scholarly journals South African MNCs’ HRM Systems and Practices at the Subsidiary Level: Insights From Subsidiaries in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Suwaiba S. Bako
Keyword(s):  
Performance Appraisal ◽  
South African ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Multinational Companies ◽  
Employee Relations ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
The South ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Hrm Practices

Despite the extensive literature on multinational companies’ (MNCs) human resource management (HRM) systems and practices from developed countries, there are gaps in the literature concerning emerging countries multinational companies’ (EMNCs) HRM practices and systems at home and host countries. This thesis examines the transfer of HRM practices in Nigerian subsidiaries of MNCs from South Africa (an emerging country). This study empirically examines the similarities and differences of South African MNCs’ HRM systems and practices at both the South African headquarters and the subsidiaries in Nigeria. Purposely, the study attempts to shed light on the nature of the employment practices, the transfer of HRM practices and the factors that influence the transfer process. The study adopted a qualitative approach with data/evidence collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. It focused on group discussions conducted in the subsidiaries of three South African MNCs in Nigeria. The data was gathered primarily from HR managers, directors and officers in the Nigerian subsidiaries of the South African MNCs. The study revealed that the South African MNCs hybridised their recruitment and selection processes and localised compensation and employee relations. However, performance appraisal, talent management and code of conduct practices were mainly transferred to subsidiaries with minimal adaptation to contextual realities. Further research and practical implications are discussed in this thesis.

scholarly journals Counterfeiting: Exploring mitigation capabilities and resilience in South African pharmaceutical supply chains

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Terblanche ◽  
Wesley Niemann
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
South African ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The South ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Illicit Trade ◽  
Pharmaceutical Firms ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Pharmaceutical Supply Chains

Orientation: Pharmaceutical supply chains (SCs) are experiencing a growing emergence of illicit trade of counterfeited products. This threat is amplified because of global distributed SC networks, increased access to the Internet and challenging economic conditions.Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore risk mitigation capabilities and SC resilience (SCRES) to reduce the effects of counterfeiting in the South African pharmaceutical industry.Motivation for the study: Developing countries such as South Africa tend to be more vulnerable to counterfeiting, as these countries do not have established responses that are seen in more developed countries, such as SC regulation, track-and-trace technology and enforcement regimes.Research design, approach and method: This study employed a generic qualitative research design. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 12 pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors and retailers in the South African pharmaceutical industry. A thematic analysis approach was followed to analyse the collected data.Main findings: The findings show that the sources of counterfeiting stem from the local and outsourced manufacturing of counterfeited products, presence of unauthorised distributors and importing of counterfeit products. Risk awareness can be enhanced by collaborating with industry members, training members to identify counterfeits and by developing authentication technologies. The industry actively combats counterfeiting by using SCRES enablers including visibility, collaboration, information sharing and by developing an SC risk management culture.Practical/managerial implications: South African pharmaceutical firms have limited resilience. Therefore, managers should develop flexibility, agility, sensing and redundancy as resilience enables firms to combat counterfeiting.Contribution/value-add: This study expands the current literature by identifying the unique sources of counterfeiting and risk mitigation capabilities to combat counterfeiting in pharmaceutical firms in a developing country context.

scholarly journals Whistleblowing: Impediments to effective implementation within the South African public sector

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirmala Dorasamy ◽  
Soma Pillay
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
South African ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
The South ◽  
The Public ◽  
Effective Implementation ◽  
The Cost

This purpose of this article is to explore impediments to effective whistleblowing as a strategy for promoting anti-corruption practices within the South African public sector. Corruption, which violates the public service code of conduct; deters foreign investment, increases the cost of public service delivery, undermines the fight against poverty and unnecessarily burdens the criminal justice system. The article addresses the question on whether legislation on whistleblowing is adequate to encourage whistleblowing in the public sector. A review of literature determines that the effective implementation of whistleblowing legislation is largely dependent on addressing the challenges identified in the article. The quantitative research method was employed in the study to ascertain the views of employees in the public sector on whistleblowing. Empirical findings confirm the hypothesis that the protection of whistleblowers through legislation is inadequate to encourage whistleblowing. The article provides a conceptual framework for the effective achievement of the intended outcomes of whistleblowing in the public sector.

Clusters of key barriers to life cycle assessment adoption in the South African construction industry: perspectives of stakeholders

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Titus Ebenezer Kwofie ◽  
Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa ◽  
Wellington Didibhuku Thwala
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
South African ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
The South ◽  
Sustainable Practices ◽  
Sustainable Building ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The South African Construction Industry (SACI) in recent times has been characterized by a strong emphasis towards achieving sustainable building practices in infrastructural delivery. However, the lack of progress encountered in making gains in achieving sustainable practices has raised concerns over the effectiveness and understanding of the extent to which life cycle assessment (LCA) techniques may aid in meeting requirements of sustainable construction. Most efforts at LCA have been blighted with numerous barriers that have not been rigorously pursued and aggregated. Ironically, there is a lack of knowledge and understanding of the limitations and barriers to these methodologies, especially in the South African context. The purpose of this study is to delineate the cluster of barriers to the adoption of LCA methodologies in the SACI. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was carried out from a deductive research design elicit primary data based on the experience of purposively sampled stakeholders in LCA in the SACI on the extent they perceived the presence of well-established barriers in LCA adoption culled from the extensive literature review. Findings Through the use of factor analysis, three aggregated clusters of key barriers to LCA adoption in the SACI were identified, which were knowledge and enabling conditions constraints, cost and time constraints and technical constraints. The results confirm that indeed human and technical barriers have been notable in limiting gains in LCA adoption and achieving sustainable practices. Originality/value These findings are, thus, useful in overcoming challenges to LCA methodologies in achieving sustainable building practices in building and infrastructural delivery in SACI.

scholarly journals The Glass Ceiling: Career Progression Barriers for Female Employees in the South African Hospitality Industry

2020 ◽  
pp. 1077-1093
Author(s):  
Tinaye Mwashita ◽  
Nanikie Zungu ◽  
Diane Abrahams
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Glass Ceiling ◽  
Hospitality Industry ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
The South ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Corporate Hierarchy ◽  
Management Positions ◽  
Uniform Solution

This study examined the glass ceiling phenomenon in the South African hospitality industry, with a particular focus on four hotels in Gauteng. The primary aim was to investigate the different perspectives held on the glass ceiling by exploring the key factors inhibiting women in the hospitality industry from proceeding to the next level of the corporate hierarchy, and, ultimately, to reach senior executive positions. Data was collected through informal semi-structured interviews and an online questionnaire that was targeted at men and women in lower to top management positions within the different hotels. The key findings show that the glass ceiling indeed exists, as a fluid and dynamic phenomenon, which takes on various ever-evolving shapes within different work environments. Many women resonated with the nature of the glass ceiling. The literature depicts the glass ceiling as an overarching and all-encompassing phenomenon affecting women. The study sheds more light on the circumstantial nature of the glass ceiling and shows that certain factors exacerbate the effects of the ‘glass ceiling’ phenomenon. A study found that a combination of variables affected the careers of women and their work life balance. The study revealed that the circumstantial nature of the glass ceiling and its dynamic nature makes it impossible for there to be a uniform solution to navigating one’s career around it or to shatter it. This finding challenges the existing view of the glass ceiling and how women should be attempting to shatter it.

scholarly journals Evaluating the effectiveness of a gainsharing programme for labour productivity improvement

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W.D. Zondo
Keyword(s):  
Performance Appraisal ◽  
South African ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Appraisal System ◽  
The South ◽  
Productivity Improvement ◽  
Automotive Parts ◽  
Parts Manufacturing

Orientation: Companies are faced with the challenge of promoting innovation for productivity improvement among employees. They create a work environment that promotes worker participation for productivity improvement. This sentiment underpins the concept of gainsharing.Purpose: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a gainsharing programme for productivity improvement in automotive parts manufacturing companies in South Africa (SA).Motivation for the study: SA’s labour productivity, in the manufacturing sector, is low when compared with Korea, the United States of America, Taiwan, Japan, France and the United Kingdom. Hence, this study focused on gainsharing, given the low labour productivity levels in the South African manufacturing industries.Research design, approach and method: The two automotive parts manufacturing companies that have adopted a gainsharing strategy participated in the study. A third automotive parts manufacturing company that has adopted the 360-degree performance appraisal system was included for comparative purposes. These companies operated in the eThekwini District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. Study objectives were achieved by collecting pre- and post-quarterly data for spoilage, absenteeism, capital investment and labour productivity.Main findings: Results established that gainsharing improves productivity and reduces spoilage and absenteeism rates.Managerial implication: The South African companies are encouraged to revise their reward philosophies and develop strategies, policies and practices that help achieve productivity goals and support organisational change.Contribution: Gainsharing is a desirable alternative as it contributes to raising the competence levels and productivity improvement of an organisation. As a comparison, the 360-degree performance appraisal does not have an impact on labour productivity.

scholarly journals AFFECTING FACTORS OF SISTER CITY COOPERATION BETWEEN DENPASAR GOVERNMENT AND MOSSEL BAY GOVERNMENT IN 2019

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-291
Author(s):  
I Gusti Agung Made Diah Kencana Putri ◽  
Witri Elvianti
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Online News ◽  
City Government ◽  
Affecting Factors ◽  
The South ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
African Government ◽  
The Status ◽  
Online News Sites ◽  
Government Website

Abstract This study aims to analyze the factors behind the establishment of sister city cooperation between the Denpasar City Government and the Mossel Bay Government since the end of 2019. The author conducted qualitative research to achieve this aim. Thus, this research is expected to enrich other research tools in matters relating to sister city cooperation or paradiplomacy in Indonesia, especially Denpasar. The main data analyzed in this study were obtained through semi-structured interviews with the Head of the Sub-Section for Foreign Cooperation of the Denpasar City in 2020 at the Secretariat of Denpasar. In addition, other types of data that support this research were obtained from the official local government website, several books, journals, reports, and online news sites which reliable and suitable for the content of the research. The focus of this research is to comply with the concept of paradiplomacy and south-south cooperation in identifying the motives behind this sister city cooperation, especially from the side of the Denpasar City Government. As a result, five motives were found that could encourage the Denpasar City Government to accept the sister city cooperation offered by the Mossel Bay Government in 2019, including the international market, tourism and culture, establishing the identity of international partners, the status of government administration, and most importantly, the bilateral relationship between the Indonesian government and the South African government, which in this regards, is an example of the implementation of the South-South Cooperation (SSC) concept. Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisa faktor-faktor yang melatarbelakangi terjalinnya kerjasama sister city antara Pemerintah Kota Denpasar dengan Pemerintah Teluk Mossel pada akhir tahun 2019. Penulis melakukan penelitian kualitatif untuk mencapai tujuan ini. Sehingga, penelitian ini diharapkan dapat memperkaya perangkat penelitian lainnya dalam hal-hal yang berkaitan dengan kerjasama sister city atau paradiplomasi di Indonesia khususnya wilayah Kota Denpasar. Data utama yang dianalisis dalam penelitian ini diperoleh melalui wawancara jenis semi terstruktur dengan Kepala Sub Bagian Kerjasama Luar Negeri Kota Denpasar tahun 2020 di Sekretariat Kota Denpasar. Selain itu, jenis data lain yang mendukung penelitian ini diperoleh dari situs resmi pemerintah daerah, beberapa buku, jurnal, laporan, dan situs berita online yang dapat diandalkan dan sesuai dengan isi penelitian. Fokus penelitian ini adalah menggunakan konsep paradiplomasi dan kerjasama selatan-selatan dalam mengidentifikasi motif dibalik kerjasama sister city ini, khususnya dari sisi Pemerintah Kota Denpasar. Sebagai hasilnya, ditemukan lima motif yang dapat mendorong Pemerintah Kota Denpasar untuk menerima kerjasama sister city yang ditawarkan Pemerintah Teluk Mossel pada tahun 2019 antara lain pasar internasional, pariwisata dan budaya, membentuk identitas mitra internasional, status administrasi pemerintahan, dan yang terpenting, hubungan bilateral antara pemerintah Indonesia dengan pemerintah Afrika Selatan yang dalam hal ini merupakan contoh implementasi konsep Kerjasama Selatan-Selatan (KSS).

scholarly journals Disabled Child Expense And The South African Revenue Service

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1149
Author(s):  
Liza (ESM) Coetzee ◽  
Madeleine Stiglingh
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Disabled Children ◽  
The South ◽  
Structured Interviews

As from the 2010 year of assessment, a taxpayer-parent caring for a disabled child can only deduct an expense necessarily incurred and paid in consequence of the childs disability, if it also appears on the South African Revenue Services prescribed list of disability expenses. The aim of the research was to evaluate the completeness of this list. A questionnaire was developed to be used for semi-structured interviews with 20 parents of severely disabled children. These interviews provided real-life examples of expenses which do not appear on the list, but which seem to be necessarily incurred and paid in consequence of the relevant childs disability. It was found that the South African Revenue Service should reconsider the completeness and clarity of the list from the perspective of a parent caring for a severely disabled child.

scholarly journals Leadership competences of professional nurses in the eThekwini health district during the first year of registration with the South African Nursing Council

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Nomawonga Corona Solwandle
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Leadership Competencies ◽  
Health District ◽  
First Year ◽  
The South ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Novice To Expert ◽  
Unethical Practices ◽  
Professional Nurses ◽  
One Year

This qualitative research study was conducted to explore and describe leadership competencies of the newly registered professional (NRP) nurses during the first year of registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) in selected provincial hospitals in the eThekwini health district. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study methodology was used. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data; open- ended questions provided participants with an opportunity to provide rich and detailed information about selected experiences as qualified professional nurses. The main objective of the study was to build on prior work in order to explore and describe selected leadership competencies of the NRP nurses, particularly those related to inability to manage conflict, uncertainty and fear of having to delegate, and observing unethical practice. Benner’s model of Novice to Expert nurse was used as the organising framework. The purposive sample comprised eight R425 trained professional nurses in their first year of registration with the SANC, who were working in the selected regional hospitals of eThekwini health district. All participants had completed one year of practice and reported believing that they were at Stage 3: Competent of Benner’s Stages of Clinical Competence model – from Novice to Expert. Six themes emerged, namely: support; uncertainty and fear of having to delegate; competence; transition to professional nurse; observed unethical practices; fear of victimisation; and difficult relationships. From the above stated themes fifteen sub-themes emerged. The results found that nurses are continuing to transition into Benner’s Stage 5: which requires continued support and integration as they evolve in their roles as professional nurses.

scholarly journals Governance and social responsibility perceptions of the SAFA affiliated football clubs executives

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sammy Boya Kgaugelo
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
South African ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
The South ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Football Clubs ◽  
African Context ◽  
African Media ◽  
Analyse Data ◽  
Executive Managers

Governance concerns have been in facade of society both in South Africa and in the rest of the world. These concerns have been raised at various levels such as public sector, private sector, and even within sports and recreation. The South African media have also heightened the exposure of incidents whenever gross violation of good governance principles occurred. The sport fraternity, particularly football, is not immune to this scourge. In the South African context, very little research has been done to look into the governance trajectories concerning sports organisations. As a result, this paper will consider how the Gauteng football clubs that are affiliated with the South African Football Association (SAFA) perceive issues of governance and those that concern social responsibility. Qualitative data in a form of semi-structured interviews was used. A total of 12 executive managers participated in the study. Atlas ti was used to analyse data deductively.The findings seem to suggest that the clubs are aware and supportive of good governance principles, ethics and issues of social responsibility. Calls are made to SAFA and its structures, government and the corporate sector to instil good governance principles and support social initiatives within their surroundings. Moreover, families and communities were encouraged to raise the bar in terms of improving the moral capital of society.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document