Research Publications (Management Sciences)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/217
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Item Systems thinking : a vehicle for the development of knowledge-sharing culture in the University of Technology in KwaZulu-Natal(2023-06-05) Mhlongo, Patrick Mbongwa; Zondo, Robert Walter DumisaniKnowledge is a fundamental source of competitive advantage for both public and private organisations. This includes higher education institutions as they are under constant pressure to meet the needs of their stakeholders. It is thus critical for such organisations to create conducive environments for knowledge-sharing across functional boundaries. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to examine the significant of systems thinking for the development of knowledge-sharing culture in Universities of Technology (UoTs). The study was qualitative in design. Data was collected, through face-to-face interviews, from employees of UoTs in KwaZulu-Natal (in South Africa). Participants were purposively selected. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data. Hence, study findings indicate that systems thinking serves as a catalyst for knowledge- sharing in UoTs. This suggests that systems thinking plays a key role in creating a conducive environment for knowledge-sharing across the organisation and beyond functional boundaries. Given the need for UoTs to remain competitive, a strong culture of knowledge sharing across functional boundaries is critical. The original value of this paper is in its approach in uncovering the strengths and weaknesses of systems thinking for the development of knowledge-sharing culture in the UoTs in KwaZulu-Natal.Item The influence of inventory sequencing for the improvement of inventory control : evidence from a South African automotive assembly organisation(2020-04-29) Zondo, Robert Walter DumisaniOrientation: Control of inventory is a central issue in operations management and has received a considerable amount of attention in literatures. One of the reasons behind this attention is that inventory holding comprises a significant cost in the supply chain. Research purpose: The study investigates whether the inventory sequencing system has an influence in improving inventory control in an automotive assembly organisation in KwaZuluNatal, South Africa. Motivation for the study: There is a lack of coordination and control in the management of the inventory in the supply chain in South Africa. The traditional supply chain practice uses sequences of weakly connected activities both within and outside the organisation. This leads to misalignments in the supply chain. Research design, approach and methods: The automotive company that has adopted an inventory sequencing strategy participated in the study. The collection of data was carried out in two phases. This includes the collection of pre- and post-inventory sequencing results from company records for production volumes, inventory costs and product damages. The preinventory sequencing results were quarterly data reflecting the company’s performance over the 4-year period prior to the implementation of inventory sequencing. The study was quantitative in design and examined the production and related experiences of the automotive assembly organisation that has adopted an inventory sequencing procedure. The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model, using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse data. The company operates in the eThekwini District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. Main findings: The study established that the inventory sequencing has no influence on either the production volumes or inventory costs. However, it has the ability to reduce product damages. Practical/managerial implications: The automotive sector should revise their operations and develop inventory control strategies, policies and practices that help to achieve new business goals. Contribution/value-add: The original value of this article is its approach in uncovering strengths and weaknesses of inventory sequencing for the improvement of inventory control in the automotive sector.Item Exploration of systems thinking in the Universities of Technology in KwaZulu-Natal(International Journal of Special Education, 2022-03-03) Mhlongo, Patrick Mbongwa; Zondo, Robert Walter DumisaniThe environment in which organisations operate is almost unpredictable and hence they have to deal with complex challenges. It is necessary for organisations to continuously improve their processes and practices to remain competitive. The Universities of Technology (UoTs) are not immune from those challenges. Systems thinking philosophy has been identified as an effective management approach that helps organisations deal with such challenges. Hence, this study explores the application of systems thinking in the UoTs in KwaZulu-Natal. KwaZuluNatal, one of the nine provinces of South Africa, created in 1994 when the Zulu Bantustan of KwaZulu and Natal Province were merged. It is located in the southeast part of the country. The province has two UoTs situated within the eThekwini District Municipality. Organisational silos are still prevalent in the UoTs. This creates an attitude of “us-and-them”. Consequently, collaborative efforts across the organisations become difficult. Systems thinking has the ability to help UoTs respond effectively to complex and unpredictable challenges. It facilitates this possibility as it assists members to focus on the organisation as a whole, including its stakeholders, rather than on individual parts of the organisation. It considers the organisation as a complex system with interrelated parts. Hence, this paper provides insights on its application at the UoTs in KwaZulu-Natal.Item Insight into self-reliance of rural communities for endogenous growth in KwaZulu-Natal(Siauliai University, 2022-06-06) Zondo, Robert Walter DumisaniIt has been established that development in most African countries has been severely affected due to the loss of the key aspects that define communities and the environments in which they live. Rural communities are normally overlooked when development interventions are implemented. Immediate intervention of rural communities requires funding for infrastructure such as earth dams, training facilities, marketing of products and services, frameworks for rural development plans as well as capacity support. Such funding plays a positive role in the development of self-reliance of rural communities. Other than funding, African indigenous knowledge is critical in advancing the self-reliance of rural communities. However, such a knowledge system is either underdeveloped or not fully utilised for development purposes. The underutilisation of African indigenous knowledge leads to the loss of valuable information that could be used for developmental purposes, ensuring unified communities. This affects the establishment of self-reliance strategies in rural communities leading to the creation of endogenous growth. Such growth enriches the development process and empowers communities to be self-reliant, thus improving quality of life. The economic empowerment strategies should result in the development of rural entrepreneurs for South Africa. This study assesses the effects of self-reliance on rural community development in KwaZulu-Natal.Item Key performance drivers of small enterprises in the manufacturing sector in KwaZulu Natal province, South Africa(Allied Academies, 2021-08-31) Zhou, Helper; Victor, GumboThis paper sought to establish key performance drivers for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the manufacturing sector in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) province, South Africa. A quantitative approach was adopted, utilising three-year panel data of manufacturing small enterprises. The results utilising Fixed Effects panel data modelling technique, revealed that productivity, permanent and temporary workers have a positive effect, whilst company age and unemployment have a negative effect on SMMEs sales performance. Based on these results, it was recommended that SMMEs should leverage their human resources to drive sustainable performance. It is also important that key interventions targeting the SMME sector should not only focus on internal but external environment drivers like unemployment which have a significant impact on the performance and thus long-term survival.Item Media framing of natural disasters in KwaZulu-Natal province: impact of contingency plans(Virtus Interpress, 2015) Ngcamu, Bethuel Sibongiseni; Binza, Shakespeare MzikayiseThis study explores how the media frame disaster contingency plans which include preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery of the KwaZulu-Natal province before, during and in the aftermath of natural disasters. The province has been stricken by natural disasters. Although newspapers report the disasters they fail to give details of disaster contingency plans that should be available to those who are susceptible to, and the victims of disasters. Based on a content analysis of 114 online newspaper articles between 2000 and 2013 to examine how the media framed the KZN government’s disaster contingency plans. This study concludes that the highest occurrence of disasters (71%) was from 2011 onwards as compared to previous years, and most of these were associated with areas that are susceptible to floods (34%). The findings of the study highlight that the media placed an emphasis on disaster response (41%) over preparedness (24%) and mitigation (7%). The outcomes suggest that newspaper organisations need to appoint a designated reporter responsible for disaster management issues. This is relevant because this study conveys findings that have the potential to persuade government and newspaper organisations to collaborate and to ensure that their officials are multi-skilled and able to cover all phases of disaster management in their articles, in order for these to be understood at all levels of society. This study further adds to the growing body of knowledge regarding quality journalism that meets its objectives.