Prof Dennis Y A O Dzansi | Central University of Technology (original) (raw)

Papers by Prof Dennis Y A O Dzansi

Sustainability, Apr 4, 2023

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Problems and perspectives in management, 2017

Empirical research on business social responsibility (BSR) in the South African small business co... more Empirical research on business social responsibility (BSR) in the South African small business context is limited. This creates a number of problems. For example, in South Africa, it is difficult to tell exactly what the attitudes of small businesses are towards BSR. Without such information, policymakers will find it difficult to formulate appropriate support mechanisms to enhance BSR efforts of small businesses bearing in mind that what works for large businesses may not necessarily work for the smaller ones. A structured, attitudinal survey instrument, validated for reliability with R = 0.89, was used to collect data from owners/managers of 173 small businesses in the small industrial estate of Botshabelo in South Africa to determine their general attitude towards BSR. The results reveal interesting findings. First, on less stringent criteria, a somewhat split opinion is found on the matter; however, on more stringent (pessimistic) decision criteria, the results indicate a genera...

Studies of Tribes and Tribals, 2014

International Journal of Educational Sciences, 2014

The influence of ICT in schools cannot be overemphasized as its utility is changing the way stude... more The influence of ICT in schools cannot be overemphasized as its utility is changing the way students learn, teachers teach, and support staff work. ICT adoption in South African schools has therefore gained momentum. Whilst ICT is fully integrated into many if not all schools in urban areas in South Africa, regrettably the same cannot be said about rural schools. This has created a 'digital divide' between rural and urban schools. Theoretically, this paper is informed by social justice theory. Methodologically, the extant literature relied upon to make the case for ICT in South Africa's rural schools. The same approach is used to identify key challenges militating against smooth introduction of ICT into South African schools. Thereafter, suggestions for overcoming identified challenges are provided. The aim is to help bridge the apparent digital divide between rural and urban schools in South Africa.

Research in the West has identified a number of adjustment problems for international students. T... more Research in the West has identified a number of adjustment problems for international students. This has helped student administrators in these countries and their international students to take informed measures that help make international student sojourn much bearable. Unfortunately, very little is known regarding international student adjustment issues in developing countries. This study examined data from 120 international students of a South African university in order to determine their adjustment challenges. Results suggest that respondents experienced numerous adjustment problems similar to those encountered internationally, thus global measures may be borrowed to mitigate problems common to South African universities.

This study examined the extent to which the concept of social responsibility has permeated the sm... more This study examined the extent to which the concept of social responsibility has permeated the small business mind set of a typical rural African setting located in South African. In order to achieve the above purpose, five hypotheses focusing on social responsibility awareness, performance, focus, perceived benefits, and observable benefits were formulated and tested. The results reveal high levels of awareness and performance of socially responsible activities among the small businesses surveyed. The results further suggest that these businesses may be performing these socially responsible activities with expectations of certain benefits. The results confirm customer, employee, and community issues are important social responsibility activities for the small businesses surveyed. The study illuminates the practice of social responsibility among small businesses in the African context with particular focus on rural communities where these types of businesses are the only form of eco...

Abstract in English. Thesis (Ph.D. (Entrepreneurship))-University of Pretoria, 2004. Includes bib... more Abstract in English. Thesis (Ph.D. (Entrepreneurship))-University of Pretoria, 2004. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 243-258).

Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 2014

South Africa is often referred to as the rainbow nation because of its diversity in race, culture... more South Africa is often referred to as the rainbow nation because of its diversity in race, culture, ethnicity, language and other social discriminants. Meanwhile, diversity usually reflects in behaviour, attitudes and other human characteristics. Thus, ethnic diversity in South Africa should expectedly reflect in the entrepreneurial behaviour, attitudes, and motives of the different ethnic groups. This research explored the entrepreneurial motives of four ethic groups in a local municipality of South Africa to determine if there are significant differences. In this study, survey data was used to compare the motives that Tswanas, Afrikaners, Coloureds and Indians assign for engaging in entrepreneurial activities. The findings indicate that the four ethic groups differ significantly in entrepreneurial motives. Based on the findings, the researchers make recommendations to guide government, NGOs, development practitioners and all interested parties for promoting entrepreneurship among the different ethnic groups in South Africa.

… Journal of Business Management, 2011

Training is regarded as a key HRM function necessary for achievement of organisational goals. Con... more Training is regarded as a key HRM function necessary for achievement of organisational goals. Continuous management training is important for management renewal, and even more so in today's ever changing environment. Without it, even the most well resourced organisation may soon become like a "rudderless ship" in the waters where the tide is ever changing. The objectives of this study were four fold. To: (i) determine the importance that school managers in two South African education districts attach to selected in-service school management training topics; (ii) determine the relative importance of topics for each management level; (iii) make generalisations concerning school managers' training needs for the whole of South Africa; (iv) make generalisations concerning selection of training topics for management training in general. An extensive review of related literature preceded the empirical study. Thereafter, stratified random sampling was used to select 88 participants. 69 completed questionnaires were returned yielding 78.4% response rate. The results show that respondents regard all the training topics as important and ratings of the importance of topics differ significantly based on: level of education; experience; school type; and management level. Implications of the findings discussed and suggestions for further research are provided.

Although there may be incentives for a businesses to remain informal, formalisation comes with ma... more Although there may be incentives for a businesses to remain informal, formalisation comes with many advantages. However, as some 'graduated' businesses will attest to, the process of formalisation can be very challenging. In order to make the formalisation journey less challenging, there is need for informal businesses to fully comprehend what it takes to transit from an informal to a formal business. The purpose of this paper was to provide a conceptual framework for studying and comprehending the transition of a business from the informal to the formal sector. The ultimate aim is to assist owners and managers of informal businesses to transit into the formal sector so as to reap the benefits associated with formalisation while allowing society in general to also benefit from increased job creation, tax contributions and social responsibility contributions and so on that result from formalisation of a business. In this paper, the researchers conducted a desk research by rev...

Trokosi meaning 'slave of a fetish' is an ancient cultural practice still in vogue among some tri... more Trokosi meaning 'slave of a fetish' is an ancient cultural practice still in vogue among some tribes in parts of West Africa. It requires parents to offer their virgin daughters to serve as sex-slaves to fetish shrines in atonement for earlier sins committed by family members. Considered by opponents as outdated, apocalyptic, and outright human rights abuse, it is revered by adherents of the fetish system. In Ghana, the Trokosi law has officially abolished the practice but this has not deterred adherents. Combining literature study, participant observation and in-depth interviews with three key stakeholders in a southern part of Ghana, the study investigated the abusive nature of Trokosism, its effects on the 'liberated', and how to effectively combat it. The results suggest that the 'liberated' Trokosi were subjected to both physical and emotional abuse and denial of basic needs and rights. It however seems that the practice is abating. Since Trokosism (the Trokosi system) is based upon deep-seated beliefs, the most realistic strategy to combat it would be to educate practitioners and communities on human rights as well as through negotiation.

Development policy has increasingly shifted towards expanding financial services to the poorer se... more Development policy has increasingly shifted towards expanding financial services to the poorer sections of the population following the Grameen Bank success. In spite of this and other micro finance success stories, the effectiveness of microfinance in reducing poverty continues to be questioned with some arguing that micro finance programmes have little to no impact on poverty reduction. Whilst demanding empirical evidence of positive impact, critics of microfinance as poverty reduction instrument continue to ask lingering questions like who is the programme supposed to reach? Who is it reaching? What impact is it making on the lives of the poor? On the other hand, some are steadfast that a well-designed microfinance programme can change the lives of the poor at the individual, household, enterprise and community levels and help raise the standard of living of the poor out of the poverty. In this study, the researchers enter the debate by reviewing both empirical and normative literature to determine the extent to which microfinance is able to reduce poverty. Based on insights gained, it is concluded that micro finance is not fulfilling its original mandate of extricating the poor from poverty or vulnerability to it to the level of comfort. We also provide recommendation for policy and practice.

Although much work has been done on the society versus business relation issue, it has yet to cas... more Although much work has been done on the society versus business relation issue, it has yet to cascade business social responsibility (BSR) to small ventures and especially rurally based ones where survival is a more pertinent goal. Most studies to date have focused on corporate and large organisations, thereby suggesting that BSR is not really a small business issue. A major consequence/cause of this apparent bias towards large business is limited research into how small ventures and especially rural ones perceive and apply BSR.

Research in the West has identified a number of adjustment problems for international students. T... more Research in the West has identified a number of adjustment problems for international students. This has helped student administrators in these countries and their international students to take informed measures that help make international student sojourn much bearable. Unfortunately, very little is known regarding international student adjustment issues in developing countries. This study examined data from 120 international students of a South African university in order to determine their adjustment challenges. Results suggest that respondents experienced numerous adjustment
problems similar to those encountered internationally, thus global measures may be borrowed to mitigate problems common to South African universities.

This study considers the behavioural impacts of the presence of international students on domesti... more This study considers the behavioural impacts of the presence of international students on domestic students and lecturers and classroom effectiveness with the underlying theory being, learning does not take place in a vacuum but happens in a broad context with cultural sensitivity a major factor. Although cultural sensitivity can manifest in many forms, the focus
is on the willingness of domestic students and lecturers to accommodate the special needs of international students by
adapting their classroom behaviours and practices respectively. The conceptual framework for examining changes in classroom behaviours and practices consists of communication, teaching, assessment, and classroom organization for lecturers and communication and attitude for domestic students. Based on the conceptual framework, rating scale questionnaires were developed and used to collect data from 20 lecturers and 350 domestic students. Results of the data analysis indicates that: (i) both local students and lecturers had to make major adaptions in their classroom behaviours and practices respectively in order to accommodate the needs of international students; and (ii) both sets of respondents are of the opinion that the changes made in their classroom behaviours and practices respectively have resulted in improved classroom effectiveness.

The influence of ICT in schools cannot be overemphasized as its utility is changing the way stude... more The influence of ICT in schools cannot be overemphasized as its utility is changing the way students
learn, teachers teach, and support staff work. ICT adoption in South African schools has therefore gained momentum.
Whilst ICT is fully integrated into many if not all schools in urban areas in South Africa, regrettably the same
cannot be said about rural schools. This has created a ‘digital divide’ between rural and urban schools. Theoretically,
this paper is informed by social justice theory. Methodologically, the extant literature relied upon to make the case
for ICT in South Africa’s rural schools. The same approach is used to identify key challenges militating against
smooth introduction of ICT into South African schools. Thereafter, suggestions for overcoming identified challenges
are provided. The aim is to help bridge the apparent digital divide between rural and urban schools in South Africa.

South Africa’s new venture creation rate is disturbingly low. Ineffective management during start... more South Africa’s new venture creation rate is disturbingly low. Ineffective management during start-up can lead to a low venture creation rate. Amidst the growing importance of project management in effective business management, utilizing project management in the entrepreneurial process has become very appealing. The purpose of this paper is to provide a project management model for starting a new venture. Desk research is undertaken through which relevant literature on the key components of the study is reviewed and synthesized. The authors find that through action research, project management aspects can be integrated into the entrepreneurial process to improve the new venture success rate. Based on this framework, the authors conclude that it is possible to improve Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) in South Africa and elsewhere. This theoretical framework is yet to be tested. However, even in its present untested form, the paper is important because it theoretically enriches the entrepreneurship literature whilst also offering a possible practical solution to the vexing problem of high new venture creation failure rate in South Africa and elsewhere through a structured framework.

Trokosi meaning ‘slave of a fetish’ is an ancient cultural practice still in vogue among some tr... more Trokosi meaning ‘slave of a fetish’ is an ancient cultural practice still in vogue among some tribes in parts of West Africa. It requires parents to offer their virgin daughters to serve as sex-slaves to fetish shrines in atonement for earlier sins committed by family members. Considered by opponents as outdated, apocalyptic, and outright human rights abuse, it is revered by adherents of the fetish system. In Ghana, the Trokosi law has officially abolished the practice but this has not deterred adherents. Combining literature study, participant observation and in-depth interviews with three key stakeholders in a southern part of Ghana, the study investigated the abusive nature of Trokosism, its effects on the ‘liberated’, and how to effectively combat it. The results suggest that the ‘liberated’ Trokosi were subjected to both physical and emotional abuse and denial of basic needs and rights. It however seems that the practice is abating. Since Trokosism (the Trokosi system) is based upon deep-seated beliefs, the most realistic strategy to combat it would be to educate practitioners and communities on human rights as well as through negotiation.

In this paper, the researchers argue that unravelling perceptions and attitudes of relevant empl... more In this paper, the researchers argue that unravelling perceptions and attitudes of relevant employees towards theft and vandalism is critical to stemming electric cable theft. The researchers draw on the Reasoned Action Theory (TRA) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to explain the involvement of electricity utility companies’ own employees in vandalism and theft of electricity copper cables.Drawing on a theoretical research approach involving the examination of mainstream literature, the paper explores the reasons for employees’ engagement in actions that contradict company policy, namely stealing from the employer or vandalizing organisational property. The findings suggests that personal traits (employee perceptions and attitudes), organizational factors (such as organizational climate) constitute presage factors that trigger psychological dispositions to rob the company of its material assets (copper cables) in general and ultimately steal and vandalise copper cables in particular.

Sustainability, Apr 4, 2023

Problems and perspectives in management, 2017

Studies of Tribes and Tribals, 2014

International Journal of Educational Sciences, 2014

Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 2014

… Journal of Business Management, 2011

Research in the West has identified a number of adjustment problems for international students. T... more Research in the West has identified a number of adjustment problems for international students. This has helped student administrators in these countries and their international students to take informed measures that help make international student sojourn much bearable. Unfortunately, very little is known regarding international student adjustment issues in developing countries. This study examined data from 120 international students of a South African university in order to determine their adjustment challenges. Results suggest that respondents experienced numerous adjustment
problems similar to those encountered internationally, thus global measures may be borrowed to mitigate problems common to South African universities.

The influence of ICT in schools cannot be overemphasized as its utility is changing the way stude... more The influence of ICT in schools cannot be overemphasized as its utility is changing the way students
learn, teachers teach, and support staff work. ICT adoption in South African schools has therefore gained momentum.
Whilst ICT is fully integrated into many if not all schools in urban areas in South Africa, regrettably the same
cannot be said about rural schools. This has created a ‘digital divide’ between rural and urban schools. Theoretically,
this paper is informed by social justice theory. Methodologically, the extant literature relied upon to make the case
for ICT in South Africa’s rural schools. The same approach is used to identify key challenges militating against
smooth introduction of ICT into South African schools. Thereafter, suggestions for overcoming identified challenges
are provided. The aim is to help bridge the apparent digital divide between rural and urban schools in South Africa.