scholarly journals Strategic positioning of a motorcycle manufacturer within the Fourth Industrial Revolution

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoé J. Bosch ◽  
Dirk Rossouw
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Customer Engagement ◽  
Initial Contact ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Strategic Positioning ◽  
Head Office ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
The Individual

Orientation: Whilst the South African motorcycle industry faces a declining market, an additional challenge remains – the movement of the market into the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), calling for strategic amendments.Research purpose: The purpose of this research was to investigate and analyse the current strategies of a specific manufacturer, with the aim of establishing a strategic positioning suitable for the 4IR to gain a competitive advantage.Motivation for the study: Acquired knowledge resulted in the establishment of various suggestions and recommendations, benefitting the manufacturer to gain a competitive advantage in the 4IR and thus strengthening its strategic positioning.Research design, approach and method: Following an interpretive paradigm, a qualitative approach was used, allowing for in-depth analysis of 29 semi-structured interviews at five different dealerships and the regional head office in South Africa. Interviewees were selected using purposive and convenience sampling for the initial contact with the individual dealerships and regional head office of the motorcycle manufacturer. Thereafter, further interviewees were acquired based on the study requirements. Content analysis was applied to analyse the data.Main findings: Some interviewees were less acquainted with the strategy and positioning of the manufacturer. Strong customer engagement strategies are necessary whilst targeting new markets.Practical/managerial implications: Additional training is required, ensuring the equal acquisition of knowledge amongst employees. The introduction of technologies and the 4IR to customers is required to grow the market. New markets need to be identified and analysed to ensure efficient targeting.Contribution/value-add: Whilst South Africa addresses the 4IR differently to Europe; this study’s focus provides insights for the specific manufacturer to accurately conquer the changing environment.

Recounting the Empowerment of Women in Rural Areas of KwaZulu-Natal from Information and Knowledge in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Era

Libri ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenrose Jiyane
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
The Body ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Critical Resource

Abstract The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) marks the new, advanced era of development in humankind, and globally countries are in the process of ensuring their citizenry’s readiness. In South Africa, various governmental departments, organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and non-profit organisations (NPOs) are making efforts, through their plans, talks and actions, to attain this status for all her people, particularly women in rural areas. However, the development of women in the rural areas for empowerment remains a concern in developing countries. Consequently, there is a dire need to ensure the developmental status for women in rural areas in the advent of the 4IR, and this paper seeks to demonstrate that information and knowledge may be instrumental in empowering women in rural areas to strive in the 4IR. Accordingly, information and knowledge are a critical resource contributing to the empowerment of women in rural areas for their development. An exploratory question is raised to determine whether South Africa is ready for Fourth Industrial Revolution. The outcome of this paper will contribute to the body of knowledge advocating the importance of information and knowledge in the empowerment of women in rural areas. Significantly, it will generate insights for policymakers on the important role of information and knowledge for women’s development.

Readiness of academic libraries in South Africa to research, teaching and learning support in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 355-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis N. Ocholla ◽  
Lyudmila Ocholla
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution

PurposeIn this paper, we refer to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in 2016, where the concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) was coined by Klaus Schwab, with the reference that it would be building on “the Third, the digital revolution” and would be “characterized by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres”. While acknowledging that the 4IR will impact on everything, everywhere, including research and libraries, we conceptualize 4IR, and we compare current academic library services/trends in South Africa with 4IR requirements, through the analysis of 26 public university library websites.Design/methodology/approachBesides conceptualization of 4IR, a content analysis of websites of 26 public universities’ libraries in South Africa was achieved followed up with verification of the data by respective libraries through a preliminary research report circulated to them by email. 23 areas were identified as the trends in academic libraries, which included free Wi-Fi in the libraries; 24/7 study areas and access to library resources on and off campus; research commons; makerspace; borrowing ICTs (e.g. laptops); e-resources; e-catalogues; research data services (RDS; RDM, IR); open scholarship; information literacy and reference/bibliographic tools, library as a publisher, among others. Data obtained were captured in Excel and analyzed by the research questions.FindingsThe 4IR concept does not occur often in literature, in relation to academic libraries, but it is implied. The findings show that the libraries are responding well to the revolution through their services, with remarkable innovation and creativity on display. There was a 64% presence of the analyzed trends/services in the libraries, with emerging trends/services such as library as a publisher (4%), robotics/AI (4%), makerspace (8%), RDS (27%), borrowing of ICTs/devices (19%) and user experience (19%) scoring low, while information literacy and digital scholarship (e.g. IR) (88%), e-catalogue and e-resources (92%), group study area (85%) and off campus access (77%) scoring above 75%. The scatter of the trends/services among the university libraries is noted for knowledge sharing of best practice.Research limitations/implicationsIn order to improve accordance with trends, academic libraries have to be better resourced, accessed and used, as well as improve web visibility. The study expects library services to be responsive, resourced and accessible anytime and anywhere, and it provides a conceptual framework and a benchmark for further research and exploration in the country, region and perhaps elsewhere.Practical implicationsThe study can be used for benchmarking current and future academic library services in Africa. The conceptual framework provides an agenda for theoretical discussions and deliberations.Social implicationsThe trends, framework and 4IR representations in the study can inform theory and practice in LIS, particularly in Africa.Originality/valueLinking 4IR to current and future library services provides a tool for academic libraries services benchmarking and development and provides a conceptual framework for theoretical and practical debates and implementation. The study is quite current and appropriate for the ongoing discussions of 4IR implications to academic libraries.

scholarly journals Friends and fellow travelers: comparative influence of review sites and friends on hotel choice

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Duffy
Keyword(s):  
Word Of Mouth ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Complete Information ◽  
Customer Engagement ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Special Occasion ◽  
Credible Information ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Hotel Managers

Purpose – This paper aims to examine when travelers are more influenced by friends (word-of-mouth [WOM]) with limited knowledge of hotels but an understanding of the traveler, and when by review sites (electronic word-of-mouth [eWOM]) which have immense experience of hotels but cannot know the individual traveler. Sites such as TripAdvisor® offer millions of reviews, and travelers often reduce that to a manageable amount by focusing on reviews by writers who show homophily, i.e. are similar to them in terms of travel interests. These sites represent a form of eWOM recommendation; what is not clear is how much they replace or augment traditional WOM. Design/methodology/approach – Dual-method content analysis of semi-structured interviews with a heterogeneous purposive sample of regular users of TripAdvisor (N = 30), followed by a survey of TripAdvisor users (N = 237). Findings – Friends were considered the most credible information source, although friends showing greater homophily were more valued than others. However, in some circumstances, subjects found eWOM more credible: when they wanted greater certainty in their hotel choice, so complete information was important; when the hotel was for a special occasion or special people; and for feelings of empowerment. Most subjects compared all sources rather than relying on one. Originality/value – This study reminds hotel managers that while eWOM is accessible and analyzable, it may not fully represent guests’ opinions; hotels’ marketing strategy should balance it with other recommendation networks. As guests compare sources, consistency in all forms of customer engagement is also essential.

scholarly journals Attitudes Towards Utilising Mobile Banking Applications Among Generation Z Consumers in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 417-438
Author(s):  
Moshele Koenaite ◽  
Eugine Maziriri ◽  
Tinashe Chuchu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Consumer Attitudes ◽  
Mobile Banking ◽  
African Continent ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
Generation Z ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
Mobile Banking Applications ◽  
Modern Era

In today’s post-modern era, the banking industry is becoming a digital rather than a physical system. Digital banking has been synonymous with the fourth industrial revolution making a notable impact on the African continent.  Therefore, the purpose of this research is to empirically investigate consumer attitudes towards mobile banking applications in South Africa. A positivist paradigm underpinned the study, and a descriptive design was employed. To test the proposed hypotheses a unique conceptual model was  developed. Non-probability sampling was adopted in selecting appropriate participants. A total of data was collected from 325 willing participants through an survey. In terms of analysis, SPSS n and AMOS were utilised to generate descriptive statistics and hypotheses testing.  The results established that attitudes towards mobile banking applications and actual use of mobile banking applications was the strongest relationship.  The empirical evidence presented in this study adds value to the existing research on mobile-banking within the 4th industrial revolution, particularly in South Africa, a largely under-researched area.

scholarly journals The Factors’ Affecting Innovative Competency Development of Vietnamese Universities’ Lecturers

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. p1
Author(s):  
Dr. Pham Xuan Hung ◽  
MA. Pham Hoang Khanh Linh
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Competency Development ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
University Teachers ◽  
Know How ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
The Individual

The world’s in the process of globalization with the Fourth Industrial Revolution that connects people, influential nations, interactions, interdependence in every way. To survive and develop all of us must constantly innovate, create new products excel. Optimal solutions and breakthrough decisions’re entirely dependent on the creativity of each member of the organization. In this context, higher education, the role of universities’ teachers’re seen as the vanguard of innovation with mission to train human resources of high quality to meet the needs’ economic development - social. The articles’ give three groups of factors that influence the development of innovative competency’s university teachers; in which influential group’s within themselves, motives, the individual characteristics, the energy of the behavior. Self-motivation’s the key to formation and creation. And the way to develop the creative ability of university lecturers’re awaken the potential in each person so that they know how to self-control, master, orient themselves to develop their career.

scholarly journals Two passions, one goal, and a pandemic: the future of medical education in South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. S11-S13
Author(s):  
C Quan
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Medical Education ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
The Future

Medical education in South Africa is experiencing two major disruptions: the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the COVID-19 pandemic. I will explore the effects these events have had on our education and possible solutions in the context of our country.

Development and usability of the EasySeating App as a tool for wheelchair and postural support devices prescription (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Klein ◽  
Marcelo Archanjo ◽  
Rodrigo Suigh ◽  
Roseli de Deus Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Qualitative Information ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Wheelchair Users ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
Postural Support ◽  
Stage 1 ◽  
Support Devices

BACKGROUND EasySeating is a mobile health (mHealth) app that supports the prescription of wheelchair and postural support devices (WPSD). It can be used by occupational therapists (OT) and physiotherapists (PT) who prescribe these devices. The app offers a framework for the prescription procedures, showing images, metrics and details that can guide the prescriber to decide the best equipment for wheelchair users. OBJECTIVE to present the development and usability of the EasySeating app. METHODS This study was divided into three stages and was carried out as an iterative process with eighty eight participants (n=88) that provided information for the software development and its usability. In the Stage 1 data was gathered to develop the first prototype, followed by the Stage 2 where four prototypes were improved by the feedback from experts. Finally in the Stage 3 the usability was tested. Data collection was performed through semi-structured interviews, focus groups and heuristics evaluation. Data analysis was descriptive and qualitative. RESULTS In the Stage 1 was identified the lack of a uniform terminology used by practitioners; however this information was used to create the first prototype based on a range of postural devices reported. In the Stage 2, qualitative information was used to improve the app including images, more options of devices. In Stage 3, the usability test improved the app in the following aspects: smartness, increasing the dialog and feedback with the practitioner. CONCLUSIONS The three stages enable to define a uniform terminology; to identify and recommend a framework for prescription comprising rehabilitation practitioners, technicians and wheelchair users; to document a method to develop a mHealth that can have reproducibility by the international community interested in assistive technology assessment using technology, a new trend in an era of the fourth industrial revolution.

Fourth Industrial Revolution, Accounting Profession Well-Being, and Environmental Well-Being in South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 150-160
Author(s):  
Odunayo Magret Olarewaju
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
Management Accountants ◽  
Single Use ◽  
The Government ◽  
Real Time Information ◽  
Time Information

Industry 4.0 centers on the connection of physical and cyber networks to allow actionable insights and real-time information flow such that the well-being of the creatures, workplace, and the environment is guaranteed. Plastic pollution has been a major menace in South Africa and the proposed ban has not been implemented by the government. With the current measures of reducing the pollution, it was evident that the use of fourth industrial revolution has not been effective. Thus, it was recommended that government should enforce labelling of very single-use plastic and an associated fine should be attached to every single-use plastic found polluting the environment. It should be made mandatory for all management accountants to include cost for plastic pollution as one of the operating costs of each organisation. Also, it is recommended that robots can be erected around the cities, towns and workplace picking plastic waste. This will show the seriousness of the government to combat the single use plastic pollution and automatically curb the littering of the environment with plastics.

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