African review of economics and finance 2018 conference proceedings

Abstract: This paper draws from research that applied Systems Thinking to the development of suitable social structures that may aid or enhance social learning within the South African context. The South African social system is rigid and top-down. Communities use protest as a bottom-up form of participation to control the lack of procedural clarity that hinders sustainable social transformation. A qualitative research approach was adopted using Grounded Theory methodology to investigate the social system structure in South Africa. Thirty-five (35) participants were interviewed and three focus groups were convened. The analysis showed that the South African social system structure is characterised by a lack of openness, inflexibility, non-adaptability and an inability to learn. Based on the findings, recommendations are shared on the validity of an appropriate social system structure for South Africa that may facilitate stakeholder/citizen participation in social transformational activities

Development of a web-based application to improve data collection for antimicrobial point prevalence surveys in the public health care system in South Africa; findings and implications

Background: Surveillance of antimicrobial use is one of the main recommended strategies in combating growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rates and a key part of developing pertinent policies and initiatives to reduce growing AMR rates in South Africa and wider. However, determining antimicrobial utilisation at a patient-level among public hospitals in South Africa can be a challenge given personnel and resource constraints. There are also currently no standardized data collection tools. Most countries in Africa currently undertake antimicrobial utilisation surveillance using paper-based data collection tools including point prevalence surveys (PPS). Unfortunately, paper-based systems have disadvantages including the time taken to complete the forms and analyse the findings, increasing costs and manpower hurdles. Electronic tools offer many advantages including mobile and real time data collection and also the opportunity for rapid analytics. Objectives: Develop and test a web-based application (APP) for future PPS studies to successfully address identified challenges. Methods: A web based application (APP) was developed based on previous PPS in Botswana and South Africa using a paper-based data collection tool and tested during July 2017 in a leading public hospital in South Africa. The developed APP was also evaluated for data quality by measuring the number of errors, work flow, and time taken for the survey versus the previous paper-based system. User acceptance was also measured via a questionnaire to the data collectors. Results: A total of 187 patients' files were surveyed in this leading hospital using the APP whilst also documenting the challenges and areas of improvement for the APP. The identified areas of improvement have now been incorporated into the revised APP for future studies. The data collectors agreed that surveying the patients' files took appreciably less time with the APP compared to the paper based tool, and should be used in the future. In addition, data analysis was hastened using the APP. Conclusions: The APP development process has been successful and the APP is a potential tool for future PPS in South Africa and wider. The APP methodology is now being tested in new studies across South Africa to help instigate pertinent educational and other interventions to improve the future use of antimicrobials among public hospitals in South Africa

Digital skills requirements of the Real Estate, Finance and Business Services sector in South Africa

Purpose: Owing to the digital skills shortage in South Africa, this article ascertains the digital skills requirements of the Real Estate, Finance and Business Services sector in South Africa. The aim of this study is to understand which digital skills graduates are expected to possess when they enter this sector, as well as its level of importance of each digital skill. The Real Estate, Finance and Business Services sector has been South Africa’s largest GDP contributor for the past several years, therefore this particular sector was selected for this study. Methodology: A quantitative research approach was undertaken to survey 387 business professionals from the Real-Estate, Finance and Business Services sector in South Africa. The survey was conducted online via LinkedIn and participants acted in their individual capacity as business professionals, resulting in a response rate of 49 per cent. Findings: Digital skills related to the use of software applications and Web tools, the use of information systems, and the application of security measures in digital environments were analysed using Principal Component Analysis. The findings revealed that this industry sector placed a great deal of importance on a graduate’s ability to apply security measures in digital environments, particularly pertaining to Personal IT Security Skills. Originality: This study will greatly assist South African higher education institutions with regard to curriculum development in the commerce disciplines, since most commerce students feed into the said sector. A curriculum that is better aligned to meet industry needs, will ensure that graduates are adequately prepared for this particular South African industry sector. A study of this nature is lacking in the South African context, which will greatly help South African higher education institutions to align their curricula to meet this sector’s digital skills need

A systems thinking approach to a sustainable management model for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development’s Youth Academies.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.In South Africa, like in most developing countries, the provision of integrated youth development programmes is vitally important to provide the future workforce with the crucial and relevant skills for the modern economy. The youth development academies under the Department of Social Development in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, are an innovative approach by government to deal with the dearth of skills, and high unemployment rates among the youth. Through the examination of the youth academy vignettes, the study sought to examine whether the current management approaches were effective in supporting the objectives of the youth development academy conceptual framework and what theoretical framework underpinned the model for the youth development academies and the management thereof. The study followed a mixed method approach where both quantitative and qualitative methods of data generation were used. The Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) was applied to critically analyse the environmental dynamics that had an influence in the organizational complexity. Furthermore, the study used the Ralph Stacey Model and stakeholder theory to highlight and analyse complex areas of contestation between the different stakeholders. The study then proceeded to use a causal loop analysis to identify systems determinants for sustainability. The study found shortcomings and limitations with the current management model which is based on partnerships because of the complex relationships between stakeholders. The study also found that causal loop analysis provides an opportunity to identify explicit complex cause-and-effects relationships and high probability risks, which need to be anticipated and mitigated. It then recommends a systems approach for managing the academies in a complex dynamics of power relations, complexity and social norms. This study contributes to the knowledge domain of the management of youth development academies using a systems approach in a state and the not-for profit organization partnership model. It further enhances the deeper understanding of the complex challenges that exist in such a partnership model within a community development praxis. Keywords: Systems thinking, complexity theory, causal loops, Ralph Stacey Model, youth development academie

Goodbye to Projects? A livelihoods-grounded audit of Community-Based Planning Project in South Africa

Approaches to projects and development have undergone considerable change in the last decade with significant policy shifts on governance, gender, poverty eradication, and environmental issues. Most recently this has led to the adoption and promotion of the sustainable livelihood (SL) approach. The adoption of the SL approach presents challenges to development interventions including: the future of projects and programmes, and sector wide approaches (SWAPs) and direct budgetary support. This paper `A livelihoods-grounded audit of the Community-Based Planning (CBP) Project in South Africa¿ is the sixth in the series of project working papers.Department for International Developmen

Identifying quality indicators for prehospital emergency care services in the low to middle income setting: The South African perspective

Introduction Historically, performance within the Prehospital Emergency Care (PEC) setting has been assessed primarily based on response times. While easy to measure and valued by the public, overall, response time targets are a poor predictor of quality of care and clinical outcomes. Over the last two decades however, significant progress has been made towards improving the assessment of PEC performance, largely in the form of the development of PEC-specific quality indicators (QIs). Despite this progress, there has been little to no development of similar systems within the low- to middle-income country setting. As a result, the aim of this study was to identify a set of QIs appropriate for use in the South African PEC setting. Methods A three-round modified online Delphi study design was conducted to identify, refine and review a list of QIs for potential use in the South African PEC setting. Operational definitions, data components and criteria for use were developed for 210 QIs for inclusion into the study. Results In total, 104 QIs reached consensus agreement including, 90 clinical QIs, across 15 subcategories, and 14 non-clinical QIs across two subcategories. Amongst the clinical category, airway management (n = 13 QIs; 14%); out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (n = 13 QIs; 14%); and acute coronary syndromes (n = 11 QIs; 12%) made up the majority. Within the non-clinical category, adverse events made up the significant majority with nine QIs (64%). Conclusion Within the South Africa setting, there are a multitude of QIs that are relevant and appropriate for use in PEC. This was evident in the number, variety and type of QIs reaching consensus agreement in our study. Furthermore, both the methodology employed, and findings of this study may be used to inform the development of PEC specific QIs within other LMIC settings.Peer reviewe

Evolving a software development methodology for commercial ICTD projects

This article discusses the evolution of a “DistRibuted Agile Methodology Addressing Technical Ictd in Commercial Settings” (DRAMATICS) that was developed in a global software corporation to support ICTD projects from initial team setup through ICT system design, development, and prototyping, to scaling up and transitioning, to sustainable commercial models. We developed the methodology using an iterative Action Research approach in a series of commercial ICTD projects over a period of more than six years. Our learning is reflected in distinctive methodology features that support the development of contextually adapted ICT systems, collaboration with local partners, involvement of end users in design, and the transition from research prototypes to scalable, long-term solutions. We offer DRAMATICS as an approach that others can appropriate and adapt to their particular project contexts. We report on the methodology evolution and provide evidence of its effectiveness in the projects where it has been used

Multi-dimensional barriers to the development of renewables energy

While some of the developed and emerging economies are registering phenomenal growth in their renewable energy industries, it would appear that there are still a number of factors that are limiting the renewable energy to its potential worldwide. This paper applies a theoretical framework using the systems thinking to examine three possible multi-dimensional factors that are barriers to be development of renewable energy in South Africa. The objective was to use a qualitative research to investigate further the barrier interconnection and multi-dimensional barriers limiting renewable energy development using the South Africa market for sampling and interviews.The methodology employed involved a literature review. In addition, a questionnaire was designed and interviews were conducted to ascertain the prevalence of such barrier multi-dimensional and interconnection. The results obtained were analysed using qualitative method. These analyses revealed that the possible multi-dimensional barriers that were identified namely technology; pricing and costing; policy and regulations; and market performance are valid for South Africa. In addition, even though the results highlighted, as identified initially that technology have a significant impact as a linkage, the results suggest that the regulatory framework have a more significant linkage and effect on the relationship and interconnection.Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012.Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)Unrestricte

Soft systems methodology as a potential approach to understanding non-motorised transport users in South Africa

Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) in South Africa is currently not completely integrated into transport and spatial planning as a formal mode of transport. This is evident when observing the current condition and utilisation of South Africa?s NMT infrastructure. Pedestrians are frequently observed walking on the roads instead of on the newly built pedestrian walkways directly next to them. It is not uncommon in South Africa to find evidence of pedestrians who break through brick walls and cross highways illegally instead of using the pedestrian bridges provided. These examples demonstrate that the behaviour and needs of NMT users in South Africa are not understood and provided for by built environment planning and design practitioners (BEPDPs). The aim of this paper is to show the potential of using systems thinking and more particularly Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) as a practical and beneficial instrument that will guide BEPDPs with the ongoing learning process of understanding NMT users and their specific needs. An introduction to relevant systems thinking philosophies and methodologies are provided, followed by a discussion on the background, development and use of SSM in practice. This paper advocates the necessity of considering NMT as a mode of transport with the emphasis on the need for culture-oriented planning that can contribute to integrated innovative context sensitive mobility solutions and the promotion of green mobility. In achieving this, SSM is shown to provide useful tools for BEPDPs to seek understanding of the behaviour and needs of NMT users within the broader contexts of the mobility requirements of communities and to then provide fit-for-purpose NMT infrastructure and facilities.Paper presented at the 35th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 4-7 July 2016 "Transport ? a catalyst for socio-economic growth and development opportunities to improve quality of life", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.The Minister of Transport, South AfricaTransportation Research Board of the US