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The 2018 conceptual framework: an investigation of evidence of neoliberalism and stewardship in submitted comment letters
(2020) Van Wyk, Janey
This paper investigates the level of propensity for either a neoliberal or stewardship paradigm which may be prevalent in the comment letters addressing the 2018 Conceptual Framework Revision project. Previous research explored the two paradigms, namely, the neoliberalism and stewardship paradigms evident in accounting and the impact of isomorphism on the views stakeholders hold. This study will seek to indicate the level of consensus among the key stakeholders identified in the paradigm in the Conceptual Framework and the resulting expectation of its perceived legitimacy in financial reporting around the world which has not yet been addressed in previous research. This paper also focuses on whether the stakeholders of financial statements are more inclined toward either paradigm, irrespective of which jurisdiction they may belong. This research adopts a cost-effective methodology by utilising existing data available in the comment letters as the source of data for this study. The key objective is to understand what direction the interested stakeholders recommend the Conceptual Framework should take as the Conceptual Framework has a direct impact on the formulation of existing and future accounting standards
A multidimensional investigation into the effect of different ethical lenses on decision-making by the CA (SA) professional
(2021) Silberman, Tammy
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether various characteristics looked at through different ethical lenses impact and influence ethical attitudes (see Appendix A) and decision-making of South African Chartered Accountants-in-training. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses a quantitative method. This research made use of Reidenbach and Robin's (1990) multidimensional ethics scale to determine whether ethical judgements differ when based on a relativist, moral equity or deontological lens. Findings: The results indicated that different characteristics do have an impact on ethical attitudes and decision-making. The characteristics that have the most influence are: experience and qualifications followed by religion and gender. Gender had a significant influence on ethical attitudes but only played a role in ethical decision-making when the ethical scenarios were ambiguous. Age did not influence ethical attitudes and decision-making. Research limitations/implications: Inherent time and cost constraints meant that the sample selection was motivated by convenience. As a result, there is a risk that the results are not representative of the entire population. The use of a case study is a limitation as case studies set out specific scenarios. The research only focused on three ethical lenses. Other lenses for explaining ethical decision-making were not addressed. Contribution: Given the recent scandals that have plagued the accountancy profession, this research would enable organisations and professional bodies to have a greater understanding of the driving forces influencing ethical attitudes and decision-making.
A re-evaluation of the estimated overcharge by the South African cement cartel
(2022) Brunette, Alexander
The topic of overcharge estimation regarding cartels is scarce in both the international and domestic regard. This paper aims to re-estimate the overcharge by the South African cement cartel after it was forced to disband following the end of the apartheid regime. In order to avoid the problem of spurious regression results, the time series data are thoroughly analysed for unit roots. To combat the presence of the confirmed nonstationarity, an error correction model is employed in order to yield more accurate estimates. When controlling for nonstationarity, it is found that the price overcharge is higher than that provided by static ordinary least squares regressions and is on par with more recent estimates.
A scholarly approach to student success in Higher Education Volume 2: transformative pedagogies
(2022) Pool, J; Fernandes-Martins, MM; Fourie, M
A Scholarly Approach to Student Success in Higher Education Volume 2 is a research book based on original research in the field of Higher Education enhancing theory and practice. The overarching theme for this publication relates to higher education pedagogic best practices. The chapters encapsulate empirical and conceptual research guided by theoretical frameworks. This scientifically-based publication is underpinned by the underlying approaches for the advancement of scholarship in higher education. The contribution of the book offers original research. The content is aimed at academics as university teachers in the field of scholarship of teaching and learning. The work of an academic involves being a teacher and a researcher; teaching must be researchinformed. Good teaching is grounded in a deep understanding of a discipline: the basis of academics’ work is knowledge, with their identities embedded in disciplineas knowledge learners, producers and disseminators. This publication places emphasis on transformative curricula and pedagogies applicable to enhancing quality teaching and learning informed by a scholarly approach towards student success, as envision by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) of South Africa. A Scholarly Approach to Student Success in Higher Education Vol 2 fosters a space for academics to share developed learning and teaching practices and research toward student success. There are chapters that address the clear inequalities that persist in HE and building quality towards student access with success. Curriculum responsiveness pertaining to decolonisation, sustainable development and climate change, and the need for entrepreneurship development is also evident in the chapters. A Call for Chapters was announced using different channels such as Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA) News and various inter-university communication platforms. A substantial number of manuscripts were submitted by local, national and international scholars. Under the auspices of the editors, assisted by selected national and international members of the editorial board, all of the manuscripts were scrutinised. Those manuscripts that did apply to the standards and foci set for publication, went through a double-blind peer-review as well as an authentication process in order to secure the fact that the content was not plagiarised. An academic integrity specialist was appointed to analyse TurnItIn reports. Chapters were also language edited and corrections were made by the authors accompanied by a change-log which was screened by the editors. In cases where a discrepancy of the outcome from reviewers was reported, the chapter was submitted to a scholar of standing in the field in order for him/her to act as an arbiter to make a final decision regarding the merits of a particular chapter. All of the reports are currently preserved in the offices of the publisher. A Scholarly Approach to Student Success in Higher Education Volume 2 adds to the established body of knowledge on the scholarship of teaching in Higher Education in South Africa. The relevance, nature, and novelty of this book publication is seated in its contribution to a scholarly approach to student success
The adoption of artificial intelligence by South African banking firms: a Technology, Organisation and Environment (TOE) framework
(2019-02-28) Mariemuthu, Clayton
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the creation of intelligent machines that have the ability to work and act like humans and comprises various technologies. AI-powered technology is having a transformative effect on industries such as banking. This study investigated the adoption of AI technologies by South African banking firms. The investigation into the factors that explain the current extent of adoption was focused through the lens of the Technological, Organisational and Environmental (TOE) framework. Through a review of existing literature and online resources, this study firstly identified a basket of AI technologies perceived as relevant for South African banking firms. Six technologies that represent the basket of AI technologies were identified, namely: machine learning, robotic process automation, expert systems, virtual assistants, natural language processing, and pattern recognition. Secondly, the study aimed to determine the current state of adoption of the AI technologies. Thirdly, the study aimed to determine the factors influencing the adoption of AI technologies by banking firms. A systematic literature review was undertaken to determine the technological, organisational and environmental factors that influence technology adoption. A model using pre-determined TOE factors was developed and tested. The cross-sectional, quantitative study was undertaken via a self-administered, online questionnaire to a sample of 307 respondents from South African banking business units, resulting in 62 responses. Diffusion curves were used to illustrate the current adoption of AI technologies. The results revealed that robotic process automation is the most diffused technology, while natural language processing was the least diffused technology. The results also revealed a significant intention to adopt AI technologies in the next three years. The data was subjected to reliability and validity tests which established that the construct measures rendered consistent and reproducible results, and accurately depicted the constructs they were assigned to measure. Thereafter, correlations analysis was utilised to test the model’s hypotheses, and a multiple and stepwise regression were used as further tests of the model. Results revealed that AI technology skills, top management support, firm size and competitive pressure were positively related to the adoption of AI technologies, while perceived benefits, information technology infrastructure, cost, competitive pressure, regulation and mimetic pressure were not supported. AI technologies is a contemporary topic and is gathering a great deal of attention in both academia and practice. By applying the TOE framework, this study has provided a theoretical contribution and addressed a research gap in existing literature, specifically demonstrating that AI adoption is a function of all three contexts, i.e. technological, organisational and environmental. This study also provides a practical contribution for banking firms as they can understand the current adoption status of the average South African bank. Furthermore, for firms considering the adoption of AI technologies, this study offers insights into the relative influence of the TOE factors, and provides guidance to facilitate benchmarking and processes of adoption.
The adoption of cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS): a descriptive and empirical study of South African SMEs
(2019-10-31) Maserumule, Mabuke Dorcus
The purpose of this study was to describe the state of cloud-based software (SaaS) adoption among South African SMEs and to investigate the factors affecting their adoption of SaaS solutions. The technological, organisational and environmental (TOE) factors influencing cloud-based software adoption within SMEs were identified through a review of existing TOE literature. In addition, institutional theory and diffusion of innovation theory were also used to underpin the study. A research model hypothesising the outcome of the identified TOE factors on the adoption of cloud-based software was developed and tested. Specifically, factors hypothesised to influence SaaS adoption were compatibility, security concern, top management support and coercive pressures. This study employed a relational, quantitative research approach. A structured questionnaire was developed and administered as an online survey. Data was collected from a sample of 134 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that provided usable responses. The collected data was used to firstly describe the state of adoption. Secondly, the extent to which various TOE factors impact on adoption was examined through the use of multiple regression. It was found that compatibility, security concern, top management support and coercive pressures influence adoption while trust, cost, relative advantage, complexity, geographic dispersion, normative and mimetic pressures did not have significant effects. This study adds value to the Information Systems literature as it uses the TOE framework alongside institutional theory and diffusion of innovation theory to explain the adoption of cloud-based software solutions by South African SMEs. This study provides information on the current state of adoption for cloud-based software within SMEs in South Africa. Organisations can also learn about the factors contributing to this adoption. Organisations can also be informed that for adoption to be successful, technological, organisational and environmental factors must be taken into consideration. Results assist organisations wanting to implement cloud-based software solutions. Specifically, results provide a benchmark for SMEs on where their organisations stand compared to other organisations with regards to SaaS adoption (for example whether they are lagging behind, they are on par, or whether they are innovators). This could inform their IT procurement decisions, e.g. to consider whether cloud-based software solutions are strategic and necessary to keep abreast with peers and competitors.
The adoption of social media in a South African banking organisation :a qualitative diffusion of innovation perspective
(2019) Mehlomakulu, Sidima
Social media adoption has seen a rise across businesses in recent history, this is also seen in the increase of publications related to this subject. ICT adoption studies have used many theoretical lenses, in multiple contexts to observe the diffusion phenomenon at an organisational level. However, the understanding of the adoption of social media in large South African organisations has scant research. This study explores the antecedents surrounding the decision to adopt social media, in a South African banking organisation, using an extended Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theoretical framework. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews are deployed as the methods used to gather insights from decision makers and other impacted business functional areas, to gain a richer understanding of the phenomena. The theoretical contribution of this study provides an enriched understanding of social media diffusion in a South African banking organisational setting, by incorporating concepts of strategy, vision and goals, internal organisational social and cultural structures, as well as external and competitive pressures to the DOI theory. Findings suggest that further concepts such as reputational risk, social media innovativeness and organisational change, could be further explored. Practically, the findings may be used in the decision process of social media implementation, social media strategy development and to improve business operational efficiencies.
Adoption of software as a service: a qualitative case study in a state-owned company in South Africa
(2021) Dlamini, Vukile Kholiwe
Software as a Service (SaaS) is a type of cloud computing service which has capabilities that enable organisations to efficiently and effectively render business applications as well as deliver services to stakeholders via the Internet, in a secure manner. This service model has benefits as well as critical challenges which need to be considered by management when deciding to adopt or not to adopt SaaS. In South Africa (SA), organisations that are in the public sector, specifically state-owned companies, are also considering this maturing SaaS technology in order to improve service delivery to citizens and efficiencies whilst operating within a tight state budget and a highly regulated environment. This study developed an integrated conceptual framework underpinned by the Technology Organisation Environment (TOE) framework and the Institutional (INT) theory. This integrated framework was used to investigate organisational considerations in SaaS adoption and to identify the key factors which influence the decision to adopt SaaS, by means of a qualitative case study that was conducted in a South African state-owned company. Data for this research was collected from fifteen participants representing both business and IT units. The results of the study indicate that the factors drawn from the TOE framework and INT theory can be used to understand adoption of SaaS in state-owned companies in South Africa. Additionally, it was found that ten TOE factors could drive or hinder the adoption of SaaS in a state-owned company. The Security factor within the Technology context was found to be the most important SaaS adoption consideration in the case study site. This research paper is a unique attempt, to study SaaS adoption within a state-owned institution in South Africa, through the lens of an integrated TOE-INT conceptual framework, which could advance the Information Systems (IS) field. Furthermore, the conceptual framework could present practical implications; for practitioners it will highlight key factors to consider when faced with the decision to adopt SaaS, for the SA Government it could generate insights for creating a conducive regulatory environment (including national cloud adoption policies), and for SaaS service providers it could produce useful information for packaging SaaS solutions that are suited to state-owned entities in SA
An examination of the theory and planned application of a risk equalization mechanism within the South African medical schemes industry
(2022) Zwane, Sibongile
S29(n) of the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998 proclaims all schemes may set the levy (price) also known as a member contribution due for each available benefit option based exclusively on two characteristics: Income and number of dependents. The former pricing procedure results in a regulatory requirement known as community rating. In reality, there are other observable characteristics which are more indicative of claims experience such as age and a patient health condition(s) which medical schemes cannot take into consideration in setting the levy. The inevitable consequence of this restriction is that high and low risk members could be in the same scheme and the same risk pool. Therefore, two schemes offering the exact same benefits would have different prices. Arguments are put forward which suggest that in the interests of preserving social solidarity, the introduction of a risk equalization mechanism would act as a necessary support for the current community rating provisions. That is, a risk equalization mechanism would transfer funds between the two schemes so that in the end both schemes would charge the same price. Although it was proposed in the 1990s, that a risk equalization mechanism be adopted within the South African medical schemes industry, it was not implemented. Grounded theory is used to build a theoretical basis for risk equalization using data that is extrapolated from the situational maps of other similar global private, healthcare funding markets that have enacted and applied community rating legislation alongside some form of risk equalization. The general theory which emerges from the grounded theory process shows that generally, in private, healthcare funding markets where community rating is adopted, a risk equalization mechanism is also adopted. Not surprisingly, consistent with theory and global experience, the re-introduction of a community rating system as a centerpiece of the 1998 Medical Schemes Act with plans to also adopt a risk equalization mechanism was a sound policy decision. However, recent healthcare policy changes suggest that medical schemes will not disappear completely but will play a less significant role in future. As such, the most opportune time for implementing risk equalization in South Africa has in all probability passed.
An analysis of housing quality in South Africa: former vs non-former homeland areas
(2021) Sithole, Victor
This study estimates differentials in housing quality between former and non-former homelands areas in South Africa. Using the 2011 population census (10% household sample) collapsed by municipal level, the paper uses an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to assess the magnitude and patterns of differentials of housing quality between the two areas. Results reveal that former homeland areas face more housing quality deficiencies compared to non-former homeland areas. When former homeland status is defined as a dummy variable, results show a 0.22%-point difference in housing quality to the disadvantage of former homeland areas. Accounting for municipal characteristics narrows the gap significantly to 0.03% points. The factors that influence housing quality in former homeland areas are municipal compositional differences in race, gender, age, education, income, tenure and urbanisation. The study recommends that policy interventions should be targeted towards improving incomes of the affected groups with more attention directed towards black South Africans and female headed households to address the current housing quality disparities.
An application of the audit committee effectiveness framework on JSE listed companies in South Africa
(2021) Sigauke, Tanyaradzwa
The purpose of this study is to determine which characteristics of audit committee effectiveness (ACE) listed companies are disclosing. This study also assesses whether the identified characteristics are supportive of ACE. A disclosure index developed using the framework of Dezoort , Hermanson, Archambeault, and Reed (2002), prior literature, the reporting guidelines of King IV and the Companies Act was used to identify the audit committee (AC) characteristics. The research methodology is quantitative in nature and content analysis was used to identify the AC characteristics in the company’s annual, integrated, sustainability and AC reports. The results found that the most frequently disclosed AC characteristic is AC size. This may be because of companies’ awareness that size shows the resource and power of the AC. Additionally, the industrials sector was perceived to be most supportive of ACE as it scored the highest perceived audit committee effectiveness (PACE). The companies in the industrials sector are subjected to immense pressure from consumers and the press (Van Zijl, Wöstmann, & Maroun, 2017). As a result, the high PACE score may be an attempt to reduce information asymmetry which is achieved by disclosing to investor’s quality of the management of risks.
Assessing the income and subjective well being relationship across South African developmental contexts: a multilevel analysis from 2008 to 2017
(2020) Ndlovu, Mlungisi Melusi Sandile
Assessing the role of King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality on crime prevention
(2020) Nogwanya, Sibusiso
The study argues that municipalities play a crucial role in economic growth and in creating employment opportunities for the communities they serve. Furthermore, municipalities are required to take part in crime prevention initiatives in all social groupings under their jurisdictions. This is based on the fact that the design and structural arrangements of South African local government make it easier for them to fight crime at the lower stratum of our society. The mandate of municipalities to fight crime is informed by chapter 7 of South African Constitution of 1996, which elucidates that local government should play a key role in leading a locally based social and economic development. In addition, the White Paper on Safety and Security, 1998 states that local government should play a leading role in local crime prevention through multi-agency partnerships. The National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) (1996) advocates for the maximum involvement of the community and government departments in crime prevention. The study was conducted in KSD Local Municipality and the reason for this decision is that crime statistics reveal that the majority of criminal acts in the Eastern Cape are most prevalent in KSD local Municipality. Through assessing the role of KSD Local Municipality in crime prevention the study discovered that KSDLM has not met the needs of local communities as many participants who were interviewed express that the municipality is not active in fighting crime, further the study uncovered that the municipality did not have proper mechanisms in place to combat crime. This leads to an in increase in criminal activities. Based on the responses received, it was also uncovered that crime is frequently committed by young people between the ages of 18 to 25. Young people do not have jobs and are excluded from participating in the economy, which leads to criminal activities. KSD must therefore start to intensify crime prevention programs and come up with strategic plans to combat crime, as this is one of their key priorities. The municipality must further address socio-economic needs of society as part of the crime prevention package. The significance of the study can be drawn from The National Crime Prevention Strategy (1996) and the White Paper of 1998 which state that local government should promote a safe and healthy environment; and to encourage the involvement of communities and community organizations in the matters of local government, thus crime prevention and community safety is central to local development
Assessing ‘patient safety culture’ in maternity obstetric units in the Umgungundlovu District, Kwazulu-Natal
(2020) Thakur-Rajbansi, Shameen
This study set out to understand the perceptions of maternal healthcare providers (MHCPs) towards patient safety culture (PSC), in selected public hospital maternity obstetric units (MOUs) in the UMgungundlovu District in KwaZulu-Natal. The aim was to guide safety improvement initiatives and strengthen the clinical governance framework, by assessing the level of PSC. The assumption was that MOUs should be functioning theoretically like High Reliability Organisations (HROs) to prevent maternal deaths. However, this district had a high Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 208.3 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births in 2015, whilst the Millennium Development Goal5 was 38/100 000 live births. Donabedian’s (1980) Model of Care conceptual framework was used made up of structure, process and outcomes, with the focus mainly on ‘process,’ outcomes and MHCP interpersonal skills. The methodology involved distributing an expanded version of the validated15 item short format PSCHO survey to MHCPs. The survey consisted of six topics key to a culture of patient safety, including demographic data. Data was collected over a 6 week period, from April to May 2018.A total of 245 MHCPs, comprising of all gynaecologists’, obstetricians’, doctors’, clinical and nursing managers’, together with a sample of midwives’ and advanced midwives’, were systematically selected. The total number of respondents was 197, however 5 surveys had missing data, hence (n=192). The overall response rate was 78.1%. Results were interpreted by the frequency of problematic and neutral responses obtained, which either implied a lack (absence) or low level of safety culture. Responses per question were collated according to job designation, work experience and age. Overall, the Mean of problematic responses was 31.01% and 14.5% for neutral responses. The perceptions of MHCPs with respect to PSC varied slightly amongst doctors’, midwives’ and managers’. It can be concluded that PSC does not mimic HROs sufficiently in the uMgungundlovu District MOUs, with 63.5% (n = 122) MHCPs giving a poor to adequate score. However, a key Correlation finding was that both PSC and MMR are inextricably linked, i.e. as PSC improves, MMR outcomes also improves. Future research is required to verify the results and find ways that senior managers’ can commit to patient safety change management
Balancing the taxpayer's right to privacy against the automatic exchange of information
(2020) De Koker, Alon David
Since 2009, a primary objective of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has been to increase global tax transparency in order to combat tax evasion. According to the OECD, the removal of bank secrecy restrictions and the implementation of the Automatic Exchange of Information standard, which allows participating jurisdictions to access information on the foreign financial accounts of their residents, is necessary to reduce tax evasion. The Automatic Exchange of Information, however, is argued to be excessive in the information that is required to be exchanged. This research report examines and analyses the constitutional issues that are raised with regard to the current practice of the Automatic Exchange of Information. The current policy framework of the Automatic Exchange of Information is critically assessed with particular reference to the taxpayer’s constitutional right to privacy. This research report considers whether the Automatic Exchange of Information infringes upon the taxpayer’s right to privacy and if so whether the infringement is reasonable and justifiable in an open democratic society based on human dignity, equality and freedom. It is submitted that no right granted by the Constitution is absolute and therefore a limitations analysis must be performed in order to ascertain whether there is an appropriate constitutional balance between the right to privacy and the Automatic Exchange of Information
Big data adoption challenges and benefits: the case of a South African bank
(2020) Matsimbi, Johannes Chabane
The origins of Big Data have not been confirmed; however, it is suspected that it originated in the mid-1990s. Since then, the adoption of Big Data has gained momentum in many industries. This study sought to establish how data is collected and highlight the challenges that are experienced during Big Data adoption. The research also sought to establish how the adoption of Big Data can benefit organisations. A qualitative study was conducted, consisting of a sample of 15 participants from the South Africa bank’s Information Technology (IT) Department. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the data. The data was analysed through the qualitative tool NVivo, to assist with the process of coming up with codes and patterns. Then these patterns were used to create themes to assist with analysis. The study revealed that the bank uses industry-appropriate tools that are also suitable for collecting and curating Big Data. The study further showed that skills scarcity could be a significant challenge when implementing Big Data projects. The architecture of the organisation, governance around how projects are implemented, as well as common understanding regarding how the data should be packaged, can be a challenge when implementing Big Data projects. Despite the challenges presented by Big Data, the study also found that there are benefits for Big Data adoption. The benefits for Big Data include, amongst others, enhancement of customer-centric marketing, data-driven product development and data monetisation, to mention, but a few. The study added to the body of knowledge (BoK) by demonstrating that the benefits of Big Data adoption outweigh the challenges presented by Big Data. The study suggests that more investments should be put in place for change management when implementing projects of this magnitude. Change management would assist in monitoring the impact of the projects on how people do their jobs and provide clarity on the required changes regarding how systems will work, such as process optimisation. The knowledge gained from this study provides valuable insights for researchers, bank leaders and Big Data practitioners about the importance of adopting Big Data and the benefits derived from doing so.
Building brand commitment from internal brand management and employee-based brand equity factors
(2021) Sebopa, Caroline Boitumelo
Famous Brands is a JSE listed company with a market capitalisation of over R10 billion and is the largest food services franchisor in Africa, boasting of over 24 brands. The organisation has over 2800 restaurants in Africa, the Middle East and the United Kingdom. Some of their market-leading brands include Steers, Debonairs Pizza, Wimpy, Mugg n Bean, Fishaways, GBK, and Turn n Tender, amongst others. Various success factors of the organisation have been documented and these have included acquisitions, joint ventures, and vertical integration. The success of Famous Brands could also have been generated from its brand knowledge structure held by customers and employees. The brand knowledge, role clarity and brand commitment that employees hold of their company’s brand have been found to be important dimensions necessary for building employee-based brand equity (EBBE). When EBBE is built, it is reported that organisations or brand owners benefit in various ways, such as employees’ motivation, retention, satisfaction, brand citizenship behaviour, willingness to endorse the brand, and most importantly, it can lead to increased brand commitment. Brand commitment can be seen through the attachments an employee has with a brand and the extent to which they are willing to go the extra mile to help an organisation reach its objectives. These benefits can be achieved if there is good internal brand management. Despite the benefits of EBBE, and because there is the notion that the strength of the brand lies in what customers know and feel about the brand, marketing practitioners and academics have focused too much on how customer-based brand equity (CBBE) is built, measured and managed. The building and measuring of the contribution of EBBE has received limited attention, even though the resource-based view theory posits that superior customer value is created when the importance of all resources (i.e., brands and employees) are recognised and nurtured for competitive advantage. Employees are important company resources, and for them to build good brand citizenship behaviours, the social exchange theory suggests that they have to perceive an organisation to be caring and supportive, and the social identity theory suggests that employees need to identify with the organisation. iv In one of the first empirically tested model on how EBBE can be built and measured, King and Grace (2010) showed that the benefits of EBBE can be achieved if a brand is internally well managed through openness, good human factors, information generation from studying employee needs, management support, brand knowledge dissemination, which then leads to role clarity and brand commitment. These factors impacted on the EBBE benefits: brand citizenship behaviour, employee satisfaction, brand allegiance, and employee willingness to endorse the organisation. Subsequent studies have tested King and Grace’s (2010) model in various service industries. However, the importance of testing the resource-based view theory in different industry contexts has been recommended. Also, the internal brand management factors may first impact on employee satisfaction, before leading to EBBE benefits and brand commitment. Considering the success of Famous Brands in South Africa and the fact that few studies have tested the sources and outcomes of EBBE in the food service industry, this study integrated King and Grace’s (2009; 2010) EBBE model and Du Preez and Bendixen’s (2015) internal brand management (IBM) model to examine the extent to which IBM and employee satisfaction impact overall EBBE, and whether the overall EBBE drives employee brand commitment. An integrated conceptual model with twelve hypotheses was developed. To test the hypotheses, data was collected from 404 Famous Brands employees in South Africa through self-administered questionnaires. Structural equation modelling was used to test the hypotheses. Of the twelve hypotheses that were tested, ten were supported and two were not. Internal brand communication, role clarity, management support and rewards had a positive impact on employee satisfaction. Employee satisfaction positively impacted brand citizenship behaviour, brand endorsement and brand allegiance. Employees who displayed brand citizenship behaviours, endorsed the brand/organisation and intending to continue working for the organisation were found to be committed to the organisation. Internal marketing research and employee satisfaction were found to have a negative relationship, as well as employee satisfaction and brand commitment. This study contributes to theory on IBM, employee satisfaction, EBBE and employee brand commitment, particularly in the food service industry in South Africa. These findings can help better understand employees and how their commitment to a company’s brand can be gained. The study can help managers and marketers to understand the factors leading to the commitment of the employees of Africa’s biggest food services franchisor and the learnings can be used in their own organisations. This study’s findings can also be used to develop IBM programmes for organisations.
Building online communities: exploring the conditions for interpersonal and cognitive connections
(2022) Padayachee, Kershree; Kluyts, Marike
Emergency remote teaching and learning (ERT&L) arose out of necessity in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and continued in 2021. A critical but o􀀠ten over-looked aspect of ERT&L was the feeling of isolation that increased significantly for sta􀀵 and students alike, with the remoteness making it di􀀶cult to connect and form communities. Given the importance of connection and community in learning, academic success and general wellbeing, the question that unfolded for us as academic developers involved in the academic support of students and sta􀀵, was how to re-create spaces for connection and community (interpersonal and cognitive) in the current online environment. In this chapter, we reflect on this question in the context of the various communities within the Academic Development (AD) spheres in which we were involved during the Covid-19 pandemic. These included postgraduate writing communities, a community of Instructional designers at the institution, and faculty teaching and learning communities that emerged between AD sta􀀵 and lecturing sta􀀵. Data was generated through an autoethnographic approach involving free writing of our experiences, followed by coding and thematic analysis using the Community of Inquiry Framework (Garrison, Anderson and Archer, 1999) which focuses on the three types of presences required for the successful functioning of online learning communities, viz., social, cognitive and teaching presence. Four characteristics emerged that enabled the transformation of the online space into a platform for knowledge building and knowledge sharing. We discuss these characteristics and the implications thereof for ongoing student and staff support, with a cautionary note on the impact of social positioning on community engagement. We conclude with some suggestions for ways in which the various online communities might be maintained and strengthened to enhance teaching and learning beyond Covid-19.
Can a 280-character message explain stock returns?: evidence from the JSE
(2021) Nyakurukwa, Kingstone
Online stock forums have emerged as an essential investing platform where multiple users can share their opinions about financial markets. This study examines the association between tweet features (bullishness, message volume and investor agreement) and market features (stock returns, trading volume and volatility) using 158 South African companies and a dataset of firm-level Twitter and StockTwits messages extracted from Bloomberg for the period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2019. Firstly, the results from the study show that there is a general contemporaneous association between tweet features and stock market features. Secondly, no monotonic relationship is found between the magnitude of tweet features and the magnitude of market features. The coefficients of tweet features are found to be stronger in absolute terms at the extreme quantiles of returns. The BDS tests confirm the nonlinear relationship between stock returns and tweet features which implies that the relationship should be modelled using nonlinear specifications. Thirdly, the study finds no evidence that past values of tweet features can predict forthcoming stock returns using daily data. However, analysis using weekly and monthly data shows that past values of tweet features contain useful content that can predict the future values of stock returns. This implies that policymakers must implement appropriate regulations to deter the development of bubbles or crashes during the cycles of “greed” and “fear”. The lack of causal effects between tweet features and market features at the daily frequency implies that the JSE is dominated by institutional investors who are not driven by sentiment. The findings from the study corroborate the findings from previous studies which confirmed the dynamic nature of efficiency on the JSE.
Can market state and market volatility explain time varying momentum profits in South Africa?
(2021) Kaluba, Mwangele
Strategies based on return continuation have been shown to return a premium unexplained by common risk factors. These strategies are collectively called momentum. Momentum strategies experienced dramatic losses following the volatility episode during the 2008 and 2009 financial crisis. This study therefore tests if volatility and/or market state have any explanatory power for momentum payoff through time. This is the first study to examine the time-varying nature of momentum payoff in South Africa. Previous studies have focused on cross-sectional tests of momentum. These studies are primarily concerned with the existence of momentum on the JSE, the strength of the anomaly and any interaction with other known anomalies. Conversely, this study tests if momentum payoffs through time change as lagged values of volatility change, where volatility is simply the lagged 12-month market volatility. The study also examines whether momentum payoff is affected by the state of the market. Market state is defined using the return of the 6-month market return. A positive market state is one where the prior 6-month return has not been negative. The converse will mean that the market is in a negative state. As a robustness measure, this study considers both equal weighting and value weighted strategies on lookback periods covering 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of prior returns. Furthermore, the study also includes size balanced momentum as well as different window periods for defining volatility and market state. For the JSE, it would appear that when volatility increases, this is not followed by reduced momentum payoffs. This is true regardless of weighting scheme or lookback period. Furthermore, even when momentum is considered on size balanced portfolios, the results do not change across the board. Consequently, momentum strategies that reverse to a loser minus winner payoff in periods of high volatility do not outperform a standard momentum strategy. The reasons for the insignificance of volatility are unclear. One potential factor could be the consistent drop in the payoff to momentum. The changes in volatility simply do not follow this overall trend. In addition, on closer inspection, when lagged volatility increased in 2008, the payoff to momentum did not decrease immediately following this. In fact, the worst return of the period came immediately before lagged volatility started to increase. These results make momentum in South Africa an even greater mystery than before. The results of this paper are an indication that although momentum has been known to exist in multiple countries, the factors that drive momentum are different in each country. Further research can aid to clarify the momentum anomaly in South Africa, with one potential avenue being momentum and liquidity

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