The Relationship between Political Stability and Gdp Growth: a Comparative Analysis of the Brics Nations

In many parts of the globe, the degree of political stability or otherwise largely determines the nature of nation building process. Ironically, both developed and developing countries at one time or another faces the challenge of poor political stability in their political dynamics and nation building history. This study investigates the nature of political stability amongst the BRICS nations with special emphasis on how it affects the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of member states. The study was developed using quantitative methodology. Data on political stability were interpreted through regression analysis. The findings reveal that the degree of variation in economic growth due to political stability in the BRICS is relatively low but numerically, the higher the rate of political stability, the higher the positive growth of GDP within BRICS nations. Finally, it was recommended that nations within the BRICS member states should cooperate to ensure sustainable peace and political stability across their regions and multi-lateral organizations in order to have a positive GDP growth

The National Strategy on Financial Literacy: A Conceptual Review of South African Perspectives

The relevance of financial literacy in the lives of individuals has attracted several stakeholders from different parts of the world in the quest to provide the required financial knowledge for households to manage their financial wellbeing. Accordingly, previous studies show that financial literacy serves as a mechanism to enhance the ability of households to better allocate financial resources with regard to savings and wealth creation over their lifetimes in a world of uncertainty and imperfect insurance. Thus, this study provides a literature review on global initiatives, strategies and programmes on financial literacy as well the perspectives of financial literacy programmes in South Africa. As such, it is the objective of this study to ascertain from previous literatures the factors that hinders the smooth delivery of financial literacy programmes in South Africa. Thus, the researcher employed a descriptive literature review method to achieve this objective. The findings of this study identifies that there is a growing need for a continuous financial literacy campaign especially in South Africa as the aging populations are confronted with intensified pressure on standardised plan for future financial well-being. However, the challenges of financial literacy programmes in South Africa was ascertained which forms part of the factors that hinders smooth campaign of financial literacy programmes in South Africa. Hence, this study recommends practical intervention factors of financial literacy programme in South Africa, which is expected to assist policy makers in formulating the right financial knowledge delivery programmes in South Africa

Assessing the impact of on-the-job training on employee performance: A case of integrated tertiary software users in a rural university

The study assessed the effectiveness of On-The-Job training on the performance of employees, focusing on the Integrated Tertiary Software Users at Walter Sisulu University. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews. The study employed a qualitative approach, focusing on in-depth knowledge from the participants rather than numerical facts. Participants were employees from the Registrar’s division within Walter Sisulu University, and students and a sample of twelve participants were purposefully selected. Seven of the thirteen participants were employees from the same division but different units: The examinations office, the Admissions and Registration office, and one faculty officer. Six participants were students from various faculties. Data were analyzed using Atlas ti, version 9. In this study, the light was shared on the importance of On-The-Job training and its effectiveness on employee performance and productivity. The focus of the interviews was on the effectiveness of this training method, and the study found that this method is effective in upskilling recruits and existing employees. Training and employee motivation were seen as the essential elements of increasing employee performance in this technology-infused University. It has been discovered that development programs directly influence organizational effectiveness, advancement, and development is critical for an effective organization

The financial and academic implications of using smartphones among students: a quantitative study

Smartphones present students (users) with great opportunities to be connected with peers and lecturers in sharing academic knowledge during and after lectures. It also allows them to engage in social networking discussions and dialogue on different topics and ideas. This paper presents the financial implications of smartphone usage on student's finance, especially the case of South Africa. Students are mostly financially dependent on their parents, sponsors and others for financial benefits in their academic pursuit. This entails that students' financial base is mostly limited and the cost of a good smartphone is very high in developing countries like South Africa. This study involves a total sample size of 376 from the population of 11,265 registered students in 2017. The study found that university students spent a lot in buying airtime and data bundle to recharge their smartphones

Factors affecting low performance of junior learners in a developing country: Southern Region of Botswana

The study was triggered as a result of declining performance of learners in Botswana and it was aimed at finding solutions that would enhance sound academic performance in junior secondary schools. A phenomenological design was selected for the study while a qualitative approach was adopted using focus group interviews as the source of data collection from participants. The findings of this study revealed that the inability of the government of Botswana to implement job satisfaction measures in educators inhibited adequate transfer of knowledge to learners, which resulted in a decline in performance. Learners' gross misconduct and their parents' inability to counsel them contributed to their decline in performance. Also, learners and educators admitted that the current system of education should be replaced with another productive system. Another finding of this study confirmed that learners are tired of corporal punishment and they want it to be replaced with detention. The study recommendation is that the Ministry of Education of Botswana should apply motivational and job satisfaction factors to encourage educators to adequately transfer knowledge to learners