Creating the right dynamic among our resident artists to curate impact in #LSEreturn

In October 2017, Kara Blackmore explored the vital role art can play in developing and disseminating research to a variety of audiences and unveiled how researchers on the Politics of Return project and artists selected through the 32-degrees East residency would dialogue to create outputs on the issues presented. In this blogpost, Kara Blackmore and Nikissi Serumaga describe the process of selecting the three artists for the project

RUMEN MICROBIOME GENE CJD5-110 ENCODES A CELLULASE

Climate change, primarily propelled by fossil fuel combustion and resulting greenhouse gas emissions, poses a significant threat to the environment. In response to this challenge, bioethanol has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional fuels due to its renewable nature and reduced carbon footprint. The pivotal step in bioethanol production involves the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose, a constituent of plant cell walls. The objective of this study was to discover novel cellulase genes from cellulolytic bacteria present in the cow's rumen. The target gene, CJD5-110, was initially isolated from the cow's rumen, and upon sequencing, it was identified to originate from Lachnospiraceae Bacterium, commonly found in the intestinal microbiota of humans and mammals. Subsequently, the gene of interest, CJD5-110, was integrated into a vector and transformed into E. coli BL 21 cells. The protein extract derived from these E. coli cells, containing the CJD5-110 gene, demonstrated the ability to degrade cellulose. In conclusion, our study successfully identified the gene CJD5-110 as a novel cellulase gene

Determining Service Quality Dimensions for Sourcing Bulk Commodities: A Case Study of the Power Utility Sector

This article provides the service quality dimensions for sourcing bulk commodities by power utility organisations. A web-based census survey questionnaire was used to collect the data from the employees and suppliers in the bulk commodity industry associated with the national power utility. Factor analysis was applied, and the three clusters of dimensions were identified. The identified dimensions are logistics, professionalism, flexibility, cost, quality, reliability, accessibility and capacity. These dimensions were clustered into three themes, namely, capability, product and delivery. These themes can be used as performance indicators during the execution of the contract, as suppliers deliver the commodity. Keywords: Service quality, SERVQUAL, power utility, bulk commodities, sourcing, commodities, supply chai

Addressing the Impact of Fourth Industrial Revolution on South African Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) may fundamentally alter, not only the way people work but also, how Small and Medium (SME) manufacturing businesses operate. In the manufacturing sector, the 4IR may change the design; manufacturing; operations; services, products, and production systems; connectivity; and the interaction among parts, machines, and people. While the 4IR technologies may have many benefits, owing to innovation and technological progress, the manufacturing SMEs require their challenges to be addressed before they may benefit from 4IR technologies. To the best of the knowledge of the researchers, there is no conceptual 4IR manufacturing framework, specifically for a developing economy, which is necessary for addressing these challenges and the opportunities promised by the new industry. This research, therefore, intends to fill this gap by developing a conceptual 4IR framework to assist South African manufacturing SMEs in addressing some of these challenges. Following a comprehensive literature review, components of the 4IR and challenges in the manufacturing industry are elucidated, aimed at defining a set of qualitative propositions as our instrument to develop a conceptual framework for embedding 4IR technologies and opportunities in the manufacturing industry. Further aspects of the framework enable businesses to gain a competitive advantage and sustainable business performance. Future work in this area will validate the framework among stakeholders in the manufacturing industry within the context of a developing economy.Graduate School of Business Leadershi

Rates of return to education of blacks in South Africa

The principal objectives of this empirical study were to test the hypothesis that eduction is a major determinant of people's earnings differentials and to calculate private and social rates of return to education of blacks in South Africa excluding Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei. Basically, the data for working men and women used in the study were extracted from the 1985 current Population survey files comprising a sample representative of the black population. Lifetime earnings profiles are constructed from these data for five educational levels, namely, no schooling up to standard 1, standards 2 to 4, standards 5 to 7, standards 8 to 9 and standard 10. Schooling is assumed to account for 60% of the income differentials between these profiles, after adjustment for the differing probabilities of finding work of persons in specific age-education groups. Imputed average household outlays on schooling are taken as the private direct cost of education supplemented by estimates of per pupil spending by the various government departments responsible for black schooling for calculation of the social costs per year of primary and secondary schooling. Indirect cost in the form of imputed foregone earnings are included from standard 5 (age 15) onwards. The resulting private internal rates of return to education of males are about 16% at primary level and 24% for secondary schooling. Corresponding social rates of return are about 6% for primary and 15% for secondary education. The estimates for females indicate that between no schooling and standards 2 to 4 level, the private and social rates of return are -1% and -4% respectively, from standards 2 to 4 to standards 5 to 7 level, private returns of 12% and social returns of 4% are reported and for the remaining secondary school phases private returns of 32% and social returns of 15% are estimated. It is implied that black education is receiving minimal government financial assistance compared to those of the other population groups. The evidence of the results of the study indicates that; besides education, marital status, locational, regional and occupational variables also influence earnings differentials, the governments responsible for black education should emphasize human capital investment in relation to physical capital investment, on average more educated persons are better off than the less educated ones and with the exception of female early primary schooling, generally, it is worthwhile for an individual to undertake a certain educational programme investmen

Investigating the prevalence and causes of prescribing errors in general practice : the PRACtICe Study

Report prepared by the University of Nottingham, University of Reading and University of Hertfordshir

The use of segmented regression in analysing interrupted time series studies : an example in pre-hospital ambulance care

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Effect of pay for performance on the management and outcomes of hypertension in the United Kingdom: interrupted time series study

Objective To assess the impact of a pay for performance incentive on quality of care and outcomes among UK patients with hypertension in primary care

A total rewards framework for the attraction of generation Y employees born 1981–2000 in South Africa

ORIENTATION : The workforce is changing, as employers aim to attract qualified individuals from Generation Y, born 1981–2000, but strategies for attraction require adaption, as the ‘onesize- fits-all’ model no longer works for today’s multigenerational workforce. RESEARCH PURPOSE : Determining what changes and priorities organisations need to consider for their total rewards frameworks to attract youth employees. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY : Companies offer employees historical benefits that they do not want or value. This is important when one considers the attraction of Generation Y to organisations, as they are increasingly becoming a formidable factor in an organisations’ success and sustainability. The motivation for this study was understanding what rewards are aligned with the aspirations of this skilled generation, to attract them. RESEARCH APPROACH, DESIGN AND METHOD : A sequential mixed-method approach was followed, where data were collected, using quantitative and qualitative methods. A questionnaire was distributed and a response rate of 276 participants from seven of the nine provinces in South Africa achieved. Interviews were conducted where 11 participants validated the quantitative findings. MAIN FINDINGS : Seven reward categories were found to affect Generation Y’s attraction to organisations, (1) leadership and environment (2) benefits (3) performance incentives (4) individual development (5) safe, secure working environment (6) work–life balance and resources and (7) performance recognition. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS : A different approach is required for the attraction of Generation Y. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD : No empirical study exists that authenticates total rewards models for Generation Y, identifying the most important reward preferences and developing a new, more effective total rewards framework.http://www.sajhrm.co.zaam2019Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS