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Faculty of Management Sciences

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    Tacit knowledge sharing behavior, within a relational social capital framework, in a South African university of technology
    (Clute Institute, 2015) Smith, Carol; De Beer, Marie; Mason, Roger B.
    The sharing of tacit knowledge is an important influence on the development of intellectual capital in a University of Technology but whereas its effects are clear in a business context, they have been absent from studies in the context of higher education. This study integrated relational social capital and reasoned action theory to construct a model to investigate the factors that predict an individual’s intention to share tacit knowledge. Specifically, it examined the relationship between relational social capital in terms of trust (affect and cognitive-based trust), shared norms and values (including social norms and norms of social support and reciprocity) and the individual’s attitude towards sharing tacit knowledge. It further examined the relationship between the individual’s attitude, their perceived norms and perceived behavioral control over the sharing of tacit knowledge and their intention to share tacit knowledge. A hypothesized, theoretical model of the individual’s intention to share tacit knowledge was developed. This model was found to be a poor fit to the data and an alternative model was developed which was found to be a good fit to the data. This study incorporated nine research interviews and five hundred and fifty four questionnaires. Relational social capital was found to be significant for predicting individuals’ intentions to share tacit knowledge but the reasoned action variables were found to be less significant, particularly perceived behavioral control over the sharing of tacit knowledge, indicating the need for further research.
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    E-learning : a means to increase learner involvement in research
    (IGI Global, 2014) De Beer, Marie; Mason, Roger Bruce
    This paper investigates a method for increasing the involvement of marketing fourth year learners in academic research, by encouraging greater participation in, and commitment to, their research project in the Applied Marketing IV subject. It is assumed that greater involvement will result in a greater pass rate. The main rea- sons for this lack of interest were found to be a sense of incompetence and a lack of resources which were the main objectives of a research project. These objectives were addressed by using learner centered methodolo- gies with the research method Action Research. This research method with the slow resolution of problems was used together with a teaching methodology whose objectives supported the resolution of the learners' inadequacies. Formative assessment was used at the start of the measuring of the learners'progress and was found useful with its quick and positive feedback in supporting the learners' con.ftdence. An eClassroom was structured for the implementation of the Applied Marketing IV course. It was designed in such a way that it facilitated the learners' use of the more commonly used devices such as sur.ftng the web, email and Internet over and above the chosen course material. Although it was not possible to complete the main intervention of the project it was possible to use the participants' experiences in the navigation of the course material in the eClassroom, to further develop future follow-up courses.
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    Using a blended approach to facilitate postgraduate supervision
    (Routledge, 2009) De Beer, Marie; Mason, Roger Bruce
    This paper explores the feasibility of using a blended approach to postgraduate research-degree supervision. Such a model could reduce research supervisors’ workloads and improve the quality and success of Masters and Doctoral students’ research output. The paper presents a case study that is based on a framework that was originally designed for blended learning activities. It is based on supporting different types of interaction between postgraduate research students and their supervisors. The findings show that a blended approach to postgraduate supervision improves the supervision process, reduces the administrative workload of the supervisor, and creates a dynamic record of the supervision process. The results to date imply that traditional supervision practice needs to be revisited and modified to include digital procedures. The research project is in its infancy and, since at least three years is necessary for the completion of postgraduate degrees, this paper reports only on the first two stages of the research project.