Browsing by Author "Naidoo, Wesley"

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    The influence of HIV on return to work in stroke survivors amongst a population in the eThekwini district, Kwazulu-Natal
    (2022) Naidoo, Wesley
    Background Work is considered a life role. A return to work (RTW) process considers biopsychosocial factors together with the interaction of systems and stakeholders as determinants of work-related disabilities and participation. Stroke survivors often struggle to be or remain employed. As Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can increase the risk of stroke development, the economically active population are financially impacted from resultant disability. It is therefore paramount to ascertain the importance of quality of life (QoL) and economic outcomes amongst people living with HIV (PLHIV) contemplating a RTW. No study has explored the influence of HIV on RTW in stroke survivors. Aim of the study: To explore the influence of HIV in stroke survivors who either have or have not RTW. Method Twelve PLHIV who are stroke survivors with a history of employment prior to stroke onset were recruited from a hospital database of an antiretroviral/ human immunodeficiency (ARV/HIV) clinic to partake in a qualitative study. Using a phenomenological approach, data was collected using a demographic questionnaire and semi-structured interview. The semi-structured interview data was transcribed and analysed using an inductive thematic analysis. The study was conducted at a rehabilitation department of a regional hospital in the eThekwini district, Kwazulu-Natal. Results Two participants were in a pilot study with the remaining twelve participants in the main study. Participants were of a mean age of 39 years old, equally distributed as male to female and all were on ART. Only two participants were working at the time of the study. The physical and cognitive impacts resulting from the stroke sequalae largely affected their outlook on RTW. The engagement of healthcare services such as psychotherapy and counselling with other RTW enabling professionals provided a gateway to continued employment in the face of potential HIV disclosure at the workplace. An economically productive RTW process, which included the nullification of societal and work related barriers, is promoted by ART consideration, family support, the restoration and maintenance of employment benefits. Interestingly, the prosperity for a better QoL and RTW via new job opportunities, mitigating the impact of one’s altered health status on work suitability and an improved socioeconomic status were plausible. Conclusion Health education, especially at the workplace, would encourage a disclosure of both HIV status and ART use for HIV positive stroke surviving employees. Participants mentioned that employers should consider their employee’s health to allow time away for medical care and still continue productivity at the workplace in their absence. Having a support structure including related support services, an opportunity to maintain employment and being empowered by RTW professionals can inform prospective employment decision-making processes which can minimize the negative effects of unemployment on the QoL of this population.
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    The use of cloud computing and its effect on organisational performance in the public sector
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Naidoo, Wesley; Mudau, Norman
    Cloud computing is changing how public sectors work, making things faster and better. This paper looks at how cloud computing affects how well public organisations do their jobs, considering both money-related and other benefits. Cloud computing is essential for public services because it can make them work better and give better services to people. Nevertheless, understanding how it helps is difficult, especially with the public sector's unique rules and challenges. Cloud computing is one of the new technologies that has gained prominence in recent years. Even though the value associated with this technology has been widely researched, especially for large enterprises, the rate at which public sector entities use cloud computing remains low. This research sought to explore and describe the use of cloud computing and its effect on organisational performance in the public sector. To understand the problems, factors influencing the use of cloud computing and its use on organisational performance were investigated, considering both financial and non-financial factors. The study utilised the extended Technology Organisation Environment (TOE) and Resource-based view (RBV) framework (Gangwar,2017) as the theoretical lens to understand the cloud computing phenomenon. Methodologically, this study employed online surveys administered through the Qualtrics online survey platform to gather data. These surveys sought to extract invaluable insights into the use of cloud computing and its effect on organisational performance in the public sector. The main factors identified as necessary in using cloud computing are human resources, business resources, technology resources, change management, leadership, policy and regulation, customer performance, operational performance, and financial performance. The model was tested through a cross-sectional design using data collected from a sample (N=400) of individuals employed in the public sector in South Africa using matched data collected over a period of approximately 16 weeks apart. Structural equation modelling with AMOS was used for all model testing. This study applied a complex approach to data analysis using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and multiple regression through structural equation modelling to provide an analysis of the various variables identified. The iii research showed significant relationships between cloud computing use and leadership, policy and regulation, human resources, technology and business resources. This confirmed the first objective of understanding the factors that influence the use of cloud computing in the public sector in South Africa. The following significant result showed that this is a new contribution, as previous studies measured non-financial performance as a single item instead of expanding it to include customer, operational, and financial performance. The testing of the model thus contributes to developing a theory that explains the mechanisms through which cloud computing influences organisational performance and extends our understanding of the organisational conditions under which cloud computing usage is most important to performance. The empirical results confirm that cloud computing use is vital to affect organisational performance in the public sector. The study further contributes much-needed evidence of the relationships addressed by the influence of cloud computing on a holistic perspective of organisational performance, encompassing operational, customer, and financial aspects. This study aims to provide industry practitioners with practical insights and actionable strategies to justify investments in cloud computing systems and to improve how cloud systems are used.