Prof Michael Twum-Darko | Cape Peninsular University of Technology (original) (raw)

Papers by Prof Michael Twum-Darko

Research paper thumbnail of Factors affecting time and cost in road construction projects at a South African municipality

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN BUSINESS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE, 2024

The South African construction sector is confronted by significant obstacles, particularly concer... more The South African construction sector is confronted by significant obstacles, particularly concerning cost overruns and project delays within the road construction sphere. This research sought to investigate the factors impacting cost and duration in road construction projects under the purview of a KwaZulu-Natal municipality. A qualitative research approach was adopted to explore this phenomenon. A sample size of 27 participants was selected from a population of 171 for in-depth semistructured interviews. Critical determinants of cost overruns and delays were identified as ineffective communication, suboptimal procurement processes, deficient stakeholder management, and shortcomings in project execution and personnel capabilities. This study offers valuable insights into the relationship between cost, time, and the successful delivery of road projects within the local government context. By illuminating these factors, the research contributes to a deeper theoretical understanding, informs evidence-based poli

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of Small-Scale Agricultural Business on Youth Employment at a Selected District in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Open journal of business and management, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of informal structures on corporate strategy: An African perspective

International journal of research in business and social science, Apr 3, 2024

This paper provides a detailed exploration of the Afrocentric epistemological perspective of soci... more This paper provides a detailed exploration of the Afrocentric epistemological perspective of sociocultural constructs that drive the influence of informal structures on corporate strategy and employees. The research focuses on the African context, which has a dearth of studies despite ample research exploring informal structures in Western and Asian socio-ecological contexts. To achieve this, the study employed a systematic literature review through the aid of NVivo 14 and ChatGPT, a language generation model. NVivo 14 provided the study with a tool to manage and analyze the data, and ChatGPT offered a dialogical string that created a clear path for critical analysis. The paper adopted a systematic literature review approach to investigate the origin of the concept of informal structures and their impact on corporate strategy in an Afrocentric context. The findings indicate that informal structures can have a positive influence by facilitating the flow of information, flexibility, and fulfilling social needs and shared values. However, the negative influence of informal structures, including resistance to corporate strategy, social fragmentation, conflict, and political discord, outweighs the positive influence. The study also reveals that there is limited research on the social-ecological context of Africa and its impact on corporate strategy. The paper addresses a contextual gap in the body of knowledge through its contribution that focuses specifically on the Afrocentric context. The research also sheds light on the need for more studies on the social-ecological context of Africa to gain a better understanding of its impact on corporate strategy. Overall, the paper provides a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the Afrocentric perspective of informal structures and their impact on corporate strategy and employees.

Research paper thumbnail of A Revised Technology-Organisation-Environment Framework for Brick-and-Mortar Retailers Adopting M-Commerce

Journal of Risk Financial Management , 2022

This paper argues that brick-and-mortar retail Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can benefit si... more This paper argues that brick-and-mortar retail Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
can benefit significantly from the capabilities of mobile commerce (m-commerce) to respond to
the unpredictable changes in the business environment, accommodate new consumer experiences,
boost sales of products/services, and achieve a competitive advantage. Consequently, this study
explored the potential application of the Technology–Organisation–Environment (TOE) framework
for m-commerce by brick-and-mortar retail SMEs. The study adopted the positivist paradigm and
followed a cross-sectional study design. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a
sample of 263 retail business personnel. The Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) software was
used to analyse the data. The findings unveil that all the proposed constructs associated with the
organisational context and technological context are critical for the use of m-commerce. The proposed
framework provides a fresh set of contextual variables which align with brick-and-mortar retailer
operations and mobile commerce practices. It is envisaged that the extended framework may help
conventional businesses to understand and identify the requisite factors in the adoption and use of
m-commerce and assist business supporters in the process of technological innovation transfer.

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of informal structures on corporate strategy: an African perspective

Research in Business & Social Science, 2024

This paper provides a detailed exploration of the Afrocentric epistemological perspective of soci... more This paper provides a detailed exploration of the Afrocentric epistemological perspective of sociocultural constructs that drive the influence of informal structures on corporate strategy and employees. The research focuses on the African context, which has a dearth of studies despite ample research exploring informal structures in Western and Asian socio-ecological contexts. To achieve this, the study employed a systematic literature review through the aid of NVivo 14 and ChatGPT, a language generation model. NVivo 14 provided the study with a tool to manage and analyze the data, and ChatGPT offered a dialogical string that created a clear path for critical analysis. The paper adopted a systematic literature review approach to investigate the origin of the concept of informal structures and their impact on corporate strategy in an Afrocentric context. The findings indicate that informal structures can have a positive influence by facilitating the flow of information, flexibility, and fulfilling social needs

Research paper thumbnail of Evolution of public administration and its implication to management and business education Evolución de la administración pública y su implicación en la educación en gestión y negocios

Journal of Management and Business Education, 2024

Acknowledgments. I would like to thank my core author Prof Michael Twum-Darko for his support and... more Acknowledgments. I would like to thank my core author Prof Michael Twum-Darko for his support and encouragement throughout the whole project of writing this paper. Funding. The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Ethical Statement. This research solely relied on a literature review and did not involve human participants. Therefore, no ethical approval was required for this study. All information and data utilized in this research were obtained from publicly available sources, and no personal or sensitive information was accessed during the literature review process.

Research paper thumbnail of Entrepreneurial social cognition and new venture creation: Sociological perspective

Economics, Entrepreneurship, Management, 2024

Entrepreneurs are under immense pressure to gain a competitive advantage in the global markets, b... more Entrepreneurs are under immense pressure to gain a competitive advantage in the global markets, but limited resources and opportunities are making it increasingly difficult. Despite this, there are still sociological and other factors that contribute to risk aversion among entrepreneurs. The study aims to present a global perspective on entrepreneurial social cognition and new venture creation. The study is based on a systematic literature review that identified various obstacles to entrepreneurial success. The study argues that successful entrepreneurship and business innovation are related to social cognition, risk perception, and agency. The results prove that the three mentioned variables are key in the establishment of new entrepreneurial ventures. Furthermore, literature analysis revealed that to foster a thriving knowledge-based economy, it is necessary to create a supportive social environment that encourages entrepreneurial endeavours. It emerged from the analysis of the literature that a rich social context, coupled with social cognition, significantly impacts the perception of entrepreneurial opportunities. The study emphasizes that external social factors such as political, socio-economic, and communal environments play a crucial role in shaping entrepreneurs’ perceptions of new venture creation. The quality of knowledge ingrained in the social context helps to mitigate the perceived risks associated with starting a new venture. Moreover, the study highlights the importance of agency in reducing risk perception and promoting new venture creation. By analysing relevant literature, the article provides a theoretical framework that contextualizes the creation of new ventures in modern knowledge-based economies. The study proposes effective mitigation of the negative schema abstracted from the social-ecological context through knowledge derived from social communities of practice

Research paper thumbnail of Re-engineering Business Processes in the New Normal - The Business and Economic Development Post COVID-19 and the Restructuring of the Global Economy: Proceedings of 8th International Conference on Business and Management Dynamics

Research paper thumbnail of Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Business and Finance

Research paper thumbnail of Understanding Knowledge Sharing in an Organization

IGI Global eBooks, 2020

This paper set out to propose the actor-network theory (ANT) as a lens through which to understan... more This paper set out to propose the actor-network theory (ANT) as a lens through which to understand and interpret the sociotechnical knowledge sharing challenges in organisations. The methodology for this study was developed within the context of ANT by adopting its ideals and principles. The findings demonstrate that using the concept of the Moments of Translation as a lens to study this phenomenon is indeed a novel way of investigating the reason why there is still difficulty with sharing and managing knowledge. This perspective is proposed to transform the way that knowledge sharing factors are perceived. By utilising a normative approach, this research looked at how knowledge sharing as an ideal can be achieved when taking into account the existing constraints within an organisation. A general framework is proposed to guide the formation of a network of aligned interest for knowledge sharing.

Research paper thumbnail of Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Business and Management Dynamics

This book compiles different areas like digital maturity, brand management, branding, cross-count... more This book compiles different areas like digital maturity, brand management, branding, cross-country analysis, omnichannel, leadership style, innovative behaviour, innovation,
components, South Africa, Black Friday, customer value, customer loyalty, Generation Y, cognitive capital, service quality, service quality dimensions, customer satisfaction, airports, structuration, quick-cash, utility maximisers, utilitarian, moral ontology, job engagement, occupational stress, coping strategies, emotional burnout, social media, recruitment, HR practitioners, procurement, sustainability, institutional theory, environment, policy, big five personality factors, job satisfaction, job performance, access to finance, infrastructure, management skills, education level, small business enterprise, entrepreneurship, youth entrepreneurship, Chad, entrepreneurship support, marketing communication tools (advertising, personal selling, advertising and sales promotion), sales performance and retail companies, eThekwini Municipality Parks Department employees, level of satisfaction, performance measures, financial performance measures, SMEs, retail businesses, sustainable development goals (SDGs), professional sport, socially responsible marketing, training effectiveness, training outcome, research methodology workshop, public service, talent attraction, talent retention, financial rewards, non-financial rewards, tertiary institution, competitiveness, destination branding, indicators, Nelson Mandela Bay, tourism, organisational climate, workplace thriving, police officers, performance, advancement, gender nuances, business operations, business performance, business capabilities, sub-Saharan Africa, apartheid, code preference, ethnography, linguistic landscape, multilingualism, cost control, organisation performance, small and medium-sized enterprises, budget, activity-based costing, standard costing, trade, regionalism, volatility, township economy, shebeen, taverns, liquor, market stakeholders, licenses, market orientation, public, private sector,
advertising, ethnographic, multimodal.

Research paper thumbnail of A Framework For Overcoming M-commerce Adoption Barriers In Angola

Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People, Jun 30, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the global economy, with brick-and-mortar busine... more The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the global economy, with brick-and-mortar businesses particularly hard-hit. In Angola, the lockdown imposed in response to the pandemic forced many companies to close their doors, leading to widespread job losses and economic hardship. However, the pandemic also presented an opportunity for businesses that could adopt m-commerce or other alternative sales channels. This study aims to understand the factors that have impeded the adoption of m-commerce by brick-andmortar retail SMEs in Angola during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also proposes a conceptual framework for overcoming the m-commerce adoption barriers that these SMEs have encountered. The study was conducted using a mixed-method approach, with data collected from 306 retail business managers/owners and professionals through a structured questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The study's findings suggest that the factors impeding m-commerce adoption were the lack of experience in using m-commerce, skills to configure forward and backward distribution systems, personnel with IT skills; the cost of m-commerce infrastructure; and the lack of support from the external environment. The study concludes by proposing a framework/strategy for stimulating the adoption of m-commerce in Angola. This strategy includes providing training and support to businesses on using m-commerce, developing a supportive regulatory environment, and investing in m-commerce infrastructure.

Research paper thumbnail of Stakeholder engagement: A service delivery-based strategy formulation process in the public sector of South Africa

International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478)

This paper explores stakeholder engagement in the strategic management process for service delive... more This paper explores stakeholder engagement in the strategic management process for service delivery in government. The main objective is to determine the factors influencing insufficient stakeholder engagement of strategic management processes for service delivery by a government department. The four moments of translation concept of Actor Network Theory (ANT) was utilised as a theoretical framework to understand and explain the interplay between the initiator of the network of service delivery and other actors in the network in aligning diverse interests to achieve service delivery goals. The assumption was that the phenomenon was ontologically subjective and that it was appropriate, epistemologically, to adopt an interpretive paradigm as the leading research philosophy, using a mixed approach of qualitative and quantitative elements wherein quantitative data was used to test the reliability of the qualitative data. Using the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) as a case study...

Research paper thumbnail of Electronic inventory control systems as a competitive tool for e-retailers

EUREKA: Social and Humanities

Despite technological advances, some e-retail organisations are still struggling to improve their... more Despite technological advances, some e-retail organisations are still struggling to improve their inventory control performance due to a limited application of such technology, a lack of relevant skills and inadequate supply chain management policies. This article explored how EICS can enhance the competitiveness of an online retailer. Adopting the qualitative paradigm, data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Consequently, data analysis entailed identifying common patterns within the responses and critically analysing them to achieve the research objectives. The findings revealed that with the implementation of EICS, the organisation could oversee inventory stock cycle transactions, perform a transparent inter-branch transfer and security control. Also, the vital competitive advantages, achieved through EICS implementation, include high customer satisfaction due to faster system services rendered than previously. Likewise, a rise in customer service efficiency and hig...

Research paper thumbnail of Customer relationship management systems for customer retention in a life insurance organisation in South Africa

EUREKA: Social and Humanities

By examining the role and value of customer retention (CR) in the life insurance sector of the So... more By examining the role and value of customer retention (CR) in the life insurance sector of the South African insurance industry, this paper seeks to uncover the level of clientele receptiveness and willingness to adopt Information Technology (IT)-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Arguably, there are changing client needs, and market erosion requires innovative processes and particularly a readiness to accommodate the swift changes in technology. This volatile environment has, over the past decade, created increased competition and uncertain economic futures, which has placed life insurers under pressure and facing a steady increase in policy lapses. The primary objective of this paper is to investigate the role and value of IT-based CRM potential on customer retention in the life insurance industry in South Africa. It is argued, that with technological advances, increased competition, tough economic conditions, and clients becoming more financially conscious, insurers ne...

Research paper thumbnail of The Relevance of Educational Qualifications to Job Performance among Academic Administrators at a University

International Journal of Higher Education

Education has long been considered a key predictor of job performance. However, the relevance of ... more Education has long been considered a key predictor of job performance. However, the relevance of educational qualifications to the job performance of academic administrative staff in a university in the Western Cape province of South Africa is not understood by the administrative managers of the university. This study aimed to determine the relationship between educational qualifications and job performance among university staff in academic administrative positions and to make recommendations to improve the current situation. It utilized the Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (IWPQ), which is a 47-item instrument developed to measure work performance at the individual level. After defining job performance into four-dimensional behavior patterns (Contextual Performance Behavior, Adaptive Performance Behavior, Task Performance Behavior, and Counterproductive Work Behavior), the results indicated no significant correlations between job performance and the level of qualification...

Research paper thumbnail of Task-technology fit perspective of the use of m-commerce by retail businesses

Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues

Mobile commerce (m-commerce) has gradually increased in popularity among small and medium-sized r... more Mobile commerce (m-commerce) has gradually increased in popularity among small and medium-sized retail businesses in developing countries in recent years. As a result, scholars and retail practitioners have been eager to understand better the factors that influence this new mobile channel usage. The article examines the primary determinants of retail personnel's use of m-commerce in Angola through the theoretical lens of Task-Technology Fit (TTF). This study followed a cross-sectional design and adopted the positivist research paradigm. As such, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from retail business personnel and actual users of m-commerce (n = 229). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis was performed on the data collected using the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) software. The findings indicated a strong correlation between the four dimensions of task characteristics (i.e., time criticality, mobility, non-routineness, and interdependence) and the task-technology fit dimensions. Additionally, it was determined that there is a strong correlation between the functionalities of m-commerce systems (i.e., Mobile Notification, Mobile Information Exchange, Mobile Information Search, and Mobile Data Processing) and the TTF dimensions. In comparison, the study discovered a minimal correlation between task-technology fit as correspondence and m-commerce use. As a result, some directions for future research were provided.

Research paper thumbnail of Proceedings of the International Conference on Business and Information Management - ICBIM 2017

This proceeding shares the academic papers presented at the International Conference on Business ... more This proceeding shares the academic papers presented at the International Conference on Business and Management Dynamics held from the 07 to 08 September 2016 at African Pride Crystal Hotel and Spa in Cape Town.

Research paper thumbnail of Business Administration and Business Economics Strategic Human Resource Metrics: A Perspective of the General Systems Theory

Measuring and quantifying strategic human resource outcomes in relation to key performance criter... more Measuring and quantifying strategic human resource outcomes in relation to key performance criteria is essential to developing value-adding metrics. Objectives This paper posits (using a general systems lens) that strategic human resource metrics should interpret the relationship between attitudinal human resource outcomes and performance criteria such as profitability, quality or customer service. Approach Using the general systems model as underpinning theory, the study assesses the variation in response to a Likert type questionnaire with twenty-four (24) items measuring the major attitudinal dispositions of HRM outcomes (employee commitment, satisfaction, engagement and embeddedness). Results A Chi-square test (Chi-square test statistic = 54.898, p=0.173) showed that variation in responses to the attitudinal statements occurred due to chance. This was interpreted to mean that attitudinal human resource outcomes influence performance as a unit of system components. The neutral re...

Research paper thumbnail of The Impact of High Performance Work Practices on Project Performance. A Case Study of Construction Companies in South Africa

A vast amount of research advocates that a tight link exits between high performance work practic... more A vast amount of research advocates that a tight link exits between high performance work practices (HPWPs) and organisational performance. Nonetheless, a detailed study indicating which of these practices offers significant performance in relation to multi-project environments is still lacking. Importantly, project performance is a measure of success in multi-project environments evident in construction firms. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of HPWPs' bundles namely: recruitment and selection (RS), training and development (TD), performance appraisal (PA) and compensation system (CS) on project performance in the construction multi-project companies in Cape Town, South Africa. In this study, perceptual data was obtained using a questionnaire survey of 63 participants working as project team members and administrative staff respectively in select construction companies in Cape Town, South Africa. Stratified and convenience sampling techniques were used to ...

Research paper thumbnail of Factors affecting time and cost in road construction projects at a South African municipality

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN BUSINESS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE, 2024

The South African construction sector is confronted by significant obstacles, particularly concer... more The South African construction sector is confronted by significant obstacles, particularly concerning cost overruns and project delays within the road construction sphere. This research sought to investigate the factors impacting cost and duration in road construction projects under the purview of a KwaZulu-Natal municipality. A qualitative research approach was adopted to explore this phenomenon. A sample size of 27 participants was selected from a population of 171 for in-depth semistructured interviews. Critical determinants of cost overruns and delays were identified as ineffective communication, suboptimal procurement processes, deficient stakeholder management, and shortcomings in project execution and personnel capabilities. This study offers valuable insights into the relationship between cost, time, and the successful delivery of road projects within the local government context. By illuminating these factors, the research contributes to a deeper theoretical understanding, informs evidence-based poli

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of Small-Scale Agricultural Business on Youth Employment at a Selected District in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Open journal of business and management, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of informal structures on corporate strategy: An African perspective

International journal of research in business and social science, Apr 3, 2024

This paper provides a detailed exploration of the Afrocentric epistemological perspective of soci... more This paper provides a detailed exploration of the Afrocentric epistemological perspective of sociocultural constructs that drive the influence of informal structures on corporate strategy and employees. The research focuses on the African context, which has a dearth of studies despite ample research exploring informal structures in Western and Asian socio-ecological contexts. To achieve this, the study employed a systematic literature review through the aid of NVivo 14 and ChatGPT, a language generation model. NVivo 14 provided the study with a tool to manage and analyze the data, and ChatGPT offered a dialogical string that created a clear path for critical analysis. The paper adopted a systematic literature review approach to investigate the origin of the concept of informal structures and their impact on corporate strategy in an Afrocentric context. The findings indicate that informal structures can have a positive influence by facilitating the flow of information, flexibility, and fulfilling social needs and shared values. However, the negative influence of informal structures, including resistance to corporate strategy, social fragmentation, conflict, and political discord, outweighs the positive influence. The study also reveals that there is limited research on the social-ecological context of Africa and its impact on corporate strategy. The paper addresses a contextual gap in the body of knowledge through its contribution that focuses specifically on the Afrocentric context. The research also sheds light on the need for more studies on the social-ecological context of Africa to gain a better understanding of its impact on corporate strategy. Overall, the paper provides a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the Afrocentric perspective of informal structures and their impact on corporate strategy and employees.

Research paper thumbnail of A Revised Technology-Organisation-Environment Framework for Brick-and-Mortar Retailers Adopting M-Commerce

Journal of Risk Financial Management , 2022

This paper argues that brick-and-mortar retail Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can benefit si... more This paper argues that brick-and-mortar retail Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
can benefit significantly from the capabilities of mobile commerce (m-commerce) to respond to
the unpredictable changes in the business environment, accommodate new consumer experiences,
boost sales of products/services, and achieve a competitive advantage. Consequently, this study
explored the potential application of the Technology–Organisation–Environment (TOE) framework
for m-commerce by brick-and-mortar retail SMEs. The study adopted the positivist paradigm and
followed a cross-sectional study design. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a
sample of 263 retail business personnel. The Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) software was
used to analyse the data. The findings unveil that all the proposed constructs associated with the
organisational context and technological context are critical for the use of m-commerce. The proposed
framework provides a fresh set of contextual variables which align with brick-and-mortar retailer
operations and mobile commerce practices. It is envisaged that the extended framework may help
conventional businesses to understand and identify the requisite factors in the adoption and use of
m-commerce and assist business supporters in the process of technological innovation transfer.

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of informal structures on corporate strategy: an African perspective

Research in Business & Social Science, 2024

This paper provides a detailed exploration of the Afrocentric epistemological perspective of soci... more This paper provides a detailed exploration of the Afrocentric epistemological perspective of sociocultural constructs that drive the influence of informal structures on corporate strategy and employees. The research focuses on the African context, which has a dearth of studies despite ample research exploring informal structures in Western and Asian socio-ecological contexts. To achieve this, the study employed a systematic literature review through the aid of NVivo 14 and ChatGPT, a language generation model. NVivo 14 provided the study with a tool to manage and analyze the data, and ChatGPT offered a dialogical string that created a clear path for critical analysis. The paper adopted a systematic literature review approach to investigate the origin of the concept of informal structures and their impact on corporate strategy in an Afrocentric context. The findings indicate that informal structures can have a positive influence by facilitating the flow of information, flexibility, and fulfilling social needs

Research paper thumbnail of Evolution of public administration and its implication to management and business education Evolución de la administración pública y su implicación en la educación en gestión y negocios

Journal of Management and Business Education, 2024

Acknowledgments. I would like to thank my core author Prof Michael Twum-Darko for his support and... more Acknowledgments. I would like to thank my core author Prof Michael Twum-Darko for his support and encouragement throughout the whole project of writing this paper. Funding. The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Ethical Statement. This research solely relied on a literature review and did not involve human participants. Therefore, no ethical approval was required for this study. All information and data utilized in this research were obtained from publicly available sources, and no personal or sensitive information was accessed during the literature review process.

Research paper thumbnail of Entrepreneurial social cognition and new venture creation: Sociological perspective

Economics, Entrepreneurship, Management, 2024

Entrepreneurs are under immense pressure to gain a competitive advantage in the global markets, b... more Entrepreneurs are under immense pressure to gain a competitive advantage in the global markets, but limited resources and opportunities are making it increasingly difficult. Despite this, there are still sociological and other factors that contribute to risk aversion among entrepreneurs. The study aims to present a global perspective on entrepreneurial social cognition and new venture creation. The study is based on a systematic literature review that identified various obstacles to entrepreneurial success. The study argues that successful entrepreneurship and business innovation are related to social cognition, risk perception, and agency. The results prove that the three mentioned variables are key in the establishment of new entrepreneurial ventures. Furthermore, literature analysis revealed that to foster a thriving knowledge-based economy, it is necessary to create a supportive social environment that encourages entrepreneurial endeavours. It emerged from the analysis of the literature that a rich social context, coupled with social cognition, significantly impacts the perception of entrepreneurial opportunities. The study emphasizes that external social factors such as political, socio-economic, and communal environments play a crucial role in shaping entrepreneurs’ perceptions of new venture creation. The quality of knowledge ingrained in the social context helps to mitigate the perceived risks associated with starting a new venture. Moreover, the study highlights the importance of agency in reducing risk perception and promoting new venture creation. By analysing relevant literature, the article provides a theoretical framework that contextualizes the creation of new ventures in modern knowledge-based economies. The study proposes effective mitigation of the negative schema abstracted from the social-ecological context through knowledge derived from social communities of practice

Research paper thumbnail of Re-engineering Business Processes in the New Normal - The Business and Economic Development Post COVID-19 and the Restructuring of the Global Economy: Proceedings of 8th International Conference on Business and Management Dynamics

Research paper thumbnail of Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Business and Finance

Research paper thumbnail of Understanding Knowledge Sharing in an Organization

IGI Global eBooks, 2020

This paper set out to propose the actor-network theory (ANT) as a lens through which to understan... more This paper set out to propose the actor-network theory (ANT) as a lens through which to understand and interpret the sociotechnical knowledge sharing challenges in organisations. The methodology for this study was developed within the context of ANT by adopting its ideals and principles. The findings demonstrate that using the concept of the Moments of Translation as a lens to study this phenomenon is indeed a novel way of investigating the reason why there is still difficulty with sharing and managing knowledge. This perspective is proposed to transform the way that knowledge sharing factors are perceived. By utilising a normative approach, this research looked at how knowledge sharing as an ideal can be achieved when taking into account the existing constraints within an organisation. A general framework is proposed to guide the formation of a network of aligned interest for knowledge sharing.

Research paper thumbnail of Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Business and Management Dynamics

This book compiles different areas like digital maturity, brand management, branding, cross-count... more This book compiles different areas like digital maturity, brand management, branding, cross-country analysis, omnichannel, leadership style, innovative behaviour, innovation,
components, South Africa, Black Friday, customer value, customer loyalty, Generation Y, cognitive capital, service quality, service quality dimensions, customer satisfaction, airports, structuration, quick-cash, utility maximisers, utilitarian, moral ontology, job engagement, occupational stress, coping strategies, emotional burnout, social media, recruitment, HR practitioners, procurement, sustainability, institutional theory, environment, policy, big five personality factors, job satisfaction, job performance, access to finance, infrastructure, management skills, education level, small business enterprise, entrepreneurship, youth entrepreneurship, Chad, entrepreneurship support, marketing communication tools (advertising, personal selling, advertising and sales promotion), sales performance and retail companies, eThekwini Municipality Parks Department employees, level of satisfaction, performance measures, financial performance measures, SMEs, retail businesses, sustainable development goals (SDGs), professional sport, socially responsible marketing, training effectiveness, training outcome, research methodology workshop, public service, talent attraction, talent retention, financial rewards, non-financial rewards, tertiary institution, competitiveness, destination branding, indicators, Nelson Mandela Bay, tourism, organisational climate, workplace thriving, police officers, performance, advancement, gender nuances, business operations, business performance, business capabilities, sub-Saharan Africa, apartheid, code preference, ethnography, linguistic landscape, multilingualism, cost control, organisation performance, small and medium-sized enterprises, budget, activity-based costing, standard costing, trade, regionalism, volatility, township economy, shebeen, taverns, liquor, market stakeholders, licenses, market orientation, public, private sector,
advertising, ethnographic, multimodal.

Research paper thumbnail of A Framework For Overcoming M-commerce Adoption Barriers In Angola

Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People, Jun 30, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the global economy, with brick-and-mortar busine... more The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the global economy, with brick-and-mortar businesses particularly hard-hit. In Angola, the lockdown imposed in response to the pandemic forced many companies to close their doors, leading to widespread job losses and economic hardship. However, the pandemic also presented an opportunity for businesses that could adopt m-commerce or other alternative sales channels. This study aims to understand the factors that have impeded the adoption of m-commerce by brick-andmortar retail SMEs in Angola during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also proposes a conceptual framework for overcoming the m-commerce adoption barriers that these SMEs have encountered. The study was conducted using a mixed-method approach, with data collected from 306 retail business managers/owners and professionals through a structured questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The study's findings suggest that the factors impeding m-commerce adoption were the lack of experience in using m-commerce, skills to configure forward and backward distribution systems, personnel with IT skills; the cost of m-commerce infrastructure; and the lack of support from the external environment. The study concludes by proposing a framework/strategy for stimulating the adoption of m-commerce in Angola. This strategy includes providing training and support to businesses on using m-commerce, developing a supportive regulatory environment, and investing in m-commerce infrastructure.

Research paper thumbnail of Stakeholder engagement: A service delivery-based strategy formulation process in the public sector of South Africa

International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478)

This paper explores stakeholder engagement in the strategic management process for service delive... more This paper explores stakeholder engagement in the strategic management process for service delivery in government. The main objective is to determine the factors influencing insufficient stakeholder engagement of strategic management processes for service delivery by a government department. The four moments of translation concept of Actor Network Theory (ANT) was utilised as a theoretical framework to understand and explain the interplay between the initiator of the network of service delivery and other actors in the network in aligning diverse interests to achieve service delivery goals. The assumption was that the phenomenon was ontologically subjective and that it was appropriate, epistemologically, to adopt an interpretive paradigm as the leading research philosophy, using a mixed approach of qualitative and quantitative elements wherein quantitative data was used to test the reliability of the qualitative data. Using the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) as a case study...

Research paper thumbnail of Electronic inventory control systems as a competitive tool for e-retailers

EUREKA: Social and Humanities

Despite technological advances, some e-retail organisations are still struggling to improve their... more Despite technological advances, some e-retail organisations are still struggling to improve their inventory control performance due to a limited application of such technology, a lack of relevant skills and inadequate supply chain management policies. This article explored how EICS can enhance the competitiveness of an online retailer. Adopting the qualitative paradigm, data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Consequently, data analysis entailed identifying common patterns within the responses and critically analysing them to achieve the research objectives. The findings revealed that with the implementation of EICS, the organisation could oversee inventory stock cycle transactions, perform a transparent inter-branch transfer and security control. Also, the vital competitive advantages, achieved through EICS implementation, include high customer satisfaction due to faster system services rendered than previously. Likewise, a rise in customer service efficiency and hig...

Research paper thumbnail of Customer relationship management systems for customer retention in a life insurance organisation in South Africa

EUREKA: Social and Humanities

By examining the role and value of customer retention (CR) in the life insurance sector of the So... more By examining the role and value of customer retention (CR) in the life insurance sector of the South African insurance industry, this paper seeks to uncover the level of clientele receptiveness and willingness to adopt Information Technology (IT)-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Arguably, there are changing client needs, and market erosion requires innovative processes and particularly a readiness to accommodate the swift changes in technology. This volatile environment has, over the past decade, created increased competition and uncertain economic futures, which has placed life insurers under pressure and facing a steady increase in policy lapses. The primary objective of this paper is to investigate the role and value of IT-based CRM potential on customer retention in the life insurance industry in South Africa. It is argued, that with technological advances, increased competition, tough economic conditions, and clients becoming more financially conscious, insurers ne...

Research paper thumbnail of The Relevance of Educational Qualifications to Job Performance among Academic Administrators at a University

International Journal of Higher Education

Education has long been considered a key predictor of job performance. However, the relevance of ... more Education has long been considered a key predictor of job performance. However, the relevance of educational qualifications to the job performance of academic administrative staff in a university in the Western Cape province of South Africa is not understood by the administrative managers of the university. This study aimed to determine the relationship between educational qualifications and job performance among university staff in academic administrative positions and to make recommendations to improve the current situation. It utilized the Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (IWPQ), which is a 47-item instrument developed to measure work performance at the individual level. After defining job performance into four-dimensional behavior patterns (Contextual Performance Behavior, Adaptive Performance Behavior, Task Performance Behavior, and Counterproductive Work Behavior), the results indicated no significant correlations between job performance and the level of qualification...

Research paper thumbnail of Task-technology fit perspective of the use of m-commerce by retail businesses

Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues

Mobile commerce (m-commerce) has gradually increased in popularity among small and medium-sized r... more Mobile commerce (m-commerce) has gradually increased in popularity among small and medium-sized retail businesses in developing countries in recent years. As a result, scholars and retail practitioners have been eager to understand better the factors that influence this new mobile channel usage. The article examines the primary determinants of retail personnel's use of m-commerce in Angola through the theoretical lens of Task-Technology Fit (TTF). This study followed a cross-sectional design and adopted the positivist research paradigm. As such, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from retail business personnel and actual users of m-commerce (n = 229). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis was performed on the data collected using the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) software. The findings indicated a strong correlation between the four dimensions of task characteristics (i.e., time criticality, mobility, non-routineness, and interdependence) and the task-technology fit dimensions. Additionally, it was determined that there is a strong correlation between the functionalities of m-commerce systems (i.e., Mobile Notification, Mobile Information Exchange, Mobile Information Search, and Mobile Data Processing) and the TTF dimensions. In comparison, the study discovered a minimal correlation between task-technology fit as correspondence and m-commerce use. As a result, some directions for future research were provided.

Research paper thumbnail of Proceedings of the International Conference on Business and Information Management - ICBIM 2017

This proceeding shares the academic papers presented at the International Conference on Business ... more This proceeding shares the academic papers presented at the International Conference on Business and Management Dynamics held from the 07 to 08 September 2016 at African Pride Crystal Hotel and Spa in Cape Town.

Research paper thumbnail of Business Administration and Business Economics Strategic Human Resource Metrics: A Perspective of the General Systems Theory

Measuring and quantifying strategic human resource outcomes in relation to key performance criter... more Measuring and quantifying strategic human resource outcomes in relation to key performance criteria is essential to developing value-adding metrics. Objectives This paper posits (using a general systems lens) that strategic human resource metrics should interpret the relationship between attitudinal human resource outcomes and performance criteria such as profitability, quality or customer service. Approach Using the general systems model as underpinning theory, the study assesses the variation in response to a Likert type questionnaire with twenty-four (24) items measuring the major attitudinal dispositions of HRM outcomes (employee commitment, satisfaction, engagement and embeddedness). Results A Chi-square test (Chi-square test statistic = 54.898, p=0.173) showed that variation in responses to the attitudinal statements occurred due to chance. This was interpreted to mean that attitudinal human resource outcomes influence performance as a unit of system components. The neutral re...

Research paper thumbnail of The Impact of High Performance Work Practices on Project Performance. A Case Study of Construction Companies in South Africa

A vast amount of research advocates that a tight link exits between high performance work practic... more A vast amount of research advocates that a tight link exits between high performance work practices (HPWPs) and organisational performance. Nonetheless, a detailed study indicating which of these practices offers significant performance in relation to multi-project environments is still lacking. Importantly, project performance is a measure of success in multi-project environments evident in construction firms. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of HPWPs' bundles namely: recruitment and selection (RS), training and development (TD), performance appraisal (PA) and compensation system (CS) on project performance in the construction multi-project companies in Cape Town, South Africa. In this study, perceptual data was obtained using a questionnaire survey of 63 participants working as project team members and administrative staff respectively in select construction companies in Cape Town, South Africa. Stratified and convenience sampling techniques were used to ...