Organisational citizenship and the morning after - a case of an acquisition of a local hotel chain by a global brand

Abstract: The hospitality industry has recent years seen a growing trend of acquiring brand portfolios through strategic investments by global and local investment companies to increase brand reach. The challenges associated with post acquisition integration remain consistently high and can consequently impact negatively on the organisation’s performance. This study sought to determine the influence of organisational support, brand satisfaction, and brand trust on the organisational citizenship among the local hotel employees following an acquisition by a global hotel brand. The study employed a quantitative design involving a survey in which questionnaires were administered to a sample of 350 hotel employees. A probability sampling employing simple probability sampling methods was used. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were employed to assess the psychometric properties of the measurement scale and to test hypotheses using the path modelling technique. The study found that organisational support was found to have a strong positive and significant linear relationship with brand satisfaction and brand trust. The study also found that both brand satisfaction and brand trust each have a weak positive influence on organisational citizenship. Finally, the study found that organisational support has a moderate positive influence on organisational citizenship. The study has hopefully shed some light in demonstrating the relationship between organisational support, brand satisfaction, brand trust, and organisational citizenship in a postacquisition situation

Challenges in the implementation of reverse logistics in the automotive industry

Abstract: Due to growing environmental concerns, the need for recovery of returned vehicles has been receiving more attention than ever before. Yet, not many automobile manufacturers have a satisfactory reverse logistics system for recovering and re-using returned vehicles. The purpose of this article was to explore challenges associated with the implementation of green logistics for end-of-life vehicles in the automotive industry in South Africa and to provide insight into how these challenges can be overcome. This article reported findings of a qualitative study involving interviews with 12 participants from four automotive companies in South Africa. Purposive sampling techniques were used. Five themes emerged from the primary data collection, all of which were identified as key challenges in the implementation of green logistics in the automotive industry. From the findings, these challenges include lack of collaboration, knowledge sharing and standardised application of reverse logistics processes; lack of strict adherence to environmental policies; failure of consequence management for non-compliance; absence of clear policy and legislative direction; perception around the cost of implementing reverse logistics; and inadequacy of leadership. On the basis of the literature reviewed and empirical findings, conclusions were drawn and recommendations accordingly made

The impact of corporate governance on firm competitiveness and performance of small and medium enterprises in South Africa : a case of small and medium enterprises in Vanderbijlpark

Abstract: Orientation: Corporate governance adoption and compliance are an issue augmenting in importance recently and have been extended to business enterprises of any size including small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Research purpose: This study seeks to examine the impact of corporate governance adoption on the firm competitiveness and performance of SMEs in Vanderbijlpark. Research design, approach and method: The study employs a cross-sectional research design, which employed quantitative methods. One hundred fifty-two SME owners or managers were selected from Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng, South Africa. The collected data were analysed using a structural equation modelling system by using Smart PLS software. Main findings: The principal findings of this study revealed that the implementation of corporate governance by SMEs significantly and positively affected their competitiveness and performance. Practical and managerial implications: The paper provided both practical implications and made some recommendations. Contribution or value-added: This article bridges the gap between theory and practice because it has both an economic and commercial impact in practice. It can be used in influencing public policy, teaching and research (because it contributes to the body of knowledge particularly SME corporate governance in emerging markets). An important aspect of this article is that it gives a framework for additional similar studies in other locations within emerging markets to test the generalisability of the findings. For teaching purposes, it provides a template for how to assess the link that exists between corporate governance and SME performance. Lastly, the article gives a unique empirical analysis of the relationship that exists between corporate governance compliance and performance of firms in South Africa, and thereby giving a valid contribution to corporate governance literature