Faculty of Management Sciences

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

An assessment of the impact of the fourth industrial revolution on manufacturing small and medium enterprises : a case study of Durban, South Africa
(2023-08) Khuzwayo, Mlondi Eugene; Zogli, Luther-King Junior
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) play a significant role in economies of both developing and developed countries. They are one of key strategies in combating socio economic issues such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality. For this reason, it is crucial that they are sustained and elevated as the world is progressing from the third industrial revolution to the fourth industrial revolution(4IR). The aim of the research is to assess the impact of the fourth industrial revolution on manufacturing SMEs in Durban, South Africa. Manufacturing SMEs in Durban contribute about 20% of the gross value added to the economy of the city, which is a significant contribution. It is therefore imperative to uncover how the advancements in technology due to 4IR impacts this sector. A non-probability snowball sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 20 respondents who were either owners or people in high management positions in Durban’s Manufacturing SMEs. Data was collected through structured interviews and analysed using content analysis, a qualitative data analysis technique. The results suggest that manufacturing SMEs in Durban know about 4IR. According to their understanding, 4IR is an enhanced and all-inclusive system that fuses physical, digital, and technological systems, built on prior revolutions to improve business processes, business growth and transformation through modern smart and intelligent technologies. The study recommends that manufacturing SMEs should prioritize education and training, innovate their business models to accommodate policies that relate to technological disruptions. They should also invest on innovation, research and development, and smart infrastructure and investment. Finally, this research suggests that SMEs in different industries do comparable studies to determine the effects of 4IR. The results further support a proposal for a study that evaluates the effect of Covid-19 on the use of 4IR by manufacturing SMEs in Durban
The role of implementing cloud computing technology for addressing critical security issues and overcoming the challenges effectively
(IEEE, 2022-04-28) Lourens, Melanie Elizabeth; Kaushik, Manish; Goyal, Jayanti; Singh, Rajesh; Kuchhal, Shikha; Tiwari, Mohit
The term cloud computing possesses the critical aspect to enhance the network by leveraging the available resources in an effective manner. It has been widely stated that the usage of enhanced IT infrastructure support in realising the goals of the stakeholders in an easier aspect. Cloud computing is a shared pool of operations that is growing in popularity due to its low cost, high efficiency, and high output. Along with its many advantages, cloud computing presents a considerably more difficult scenario in terms of data privacy, intellectual property rights, authenticated access, data security, and so on. Cloud computing technology is becoming ever more challenging in today's society as a result of these challenges. This paper aims to evaluate the security issues in cloud services and implementation of advanced technology to prevent these challenges. In this context, mixed method has been considered (primary quantitative and secondary qualitative) to gather relevant and factual information.
A critical analysis of the implementation of e-learning platforms at selected public universities in Zimbabwe
(2021-10) Munyanyi, Richard; Balkaran, Rishidaw; Rawjee, Veena P.
This research study set out to critically analyse the implementation of e-learning platforms in the teaching and learning processes at selected public universities in Zimbabwe. A questionnaire premised on ten major e-learning constructs was administered to Heads of Departments (HODs) and students regarding the implementation of e-learning initiatives. The constructs were: attitudes towards e- learning, commitment to the use of e-learning platform, complexity of the e-learning platform, user training, strategy on e-learning implementation, trialability, support and use of ICT resources by students, impact of e-learning, management commitment on e-learning use and its implementation, level of satisfaction, and barriers to e-learning. The questionnaire was administered to 100 HODs and 400 students at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) and the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU). In addition, the researcher carried out in-depth face-to-face interviews with the directors of the Information and Communications Technology departments in the two public institutions. The researcher therefore utilized quantitative and qualitative methods by using both questionnaires and interviews. Responses were collated to form a dataset in SPSS from the closed-ended structured questions contained in the questionnaires. The data set was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) version 24 for Windows and R 3.6.3. Several statistical approaches were employed to answer the objectives of the study. The following were the major statistical analysis techniques that were utilized: frequency tables, confirmatory factor analysis, explanatory factor analysis, descriptive statistics, t-tests, regression analysis and non-parametric tests (Kendall’s coefficient of concordance). Frequency tables and descriptive statistics were used to generalize the responses of the participants concerning the use and implementation of e-learning platforms in local universities. Descriptive statistics such as correlation analysis were based on the calculated aggregated scores of the constructs of the study. The major findings of the study were that public universities in Zimbabwe have made great strides in implementing e-learning platforms in the teaching and learning ecosystem. The research, however, noted certain factors that were affecting the effective rollout of e-learning in the two public institutions under study. Major barriers to the implementation of e-learning platforms were identified as: inadequate ICT infrastructure, shortage of foreign currency to upgrade the hardware and software, digital skills gap and general attitude and resistance to change. The study revealed that generally, students were more prepared to use technology than their lecturers. Younger lecturers expressed more enthusiasm to infuse technology into the teaching and learning value chain compared to their older counterparts. Other findings were that most lecturers practicing in universities had not undergone basic training on pedagogy and webagogy; lecturers had not produced enough content to migrate 100% of their course content and delivery to online platforms; some students and lecturers still did not trust online learning and preferred blended learning as an alternative. The study found that there was no policy and rollout plan for e-learning implementation in the two public universities. The researcher recommended that public universities should invest more in ICT infrastructure in terms of its acquisition, development and upgrading, enhance digital skills literacy for both lecturers and students, incentivize online teaching and content development, encourage collaboration among public universities as a way of cutting costs, reskill and upskill lecturers, and establish digital transformation centres dedicated to overseeing e-learning content development. Universities were urged to collaborate in the e-learning field so as to share knowledge, software and experience. A call was made for universities to share ICT infrastructure and apply for a free operating internet license and special spectrum for e-learning from the regulator Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) so as improve internet access and affordability.

Faculty of Management Sciences

Browse

Filters

Settings

Sort By

Results per page

Search Results