Faculty of Management Sciences
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Item Globalisation and convergence of food taste in the case of South African pizza(AJHTL, 2016) Balkaran, Rishi; Giampiccoli, Andrea; Mtapuri, OliverGlobally food is central to cultures and this brings uniqueness and diversity to global cuisines. The aim of this article is to analyze the contribution of globalisation to convergence/divergence of food taste using pizza as a proxy. To that end, the article specifically makes comparisons between pizzas from Italian cookbooks with South African and franchised United States ones. The article is primarily based on secondary data. The article posits that beyond pizza names, the impact of globalisation has been profound on the culinary and gastronomic landscape using the South African pizza as a case in point. Franchises have adapted menus as a strategic way to penetrate new markets. This has been done through the adoption of local ‘geographic’ names to name the pizzas and the introduction of local varieties of pizza. The article also observes patterns of uniformity and dis-uniformity of food production, the standardisation and de-standardisation of pizza to produce adulterated versions, changes in consumption patterns and lifestyles and the replacement of local cuisines and homogenisation of tastes via the migration of pizza. Pizza has morphed and universalised to become an everyday food through the ‘pizzarisation’ of gastronomies throughout the world. Global firms through their franchises can influence the speed and direction of changes in menus, eating patterns, taking out, or eating on site, regularity of eating, eating with bare hands or utensils and so forth.Item Digital and interactive content production as part of Lesotho strategic development - A brief study on Lesotho working towards National colloboration for updated civil register and voter register in the spirit of improved service delivery(IEEE, 2014) Maphephe, John; Balkaran, Rishi; Thakur, Surendra C.Some say that the world is getting smaller, but I believe with those who say it is not. It just feels smaller, because modern technology helps overcome the distances. To be part of the modern world, with its advantages and obligations an identity is required. For the government to provide schooling, health services, and local government delivery services and to know who should be eligible to vote, it needs to know who you are. It also needs to know who are to pay taxes, do public service delivery and contribute to society in other ways. This is why many countries want to keep track of their residents; to know when they are born, when they marry or divorce and when they die. Decision-makers depend on sound and timely statistics for policy development, decision making and for programme monitoring and evaluation. In the present scenario, Information communication technology has added the impetus to the services provided by the Lesotho Government (GOL) since the implementation of Lesotho Government Data Network (LGDN). This paper will highlights the role of digital technology and interactive content for strategic development of Lesotho and the potential of Lesotho Government working towards national collaboration specifically for update civil register, census data and voter register..Item Digital and interactive content production as part of Lesotho Strategic Development : a brief study on Lesotho working towards national colloboration for updated civil register and voter register in the spirit of improved service delivery(IEEE, 2014-10) Maphephe, John; Balkaran, Rishi; Thakur, Surendra C.Some say that the world is getting smaller, but I believe with those who say it is not. It just feels smaller, because modern technology helps overcome the distances. To be part of the modern world, with its advantages and obligations an identity is required. For the government to provide schooling, health services, and local government delivery services and to know who should be eligible to vote, it needs to know who you are. It also needs to know who are to pay taxes, do public service delivery and contribute to society in other ways. This is why many countries want to keep track of their residents; to know when they are born, when they marry or divorce and when they die. Decision-makers depend on sound and timely statistics for policy development, decision making and for programme monitoring and evaluation. In the present scenario, Information communication technology has added the impetus to the services provided by the Lesotho Government (GOL) since the implementation of Lesotho Government Data Network (LGDN). This paper will highlights the role of digital technology and interactive content for strategic development of Lesotho and the potential of Lesotho Government working towards national collaboration specifically for update civil register, census data and voter register..Item Impact of information and communication technology presence on direct parliament debates and security of the future laws of Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho(Research Nexus Africa Networks, 2014-09) Maphephe, John; Balkaran, Rishi; Thakur, Surendra[1] Argued that [a] healthy and credible legislature is indispensable for representative liberal democratic governance. This representation involves consulting the represented, informing and making decisions as well as exercising influence on their behalf. However the legislative institutions of many African countries lack the effectiveness to either inform or interact with their constituents, resulting in unfortunate citizens-representative disengagement.Fortuitously technology such as mobile technology, online and applications, and (privately owned) radio stations have become promising tools to assist developing state by enabling direct access and participation. This technology is perceived helpfulness in enhancing the democratization process in such countries. The study reviews the ability of these tools towards building stable democracy and the practice of good governance in the context of the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho.The year 2012 and 2014 in Lesotho will remain a historic time for Basotho people. Lesotho received a coalition Government as an outcome of the election results on May 2012. However, in 2014, Lesotho experienced a ‘partial Government collapse’ due to perceived lack of experience on how to manage such a coalition Government. The paper will examine how Lesotho can benefit from opportunities offered by digital technologies to access information quickly, by utilizing the pervasiveness of broadband and other networks. This provides exciting options and opportunities for the Lesotho Parliament to connect, operate more efficiently and be more open to the public. The questions will be “How make use of the convergence of these technologies provides the context for the delivery of the parliamentary strategic key goals? The paper will conclude by set of key strategic recommendations and immediate key tasks to be invoked as an action plan ready to work. This research paper draws from desktop review and literature search to examine the potentials of digital technology for re-engaging the electorate in the democratic Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho.Item A comparative analysis of the South African and global tourism competitiveness models with the aim of enhancing a sustainable model for South Africa(International Foundation for Research & Development (IFRD), 2014-04) Maharaj, S.; Balkaran, RishiThe quality of life of society as a whole is to a considerable extent determined by the role of government. South African society is characterised by the presence of a wide gap between the rich and the poor. This is exacerbated by the presence of poverty, HIV/AIDS, crime, corruption and exploitation. Governments attempt to address these contradictions are encapsulated in various policies that detail in accurate form, the needs of the majority of South Africans. Whilst policies depict the needs of the majority of South Africans, these needs remain undelivered. The void between the formulation of policy and service delivery has been most severely felt by the poor. Policy implementation is the responsibility of central, provincial and local government. The policy on tourism has been identified as one of the major players in resolving the impasse that is experienced by government. According to South Africa’s National Tourism Sector strategy (2011 & 2016) the country’s tourism’s economic contribution is set to increase from R318, 16 billion by 2015 to R499 billion by 2020. The challenge however, remains in harnessing Tourism policy in a way that addresses the past and current contradictions. Legislative provisions, policies and plans have set the tone in terms of the direction that tourism should be heading. Public sector institutions at national, provincial and local levels have equipped themselves to develop and enhance the tourism industry in such a way that it resonates with the South African tourism imperatives. This places within context the role of public organisations and its capacity to deliver in terms of government’s national imperative. The tourism industry is complex with a range of different stakeholders. There is an inextricable link between the tourism and hospitality industries. This paper attempts to improve on the South African tourism competitiveness with the expressed intention of enhancing growth and sustainability.Item An empirical study of service delivery within the Provincial Hospital of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa : a case study(IFRD, 2013-07) Deen, A.; Balkaran, RishiHealth care services are an essential component of South African government policy and this is regulated by the Health Act, Act 61 of 2003. The study explores the services offered by the Provincial Hospital KwaZulu Natal, South Africa in relation to service delivery and management practices. The key participants to the study are the patients and staff of the hospital. A structured questionnaire to the patients and departmental heads of the hospital was applied. A structured interview was conducted with strategic level management of the hospital. The results of the study were organized thematically and were triangulated between the results of the various data collecting instruments. A presentation of graphs and tables would be used to facilitate the results of the data. The paper provides sound conclusions and recommendations for efficient and effective management and service delivery within the provincial hospital and which are applicable to many of the provincial hospitals in the country.Item Inclusivity for ethical public sector governance in South Africa(Virtus Interpress, 2012) Dorasamy, Nirmala; Balkaran, RishiItem Role of student ratings of lecturers in enhancing teaching at higher education institutions : a case study of the Durban University of Technology(International Foundation for Research and Development, 2013-05) Dorasamy, Nirmala; Balkaran, RishiEvaluation of the quality of programmes by students is considered an important assessment instrument in determining programme effectiveness within higher education institutions. Student ratings of lecturers are only a partial assessment of programmes, since other evaluations beyond students’ perceptions are also considered important within higher education institutions. Student ratings are not only important in determining how students perceive their programmes within a highly competitive higher education landscape in South Africa, but also highlight the strengths and weaknesses of programmes which can be used as an impetus for programme enhancement, especially in view of the increasing number of students entering higher education, while government spending is steadily diminishing. The purpose of this study is to assess student ratings of teaching competencies that can be used for programme evaluation. A quantitative approach was used to analyse the various elements within specific domains in the lecturer evaluation instrument used by the Faculty of Management Sciences at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). The data reported are suggestive of the usefulness of identifying student ratings of important teaching competencies, which is considered as important in a growing student centred orientation within higher education institutions. The article offers constructive analysis of student ratings of various teaching competencies across departments in the faculty, while highlighting strategies to ensure enhanced validity of student ratings. Student ratings of lecturers provide valuable information for faculty to use in programme assessment and consequent programme enhancement. Further, student ratings of lecturers encourages a student’s voice through confidential participation, thereby ensuring that the student experience is fore grounded at the learning and teaching interface.Item The conceptualisation of tourism and hospitality within a public administration framework in South Africa : a case study of a Tourism Provincial Administrative Authority in KwaZulu Natal(International Foundation for Research and Development, 2013-07) Balkaran, RishiObjectives of this paper are to: locate the study into a conceptual framework by conceptualising and clarifying Tourism and Public administration and management; Constitutional and legislative provisions relevant to the tourism and hospitality industries; National, provincial and local government administration with a view to locating Tourism and the Tourism Provincial Authority. Paper clarifies the intrinsic relationship between Government functions at national, provincial and local levels and the tourism and hospitality industries. The essence of the paper depicts the policy and a legislative framework formulated by government for the purposes of effective and efficient application to relevant structures at central, provincial and local levels. The welfare of the tourism and hospitality industries depend to a large extent on the delivery of services from public institutions at all levels of government.