Research Publications (Management Sciences)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/217
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Item Investigating the nexus of corporate social responsibility and marketing performance in a medium-sized clothing manufacturing enterprise in South Africa(Bussecon International Academy, 2024-07-27) Maome, Itumeleng Judith; Zondo, Robert Walter DumisaniOrganisations all over the world are increasingly adopting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a strategic tool, not only for improving their brand image but also in making a meaningful contribution to the welfare of society. This trend includes incorporating socially responsible aspects into marketing strategies, resulting in goods and services that benefit the community at large. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in this framework as they contribute significantly to both social and economic growth. Using a quantitative methodology, this study examined the experiences of a manufacturing organisation in the eThekwini District Municipality of KwaZulu-Natal that has included CSR into its marketing strategies. The analysis employed the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method, with data evaluated using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). This study collected and analysed pre- and post-CSR implementation quarterly data on sales performance and customer retention. The empirical findings offer a multifaceted picture of the impact of CSR on marketing performance. There appears to be a substantial relationship between customer retention rates and marketing performance following CSR implementation. Interestingly, the study discovered an inverse association between sales volumes and marketing performance, implying that a rise in sales does not always result in improved marketing results for the organisation in question. This unexpected consequence shows the intricate interplay between CSR programmes and marketing outcomes, providing useful insights for businesses, particularly those in the South African manufacturing sector that are attempting to negotiate the complexities of CSR-driven marketing strategies. This study contributes to a better understanding of how CSR efforts can be strategically integrated with marketing goals to promote both social and business success.Item Standardisation of quality testing and inspection tools for product quality improvement in a selected automotive assembly organisation in South Africa(2023-07-31) Zondo, Robert Walter DumisaniSouth Africa’s quality system in the automotive sector has developed a number of methods, tools and solutions to improve quality processes. The statistically analysed data, obtained from quality tests and inspections, is one of them. Thus, the product quality testing and inspection tools play a significant role in the control of variation in the production process. A good quality system cannot function without adequate quality testing and inspection tools. It has been established that the automotive sector has an abundance of such tools in their production processes, and it is necessary that they are standardised for optimum quality results. Therefore, this study examines the effects of standardising quality testing and inspection tools for product quality improvement in a selected automotive assembly organisation in South Africa. The study was quantitative in design and examined production and related experiences of the automotive assembly organisation that has standardised its quality inspection tools for product quality improvement. The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model, using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse data. The company operates in the eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu Natal. The study was achieved by collecting pre- and post-quarterly data for spoilage, cost of quality inspection and the external product failure as well as product quality. The results establish that the standardisation of quality testing and inspection tools does not improve product quality in the automotive assembly organisation in South Africa. However, the cost of quality testing and inspection has a relation to product quality resulting from the standardisation of quality testing and inspection tools. This study uncovers the strengths and weaknesses of standardising quality testing and inspection tools for product quality in an automotive assembly organisation in South Africa.Item The role of business incubation programmes on the performance of small and medium enterprises in South Africa(2023-05-15) Zhou, Helper; Zondo, Robert Walter DumisaniResearch has shown that Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) play a pivotal role in socio-economic development of countries across the globe. In recent years, business incubation programmes have gained popularity to address the perennial challenge of SME failure in South Africa. However, there have been very limited studies to empirically assess the impact of incubation in South Africa. To address this gap, this study utilised dataset, comprising 387 incubated and non-incubated firms to assess the impact of business incubation of performance. The originality of our study lies in valuable insights we established relating to the impact of incubators on SME performance. Utilising Generalised Least Squares technique in R, the study revealed that incubation has a positive impact on SME performance. Further to that the results revealed differing attributes between the incubated and non-incubated cohorts. It was recommended that the government should invest into incubation programmes to drive sustainable SME performance. Further to that, the heterogeneity between the two cohorts demands a shift from a “one size fits all” approach to supporting SMEs in South AfricaItem The impact of quality gates on product quality in a selected automotive assembly organisation in South Africa(2023-06-05) Zondo, Robert Walter DumisaniNowadays, quality control influences competitiveness of organisations, continually demanding managerial attention. With the arrival of total quality management, quality control has become an almost all-embracing control system. Thus, the philosophy of the quality gate as a quality control tool plays an important role in the assembly organisations of South Africa. Quality gate is used to improve the visibility of quality at strategic points in the production process, its main goal being to conform to the service quality as per customer’s expectation. As a result, this study examines the influence of the quality gate on product quality in the selected automotive assembly organisation in South Africa. The study was quantitative in design and examined production and related experiences of the automotive assembly organisation that have adopted quality gate strategy for product quality improvement. The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model, using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse data. The selected company operates in the eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The study was achieved by collecting pre- and post-quarterly data for spoilage, production targets achieved and cost on quality. The results indicate that product quality has a relationship with both the spoilage rate and the cost on quality. Any decrease in the spoilage rate or the cost on quality increases product quality. This study uncovers the strengths and weaknesses of the quality gate on product quality in an automotive assembly organisation in South Africa.Item The implications of automation in a selected automotive assembly organisation in South Africa(2023-05-16) Zondo, Robert Walter DumisaniImproving productivity in the manufacturing system is the core objective of all manufacturing companies as it determines how well the company utilises its resources compared to requirements. Emanating from a continued demand for efficiency and productivity, automation becomes the key driver in such an achievement. Thus, automated flow line manufacturing systems are becoming more relevant in the automotive sector. This study examines the influence of automation for productivity improvement in a selected automotive assembly organisation in South Africa, automation being the creation and application of technology to monitor and control the production and delivery of products and services. The study was quantitative in design and examined the production of an automotive assembly organisation that has adopted an automation system for productivity improvement in its automobile Deck Tailgate process in its weld plant. This company operates in the eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The study was conducted by collecting pre- and postquarterly data for labour productivity and process efficiency. The results established that labour productivity and process efficiency improve as a result of the application of automation. However, automation will lead to the reduction of human participation in the production systems. This may result in uncertainties amongst employees that must be properly communicated and managed. The original value of this study is its approach in uncovering strengths and weaknesses of automation for productivity improvement in South Africa.Item Corporate social responsibility and human resource performance : evidence from a selected medium manufacturing organisation in South Africa(2023-05-15) Zondo, Robert Walter Dumisani; Maome, Itumeleng JudithOver the years, the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has gained popularity as a management philosophy whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their operations and interactions with stakeholders. It aims to contribute to societal goals of a philanthropic, or charitable nature by engaging in activities or supporting volunteering or ethically-oriented practices. This practice has mostly been associated with large organisations. However, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have been recognized for their contributions in social and economic development of any country. Hence, this study examines the influence of CSR on human resource performance in the selected manufacturing SMEs in South Africa. This study was quantitative in design and examined production and related experiences of the manufacturing SME organisation that had adopted CSR strategy for human resource improvement. The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model, using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), was used to analyse data. The selected company operates in the eThekwini District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. The study was achieved by collecting pre- and post-quarterly data for employee turnover and labour absenteeism. The results indicate that both employee turnover and labour absenteeism have no relationship with human resource performance post- CSR implementation. However, CSR has a relationship with human resource performance. Any increase in CSR activities results in an increase in human resource performance. Formal CSR programmes can boost employee morale and lead to greater productivity in the workforce.Item Cluster methodology : the strategy for sustainable local development in the rural communities of South Africa(2023-05-16) Zondo, Robert Walter DumisaniRural communities are making efforts to implement sustainable development initiatives in their regions. However, there is a lack of capacity, specific development strategies, expertise, infrastructure and finance to achieve their developmental goals. These deficiencies disadvantage self-reliant initiatives in rural areas as the development interventions and investments are directed to better-off urban communities. Hence, this paper proposes the cluster approach as a sustainable local development in rural areas of South Africa. Clusters are referred to as the agglomeration of inter-related firms and related institutions. They are employed to show a geographical and a sectoral focus of firms that produce and sell a range of related or complementary goods and services. These firms normally experience the same challenges and opportunities. The clusters are assisted by a spectrum of supportive institutions situated within spatial proximity, including business-related associations, technical or training service providers. Cluster development initiatives that improve access for local firms to local and global markets can have positive poverty impacts that enhance income, employment and the well-being of workers and entrepreneurs within a cluster. This study assesses the influence of the cluster approach on sustainable local development in rural areas of South Africa. It establishes the suitability of clusters as strategic methods for local economic growth for South Africa.Item Do firms’ growth rates follow a random walk? evidence from incubated small and medium enterprises in South Africa(Durban University of Technology, 2023) Zhou, Helper; Zondo, Robert Walter DumisaniDebate on the validity of the Law of Proportionate Effect (LPE) on firm growth is ongoing decades after it was postulated by Gibrat in 1931. The theoretical model which asserts that firm growth follows a random walk has been largely tested in developed economies using data from non-incubated firms, with scanty research in developing regions like Africa. This paper, therefore, aims to address this gap by being the first to assess the validity of Gibrat's law on incubated small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa. The study utilised four-year panel data from 300 incubated SMMEs across the country, for the period between 2018 to 2021. Utilising the Law's generalised growth rate model, the generalised least square regression modelling was harnessed, using R Software. The findings, using sales as firm size proxy, confirmed Gibrat’s Law. The results showed that firm size had no effect on the sales growth rate of incubated firms, on the other hand when employment proxied performance the LPE was rejected. The findings provide important implications for both practitioners and pertinent stakeholders in the SMME sector in South Africa.Item The influence of employee engagement on labour productivity in an automotive assembly organisation in South Africa(AOSIS, 2020-03-17) Zondo, Robert Walter DumisaniBackground: Productivity of the South African work force remains an issue of central concern for business. It plays an important role in the life of every person and the performance of every business. Creating a working environment that encourages worker participation is one way to create the kind of workplace that attracts motivated work teams for productivity improvement. This sentiment underpins the concept of employee engagement. Employee engagement is the level of commitment and involvement an employee has towards their organisation and its values. Aim: This study examines the influence of employee engagement on labour productivity improvement in the automotive assembly organisations in South Africa. Settings: The study objectives were achieved by examining the production and related experiences of an automotive assembly organisation that has adopted an employee engagement strategy for labour productivity improvement. The company operates in the eThekwini District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. It assessed if employee engagement is responsible for company’s labour productivity. Method: The investigation was achieved by collecting quarterly data on absenteeism, employee participation in quality circles and labour productivity before and after the implementation of the strategy. Results: Employee engagement does not have the ability to improve labour productivity in an automotive assembly organisation in South Africa. However, absenteeism rate has an influence on labour productivity resulting from the implementation of employee engagement. Conclusion: South African organisations should revise their performance management systems and develop employee engagement strategies that help achieve new business goals. Consequently, this study uncovers the strengths and weaknesses of employee engagement for labour productivity improvement in South Africa.Item The impact of training and assessment register (TAR) on productivity in the automotive parts manufacturing organisation in South Africa(AOSIS, 2019-11-28) Zondo, Robert Walter DumisaniOrientation: Organisations are confronted with the challenge of competency among its employees for productivity improvement. They implement strategies that improve employee skills proficiencies for higher productivity. These can also be achieved by implementing a training model that develops employee’s skills and knowledge so that they become the specialists in their work areas. This sentiment underpins the concept of employee Training and Assessment Register (TAR).Purpose: This study evaluates the influence of TAR on productivity in automotive parts manufacturing organisation in South Africa.Motivation for the study: The South African manufacturing sector has a low level of productivity compared to its counterpart industries in the Asian and Western countries. The sector experiences the lack in short to medium term growth in productivity.Research design, approach and methods: The automotive parts manufacturing company that has used a TAR strategy for productivity improvement participated in the study. The study objectives were achieved by examining the production and related experiences in the company. The collection of data was carried out in two phases. This includes the collection of pre- and post-quarterly data for spoilage, overtime and customer complaints. The pre-TAR results were quarterly data reflecting the company’s performance over the three-year period prior to the implementation of TAR. This company operates in the eThekwini District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.Main findings: The results established that spoilage rate has a relationship with company productivity. Any decrease in spoilage rate would result to an increase in company productivity. However, the overtime and customer complaints do not statistically have a relationship with company productivity.Contribution: This article uncovers the strengths and weaknesses of TAR on productivity in the automotive parts manufacturing organisation in South Africa.