Internationalisation strategy : South African service firms venturing into Africa

Abstract : Studies on internationalisation of decisions and how organisations make these decisions have been more prevalent in literature in the last decade. Most studies have explained how pull and push factors assist both services and manufacturing cross-border organisations in their decision processes, but few have recognised the ever-changing trend of these factors, which means that certain factors that were critical in the past cease to be the most critical in such decisions today. It is important to recognise this aspect, especially in the fast-changing global business environment that organisations now operate in. This study recognises that factor and makes recommendations based on empirical findings. Using the mixed methodology, the study collates the responses of 38 internationalisation managers of South African international service organisations and statistically analyses them. The findings show that certain factors that were never that critical have assumed paramount importance in internationalisation thought processes, while some factors remain important in such decisions.M.Com. (Business Management

An assessment of the role of social capital in collaborative environmental governance in tribal communities: the study of Gumbi and Zondi communities in KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa

Thesis Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Geography and Environmental Studies University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies January 2017.Political transformations in most developing nations have been accompanied by vast land claims by indigenous communities who were forcibly detached from their traditional land during colonisation and apartheid-like dispensations. In the context of sub-Saharan African countries (including South Africa), the need for land reform has been aggravated by the great scarcity of farmland. However, most of the reclaimed land is in areas pursuing conservation activities. Now, caught between owning the land and pursuing conservation as a land use option to improve livelihood; local communities have tended to form partnerships and collaborations with external stakeholders in managing communally owned natural resources. Collaborative management is perceived as a sustainable route in governing common pool natural resources in re-claimed areas. It is in this regard, that this research aims at establishing the role to which social capital can be instrumental in promoting sustainable governance in co-managed community game reserves in Kwa-Zulu Natal. This study follows a case study approach, with Zondi and Gumbi communities in Umvoti and uPhongolo Districts of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa respectively being used to obtain empirical evidence. Two basic criteria were taken into consideration in selecting appropriate case study areas to attain the aim of the study. Firstly, whether the area had successfully claimed the land and secondly, if there were collaborative efforts from different stakeholders in managing available common resources. To ensure equal representation, research participants were drawn from households, community leaders, conservation organisations and policy makers from the government. This study’s methodological positionality is interpretive in nature, and its operational framework base is qualitative research. It therefore uses a number of qualitative techniques in an attempt to establish the role of social capital in governing Somkhanda (in Gumbi) and Ngome (in Zondi) Community Game Reserves. For instance, systemic-resilience thinking and socio-ecological learning approaches were used to analyse the participatory relationship and effects in managing community natural resources in Gumbi and Zondi communities. It has been revealed in this study that the key to successful collaborative environmental management projects revolves around issues of participation, transparency, reciprocity and effective communication. These elements are important ingredients in building strong social capital. Community social cohesion builds trust between internal and external actors, especially in communities that were once subjected to various forms of segregation and corrupt systems of governance. The presence of trust in managing common pool resources ensures effective stakeholder participation as well as involvement in decision making processes. Furthermore, the evidence from this study suggests that the frequent exclusion of rural populations from participation in processes with a direct influence on their lives, undermines efforts to pursue Community-Based Ecotourism. More profoundly, the study found that, as an analytical tool, social capital seems to provide a dynamic and holistic explanatory approach to the pursuance of Community-Based Ecotourism in land-claimed communities, compared with the dominant evaluative techniques in the tourism field. Another important practical implication is that social capital can be used to promote the analysis of communities as heterogeneous and evolving, as opposed to the assumptions of their homogeneity and static state. There is a strong possibility that social capital can also address power-relations, social exclusion and inequality, through consideration of both structural and cognitive indicators. The findings from this study make several contributions to the body of knowledge. Firstly, they provide a better understanding of social capital variables influencing community participation in conservation activities. This is of use when designing or developing future Collaborative Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CCBNRM) projects. Secondly, from a broader perspective, the study advises policy makers not to ignore related community policies which might impact community participation in CCBNRMs. This is essential in considering the direction of future conservation and rural development policy. Thirdly, they provide a framework for empowering local people and their communities to enhance participation in CCBNRM. In view of this, a binding conclusion can be made that social capital can be a vehicle through which the accumulation of different forms of capital can be achieved and contribute towards sustainable environmental management.MT201

Understanding the threat of cybercrime: A comparative study of cybercrime and the ICT legislative frameworks of South Africa, Kenya, India, the United States and the United Kingdom’

As broadband infrastructure investments in developing nations intensify and barriers to accessing the internet diminish, the more they increasingly become the quintessential destination for cybercrime. For their lax cyber laws and general cybercrime illiteracy, developing nations such as South Africa, Kenya, and India have become the destination of choice for cybercriminal enterprises. The focus of this dissertation is to comparatively analyse South Africa’s ICT regulatory framework against those of developing and developed nations and to determine its effectiveness in addressing the threat posed by cybercrime. This dissertation hopes to contribute towards establishing a greater understanding and appreciation of the scourge of cybercrime by studying the frameworks, structures, and arrangements, installed to safeguard against the threat of cybercrime in both developing nations, namely Kenya and India, and developed nations, namely the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Some of the key challenges identified in the dissertation, arising from the analysis of South Africa’s cyber laws and policy framework, point to legislation that is out of date and in desperate need of revision, a lack of definitional clarity for cybercrime related terminology, jurisdiction limitations to investigate international cybercrimes, no harmonisation with international laws, standards, and a poor record of implementing strategy and policies. The dissertation concludes that the battle against cybercrime cannot be won without first understanding what cybercrime is. Developing a common understanding of cybercrime and related terminology, and recommends the revision of the necessary ICT strategies, policies, and regulatory frameworks. Concluding international cooperation and mutual assistance agreements to assist with transnational cybercrime investigations and prosecutions is paramount. Establishing cross-sector, intra-ministerial, public-private, and multinational partnerships is also vital to managing the threat of cybecrime. Lastly, this dissertation recommends the development of dedicated cybersecurity and cybercrime mechanisms for the prosecution and safeguarding of the nation’s critical information infrastructure, the mission critical information of corporates and the personal information of citizens against cybercrime

Assessment of Grain Storage Structures and Containers in Relation to Build-Up of Insect and Rodent Pests in Southwestern Ethiopia

This study was designed to assess farmers grain storage containers in relation to buildup of storage pests in three selected districts of southwestern Ethiopia. One district was selected from each zone based on the production potential of selected grain crops such as maize, sorghum, wheat and faba bean. Then, 25 households were randomly selected from each district to collect stored grain samples used for the identification of storage insect pests, and grain samples were taken from different storage structures, including un-plastered and plastered gombisa, gumbi, and polypropylene sacks. The results showed that the dominant insect species in maize, sorghum and wheat grains were weevils (Sitophilus spp.) followed by the Angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella Olivier) and flour beetles (Tribolium spp.), while the bean weevil (Zabrotes spp.) was the only species recovered from stored faba beans. High numbers of insects were recorded from both plastered and un-plastered gombisa, gumbi and polypropylene sacks. In addition, the number of each insect pest in each storage method recorded per 100 g-1 grain increased as the duration of grain storage increased. The results of this study also demonstrated that most of the farmers in the study areas perceived insect pests and rodents as the main postharvest pests causing considerable losses of stored grains. The poor storage systems of farmers predispose the stored grains to insect and rodent attacks. Thus, there is a need to train farmers on storage hygiene and to develop and disseminate efficient grain storage facilities to reduce losses in grain stores. Moreover, further studies need an improved pest detection method, such as the use of bioacoustics tools, to manage pests associated with grain stores. Keywords: grain, insects, rodents, storage DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/93-04 Publication date: January 31st 202

Investigating South African Vendors’ Cloud Computing Value Proposition to Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises: A Case of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality

While Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are known to contribute significantly to economic growth and reduction of unemployment worldwide, South Africa experiences high failure rate, stagnation and limited growth of SMMEs. Cloud computing, which promises cost efficiencies for SMMEs through its unique outsourcing based business model, is emerging as a viable solution and an excellent value proposition to SMMEs. This study investigated the value proposition of cloud computing vendors to South African SMMEs. The problems addressed in this research are: - investigating whether the concept of cloud computing and its related key terms are being comprehended by South African SMMEs, - investigating and identifying the cloud computing applications/services that are most valuable and critical to the growth and development of South African SMMEs, - investigating and determining the main influences against adoption of cloud computing by SMMEs. Quantitative research using questionnaires was conducted and the findings of this study inter alia revealed that SMMEs in South Africa do not understand the basic key terms and concepts of cloud computing

A common law hydra emerges from the forum-shopping swamp

Department of HE and Training approved lis

Pre-weaning growth of lambs under village management system in Konni Local Government Area of Tahoua State in Niger Republic

This study evaluated the pre-weaning growth performance of a total of 144 lambs from 118 dams selected purposively from cooperating farmers’ flocks in Gabastawa and Gumbi villages in Konni Local Government Area of Tahoua State in Niger Republic. Body weight of the lambs was assessed weekly, using the hanging type weight-balance, for a period of 12 weeks. Prior to the weekly weighing, each of the lambs was identified, using plastic number tags, on the bases of breed, sex, birth type, location of flock, nutritional status and parity of dam which were recorded on the lambs’ record card. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS software package (SPSS, 1995); and student's t-­‐test as well as Duncan’s new multiple range tests were used for mean separations. Results of the study revealed that mean bodyweight of lambs increased from 2.56±0.75 kg at one week after birth to 10.25±1.80 kg at 12 weeks after birth. Mean body weight gain of the lambs was 641 g week-­‐1 (or 91.5 g day-­­‐1). The lambs’ pre-­‐weaning body weight changes produced a linear regression equation; Y = 0.598x + 3.518; and R2 = 93%. Of the various factors considered, only nutritional status of dam showed significant (P < 0.05) effect on the lambs’ pre-weaning body weights. Lambs from dams that had adequate nutrition weighed significantly (P < 0.05) heavier from week 2 (5.99±2.5 kg) to week 12 (13.14±2.2 kg); followed by those lambs from dams that had moderately adequate nutrition from week 6 to 12 and than those from the dams that had inadequate nutrition from week 2 (3.55±1.9 kg) to week 12 (8.83±2.0). It can be concluded that the pre-weaning growth performance of lambs in this study was comparable to those obtained under on-­‐stationand the results underscore the importance of adequate nutrition as a major factor that influences lambs pre-­‐weaning growth performance under the village production system. Hence, adequate nutrition of dams should be ensured to improve the pre-weaning growth of the lambs and overall productivity of sheep in the study area.Key words: Pre-weaning growth, Lambs, Traditional management system, Niger Republi

Doing more harm than good? Community based natural resource management and the neglect of local institutions in policy development

Approaches to natural resource management emphasise the importance of involving local people and institutions in order to build capacity, limit costs, and achieve environmental sustainability. Governments worldwide, often encouraged by international donors, have formulated devolution policies and legal instruments that provide an enabling environment for devolved natural resource management. However, implementation of these policies reveals serious challenges. This article explores the effects of limited involvement of local people and institutions in policy development and implementation. An in-depth study of the Forest Policy of Malawi and Village Forest Areas in the Lilongwe district provides an example of externally driven policy development which seeks to promote local management of natural resources. The article argues that policy which has weak ownership by national government and does not adequately consider the complexity of local institutions, together with the effects of previous initiatives on them, can create a cumulative legacy through which destructive resource use practices and social conflict may be reinforced. In short, poorly developed and implemented community based natural resource management policies can do considerably more harm than good. Approaches are needed that enable the policy development process to embed an in-depth understanding of local institutions whilst incorporating flexibility to account for their location-specific nature. This demands further research on policy design to enable rigorous identification of positive and negative institutions and ex-ante exploration of the likely effects of different policy interventions

Desafios institucionais à inclusão de estudantes com Necessidades Educativas Especiais no Ensino Superior

Com base nos pressupostos da educação inclusiva e crescente democratização do ensino superior temos vindo a verificar a progressiva abertura da universidade a diversas minorias, nomeadamente estudantes com Necessidades Educativas Especiais (NEE). Constata-se que ainda há pouco conhecimento sobre o tema da diversidade e inclusão entre docentes e estudantes, em geral, sendo que os serviços institucionais de apoio aos estudantes com NEE existentes carecem de eficácia em diversos níveis, nomeadamente ao nível das atitudes dos docentes e pessoal não-docente. O que pensam estes atores institucionais sobre a inclusão destes estudantes? Proporcionam as universidades as condições adequadas a esta minoria estudantil? Através de um estudo de caso na Universidade do Algarve, pretendeu-se analisar as conceções e atitudes dos docentes e pessoal nãodocente face à inclusão dos estudantes com NEE no Ensino Superior. Pretendeu-se ainda conhecer quais os desafios que estes atores institucionais assinalam no âmbito da inclusão. Tendo por referência os seus testemunhos, constata-se que, apesar do esforço da instituição em análise, continuam a existir áreas que necessitam de um maior investimento, desde a remoção das barreiras arquitetónicas, ao desenvolvimento de atitudes mais inclusivas da comunidade académica, passando por práticas de ensino-aprendizagem e de avaliação, que assegurem a igualdade e equidade

Impact of Farmers’ Storage Practices and Storage Hygiene on Grain Losses in Ethiopia

Cereal and grain legumes play a vital role in food security and as income sources for millions of people in Ethiopia. However, poor storage handling and storage pests lead to high postharvest loss. This study therefore assessed farmers’ storage practices and grain storage hygiene status in selected districts of Jimma, West Shoa, and East Wollega zones of southwestern Ethiopia. One district was selected from each zone based on their production potential of selected grain crops such as maize, sorghum, wheat, and fababean. Then, three Peasant Associations (PAs) were randomly selected from each district. For the survey, 377 households (HHs) were interviewed. The present study showed that farmers in the study areas stored their grains in different kinds of traditional structures, such as plastered gombisa (14.1%), unplastered gombisa (25.5%), gumbi (13.8%), polypropylene sacks (41.4%), and Purdue improved crop storage (PICS) bags (5.3%) and indicated that most farmers used polypropylene sacks followed by unplastered gombisa. On the other hand, most of farmer’s grain storage hygiene status was categorised as poor (50.7%) or very poor (33.3%). The results of this study demonstrate that the farmers use an inefficient storage facility and adopt poor hygiene practices, which predisposes the stored grains to insects and rodent attacks. Thus, there is a need to train farmers in storage hygiene and develop and disseminate efficient grain storage facilities to reduce loss in farmers ‘grain stores. Keywords: Faba bean, farmers’ perception, maize, storage pest, sorghum, storage hygiene DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/93-05 Publication date: January 31st 202