Towards a moderated-trust governance theory : explaining the dimensional structure of trust and distrust between a board of directors and a CEO

Trust is a central feature in corporate-governance theory and practice. While trust is advanced as a motivational factor in dominant organisational theories and practices, it is conspicuously absent in corporate-governance literature. At one extreme, scholars discount trust, which leads to theories that characterise the relationship between governance actors as goal-conflicted and as something that potentially exposes organisations to distress. At the other, scholars approach trust as a given and characterise governance actors as locked in mutually beneficial relationships that inspire trust, even if organisational distress also occurs. Neither extreme characterisation has been useful in explaining how governance actors organise themselves to avoid or escape financial distress. Using a multiple-casestudy method, underpinned by a critical-realist perspective, this study provides an explicit exploration of trust and its complement—distrust—and explains the complexity of the trust relationship between governance actors such as chief executive officers, board chairmen, and board directors. This study seeks to demonstrate that distrust, as characterised within agency theory, and trust, as portrayed within stewardship theory, detract from understanding effective board task-performance. Some scholars have relied on proxy variables such as board composition and financial performance to assess board task-performance, but this often leads to weak theoretical explanations. Moreover, this study specifies how optimal levels of trust and distrust could explain effective board task-performance, which scholars have shown partially contributes to financial performance. This study proposes that optimal trust and distrust between governance actors occurs where levels of trust and distrust are simultaneously high. This study develops a theory of moderated-trust governance that is underpinned by generative processes with supporting propositions. Therefore, this study contributes to literature on both trust and corporate governance.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2018.Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)PhDUnrestricte

Using trust to gain credible access to the boardroom: A methodological contribution

Purpose: Researchers have found it difficult to gain access to board members to collect credible data. Acquiring such insights, however, is becoming increasingly important in view of rising numbers of corporate failures. This article is part of a broader study conducted to identify the drivers of effective board leadership in a cross section of companies in selected countries, where trust and distrust were used as the primary levers to gain credible access to board members. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative research approach was adopted, with data collected via semi-structured interviews with 47 directors of companies in a range of countries. Findings/contribution: The data collection process was guided by nine literature-informed board access strategies designed to overcome potential barriers to structural and substantive access to credible information sharing. The board directors who were interviewed were more forthcoming upon learning that the researcher had board experience and was thus able to empathise with their own experiences. This contributed to an atmosphere of trust during the interviews. Practical implications: This paper highlights the methodological advances made in the access dimension of process studies, focusing on difficult-to-access subjects like boards of directors. Originality/value: In addition to the literature-informed board access strategies, the researcher abductively developed a methodological board access conceptual framework. This framework comprises process and empathy levers designed to enable researchers to gain surface-level, moderate-level and deep-level access to board members for the purpose of extracting progressively credible data on board processes from hard-to-access individuals

Exploring accountability of individuals in the mining sector: A multi-level perspective

Purpose: In heavy industries like mining, where safety is paramount, organisations need a well-functioning system of accountability. Yet to whom employees perceive they are accountable differs at varying hierarchical levels. This article reports on the findings from a study that investigated sources of accountability at different organisational levels in a certain mining operation and the mechanisms used to manage such accountability. Design/methodology/approach: An exploratory, qualitative research methodology was used in the study, underpinned by in-depth interviews with participants from three organisational levels: blue-collar workers, supervisors and managers. The data collected were analysed using thematic content analysis. Findings/results: Blue-collar workers and supervisors considered self-accountability and accountability to line managers to be the primary sources of accountability. However, managers stressed the importance of accountability to regulatory bodies and the legal implications of non-adherence to prescribed standards. All participants perceived their reputations to be heavily dependent on their accountability relationships. Mechanisms used in the organisation to promote accountability included clarifying roles and responsibilities, building open and honest interpersonal relationships, implementing standardised policies and procedures, and offering financial incentives. Practical implications: The findings from the study informed the development of a conceptual accountability model, which should help mining executives in other organisations to manage the accountability process and promote responsible and safe behaviour at all organisational levels. Originality/value: There is limited empirical research on sources of accountability in organisations. This study provides useful insights that help to fill this gap

Leading brand communication during crises : COVID-19 lockdown at Gautrain, South Africa

Teaching notes are available for educators only.LEARNING OUTCOMES : The learning outcomes of this study are as follows: 1. comprehending foundational dimensions of brand equity and criteria to compare the use of traditional and new media in leading brand communication appropriateness and performance; 2. understanding and evaluating implications of leading brand communications during times of crises; and 3. creating recommendations for leading brand communication preparedness and response to crises. CASE OVERVIEW/SYNOPSIS : On 16 August 2020, Dr Barbara Jensen Vorster, Senior Executive Manager, Communications and Marketing of the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA), in Midrand South Africa, considered her dilemma of adapting their communication approach during COVID-19 and beyond the current crisis. The GMA relied on traditional media and the crisis created an opportunity to rethink their entire communications approach. It was important to the GMA communications team to keep the Gautrain commuters connected even though they might not be using the Gautrain during the lockdown of COVID-19. Jensen Vorster believed that a brand should be adaptive and continue even when a service is not running. Jensen Vorster had to lead her communications team when they were all working from home, and they had to keep commuters informed of the requirements during the different levels of lockdown in South Africa. Their various campaigns during this time purposefully communicated with commuters and the various “staying home” initiatives with the intention of lifting spirits. The communication outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic switched over to social media communications out of necessity; however, was that ideal communication during a crisis? While most of the case focuses on this external communication, the case pays attention to some internal communication initiatives by Jensen Vorster with her own team and for the Gautrain’s staff. The question is whether brands should shift from traditional media to new media campaigns during the 21st-century crises? Students will get the opportunity to compare the use of traditional and new media during crisis times. How might they approach their brand communications during COVID-19 and in preparation for future crises? COMPLEXITY ACADEMIC LEVEL : Marketing and Business Communications and Leadership courses for MBA or executive education programs. STUDY LEVEL/APPLICABILITY : Masters level MBA. RESEARCH METHOD : The team of authors conducted face-to-face interviews prior to and during the lockdown in South Africa; the interviews were conducted online through Zoom. Interviews included Dr Barbara Jensen Vorster, Senior Executive Manager, Communications and Marketing of the Gautrain Management Agency and Kesagee Nayager, the Marketing and Communications Executive Manager at Bombela Concession Company. Viwe Mgedzi, Executive Manager for Knowledge Management, provided documents supporting the case. The researchers also conducted desktop research of secondary data, including media and press articles on the companies. The @Gautrain Twitter feed was very important for the researchers to investigate as part of the secondary data research, to triangulate the interview data. For example, see one of the Twitter feeds on 17 March 2020, 5:37 pm. The following Twitter feed on the Gautrain’s status confirmed the interview data: https://twitter.com/TheGautrain/status/1239938937885466633 The main resources of this case study were the interviews and the media articles to offer objective references. The authors used the following two newspaper articles to triangulate the information they gained from the interviews: BusinessTech, March 18, 2020, accessed March 8, 2021 at https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/382707/south-african-coronavirus-cases-jumps-to-116-as-a-gautrain-exec-tests-positive/ Timeslive, www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2020-03-17-staff-in-self-isolation-after-executive-tests-positive-two-gautrain-stations-chemically-decontaminated/ SUBJECT CODE : CSS 7: Management science; CSS 8: Marketing.https://www.emerald.com/insight/browse/case-studies?collections=EEMCShj2023Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS

Social protest action, stakeholder management, and risk : managing the impact of service delivery protests in South Africa

Stakeholder management is an important method for reducing business risk. Recent decades have seen the growth of a new type of stakeholder: social protest stakeholders, individuals engaging in protest action which is directed at other unrelated parties, often the government. However, the actions of social protest stakeholders may negatively affect companies located nearby. This stakeholder category has not received any formal attention in the literature, and this article addresses the knowledge gap by exploring the effects of community-driven protest action in South Africa and the strategies that firms adopt to mitigate the negative consequences of such protests. A multiple case study analysis was used to describe this type of stakeholder group and the management of the consequences of social protest action. Eight manufacturing companies in the Gauteng province participated in the study, the companies varied in size and industry. Among the key findings are that companies need to be highly adaptable if they are to mitigate the impact of protest action. We make practical suggestions about how companies may manage these risks, including the recommendation that companies engage more directly with social protestors to manage risks. The study makes an important contribution to the literature by identifying an additional key category of stakeholder and proposing a risk management approach to avert or minimize loss and damage.http://wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/basrhj2023Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS

Anchoring human resource management to sustain employee performance at Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality

ORIENTATION : Practices employed to manage the human resources at Johannesburg (JHB) Metropolitan Municipality were explored to unearth their impact on employee performance. RESEARCH PURPOSE : The study sought to reveal the human resource management (HRM) practices that could support employee performance at local government. THE MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY : The achievement of organisational goals depends on HRM practices that enhance employee competencies. Employee performance in municipalities is often considered to be substandard. This study aimed to strengthen HRM practices to enhance performance at JHB Metropolitan Municipality. RESEARCH APPROACH/DESIGN AND METHOD : The qualitative inquiry adopted an interpretive stance to reveal participants’ experiences that relate to employee performance. Ten participants were identified purposively and the obtained data were analysed with the assistance of the Atlas.ti software. MAIN FINDINGS : Whilst the organisation’s employee-attraction practices were strong, its retention practices were weak. Employees generally felt undervalued, which negatively affected their morale and the organisation’s goal attainment. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS : The organisation should introduce effective employeeretention strategies, focussing on thorough needs analyses, skills development and rewards linked to performance. Building employee commitment should be prioritised. STUDY CONTRIBUTION : Human resource management effectiveness in the Johannesburg Municipality would be enhanced by appropriate soft HRM investment in senior management either through recruitment or development or both. Furthermore, the municipal culture should change from HRM practices that are influenced by tradition to an adaptive approach that responds to public-sector dynamics and varying employee expectations.http://www.sajhrm.co.zahj2022Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS

Mergers and acquisitions in emerging markets : what drives absorptive capacity in target firms?

PURPOSE : The purpose of this study was to investigate how knowledge flow and productivity affect the absorptive capacity of target firms in emerging markets. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : We used self-administered questionnaires to measure absorptive capacity, knowledge flow and productivity constructs. The sample comprised individuals who were employees of firms that completed acquisitions between 2015 and 2017. The acquisitions were publicly announced and the target firms were all in emerging markets. FINDINGS/RESULTS : Firstly, our results confirmed the multidimensional nature of absorptive capacity. Secondly, we found a positive correlation between a target firm’s knowledge flow and productivity and its absorptive capacity. Thirdly, our results indicated that knowledge flow and operational processes will support the introduction and integration of external knowledge into a target firm. Therefore, understanding the absorptive capacity of target firms is central to the ability of new and existing knowledge to be assimilated. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS : The realisation of the strategic intent of an acquisition is dependent on effective knowledge flow, supported by efficient communication and operational processes. The target firm’s absorptive capacity is, therefore, a key consideration for acquiring firms. Understanding this will be useful for firms to consider acquisitions of target firms in emerging markets and could potentially enhance their chances of success. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : This study contributes to the limited body of research on emerging market merger and acquisition activity. It responds to the call for further research to be conducted on emerging markets and the role of absorptive capacity in realising the strategic intent of acquisitionshttp://www.sajbm.orghj2021Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS

Determining the potential of informal savings groups as a model for formal commitment saving devices

BACKGROUND : Saving behaviour has attracted research attention over the past 20 years. Typically, individual and household saving rates among low-income groups are inadequate. Research suggests that informal savings groups are effective vehicles for encouraging saving among low-income individuals. Yet little is known about the drivers of positive saving behaviour among informal savings groups, which makes it difficult for formal providers to design interventions that promote higher levels of saving. AIM : This study aimed to explore both the rational and non-rational drivers of saving behaviour among low-income members of informal savings groups, the attributes of informal savings groups that positively influence their collective saving behaviour, and to identify the valued features of savings groups that encourage the adoption of informal commitment saving devices (CSDs). METHODS : The study was informed by a literature review followed by field research in which semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 savings groups and 10 individual members of savings groups. The participants’ perspectives were analysed and compared within the context of behavioural economic theory. RESULTS : The study revealed seven characteristics of informal savings groups that potentially serve as interventions to explain non-rational saving behaviour. It also identified seven features valued by users of informal CSDs (including flexibility, restricted access to savings and no transaction fees) which could be salient to providers of formal CSDs. CONCLUSION : On the basis of the findings, a behavioural design framework was proposed to inform the design features of formal CSDs that may ensure customer retention and improved saving outcomes.http://www.sajems.orghj2022Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS