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Abstract - Factors Influencing the Quality of Decision-Making Using Business Intelligence in a Metal Rolling Plant in KwaZulu-Natal
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Abstract: The current study sought to investigate the factors which influence the quality of decision-making using business intelligence (BI) in a metal rolling plant in KwaZulu-Natal. Specifically, the study was focused on information quality, system quality and BI service quality. The study used a self-administered survey sent out to participants having sufficient report runs which made up the population of the study. The collected data came from different levels of employees, namely; managers (47%) and non-managers (53%) with varying levels of BI experience, and the data was imported into SPSS for analysis. The results showed that information quality had a positive significant impact on the quality of decision-making; system quality had a positive significant impact on the quality of decision-making; and BI service quality had a positive significant impact on the quality of decision-making. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the strength of these variances in influencing decision-making. It was found that the three variables explained 65.7% of the variance in the quality of decision-making. Overall, the study found that high quality information, coupled with a high-quality system and good BI service, leads to a higher quality of decision-making, and that the impact of BI on decision-making is positive. The study recommends that the company implement data quality management focusing on data cleansing, it should also implement more sophisticated analysis techniques to get insights and have strategies to upskill both technical and business workers. Keywords: Business Analytics, Business Intelligence, Information Quality, System Quality, Service Quality, Quality of Decision Making. |
Abstract - The National Strategy on Financial Literacy: A Conceptual Review of South African Perspectives
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Abstract: The relevance of financial literacy in the lives of individuals has attracted several stakeholders from different parts of the world in the quest to provide the required financial knowledge for households to manage their financial wellbeing. Accordingly, previous studies show that financial literacy serves as a mechanism to enhance the ability of households to better allocate financial resources with regard to savings and wealth creation over their lifetimes in a world of uncertainty and imperfect insurance. Thus, this study provides a literature review on global initiatives, strategies and programmes on financial literacy as well the perspectives of financial literacy programmes in South Africa. As such, it is the objective of this study to ascertain from previous literatures the factors that hinders the smooth delivery of financial literacy programmes in South Africa. Thus, the researcher employed a descriptive literature review method to achieve this objective. The findings of this study identifies that there is a growing need for a continuous financial literacy campaign especially in South Africa as the aging populations are confronted with intensified pressure on standardised plan for future financial well-being. However, the challenges of financial literacy programmes in South Africa was ascertained which forms part of the factors that hinders smooth campaign of financial literacy programmes in South Africa. Hence, this study recommends practical intervention factors of financial literacy programme in South Africa, which is expected to assist policy makers in formulating the right financial knowledge delivery programmes in South Africa. Keywords: Financial Literacy, National Strategies, Programmes Challenges, Practical Intervention Approach. |
Abstract - Effects of Outsourcing on Employment Generation: Evidence from the Telecommunications Sector of Uganda
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Abstract: Outsourcing has emerged as a globally embraced business strategy that involves restructuring geared at improving flexibility, inducing innovation and creativity, whilst simultaneously creating greater employment opportunities. Telecommunications companies worldwide have adopted outsourcing strategies leaving them to concentrate on their core business. In Uganda almost all telecommunications companies have also followed the outsourcing trend. However, despite the increasing adoption of outsourcing strategies, there is a dearth of literature about how outsourcing in the telecommunications sector has contributed to the generation of employment in Uganda. MTN Uganda and Airtel Uganda were selected as study sites and a mixed-methods approach was followed for the data collection and analysis. The quantitative data was analysed through descriptive statistics and inferential analysis using version 23 of the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The descriptive statistics were analysed, confirming that a multitude of business functions are being outsourced to other companies in Uganda. Correlation analyses were performed for purposes of generating inferential statistics and the findings revealed that the outsourcing of Human Resource Management (HRM) functions, Information Technology (IT) functions and Facility Management (FM) functions by the telecommunications companies in Uganda has a significant positive relationship with employment generation in Uganda. The qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis and content analysis, with these findings supporting information revealed through the quantitative analysis. Based on the study’s findings, the researchers recommend that more activities and/or services should be strategically outsourced by companies in the Ugandan telecommunications sector so as to maximize flexibility, and induce innovations and creativity while creating increased employment opportunities in the country. Keywords: Telecommunications sector, Outsourcing, Information technology, Human resource Management (HRM), Facility management (FM), employment generation. |
Abstract - Determinants of Employee Job Satisfaction in a Public Organisation in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal
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Abstract: This study assesses factors that determined employee job satisfaction at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in the Pietermaritzburg office of the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The intention of this study is to recommend workable strategies and mechanisms that can be considered by SASSA as they enhance their organisational development and employee standards. The two-factor theory of Herzberg was applied to comprehend the motivating issues that might determine the fulfilment and discontentment of workers at work. The case of SASSA is used to fill a gap in the literature regarding work values and to provide lessons that can be learnt by other organisations that aspire to improve employee job satisfaction. In order to respond to the aim of this study, the data was collected and analysed using a mixed research methodology. A purposive sample was drawn from the employees who had interest and understanding of job satisfaction using mainly interviews and questionnaires. The findings suggest that the political and socio-economic factors have a potential to limit SASSA from offering a suitable and viable healthy working environment, hence job satisfaction might not be realised. Even though it was revealed that some employees were dissatisfied with their working conditions, none of them were planning to leave their jobs. The findings of this study contribute towards the understanding of job satisfaction aspects of human resources management. Keywords: Employee relations, job satisfaction, job performance, working environment. |
Abstract - Exploring the Work-Life Experiences of Temporary Employment Service Employees in South Africa
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Abstract: This study examines the working career experience of temporary employment services’ (TES) employees within a globalised economic environment. Incorporating the ethical framework for human resources and industrial relations (HRIR), the study investigates the perceptions of serving and ex-temporary employment services (TES) employees in relation to their work and career experiences. A multiple case study was adopted, with a focus on selected retail, banking, telecommunications, hospitality and Public Service. The finding reflected some mixed reactions for work experience and career outcomes and provided some platform for gaining experience by making informed career choices on one hand and addressing the poor conditions of work on the other. It was further established that the overall perceptions held about TES employment practices may fall below the HRIR ethical norms. This paper offers management and policy makers an insight into the mechanics of the TES phenomenon in the context of the HRIR ethics. Keywords: Temporary Employment Services, Globalisation, Work Career Experience. |