bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Labour Force Reduction on the Financial Performance of Manufacturing Companies
Authors: N. Wadesango , C. Gwangwadza D. , C. Mhaka , O. Wadesango V.
Published: January 2020

This study attempts to corroborate the impact of labour force reduction on financial performance of manufacturing companies in a developing country. Despite the on-going use of labour force reduction, literature and research on this approach continues to yield mixed results. This desktop research was therefore conducted with the aim of determining the impact of employing labour force reduction initiatives on financial performance of manufacturing companies. The study reviews the results and findings of empirical and qualitative literature on labour force reduction by previous scholars for a period of 6 years ranging from 2012 to 2017. The phenomenon of labour force reduction has facilitated the research and studies on the area in the past six years, with researchers reaching different conclusions on the practiseâ€™s effect on organisations. This has prompted the researchers of this study to critically study labour force reduction methods, factors affecting their success, employeesâ€™ reaction to the strategy, the practise effect on productivity and the relationship between labour force reduction and organisation performance.
Organisational Factors Influencing E-business Adoption in Zimbabwe's Manufacturing Sector
Authors: Mupemhi S. , Muposhi A.
Published: January 2020

Creating and sustaining competitive advantage through the adoption and implementation of innovative technologies is a strategic imperative for all learning organizations. Despite this, manufacturing companies in developing countries such as Zimbabwe are confronting challenges in implementing e-business practices. Against this background, the objective of this study was to understand organizational factors influencing e-business adoption in Zimbabweâ€™s manufacturing sector. The study was motivated by the need to appreciate factors that facilitate or inhibit the adoption of e-business in the context of developing countries such as Zimbabwe. A questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 118 companies registered by the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries in 2015. Regression analysis was used to test the posited hypotheses. Results revealed that manufacturing companies in Zimbabwe differ significantly in their inclination to adopt and implement e-business strategies. Innovation orientation, financial resources, perceived usefulness and size of the firm were found to be positively associated with e-business adoption. The study also found that technological resources did not have a statistically significant relationship with e-business adoption. The study furthers current debate on e-business adoption by identifying the drivers of e-business adoption in the manufacturing sector in the context of a developing country. The importance of this study lies in its contribution to theory and practice. In terms of theory, this study contributes to the body of knowledge on organizational factors influencing e-business adoption and provides avenues for further studies. In practice, the findings of this study add to the insights of managers in the manufacturing sector in developing countries, which influence the adoption of e-business practices.
Causes of Poor Service Delivery and the Feasibility of Outsourcing to Improve Services in Local Authorities
Authors: N. Wadesango , C. Mhaka , T. Chikomo , O Wadesango V
Published: January 2020

This theoretical paper was undertaken to ascertain the causes of poor service delivery and to establish if outsourcing of public service delivery could be used to improve local Authority services. It interrogated and critiqued documents on what other researchers in their different contexts had established in view of the feasibility of outsourcing as a strategy to improve service delivery. It emerged in this study that political interference, lack of citizen participation. lack of funds and corruption were the main causes of poor service delivery in local authorities. Therefore, outsourcing was seen to bring quality and affordable services for the public while costs savings and emergence of hidden costs were the financial implications unveiled for the local authorities (LAs). Social costs, accountability for public service delivery and quality shading were cited to be the outsourcing challenges.  It also emerged in this study that outsourcing can increase service quality and provide affordable services for the public. Taking into account the information that was accumulated and examined, the researchers came to the conclusion that the current services being offered by local authorities are very poor and this is attributed to many causes such as political interference, lack of citizen participation, lack of funds and corruption. The study therefore, concludes that outsourcing could be a feasible option to use to improve service delivery by local authorities.
Assessing the Impact of Skilled Labor on Output Growth in South Africa: An ARDL Bound Testing Approach
Authors: Okoli Tochukwu Timothy , Tewari Devi Datt , N.O. Eneh George
Published: January 2020

Economic theory emphasized the necessity of skill acquisition and conservation as a precondition for growth. This paper investigates the extent to which skilled labor can contribute to output growth in South Africa in the long run. The theoretical framework employed was based on Hicks neutral augmented CobbDouglas production function to account for the impact of technological progress on labor and capital. Skilled labor was measured with three parameters of experience (learning-by-doing), special training and educational attainments. The methodology employed the ARDL bound testing approach and found that whereas there is no short run causality running from the independent variables to the dependent variable, there was a long run causality running from the measures of skilled labor to growth. The coefficient of the ECT was both significant and negative; therefore, the system gets adjusted towards their long run equilibrium steady state at the speed of 23 percent annually. This means that the measures of skilled labor contribute to growth in the long run to the tune of 23 percent annually. The study therefore recommends investments in human capital through education and special trainings as well as to encourage knowledge transfer through globalization and from one generation to another to conserve skills.
Migrant Remittance Patterns in South Africa: A Micro-Level Analysis
Authors: Sibindi Athenia Bongani , Ngcobo Lindiwe
Published: January 2020

Migrant remittances increasingly constitute a significant source of financial inflows into emerging markets. Hitherto, extant studies have focused nearly exclusively on the macroeconomic benefits of remittances. Such studies have documented that the top benefits that accrue to the receiving country of remittances include: savings mobilisation, fostering intermediation, investment, sustenance of families and the enabling of access to health care and education by households who ordinarily would not afford to pay for these services. This study departs from the norm and investigated the migrant remittance patterns from a micro-level perspective by focusing on South Africa which is one of the top twenty remittance receiving countries in the world. The South Africa-National Income Dynamics Study dataset was employed in this study. Firstly, this study established that remittances constitute a significant source of income for households in South Africa. Secondly, it was established that the remittance variable is positively related to the household income variable and the result was highly statistically significant. Thirdly, the results of this study confirmed that the level of remittances is dependent on the level of education of the household member, with the inclination of the highly educated migrant worker to send more money to support their household. The South African government should consider as a policy instrument encouraging migrant workers in the diaspora to remit more money back into the country through the facilitation of ease of access of financial services.
Integrated Supply Chain Management in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Manufacturing Industry: A Review
Authors: OGUNLELA Gabriel Oyebanjo
Published: January 2020

A move towards integrated supply chain management (ISCM) in the various manufacturing industries, with the integration of the different associated processes involved, is gaining prominence as a tool for achieving competitive advantage over rival companies. Various studies have been carried out on ISCM globally, with possible problems affecting competitiveness and effective customer service identified as nonintegration, ranging from internal processes to suppliers. This paper reviewed literature on the application of ISCM in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Manufacturing industry in Nigeria. This involved collecting, sorting, grouping and analysing of available papers to identify strengths and weaknesses and suggest the direction for future research. The review shows that, although some research has been conducted onISCM in the manufacturing industry, little has been done in the FMCG manufacturing industry globally, and in particular, ISCM is still in the initial stages of adoption in Nigeria. The aim of this review is to unearth the extent of application and implementation of ISCM in the FMCG industry in Nigeria, and advise on the status of ISCM and problems confronting its implementation and use. This paper posits that, based on the reviewed literature, there is a need for the FMCG manufacturing industry in Nigeria to implement ISCM, considering its importance as iterated by both academics and business managers. This review was carried out focusing on literature relating to ISCM in the FMCG Manufacturing industry and does not cover the entire manufacturing industry.
An Inter-Generational Effect of Socio-Economic Status on Education Attainment in South Africa
Authors: Ratshivhanda Thendo M. , Guvuriro Sevias
Published: January 2020

Higher socio-economic status (SES) empowers an individual to have more access to a variety of materials relevant to achievements in life than would otherwise be possible. In theory, a childâ€™s educational attainment can be influenced by hereditary and ecological variables; parentsâ€™ achievements are prompting children to achieve, or a deliberate investment that parents undertake in their childrenâ€™s welfare, all suggestive of inter-generational effect in the process. A parentâ€™s SES may therefore play a significant role in the childâ€™s achievements. This paper attempts to determine the relationship between a parentâ€™s SES and a childâ€™s educational attainment and uses South African data collected at the national level. Employing descriptive statistics and OLS regressions, an inter-generational effect of parental SES positively influencing a childâ€™s educational attainment is established. The finding supports policies promoting education as a fundamental poverty and inequality fighting mechanism in South Africa.
The Importance of Entrepreneurship as a Contributing Factor to Economic Growth and Development: The Case of Selected European Countries
Authors: Meyer Natanya , De Jongh Jacques
Published: January 2020

Entrepreneurship has been pointed out as a key contributor to sustained economic growth and development as it not only creates employment, but increased spending in markets, knowledge transfers, employment and innovation. However, very few studies exist that empirically measures the relationship between the three variables; economic growth, economic development and entrepreneurship. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine and highlight the importance of entrepreneurship as a contributing factor to economic growth and development. Traditionally, economic growth is measured by the gross domestic product (GDP) of a country. As no formal measurement of economic development exists, an index was created taking into consideration the Human Development Index (HDI), percentage population above the poverty line and employment rate. The entrepreneurship development variable is measured by the Total Early-Stage Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA). The study followed a quantitative research design and made use of secondary time series data with the sample period ranging from 2005 to 2016. The study area comprised five selected member states of the European Union (EU) which included Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, Belgium and Poland. Findings suggest that economic growth, development and entrepreneurship seem to be inexplicably connected. As several other factors may also contribute to the fluctuations of economic growth and development results differed from one country to another. However, the analyses from the Dutch, Hungarian and Polish economies for the period under consideration reveal correspondingly healthy economic and social environments where entrepreneurial climates are flourishing. The analysis from Germany and Belgium, however reveal subdued entrepreneurial development. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the development of SME sectors especially in transition economies be centralised as important focus areas towards improving economic and social growth outlooks. In turn, policy stakeholders should ensure the creation of enabling environments structured around responsive micro and macro decision-making.
Impact of Chinese, Korean and Japanese Innovation Spillover on Labour Productivity in South African Manufacturing
Authors: Mazorodze Brian Tavonga , Tewari Devi Datt
Published: January 2020

Open economy endogenous growth theories consider physical intermediate imports as a channel through which innovation spreads across international boundaries. We build from this literature and contribute by considering trade in services as the channel through which innovation from China, Korea and Japan influences labour productivity in South Africaâ€™s manufacturing sector between 1995Q1 â€“ 2017Q4. Unlike previous studies, we also compute a composite innovation index using the principal component analysis. Results from the autoregressive distributed lag model are supportive of open economy endogenous growth theories for Japan and Korea. However, for China, the effect is significantly negative adding further concerns over its predatory presence in South Africa.
Organisational Capabilities and Replicating Successful Programs Designed to Empower Poor Youths: A Correlational Study
Authors: Igbinakhase Idahosa , Naidoo Vannie
Published: January 2020

This article reports on the investigated relationship between the organisational capabilities of youth-serving non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the replication of successful programmes designed to empower poor youths in Nigeria. The data used in this study were obtained from 187 youthserving NGOs in Nigeria registered with the Nigeria Network of Non-Governmental Organisations, the Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations (Edo State chapter), the Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (Edo State chapter) and the National Youth Council of Nigeria (Edo State chapter). Pearsonâ€™s correlation r was used to examine the relationship between the research variables and a positive relationship was found between the organisational capabilities of youth-serving NGOs and the replication of successful programmes designed to empower poor youths. In addition, regression analysis was used to determine the organisational capabilities of youth-serving NGOs that predicted the replication of successful programmes designed to empower poor youths in Nigeria, and it was found that adequate staffing, alliance-building, lobbying, replication and stimulating market forces significantly predicted the replication of successful programmes designed to empower poor youths in Nigeria. The study therefore recommends that appropriate measures be put in place by managers of youth-serving NGOs to ensure that the main predictors of the replication. Of successful programmes designed to empower poor youths are adequate to aid successfully in the replication of successful programmes designed to empower poor youths in Nigeria while also giving adequate attention to other organisational capabilities contained in the SCALERS model.
Assessing the Dynamic Economic Impact of Tourism in a Developing Region in South Africa
Authors: C. De Bruyn , N. Meyer , D.F. Meyer
Published: January 2020

According to the National Development Plan (NDP), the three main developmental problems South Africa is facing include: high levels of unemployment, poverty and inequality. Tourism, as an economic sector, has been cited as a possible solution to create much-needed employment and income which could lead to reduced poverty and improved inequality. Tourism could be used in developing regions as a driver of economic growth. The objective of this study is to determine the dynamic impact of the tourism sector on economic growth in a developing region in South Africa, namely the Vaal-Triangle region. The research methodology followed a quantitative design, using a pooled panel approach including the two municipal areas of Metsimaholo and Emfuleni which comprises the Vaal region. Annual data from 2001 to 2017 were used to analyse the impact of growth in tourism on economic growth. Economic growth was set as the dependent variable and tourism measurements such as tourism spending and trips as the independent variables. Results from the analysis confirm the original hypothesis that tourism growth has a significant impact on economic growth. The sector therefore, has the potential to create employment opportunities and alleviate poverty in a developing region if promoted and supported to its full potential.
Re-examining Nigeria's Contributions to the African Union and the Domestic Socio-Economic Ramifications
Authors: Umezurike Samuel A. , Iwu Chux Gervase , Asuelime Lucky E , Umezurike Chinelo Augustine
Published: January 2020

While there have been scholarly studies that address Nigeriaâ€™s diplomacy and contribution to the African Union (AU), many of them have failed to compare and contrast how those have added to the socio-economic development of Nigeria. We encountered a few instances where attempts were made to explain such, yet a fully-fledged analysis lacked in their conclusions. We applied documentary analysis methodology in our review and found that there is a serious misalignment between Nigeriaâ€™s diplomacy and support for the African Union on one hand and positive socio-economic development in Nigeria on the other. The study also looks at exploring how the general framework of Nigeriaâ€™s foreign policy goals and strategies in Africa can serve both its national interest and the overall development goals of Africa. We argue that for Nigeriaâ€™s role in the AU to be meaningful, the country needs to simultaneously revive its internal socio-economic condition.
Internal and External Factors of Future Returns in the Banking Business: Time Series Analysis of Interrelationship
Authors: Kyei Kwabena A , Antwi Albert
Published: January 2020

The paper seeks to find the interrelationship between internal and external factors of future returns in the banking business. A multivariate time series regression models are fitted for the dependent variable: return on equity (ROE) against the lag one independent variables, namely: deposit, size, loan, capital, inflation, gross domestic product (GDP) and stock market capitalization (SMC), for ABSA bank; using secondary data, which span from 1998 to 2014 fiscal years. Logarithm transformation of the absolute value of the de-trended data and first differencing at lag one were the smoothing techniques applied to the data. Multivariate time series regression by the least square approach with special consideration of the stepwise method was used in fitting the models to the data. Results indicated that first, there is a positive linear relationship between ROE and loans, a negative linear relationship between ROE and inflation from the differencing techniques; and equally a negative log-linear relationship between ROE and capital as well as a positive log-linear relationship between ROE and ROA for the logarithm de-trend technique.
A Review of Quality Management Systems in South African HIV-AIDS Programmes: A Pre-Requisite for Sustainable Health Delivery
Authors: Ganesh Shayhana , Rampersad Renitha , Dorasamy Nirmala
Published: January 2020

The global commitment to end HIV-AIDS is a bold one; requiring a multi-sectoral response strongly embedded within effective HIV-AIDS prevention efforts, patient advocacy and effective healthcare programme delivery. UNAIDS estimates that, of the 36.7 million individuals infected with HIV-AIDS globally, 19.1 million reside in South Africa (UNAIDS Gap report, 2016).In addition, approximately 2.1 million new HIV infections occurred in 2015 with almost 960 000 of those occurring in South Africa signalling that the rates of infections are not dropping as expected (UNAIDS Gap report, 2016). Given the unrelenting nature of this disease burden, even greater efforts are now required to turn the tide on HIV-AIDS globally, but more so in South Africa. These efforts entail more effective HIV-AIDS service delivery with combination prevention modalities, access to HIV-AIDS treatment and care, harm reduction of HIV-AIDS stigma and discrimination together with HIV-AIDS education, awareness and advocacy. Enhancing HIV-AIDS service delivery requires strong commitment with implementation of quality management systems in programme service delivery resulting in sustainable, effective and well run HIV-AIDS programmes. Quality management systems in HIV-AIDS programmes allow programmes to successfully meet their objectives thus allowing optimal patient care through effective and efficient means. To date there has been minimal implementation of quality systems in healthcare especially in South Africa. The use of health quality tools and systems in HIV-AIDS programmes locally and globally will allow for efficient and cost effective benefits for the optimal wellbeing of all those affected and infected by HIV-AIDS. This article reviews available data on the prevalence of quality management systems in HIV-AIDS healthcare and identifies gaps and smart practises towards recommendations for comprehensive global HIV-AIDS standards development.
Personality, Attitude and Behavioural Components of Financial Literacy: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Enemeth Erzsabet , Zsoter Boglarka
Published: January 2020

Since the financial crisis in 2008 the investigation of financial literacyâ€“especially its components (personality, attitudes, behaviour etc.) - is in the limelight. Modern economics have recognized that in order to effectively forecast financial and economic processes it is primordial to understand the attitudes of the members of society toward finances, as well as the characteristics of various social group sharing the same views and behaviours. In 2015 two relevant pieces of research were conducted in this topic in Hungary. One focuses on the financial personality types, while the other investigates Hungariansâ€™ financial culture in general based on the research methodology of the OECD. Based on these two databases our comparative study highlights the main characteristics of financial personality types. The three clusters based on the OECD research cover the nine personality types from the results of the other Hungarian research. Our findings show that the cluster of â€œanxious unsatisfiedâ€ encapsulates the â€œeconomizers with little moneyâ€, the â€œprice sensitiveâ€ and the â€œcollectorâ€ personality types. Furthermore, the â€œsatisfied consciousâ€ covers the â€œorder creates valueâ€, the â€œdiligentâ€ and the â€œplannerâ€ personality types. Finally, the â€œmoderately anxious unconsideredâ€ involves the â€œups and downsâ€, the â€œmoney-devouringâ€ and the â€œcannot control financesâ€ personality types. The clusters identified during the research show idiosyncratic financial and psychological vulnerability and/or protection.
Customer Perceptions of Skills of Agents in Effectively Managing Their Needs within a Call Center
Authors: Oodith Devina
Published: January 2020

The worldâ€™s dynamics and demands of employment and production have evolved over the past decade. Human resources has today become the single largest unrestrained resource and many firms are striving to enhance competence and interaction between its customers and itself via the customer call center through enhanced skills, knowledge, ability and attitude by fostering better interpersonal skills and through the promotion of training and development of their call center agents. This study was undertaken in EThekwini (Durban), South Africa and was conducted within a Public Sector service environment comprising of four major call centers employing a total of 240 call center agents. Using simple random sampling, 220 customers were drawn from all consumers subscribing to e-billing in EThekwini (Durban). Data for the customer sample was collected using a precoded, self-developed questionnaire whose psychometric properties were statistically determined. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results specify that agents were unsuccessful in handling customersâ€™ needs timeously and efficiently and that most customers felt burdened by being transferred to other agents due to the incompetence of original agents in handling their queries/complaints. Furthermore it was found that there was an overall lack of empathy from agents in following-up after a customer communication to ensure that the customer was satisfied with their experience within the call center. Based on the results of the study recommendations have been made to manage the interaction between the customers and call center agents more competently and efficiently.
The Influence of Green Marketing Tools on Green Eating Efficacy and Green Eating Behaviour
Authors: Muposhi A , Dhurup M
Published: January 2020

This study employs the Legitimacy Theory and Self-efficacy Theory to examine the potential role of green marketing tools in fostering green eating behaviour. Using the mall-intercept technique at major retailers, data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire survey on South African consumers who regularly buy green products. Data analysis was conducted with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 22.0.The results indicate that South African consumers are significantly influenced by eco-labels and eco-brands when buying green products. The study, however, shows a negative relationship between green advertising and green eating efficacy. It also reveals a positive relationship between green eating efficacy and green eating behaviour. The findings of the study highlighted important implications and policy directions that marketers and policy makers may implement in order to promote green eating behaviour.
Re-Thinking a Structural Model for M-Phone Paying among South African Consumers
Authors: N. Dlodlo
Published: January 2020

Contemporary payment systems have transformed global businesses extensively. Nevertheless, despite its vast prospects, the widespread utilisation of mobile phone technology for payment transactions (m-phone paying) and reproduction of pecuniary structures has only been hemmed in among a small number of markets. The proliferated reliance on mobile payment services has not been witnessed universally, suggesting that even success stories are still ambivalent and as a result, cannot be easily replicated. This paper is intended to address this issue by evaluating the determining factors towards the continued use of m-phone payment services by existing South African customers. The research model was tested using SMART PLS 3, upon examining the antecedents of usersâ€™ intentions toward embracing the emerging mobile phone in commercial transactions. A cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 474 consumers, wherein security and usefulness were validated as having significant and direct effects on consumersâ€™ attitude towards m-phone paying, of which the latter influences future intentions. The relevance of customersâ€™ future intentions towards m-phone paying was established, thereby sanctioning the idea to include the variable as a proxy for actual usage in technology adoption research. This study provides sound reason for cumulative research that seeks to refine novel models of technology acceptance even further. For marketers and m-phone technologists, understanding the key determinants is vital towards the upgrade and implementation of m-phone payment services. In lieu of this, delivering m-phone applications and payment services that achieve high usage, value and consumer laudation will be an inevitable boon.
The Effect of Farm Input Subsidy Program on Food Poverty Dynamics in Malawi
Authors: Mulula Griffin , Dunga Hannah M , Dunga Steven Henry
Published: January 2020

As part of poverty alleviation and reduction of food insecurity in Malawi, the Malawi Government launched the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP) in 2005/06. The programme is a continuation and expansion of previous subsidy programmes which were designed for the same purpose as the current subsidy programme. Although evaluation studies show that FISP registered success in its first five years, there has been limited research analysing the effectiveness of the programme. This study purposed to investigate how the programme has contributed to food poverty transition during the period 2010 and 2013. The study adopts a Multinomial Logit Model and uses Integrated Household Panel Survey Data of 2010 and 2013 from national statistical office to measure food poverty dynamics between the two periods. Other variables which are expected to influence food poverty dynamics are also explored. Results show that FISP does not increase chances of moving out of food poverty. Rather, education greatly provides higher chances of moving out of food poverty. Between gender that have the same qualification, men have a greater probability of moving a household out of poverty. It was also found that household size has a negatively relationship with the probability of moving out of food poverty. The study recommends that government should strengthen the monitoring, evaluation and audit systems in order to make the FISP programme effective again.
Factors Influencing Competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nairobi County, Kenya
Authors: Irungu Anne , Arasa Robert
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing firm competitiveness among the Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi, Kenya. Specifically the study set out to examine the influence of strategic leadership, technology, resources and organization culture on competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The study population comprised of SMEs in Nairobi which fall within the top 100 SMEs in Kenya. There are 79 SMEs from Nairobi County in the Top 100 SMEs in Kenya. A sample size of 25 SMEs which represented 30% of the target population was selected through stratified random sampling. The stratification was based on five business sector categories (real estate, supplies, services, distribution and manufacturing). The study utilized primary data which was collected from top management employees through the use of questionnaire. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Correlation analysis was employed to aid in establishing the nature and strength of the relationships between variables of interest. Correlation analysis results indicate that strategic leadership, adoption of relevant technology, resources availability and organization culture has a positive and significant relationship with firm competitiveness. The study concludes that sustainable competitive advantage of the firm stems from effective strategic leadership, adoption of technology, resources availability and effective organization culture. The study recommends that SMEs should embrace various competitive strategies to remain relevant in the market and achieve the required competitiveness. The SMEs managers should embrace strategic leadership practices, benchmark on best practices to ensure constant touch with their customers, embrace adoption of appropriate technology towards realizing higher levels of efficiency and effectiveness, ensure optimal utilization of resources, and cultivate a good balance between the organization culture and the organization processes so as to enhance competitive advantage. This study was confined to factors influencing organizational competitiveness of small and medium enterprises within Nairobi County. Other studies could be pursued in terms of expanding the geographical setting and taking recognition of other variables that could intervene and or moderate the investigated relationship.
E-Communication and Customer Satisfaction: a Case of the Mobile Telecommunications Industry in South Africa
Authors: Veerasamy Dayaneethie , Govender Jeevarathnam Parthasarathy
Published: January 2020

Electronic communication (e-communication) refers to communicating by electronic means, especially over computer networks. Organisations use the internet to distribute valuable content in a variety of ways including e-newsletters, articles, videos, webinars, chats, live online events, social networks and forums. Customer satisfaction measures how well the expectations of a customer concerning a product or service provided by an organisation have been met. Customers can be satisfied with more than just the organisationâ€™s product offerings. Customers use the Internet to search for general information, instruction guides or tips that they consider interesting or valuable. They often base their buying decisions on what they find. Valuable content can result in positive advertising as customers share positive content-related experiences with others. It can also increase loyalty as customers start to view or perceive an organisation as an expert about industry-related topics. This paper examines the relationship between e-communication and customer satisfaction within the mobile telecommunications industry in South Africa. This research was quantitative, descriptive and cross sectional in nature. The study found that e-communication was being used by the majority of the service providers in the mobile telecommunications industry and that it led to increased customer satisfaction.
Analysis of Government Expenditure and Sectoral Employment in the Post-apartheid South Africa: Application of ARDL Model
Authors: Habanabakize Thomas , Muzindutsi Paul-Francois
Published: January 2020

The current study has been designed to analyse the interactions between real government spending and job creation in South Africa focusing on five major economic sectors, namely construction, financial, manufacturing, mining, and retail sectors. The main objective of the study was to determine how job creation in different economic sectors responds to changes in real government spending. To achieve this objective, the study used five different autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) models to analyse the long-run and shot-run relationships between government spending and employment rate in each of the aforementioned five economic sectors. The sample period consisted of quarterly observations starting from the first quarter of 1994 to last quarter of 2015. The study found a long-run relationship between government spending and job creation in the mining sector but there was no evidence of long-run relationships between government spending and jobs creation in construction, financial, manufacturing, and retail sectors. The short-run analysis showed that government spending could create jobs in all five sectors. This paper concluded that increasing government spending can only create short-term jobs but does not create lasting jobs in most sectors, except the mining sector. To increase the number of durable jobs, the South African government should therefore increase spending on mining sector.
The Relationship between Household Debt and Consumption Spending in South Africa
Authors: Nkala Patience , Tsegaye Asrat
Published: January 2020

Consumption has been and remains the main contributor to gross domestic product (GDP) growth in South Africa. Household debt on the other side has remained high over the years. These two economic indicators are a reflection of the well-being of an economy. This study thus examined the relationship between household debt and consumption spending, for the period between 1994 and 2013. The Johansen cointegration technique and the Vector error correction model (VECM) were utilised to test the long run and short run relationships between the variables. The Granger causality test was also employed to test the direction of causality between the variables. Results from this study have revealed that a relationship exists between household debt and consumption spending in South Africa and they have also showed that this relationship flows from household debt to consumption spending. The implications of these results are that consumption spending may be increased through other measures rather than through increasing debt. The study therefore recommends that policy makers avail more investment opportunities for households and to also create employment in a bid to increase the income of households which can then be used to increase household consumption rather than the use of debt.
Effectiveness of Monetary Policy and the Growth of Industrial Sector in China
Authors: Kutu Adebayo Augustine , Nzimande Ntokozo Patrick , Msomi Simiso
Published: January 2020

China is viewed as the pillar of Emerging Market Economies (EMEs), deems to surpassed United State, and become the topmost industrialized country in the world with the prospects of major shift in the future world power. However, growth rate has slow down since the third quarter of 2014. Through this paper, we aim at investigating the impacts of monetary policy on industrial sector growth, and determine whether the long-run industrial sector growth in China can be foster by the effectiveness of monetary policy. It also examines the interrelationships among the variables employed and determines the steady-state relationships between industrial sector growth and monetary policy. Time-series econometric techniques such as unit roots, ARDL and ECM are employed to monthly data for the year 1994:1 to 2013:12.According to the empirical results derived, the effectiveness of monetary policy significantly affects industrial sector growth and the short-run impact of monetary policy on industrial output production is established.
Brand Consciousness of BOP Consumers in South Africa
Authors: Oodith Pravina Devpersadh , Parumasur Sanjana Brijball
Published: January 2020

Bottom of the pyramid (BOP) consumers are not just basing their purchase decisions on price and affordability but on the value derived from good-quality brands. Hence, this study assesses the brand-consciousness of South African BOP consumers in terms of brand awareness, differentiation, recognition, loyalty, trust and preferences for leading brands. The aim is to understand the brand consciousness of the South African BOP market so that suitable brand management strategies may be formulated to profitably serve the needs of this market. The population (2 556 422 elements) included BOP consumers living in relative poverty within the rural areas of South Africa from which a sample of 600 subjects was drawn using area sampling. Data was collected using a self-development questionnaire whose psychometric properties were statistically assessed and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings reflect that there is a high degree of brand awareness amongst BOP consumers, the majority of BOP consumers are able to easily differentiate between the various brands based on the brandsâ€™ logos, design and/or coloring, a significant segment displays brand loyalty which alters when price becomes a factor for consideration and BOP consumers lack trust where new brands are concerned and prefer good quality brands. Furthermore, BOP consumersâ€™ brand consciousness and purchase decisions are influenced by education and income respectively. It can also be concluded that the majority of South African BOP consumers are brand-conscious; hence, brands play an influential role in their consumer decision-making process. Beneficial recommendations are presented for business organizations.
Factors Influencing Quality of Life among Rural Populace in Nigeria
Authors: Isaac Oyeleke Ajiboye , Tanga Pius Tangwe
Published: January 2020

The study investigates factors influencing quality of life (QoL) among rural people in Nigeria. Two hundred and Twenty one (221) consenting adults within the rural area were sampled. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select respondents. Results revealed that respondents with low level of life stressor significantly reported higher score on quality of life than those with high level of life stressors. More also, there was no gender difference in the level of quality of life among the rural people. Age, gender, marital status, number of wives, number of children, and experience in rural area, occupation and educational attainment predicted quality of life. It was concluded that rural life stressor and demographic characteristics are significantly related to rural dwellers quality of life.
Unlocking the Potential of Women Entrepreneurs in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Authors: Nomnga Vikelwa Judith
Published: January 2020

At the height of political turmoil and the so-called economic downgrade to â€˜junkâ€™ status by rating agencies in South Africa, the tourism and hospitality industry, through women entrepreneurship, seems to be an alternative exit the government can use to foster economic growth and curb unemployment. The paper adopts an extensive documentary review analysis to determine the challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the tourism industry in South Africa. The paper observes that women entrepreneurs in the Eastern Cape Province face a myriad of challenges emanating from low levels of education, lack of financial resources, poor information dissemination, gender inequity, limited support from stakeholders, limited technical skills and reluctance to shift from status quo. The paper concludes that, to unlock the potential of tourism and hospitality industry, women entrepreneurs need to embrace education and get trained on how to use modern technologies-which is fundamental in coping with the trends in the globalized environment. The paper recommends and empowers women to be at the forefront and become active entrepreneurs in tourism opportunities whereby stakeholder funding is the key to achieve economic growth.
Inflation Thresholds-Financial Development Nexus in South-Eastern Asian Emerging Markets
Authors: Tsaurai Kunofiwa
Published: January 2020

This paper investigated the maximum inflation threshold levels beyond which financial development declines in the South-Eastern Asian emerging markets using static panel threshold regression framework proposed by Bick (2010) with data ranging from 1994 to 2014. The negative impact of inflation on financial development is a settled matter in both theoretical and empirical literature. However, this study was prompted by recent literature (Boyd et al., 2001; Abbey, 2012; Kim and Lin, 2010) which argued that the relationship between inflation and financial development is not linear and is characterised by inflation thresholds. Moreover, no previous study that the author is aware of used the approach suggested by Bick (2010) to determine inflation threshold levels and financial development. Among previous inflation-finance studies, the current study is the first one according to the authorâ€™s best knowledge to use banking sector, stock market and bond sector development variables as previous studies were narrow focused in their definition of financial development. The study observed that lower levels of inflation is good for financial development whilst higher levels of inflation slows down the rate at which banking sector, stock and bond markets develop. These results agree with the theory underpinning inflation-financial development nexus. South-Eastern Asian emerging economies are therefore urged to implement macroeconomic policies that ensure inflation rates are kept at lower levels that do not stifle financial development.
Re-testing Wagner's Law: Structural breaks and disaggregated data for South Africa
Authors: Mlilo Mthokozisi , Netshikulwe Matamela
Published: January 2020

Direction of causality between government expenditure and output growth is pertinent for a developing country since a sizeable volume of economic resources is in the hands of the public sector. This paper investigates the Wagner's law in South Africa over the post-apartheid era, 1994-2015. This paper is unique to present studies since it uses disaggregated government expenditure and controls for structural breaks. The Granger non-causality test of Toda & Yamamoto, a superior technique compared to conventional Granger causality testing, is employed and this paper finds no support for Wagner's law. However, there is causality running from total government and education expenditures to output. This finding is in line with the Keynesian framework. It is recommended in the paper that the government should take an active role in promoting output growth through increases in education expenditures in particular.
Government Expenditure and Economic Growth in South Africa: A Vector Error Correction Modelling and Granger Causality Test
Authors: Molefe Kagiso , Choga Ireen
Published: January 2020

Previous studies generally find mixed empirical evidence on the relationship between government spending and economic growth. This study re-examine the relationship between government expenditure and economic growth in South Africa for the period of 1990 to 2015 using the Vector Error Correction Model and Granger Causality techniques. The time series data included in the model were gross domestic Product (GDP), government expenditure, national savings, government debt and consumer price index or inflation. Results obtained from the analysis showed a negative long-run relationship between government expenditure and economic growth in South Africa. Furthermore, the estimate of the speed of adjustment coefficient found in this study has revealed that 49 per cent of the variation in GDP from its equilibrium level is corrected within of a year. Furthermore, the study discovered that the causality relationship run from economic growth to government expenditure. This implied that the Wagnerâ€™s law is applicable to South Africa since government expenditure is an effect rather than a cause of economic growth. The results presented in this study are similar to those in the literature and are also sustained by preceding studies.