Research Publications (Accounting and Informatics)

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

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Environmental, social and governance and financial performance nexus in South African listed firms
(AOSIS, 2024-01-01) Matemane, Reon; Msomi, Thabiso Sthembiso; Ngundu, Marvellous
Background: Environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors have become topical in recent years because of climate change existential threat to humanity. There is, however, a limited understanding of how the firm’s ESG efforts affect firm outcomes. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between firm’s ESG indicators and the financial performance. Setting: The sample is drawn from Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies based on data availability. South Africa is not only plagued by social ills and governance failures, but it is also one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases, making it an ideal laboratory for studying the ESG and firm performance nexus. Method: We utilized a dataset spanning the years 2012–2022, covering 67 JSE-listed firms. These panel data were analyzed using the two-step system generalised method of moments (GMM). Results: We found that the disaggregated ESG indexes have a positive, albeit insignificant impact on the financial performance. These findings hold even when financial and non-financial firms are examined separately. Conclusion: Policymakers, including standard setters and regulators, should encourage firms to be sincere on ESG efforts and avoid greenwashing. Contribution: The study employs a relatively robust estimation technique (two-step system GMM) over a relatively long period (2012–2012). Furthermore, the sectoral analysis of financial and non-financial firms adds to the body of literature and policy development.
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.
Role-modelling, decision-making and conflict resolution : impact of leadership and management on academic and administrative employees at a South African higher education institution
(Adonis & Abbey Publishers Ltd, 2022-09-01) Bhana, Anrusha; Suknunan, Sachin; Bayat, Mohammed Shaheed
The study aimed to address the management and its impact on the age and tenure cohort at a higher education institution. An overview of what constitutes the characteristics of managers as well as a discourse between leadership and management skills is provided. The study adopted a mixed method design comprising a quantitative approach for employees and a qualitative approach for line management leadership and executive management leadership. The total population for the quantitative method constituted 1874 academic and administrative employees with a targeted sample of 420. The study obtained a response rate of 312 out of 420 employees. The qualitative data collection tools for the management were semi-structured interviews and open-ended interviews of 12 out of 18 being the realised sample size. The study showed evidence of poor leadership and management qualities in relation to support, role-modelling, trust, critical decisions, and self-management which may have a negative effect on younger and new employees. The study made an original contribution to this area as it depicted a clear indication of poor role-modelling and decision-making that managers lack, conflict management skills and its implications thereof.
Use of management accounting practices and factors affecting its use : a survey of small and medium-sized enterprises in Durban
(AOSIS, 2022-03) Cele, Sicelo; Nyide, Celani J.; Stainbank, Lesley J.
The sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa is important, mainly because of their contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) and their creation of work opportunities. The high rate of SME failure in South Africa is largely attributable to the lack of management skills by their owners and managers.Research purpose: The objective of the study was to examine owners and managers of Durban SMEs’ perceptions of the use of management accounting practices (MAPs) and the factors affecting its use. In addition, the challenges faced by SMEs were also investigated.Motivation for the study: Although the use of MAPs has been investigated in other parts of South Africa, research on Durban SMEs’ use of MAPs and factors affecting its use is lacking in KwaZulu-Natal, which is an important contributor to South Africa’s GDP. If MAPs are not being used, what strategies could be recommended to advance their use? This important question provided further motivation for this study.Research approach/design and method: The research adopted a quantitative approach in the form of a self-administered questionnaire, which was e-mailed to SMEs.Main findings: Management accounting practices were perceived to be used mainly in assisting planning and in assessing business performance. Factors affecting the use of MAPs were the lack of management accounting knowledge and education and skills. Challenges faced by SMEs were identified as being mainly financial and human resource challenges. Small and medium-sized enterprise owners and managers supported the recommendation that they should go for management accounting training.Practical/managerial implications: The study recommended that SMEs’ owners and managers should attend management accounting training. Bodies such as government agencies or educational institutions should ensure that training aimed at SMEs is offered.Contribution/value-add: The study provides new information about the perceptions of owners and managers of SMEs on the use of MAPs, factors affecting its use of MAPs and other challenges. It further provides impetus for the need to provide management accounting training aimed at SMEs.