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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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    Mergers and acquisitions performance within South African chemical industry : pursuit of improved financial performance and economies of scale
    (2021-10-06) Quwe, Buntu; Khumalo, Njabulo
    Abstract Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are used globally by companies to improve shareholders’ wealth, financial performance, and obtain economies of scale. This study aimed to examine the role of M&A on the performance of companies within the South Africa chemical industry. The study adopted a survey-based methodology to measure performance post-merger. The sample size of the study was 102 individuals, and data was gathered using an expert sampling technique via an online self-administered questionnaire. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. The results demonstrate that both financial performance and economies of scale are statistically significant predictors of the role of M&A on performance post-merger. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by exploiting a multidimensional nature of performance, as survey-based methodology uses both financial and non-financial parameters. It is, therefore, important for managers to understand that M&A within the South African chemical industry; are done to achieve financial performance
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    Goal clarity and trust in management in educational mergers
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2007) May, Tuto; Mason, Roger Bruce
    Purpose: The aim of this paper is to explore employees’ opinions on goal clarity, trust in management and perceptions of organisational readiness for change in the context of the changes caused by the merger to form the Durban Institute of Technology (DIT) in order to increase knowledge about the human aspects of mergers. Design/Methodology/Approach: A survey of staff was conducted, with a sample of respondents completing a questionnaire, which investigated whether or not there were relationships among the change variables, namely goal clarity, trust in management and perception of organisational readiness for change. Findings: The key finding of the study is that the goals of the institution were not clarified sufficiently during the change process at DIT. The correlation of goal clarity, trust in management and perceptions of organisational readiness for change were all significant at the p < 0.01 level; and the direction of the relationship between the variables was strongly positive (between 0.7 and 1.0). Implications: The results suggest that management success in identifying organisational goals clearly during a change initiative could help improve employees’ attitudes, thereby increasing the likelihood of merger success, and minimising the negative reactions and staff dissatisfaction often associated with mergers. Originality/Value: Although there is a lot of research in the generic field of mergers and considerable research into mergers in higher education, both overseas and in South Africa, there is a lack of research in the human aspects of mergers. This is especially true of the three key change variables of perceptions of readiness for change, goal clarity and trust in management. Furthermore, what research there is has not focussed on the opinions of individual employees, but on the opinions of trade unions and student representatives. Therefore, this study contributes to filling an important gap in the literature on higher education mergers in South Africa.
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    Change management in the higher education landscape: a case of the transition process at a South African University
    (Virtus Interpress, 2016) Govender, Vaneshree; Rampersad, Renitha
    The South African Higher Education system in the post-apartheid period had to respond to the various discriminatory practices that existed during the apartheid era. This entailed responding to inequalities in the education system at various levels. With respect to Higher Education there was an imperative to serve society that was based on the principles of equality, equity and inclusivity. One such response was to merge higher education institutions such as ML Sultan Technikon and Technikon Natal to form the Durban Institute of Technology now referred to as the Durban University of Technology (DUT). This paper is concerned with the process of change in the Higher Education context and examines a South African case study. The study was conducted within a quantitative paradigm and the sample population was 400 administrative and academic staff from across the seven campuses. In order to satisfy the research objectives of the study, a self-administered location based survey was distributed and data was analyzed using SPSS. The study revealed that living and coping with change in the work environment is a fact of life for organisations and individuals. The success of any change programme depends on the organisation’s ability to communicate effectively with its employees; therefore internal communication plays a pivotal role in any change programme.