Modeling The Effects Of Social Integration And Job Autonomy On Job Satisfaction Among School Sport Facilitators In Southern Gauteng

Research within the domain of job satisfaction has brought about renewed interest among human resource practitioners and researchers in the past twenty years. Furthermore, many studies have examined the antecedents of job satisfaction in various organisational settings. However, focusing on social integration and job autonomy relationships with work outcomes have been limited and worthy of empirical investigation. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between social integration and job autonomy on job satisfaction among school sport facilitators. The study is located with a quantitative research paradigm. A structured questionnaire consisting of validated scales for social integration, job autonomy and job satisfaction was administered to a sample of 201 school sport facilitators in the Southern Gauteng region of South Africa. The results show significant positive correlations among the constructs, social integration, and job autonomy and job satisfaction. In addition, social integration, a facet of QWL life and job autonomy was found to significantly influence job satisfaction. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the fit to the proposed model and the path model using structural equation modelling (SEM) to examine casual relationships among the constructs.  Results show satisfactory goodness-of fit indices. The path model showed strong casual relationships indicating that social integration and job autonomy of school sport facilitators significantly related to job satisfaction. The results demonstrate that the higher the prevalence of social integration and job autonomy, the higher the levels of job satisfaction. It is recommended that sport facilitators should be given adequate autonomy to make decisions about the services they render and any top-down imposition of change may be counter-productive to job satisfaction among sport facilitators

The Influence of Green Marketing Tools on Green Eating Efficacy and Green Eating Behaviour

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

A Factorial Analysis Of The Barriers To Market Orientation Adoption Among Small And Medium Enterprises (SMEs) In A Developing Country

The purpose of the study was to examine the barriers of market orientation by SMEs in South Africa. Data were collected using the personal face-to-face interviews with the use of a structured questionnaire. A total of 350 SMES were selected randomly and visited within the various municipal areas in South Africa. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the dimensions using the principal component analysis. A four-factor structure emerged accounting for 62% of total variance. The reliability analysis, reflected coefficient values ranging from 0.743 to 0.893, indicating satisfactory internal consistency amongst variables within each dimension. By analysing the barriers, the adoption of market orientation among SMEs, managers, and marketers are presented with recommended strategies and implications on how to embrace market orientation for effective business performance. Marketing capacities of SMEs may be strengthened through the implementing of market orientation. SMEs are vital for socio-economic progress for developing economies. Effective implementation of market orientation can assist SMEs’ growth and development

Market Orientation Determinants: Reflections from Academics in Universities of Technology in South Africa

Internationally, universities have come under increased pressure to respond to the changing market environment. A new axis for higher education institutions (HEIs) is a key to successful marketing, which lies in identifying the core business of institutions. Market orientation more closely reflects a philosophy that will not only serve to bring unity of purposes in HEIs, but serves as an indispensable tool that can assist HEIs to deliver their core business. The dynamics in the HE environment, the growth potential and the regulatory challenges make universities of technology (UoTs) ideal institutions for a study on the implementation of market orientation. It is against this backdrop that this paper considers the factors contributing to market orientation through the lenses of South African UoT academics through a quantitative study; 507 (n=507) academics participated in the study. Data are analysed through exploratory (to determine the factor structure) and confirmatory factor analysis (to confirm factor structure), descriptive and correlation analysis (to analyse the composition of the sample and to establish validity). Through the factor analysis procedure, seven factors were established, namely intelligence generation, inter-functional coordination, student-orientation, market intelligence dissemination, intelligence response design, intelligence response implementation and interdepartmental dynamics as a basis for operationalising the marketing orientation concept among UoTs. Through confirmatory factor analysis, the identified components seem to encapsulate the determinants of UoTs appropriately. From a practical standpoint, top management of universities could use these core market orientation factors to guide their strategic marketing plans and their strategic imperatives with the universities vision and mission in order to remain relevant and competitive. Future studies could expand these factors to provide a better understanding within HEIs in relation to their various stakeholders

A generic taxonomy of shopping motives among hypermarkets (hyper-stores) customers and the relationship with demographic variables

Purpose of the study: Noting that the motive for shopping is located within the paradigm of buying behaviour of consumers; the study seeks to complement existing literature by examining whether a configuration of shopper motives could be developed, thereby revealing taxonomy of hypermarket (hyper-store) shoppers. In addition the study seeks to establish whether shopping motives is shaped by demographic variables. Problem statement: Although the motive for shopping and its antecedents has been approached from various perspectives, it has been accentuated in literature that traditional utilitarian aspects of product acquisition explanations may not fully reflect the totality of a shopping experience. With such affirmations, shopping may be harmonised with hedonic activities when considered within a hypermarket/hyper-store South African context. Methodology: The study adopted a conceptual framework for identifying relatable factors (using exploratory factor analysis) that influence consumer motivation for shopping within hypermarket (hyper-store) environments. Reliability and validity of the scale was established. Findings: A 13 item scale was developed. Shopping seems to be both a utilitarian and a hedonic consumption experience with three auxiliary categories of hedonic motivations, namely diversion, recreational and sensory stimulated shoppers. In examining the motives for shopping and demographic variables, diversion appears to vary with levels of education. Value of the research: Enhancing one's understanding of the "softer" issues of shopping, namely diversion, recreational and sensory stimulated shoppers is essential, as they represent possible differentiating factors in a highly competitive and often commoditised retail market. Acquaintance of distinct shopper segments is useful for retailers in assembling marketing communication strategies and designing appealing store environments. Conclusion: Whilst shopper typologies may hold several advantages in theory and practice for both the consumers and retailers; the study has made an unpretentious and encouraging start in the understanding of hypermarket/hyper-store shopper patronage

Customer satisfaction levels, store loyalty and perceived important store attributes among sportswear apparel shoppers in Soweto

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine levels of shopper satisfaction with sportswear stores in a particular township, as well as their loyalty to these stores, and the attributes they consider when selecting which stores to shop at. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 489 shoppers who patronise sportswear stores at the malls located in the Soweto township in Gauteng, South Africa. The findings show moderate levels of shopper satisfaction with stores. The results also show that loyalty towards a particular store is strongly related to customer satisfaction levels. The conduct of store staff, brand availability, price promotion and store atmosphere were all found to be factors that shoppers consider when selecting sportswear shops. No significant differences were found in levels of satisfaction, store loyalty and the importance associated with store attributes by customers of different gender, age and income group. The findings in the study are of practical significance in that they can assist mall and store managers to develop effective retail marketing strategies targeted at consumers in urbanised townships

A pilot study of MBA programmes in South Africa

In recent years, Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes and their curricula have been subjected to substantial scrutiny. However, the majority of studies have been confined to business schools in Western countries. By comparison, much less research is available on MBA programmes in developing countries, particularly those in Africa. In an effort to address this gap, this article examines MBA programmes in South Africa by first situating them within the global MBA curriculum debate. It then notes the need to move away from a generalist MBA programme to a specialized MBA in line with emerging global trends. Finally, it suggests a multidisciplinary approach to the redesign of the MBA curriculum

Barriers to e-marketing adoption among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Vaal Triangle

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to complement existing literature by examining the relevant barriers contributing to the non-adoption of electronic marketing practices by SMEs in the Vaal Triangle. Methodology: Primary data was collected using a quantitative research technique with the use of a structured questionnaire as the survey instrument. A total of 168 businesses were selected randomly and visited within the various municipal areas in the Vaal Triangle. These businesses were visited between August and November 2008. Thirty-two small, medium and medium enterprises SMEs refused to participate resulting in 123 usable questionnaires for the purposes of the analysis. Factor analysis was used to examine the robustness of the factor structure using principal component analysis. Findings: A five-dimensional structure was established comprising a 16 item-scale. The major impediments towards the non-adoption of e-marketing include technology incompatibility with target markets, lack of knowledge, stakeholder unreadiness, technology disorientation and technology perception. The reliability analysis, reflected coefficient values ranging from 0.70 to 0.88 indicating satisfactory internal consistency amongst variables within each dimension. Implications: By analysing the barriers that inhibit the adoption of e-marketing strategies among SMEs, marketers are presented with recommended strategies and implications on how to approach the challenges presented by Internet technological advancements. Internet capacities of SMEs may be strengthened through nurturing e-marketing awareness and providing adequate information tools through diverse Internet Marketing training programmes. Originality/Value: SMEs can prove to be a major source of economic growth for many African countries if sufficient guidance and support on how best to overcome the challenges of adopting advanced marketing practices is available

The Effect of Job Satisfaction on the Organisational Commitment of Administrators

Administrators are an important human resource in Higher Education because they perform various duties that are critical to the daily operations of universities. In light of this, organisational commitment and job satisfaction of administrators are essential for the efficiency and effectiveness of universities. Notwithstanding the critical relevance and necessity of organisational commitment and job satisfaction, there is evidence of paucity of research on these areas among administrative staff in the South African higher education sector. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between organisational commitment and overall job satisfaction on the organisational commitment of administrators at a university in Gauteng. To achieve the aforementioned objective, a quantitative survey approach was used to examine the relationship between overall job satisfaction and organisational commitment. The selfadministered structured questionnaires were issued to 383 administrative staff members. Descriptive statistics was utilised to assess the levels of both organisational commitment and job satisfaction, results of which revealed that administrators were satisfied with and committed to the university. Spearman’s rho correlation analysis showed that there was a strong correlation between affective commitment and job satisfaction; and moderate correlations between job satisfaction and moral imperative. Similar strong correlation was observed between indebted obligation and job satisfaction. Conversely, a weak correlation occurred between job satisfaction and continuance commitment. Regression coefficients indicated that job satisfaction contributed positively to the prediction of affective commitment, moral imperative, indebted obligation and continuance commitment. Based on these findings, the recommendations and future research opportunities were suggested