Research Publications (Management Sciences)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/217
Browse
5 results
Search Results
Item Student protests and the brand image of a South African University of Technology(2023) Abdool, Sajida; Mason, Roger Bruce; Maharaj, MandushaStudent protests, often violent, can damage perceptions about universities and harm brand images. This study investigated the effects of student protests on the brand image of a university of technology in South Africa. An e-mailed questionnaire provided a sample of 402 students selected via purposive, quota and convenience sampling at a prominent University of Technology in South Africa. Participation was voluntary, confidential, and anonymous. Data was captured and analysed using descriptive and inferential, univariate and bivariate, statistics. Findings showed that student protests did disrupt learning, affecting operations such as the academic calendar being shortened, delay in graduation and threats to completion of the syllabus. Protests have a negative impact on the University’s brand image, sometimes leading to students deregistering due to the unsafe environment. Suggestions are provided for universities to better cope with student protests and further research is recommended with other universities to ascertain the wider impact of student protest.Item Perceptions of service provided by South African police service community service centres(Informa UK Limited, 2019-07-25) Mason, Roger Bruce; Ngobese, Ndabazinhle; Maharaj, MandushaThis study investigated citizens’ perceptions of the service experienced when visiting Community Service Centres (CSC) of the South African Police Service (previously known as ‘police stations’ or ‘charge offices’). The study focuses on factors leading up to the visit and to the service experience as perceived by the visitors, and whether these perceptions differed according to various demographic factors. A survey of 400 respondents at three CSCs measured how and why the CSC was visited, overall satisfaction and respondents’ perceptions of the visit experience (measured via the service quality dimensions). The results indicate that overall satisfaction does not differ significantly according to demo-graphics, but that there are some differences in the lead-up factors and the experience according to education and income. Actions needed to improve the visit experience for citizens include customer service train-ing, regular assessment and monitoring of clients’ experiences, as well as CSC employees’ behaviour.Item Awareness of the space industry as a career opportunity in South Africa(IGI Global, 2019) Zuma, Khanya Philani; Mason, Roger Bruce; Maharaj, MandushaThe South African space industry is not seen by young learners as a potential career. The objectives of this study were to identify: high school students’ awareness of the industry, their perceptions of employment opportunities, and their knowledge of the industry’s educational requirements. A quantitative, descriptive survey with structured questionnaires was administered to 171 respondents. Purposive and quota sampling selected grade 10-11 students in rural, urban and suburban schools. Most respondents had some awareness of the industry, but had limited knowledge about career opportunities, especially in rural schools. Respondents were unclear about how and where to apply for space-related education. The space industry inadequately markets itself to students, so more outreach programs, sponsoring of science and technological projects, more scholarships, and encouragement of the Department of Higher Education to provide information about, and improve career guidance officers’ knowledge of, the space industry are recommended.Item The effect of service delivery in public ‘community service centres’: A case of an emerging economy(Virtus Interpress, 2017) Ngobese, Ndabazinhle; Mason, Roger Bruce; Maharaj, MandushaThis study investigated public perceptions of the service delivery provided by the Community Service Centres (CSC) of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Durban, South Africa. The study focuses on measuring service quality and service delivery. SERVQUAL was used to compare clients’ perceptions against expectations of service quality. Four hundred respondents were surveyed at three community service centres (previously known as ‘police stations’), with expectations and perceptions being assessed via the dimensions of tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. The results indicate that in all five dimensions there is a significant negative quality gap, implying that the quality of service received is below what is expected by clients. Improvements are required in all five dimensions if service delivery is to be improved. Actions needed to improve service quality include regular assessment and monitoring of clients’ experiences, as well as employees’ behaviour.Item The choice of public universities in a restructured and transforming Higher Education landscape : a student perspective(Business Perspectives, 2016) Penceliah, Soobramoney; Konyana, Samkele Vuyokazi Mizpha; Maharaj, MandushaThe central tenet of the new Constitution of South Africa is to create equal and socially just economic order. This resulted in the higher education sector being restructured through incorporations and mergers. The limited financial resources, forces universities to evaluate and review their marketing strategies in order to attract suitably prepared and qualified students. The universities have not fully explored the role played by choice factors in influencing the students’ decision of enrolling at a particular university. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that may influence students in their choice of selecting a public university in the Tshwane Metropolitan Region, South Africa. An empirical study was conducted amongst first year students at two public universities in the Tshwane Metropolitan Region, Pretoria. The study design was quantitative in nature, using a descriptive technique, cross sectional and collected data through the application of a non-probability sampling being utilized to obtain data from a sample of 216 respondents. The results of this study suggest that South African education landscape has evolved towards a market-orientated system in which Higher Education Institutions operate as businesses with marketing challenges. The results provide HEIs a guide to identify the key factors that influence students in the selection of a university in a developing country. University management should take cognizance of the gaps and position the university as an institution of first choice in South Africa.