Browsing by Author "Rena, Ravinder"

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Challenges for quality primary education in Papua, New Guinea : a case study
(Hindawi Limited, 2011) Rena, Ravinder
There is an urgent need to reform the educational system to achieve universal primary education in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Even after 35 years of independence, PNG has been struggling to educate an estimated 2 million elementary- and primary-aged children and faces numerous challenges in providing Education for All (EFA). This study was conducted in four primary schools of Buma Yong area of Lae district of Morobe Province, PNG. The study revealed that the quality of education has been deteriorated over the past few decades. Many schools in PNG do not have classrooms, teachers, and basic facilities. As a result, the children are losing interest in going to school. The children dropped out of school so as to assist their families in the household and agricultural activities. It also reveals that the dropout rate of girls is more than that of the boys due to the gender disparity in the country. The study recommended that budgetary allocations should be increased so as to improve the infrastructural facilities and encourage the children to attend primary school and thus achieve the Millennium Development Goal/Education For All in PNG.
An empirical analysis of the relationship between capital, market risks, and liquidity shocks in the banking industry
(Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2022-08-01) Rena, Ravinder; Kamuinjo, Albert V.
This study explores the relation between capital, market risks and banks’ liquidity conditions. In estimating the SVAR regression model, Granger causality, impulse-response functions and forecast error variance decomposition were employed and used for estimation of the results. The data sample comprised of commercial banks over the 2009 to 2018 period. The empirical results showed that liquidity shocks are caused by a combination of structural shocks. The Granger causality, impulse-response functions and forecast error variance decomposition documented that sensitivity to market risk is the key factor affecting liquidity conditions in the banking sector in the long run. In addition, the empirical results showed that capital adequacy has minimal impact on liquidity conditions in the short run. The reforming rate to sensitivity to market risk policies, capital adequacy policies and liquidity policy measures can be valuable policy tools to minimize liquidity shortages and avoid insolvent banks.
The entrepreneurial mind-set of university students : a cross-cultural comparison between Namibia and Germany
(Inderscience Publishers, 2011) Haase, Heiko; Lautenschlager, Arndt; Rena, Ravinder
The objective of this article is to set a cornerstone to compare and understand the phenomenon of graduate entrepreneurship in developing and developed countries. Our central research questions are: Are there differences in the entrepreneurial intentions of university students? What are the factors that might explain potential differences in their entrepreneurial mind-set? In response to these questions, we performed a cross-sectional study exploring the prospective career paths of 2,353 university students from Namibia as well as from Eastern and Western Germany. We found that Namibian students have a higher entrepreneurial intention compared to their German counterparts. We detected several differences between both countries and revealed explanatory factors. However, they are not sufficient to explain the ‘regional dimension’ of the higher entrepreneurial intentions in Namibia. Several implications are presented.
Establishing an understanding of the innovation process of informal micro-enterprises
(Informa UK Limited, 2022-09-23) Mulibana, Lavhelesani; Rena, Ravinder
Innovation has been discerned as a catalyst that enables firms to remain relevant and sustainable. In recent years, the innovation discipline has been extended to the informal sector. Nonetheless, to date little is known about the process that is followed by informal micro-enterprises to execute innovation activity in each innovation phase. Thus, this study sought to establish an understanding of the process that is followed by informal micro-enterprises to execute innovation activity in each innovation phase. The study adopted a mixed-methods research design to sequentially collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data from informal micro-enterprises that are based in the townships of the Gauteng province. The study revealed that credible customer assemblies are used to acquire knowledge and information necessary to execute innovation activity and to test innovations before they are launched in the market. Moreover, while informal micro-enterprises mostly use internal resources to transform innovative ideas into innovations, coopetition relationships aid to foster open innovation and limit the strain on internal resources. The findings suggest that informal micro-enterprises innovate differently from formal small businesses and there is a need for researchers and the government to introduce policies and initiatives to enhance open innovation in the informal sector.
Evaluating the effectiveness of the National Youth Service Programme in skill development of unemployed graduates in the North-West province of South Africa
(National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Co. LTD Ukrinformnauka) (Publications), 2021-12-15) Rena, Ravinder; Diale, B. T. T.
For the last 3 decades, youth unemployment has been a major challenge in South Africa. Education and training has been considered as a solution to this challenge in the country. The South African Government introduced skills development programs focusing on the youth to reduce unemployment and poverty. However, the youth unemployment among the skilled has been persistent. Given this background, an attempts is made in this study to evaluate the effectiveness of the National Youth Service Program (NYSP) in skill development of unemployed Graduates in the North West Province of South Africa and determine stakeholder involvement in the conceptualization, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the skills development program. The research methodology used in this study was both quantitative approach aimed to fill in the knowledge gap, which is achieved through critical reading and analysis of what other researchers have identified, and qualitative method. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data. Questionnaires were self-administered to obtain primary data from (90) graduates and (10) stakeholders who took part in the NYSP. Th e main finding of the study indicates that 83 % of the NYSP graduates are unemployed since completing the skills development program in the 2017 fiscal year. The study alluded that lack of stakeholder participation and commitment in the NYSP was attributed to the high rate of NYS graduate unemployment. Stakeholder engagement and participation will also play a critical role in ensuring that learners completing the skills development program are linked to employment opportunities and are self-reliant. The study recommends that stakeholder identification should take place before the program is being implemented.
Evaluating the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic on the socioeconomic status of South African women
(IKENGA International Journal of Institute of African Studies, 2023-03-30) Rena, Ravinder; Mbukanma, Ifeanyi
This research was conducted to evaluate the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the socioeconomic status of South African women. There is an urgent need for a better understanding of the unique circumstances and provisional assistance of effective support for women throughout the Covid-19 crisis and its aftermath considering the level of impact the virus had on women. To achieve the researchobjective, a literature- based analysis was employed, which provides an in-depth analysis and evaluation of previous literature on the unprecedented nature and trend of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impacts on the socioeconomic status of women in South Africa. Thus, despite the limited scientific data on the most recent development of the pandemic, the findings revealed that the pandemic has escalated most variables of socioeconomic status of women in South Africa, which include high poverty rates, increased rates of unplanned pregnancy, school drop-out of schoolgirls and child labour among teenage girls, lack of income, decreased financial empowerment, reduced access to conducive healthcare, excessive maternal mortality, and growing food shortages and malnutrition. Thus, as the world continues to search for a reliable vaccine and other preventive measures for the virus, this paper recommended that policymakers and stakeholders around the globe, and most especially in South Africa, should develop coherent and strategic policies that will incorporate and attend to the socioeconomic needs of women.
The impact of educational attainment on household poverty in South Africa : a case study of Limpopo province
(Informa UK Limited, 2019-07-29) Wanka, Fru Awah; Rena, Ravinder
The provision of education in South Africa during the apartheid regime was poor, particularly for the African population and especially those living in the homelands. This has hindered those lacking the required skills from obtaining lucrative employment and earning prospects. The Income and Expenditure Survey data conducted by Statistics South Africa, for the period 1995, 2000, 2005/06 and 2010/11 were used to carry out this investigation. The official absolute income poverty lines of R3864 (lower bound) and R7116 (upper bound) per annum in 2000 prices were used. In order to establish the relationship between education and poverty status of an individual, a probit regression model was used. This model helped to determine the relationship between the head of a household’s level of education and the poverty status of the household. The results obtained reveal that there is a strong tendency for lower educational attainment to be associated with a higher prevalence of household poverty. This study aims at investigating the impact of a household head’s educational attainment level on the poverty status of the individual household in South Africa, using Limpopo province as a case study. This study seeks to establish whether education has an effect on poverty alleviation in Limpopo province.
Innovation activities of informal micro-enterprises in Gauteng, South Africa : a systematic review of the literature
(Informa UK Limited, 2021-06-07) Mulibana, Lavhelesani; Rena, Ravinder
The literature revealed that 70–80% of South African small businesses, including informal micro-enterprises, fail in the first year of their existence. Innovation has been recognized as a catalyst that can enhance informal micro-enterprises’ probabilities to survive and transform them from survivalists to sustainable businesses that grow the economy and create jobs. As far as it can be reasonably determined, there has not been a systematic review of the literature on innovation activities of informal micro-enterprises in the Gauteng province, South Africa. This study aims to present a systematic review of the literature, as well as research gaps identified in the literature, and future research opportunities. This paper thus systematically reviews the literature on innovation activities of informal micro-enterprises in the Gauteng province. The study revealed that the innovation capacity of informal micro-enterprises is severely hampered by innovation tradition and social tax. Subsequently, informal micro-enterprises engage less in innovation activity and those that do innovate often engage in incremental rather than radical innovation. Radical innovations are more crucial than incremental innovations. Thus, there is a need for researchers and government organizations to establish initiatives that can aid the informal micro-enterprises to engage more in radical innovation.
Mediating effects on poverty reduction in India through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme
(National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Co. LTD Ukrinformnauka) (Publications), 2021-11-02) Arulraj, A.; Rena, Ravinder
The employment opportunities in rural areas have signifi cantly decreased for the last few decades in India. Th erefore, Government of India introduced Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (MGNREGP) to create employment opportunities for ru ral people. Th e Programme is considered as a “silver bullet” for eradicating rural poverty and unemployment in India. Th e purpose of this empirical research study is to develop a new model for poverty reduction in rural India through this Programme. Th e novelty of this article is an attempt to develop an empirical research model that assists the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme when mapping the level of economics service quality and thereby enhance the same. Th is Programme provides an alternative source of livelihood, which will have an impact on reducing migration, restricting child labor, alleviating poverty, and making villages self-sustaining through productive assets creation such as road construction, cleaning up of water tanks, soil and water conservation work, etc. for which it has been considered as the largest anti-poverty programme in the world. Th e paper critically examines the implementation process of this Programme and its impact on tribal livelihoods. Th e following research methodology is used in the article: the data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Th e sampling procedure used for this study is stratifi ed random sampling. Th e stratifi cation is done based on the Taluks are Kumbakonam (Th anjavur District), Keeranur (Pudukottai District) and Nagappatinam (Nagappatinam District) of Tamilnadu state of South-India for the nature of region South, East, Centre, West and North while selecting the MGNREGP Employees from each category, non-probabilistic convenience and judgmental sampling technique is used. Th e fi ndings and conclusions of the study reveal that millions of rural poor with the inclusion of new works under this Programme could able to get some employment which supports their livelihoods. Eff orts are exerted to improve more transparency and accountability in implementing this programme to ensure that the benefi ts reach out to the poor and the needy villagers. Th e regression analysis revealed that the Poverty Eradication on the various dimensions of Economic Development, infl uenced Economic Development followed by Social Development. Th e visual representation of results suggest that the relationships between the dimensions of Economic Development, Social development resulted in a signifi cant impact on the mediated factor ‘Poverty Eradication’. Th e paper suggests the policy framework for the stakeholders in eff ective implementation of the Programme.
An overview on the role of innovation in making sustainable and future-ready businesses
(ERM Publications, 2023) Rena, Ravinder
Innovation is the key to success for businesses and it remains a crucial element in the sustainable development of the entrepreneurship activities across the globe. It is characterized by the creative capacity of invention as a source of sociocultural and technological change. In this background, the current review provides an overview of innovative business practices, enablers, and the factors that prevent the business owners to innovate new product/ service offerings, role of innovation among the small and medium enterprises, and impact of innovative business practices in the aftermath of COVID-19. Methodology: No comprehensive review has been made in this domain, though the researchers have focused on the concepts of innovation and business practices separately. The present study is an important contribution to the research domain as it holistically approaches the concept, its application, and the takeaway for future. Findings: The research article reviewed the studies conducted earlier and discussed the innovative practices followed in different domains and how the existing studies handled the concept of innovation in business. The paper also discussed about green innovation concepts and the concept of business innovation in India since India emerges as a vibrant nation after COVID-19. Implications: As per the India Innovation Index 2021, India is yet to tap the potential areas. With loads of opportunities yet to be unleashed, India must bring policy measures to make business innovations, a norm. It has increased continuously in the ladder of innovative start-up environment provider, though there is a scope for further growth in this regard.
The role of leaders in building research cultures in sub-Saharan African universities : a six-nation study
(Informa UK Limited, 2022-04-03) Puplampu, Bill Buenar; Nkomo, Stella; du Plessis, Yvonne; Kabagabe, Jolly Byarugaba; Garwe, Evelyn Chiyevo; Namada, Juliana; Ogunyemi, Kemi; Thondhlana, Juliet; Abdul-Nasiru, Inusah; Agina, Anulika; Amponsah-Tawiah, Kwesi; Danesi, Rosemary; Djokoto, Justice Gameli; Duncan, Denise Diana; Lekunze, Joseph; McGrath, Simon; Ndegwa, Joyce; Ngowa, Nancy; Ntow, Michael Ofori; Ondondo, Emily Ayieta; Rena, Ravinder; Sandada, Maxwell
Existing research attributes the problem of weak research productivity of academics in African universities primarily to institutional resource poverty and inadequate research skills. However, there has been little attention to research cultures and the role of leaders in fostering productive ones. Drawing from the literature on organizational culture, this study examines the role of university leaders in developing research cultures. The study explores how institution leaders do this within the higher education contexts in their countries. The empirical work is based on qualitative interviews with senior and mid-level university leaders in six countries in sub-Saharan Africa. While all of the leaders espoused clear views about the elements of a productive research culture, results indicate a significant gap remains between espoused values for research and the actual research culture. Theoretically, the research extends the concept of research cultures by demonstrating the complex dynamics between research cultures, culture embedding mechanisms, and leader behavior within contextual constraints.
Significance of financial literacy on personal savings behaviour : a study of the City of Tshwane and Mahikeng Municipality employees
(Adonis and Abbey Publishers, 2022-01-15) Mbukanma, Ifeanyi; Rena, Ravinder
The objective of this study was to identify the level of financial literacy among South African households and statistically ascertain the impact of financial literacy variables on household savings behaviour. Quantitative research was conducted to achieve these objectives, where data was collected from the employees of City of Tshwane and Mahikeng Municipality. A cluster analysis was employed to identify the group cluster of respondents. In addition, a Path Coefficient analysis was conducted to identify the significance of financial literacy on household savings behaviour. The study's findings revealed that the respondents have a reasonable level of financial literacy, which is in line with the conceptual findings of previous literatures. Secondly, it was ascertained that variables under financial control, financial planning, financial knowledge, and understanding positively impact household savings behaviour. Meaning that the more they are familiar with these variables, the more they are likely to save. On the contrary, the variables under the construct of knowledge of financial products and services were identified to impact household savings behaviour negatively, meaning that the more they are knowledgeable on financial products and services, the lesser they are likely to save. Hence, it was concluded that stakeholders and policymakers in charge of financial and savings literacy in South Africa should incorporate these identified positive variables of financial literacy into their savings campaign programmes.
The socio-economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the South African informal economy
(Durban University of Technology, 2023) Langry, Fiona; Rena, Ravinder
The informal business sector in many developing economies is often seen as a driver of economic growth due to the role that this sector plays in the creation of employment opportunities, increasing the social activities of its communities, and providing business opportunities for rural entrepreneurs. The informal economy has been known to be insulated from macro-economic volatility in the global markets, but this could be an oversight on the part of the national government as they have not taken this sector into account when determining GDP or strategic imperatives to bolster the economy. The COVID-19 pandemic showcased how unprepared many economies were in the face of harsh government-imposed lockdowns and the resultant job losses that occurred due to individuals being unable to go to work. The South African government, whilst acknowledging the informal sector and the subsequent economic and social role it plays, lacks the necessary policy framework and enablement of this sector, as well as a platform that enables the continuation of business practices for informal traders that will protect them from the daunting impacts of a pandemic or another global catastrophe. The purpose of this study is to comprehend and analyse the socio-economic ramifications of the COVID-19 epidemic and its impact on the informal economy in South Africa. To do so, the study utilises discourse analysis and which is carried out using a secondary data collection approach. Theses for master's and doctoral degrees, papers presented at conferences, policy documents, government gazettes, statistical data from governments, and reports from international organizations are all taken into consideration. Articles published in scientific journals that have been subject to the process of peer review are also taken into account. According to the findings of the study, in order to protect the informal sector from unforeseen disasters in the future, it is recommended that policies and protection mechanisms be put into place.