bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peripheral Vascular Abnormalities Seen by Ultra-Widefield Fluorescein Angiography in Adults With History of Prematurity: Report of Three Cases
Authors: Cernichiaro-Espinosa Linda Alejandra , Williams Basil K. , Martínez-Castellanos María A. , Negron Catherin I. , Berrocal Audina M.
Published: April 2018

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) may lead to late-developing complications due to the abnormal vitreoretinal interface. In this case report, three adult patients (ages 39 years, 62 years, and 64 years) with a history of prematurity underwent imaging with ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWFFA). The UWFFA demonstrated late peripheral vascular hyperfluorescence in all three patients, perivascular leakage in two of the patients, hyperfluorescent foveal avascular zone in two of the patients, peripheral avascular retina in two of the patients, vasoproliferative tumor in one of the patients, peripheral neovascularization in one of the patients, and vascular anastomosis in one of the patients. Descriptive analysis of the images is reported. The authors concluded UWFFA reveals details in adults with history of ROP that may gain importance during the follow-up or in the surgical management of these patients; however, prospective studies are needed.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2018;49:278–283.]
Diseño de oficinas en el Mediterráneo. La importancia del bienestar, la salud y el rendimiento de los usuarios
Authors: Mateo-Cecilia C. , Navarro-Escudero M. , Escrig-Meliá T. , Estreder Y.
Published: April 2018

Estudios previos han investigado la influencia de la calidad del ambiente interior (CAI) de las oficinas en el bienestar, salud y rendimiento de los empleados. Sin embargo, no parecen haberse explorado explícitamente cuáles son las condiciones ambientales apropiadas para los diferentes patrones de trabajo que conviven en estos espacios. Este artículo presenta los resultados de un estudio empírico, basado en mediciones sincronizadas de diferentes parámetros CAI (i.e., ruido, iluminación y temperatura), y el bienestar, la salud y el rendimiento de 71 empleados ubicados en doce espacios de oficinas de la Comunidad Valenciana durante tres periodos, considerando invierno y verano. Estos resultados referentes al primer invierno monitorizado, sugieren la existencia de diferentes parámetros óptimos asociados a diferentes niveles de complejidad de la tarea para el clima mediterráneo; y abren nuevas vías de investigación para establecer un modelo de Oficinas Inteligentes y Sostenibles (SSO) y desarrollar herramientas de apoyo al diseño y la gestión de las mismas.
Metodología para la evaluación preliminar de la vulnerabilidad sísmica estructural de puentes de hormigón armado
Authors: Candebat Sánchez D. , Godínez Melgares G.
Published: April 2018

Durante eventos sísmicos fuertes muchos puentes de hormigón armado han colapsado o han sido severamente dañados causando pérdidas humanas y materiales. Se presenta una metodología para la evaluación preliminar de la vulnerabilidad sísmica estructural de puentes de hormigón armado, que garantiza la estimación adecuada de este parámetro cuando no existe suficiente información de proyecto. Se valida a partir del método de consulta de expertos Delphi, con la participación de profesionales de diversos países seleccionados por su experiencia en el tema tratado. Se obtiene una herramienta de evaluación que incluye parámetros no utilizados usualmente en las metodologías existentes y que involucra el chequeo del período de vibración de la estructura como indicador de su comportamiento global. Finalmente se presenta su aplicación en la evaluación de 18 estructuras ubicadas en la zona de mayor peligro sísmico de Cuba.
The hedonic valuation of South African wine brands
Authors: Priilaid D. , Van Rensburg P.
Published: April 2018

Working with a set of 35 South African wine brands identified in Priilaid and Van Rensburg (2010a), this study presents two brand valuation techniques that combine non-ordinal wine valuation models with conventional methods of valuation. The first price-premium approach defines brand equity value as the difference between a wine’s price and a valuation of its intrinsic worth. The second quality premium approach defines brand equity value as the difference between a wine’s intrinsic value and, instead of price, the value of its perceived quality when sampled sighted. With a set of assumptions regarding consistency in future wine quality, hectorage, price premiums, and sales volumes, brand valuations for each method are calculated as the net present value of the brand premiums paid per unit over the total cases sold. The consequent computations reveal how the price-premium method realises a mean valuation three times greater than the average derived from the alternate quality premium method. This difference is attributed to extreme valuations noted at either end of the price-premium sample, and suggests that this method is perhaps less conservative than perceived quality premium-based valuations. Additionally, the specification of perpetuity is observed to be too extreme. Alternate time scenarios are considered, with a period of ten years posited as perhaps more appropriate to such computations.
static and dynamic strategic portfolio analysis: The positioning of Iberian seaports
Authors: Da Cruz M. R.P. , Ferreira J. J. , Azevedo S. G.
Published: April 2018

The various changes that have occurred in the seaport industry have had a continuous and substantial impact on seaport activities and management in recent decades. The highly competitive and rapidly changing environment faced by business has greatly increased the need for strategic planning. Thus, it is relevant and appropriate to apply strategic positioning tools to seaports given how competitive strategies play a key role in the growth and development of this industry. This research aims to analyse the strategic positioning of the leading Iberian Peninsula seaports using the BCG matrix from a static and dynamics perspective for the period between 1997 and 2008. The findings reveal a better positioning of Spanish seaports in relation to total traffic. Furthermore, considering container traffic, the results point to the seaports of Algeciras, Valencia and Barcelona as having attained a remarkable position of leadership. However, according to the time series analysed, the ranking of seaports has not changed significantly.
Synchronised smart phones: The collision of personal privacy and organisational data security
Authors: Chigona W.
Published: April 2018

The purpose of this study was to explore the organisational and individual motivations for incorporating personally-owned smart phones into the workplace and challenges arising from use; privacy and data security concerns of involved parties in the organisation. This study uses exploratory case study method and investigates privacy and security regarding personally-owned smart-phone usage in workplace. The study found that convenience, ease of use and access to emails were motives behind employees’ use of personal smart phones in the workplace. Further, employees have higher privacy expectation. Sample for this study was small to provide statistically meaningful results, Further research is needed to cover a larger case study spanning multiple organisations in other sectors. Mobile devices are creating challenges to organisational data security and employees’ right to information privacy. This study suggests that organisations need to reconsider data security and employees’ privacy policies to address possible conflict between data security and employees’ privacy.
The impact of advisory services on Iranian SME performance: An empirical investigation of the role of professional accountants
Authors: Kamyabi Y. , Devi S.
Published: April 2018

The role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is recognized globally given their contribution to total productivity and job opportunities. However, the majority of SMEs tend to fail due to a lack of marketing knowledge and managerial skills or technical expertise. Professional accountants are in a unique situation to help SME owner/managers to achieve their business objectives and bridge the skills gap. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the factors that affect the decisions of owner/managers of SMEs in Iranian manufacturing sector to utilise the professional accountants’ advisory services and to examine the impact of these advisory services on SME performance using the Resource-Based View (RBV) of the firm. Based on a questionnaire survey data of 658 Iranian manufacturing SMEs, our regression analysis reveals a significant positive relationship between utilisation of professional accountants′ advisory services and three independent variables, namely, knowledge of owner/manager, competitive intensity and complexity of marketing decisions. Furthermore, we evidence that the use of advisory services is significant and positively associated with SME performance. More importantly, utilisation of professional accountants′ advisory services partially mediates the relationship between knowledge of owner/manager, competitive intensity and complexity of marketing decisions and firm performance. Therefore, we provide a specific, theoretically and empirically grounded prediction of how utilisation of professional accountants′ advisory services influences performance with implications for theory and practice.
An investigation of the influence of entrepreneurial orientation on the perceived success of agribusinesses in South Africa
Authors: Lotz H. M. , Van der Merwe S. P.
Published: April 2018

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of an entrepreneurial orientation on the perceived success of agribusinesses in South Africa. Business success, for the purpose of this study, was measured by means of two dependent variables, namely Business development and improvement and Business growth. Structured questionnaires were administered to managers in five of the largest and three smaller agribusinesses in South Africa. In total, 533 usable questionnaires were returned. Construct validity of the measuring instrument was assessed by means of a principal component exploratory factor analysis and by calculating Cronbach alpha coefficients. The results show that the managers in the participating agribusinesses perceived that the entrepreneurial orientation factors of Proactiveness, Risk-taking and Autonomy have a positive influence on their business development and improvement. A positive relationship was also found to exist between the entrepreneurial orientation factors of Proactiveness, Autonomy and Innovativeness and the dependent variable Business growth in the participating businesses. To enhance the entrepreneurial orientation in agribusiness, it is recommended that the word “entrepreneurship” should specifically be included in the vision statement of the business, setting goals and developing strategies for entrepreneurship. The focus of the business then becomes opportunity identification, discovery of new sources of value, and product and process innovation that could lead to greater success.
An industry analysis of pharmaceutical production in South Africa
Authors: Naudé C. Te W. , Luiz J. M.
Published: April 2018

The purpose of this research is to investigate the shifting structure of pharmaceutical production in South Africa and examine the global and local factors that have contributed to this change. Generally, these factors have resulted in a decline in the number of pharmaceutical manufacturers in South Africa and in particular manufacturing operations owned by multinational companies. Simultaneously the global demand for generic medicines has increased due to their ability to improve access to affordable medicines. As a result, the supply of medicines in South Africa is being increasingly met by imported generic medicines and to a lesser extent locally manufactured generic medicines. These changes, together with a turbulent and sometimes uncertain regulatory environment, have led to interesting dynamics and changes within the structure of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in South Africa.
Workplace spirituality and organizational citizenship behaviour: Exploring gender as a moderator
Authors: Nasurdin A. M. , Nejati M. , Mei Y. K.
Published: April 2018

Despite extensive studies on the antecedents of organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB), empirical studies on the effect of the workplace spirituality on OCB remains limited. The present study investigates the effects of workplace spirituality dimensions on OCB, with the moderating role of gender. Analyses of 171 academic staff attached to 15 private institutions of higher learning in Malaysia partially supported the relationship between workplace spirituality and OCB, as well as gender's role as a moderator in the workplace spirituality-OCB linkage. Findings are discussed in the light of available literature. Implications for future research and practice are also highlighted.
Systemic leadership for socio-political stewardship
Authors: Taylor R. G. , Lynham S. A.
Published: April 2018

The role of business leadership in defining, and enacting, societal values and providing consolidating influences relative to change processes is increasingly being recognised. This role is best defined as one of “stewardship”, embracing the securing of social, political and economic futures. For business leadership, the increased recognition of the ability for it to influence the trajectory of change, and indeed the expectation that it should do so, brings with it a need to revisit contemporary understandings of leadership and how that leadership is best engaged so as to facilitate desirable outcomes.This paper adopts a critical position relative to the conventional “leader, follower, situation” configurations of leadership thinking. Drawing on theory located within the knowledge domain of systems thinking and network theory, leadership is redefined at a conceptual level, hence to understand the processes by which it is enacted and experienced and how, therefore, it can be better practiced in the broader socio-political domain. Leadership is considered as an emergent phenomenon that creates definitional distinction between actors and process so as to provide new insights.The paper includes outcomes of a research study that was conducted amongst business leadership in South Africa. The study covered the period 1984-1994, a period of considerable large scale change in South Africa, during which time lessons about leadership were learned. These lessons validate the significant potential that business leadership has for monitoring and influence beyond the immediate concerns of business itself. The assumption of the role of “steward” typified much of what emerged from that engagement, but also gave opportunity for reflections about revised theoretical frameworks for leadership practice in the 21st Century. The case material arising from this research also provides demonstration of the appropriateness of the theoretical propositions that form the conceptual basis for the paper.
The influence of transformational policies on the operational competitiveness of South African businesses
Authors: Krüger L. P.
Published: April 2018

Since the dawn of democracy in South Africa in 1994, transformational policies such as black economic empowerment (BEE) and affirmative action (AA) have increasingly and inextricably become part of the everyday political, economic and social life of its populace. As a result, South African businesses are subject to a whole array of mandatory regulations which ostensibly influence their operational capabilities to effectively and efficiently compete in national and global markets. In a survey of the largest 500 (including the top 100 JSE listed) companies in South Africa, it appears that transformational policies are positively supported and endorsed, although their impact on the operational competitiveness of these companies is largely unclear and unknown. A number of warning signs, however, are now being detected from reports in the popular media and in the academic literature about the possible negative consequences of such policies. BEE malpractices, which basically result in the continuation of past injustices against the majority of poor and unskilled people of the country, are becoming increasingly evident. Even more alarming is the fact that the corruption, nepotism and self-enrichment that accompany most BEE transactions are attributed to the ruling ANC political elite.
An investigation into the perceptions of business stakeholders on the benefits of enterprise architecture: The case of Telkom SA
Authors: Lehong S. M. , Dube E. , Angelopoulos G.
Published: April 2018

This study identifies the perceived benefits of Enterprise Architecture (EA) among business stakeholders who are aware of EA but are not specialists in the field of ICT, and proposes a clearly differentiated and comprehensive cluster of stakeholder groups based on these perceptions. It provides an understanding of the benefits of EA from the perspective of business beneficiaries, not the perspective of its practitioners.The study was conducted using Q-methodology, which was developed specifically to uncover subjective perceptions and preferences. Q-methodology correlates people in respect of their perception of a sample of tests, and is particularly useful in bridging the sharp dichotomy between qualitative and quantitative methodologies.The research identifies and describes 9 EA stakeholder types: Transformational Task-Driven Strategist, Universal Risk-Tolerant Pragmatist, Evolutionary Reuse Overseer, Technology Leverager, Simplicity Valuer, IT Commoditiser, Operational Stability Maintainer, Organisational Change Manager, and Siloed Product Manager. The study demonstrates an increasing understanding of EA benefits, and points to strategies that may be deployed when engaging each stakeholder class.
Flies in amber: Capturing brand equity-effects in South African rosé wines
Authors: Priilaid D. , Barendse J. , Kato-Kalule C. , Mubangizi A.
Published: April 2018

With previous wine marketing studies confirming the effect of extrinsic cues such as price, area-of-origin, and expert ratings on sighted appreciation, we report on a tasting room experiment aimed to determine the prevalence and impact of wine brands across user categories of education, gender, expertise and age. Here 83 subjects assessed six different entry-level rosé wine brands, first blind and then sighted. During the sighted round the only cue information made available was the brand of each wine. A database of 498 paired blind and sighted wine assessments was thus constituted. The subsequent statistical interrogation of those factors impacting on a wine’s sighted appreciation reveals (1) the extent to which certain wines present with significant brand effects, while others do not, and (2) how different brand assemblages accrue across certain user profiles. While two men’s brands were clearly identified, females, in particular, appeared to be more influenced by certain brands, as did those with higher levels of education. The methods and findings of this paper demonstrate how one might more cost effectively test for and deploy particular brands within particular user categories.
An enhanced conceptualisation of management teams: Adaptive, selfadjusting teams that interact at multiple levels of analysis
Authors: Batohi S.
Published: April 2018

This article highlights two themes that emerged from an in-depth multiple-case study of management teams in South African corporations that deserve closer attention in future research. First, it is shown that team composition is not staticand changes adaptively in response to changing task demands. Hence, team characteristics such as maturity, or team member characteristics, including skills and competencies, need to be understood and modelled as variable rather thanconstant. To date, this has not been the case in the management team literature. Second, the findings highlight the prevalence and importance of within-team dynamics with particular reference to subgroup interaction. It is shown that spontaneous, informal sub-group formation is a common and constructive feature of management team functioning. This calls for a reconceptualisation of management teams to acknowledge that they are not indivisible units of analysis. Yet the very essence of the notion of a team, as consistently defined in the management literature, need not be violated orinvalidated. The defining attributes of teams, including a common purpose, task interdependence among members and a shared identity may remain intact. What needs to change is our theorising about management teams, to take duecognisance of their dynamic, adaptive, self-regulating functioning in business organisations.
Flourishing of information technology professionals: Effects on individual and organisational outcomes
Authors: Diedericks E. , Rothmann S.
Published: April 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between flourishing and individual and organisational outcomes, including job satisfaction, organisational commitment, organisational citizenship behaviour, turnover intention andcounterproductive behaviour. A convenience sample (N = 205) was taken of employees in information technology organisations in South Africa. A biographical questionnaire, the Mental Health Continuum Short Form, Job Satisfaction Scale, Organisational Commitment Scale, Turnover Intention Scale, Organisational Citizenship Behaviour Scale and a Counterproductive Behaviour Scale were administered. Flourishing affected job satisfaction, organisational commitment, organisational citizenship behaviour and organisational commitment directly and indirectly. Job satisfaction had strong direct effects on organisational commitment (positive) and turnover intention (negative), and a moderate negative effect on counterproductive work behaviour. Flourishing affected turnover intention indirectly and negatively via organisational commitment.
Dynamic capabilities, expert and entrepreneurial learning
Authors: Lecler C. J. , Kinghorn J.
Published: April 2018

This article focuses on how managers sense and seize opportunities for learning and developing dynamic capabilities in organisations. An approach of building process theory from cases traces learning events in the technological innovationapproaches of three securities custodians facing an increasingly dynamic market. The article extends and elaborates the dynamic capability learning framework (Lecler, 2013) which proposes that managers recognise learning opportunitiesthrough two types of learning, expert and entrepreneurial, with variants for technological and organisational problem solving. The concept of entrepreneurial learning is further elaborated to help explain differences in the learning patternsfound. Distinctive characteristics of the two types of learning are proposed pertaining to opportunity recognition and realisation, and the problem solving strategy. The framework helps to analyse data in terms of four learning patterns: expert honing and aligning, and entrepreneurial shaping and configuring. Further, entrepreneurial learning is suggested to facilitate dynamic capability development in a highly dynamic environment.
External job satisfaction factors improving the overall job satisfaction of selected five-star hotel employees
Authors: Coughlan L. , Moolman H. , Haarhoff R.
Published: April 2018

One of the 2011 South African National Tourism Sector Strategy objectives is to "provide excellent people development and decent work within the tourism sector". The hospitality industry is, however, not regarded as a provider of decent work and a close link exists between decent work and job satisfaction. External job satisfaction can be defined as satisfaction relating to the work environment of employees. The purpose of this study was to identify the external job satisfaction factors which contribute to overall job satisfaction of employees in selected five-star hotels. The instrument used to gather the quantitative data was a newly developed index based on the literature review conducted. The empirical study was conducted among 124 employees of four five-star hotels in the Western Cape. All three factors identified (supervision, work environment and work itself) were found to be significantly and positively correlated with overall job satisfaction in five-star hotels in the Western Cape.
The elaboration and empirical evaluation of the De Goede learning potential structural model
Authors: Van Heerden S. , Theron C.
Published: April 2018

As a direct result of having segregated amenities and public services during the Apartheid era where Black individuals were provided with services inferior to those of White individuals, the country is currently challenged by serious and adebilitating skills shortage across most industry sectors, high unemployment and poverty rates, and inequality in terms of income distribution as well as in terms of racial representation in the workforce. These challenges are the consequence of a larger problem that knowledge, skills and abilities are not uniformly distributed across all races. In the past, and still now, White South Africans had greater access to skills development and educational opportunities. It is this fundamental inequality that has to be addressed. It is argued that skills development – specifically affirmative action skills development should form part of the solution. A need therefore exists to identify the individuals who would gainmaximum benefit from such affirmative action skills development opportunities and to create the conditions that would optimise learning performance. To achieve this, an understanding is required of the complex nomological network of latent variables that determine learning performance. De Goede (2007) proposed and tested a learning potential structural model based on the work of Taylor (1994). The primary objective of this study was to expand on De Goede’s (2007) learning potential structural model in order to gain a deeper understanding of the complexity underlying learning performance. A subset of the hypothesised expanded learning potential structural model was empirically evaluated. The first analysis of the structural model failed to produce a good fit to the data. The model was subsequently modified by both adding additional paths and by removing insignificant paths. The final revised structural model was found to fit the data well. All paths contained in the final model were empirically corroborated. The practical implications of the learning potential structural model on HR and organisations are discussed. Suggestions for future research are made by indicating how the model can be further elaborated. The limitations of the study are also discussed.
Entrepreneurial decisions: Insights into the use of support services for new business creation
Authors: Ammetller G. , Rodriguez-Ardurab I. , Llados-Masllorens J.
Published: April 2018

This research presents an integrative model about the use of those services that have been specifically designed to support entrepreneurial initiative. By contrast with conventional perspectives from the entrepreneurship field, mainly drawn from a resource-based view, we propose a two-fold approach to explain the utilization of services that are oriented to new business creation: by considering the role of resources within the start-up's reach (internal and external); by incorporating a behavioral and decision-making approach. On the basis of the suggested decision-making framework, a multi-stage decision model is developed and tested by means of a representative sample of entrepreneurs linked to a local development agency. The results show that the adoption and use of support services for new business creation is a complex and reflexive process, triggered by the entrepreneur's internal forces.The entrepreneur searches for information throughout the process and, with assistance from internal teams and external networks, evaluates the choices of businesssupport services. Our findings offer relevant implications and recommendations for business incubators and institutions.
Towards online security: Key drivers of poor user behaviour and recommendations for appropriate interventions
Authors: Butler M. J.
Published: April 2018

Online commerce has grown significantly and securing this channel of commerce is of vital importance for organisations. In the quest to secure the online world, users are often referred to as the weakest link in online security since theirbehaviour could impact negatively on systems security. User education and awareness programmes to develop and enhance the required skills and appropriate frame of mind are common approaches to improve online security.Focussing on the drivers of change in user's online security behaviour can assist in defining appropriate interventions. Key human behaviour models where used to define these drivers. The drivers of change in online security behaviour wasused to design an instrument used to survey South African online consumers to determine the prevalence, or not, of factors that determine secure or unsecure behaviour.The data from the survey was analysed to highlight the Knowledge, Capability and Motivation to behave in a secure manner, as well as te st for potential aspects that have influenced past behaviour and that could potentially influencefuture behaviour. Based on the determinants of behaviour, as well as identified deficiencies in password behaviour as identified by the survey, a list of potential considerations for the designers ofiS security interventions is presented.
South Africa's business process outsourcing services sector: Lessons for Western-based client firms
Authors: Lacity M. C. , Willcocks L. P. , Craig A.
Published: April 2018

Since 2008, South Africa has become one of the world's upcoming offshore destinations for business process outsourcing (BPO), a market estimated to be worth $US 182 billion globally by 2013. Western-based client firms evaluating South Africa as a BPO destination must consider the country's relative value against alternative locations. Client firms also have a number of engagement models from which to choose, inclucling outsourcing, erecting a captive centre, or acquiring an existing BPO business. The research finds that, for the UK, US, and Australian client companies in this study, South Africa's value proposition is not just based on costs as other locations are often cheaper. South Africa's value proposition is about overall economic value, high quality service and staff, strong cultural compatibility, and a favourable time zone. The findings reveal that South Africa complements the global portfolio for Western-based client firms that already have BPO centres in Inclia, the Philippines, and Eastern Europe. Moreover, whether client firms build or buy services from South Africa, the research identifies clistinctive risks that need to be mitigated by investing in and effectively governing the business processes performed offshore. Finally, from the case study research, this article identifies management lessons for leveraging South Africa's identifiable BPO service advantage.
Value and small firm premiums in the South African market
Authors: Hammar S.
Published: April 2018

Numerous studies have identified both value and size effects existing in international markets. Fewer studies have been conducted that document the same effects in the South African market. In this study, portfolios were constructed based on four valuation multiples, as well as market capitalisation from 1999 2012. In this 14-year period it was found that value stocks predominantly outperformed growth stocks when defined by P/E or P/CF. Growth stocks outperformed value stocks when the portfolios were based on P/B and DY. Also, significant evidence of a small firm premium was identified on the JSE, regardless of the valuation multiple. Furthermore, small-cap value stocks generated the highest mean returns over the period. The study identifies the prevalence of these premiums on the JSE, but the comprehensive explanations for these anomalies remain inconclusive.
The importance of conscientiousness in the telemarketing industry
Authors: Gaertner B. , Lambson L. , Mbuyu M. , Botha E.
Published: April 2018

Researchers have long pondered the personality type-performance relationship. However, in the sales industry and especially in telemarketing, findings have been contradictory with regards to which personality trait best contributes to performance. The telemarketing industry is a rapidly growing industry, but is typically marred with high staff turnover and low levels of performance. An improved understanding of the factors that contribute towards performance in this industry is a key mandate of management. Personality-type has been shown to be a key driver of performance in the sales industry. However, it is unclear whether the personality types touted in typical sales positions (for example extroversion) are suited for the telemarketing environment. South Africa is one of the top emerging call centre locations in the world and as such the purpose of this study was to determine which personality type best contributes towards performance in the South African telemarketing industry. A census was conducted on telesales personnel in a large telemarketing organisation and the five-factor model was used to test employees' personality types. Contrary to current research, which suggests that extraversion is the five-factor trait best suited to salespeople, this study found that conscientiousness was the only personality trait that influenced sales performance in the call centre context.
The influence of cell phone users' relationship intentions on expectations and perceptions of service recovery
Authors: Kruger L. , Mostert P. G.
Published: April 2018

With the first-time cell phone user market quickly shrinking, it is becoming increasingly important for South African cell phone network providers to retain customers by building long-term relationships with them and consistently offering quality service. Despite cell phone network providers' best intentions, service failures do occur. Not all customers want to build relationships with cell phone network providers, and therefore it is important to consider the influence of customers' relationship intentions within a service failure and recovery setting. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of relationship intention on expectations and perceptions of two service recovery scenarios within the cell phone industry. Non-probability convenience sampling was used to collect data from 605 cell phone users residing in Gauteng. Results indicate that as respondents' relationship intentions increase, so do their expectations that their cell phone network providers should take service recovery action. It was also found that respondents with high and moderate relationship intentions perceived service recovery strategies of their cell phone network providers including an acknowledgement, apology, explanation and rectification of the problem more favourable, compared to a service recovery strategy only rectifying the problem, than those respondents with low relationship intentions.
The perceived influence of the elements of internal marketing on the brand image of a staffing agency group
Authors: Burin C. , Roberts-Lombard M. , Klopper H. B.
Published: April 2018

The main purpose of the study on which this article is based was to determine the influence of internal marketing on service quality as a means of improving the brand image of staffing agencies. The population of the study was the publicstaffing industry in South Africa. The sampling unit was the clients of a selected staffing brand. The selected sample of respondents was surveyed through an online self-administered survey distributed via a link in an email. The data wasanalysed using multivariate regression statistics. The application of an internal marketing approach enables staffing agencies to minimise employee turnover and increase service quality and performance, aiding staffing agencies to gainstrong brand images that result in higher levels of competitiveness and profitability. Successful internal marketing should have a positive influence on employee attitudes and actions and therefore enhance customer satisfaction and service quality. The integration of internal marketing into the organisation's overall marketing strategy is therefore critical. The purpose of such a strategy can be to ensure that the organisation recruits and trains employees to deliver on the values of the brand in order to ensure that staffing agencies strengthen their brand images.
What impedes micro, small and medium firms’ growth the most in South Africa? Evidence from World Bank Enterprise Surveys
Authors: Mthimkhulu A. M. , Aziakpono M. J.
Published: April 2018

The growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is often regarded as a solution to persistent unemployment in developing countries. Studies have shown that access to finance is the most serious obstacle to MSMEs’ growth. This paper investigates key obstacles to the growth of MSMEs in South Africa using the World Bank Enterprise Surveys of 2003 and 2007. Two approaches are used to determine the key obstacles. The first improves on the simple count-of-ratings method used by many researchers. The second estimates the effects of obstacles on growth through sequential multivariate regressions based on the Growth Diagnostics framework by Hausmann, Rodrik & Velasco (2005) and identifies two levels of obstacles’ intensities: binding constraints with negative and significant effects and constraints with notable effects whose negative effects are significant but less than the binding. From both count- and regression-based analyses, access to finance is a relatively less important obstacle. The count-based analysis finds crime to be the top obstacle. In the regressions, ‘courts’, which refers to the efficacy of the legal system and thus related to crime, is binding. Electricity and transportation of goods are the constraints with notable effects.
Behavioural factors in the financial decisions of young Mozambicans
Authors: Mota J. H. , Moreira A. C. , Cossa A. J.
Published: April 2018

This paper seeks to analyse how behavioural factors influence the financial decisions of young Mozambican investors. The standard theory of finance assumes investors make rational financial decisions, seeking to minimise risk and maximise their expected utility. However, several studies have been conducted criticizing the assumption that investors are rational, opening the way to behavioural finance theory. According to the behavioural finance approach, financial decisions made by individuals are not based on rational thinking and their risk taking behaviour depends on their beliefs or feelings. Our analysis reveals that young Mozambicans are risk averse towards certain gains and risk lovers when faced with certain losses; they are excessively optimistic about the future; they use the information available as an anchor for their estimates; and they are so overconfident that they believe estimates in uncertain situations to be more accurate than they really are.
Technophobia: Gender differences in the adoption of high-technology consumer products
Authors: Kotzé T. G. , Anderson O. , Summerfield K.
Published: April 2018

The advent of technology has improved consumers’ daily lives; but it has also affected some consumers, by engendering fear of complex technological products. Feelings of anxiety and fear lead to the avoidance of technology; and this fear is known as ‘technophobia’. This study aims to establish whether gender differences in technophobia and the adoption of high-technology consumer products continue to exist in this digital age, or whether things have changed over time. The findings show that women are less optimistic than men; they exhibit higher levels of risk-aversion; and they have higher cognitive-processing than do men – when considering the purchases of high-technology products. The greatest challenge in stimulating the adoption of high-technology products is the perceived risk that a consumer experiences when making a purchasing decision. Although marketers tend to assume that in the modern digital age, men and women are consuming electronics in the same manner, this study shows that this is not necessarily the case; and as a new product is introduced to the market, marketers need to employ differentiating strategies, in order to target both men and women successfully.
Marketing and sustainability from the perspective of future decision makers
Authors: Pantelic D. , Sakal M. , Zehetner A.
Published: April 2018

Contemporary research on sustainability is fragmented between multiple disciplines and areas, with on-going debates about methodological as well as practical issues. The core value of sustainability is embedded in the long-term maintenance of quality of life and contains environmental, economic and social components. Business organizations have a substantial responsibility for preserving the quality of life for future generations, as a result of the role they play in transforming natural and societal resources into goods and services. The marketing function is a major force in strategic decision-making in contemporary organizations. With its arsenal of tools for influencing (managing) consumption patterns, marketing must take responsibility for sustainable behaviour of both organizations and consumers. This article discusses the role of marketing in facilitating sustainable behaviour. Contemporary marketing education may not prepare students to use marketing’s influence to support sustainability. This study, using senior level Marketing students, assesses the perceptions, opinions and attitudes towards sustainability at three different universities in Austria, Portugal and Serbia. These students represent future decision makers shaping marketing and business strategies. The results of this research inform the marketing academic community about its ability to build contemporary curricula, as well as marketing professionals who seek justification for sustainable marketing strategies. Business schools, in their role of educators, should assume more active role in shaping students’ attitudes towards sustainability.
A management dilemma: Positioning employees for internal competition versus internal collaboration. Is coopetition possible?
Authors: Naidoo S. , Sutherland M.
Published: April 2018

Managers are faced with the dilemma of either positioning their employees to compete against or to collaborate with each other within the organisation. Internal competition can motivate individuals and teams to strive to be the best and in so doing result in continuous incremental performance improvements. In contrast, internal collaboration can result in effective problem solving through knowledge sharing and innovation. This study investigated the key factors that drive the adoption of internal competition and internal collaboration, the consequences of implementing each approach, how levels of internal competition and internal collaboration vary at different management levels and whether a viable hybrid combination of both management approaches is possible. A qualitative exploratory study by in-depth interview was conducted with twenty senior executives. A hybrid model was developed from these research findings, which confirms that while the two management approaches have different outcomes there is an optimal way of combining them to allow managers to optimise the performance of their staff and the organisation.
The relationship between family adjustment and expatriate performance
Authors: Trompetter D. , Bussin M. , Nienaber R.
Published: April 2018

Following the global economic collapse, executives are significantly more demanding in understanding the Return on Investment of employee-related programmes including expatriate programmes. Expatriates are defined as employees who are recruited to provide a service in a country which is not the country of residence, typically for at least three years. Expatriate programmes carry high risk; even more so when the family accompanies the employee. The cost of an expatriate assignment is, on average, three times higher than that of a local; yet the failure rate is estimated to be up to 40%. Despite the cost, expatriate resources are critical to embed culture, policies and transfer of skills to a host country environment. The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between the adjustments of the expatriate’s family in the hostcountry on the performance of expatriates. The study was conducted using a quantitative research approach. A convenience sample was used and 81 expatriates completed the questionnaire. The results confirmed home to work spillover and that expatriates would value more organisational support for families in the new location. The length of stay in the host location was linked to higher levels of performance – the longer the assignment, the better the performance levels of the expatriate. Human Resources Practitioners can develop support programmes to ensure that expatriates and families are equipped to enhance their adjustment period and consequently positively impact the expatriate’s performance whilst on assignment.
Work locus of control and sense of coherence as antecedents of job insecurity
Authors: Pienaar J. , De Witte H.
Published: April 2018

Previous research has highlighted various antecedents of job insecurity, both in cross-sectional research and in a recent meta-analysis. A review of this literature indicates that work locus of control actually is the only personality antecedent that has received considerable attention, while sense of coherence may also be an important factor to consider. Data on biographical variables, cognitive and affective job insecurity, work locus of control and sense of coherence were gathered from employees across 3 organisations (N=718), presenting two different sectors (chemical industry and financial services), by means of anonymous surveys. Data were analysed by means of correlations and regression analyses. Results indicate that both work locus of control and sense of coherence play a role in predicting job insecurity, even after controlling for biographical variables. Considering their individual contributions, it is suggested here that sense of coherence may be even more important than work locus of control as a personality antecedent of job insecurity.
Benchmarking avi-tourism literacy rates among Gauteng school learners
Authors: Tustin D. H. , Conradie N.
Published: April 2018

Literacy on birds and the natural environment among young citizens is critical in addressing current and emerging environmental challenges. To improve the future awareness, involvement, knowledge, values and pro-environmental behaviour of young South Africans towards birds, the natural habitat of birds and avi-tourism, this article benchmarks avi-tourism literacy rates among secondary school learners. The study arrived at an avi-tourism literacy rate of 43.66% which presupposes passive behaviour of learners towards birds, bird habitat and avi-tourism activities. Besides lacking basic bird and environmental knowledge, learners have also not yet reached the desired levels of emotional affection towards birds and the natural environment. However, increased awareness and affinity, involvement, values and behavioural intention will most likely entice pro-avi and environmental behaviour. The research poses clear challenges to professionals and educators within the tourism industry of South Africa to increase learners’ willingness and motivation to act pro-environmentally through dedicated education. This supports the need to introduce an intervention programme in order to promote awareness, knowledge, values and pro-avi and environmental behaviour among learners.