Research Publications (Accounting and Informatics)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/212
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Item Theme evolution and structure in Twitter : a case study of South African student protests of 2015(IEEE, 2016) Millham, RichardSocial media, based on human interactions, often has constantly changing foci, or themes, within their interactions. These themes, frequently used to categorize information within this social media, often evolve dependent on time, domain, and event contexts. Using a case study of South African student protests during a short but eventful time period in 2015, this paper analyses numerous tweets made to selected hashtags (one national and two local) in order to determine relevant themes within these tweets and to determine how these themes evolved, both at the national and local level, given their context. It was discovered that, as certain events unfolded, certain themes varied in prominence and locally-based hashtags converged into nationally-based hashtags reflecting a change in the nature of the protests.Item Kestrel-based search algorithm for association rule mining and classification of frequently changed items(IEEE, 2016) Agbehadji, Israel Edem; Fong, Simon; Millham, RichardNature inspired approaches have been used in the design of computer solutions for real life problems. These computer solutions take the form of algorithms which characterize specific behaviour of animals or birds in their natural habitat. The two bio-inspired computational concepts in modern times includes evolutionary and swarm intelligence. A novel introduction to the bio-inspired computational concepts of swarm behaviour is the study of characteristics of kestrel birds. The study presents, as a concept paper, a meta-heuristic algorithm called kestrel-based search algorithm (KSA) for association rule mining and classification of frequently changed items on big data environment. This algorithm aims to find best possible rules and patterns in dataset using minimum support and minimum confidence.Item Effective administration of university leadership in a selected institution in Durban(IATED Digital Library, 2015-11) Ngwane, Knowledge Siyabonga Vusamandla; Ngwane, C. N.University leadership and administration is a critical aspect as it is about the functioning of the entire institution. Effective and efficient administration of the university relies on the principal. Leading proponents encourage transformational leadership, moral stewardship, principal as an instructional leader, and principal as a communicator or community builder. Discovering effective leadership and administration mechanisms can help teach university decision and policy makers to implement leadership development which will lead to improved student achievement. The purpose of this article is to investigate the university senior leadership and its administration in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness holistically. The problem resulting to conducting of this study is the high level of both students and staff demonstrations annually in the selected university, these strikes end up affecting teaching, learning and research within the institution. The underlying question the study intends to address is: “Which factors hinder effective and efficient university administration?” Educational leadership changes from a managerial orientation to promote the significance of concentrating on the learning and teaching process and student success. Educational institution leaders’ competencies are always associated with continuous training and development they receive to make them better leaders. Hence, training and development in university leadership requires a systematic planning which will result to excellent institution education. In order to explain the phenomenon under study better, the Burns transformational theory founded by James MacGregor Burns will be utilised. The positivism paradigm is the philosophy adopted for this study. The survey will be conducted at the Durban University of Technology with the intention to address the question and the objective of the study. The questionnaires will be administered to 30 senior management members within the institution, including the Vice Chancellor and his Deputy, Deans, Directors and HODs.Item Using e-learning to motivate and encourage large groups of students(Web of Science, 2016) Ngwane, Knowledge Siyabonga VusamandlaThe term motivation is derived for the Latin word “movere”, which means to move. Motivation is broadly defined as forces within a person that cause interest and direction to pursue a goal. The emphasis is usually on a voluntary effort. The person has got to want to do the act otherwise it will not be completed. Motivation in any tertiary institution is difficult but especially to large groups of first year students who are ill equipped for Tertiary Institutions. Blended and collaborative learning is seen as solution to this lack of learner motivation. The design and implementation of these learning types are described and discussed. A common phenomenon in many tertiary institutions is to try and be as resourceful as possible. Lecturing to large groups is a common solution, as it requires one lecturer and a venue limited number of students. It then becomes the lecturer’s challenge to become as creative as possible in administering these students and creating an environment of learning and motivation. This paper examines how e-Learning may encourage and support effective learning. More specifically the paper argues that effective e-Learning should utilise both the Internet and merge it with traditional face to face teaching and learning practices, with the emphasis on using principles of engagement theory. Effective learning refers to the connection between effective learning processes such as collaboration, interaction, participation and learning outcomes and objectives which are higher order thinking skills, critical thinking and problem solving skills. In reviewing the literature, there is clear evidence that by using the Internet exciting opportunities are provided to both learners and lecturers that promote collaborative, project based and authentic activities, which are not capable in the traditional face to face mode of teaching. Action research according was used in this study. Action research is simply a form of self-reflective enquiry undertaken by participants in social situations in order to improve the rationality and justice of their own practices, their understanding of these practices, and the situations in which the practices are carried out. A total group of 110 first year students doing Information Administration 1 theory in 2014 academic year used for this study. Through reflection in writing up this paper I have taken a good look at my own delivery methods and hope to implement a blended learning style that will not only encourage the students to change the way they do things but also me as the deliverer. Blended learning is a term used to describe the way e-learning is combined with traditional methods and independent study. Blended instruction is more effective than purely face-to-face or purely online classes. Blending learning methods can also result in high levels of student achievement more effective than face-to-face learning. By using a combination of digital instructional and one-one face time, students can work on their own with new concepts which frees the lecturer up to circulate and support individual students who may need individualised attention. Blended learning allows students to work at their own pace, making sure they fully understand new concepts before moving on.Item 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 VusamandlaThis 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.Item Marketing potentials of the social media tools in the banking market of an emerging country(Virtus Interpress, 2016) Assensoh-Kodua, AkwesiThere are many facts that attest to the pervasiveness of social media applications in the current world of business. This communication medium is replacing the well-known emails and complimenting the likes of short message service (SMS) and instant messaging and chatting. As part of technology, which is revolutionising the way we do business and live, organizations worldwide are gearing up efforts to take advantage of this phenomenon. In South Africa, the story is the same. However, the Banks in South Africa seems to have problems selling this form of communication to their clientele to augment their service delivery. In view of this, the current study aimed to research into social media concept in South Africa, to highlight its trajectory pros and cons, and investigate why it is not being adopted by these clients, in addition to measuring the continuance intention of those who have accepted banking through social media. It was discovered that, social norm (β=0.579), perceived trust (β=0.510) and user satisfaction (β=0.332), in that order, stood out as the most influencing factors impacting on user acceptance and continuance intention (β=0.384) of social media usage for banking. Perceived behavioural control made no significant impact on users to adopt social media for financial services. As the banking industry keeps investing in the marketing potentials of social media tools for banking, in order to gain competitive advantage in customer service delivery, this social media usage could make a lot of difference when well researched into and managed. In some countries, banking customers are able to do their banking through social media sites, but little is known in South Africa (according to research), regarding the usage of this tool for banking purposes.Item Bridging the digital divide with changing information literacy methods in post-apartheid South Africa(Springer International Publishing, 2013) Naidoo, Segarani; Omarsaib, MousinThis paper reports on a study done at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). The aim of the study was to identify innovative teaching and learning methods that would accommodate the diverse student population in the IL classroom and to recommend guidelines for teaching and learning of IL. The digital divide is defined as the gap or divide between those with access to and skills in information and communication technologies (ICTs) and those without such access or skills. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used. Self-administered questionnaires were administered to 227 students from the Faculty of Health who were engaged in the IL module, Subject Librarians (SL) teaching IL and the Co-ordinator of the IL module from the Centre of Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) at the Durban University of Technology were interviewed. The findings of this study could be applied globally.Item 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 JuneSouth 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.Item Performance appraisal of evolutionary algorithms in river basin management: a review(Business Perspectives, 2015) Neboh, Nkechi; Adeyemo, Josiah; Olugbara, Oludayo O.Environmental Management Accounting (EMA) is a broader concept of accounting which uses accounting tools and practices to support company-internal management decision making on environmental issues and its impact on company performance. Research on EMA can be divided into two broad categories: theoretical and empirical studies. The theoretical studies are based on framework that aims to explain the nature of the relationship between economic and environmental performance and the adoption of Environmental Management Accounting in a business environment. The empirical studies follow two lines of research: instrumental studies aim to empirically test the relationships hypothesized in theoretical studies; descriptive studies are intended to examine the factors that encourage the adoption of EMA. This review paper examined the role of MFCA in identifying non-product output (waste) and its impact on an organizations profitability. Various case studies are examined in this article that demonstrates MFCA to be an important environmental management tool to ensure future sustainability of an organization.Item Towards a successful centralization of municipal procurement : a case of Kwazulu-Natal Province(Virtus Interpress, 2015) Nzuza, Zwelihle Wiseman; Lekhanya, Lawrence MpeleCentralization of municipal procurement in the KwaZulu-Natal Province is faced with several challenges. There were two aims for this study: to identify factors influencing municipal procurement and to design a model of the factors influencing municipal procurement, in an attempt to improve the understanding of municipal procurement. The proposed model is based on sound theoretical frameworks like knowledge management theory and the application of theory and practice ethics as well as the secondary data. The study found that the biographic factors as well as internal and external factors have strong influences on the success or failure of municipal procurement. The significance of these factors formed the basis for a proposed model and is subject to further experiments by other scholars.