Strategies, practices and skills for competitiveness in the digital economy: a perspective on large companies in South Africa

The impact of the digital developments of our time - new digital devices, new software, and new areas of applications - can be felt in more and more areas of life and work. In fact, in some areas of business the impact is transformational, changing an area or business sector to such an extent that it is hardly recognisable from what that area was like a decade or more ago. Business introduced information and communication technologies (ICTs) to automate certain processes, to achieve economies of scale (and the benefits associated with that) to involve both suppliers and customers, etc. The introduction of digital mobile devices (especially smartphones) over the past eight to ten years, and the current ubiquitous presence of these devices, brought about more changes to users' interaction with suppliers. Not only do these devices lead to improved communication with business and within business, but increasingly so in the areas of business these devices are used to establish new relationships with customers, both existing ones and potentially new ones. In such an increasingly hyperconnected world, employees become participants in a world beyond the boundaries of companies, thereby being in a position to gauge sentiments outside, to influence opinions and to make a contribution to the positioning of companies. A key factor that has to be taken into account is the wider availability of technology to all players in the ecosystem within which business functions, including the competition. Cloud-based services enable rapid deployment of services and scalability according to need. Just as access to technology, especially in the form of digital technology, holds the possibility of innovation for existing businesses, the same technology also creates the possibility for disruptive innovation and for new competition in the market. “Digital disruption describes a process by which a product or service takes root initially in simple applications at the bottom of a market and then relentlessly moves 'up market,' eventually displacing established competitors”1. Some commentators, as argued by Wladawsky- Berger2, refer to this changing scenario of access to cloud-based services as one characterised by “new economies of unscale”, a situation that could turn into a major disruption for established companies

Risks and factors contributing towards rural entrepreneurial orientation growth of business in an emerging economy

This paper examines risks and critical factors contributing to the rural entrepreneurial orientation growth of businesses. The concept of entrepreneurial orientation and various factors influencing the rural entrepreneurial orientation growth are still not well known. The study aimed to assess risks and critical factors affecting rural entrepreneurial orientation growth of businesses. Questionnaire was developed and used to collect primary data from 127 rural entrepreneurs. The sample was made with small and medium entrepreneurs operating in rural places. They were selected using quota sampling, with respondents completing a questionnaire with the assistance of an interviewer. The study used quantitative technique for data collection. SPSS (23.0) version was used for data analysis and scientific statistical significance level found to be (.000*) at the Cronbach’s alpha (.791*) reliability. Results of the survey reveal that majority indicates competition as a big challenge for them. Findings further indicate that competitor is due to the small market and lack of products differentiation. This study introduces an additional literature in the field of entrepreneurship with specific reference to rural entrepreneurship. The paper will benefit rural entrepreneurs, entrepreneurial marketing managers, potential young entrepreneurs, business consultants, policymakers, financial institutions, government agencies and all affiliated stakeholders by introducing a new understanding of risks and various critical factors causative into rural entrepreneurial orientation growth of business in an emerging economy. Most work on the entrepreneurship development has concentrated in the urban areas with little emphasis on the rural places. The findings of this study limited by study’s exploratory, small sample and quantitative nature

Critical environmental dynamics: barriers restraining business growth in rural areas of southern region of KwaZulu-Natal province

The study intends to examine the understanding and awareness of environmental dynamics and their implications of rural SMEs in the southern region of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. The study was conducted within the rural areas of the Southern region of KZN province, using quantitative research methods. The sample for the study consisted of 150 owners/managers of SMEs. The respondents were selected using quota sampling and required to complete a research questionnaire, with an interviewer present to assist. The research instrument consisted of closed-ended questionnaires made up of 5 point Likert scale responses and questionnaires were distributed to five selected areas in rural Southern region of KZN province. The research findings indicate the size of local market is very small to sell their products; poor infrastructure has an impact on their business growth, lack of financial support, as well as tough government regulations, just to mention the few. This study provides both theoretical and practical implications for rural entrepreneurs and policy-makers. The study presents a number of recommendations, including a conceptual growth model for rural SMEs. Keywords: enveronmental dynamics, rural areas, business growth, SMEs. JEL Classification: Q56, R11, O4

Social values as determinants of entrepreneurial intentions among university students in Cape Town – South Africa

An empirical study was conducted in Cape Town – South Africa – to determine whether social values (family, parents’ work and education) have an impact on entrepreneurship students in the universities of Cape Town, University of Stellenbosch, and University of the Western Cape, as well as Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The paper reviewed the literature about the role social values plays in the people’s lives. Respondents were the entrepreneurship university students. Data were collected in classrooms, and, in most cases, with the facilitation of both the lecturer and the researcher. Bivariate and multivariate tests of statistical significance were conducted, while Cronbach’s Alpha was used to measure the reliability of the research tool. Findings suggest that social values of the university students have an impact on their entrepreneurial intentions. The paper ends with recommendations to universities, entrepreneurship lecturers, parents, government and businesses, as well as civil society organizations. Keywords: social values, entrepreneurship intentions, university students, Cape Town. JEL Classification: Y

Entrepreneurship education and training at the Further Education and Training (FET) level in South Africa

We assessed the levels of entrepreneurship education and training at the Further Education and Training (FET) level in a South African context. We are of the opinion that entrepreneurship education and training (of necessity) must fulfill a primary role in preparing our youth for their future. Evidence from elsewhere, in particular industrialised countries, indicates that entrepreneurship education and training at school level play important roles in the contribution to economic growth. Experts in the field of entrepreneurship believe that the contribution of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the growth of our country can be much higher if entrepreneurship education is implemented at school levels. Entrepreneurship is now one of the outcomes of Grades R – 12. However, our research clearly showed that various problems in schools hinder the effective implementation of entrepreneurship education, some of which are poorly trained educators and lack of adequate resources. Better entrepreneurship education could make a significant contribution to job creation and ultimately to poverty alleviation

Influential factors impacting leadership effectiveness: A case study at a public university

As a result of increased globalisation and rapid changes in the technological, social, economic and political spheres, the environment in which businesses and organisations function has become increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA). This has created a unique set of challenges for the leaders of these organisations, including higher education (HE) in South Africa. This study aimed to identify potential influential factors that have impact on leader effectiveness in a HE VUCA environment

Community Engagement newsletter, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Winter, 2012

Mangaung community receives support from Onderstepoort / Willem Engelbrecht, Helzna Krikke, Ingrid Metz, Janine Lombard, Marelize Greyling and Willem Janson -- Fighting animal abuse one school at a time / Ruche Harmse, Taryn Light, Ansu Visser, Este van Coetzen, Megan Naude, Nadia Strydom and Tess Tjasink -- Veterinary education and “Vets for the kids” / Patrick Ntsibande, Nyeleti Manganyi, Noluthando Ndashe, Thapelo Makae, Khulekani Lukhele and Sabelo Magagula -- soVETo k9 Mobile clinic outreach / Daleen Bester, Gideon Stemmet, Ian Gibson, Kobus Rabe, Louw Grobler and Rhynard de RidderNews articles with colour photos about the various community engagement projects of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria.ab201

Temperature determination in an inductively coupled radio frequency plasma torch

Thesis (M. Sc.) -- University of Stellenbosch, 1974.Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record

Temperature and electron density profiles in an inductively coupled plasma discharge

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Stellenbosch, 1980.Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record