Faculty of Accounting and Informatics

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Assessing information distribution practices adopted by the Durban University of Technology and the Central Applications Office
(2023-04-13) Ngcobo, Lungile Preety; Dongwe, C. K.; Parbanath, Steven
Information distribution to prospective students remains crucial for the South African higher education sector and when handled inappropriately, can negatively impact access to universities. Hence, the practices adopted when distributing information are an area that requires serious exploration by HEIs. Considering that accessing information is a primary need in the higher education sector, this study assessed the information distribution practices adopted by the Durban University of Technology (DUT) and the Central Applications Office (CAO) in South Africa. The study adopted a qualitative research approach. Semi-structured individual interviews with thirteen staff members who are responsible for distributing information at DUT Riverside campus were conducted to collect primary data. Furthermore, primary data was also generated from one focus group discussion comprising six staff members from both academic and support departments. The study further analysed secondary data in the form of DUT and CAO websites, news headlines as well as social media sites of these two organisations. Data were analysed thematically. The findings illuminate various practices adopted to distribute information to prospective students. Furthermore, it was found that there is use of several information distribution channels. These include distributing information by means of visits to schools and on campus, during registration period. Other channels include manual distributions, the use of digital platforms and traditional media such as radio. Of concern, was the mushrooming of fake social media websites claiming to distribute information on behalf of DUT and CAO. There were also concerns regarding the role of student political organisations and security guards. The findings further indicate factors influencing the practices adopted when distributing information. These include political, economic, social and technological factors. The study further highlights existing confusion in the distribution of information between DUT and CAO. Therefore, HEIs have to pay attention to clarifying this through various policies and communications. There is also a need to clarify what information should be distributed, in order to enhance access.
Determinants of employee job satisfaction at a national department in KwaZulu-Natal
(2019) Mbhele, Patricia Mbhele; Matsiliza, Noluthando S.; Dongwe, C. K.
Employee work fulfilment is a key aspect that contributes towards the satisfaction of employees in public and private organisations. This study was conducted to explore the determinants of employee satisfaction at the SASSA Regional office of Pietermaritzburg. The intention of this study is to recommend strategies and mechanisms that can improve employee satisfaction and support their performance aspects at the SASSA. This study used the two-factor theory of Herzberg to understand the motivating issues that might determine the fulfilment and discontentment of workers in their work environment. The case of the SASSA is by no means used to generalise the findings to other SASSA offices nationally. The researcher adopted a case study design, and data was collected and analysed using a mixed research methodology that is comprised of both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The researcher collected data using semi-structured interviews and administered questionnaires, while the analysis of primary data was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. The literature indicated that job satisfaction can be determined by intrinsic and external factors. A purposive sample size of an aggregate of 90 employees was drawn from a population of 200 diverse workers in as far as races, gender and grade levels. Permission and access were granted to the researcher, and the study was ethically cleared by the university ethics committee of the faculty of Accounting and Informatics. The researcher considered ethical aspects such as protection of the participants against harm, privacy and identity protection, honesty and truth during data collection and analysis. The literature that was surveyed indicated that job satisfaction can be determined by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. It was derived from the findings that SASSA as an institution is affected by political and socio-economic factors that also limit the organisation to provide a viable and healthy working environment to its employees. As noted by the respondents, the environmental factors do not stimulate the work environment in order to stimulate public servants to perform better so that they can add value to their organisational units as factors that are both internal and external. Findings of the study revealed that poor communication between management and staff, opposing relationships between colleagues, poor leadership styles and unfair on-going processes of recruitment and selection were negatively compromising the quality of service delivery and the performance of the employees at SASSA. The study further revealed that the associated factors like promotion, recognition and training and development are the other main factors that make SASSA employees unhappy. Therefore, the outcomes of such a study could produce particularly inspiring conclusions and might also significantly impact the delivery of meaningful results to the management of SASSA. It could also give focus on addressing the needs of the employees within the organisation.
The influence of leadership styles on small medium enterprise survival in the manufacturing sector within Msunduzi Municipality
(2019-08-21) Mchunu, Nelisiwe Mary-Anne; Nyide, Celani John; Dongwe, C. K.
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are key contributors to the South African economy. In order to survive the current volatile economy, SME leaders need to implement leadership styles that are good for the survival of businesses in the manufacturing sector. The manufacturing sector in South Africa is growing at a slower pace in comparison to other sectors due to high labour and production costs. However, implementing a management system, such as, suitable leadership style creates the competitive advantage necessary for survival. The aim of the study was to identify the leadership styles used by SMEs in the manufacturing sector within Msunduzi Municipality and to determine the effectiveness of leadership styles on enterprise success and survival. Managers and other people in authority in organisations adopt certain leadership styles in order to communicate with their subordinates with regard to the execution of tasks. Adopting unsuitable leadership styles impacts negatively on business performance. The study was conducted at SMEs in the manufacturing sector within the Msunduzi Municipality in Pietermaritzburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal. This project emphasised the context of leaders of SMEs and the amount of influence or non-influence that leadership has on the survival of the business. A quantitative research design was adopted for the study; a structured closed-ended questionnaire based on the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) developed by Avolio, and Bass (2004) was used to collect data from the sample respondents. The target population comprised 686 SMEs. A random sampling technique was used and a sample size of 200 was drawn. A response rate of 68% was successfully achieved. The researcher used personal and email methods of data collection. The data collected from the sample respondents were captured on Microsoft Excel and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Several hypotheses were formulated and tested using the Pearson’s Chi-Square. Results revealed that applying a transformational leadership style in managing a business tends to increase the length of business survival. The opposite is true regarding the laissez-faire leadership style. The study further revealed that there is no evidence to suggest that a transactional leadership style has any effect on the survival length of SMEs in the manufacturing sector. Tentative recommendations suggest that leadership in SMEs should adopt a leadership style that is best for the survival of the business.