Economic growth and obesity in South African adults: an ecological analysis between 1994 and 2014

Abstract: To assess the trend associations between South Africa’s economic growth using various economic growth indicators (EGIs) with adult obesity prevalence over a specified period of time. Methods: Data for obesity levels reported was obtained from national surveys conducted in South African adults between the periods of 1994 to 2014. EGIs incorporated in the current analysis were obtained from the World Bank and IHS Global insight databases. Obesity prevalence is presented by gender, urbanisation level and ethnicity. EGIs congruent to the time points where obesity data are available are presented. Unadjusted time trend plots were applied to assess associations between obesity prevalence and EGIs by gender, urbanisation level and ethnicity. Results: Females present higher levels of obesity relative to males for all time points. For both males and females, an overall increase in prevalence was observed in both rural and urban settings over‐time, with urban dwellers presenting higher obesity levels. An overall increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita and Household Final Consumption Expenditure (HFCE) per capita was observed. The Gini coefficient for all ethnicities except the white group increased between 1998 and 2003 but declined by 2012

Plagiarism : student perspectives

Abstract: Context. Universities are often required to lay the ethical foundation of student behaviour and none is more prevalent than the issue of plagiarism. Plagiarism is a violation of academic integrity although it is not specific to the academic community alone. The aim of this paper is to assess students’ understanding of plagiarism and plagiarism policies, the extent to which they engage in plagiarism practices, and their perceptions on the adequacy of training workshops on writing practices for undergraduate and post-graduate students at a metropolitan university in South Africa. Problem and results. Contradictory evidence was found about the students’ understanding of plagiarism. The prevalence of plagiarism was perceived as low amongst students. The students seemed to understand plagiarism policies as the majority indicated awareness of departmental penalties for student plagiarism and perceived these penalties to be fair. Additionally, the results revealed that different faculty departments placed equal emphasis on plagiarism and that the students perceived the university and the department’s workshops on academic writing and plagiarism to be adequate. Solution. This study highlights that South African universities mirror the global trend of increasing student plagiarism practices and that efforts to improve academic integrity should adopt global best practices while taking into account local characteristics

Relationship between Air Passenger Transport, Tourism and real gross domestic product in Africa : a longitudinal mediation analysis

Abstract: This paper analysed the relationships between air passenger transport, tourism and real gross domestic product per capita (rGDPpc) in Africa. Mediation models were analysed using the structural equation modelling approach. This analysis determined the role of a mediator variable in the relationship between dependent and independent variables. Bi-directional positive relationships were found between air passenger transport and rGDPpc, tourism and rGDPpc, followed by air passenger transport and tourism. A certain proportion of air passenger transport’s total effect on rGDPpc was from increased tourism, and some of the rGDPpc’s total effect on air passenger transport were from increased tourism. A sizable effect of tourism on rGDPpc was derived from increased air passenger transport, and a larger portion of rGDPpc’s total effect on tourism was from increased air passenger transport. These percentages show the strength of the mediation (or indirect) paths. The findings imply that it is vital to consider harmonised or integrated policies that facilitate the linkages between air passenger transport, tourism and rGDPpc. Novel in this study, is the scrutiny of the interrelationships between air passenger transport, tourism and rGDPpc in Africa, using longitudinal mediation analysis

The integration of lean, green and best practice business principles

Background: Whilst there are separate streams of established research on lean, green and best practice initiatives, the intersection of these three strategic principles has not been addressed extensively in the past. Objectives: In this study a framework to integrate lean, green and best practice principles into an integrated business model was developed as a strategy for businesses to develop sustainable competitive advantages. Method: A descriptive case study was conducted on Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) to understand whether a clear link between the company’s environmental approach, lean principles and established best practice culture could be determined. In addition, the case study tested the view that the implementation of these three principles concurrently resulted in improved business results. Results: The main findings of the study revealed that TSAM’s commitment to lean, green and best practice business principles contributed and was directly linked to its business success in terms of sales and market position. Conclusion: It is recommended that businesses implement an integrated lean, green and best practice business model as a strategy to reduce costs and sustainably enhance profitably and competitiveness