Browsing by Author "Kanyumba, Blessing"

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Career development for female academics in Australian and South African universities: an integrative review
(Beykent University, 2022-02-15) Kanyumba, Blessing; Lourens, Melanie
South African and Australian higher education sector is facing challenges of fewer females in leadership positions despite policies in place in both countries. The main purpose of this integrative literature was to analyse and compare journal articles related to career development for female academics in South African and Australian higher education institutions to ascertain the challenges faced by women in both countries. South Africa and Australia was chosen for this study due to the differences in cultural background and legislation. Females are still underrepresented in the leadership positions both in Australia and South Africa, hence this study investigated the reasons and provided recommendations to improve female academics representation in higher education institutions. A literature review of 15 research papers and journals articles published from 2010-2020 was conducted. The key words “career development for female academics” were searched in three databases namely, Google Scholar, Ebsco-host and Emerald. The results from the literature showed that female career development in Australia is moving at a faster pace than in South Africa. The results also show that in both countries glass ceiling and limited female representation in leadership positions is rife in both countries. Female only career development programmes are essential to promote female development in higher education. As this study is focusing on two different countries in different continents, both countries have a lot to learn from each other in terms of policy implementations to enhance female career development. This article provides an analysis of the trends of female career development in South Africa and Australia. Therefore, from the existing literature for a period of 10 years, a conceptual career development model was developed.
The effect of the Covid‑19 pandemic on students and the living and learning spaces at a South African university
(University of Pretoria - ESI Press, 2021) Kanyumba, Blessing; Shabangu, Nondumiso
In March 2020, the South African President Mr Cyril Ramaphosa announced a national lockdown due to the rising cases of the Covid‑19 pandemic. As a result, some of the higher education institutions closed under lockdown level 5 and strategies had to be developed to adapt to the “new norm”. Consequently, students and the living and learning spaces in South Africa were affected, necessitating therefore that transformation in all spheres takes place. This study, through a qualitative research design, investigated the effect of Covid‑19 on students and the living and learning spaces at a selected university in South Africa. Fifteen students and ten Residence Advisors (RAs) were telephonically interviewed. The results revealed that the living and learning spaces had been significantly transformed by the Covid‑19 pandemic. The operations of these spaces had been compelled to change in order to comply with the Covid‑19 regulations, such that student learning was shifted from face-to-face to online learning. This meant more time spent indoors, stricter measures now in place and the RA roles having been broadened to ensure that they also monitor compliance. The study also noted that even after the pandemic, things will still take time to get back to normal. This article concludes that Covid‑19 has had a huge effect on the living and learning spaces as well as students at the selected university and that both students and staff should play their roles effectively to ensure that everyone remains safe.
The impact of critical success factors of knowledge management implementation on employee commitment at European MNE subsidiaries in emerging markets– perspectives from South Africa
(Kalahari, 2022-04-11) Lourens, Melanie Elizabeth; Chikukwa, Tatenda; Kanyumba, Blessing; Young, Aletta
This paper investigates the impact of critical success factors of Knowledge Management implementation on employee commitment at European MNE subsidiaries in emerging markets. MNE face various challenges when implementing Knowledge Management due to the scale of operations and subsidiaries in emerging markets are confronted with additional socio-economic challenges. Employee commitment is crucial to ensure the successful implementation of Knowledge Management initiatives. The study adopted a quantitative research approach using online electronic questionnaires administered to 1118 employees at seven European MNE subsidiaries in South Africa. Findings indicate a significant relationship (p < 0.05) between critical success factors such as leadership, organisational culture, roles and responsibilities, IT infrastructure and measurement tools, in order to ensure the successful implementation of Knowledge Management and employee commitment. The study recommends that employee commitment linked to Knowledge Management implementation at European MNE subsidiaries in emerging marketsentails variousconsiderations such as organisational structure, communication, remuneration and benefits, working conditions, and social status. A holistic approach to Knowledge Management implementation is recommended that combines infrastructure requirements, measurement tools and techniques, and organisational behavioural factors to ensure employee commitment.
Strategies to enhance employee well-being in an institution of higher learning in South Africa
(Academia Europea de Direccion y Economia de la Empresa, 2024) Kanyumba, Blessing; Daweti, Baphiwe; Mathews, Mercillene Perrene; Khumalo, Njabulo
Employee wellbeing is a crucial challenge in many organisations in South Africa and abroad. Interventions at a management level are vital to ensure that organisations do not lose quality employees due to poor employee well-being. Therefore, the paper assessed the strategies that can be used to enhance the well-being of academics in an institution of higher learning in South Africa. The paper employed a qualitative approach to collect data from the Management Committee (MANCO) at the Durban University of Technology in Durban, South Africa. Purposive sampling was be used to collect data directly from the MANCO. All data are analyzed using Nvivo. Findings from the study revealed that leadership plays a pivotal role in the well-being of employees. The findings of the paper can assist the management of the university with solutions related to the turnover of academics and will also be a wake-up call to other universities on the subject matter.
Talent retention strategies for female academics in the higher education sector: a Sub-Saharan Africa context
(Beykent University, 2021-11-01) Kanyumba, Blessing; Lourens, Melanie
This study aimed at identifying talent retention strategies for female academics in the higher education sector, paying particular attention to the Sub-Saharan context. Higher education institutions rely on the knowledge, abilities and skills of their academics in order to keep abreast of the changing nature of higher education globally. These institutions of higher learning are required to be competitive and achieve their strategic goals in order to remain relevant in the sector. Studies have shown that female academics are leaving the higher education sector for the private sector for numerous reasons, including better salaries and further development. Additionally, some female academics are emigrating to European countries in search of greener pastures. Therefore, higher education institutions have to ensure that talent retention strategies are implemented to retain female academics, as well as to facilitate their progress to top leadership positions. The study utilized four crucial retention strategies identified in Kenya by Mutiria, Rukangu and Kubaison in 2015. These retention strategies include compensation and benefits, formal succession planning, training and development and career development opportunities. A quantitative research design was adopted for this study, whereby online questionnaires were completed by 112 female academics at a Sub-Saharan university. The data were analyzed using the Statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 for Windows. The results revealed a significant relationship between the four identified strategies and retention. Thus, institutions of higher learning should effectively implement these strategies in order to retain talented female academics, considering the dynamics in the sector.