Research Publications (Management Sciences)

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

Browse

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8

Assessing the performance of green roofs for stormwater runoff mitigation in the South African urban environment
(Journal of Urban and Environmental Engineering, 2021-12-31) Sucheran, Reshma; Sucheran, Arisha
Rapid urbanization has altered the hydrologic cycle, causing increased runoff rates and peak flows in the drainage system. Cities are now facing serious problems relating to stormwater management such as water scarcity, degraded waterways, and increased flooding. Under such circumstances, green roofs present numerous benefits including the retention of rainwater for a longer time and a delay in the peak discharge. Using data from various storm events, this study examined the performance of retrofitted green roofs for stormwater management in the eThekwini region of South Africa. The study also used the Personal Computer Storm Water Management Model (PCSWMM) to investigate the effect that the best performing green roof would have on stormwater flow rates and volumes for the region. The results concluded that the green roof systems proved to significantly reduce stormwater runoff flow rates and volumes, and retention largely depended on the intensity and duration of the rain events. The PCSWMM model further confirmed that when compared to the base model, peak flow rates from the green roof model decreased by over 40% for all storm intensities. It can therefore be concluded that the implementation of green roofs within the eThekwini Central Business District (CBD) will be highly effective in reducing peak stormwater flow rates.
Expatriates and knowledge transfer : a case study of a power plant constructed in Africa
(The Clute Institute, 2015-03) Ravu, S. Y.; Parker, Kudayja Mahommed
This paper outlines aspects of a broader exploratory study on the management of skills shortages at a leading energy utility in Africa. Specifically, the paper examines the opinions of local and foreign personnel employed on a power plant construction project on the nature of skills shortages experienced at the energy utility, the organizations short-term strategy of dealing with the shortages by employing expatriates and the latters role in knowledge transfer. Various human resources approaches were explored to provide appropriate theoretical structure to the research including intellectual capital and human capital models. A sample of highly skilled personnel defined as key job families according to the Kaplan and Norton (2004) human capital model were purposively selected for the study. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. International research on expatriates impact on knowledge transfer within the public sector environment is very scarce; this is the first research of its kind to examine these issues at a public power plant. Preliminary results indicate that the type of knowledge, willingness to learn and share on the part of both expatriates and locals, and national culture are some of the factors impacting the success of knowledge transfer from expatriates to locals.
Navigating the digital divide : exploring the multifaceted 4IR challenges and technological disparities encountered by SMMEs within KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
(Private Company Technology Center, 2023) Sheik, Ismail
The dawn of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has been a harbinger of unparalleled technological innovations, reshaping industries and economies at an unprecedented pace. While these advancements promise a new frontier of opportunities, they also bring forth a myriad of challenges, particularly for Small, Micro, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMMEs). This research delves deep into the multifaceted challenges and technological disparities encountered by SMMEs in the wake of 4IR, with a concentrated lens on the enterprises operating within the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa. At the heart of this exploration is the pronounced digital divide, which exacerbates the gulf between well-resourced corporations and SMMEs. The divide is not just technological but extends to areas like access to finance, digital literacy, infrastructure, and the agility to adapt to rapidly changing business environments. As these SMMEs grapple with the challenges of integrating into the digital economy, they face hurdles such as limited access to advanced technological tools, cybersecurity threats, the high cost of digital transformation, and a dearth of skilled manpower to navigate the complexities of 4IR. Furthermore, the research sheds light on the systemic and infrastructural challenges in the KwaZulu-Natal region, which further compound the difficulties faced by local SMMEs. From inconsistent internet access and electricity issues to the lack of tailored training programs and financial schemes, these enterprises find themselves in a precarious position, trying to bridge the chasm between traditional business models and the demands of the digital age. By offering an in-depth analysis of these challenges, this study seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the obstacles that SMMEs face in the current 4IR-driven economic climate. It emphasizes the need for a multi-stakeholder approach, involving governments, industry leaders, educational institutions, and financial institutions, to collaboratively develop strategies, policies, and interventions that can empower SMMEs. Through targeted support, capacity-building initiatives, and fostering an ecosystem of innovation, there's potential to not only narrow the digital divide but to position these enterprises as key players in South Africa's 4IR journey. This research, thus, serves as both a clarion call and a foundational blueprint for ensuring that no enterprise, regardless of its size, is left behind in this transformative era.
Postgraduate supervision in a South African transforming academic environment : a reflexivity approach
(Australian Institutes for Educational Research, 2021-12-16) Okeke-Uzodike, Obianuju Ebele
The pace of global transformation places a great emphasis on the need for development, with higher education identified as a key agent in the development of a knowledge economy. Higher education systems have been challenged with providing the necessary skilled person-power to complement the changing labour market. Postgraduate supervision is a vital tool in building institutional research capacities, reputation, financial support and developing skill amongst peers, and between supervisors and candidates. Thus, the effectiveness and efficiency of postgraduate supervision processes determine to a large extent the quality of output and the extent of skills transfer. This article is based on a training course focusing on strengthening postgraduate supervision, attended by the researcher. The primary objective of this article is to examine the concept of postgraduate supervision within a transforming academic environment. Specifically, the article examined how aspects of the supervision process enhance skills development and knowledge transfer. Data for the study were collected through a personal narrative inquiry approach and thematically analysed, with meaning construed alongside related literature. The findings show that postgraduate supervision is characterised by various factors which determine the degree of skills transfer and development. The study provides insights into aspects of supervision that if not well managed, may compromise the objective of skill development. It contributes to the on-going discourse in supervision pedagogy and recommends careful consideration of the dynamic changes that may impact the level of educational transformation and skills development in the knowledge economy
Potential of space science technology for water infrastructure management : a literature review
(Center for Strategic Studies in Business and Finance SSBFNET, 2022-03-16) Mokgobu, Matlou Lesley; Mason, Roger Bruce
This article examines the potential of space science technology for water infrastructure (WI) management. It defines space technology in detail, and when South Africa (SA) started using it as a tool. To explain the context, the different types of orbits, altitudes, and functions of satellites are given, as well as the challenges that satellites encounter in orbit, including the quantity and sizes of orbital debris also known as space junk. The article articulates the international and local challenges to WI and further introduces space technology as a tool that can assist to overcome the challenges. Legislation governing the application of space technology in SA is discussed and the different satellites owned by the various space agencies of Africa are outlined. A discussion on how space technology has boosted the economies and employment in Africa and South Africa is provided. How the various applications of the technology, such as remote sensing (RS), Earth observation (Eo), Geo-Information sciences, navigation, communication, safety, and security can assist WI management are discussed. Details about the involvement of various African and SA universities and colleges in space science programmes that benefit the communities are explained. Also outlined are some experiments performed on the International Space Station (ISS) that benefit the Earth and that could be useful to WI management.
Selected key external factors influencing the success of rural small and medium enterprises in South Africa
(World Scientific Publishing, 2014-09) Lekhanya, Lawrence Mpele; Mason, Roger Bruce
Small businesses are critical to improving economic development in rural areas of South Africa. However, rural entrepreneurs are still faced with challenges and problems which make the success of small businesses, especially in rural areas, uncertain. This paper investigates business environmental, financial and infrastructural factors that influence the success or otherwise of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in rural areas. Primary data was collected in five rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) from a sample of 374 business owners/managers, with respondents completing a questionnaire. Access to finance and skills shortages were the factors that most significantly differentiated between more successful and less successful rural businesses in KZN. The majority of respondents indicated that poor roads/transport and access to electricity were major problems.
A system for novel integration strategy for strategic financial risk management
(2022) Pulgam, Rachana; Nikam, Vaishali Dhanaji; Johri, Shiva; Muralidhar, L. B.; Punam, Shashi; Mani, Manisha; Ram, Deo Karan; Lourens, Melanie Lourens; Kanadasan, N.; Pavitha N
There is a correlation between the quality of a company's business strategies and the likelihood that those strategies will hurt the company's position in the market. The availability of financial resources is a significant factor that will determine the trajectory of the organization's growth. Every company faces some level of financial risk in the course of its operations; however, this risk has the potential to propel a company to greater heights provided that it is recognised and managed appropriately. In the current iteration, Strategic Management and Financial Risk Management have been combined to form a single instrument that can potentially serve the purpose of increasing the value of the company by increasing both wealth and profit. This combination was made possible as a result of the combination of Strategic Management and Financial Risk Management. The efficacy of a company's strategic financial management has a direct bearing on the calibre of the decisions that it generates as well as the effectiveness with which it manages its day-to-day business operations.
Whether to adopt or not? : a cross-country comparison of consumer resistance towards the Internet of Things in households
(2021) Meintjes, Corné; Heidig, Wibke; Dobbelstein, Thomas
The uptake of IoTs in households worldwide is lower than predicted and comparatively slower in developing countries than in developed countries due to inadequate digital infrastructure. This study aims to understand why the Internet of Things in households (specifically smart household appliances) have been resisted and have not been adopted to predicted levels by comparing Germany as a developed country to South Africa as a developing country. The specific focus was on innovation and consumer characteristics, perceived risk of adoption, and personality considerations, using a smart refrigerator. Through regression analysis of data generated from a quantitative survey of 1665 consumers from Germany and South Africa, it was found that both resistance and adoption are influenced by how intrusive the smart appliance is, how the consumer perceives its usefulness and whether it is considered novel or new. The perceived price of the smart appliance also played a role in adoption. Only South Africans’ perception of their capability to use a technologically innovative product influences their resistance to the smart appliance. Adoption is not the inverse of resistance when considering the constructs in their totality. Consumer innovativeness, influenced by uncertainty avoidance, played a significant role among the German and South African participants both resisting and adopting smart products. However, the cultural dimension of uncertainty avoidance also influenced consumer innovativeness. On the other hand, South Africans’ spirit of innovation influenced their resistance to and adoption of smart appliances more strongly than their German counterparts.