Research Publications (Management Sciences)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/217

Browse

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9

Assessing successful land claims and the efficacy of co-management in protected areas
(International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS), 2020-12-24) Qwatekana, Zikho; Sibiya, Nozipho Prudence
The aim of this paper is to assess successful land claims as well as the efficacy of co-management in striking a balance between community land rights with the goals of conservation for tourism. The study adopted a qualitative approach, using a case of a successful land claim in the Tala Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal Province. A purposive sample was selected from the claimant community and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. The findings reflect that co-management may be a logical approach to involving local communities in the management of protected areas. However, as a model used to address land claims by reconciling the necessity of conservation for tourism purposes with land rights, its efficacy remains in doubt. This study thus concludes that unless there is a reassessment of the co-management model and the role of the government in providing post settlement support, the rights of successful claimants will not be realised. It is essential that the government recognizes that sufficient time, support, and resources are fundamental to the success of co-management projects.
Community-based tourism and food : towards a relationship framework
(AJHTL, 2016) Mnguni, Mzobanzi Erasmus; Giampiccoli, Andrea
Tourism is currently a growing sector of the economy and its possible relevance in community development is acknowledged. Within tourism CBT has been advanced to counteract negative effects of mass tourism and as a strategy to facilitate disadvantaged community development. Food tourism is also on a growing trend. Literature related to food and catering in CBT is present however, a general framework of relationships between CBT development and food seems absent. Based on the relevance of these tourism forms this article, which is based on extant literature, aims to propose a relationship framework between CBT and food. The article advances that it is important to understand the various aspects of the relationship between CBT and food to enhance the chance of growing (scaling-up) CBT entities through the combined community-based food tourism (CBFT). Thus various issues relevant to this framework are mentioned such as matters related to food as a tourist attraction, to food production and selling, to food standards in CBT. Whilst not pretending to be fully comprehensive, the article advances the need to comprehend food in CBT from various angles.
Creating economic viability in rural South Africa through water resource management in subsistence farming
(Business Perspectives, 2016) Bakre, Olayemi Rahman; Dorasamy, Nirmala
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role water resources management can play in improving subsistence farming in rural South Africa, as well as reducing poverty. The study followed a mixed research approach where attributes of qualitative and quantitative methods were used. This paper indicates that due to water scarcity experienced amongst subsistence farmers in case study area, several farmers have opted out of farming. This has a negative consequence on food security and poverty among many subsistence farmers. The paper suggests the pathways for sustainable subsistence farming aimed at creating an economically viable rural community while addressing poverty through the implementation of an efficient water resources management practice. As highlighted in this paper, development is a gradual process, and water resources management can possibly be the first step in creating an economically viable community while alleviating poverty among subsistence farmers in water scarce rural areas of South Africa. Revamping the subsistence farming, as well as improving the standard of living amongst rural subsistence farmers requires a purposeful co-ordination and exchange of ideas between experienced agricultural extension workers, researchers in the field of context, policy makers, as well as other stakeholders. Such purposeful co-ordination should have an agenda of transforming the subsistence farming to a commercialized form of farming in the long term. The resultant effect will possibly result in an economically viable community; increase in household income, as well as food security, thereby reducing poverty.
Decolonising South African agriculture : bringing dignity back to small-scale farming
(Durban University of Technology, 2022) Davis, Jason Stratton
Decolonisation should include not only political independence, but also the return of factors of production to the formerly colonised people so that they can use them to participate meaningfully in the economy, facilitating their economic emancipation from former colonial rulers. This not only involves putting the factors of production back into the hands of the colonised but also empowering them to generate wealth. Hence, the re-balancing of the agricultural landscape to actively include small-scale agriculture is part of the decolonisation process. Returning viability and dignity to small-scale farming entails reconnecting people to the land. Therefore, African investments in agriculture need to be focused on small-scale farming so that income inequality and poverty can be alleviated. The paper proposes that the promotion of small-scale agriculture change achieves both the objectives of reversing the impact of colonialism and restoring dignity to Black farming, as well as providing quality employment within local communities. The paper does not suggest that every farm must be small-scale, but that every small-scale farm be given an equal opportunity to produce and contribute to the economy as these farms can provide business opportunities for marginalised groups, namely the youth and women. Hence, the question remains - Where does one acquire the resources and expertise to kick-start the recalibrating of agricultural production on a small-scale? The answer lies in a mixture of finance and business skills from firms through Corporate Social Investment that creates partnerships, both public and private, that sow the seeds of small-scale success.
Evaluating the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic on the socioeconomic status of South African women
(IKENGA International Journal of Institute of African Studies, 2023-03-30) Rena, Ravinder; Mbukanma, Ifeanyi
This research was conducted to evaluate the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the socioeconomic status of South African women. There is an urgent need for a better understanding of the unique circumstances and provisional assistance of effective support for women throughout the Covid-19 crisis and its aftermath considering the level of impact the virus had on women. To achieve the researchobjective, a literature- based analysis was employed, which provides an in-depth analysis and evaluation of previous literature on the unprecedented nature and trend of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impacts on the socioeconomic status of women in South Africa. Thus, despite the limited scientific data on the most recent development of the pandemic, the findings revealed that the pandemic has escalated most variables of socioeconomic status of women in South Africa, which include high poverty rates, increased rates of unplanned pregnancy, school drop-out of schoolgirls and child labour among teenage girls, lack of income, decreased financial empowerment, reduced access to conducive healthcare, excessive maternal mortality, and growing food shortages and malnutrition. Thus, as the world continues to search for a reliable vaccine and other preventive measures for the virus, this paper recommended that policymakers and stakeholders around the globe, and most especially in South Africa, should develop coherent and strategic policies that will incorporate and attend to the socioeconomic needs of women.
Globalisation and convergence of food taste in the case of South African pizza
(AJHTL, 2016) Balkaran, Rishi; Giampiccoli, Andrea; Mtapuri, Oliver
Globally food is central to cultures and this brings uniqueness and diversity to global cuisines. The aim of this article is to analyze the contribution of globalisation to convergence/divergence of food taste using pizza as a proxy. To that end, the article specifically makes comparisons between pizzas from Italian cookbooks with South African and franchised United States ones. The article is primarily based on secondary data. The article posits that beyond pizza names, the impact of globalisation has been profound on the culinary and gastronomic landscape using the South African pizza as a case in point. Franchises have adapted menus as a strategic way to penetrate new markets. This has been done through the adoption of local ‘geographic’ names to name the pizzas and the introduction of local varieties of pizza. The article also observes patterns of uniformity and dis-uniformity of food production, the standardisation and de-standardisation of pizza to produce adulterated versions, changes in consumption patterns and lifestyles and the replacement of local cuisines and homogenisation of tastes via the migration of pizza. Pizza has morphed and universalised to become an everyday food through the ‘pizzarisation’ of gastronomies throughout the world. Global firms through their franchises can influence the speed and direction of changes in menus, eating patterns, taking out, or eating on site, regularity of eating, eating with bare hands or utensils and so forth.
Insights into corporate social responsibility in small and medium enterprises in South Africa
(International Journal of Special Education, 2022-03-03) Maome, Itumeleng Judith; Zondo, Robert Walter Dumisani
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are recognised around the world for their contribution to a country's social and economic growth. They are the fertile generators of economic growth and development for South Africa. It has been recognised that one of the strategies that contributes to the longevity and success of businesses is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Hence, this study provides an insight into the influence of CSR on business growth in South Africa. Various scholars assert that CSR is more evident in major corporations with structured CSR strategies. Such businesses have separate divisions dedicated to CSR initiatives. However, CSR activities in SMEs in South Africa are still sketchy. They are based on the personal judgement and beliefs of owners and managers. There is a lack of awareness of the advantages of CSR in SMEs in South Africa. The lack of top management commitment has also been identified as a barrier to SMEs participating in CSR in South Africa. Consequently, there is more focus on the application of CSR in big corporations, thus neglecting SME participation in this initiative. It has thus been established that CSR remains a development tool that facilitates growth for SMEs in South Africa. Not all CSR activities require businesses to spend millions on such activities. SMEs may choose projects that are within their economic means. Hence, CSR awareness campaigns are useful to assist SMEs to make their projects more explicit.
Rural community perceptions on land use change and its effects on their agricultural practices in Vulindlela Traditional Area, KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa
(2023-12-01) Zondi, Nkululeko Ephraim
This study assessed the level of awareness among the Vulindlela rural community regarding land use and land cover changes occurring in their community. Additionally, this study sought to examine the effects of these land use and land cover changes on the agricultural practices of the Vulindlela rural community. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. Secondary data from Statistics South Africa and the Msunduzi Local Municipality were used to determine the relationship between population growth and housing unit expansion. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews to capture the community’s perceptions of land use change and its impacts on agricultural activities. The study results indicated a strong relationship (r = 0.81, t = 2.39, df = 3, p = 0.10) between population growth and an increase in housing units. Respondents also noted that land use and cover change has occurred in Vulindlela. The driver of this change is an increase in residential housing units built on land designated for agriculture (crop and pastoral fields). Residential development on agricultural fields is a result of the de agrarianisation by the local community. De-agrarianisation drivers in Vulindlela include a lack of agricultural equipment, high costs (time and money) associated with agriculture, inadequate government support, increased dependence on government grants and lack of interest in the younger generation in agriculture.
Technical efficiency differentials among HIV/AIDS affected farm households in Malawi : evidence from time variant and invariant inefficiency models
(African Crop Science Society, 2012) Simkawa, Kisu; Harris, Geoffrey Thomas; Ferrer, S.
The Malawi Government has made various attempts to raise the productivity of the agricultural systems in the country. However, the impact of this effort within the context of HIV/AIDS epidemic has not been investigated. This paper examines the levels of efficiency for affected and non-affected small-scale farm households in Malawi. Time-variant and invariant inefficiency models of production were used. Results show that the technical efficiency levels for non-affected households were higher than those of the affected households. In general, Malawian farmers are technically efficient, implying that government policy of subsidising hybrid maize seeds and fertilisers since the 2006/06 agricultural season enhanced technical efficiency of small-scale farmers. Nevertheless, there was more scope for improvement of the productivity as some farm households, particularly affected female headed households that had cases of mortality of a prime adult member, were still operating at low levels of efficiency. Two main policy issues emerge from this study. First, all types of obstacles that could limit the use of farm inputs should be removed. This should include complete liberalisation of purchase and distribution of such inputs and the development of some low-cost technology to reduce labour constraints on the farm. Second, there is need to develop social capital in smallholder farming through the recommencement of farmers’ clubs, or by setting up agricultural cooperatives.