Academic staff and employment equity profile in Business Management departments at universities in South Africa

This article is a report on an attempt to determine the composition of academic staff of Business Management departments at South African universities. The objective was to determine the qualifications, level of employment and ranks filled by academics from the designated groups (black, coloured and Indian) and whites. Business Management and related departments from 13 universities representing 136 academics participated in the study. The findings indicate that academics from all the designated groups combined, constitute only 40%, as opposed to 60% whites, which indicates a shortage of academics from the former group. Thirty one per cent of all academic staff in Business Management have doctorates, and of these, 2% are from the combined designated groups and 29% from the white group. Ranked academics from the designated groups are in the minority: 31% are senior lecturers, 11% are associate professors and 7% are professors. The majority, which is 57%, of academics in business management are male and 43% are female. Representation of females from the designated groups is the lowest at 14%, with white males the highest at 31%. The results indicate that in the senior ranks, the number of academics from the designated groups, especially females, are far below employment equity expectations

Globalisation, internationalisation and export opportunities for South Africa

Abstract: The economic resources of capital, technology, and data as well as the exchange of goods and funds and the agriculture supply sector all become part of the ‘border-less world’. The Government and private organisations are arduously demanding factors to stimulate growth in the South African economy through various strategies and comprehend export development as a priority. The Department of Trade and Industry grow the export base and increase exports from South Africa as well as develop an approach to export expansion supported by strategic export promotion in line with global best practice resulting in the Integrated National Export Strategy (INES) or ‘Export 2030’. Within the demand for wood, South Africa has the opportunity to increase its wood supply into world markets in the future to various countries and indications are of countries and regions which might be future potential markets with this research main aim towards entering the European Union market. South Africa may enter the EU markets without any tariff barriers because it falls under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). However, South African produce still have to meet certain requirements to enter the EU market, for example, they have to provide evidence of origin to EU customs in the form of a Certificate of Origin and the wood or articles therefore must be transported directly to the EU from the country of origin. There are a number of non-tariff measures (NTMs) for wood products, being more complex than tariffs and more difficult to gauge their impact with an even greater trade-restricting effect than tariffs. One of these measure is the use of import quotas for forest products is declining, resulting in difficulties. However, the use of export restrictions, particularly on logs, has been increasing, and had a major impact on trade in forest products

Online, community-driven e-commerce platforms and the rise of lifestyle commerce – a conceptual study

Abstract: Aim – During times of financial hardship, e-commerce undertakings often employ creative strategies to engage customers in novel ways in order to survive. In this paper, we explore the concept of lifestyle commerce to assist in this endeavour, also identifying core role players and components that differentiate the underlying business model from traditional e-commerce. Findings – Lifestyle commerce requires inspiration; inspiration requires content; content requires community. The real value of lifestyle commerce thus lies in its interconnected, communities of users who form part of an engaged customer network. Conclusions – With lifestyle commerce, one should take care of the community, and the business will take care of itself. This arguably emergent property of lifestyle commerce is a core aspect to take into consideration in future online lifestyle commerce undertakings and evidently also, their acquisition. The aim of lifestyle commerce is thus to grow an engaged customer network, as opposed to simply building a static customer base

The effectiveness of strategic management intervention in developing profitable high growth African businesses

Abstract: The objective of the research was to determine how the the strategic management intervention of the African Management Services Company (AMSCO) has contributed to improved profitability, growth and sustainability of businesses in African countries. Businesses ranging from very small to multinational subsidiaries that were involved in a three year AMSCO intervention were selected to participate in the study. Self-administered questionnaires as well financial and other records and documents of 55 participating businesses resulted in the findings that the intervention, especially with the placement of the AMSCO managers, was instrumental in successfully transferring business and management skills to local employees within these enterprises and organisations. During and after the intervention the profitability, growth, sustainability, employment numbers and retention of the majority of the businesses increased and training became a norm

Foreign Direct Investment Plans of Multinational Enterprises Currently Operating in South Africa

The objective of this study was to examine factors in the South African business environment that influence the foreign direct investment decision-making plans of multinational enterprises in the country. Although studies on foreign direct investment do exist, they have focused primarily on the determinants of foreign direct investment. Relatively little is known about the dynamics of foreign direct investment plans of multinationals already operating in the country. An internet survey was conducted with 76 senior executives from South African multinational enterprises. The findings demonstrate that macroeconomic, political, government policy, labour issues, bureaucracy, red tape, corruption and crime all influence the investment plans of these enterprises. However, despite this evidence, the multinationals do not intend to close down some or all operations in the country within the short term (next 1-3 years). This study expands the body of knowledge on foreign direct investment and multinational enterprises, shedding light on their operations and investment plans in African countries. This research will be useful for policymakers in South Africa as to decision-making by multinationals on foreign direct investment in the country. The study is also a starting point for future research on the dynamics behind foreign direct investment decision-making.   &nbsp

Pilot studies : use and misuse in South African SME research

Abstract: The utilization of pilot study methodology is often not in accordance with methodological principles and intentions. Further, reporting of pilot studies is reported as inadequate. The rise in the use of pilot studies in the social sciences, in particular in business research, prompts an examination of the correctness of the use of pilot study methodology in South African SME research. This article has made use of a qualitative research approach by systematically reviewing the use of pilot studies in South African SME research. Articles have been identified in prominent databases according to set inclusion and exclusion criteria. Accepted articles have then been screened according to a set of identified best practices. Findings reveal that only a small proportion of identified studies follow methodological best practices of piloting methodology. Few studies adequately report on piloting results and even fewer studies adequately describe or select a representative piloting sample. Only half of all identified studies describe the purpose for piloting. The article provides recommendations for researchers and businesses engaging in SME research and intending to utilize pilot studies

Intrapreneurial Orientation in SMEs: A South African Perspective

The aim of this study is to identify South African constructs of Intrapreneurial Orientation aiding theinternal growth of SMEs. The study is qualitative in design and utilizes a triangulation approach by performinga Delphi study with South African entrepreneurship experts as well as semi-structured interviews with SMEemployees. The results reveal that IO elements promoting growth in SMEs are behavioral, attitudinal,managerial and environmental in nature. These constructs contain traditional Entrepreneurship Orientation(EO) elements as well as multi-dimensional factors centering on the individual in the SME. The findings of thisstudy allow for the development of a South African instrument investigating Intrapreneurial Orientation inSMEs. The constructs further allow established SMEs to improve their propensity to innovate by instilling anentrepreneurial spirit within their employees. To date, no South African study has been conducted intounderlying constructs of Intrapreneurial Orientation, a sub-field of Intrapreneurship which has received limitedattention in literature

The role of government in the implementation of sustainable development initiatives by adventure tourism SMMEs in South Africa : an exploratory inquiry

Abstract: Sustainable development suggests that there are restrictions to the obtainability of ecological resources and the planet to engage human activities. Limited South African research exists in the field of sustainable development in adventure tourism SMMEs especially the role of Government in terms of implementation of sustainable development initiatives. A structured questionnaire was administered via email and hard copies. A total of 105 usable responses were received. Government, business associations and certification bodies have unrelated methods for evaluating sustainability issues. The tourism sector is overwhelmed with initiatives and certifications intended at facilitation and adoption of sustainable development practices. This adds to the confusion that entrepreneurs face when it comes to choosing an appropriate tool. There is consensus that entrepreneurs want to develop their sustainability knowledge base. It is recommended that the different institutions or actors in the arena of sustainable development should make information on sustainable development easily available. The SMMEs also indicated that the legislative framework affecting small businesses should be improved. The government, should award rebates to SMMEs for implementing sustainable development initiatives. Alternative funding for implementing sustainable development initiatives should also be established

Assessment of entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial orientation constructs : an analysis of past research

Abstract: Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) can act as a predictor and indicator of firm-level entrepreneurship in organisations of different sizes. Intrapreneurial Orientation (IO), as an offspring of EO, describes an individual employee’s inclination to act entrepreneurially. Yet while the importance of an organisation’s EO cannot be overstated, a lack of clarity exists as to which common constructs underpin these concepts, as no study has attempted to analyse the shared conceptual basis underpinning EO, IO and other connected concepts. The purpose of this study is to analyse the underlying constructs of past EO and IO studies. The study is qualitative in nature by utilising a narrative review methodology. The review was conducted in prominent international databases. Discovered articles were analysed by means of content and thematic analysis. Results reveal that EO studies mostly utilise three constructs, namely risk-taking, innovativeness and proactiveness, while competitive aggressiveness and autonomy are less frequently utilised. Instruments developed by Miller (1983), as well as Covin and Slevin (1989) were the most frequently utilised instruments to assess EO. Studies investigating IO lack commonality in constructs, with only innovativeness representing a common construct. Entrepreneurial Attitude Orientation was found to act as an extension to IO, utilising similar constructs and one underlying instrument only. Findings of this study provide researchers and academics with an up-to-date identification and analysis of the main constructs underlying popular EO and IO instruments, thereby assisting in the development of instruments in future EO and IO studies

SME support institutions : the South African case

Abstract: The aim of the research is to provide an overview and analysis of prominent institutions supporting SME growth in South Africa. This is a qualitative study using a targeted internet and literature search by comprehensively reviewing SME support institutions. Data were analyzed by means of a documentary and thematic analysis. 15 Prominent SME support institutions were discovered - split equally between public and private institutions. Services offered took the form of financial and non-financial support. Financial support included grants, loans, equity investment and guarantees. Non-financial support predominantly includes items such as networking opportunities, incubation, mentorship and advisory services