The Impact of Management Accounting Practices (MAPs) on the Business Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises within the Gauteng Province of South Africa

Objectives: This study aimed at examining the impact of management accounting practices on the business performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa, Prior Work: In spite of the increasing research on SMEs, they seem to be a paucity of studies that have investigated the influence of management accounting practices on the business performance of SMEs in South Africa. Approach: The study was positioned within a quantitative research approach and data was collected from 380 SME managers who were selected by means of the probability simple random sampling technique. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 24.0, was used to analyze data. Regression analysis was undertaken in order to check the association between management accounting practices and business performance. The hypothesized relationships in the research model were assessed using multiple regression analysis. Results: Associations between each management accounting practice and business performance were tested and the results showed that management account practices positively influences the business performance of SMEs. Implications: The empirical study provided fruitful implications to academicians by making a significant contribution to the management accounting literature by systematically exploring the influence of management accounting practices (MAPs) on the business performance of SMEs within the Gauteng province of South Africa. Value: This study therefore, stand to immensely contribute new knowledge to the existing body of management accounting literature in Africa – a context that is often most neglected by some researchers in developing countries

Women In Action: Challenges Facing Women Entrepreneurs In The Gauteng Province Of South Africa

In today’s post-modern era, the role of women entrepreneurs in economic development is inevitable and women are willing to take action in business and contribute to the nation’s growth. Women are stepping up to own and run businesses in numbers that would have been hard to imagine a mere few decades ago. However, women entrepreneurs face a wide variety of challenges both in starting and in growing their business ventures. The objective of this paper is to investigate the challenges women entrepreneurs face in the Gauteng province of South Africa. Exploring the challenges that women entrepreneurs face in South Africa, is of paramount interest to potential women entrepreneurs, researchers, the government of South Africa and other stakeholders. The paper used a qualitative research design using in-depth interviews and focus groups. The findings were that the challenges were identified as impediments to women entrepreneurs, which comprises lack of education and training, lack of access to finance, gender discrimination, negative attitudes and inadequate resources. Recommendations were made to women entrepreneurs, to the government of South Africa and other stakeholders. Lastly, limitations of this paper as well as future research directions were enunciated clearly

Navigating on The Precursors of Entrepreneurial Inclination Among Students in South Africa

In the present contemporary business environment, students are bound to be inclined towards entrepreneurship. Objectives Hence, this study explored the impact of perceived family support, perceived desirability and opportunity recognition on entrepreneurial inclination among the students within the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Prior Work Despite the extended research on entrepreneurship, the significance of determining the precursors of entrepreneurial inclination has largely been overlooked, especially in developing nations of Southern Africa. Hence, the essential goal of this investigation is to fill this void. Approach The study adopted a quantitative approach and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 261 students. The collected data was examined using structural equation modelling, exactly by means of the AMOS 25 software. Results This investigation found that perceived family support; perceived desirability; opportunity recognition positively impacted entrepreneurial inclination in a significant way. Implications The paper gives helpful implications and a couple of recommendations. For example, this investigation extends the information base that exists in the field of entrepreneurship by systematically exploring the impact of perceived family support, perceived desirability and opportunity recognition on entrepreneurial inclination Value This study stands to add new knowledge to the present body of entrepreneurship and small business management literature in Africa – a setting that is regularly overlooked by academics in developing nations

A Regression Analysis of Generation Y Female Students' Perceptions on Social Risk, Buying Behaviour and Apparel Store Choice

In the present post-modern era, Generation Y female students are faced with a discerning process of selecting the optimum apparel retail store to be loyal to and from which to buy clothing products. Therefore, the active store choice decision is conceptualized as the difficulty of determining someplace and when and where to shop. The main objective of the study was to examine the relationship between social risk, buying behavior and store choice within the apparel retail industry. The study is positioned within a post-positivism quantitative paradigm and adopts a cross-sectional survey approach collecting data from 400 conveniently selected university students. Scale purification was done through pre-testing and pilot testing. Through multiple regression analysis, the results show that social risk and buying behavior significantly influences retail store choice in an apparel retail setting. The findings indicated that there is a positive and significant association between perceived social risk, buying behavior and retail store choice. Based on the outcomes of the study, recommendations were suggested to retail managers to develop retailing strategies that charm the female Generation Y consumers. In addition, limitations and future research directions are referred to

MODELING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN INNOVATION ANTECEDENTS AND SERVICE INNOVATION: A ZIMBABWEAN HOTEL MANAGERS PERSPECTIVES

There seem to be a paucity of studies that have investigated the influence of learning philosophy, strategic direction, and transfunctional acclimation service innovation in the Zimbabwean context in the hospitality sector. This is a new trend that is becoming prevalent in service innovation orientation at the global level. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between innovation antecedents and service innovation in the hospitality sector of Zimbabwe as this provides leeway towards a major contribution of the GDP of most emerging countries and Zimbabwe is no exception. A quantitative approach was utilised and Smart PLS statistical software for structural equation modelling was used to analyse data. The results indicate that there is a positive and a significant relationship between innovation antecedents and service innovation. However, the relationship between trans-functional acclimation and service innovation was insignificant. The empirical study provided interesting implications to academicians by making a significant contribution to service innovation literature knowledge. This study incalculably adds to ground-breaking knowledge to the existing body of service innovation literature in emerging countries

Real Exchange Rate Misalignment and Economic Growth Nexus: Evidence from Southern African countries

This paper investigates the link between real exchange rate misalignment and Southern African countries' economic growth. The study used panel data for 16 Southern African countries over 17 years. Generalized methods of moments (GMM) was applied to analyze the panel growth equation. The estimated results have suggested that the real exchange rate, real exchange rate misalignment, terms of trade, and foreign direct investment explains variation in income growth of southern African countries. The real exchange rate appreciation over the study period has adversely affected growth, whereas real exchange rate undervaluation suggests a positive impact on annual income growth. Unfavourable terms of trade were found to hurt growth, whereas foreign direct investment upsurge stimulates growth. Thus, policymakers in their respective African countries ought to diligently monitor real exchange rate misalignment in the foreign exchange market. An increase in real exchange rate overvaluation may adversely affect the trade and current account balances, which might ultimately hurt growth

Entrepreneurial Barriers that are Confronted by Entrepreneurs Living with Physical Disabilities: A Thematic Analysis

Living with a physical disability can interfere with an individual’s ability to participate actively in economic and social life. It is imperative to comprehensively understand the entrepreneurial barriers hindering the development of entrepreneurs living with physical disabilities. In spite of the increasing research on entrepreneurship, there seems to be a paucity of studies that have investigated the entrepreneurial barriers that are faced by entrepreneurs living with physical disabilities in South Africa. This study set out to explore the entrepreneurial barriers that are confronted by entrepreneurs living with physical disabilities. In this study, data were collected within the Sebokeng Township, which is an African township located in the Vaal Triangle, south of Johannesburg in South Africa. A qualitative research approach was used to collect data for the study. The researchers gathered qualitative data by means of semi-structured face-to-face interviews and focus groups. The analysis of the qualitative data was conducted through the use of thematic analysis. The themes that emerged from the findings include lack of equipment and machinery, discrimination, business networking, hardships in obtaining start-up capital, knowledge of support centres for entrepreneurs living with physical disabilities, and lack of education and training. Each theme was discussed individually, followed by substantiating quotes. Most respondents stressed that the barriers they face hinder the survival and growth of their ventures. The paper suggested that in order to help entrepreneurs living with physical disabilities, the South African government must formulate some schemes that are most necessary for their improvement and betterment of their life

Multisensory Dimensions Effect on Affective Attitudes, Restaurant Attachment and Positive Word of Mouth of Quick-Service Restaurants

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of multisensory dimensions (smell, sound, sight, taste and touch) on affective consumer attitudes towards quick-service restaurants as well as restaurant attachment, and in turn positive word of mouth on the restaurants in South  Africa. The constant growth of South Africa’s quick-service reataurants, also known as the fast food outlets industry has transformed the food industry landscape, food consumption patterns, and the intensity of industry competition. As such, it is imperative for marketers in this industry to  to look beyond their branding and promotional efforts in order to appeal to the modern customer and a multisensory approach has become a critical strategy for the success of all businesses, especially service businesses such as restaurants. The study was based on two theories being the Mere Exposure theory and the Elaboration Likelihood Model which will provide insight on the elements of consumer attitudes, attachment and repeated purchase.  Data was collected from 250 quick-service restauarant customers within the Braamfontein Business District of Johannesburg . Key findings revealed that affective attitudes and restaurant attachment had the strongest relationship of all relationships that were tested. Implications were presented as well as proposals for further research.&nbsp

An Empirical Appraisal of Electronic Service Quality, Customer Satisfaction and Behavioral Intentions within Online Shopping in South Africa

Over the years, service quality has been a topic that has continued to garner a lot of interest. This study sought to appraise electronic service quality, customer satisfaction, and behavioral intentions in online shopping in South Africa. A unique conceptual model was developed to investigate the factors that led to customer loyalty, positive word-of-mouth, and ultimately repurchase intention toward goods online. This study aims to determine the influence of e-service quality on customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions in online shopping in South Africa. Non-probability sampling was used to select the participants. A structured questionnaire, based on the conceptual model, was developed and distributed online. A total of 307 usable response questionnaires were collected, and descriptive and regression analyses were conducted using SPSS 27. The major findings indicate that customer satisfaction and positive word of mouth are closely associated. The implication is that marketing practitioners should pay more attention to customer behavior after receiving services

An empirical investigation into organizational level antecedents of value co-destruction in Lisbon, Portugal: A hospitality sector case

In recent years, scholars have begun to dedicate their attention to destructive relationships as a critical component of organizational life. Prior research has approached it from various points of view, such as trust and partnering, project management, and relational coordination. The purpose of this research is to explore organizational level antecedents of value co-destruction in Lisbon, Portugal within the hospitality sector. The research was quantitative in nature, adopting the survey method. To measure the proposed hypotheses, a unique conceptual model was developed with leadership support, supportive organizational climate, value co-destruction, and commitment to value co-creation as constructs. Data was collected from the hospitality sector of Lisbon, Portugal where 600 responses were obtained for analysis. All participants were employees from the hospitality sector. Key findings revealed that leadership support was dominant in comparison to the other constructs based on how high it loaded as a factor. In addition, a high perception of a supportive organizational climate among service employees will result in a low occurrence of value co-destruction in their organization. Further research direction on the subject is proposed