Browsing by Author "Dlamini, Bongani Innocent"

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Adjustment experiences of first-year students in South Africa
(2020) Dlamini, Bongani Innocent; Tom, Reyagalaletsa Felicity; Nel, Kathryn Anne; Zogli, Luther-King Junior
Background and Objective: For most students, adjusting to both social and academic life entails engenders a modicum of stress and emotional challenges for most students, resulting in risks of students drop-out. The current study sought insight and understanding into the adjustment experiences of first-year students at a previously disadvantaged tertiary institution of Higher learning in South Africa. Materials and Method: Qualitative research was conducted to establish the lived experiences of the participants. Four focus with eighteen first-year participants from different departments were utilised for data collection. Data were gathered via semi-structured interviews, which allowed probing. Thematic Content Analysis was employed to gather themes from the data. Results: The main results indicated that first-year students found life was different, many old familiar and predictable relationships disintegrating. However, they also found independence and the resilience to adapt to change. Positive adjustment experiences and coping mechanisms included working hard, interacting with lecturing staff and attending religious events, while negative ones included drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. Conclusions: The study recommended that orientation for first-year students is imperative and should incorporate a programme that helped first-year students understand the challenges they are likely to face in this new phase of their academic and social development.
Ambient situation and customer satisfaction in restaurant businesses: a management perspective
(2022-01-01) Agbenyegah, Albert Tchey; Zogli, Luther-King Junior; Dlamini, Bongani Innocent; Mofokeng, Nyane Ezekiel MacDonald; Kabange, Martin Mulunda
The current study illustrates the influence of restaurant ambient conditions on customers satisfaction in the tourism and hospitality industries through cluster and simple random techniques. The primary objective was to ascertain the relationship between the restaurant ambient conditions and customer satisfaction in rural restaurants. A closed-ended questionnaires with varying options were designed to collect primary data from randomly selected customers from 11 restaurants from the study settings. Primary data was analysed via the SPSS software based on statistical tools of regression analysis to determine the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Final outcomes indicated significant relationship between the dependent and independent variables. The restaurant ambient conditions have significant relationship with customer satisfaction. Based on the findings, this study recommends that owner-managers of restaurants in rural areas need to improve the bulk of the ambient situations to attract more customers. This empirical study contributes to existing literature on the tourism and hospitality industry with specific reference to the restaurant businesses.
Assessing the effectiveness of Human Resource Management in creating organisational competitiveness in a South African state-owned enterprise
(Richtmann Publishing, 2021-05) Dlamini, Bongani Innocent; Zogli, Luther-King Junior; Muzanenhamo, Arvid
South African state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have been underperforming for the past decade riddled with poor service delivery, employee retrenchments, lack of employee motivation and inability to embrace innovative approaches in management of business. There has been a call from the South African government for SOEs to self-renew and become effective in service delivery. As a result the role of human resource management (HRM) assist organisations to become effective through the use of innovative human resource practices. This paper is an investigation carried out at a selected South African SOE to determine the effectiveness of HRM in creating organisational competitiveness. A qualitative research approach was adopted where interviews were used to gather data from the company’s human resource practitioners and departmental heads. Non-probability sampling was used and 24 participants were purposively selected. The study revealed that HR practitioners do not participate in policy reviews whereas their skills are underutilised, they lack latest technology and it was noted that there is excessive control from high authorities. Received: 11 February 2021 / Accepted: 16 March 2021 / Published: 17 May 2021
Assessing the integrated development plan as a performance management system in a municipality
(2021-01-01) Dlamini, Bongani Innocent; Zogli, Luther-King Junior
This paper examines the role the IDP as a performance management system in a municipality. Notwithstanding unsurpassed planning efforts towards sustainable development, municipalities nationally appear to be losing this battle. South African municipalities are confronted with harsh realities after 12 years of legislated Integrated Development Planning (IDP) as poverty remains widespread and persists alongside affluence and increasing inequalities. Service delivery mechanisms in municipalities are hampered by bureaucratic tendencies within Local Government and the ambiguity attached to some projects. This research, grounded within the positivist paradigm, evaluates the IDP as a Performance Management System (PMS) in UGU District Municipality. Interviews were conducted amongst employees of UGU District Municipality and the community served by the municipality to evaluate the extent to which the IDP is used as a tool to deliver sustainable development. The study utilized the quantitative research approach and participants were selected using stratified sampling. The research results indicated that the overwhelming perception of the participants was that the implementation of the IDP at UGU District Municipality had been successful. The IDP was deemed to be a strategic mechanism in finding the best solution to achieve superior long-term developmental objectives.
Challenges facing HRM practitioners in achieving organisational effectiveness in South African State-owned enterprises
(2021) Dlamini, Bongani Innocent; Zogli, Luther-King Junior; Muzanenhamo, Arvid
The South African state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have drawn criticism in the country concerning their performance. Retrenchments and government bailouts have been resorted to for South African SOEs in a bid to avoid liquidation. As a result, Human Resource Management is regarded as a source of organisational competence which aims at improving employee morale, reducing cost of operations and quality service improvement. An investigation was undertaken at a selected South African SOE to examine the challenges facing human resource professionals in obtaining organisational competitiveness. A qualitative research design was applied, and interviews were used on human resource practitioners who occupy departmental supervisory positions. The study revealed that Human Resources departments experienced challenges such as lack of technology, high labour turnover, and not attracting skilled technical personnel thus impending company competitiveness.
Citizens’ e-participation at Local Municipal Government in South Africa
(Lifescience Global, 2019-08-06) Okeke-Uzodike, Obianuju Ebele; Dlamini, Bongani Innocent
The emergence of the digital revolution has obligated governments all over the world to be more accessible, effective and accountable in the provision of public services.
Determinants of income in the informal sector : a case of selected slums in Ghana
(2019-12-01) Zogli, Luther-King Junior; Lawa, Emmanuel; Dlamini, Bongani Innocent
This paper investigates the determinants of income earned in two informal slum economies in Ghana, using OLS regression analysis. Amongst factors, operator’s social networks, locus of control, type of economic activity, educational level, age of business and labour size, it was found that labour size was the main determinant of average daily income in slum activities in Ghana, with a 25% increase in average daily income for every extra person employed. Also, an extra year of experience in running the same business increases income by 10%. This reflects that, a slum operator’s continuous operation (learning and earning by doing) over the years, helps to augment income. An extra year of formal education on the other hand only increases daily income by 1%.
Exploring the motives for operating in Ghana's informal slum sector
(2019) Zogli, Luther-King Junior; Lawa, Emmanuel; Dlamini, Bongani Innocent; Kabange, Martin Mulunda
Abstract: In the developing world, slums house a sizeable amount of the urban population and most slum inhabitants are engaged in informal activities. In Sub Sahara African countries this sector has historically contributed above 50% to non-agricultural Gross Value Added. Informal sector activities in Ghanaian slums employ a substantial amount of people, who on average earn about $8 a day, a figure which is above the poverty threshold of $2 a day. Most of these slum activity operators reside in slums whereas a sizable amount reside in formal housing, a phenomenon which has led to the growth of Ghanaian urban slums. To assist these slum operators to grow and someday integrate into the formal sector, it is important to find out the factors that motivated them to engage in these activities in the first place. The study employed Exploratory Factor Analysis, on a sample of 344 drawn from the two biggest slums (Sodom & Gomorrah and Akwatia Line) in Ghana’s two major cities, Accra and Kumasi respectively. The results show a set of six clusters, explaining 61% of the variation in motives for slum activities. The avoidance of government regulation was found as the main motive for one’s involvement in slum activities. Other driving forces include the ‘luxury’ of working at one’s own time, making use of one’s talents and family relations, as well as the quest for earning a higher income
Factors influencing entrepreneurial intention : a case of students in a South African University
(2020-01-01) Nsahlai, Veritas Kiyven; Zogli, Luther-King Junior; Lawa, Emmanuel; Dlamini, Bongani Innocent
Entrepreneurship has been globally adopted as a strategic approach in facilitating economic participation among youth. On an individual level, entrepreneurship affords young people their independence and autonomy to pursue their dreams. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that motivate youth entrepreneurial intention amongst students in a South African university. Using a cross-sectional design with a quantitative structured questionnaire, a sample of 247 students was interviewed and the collected data was analysed with Principal component analysis. The results showed four major factors that influence students' entrepreneurial intentions. These factors include the quest to create sustainable employment, the need for independence and self-development, the quest to use one's knowledge and search for financial security and finally to take risks and challenge oneself.
Factors influencing the adoption and implementation of customer relationship management strategies by small and medium enterprises in KwaZulu Natal
(Inderscience, 2021-04-13) Dlamini, Bongani Innocent; Garatsa, Cletos
Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in the development of economiesboth in the developed and developing countries. SMEs face many obstacles in their path to survival and much has been discussed in terms of helping the small enterprises to survive and grow to fulfill their economic potential and derive the benefits that come with it. As such, many solutions have been proffered to ameliorate the demise of SMEs in their early stages of establishment. This paper wishes to harness customer relationship management (CRM) to help SMEs to survive and thrive in the harsh economic environment. CRM creates a competitive advantage that can be viewed as a panacea to SME failure. It is therefore the aim of this study examined the factors that influence the adoption of CRM by SMEs in Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN).The goal is to move away from the misconception that CRM is a technology but gravitate towards treating CRM as a holistic strategy that should diffuse within the whole organisation. Organisational, environmental, technological and information culture factors should all be integrated and help the firm to make a well-informed decision when it comes to adopting CRM strategies. The scope of this paper is further motivated by the fact that there is a paucity of studies that investigate the adoption of CRM by SMEs in KZN CRM adoption and implementation are not without their problems, but the promises are too good to ignore; and, indeed, the future prosperity of SMEs may lie in CRM adoption and implementation.
Household challenges, family dynamism and online learning under COVID-19 pandemic in a South African University
(2021-11-06) Mthalane, Peggy Pinky; Agbenyegah, Albert Tchey; Dlamini, Bongani Innocent
Purpose: Reduce the spread of the virus amongst people, especially students and lecturers, thus online learning was introduced in 2020. To find out the effectiveness of online learning and family dynamics posed by this phenomenon Design/methodology/approach: The researchers conducted a research at one of the University of Technology in South Africa, situated in the Province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, in Pietermaritzburg. The main aim was to determine the challenges posed by online learning while students were at home, compounded by COVID-19 pandemic. Findings: The results of the analysis showed the connection between family dynamics such as family settings, online learning and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in this regard. It can then be concluded that there is a significant influence between family setting, such as bereavement, divorce, lack of internet connection and overcrowding at home, COVID-19 and the adjustment to online learning. Research limitations/implications: Lack of internet connection and overcrowding at home, COVID-19 and the adjustment to online learning.
The implications for the curriculum of the learning opportunities provided to students studying office management and technology during work integrated learning
(Scientific Research Publishing, Inc., 2024) Ndhlovu, Thobekile Octavia; Ogunsola, Sijuwade Adedayo; Dlamini, Bongani Innocent; Zondo, Robert Walter Dumisani
The field of secretarial and administrative work is confronted with challenges posed by the quick development of office technology, organizational reor ganizations, and shifts in the global economy. These challenges impact not only the workers who are currently employed as secretaries or administrative staff but also higher education institutions and students pursuing administra tive careers. As a result, workplace demands must be better met by both in dustry and academic institutions. This study looks at the learning opportuni ties provided to Office Management and Technology (OMT) students during Work-integrated Learning (WIL). It also investigates the implications for the curriculum to enhance workplace and classroom learning and makes recom mendations for changes to the OMT curriculum at Universities of Technolo gy (UoTs). It further explores and presents the skills, attributes, and compe tencies that OMT graduates must have in the workplace of the twenty-first century. Moreover, it gives UoT office technology departments a thorough analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of their current curriculum, enabling them to make any necessary improvements. This research comprises a case study involving Durban University of Technology (DUT) and Mango suthu University of Technology (MUT). Due to its sole reliance on surveys, the approach was primarily quantitative; however, a petite amount of qualita tive data emerged from the open-ended questions. In addition to giving par ticipants a chance to voice their ideas, the qualitative questions served to in terpret the quantitative information included in the questionnaire. The study included two sets of questionnaires that were given to two distinct divisions in work-integrated learning and industry supervisors who oversee OMT stu dents at DUT and MUT. The analysis demonstrates how well the existing OMT program satisfies the fundamental demands of the sector. There is evi dence, that workplace and classroom learning both require improvement. For OMT curricula to be more relevant and responsive in workplaces, the study also identified new competencies and qualities that must be included. Ac cording to the findings, universities and businesses should work together to improve student readiness for professional needs and that the Office Man agement and Technology curriculum be revised regularly of the targeted population: MUT third-year OMT students who participated
Investigating the challenges of e-learning in a developing institution of higher learning : a hypothetical approach
(Clute Institute, 2019-05-01) Agbenyegah, Albert Tchey; Dlamini, Bongani Innocent
The popularity of e-learning (EL) largely infiltrated into every sector of South African institutions of higher learning. This growing interest in EL is due to the advent of rapid internet technologies. For decades, South African institutions of higher learning have accepted EL as a vital learning tool for the enhancement of learning and teaching within the higher education sector. However, there are countless challenges that continue to hinder learning and teaching activities. This study seeks to determine the relationships between various challenges and EL capabilities through stated hypotheses. The study is a descriptive, qualitative design aided by a quantitative approach that were applied to collect data. In total 150 full and part-time ICT students including four permanent ICT lecturers participated in the study. By means of statistical methods of descriptive, inferential statistics aided by independent t-tests, three stated hypotheses were formulated and tested. The study therefore, recommends that higher institutions of learning should increase investments in various EL programs including relevant ICT infrastructure development and also in levels of connectivity. The study further recommends that EL contents should be designed taking into account the cultural characteristics of students.
Investigating the deterring factors for youth entrepreneurial intention among students at a South African University
(Lifescience Global, 2020-12-28) Nsahlai, Veritas Kiyven; Zogli, Luther-King Junior; Lawa, Emmanuel; Dlamini, Bongani Innocent
Youth unemployment, which is a global phenomenon, is one of the main causes of poverty amongst the youth of South Africa. It has been observed that attaining a university qualification, no longer guarantees one an employment opportunity as the job market is highly saturated and cannot accommodate the thousands of young graduates churned out by universities each year. This leaves graduates with two options, either start a business or to remain unemployed and hope for an employment opportunity. This economic problem has led academics to inquire about what possible factors may influence young people to engage in entrepreneurship and what may turn them away from starting their own business. Although entrepreneurship has been purported globally as the springboard in facilitating economic participation among youth, they face many stumbling blocks during their entrepreneurial journey. The current study, therefore, sought to explore the factors that may deter youth entrepreneurial intention at a South African university. This is a quantitative research approach and data were collected using structured questionnaires from 247 participants and analysed using Factor analysis. It was discovered that lack of business management skills, risk and economic difficulties, financial challenges, lack of a support system, uncertain future and difficulty in finding partners, bureaucracy and crime as well as lack of relevant information were the factors deterring prospective young entrepreneurs from engaging in entrepreneurial activities.
Organizational benefits of human resource management roles in South African state-owned enterprises
(2022-10-07) Muzanenhamo, Arvid; Dlamini, Bongani Innocent
Human Resource Management practitioners have been criticized for lacking business acumen due to the nature of the personnel management concept. There has been a change in Human Resource Management roles from traditional personnel management to Strategic Human Resource Management which seeks to provide organizational competitiveness. This article aims to provide organizational benefits of Human Resource Management to an organization as a result of the Strategic Human Resource Management concept. The strategic nature of Human Resource Management has been revealed in this article as there is evidence of Human Resource Management's contribution to the business success. This paper is a study carried out in a South African State-owned enterprise to identify organizational benefits acquired from Human Resource Management roles. Qualitative research was used in this study, and interviews were administered to obtain data from Human Resource practitioners and departmental supervisors in a state-owned enterprise. 24 participants were purposively selected to provide data for the study. This study revealed that the Human Resource department provides beneficial activities to the organization such as reduction of employee turnover, employee development, employee wellness, and internal communication. The critical discussion provided in this paper would strengthen the body of knowledge on the role of Human Resource Management in improving organizational effectiveness.
Reflection on students drop-out against the backdrop of COVID-19 in the South African educational context amongst marginalized group of students
(CODESRIA, 2021-08) Mthalane, Peggy Pinky; Agbenyegah, Albert Tchey; Dlamini, Bongani Innocent
This paper aims to engage the issue of student drop-out in light of COVID-19 which has disrupted schooling at all levels and impacts heavily on students from deprived background who do not have access to technology that have become the dominant means of teaching. In engaging the issue, the paper reviews the literature on student drop-out generally to highlight the factors that have been shown to be significant in student dropping out of school at primary, secondary and university levels
Roots and causes of occupational stress amongst female academics in Universities of Technology in South Africa
(Sciedu Press, 2022) Mathews, Mercillene; Khumalo, Njabulo; Dlamini, Bongani Innocent
tress and stress-related problems have negative human resource and financial implications for Universities of Technology (UoT) in terms of absenteeism, productivity, organizational effectiveness, employee morale and medical aid subsidies. For tertiary institutions, the impact of stressed academics on core business activities relating to students and examinations are far-reaching. The paper assessed the roots and causes of occupational stress amongst female academics in a UoT in South Africa. The paper adopted a qualitative research approach with a focus group of selected female academics in the UoT. The paper revealed that workload and performance management, as well as family life and personal life; teaching vs research and administration; Covid-19 and online teaching and learning; holidays and leave and lack of leave; meetings and support deficiency; resources and lack of care and empathy, as well as poor HR, bullying and imposition and a lack of professionalism; nepotism and favouritism; retrenchments and instability, along with poor recognition and appreciation, were the roots that contribute to occupational stress in the UoT in SA. The paper recommends that effective interventions be implemented by the UoT in order to manage the stress of these female academics, thereby reducing the negative impact thereof on themselves and the institution. University policy-makers should devise a variety of solutions in a well-balanced package that places responsibility on both the university and staff to manage occupational stress.
A survey of personal hurdles contributing to failures of rural entrepreneurship : economic implications for owner-managers
(Clute Institute, 2018) Agbenyegah, Albert Tchey; Dlamini, Bongani Innocent
This study seeks to explore with keen understanding of personal hurdles as revealed by owner-managers from two rural settings of the Northern Cape Province (NCP). The study focuses on personal hurdles that according to literature contributes to the growing failure of entrepreneurial activities. Personal hurdles were assessed using “Statistical Package for the Social Science” (SPSS). A survey method is utilized in gathering primary dataset, descriptive analysis and frequency tables were used to assess all the basic variables including the personal hurdles of owner-managers. Factor analysis was utilized as a determinant of personal hurdles. Formulated hypotheses for the study were tested by the inferential statistic of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Relationships between dependent (rural entrepreneurial failures) and independent variables (resources, information and infrastructure gaps) were ascertained through the Pearson Correlation techniques. The study revealed that the resource gaps affect rural entrepreneurial failure (REF)On the other hand, information and infrastructure do not have significant effect on REF.A moderate positive linear correlation between resource gap and REF was detected. Furthermore, there is a low positive linear correlation between REF and the two independent variables (information and infrastructure gaps) were detected.
Total rewards and its effects on organisational commitment in higher education institutions
(AOSIS, 2018-05-17) Mabaso, Mzwenhlanhla Calvin; Dlamini, Bongani Innocent
Orientation: Retaining staff with special endeavours within higher education institutions has become a top priority and crucial for any organisational productivity and competiveness. Attracting and retaining talent has remained a critical and complex issue for human capital management in organisations.Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of total rewards on organisational commitment measured by Total Rewards Scale and Organisational Commitment Questionnaire.Motivation for the study: There is paucity in research on the impact of total rewards on organisational commitment. Commitment of academic staff is significant as higher education institutions are influential in the development of a country.Research design, approach and method: This study employed the quantitative research method using a survey design. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect survey data. A sample of 279 academic staff, which was the total population of participants, was selected for this study.Main findings: Results show a positive and significant correlation between elements of total rewards (performance management, 0.387; recognition, 0.335; talent development and career opportunities, 0.328; compensation, 0.231; benefits, 0.213; work–life balance, 0.024) and organisational commitment. A variance of 52.3% of total rewards explained organisational commitment. Performance management, compensation, benefits, recognition, talent development and career opportunities significantly predicted organisational commitment. However, work–life balance indicated a negative effect on organisational commitment.Practical managerial implications: Findings of the study has implications to managers because they have to encourage and promote total rewards in order to enforce talent retention within higher education institutions for the benefit of both institutions and employees.Contribution: The results are important to managers with great interest in talent retention and can be used as guideline to develop rewards strategy.
Towards achieving organisational competitiveness: the role of human resource management in state-owned enterprises
(2021) Dlamini, Bongani Innocent; Muzanenhamo, Arvid; Zogli, Luther-King Junior
This study examined the role of Human Resource Management (HRM) in achieving organisational competitiveness in a selected South African State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) in Gauteng province.A qualitative research approach wasused with data obtained usingstructured interviewsfrom the company’s human resource practitioners and departmental heads. Purposive non-probability sampling was applied in recruiting 24 participants and data was analysed usingthematic analysis. The study revealed that, HRMdepartment provided opportunities for employees to upskill themselves through short courses and university degrees such as honours, masters and PhDs. However, employees reported that their remuneration packages are not commensurate with their skill sets and capabilities leading to low morale. It was therefore recommended for the organisation to conduct an industrial survey to decipher the going remuneration rates in order to offer competitive packages to their employees.