A South African developmental state: the significance of state capacity

This study uses secondary literature and primary sources to explore the significance of state capacity in proposals to build a South African developmental state. Its main aim is to get a deeper understanding of state capacity as a significant ingredient in building a successful developmental state. The analysis is based on the postulation that no country can successfully build a developmental state without the necessary state capacity. The study surveys the literature on developmental states, explores the key attributes/institutional benchmarks of a developmental state and draws out findings about what accounts for a successful developmental state. One of the key conclusions drawn from the literature is that in order for a state to be a successful developmental state, it needs to be institutionally configured in such a way that it possesses the capacity to formulate and implement policies successfully. Using theoretical benchmarks propounded by scholars as a point of reference, the study establishes how we should understand state capacity and shows that such state capacity is a necessary precondition for a successful developmental state. Following from this analysis, it explores how the South African government has to come into grips with the issue of state capacity in its quest to build a South African developmental state. The failure of post-1994 macro and micro economic reform strategies to address the principal challenges of poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment indicates that successful implementation of any policy is dependent on state capacity

A MODEL FOR CONCEPTUALISING THE CIVIL SERVICE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING IN ZIMBABWE

The issues of salary negotiations and other conditions of service in Zimbabwe’s public sector, have always been contentious issues following the failure by both, the employer (Government) and employees (civil servants) to seriously engage in collective bargaining for time immemorial. The civil servants through their representatives, staff associations and their coalition body, the Apex council have often resorted to collective job action or labour unrest in a bid to force government to accede to their demands. This has always resulted in poor labour relations between the two parties. The study used the library analysis and interviews which culminated in interesting findings such as; civil servants were consulted through their coalition body, the Apex council. They were not involved in the final decisions. That was left to the prerogative of the labour minister, cabinet and treasury. The study recommended that there was need to amend both the Public Service Act and the Amended Labour Act 2 :01 (2015) and be aligned with the New National Constitution of 2013 which has provision for collective bargaining. Also staff associations who represent the civil servants’ different professionals should speak with one voice so that there is a holistic approach without prioritising sectora

THE EFFECTS OF LEADERSHIP ON MEMBERS: THE CASE OF PUBLIC SECTOR TRADE UNIONS IN ZIMBABWE

This paper presents perceptions of trade union members towards their union leaders. The paper is a culmination of a qualitative enquiry where participants were asked some questions through interviews regarding their views about the quality of leadership within their unions. Trade union leadership and followership are complimentary and symbiotic. Pragmatic followership serves to engender effective trade union leadership. Union leaders are expected to work with and stand by their members in order to attain union mandates. Union ethos demands that leaders must place the interest and welfare of workers as their most paramount goal and work assiduously towards satisfying them. Union members must consider the antecedents and pedigree of aspirants and ensure that only unionists with track records of tenaciously and selflessly championing the union’s cause should be elected as leaders. Through leadership by example, trust, integrity, and candor, union leaders can bring about positive changes to both workers and their union. Finally, the authors called on union leaders to be alive to their responsibilities and demonstrate ethical and servant forms of leadership in order to cope with the challenges of giving vent to the aspirations of their members

HOW HAVE THE LABOUR LAWS AND RELATED POLICIES INFLUENCED OR AFFECTED UNION ACTIVITIES AND EFFECTIVENESS?

The Zimbabwean labour relations environment is characterised by liberalised employment laws that provides for employee democracy, industry and workplace level labour relations councils namely national employment councils and works councils respectively. In spite of this, both employers and employees are unhappy with the current labour relations environment. The objective of this article is to understand the impact of labour laws on labour relations in Zimbabwe. It therefore adopted a qualitative research paradigm. A purposive sample of thirty-five participants took part in the study wherein twelve participated in interviews and two wrote memoirs detailing their experiences. The study revealed that the labour legal framework in Zimbabwe is dual in nature. Trade unions in the private sector benefitted from the rights enshrined in the Labour Act as well as in the Zimbabwean Constitution; whereas, unions in the public sector were excluded from some of the labour rights. The public sector trade unions have no right to negotiate with their employer; but just consult which is tantamount to begging the employer to improve their conditions of service. globalisation has impact on labour legislation. The nature of Zimbabwe’s labour relations showed two composites namely of employee participation and inherent antagonism between employers and employees. The article recommended that to ameliorate the negative impact of globalisation on labour relations in Zimbabwe, employees and their employers require to work together in establishing a desired labour relations culture. &nbsp

THE POLITICAL, SOCIAL, LEGAL AND ECONOMIC CONTEXT OF TRADE UNIONISM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: THE CASE OF ZIMBABWE

This paper discusses the various factors that impact upon the context of trade unionism in Zimbabwe. Much as the leadership of the trade unions may want to implement their programs without hindrance, it has dawned on them that there is a complex web of variables that affect the operations of trade unions the world over. Trade unions are grappling with a labour market transformation that is taking many different forms. Technological progress, the greening of the economy, demographic change and ever-intensifying global competition are profoundly changing the landscape in which trade unions are looking to represent workers' interests. To these challenges we can add the long-standing preponderance of informality. Multiple crises, including COVID-19, have severely tested the capacity and resilience of the social partners. Today, legal restrictions on union activity and violations of trade union rights, such as the right to organize and bargain collectively for all workers, are widespread. Unsurprisingly, trade union membership is lowest where trade union rights are restricted

On privacy calculus and underlying consumer concerns influencing mobile banking subscriptions

The advancement of technology in mobile devices places South African (SA) banking institutions in unique positions to leverage these advancements into innovative value added services. Mobile banking is one such innovation that has afforded banking clients the ability to, amongst other services, view bank statements, pay bills, and transfer money. Despite a growing trend in mobile banking service offerings by SA banks, privacy and security issues are still considered a concern. The paper conceptualizes the underlying concerns by bank clients regarding the adoption of mobile banking services. Privacy Calculus Theory (PCT) has been used as a theoretical lens to explain the cognitive process involved when a potential mobile banking subscriber is presented with mobile banking technology solutions. The paper extends PCT by abstracting the risk/benefit trade-off psyche held by SA bank clients. The paper attempts to explain, using PCT, the bank clients’ cognitive process and willingness to subscribe to mobile banking services. Quantitative research method has been used for this purpose. Purposeful sampling that targeted SA bank-account holders was applied. Empirical results show that the South African banked consumers’ psyche is largely influenced by the utility of a technology (mobile banking service) and interestingly, privacy and security play a lesser role in this trade-off

On Rational Choice, Risk and Utility in Mobile Banking

The diffusion of mobile banking technology offers an opportunity for analysis of the risk associated with the protection of information of banking clientele. There is emerging discourse with regard to clientele awareness of privacy issues. This article conceptualises banking clientele awareness of specific issues such as risk, security and information privacy policies. The key concern is the impact such awareness has on subscribers choosing to continue their use of mobile banking services. The article attempts to explain the utility/risk trade-off and how this affects the clients’ willingness to continue subscribing to mobile banking services, using quantitative analysis and rational choice theory (RCT). Purposeful sampling targeted South African bank account-holders. Empirical results show that consumer willingness to continue to use mobile banking services is largely driven by the perceived utility of the service, while privacy risk is not a significant deterrent. This is an important finding in the context of banks encouraging consumers to use mobile banking systems, for the banks to achieve retail growth. This creates a greater responsibility for banks to manage consumer risk. The findings may be more broadly pertinent in the SADC region and on the African continent, where telecoms firms engaged in mobile banking services must also attend to issues of consumer risk; and where R&D investment in the field of information security is highly desirable

Stickiness Impediments in Digital HRM

Realizing optimal value from digital HRM is a major challenge for most firms. This research adopts a practice lens to investigate how traditional HRM practice elements can constrain digital HRM practices. Findings from an interpretive case study suggest that constrained digital HRM practices emerge because employees and managers are embedded in sticky traditional work practices and not primarily because they are unwilling to adopt digital technologies. Conventional wisdom suggests that the quality of the digital HRM, meeting end-user performance expectations, and managing resistance to change can improve suboptimal digital practices. We propose that digital HRM transformation efforts should also change outdated routines rather than focusing only on technology improvements and individual behavioral change. The authors propose a model that explains stickiness in digital HRM practices and offers recommendations for HR practitioners to reduce stickiness

Perceptions of history and experiences of learning among African students in the early 1990s, in the Department of Historical Studies at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Abstract available in the PDF.Supervisor not mentioned. Quality of scanned pdf has been compromised owing to poor condition of original document

The influence of demographic factors on perceptions of mobile banking

M.Comm. (Information Technology Management)The advancement of technology in mobile devices, places South African banking institutions in unique positions to leverage these advancements into innovative, value-added services. Mobile banking is one such innovation that has afforded banking clients the ability to - amongst other services - view bank statements, pay bills, and transfer money. Despite a growing trend towards mobile banking service offerings by South African banks, privacy and security issues are still considered a concern. This dissertation conceptualises the influence of demographic factors on perceptions of mobile banking. Privacy Calculus Model (PCM) has been used as a theoretical lens to explain the cognitive process involved when a potential mobile banking subscriber is presented with mobile banking technology solutions. PCM is extended by abstracting the risk/benefit trade-off psyche held by SA bank clients, and there is an attempt to explain, using PCM, the bank clients’ cognitive process and willingness to subscribe to mobile banking services. A quantitative research method has been used for this purpose. Purposeful sampling that targeted South African bank account holders was applied. Empirical results show that potential South African mobile banking subscribers are not homogenously influenced in the same manner. Instead - for example - people in different age groups are subject to different influences than a grouping defined by highest education level. Thus, in order for South Africa’s four big banks to attract and retain mobile banking subscribers, they should realise that different groups of people are influenced by subscription to mobile banking in different ways