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Research Publications (Management Sciences)

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

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Start date: 2022Subject: search.filters.subject.COVID-19

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 12
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    The importance of systemic support for student-driven social media learning on campus in Nigerian universities
    (Ponte Academic Journal, 2022-01) Kayode, Aderinsola Eunice; Linganiso, Linda Z.
    The use of social media during the COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a critical factor for academic continuity on university campuses globally. This paper reviews the use of social media as a learning tool among a undergraduates sample of students from selected Nigerian universities during this pandemic challenges period. A set of online survey Google forms was self-designed and used to explore how undergraduate students learn and concentrates on their academic activities during this pandemic. A sample size of 450 was purposively selected from the three universities, but only 153 online survey responses were valid for the data analysis. Descriptive statistics of frequency, mean and standard deviation were used in analysing demographic variables and research questions. The research findings indicated that students were ready for the new change to digital learning with their academic performance. Researchers recommended that both the academic community and government should support building resilient social media networks on campus among students and lecturers, including skills development and ready access to devices and the internet.
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    A scientometric review of the impacts of digital technologies on HEIs during COVID-19 pandemic
    (Ponte Academic Journal, 2022-06) Kayode, Aderinsola E.; Obiseye, Obiyemi O.
    Research has shown that the importance of Digital Technologies (DT) in enhancing productivity and performance in higher education institutions (HEIs) can never be underestimated, as was apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. This pandemic, and consequent lockdown, impacted every aspect of human life globally, and the education system was not spared. Although much research related to the COVID-19 pandemic has been published, few studies have considered the impact of DT on education/learning during this period. Educators and students of HEIs had to rapidly adapt to the use of DT in delivering lectures, as well as for learning. Unfortunately, educators and students, as major HEI stakeholders, have not yet taken full advantage of the educational benefits of DT – hence the motivation for this research. The methodology adopted entailed a comprehensive, systematic and expository review of selected published articles on DT in journals, books and conference proceedings from different databases: Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Academia.edu and Research gate. This article presents the findings of a scientometric review of literature on the impact of DTs in HIEs, with a focus on events during the COVID-19 outbreak. It is hoped that the outcomes of this review will add to the growing body of knowledge about whether or not the adoption of DTs has had any significant impact on teaching, learning and assessment; as well as techniques for leveraging DT, even for learners in hard-to reach communities, in this new normal.
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    Women in higher education institutions and the challenge of academic progression
    (2023-08-03) Anwana, Emem O.; Kayode, Aderinsola E.
    Female academics in Africa have historically faced several challenges that have hampered their advancement to positions of leadership in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The study's findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to women's inability to generate research outputs, which are required for advancement in HEIs. This problem was compounded by diverse degrees of infrastructural deficits and poor research funding. This study adopted a qualitative exploratory analysis approach whereby structured interviews were held with 20 female university academics in two African countries to examine the factors that inhibit need for HEIs to review the recognise the additional work that female academics perform in their homes and families. It provides recommendations that may be used by HEI managers to bridge the widening gender gap in leadership positions in HEIs in the selected African countries. The findings cannot be generalised as the sample was taken from female academics from public universities in only two African countries. The study could, however, assist HEI managers and policymakers find solutions to some of the issues affecting women's progression in HEIs.
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    An exploration and description of the impact of COVID-19 on women's employment in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
    (Durban University of Technology, 2024) Womack, Anna Johanna Catharina; Orton, Penelope
    The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the issue of gender inequality in the labour market in relation to greater risks of unemployment and financial vulnerability. The shift to remote work altered responsibilities for domestic labour among partnered couples and single parents, as did the impact of closed schools, child care centres, and more. Disruptions to economic and social arrangements of South African women were no different than what other women in similar situations experienced in other countries. This study sought to explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women, with respect to employment, work-life balance and family responsibilities. A qualitative study within a constructivist paradigm, with a multisite, instrumental case study design was used. Data were collected from participants using both a survey questionnaire and a structured interview. A sample size of 172 was sought for the questionnaire and 26 qualitative interviews were conducted guided by data saturation. Quantitative questionnaire data were analysed using SPSS (version 27) for descriptive and inferential statistics. Thematic analysis of the qualitative interviews was done using NVIVO for coding and categorising. Black women, particularly from the informal sector, were found to be more adversely affected than those in formal employment by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study contributes to understanding the effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on women’s employment, work-life balance and family responsibilities.
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    An overview on the role of innovation in making sustainable and future-ready businesses
    (ERM Publications, 2023) Rena, Ravinder
    Innovation is the key to success for businesses and it remains a crucial element in the sustainable development of the entrepreneurship activities across the globe. It is characterized by the creative capacity of invention as a source of sociocultural and technological change. In this background, the current review provides an overview of innovative business practices, enablers, and the factors that prevent the business owners to innovate new product/ service offerings, role of innovation among the small and medium enterprises, and impact of innovative business practices in the aftermath of COVID-19. Methodology: No comprehensive review has been made in this domain, though the researchers have focused on the concepts of innovation and business practices separately. The present study is an important contribution to the research domain as it holistically approaches the concept, its application, and the takeaway for future. Findings: The research article reviewed the studies conducted earlier and discussed the innovative practices followed in different domains and how the existing studies handled the concept of innovation in business. The paper also discussed about green innovation concepts and the concept of business innovation in India since India emerges as a vibrant nation after COVID-19. Implications: As per the India Innovation Index 2021, India is yet to tap the potential areas. With loads of opportunities yet to be unleashed, India must bring policy measures to make business innovations, a norm. It has increased continuously in the ladder of innovative start-up environment provider, though there is a scope for further growth in this regard.
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    The socio-economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the South African informal economy
    (Durban University of Technology, 2023) Langry, Fiona; Rena, Ravinder
    The informal business sector in many developing economies is often seen as a driver of economic growth due to the role that this sector plays in the creation of employment opportunities, increasing the social activities of its communities, and providing business opportunities for rural entrepreneurs. The informal economy has been known to be insulated from macro-economic volatility in the global markets, but this could be an oversight on the part of the national government as they have not taken this sector into account when determining GDP or strategic imperatives to bolster the economy. The COVID-19 pandemic showcased how unprepared many economies were in the face of harsh government-imposed lockdowns and the resultant job losses that occurred due to individuals being unable to go to work. The South African government, whilst acknowledging the informal sector and the subsequent economic and social role it plays, lacks the necessary policy framework and enablement of this sector, as well as a platform that enables the continuation of business practices for informal traders that will protect them from the daunting impacts of a pandemic or another global catastrophe. The purpose of this study is to comprehend and analyse the socio-economic ramifications of the COVID-19 epidemic and its impact on the informal economy in South Africa. To do so, the study utilises discourse analysis and which is carried out using a secondary data collection approach. Theses for master's and doctoral degrees, papers presented at conferences, policy documents, government gazettes, statistical data from governments, and reports from international organizations are all taken into consideration. Articles published in scientific journals that have been subject to the process of peer review are also taken into account. According to the findings of the study, in order to protect the informal sector from unforeseen disasters in the future, it is recommended that policies and protection mechanisms be put into place.
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    Millennial’s consumer behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic : perspectives from an emerging and a developed economy
    (Adonis & Abbey Publishers Ltd, 2022-11-10) Tshikovhi, Ndivhuho; Dobbelstein, Thomas; Moyo, Sibusiso
    One of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic was on shopping behaviour patterns due to lockdown restrictions and social distancing requirements. In this study, South African and German millennials (those born between 1980 and 2002) are analyzed to determine their buying behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic in the year 2020. We demonstrate the choices of purchases amongst African Journal of Business and Economic Research (AJBER) (Online) ISSN 1750-4562 (Print) ISSN 1750-4554 Indexed by SCOPUS, UGC CARE List, IBSS, EBSCO, ProQuest, ABDC, SAJE, COPERNICUS,ERIH PLUS, CABELL, Sabinet and J-Gate Vol. 17, (Issue 4), December 2022 Pp 283–309 Millennial’s consumer behaviour during the COVID-19 … 284 millennials between the two countries, that is, South Africa as an emerging and Germany as an advanced economy. This study shows how consumers' choice was influenced by the pandemic before, during, and after the first lockdown. Making use of an online survey (meaning accessing millennials with internet access in both countries), it was found from a data set of 949 millennials in Germany and 676 millennials in South Africa that millennial’s shopping behaviour varied for specific product categories before, during and after the lockdown. As a result, this study concluded by providing recommendations for retailers, policymakers and researchers taking into account a pandemic scenario.
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    Deep learning-based recognition of wearing masks in public during the pandemic
    (NeuroQuantology, 2022-07-04) Malathi, L.; Ghoti, Ravindra Mersing; More, Swapnaja R.; Lourens, Melanie Elizabeth; Bhanti, Prateek; Patwa, Sanjeev
    Human face detection is a computer vision application. Face image processing has been the subject of various studies. Several researchers have previously investigated facial recognition. We used IOT and AI algorithms with the basic notion of human face identification in this research to identify the covid-19 patient travelling in public locations during isolation period. -19 criteria for Human face discovery is the novel notion in this covid. An Internet of Things (IoT) method is used to store daily averages of 19 positive cases across districts. The information that can be stored, such as a person's name, phone number, and address (with different poses). Personal information is securely saved in the cloud database and can be accessed at any time by logging into your account. IoT and Raspberry Pi are used to store and retrieve data. Face detection technology in CCTV cameras is used to keep tabs on the current scenario and identify any people who might be in the video. We installed cameras in strategic locations and linked them to the cloud server so that the faces of those with and those without covid 19 could be forwarded. hange detection methodologies in remotely sensed images suffer from the problem of data inadequacy; and to handle this problem, semi-supervised approaches can be opted. Semi-supervised Modified Self-organizing Feature Map is used to classify covid positive and normal cases in this recognition method. Every time a person's face is taken by the camera and compared to a database, an AI algorithm is used to identify and categorise the person (testing centre data). Covid positive patients will be flagged by an AI system, and their personal data will be sent to a government health care unit, which may take legal action against them, in this classification process. OpenCV and the Python platform were used to carry out this experiment. Public exposure to covid 19 will be reduced, and mortality rates owing to covid illness will be reduced as a result of this proposed model.
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    Disaster management in India : need for an integrated approach
    (Disaster Advances, 2022-07-22) Sriram, Divi; Dorasamy, Nirmala; Vipul, Nakum
    It is now widely known that the hazards can be natural, but most disasters are ‘human-made’. The failure to properly implement developmental policies and practices with due consideration to disaster risk management is the leading cause of turning a hazard into a disaster.25 This, in return, negatively affects sustainable development which ultimately affects the weakest and the poorest sections of society. Disaster impacts have been felt on a wide range of sectors and sections of the population. They are curbing progress made toward achieving the Sendai Framework targets, and SDGs. Climate and human-induced disaster events have exposed several underlying facets of risks' systemic and cascading nature. There is an urgent need to identify, analyse and better understand the multihazard, systemic and cascading nature of the disaster and climate risks, their inter-linkages, and interplay. A holistic understanding of risk is crucial for furthering the priorities of action laid under the Sendai Framework and the envisioned SDGs and ensuring a better, greener, resilient and sustainable society. We have tried to study the disaster management frameworks, plans and policies of 10 countries including India to understand the institutional mechanisms and integration of critical aspects of dual/multi disaster scenarios. When the traditional disasters hit the community following the COVID-19 pandemic, the need arises to have an integrated model that can assisting in the preparation and response to the dual situation simultaneously. Efforts are made to put the experiences into a framework for an integrated approach preparing for dual/multi-disaster scenarios.
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