Research Publications (Accounting and Informatics)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/212

Browse

Now showing 1 - 17 of 17

African women entrepreneurs and COVID-19 : towards achieving the African Union Agenda 2063
(AOSIS, 2022-01-01) Anwana, Emem O.; Aroba, Oluwasegun Julius
Research on the challenges facing African women entrepreneurship and the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is scant. This article explored the challenges and the impact of COVID-19 on African women-owned businesses and the effect thereof on the 17th goal of the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063. African women entrepreneurs experience many social inequalities, ranging from cultural norms to family to legal and regulatory measures to accessing finance. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges as many African women entrepreneurs have been forced out of business because of measures taken by African governments to halt the spread of the disease. The article reviewed current literature on African women entrepreneurs and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic using two databases and is based on a total of 104 published articles. The article provided a foundation for post-COVID-19 policy directives in Africa. The authors recommend measures to mitigate these challenges and discuss strategies for policymakers to re-position African women entrepreneurs for the post-COVID-19 era towards achieving AU Agenda 2063 and realising the Africa we all want. Contribution: The study aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of ending poverty in Africa and the AU Agenda 2063 goal of achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls to achieve the Africa we all want.
Can training in employability skills help adolescent girls and young women in South Africa increase their employment opportunities?
(2023-04-15) Mvunabandi, Jean Damascene; Mkhize, Msizi; Marimuthu, Ferina; Gadzikwa, Lawrence
This article investigated how employability skills training can be used to foster adolescent girls and young women's employment opportunities and to improve their employment pathways in South Africa. This study adopted quantitative and descriptive research approaches via longitudinal data collection. Secondary data was collected from 3584 AGYWs using a questionnaire survey during employability training from July-October 2021. Robustness analysis was performed using descriptive statistics using SPSS version 28.0. The empirical findings proved that employability skills training significantly improved the capabilities of adolescent girls and young women on labour market assessments. Relying on these empirical findings, this study proposes a framework for linking AGYWs and the labour market through an employability skills training capability-based conceptualised model. The results of this study will fill a gap in understanding the twelve dominant employability skills variables identified by this research study which has justified with most relevant literature and theories in particular. This study contributes to the current body of knowledge and further contributes to the career development and employability among adolescent girls and young women required to cope with the labour markets in South Africa. The study recommends schools, Universities and other key role players in skills development among employability skills guidelines for ensuring the readiness of young graduates for employment opportunities in South Africa.
Cash management challenges of small businesses in a developing community
(MCER Publishing, 2014-12) Mungal, Avika; Garbharran, Hari Lall
Small businesses are vital for employment and job creation in South Africa. The implementation of sound cash management practices is essential to ensure the profitability and sustainability of any successful business. The purpose of this paper is to identify the cash management challenges faced by small businesses in a developing community. This research targeted small retail businesses in the Tongaat area in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The research design for this paper was descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional. The data instrument was a questionnaire. These findings indicate a significant relationship between cash management knowledge and managing cash flow. The findings also indicate a correlation between profitability in the business and implementation of cash management practices as well as a correlation between the challenges of cash management practices and their ability to ensure profitability in their business. This paper recommends that businesses should implement cash management procedures to eliminate cash management difficulties.
Constructing frugal sales system for small enterprises
(AJIS, 2014-10) Olugbara, Oludayo O.; Ndhlovu, Brenda N.
In the current study, the authors report on the application of the design science methodology to construct, utilize, and evaluate a frugal information system that uses mobile devices and cloud computing resources for documenting daily sales transactions of very small enterprises (VSEs). Small enterprises play significant roles in the socioeconomic landscape of a community by providing employment opportunities and contributing to the gross domestic product. However, VSEs have very little access to innovative information technologies that could help them manage their challenges that are restricting their effective growth, sustainability, and participation in a knowledge economy. The results of a field-evaluation experiment, involving 22 VSE entrepreneurs using a newly constructed system, MobiSales, disclosed that user behavior, which demonstrates confidence, excitement, enthusiasm, energy, and trust varied when employing a mobile electronic device for social interactions, as compared to using it for business transactions.
Currency redenomination and firm value growth : lessons from a developing economy
(LLC CPC Business Perspectives, 2021-03-12) Marimuthu, Ferina; Maama, Haruna
The redenomination of the Cedi with the new Ghana Cedi in 2007 was met with skepticism and outright opposition in certain sectors of the economy. Businesses feared that this would decrease their net worth. Despite the time that has elapsed since the redenomination exercise, it is yet to be proven whether the fears of individuals who predicted its negative impact on firms’ performance had been confirmed or the optimism of those that expected its positive impact on firms’ performance has prevailed. Therefore, the study examined the impact of the cedi redenomination on firms’ value growth in Ghana. The study used the financial records of listed firms in Ghana, five years before and five years after the redenomination of the currency. The firms’ value growth was measured based on the growth in Tobin’s Q and return on assets (ROA). A generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation technique was adopted for the regression analysis. The results indicated that the firms’ value increased, whilst profitability decreased in the same year. Moreover, the results showed sustained growth in the profitability of firms after the redenomination exercise. The study concludes that the currency redenomination improved the firms’ profitability, whilst their value was not improved. The significant implication of the results is that governments can use redenomination as a tool to influence micro-economic activities. This study is perhaps the first to use firm-level data to examine the impact of currency redenomination on firms’ value growth in an African country.
The effectiveness of work-integrated learning in South African Universities of technology : a case study of Durban University of Technology
(2016-07) Ngwane, Knowledge Siyabonga Vusamandla
This paper looks at the effectiveness of Work-Integrated Learning in increasing the employability of students studying Office Management and Technology diploma at the Durban University of Technology. The national debate on graduate employment has moved from the narrow focus on a set of essential core skills within the undergraduate curriculum. Work-integrated learning (WIL) programs are becoming popular with students, government, employers, and universities. A major benefit of a WIL program is the increased employability of students, and this matches well with the present trend whereby students expect a pay-off from their investment in education. Various initiatives have been introduced to prepare students for graduate jobs rather than for any job. This includes developing critical, reflective abilities, skills for self-career management and the maintenance of employability and career progression. For OMT students, employability depends on the knowledge, skills and attitudes they possess, the way they use those assets and present them to employers and the context within which they work. The most effective initiative which enhances employment of OMT graduates is the effective and efficient Work Integrated Learning (WIL) they undergo when they do their third year. The Department ensures the placement of all students which grants jobs to more than 70% of the students. The training these students receive so far equips them with the necessary abilities to function as intelligent citizens who can be self-employed and self-reliant. The skills they acquire enable them to contribute to the productivity and development of the organisations they work for. Many graduates are affected by an increasing rate of unemployment but this is not the case for OMT graduates. Most universities has recently strengthened their commitment to WIL through adding WIL to their strategic directions and re-shaping areas of the university to better manage and support WIL provision.
Environmental management tools
(Business Perspectives, 2015) Doorasamy, Mishelle
The aim of this study was to assess effectiveness of environmental management tools currently being used by manufac-turing and their impact on the adoption of cleaner production techniques. The objectives of the study were to identify the benefits of adopting CP technologies as compared to end-of-pipe technology based on primary and secondary lite-rature as well as empirical findings; to identify CP options available to management and other stakeholders by demon-strating the potential environmental and economic benefits of cleaner production processes and technologies, and to make recommendations that will assist the company in its decision making process. A survey on paper and pulp manu-facturing companies was conducted to assess what environmental management tools that companies were using and the effectiveness of these tools in improving environmental performance. Findings of the research suggest environmental costs are significantly underestimated by management. Environmental costs reflected on financial statements were not a true reflection of actual environmental cost incurred by the company. Cost allocation to cost centres, were based on traditional cost accounting system not on an environmental management accounting system. Thus, many companies were still investing in end-of-technologies and not on CP technologies.
Evaluation of access to finance, market and viability of small and medium-sized enterprises in South Africa
(LLC CPC Business Perspectives, 2021-03-15) Msomi, Thabiso Sthembiso; Olarewaju, Odunayo Magret
Access to finance and market has been described as a predominant challenge confronting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Hence, this paper seeks to evaluate access to finance, market access and viability of SMEs. A quantitative research method and a purposive sampling technique were used to select the participants for this study. Respondents from retail, manufacturing, construction and agricultural SMEs operating in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, were selected to complete the structured questionnaires. 310 questionnaires were returned out of 321 distributed. The study revealed a significant effect of access to finance (absolute value 0.425) and access to market (absolute vale 0.373) on SMEs’ viability with a 5% level of significance. Thus, it was concluded that access to finance uniquely accounted for the larger proportion of the variance in the regression model. Thus, this study suggests that owners of SMEs should pay greater attention to access to finance in running their businesses, and the Government should aid SMEs to market their products and keep their businesses viable. Public loans or the government supported loans should be made available for SMEs with soften requirements in order to stimulate economic growth.
Factors affecting small and medium enterprises’ financial sustainability in South Africa
(Durban University of Technology, 2021) Olarewaju, Odunayo; Msomi, Thabiso
The dwindling growth of small businesses and their rate of failure in South Africa has been traced to poor financing. Thus, the factors affecting the financial sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises in South Africa are examined in this study. Using purposive sampling, data were collected from 310 respondents, however six were incorrectly completed. The analysis was based on data collected from 304 respondents which cut across owners and/or managers from small and medium construction, manufacturing, retail, and agricultural enterprises. A quantitative research design that falls under the positivist paradigm was used. Specifically, through a descriptive and multivariate regression analysis, it was found that financial awareness, budgeting, accounting skills, and access to finance have positive and significant effects on the financial sustainability of SMEs with all the variables, having 0.005 probability values, respectively. Out of all the variables examined, budgeting and access to finance have the largest absolute values of 0.425 and 0.373, respectively. Thus, it was concluded that workshops, training, and seminars to improve the financial literacy of small and medium enterprises should be organised. This will improve owner’s ability to deploy the accounting and budgeting skills and they will be exposed to meeting loan criteria and conditions from financial institutions. Also, adequate funds should be allocated to cater for the regular training and development of small business owners using the services of financial experts.
Interplay between capital structure choice and survival and growth of small, medium, and micro enterprises : a South African context
(LLC CPC Business Perspectives, 2019-11-26) Nyide, Celani John; Zunckel, Sharon
It is essential for small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to become established, be sustainable and grow. These firms play a vital role in the economy of both developed and developing countries. Empirical studies have acknowledged the contribution of SMMEs to the economy, as well as to the gross domestic product. However, the failure rate of these firms has also been emphasized in the same studies. SMME survival is critical for economic growth, which is measured by increases in profits. Capital structure decisions are significant to the survival and growth of these entities. This study was conducted to examine the interplay between capital structure and SMMEs` survival and growth in a developing economy. A sample size of 103 SMMEs was chosen on a non-probability basis using convenience sampling within the eThekwini area, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The statistical tool used for analysis in this study was the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) 5.0 software. Capital structure was found to have a significant influence on the growth and survival of small, medium, and micro enterprises. The study concludes that utilizing retained earnings, personal savings, trade credit and funds from friends and family has a significant influence on the growth and survival of the firm. Debt and external equity financing, on the other hand, have an insignificant influence on the growth the firm.
Longitudinal analysis of relationship between entrepreneurial mindset skills training and entrepreneurial knowledge improvement among adolescent girls and young women in South Africa
(2022-12-01) Mvunabandi, Jean Damascene; Marimuthu, Ferina; Maama, Haruna
Motivated by the lack of empirical research on entrepreneurial mindset knowledge training among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in South Africa, this article examined the entrepreneurial knowledge among 3584 adolescent girls and young women from four provinces, i.e. KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and Western Cape in South Africa. The article also assessed how entrepreneurial mindset and skills training could drive the development and growth of AGYWs mindsets towards entrepreneurship and link them with employment entrepreneurship opportunities. This study adopted quantitative and descriptive research approaches via longitudinal data collection. Secondary data collected using a questionnaire survey during entrepreneurial mindset and skills training from July-October 2021 by the large anonymized not-for-profit organization in South Africa was used for data analysis. Robustness analysis was performed using descriptive statistics using SPSS version 27.0. The findings from the empirical part of this research proved that adolescent girls and young women significantly improved their knowledge entrepreneurially throughout the training. This article contributes to the current body of knowledge as it filled in the gap and contributed significantly to the entrepreneurial mindset skill and knowledge improvement among adolescent girls and young women in South Africa.
A meta-analysis of the economic impact of carbon emissions in Africa
(LLC CPC Business Perspectives, 2022-11-09) Rajkoomar, Mogiveny; Marimuthu, Ferina; Naicker, Nalindren; Damascene Mvunabandi, Jean
The economic impact of carbon emissions in Africa is gaining traction in the extant literature. This study adopted Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to concomitantly track data on carbon emissions versus economic growth in Africa from 2018 to 2022 providing evidence from a meta-analysis. Through database searches, 591 publications were identified. A machine learning algorithm called Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) was used as a visualization technique for reporting trends in the eleven papers selected for the analysis. Identifying, evaluating, and summarizing the findings of all relevant individual studies conducted in Africa on the impact of economic growth on carbon emissions contributes to the existing body of knowledge. This study fills a critical gap by surveying the studies conducted in Africa in the last five years, implying that economic growth negatively and significantly triggers CO2 emissions in Africa. The debate on the economic impact of CO2 emissions in Africa, the most vulnerable continent to climate change, is elucidated. The findings tracked sources of data for carbon emissions in Africa. The results showed that although some studies reported a positive correlation (and some a negative correlation) between economic growth and carbon emissions, most studies concur that the economic impact of carbon emissions over a timeline can be explained by the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. Therefore, there is a dire need for African countries to strengthen economic growth without deteriorating their environment or having ecological footprint. Future research must assess whether this trend on the economic impact of carbon emissions in Africa continues. AcknowledgmentThe authors express their appreciation to the Durban University of Technology for providing the resources to conduct this study.
The perceptions of small businesses in the implementation of cash management techniques
(International Foundation for Research & Development (IFRD), 2014-01) Mungal, Avika; Garbharran, Hari Lall
The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the perceptions of small business owners on the implementation of cash management techniques in their businesses. This paper also highlights the importance of managing cash inflow and outflow in the business and examines the impact on business profitability and sustainability. The study focused on small businesses in the Tongaat area, South Africa. This research was quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional in nature. The instrument used to extract the relevant data from respondents was a Likert type questionnaire. The findings of this research identified the perceptions of small business cash management techniques. A short course on cash management could be offered by the Durban University of Technology to small business owners and managers to enhance their basic cash management knowledge in the implementation of cash management techniques.
Perceptions on the effectiveness of work-integrated learning : a case study of a selected higher education institution in South Africa
(2015-11) Ngwane, Knowledge Siyabonga Vusamandla
This paper looks at the effectiveness of Work-Integrated Learning. The objective of this research was to determine the perceptions of B-Tech degree students regarding the effectiveness of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) programme in contributing to the employability of Office Management and Technology graduates. The national debate on graduate employment has moved from the narrow focus on a set of essential core skills within the undergraduate curriculum. Work-integrated learning (WIL) programs are becoming popular with students, government, employers, and universities. A major benefit of a WIL program is the increased employability of students, and this matches well with the present trend whereby students expect a pay-off from their investment in education. Various initiatives have been introduced to prepare students for graduate jobs rather than for any job. This includes developing critical, reflective abilities, skills for self-career management and the maintenance of employability and career progression. For OMT students, employability depends on the knowledge, skills and attitudes they possess, the way they use those assets and present them to employers and the context within which they work. The most effective initiative which enhances employment of OMT graduates is the effective and efficient Work Integrated Learning (WIL) they undergo when they do their third year. The Department ensures the placement of all students which grants jobs to more than 70% of the students. The training these students receive so far equips them with the necessary abilities to function as intelligent citizens who can be self-employed and self-reliant. The skills they acquire enable them to contribute to the productivity and development of the organisations they work for. Many graduates are affected by an increasing rate of unemployment but this is not the case for OMT graduates. Most universities has recently strengthened their commitment to WIL through adding WIL to their strategic directions and re-shaping areas of the university to better manage and support WIL provision. A questionnaire measuring the students’ perceptions of their experiential training and mentorship was developed and administered to 70 students currently undertaking the B-Tech Degree study in Office Management and Technology. Convenience sampling method was used for this study. The findings confirmed that importance of increasing the time allocated for the training as it will enable students to gain more administrative and office technology skills to enhance their employability. Finally, it was recommended that the departmental lecturer should conduct regular visits to industries where students are placed to ensure that the required training is provided to students and to monitor students’ progress.
Preparing underprepared students for higher education and beyond: the development and implementation of an integrated project
(Taylor and Fancis Online, 2016-02-20) Mungal, Avika; Cloete, Melanie Bernice
A current problem faced in South Africa is that university graduates are weak and underprepared for the work environment. The purpose of this study was to assist students in bridging the aforementioned gap and to ease the transition from theory to practice. The aim of the study was to critically analyse the development and implementation of the integrated project. This study targeted first-year (Extended Curriculum Programme) students, who had been identified as being underprepared for higher education. The factors that initiated the design and development of the integrated project were the South African Qualifications Authority, Critical Cross Field Outcomes and the University of Technology's National Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting exit level outcome, which promote lifelong learning. The integrated project was an authentic assessment which required students to transfer their theoretical knowledge obtained in the classroom to assist small businesses within the community. Academics should be encouraged to use authentic problems in the designing of assessments which will promote student-centredness and lifelong learning. With the continuous engagement of an integrated project, these first-year underprepared students will be better equipped to adjust and excel in the work environment.
The relationship between executive remuneration and financial performance in South African state-owned entities
(Allied Business Academies, 2019-01-01) Marimuthu, Ferina; Kwenda, Farai
This study aimed to determine whether executive remuneration levels at poorly performing state-owned entities (SOE)s in South Africa are justified. The study was motivated by the weak economic growth, fiscal consolidation, increased debt levels and poor financial performance of these entities. Dynamic panel data models were employed and estimated using the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) estimator. The data set comprised an unbalanced panel data of 33 commercial SOEs in South Africa that are listed under the Public Financial Management Act. The study found an inverse relationship between executive remuneration and financial performance. This is of concern as executive remuneration is high despite the SOEs' declining performance. The misalignment between pay and performance undermines the core principles of the agency theory, resulting in poor performance. These findings provide empirical support for public and media perceptions that executive remuneration is excessive and unmerited when measured against SOEs' performance. The findings will be of interest to observers of the economy, as they measure SOEs' capacity to play a leading role in investment and in improving the efficiency of the economy. They could also inform decision making and policy development on SOEs.
Taxpayers’ attitudes towards tax amnesties and compliance in South Africa : an exploratory study
(Taylor and Francis Online, 2016-05-04) Junpath, Sachin Vir; Kharwa, M.S.E.; Stainbank, Lesley June
South Africa has seen tremendous changes since 1994, from the introduction of a new government to structural changes in tax administration. One of the challenges the government faced in the new democracy was the restructuring of the tax system. Multiple tax amnesty programmes were thus introduced between 1995 and 2010 to provide immunity for limited periods to citizens and small businesses for past non-compliance without being subjected to additional tax, interest, penalties or prosecution. This paper presents the results of a survey on the attitudes of taxpayers towards tax compliance and tax amnesties in South Africa. The findings from this study indicate that taxpayers are of the view that the offering of multiple tax amnesties might not generate additional revenue, as non-compliant taxpayers will continue to evade taxation in anticipation of additional future amnesties.