study: The increasingly complex contexts, in which people have been pursuing their careers since the catalytic 1970s, demand the continuous generation and development of knowledge for the benefit of the discipline and practice of careers.Research design, approach and method: A broad systematic review was carried out to analyse documented academia research (N = 110) on careers from 1970 to 2011, which was published in six accredited South African scientific journals.Main findings: Much of the research addressed issues pertaining to career theory and concepts, the world of work and career assessment and technology. Career development, professional issues and organisational career interventions in the multi-cultural South African context appear to be under-researched.Practical/managerial implications: The insight derived from the findings can be employed by academia and researchers, in this field, to plan future research initiatives that will contribute to the profession and practice of career guidance and counselling in the contemporary workplace.Contribution/value-add: The findings provide preliminary insight that adds to the body of knowledge concerned with career studies in the South African organisational context.

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