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A review of instructional delivery in social work education using ICT tools

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Benedict, H.T , Balogun, O.O
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Social work - Study and teaching , Information and Communication Technology
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: uj:5472 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13448
  • Description: Education has been aptly referred to as a veritable tool for meaningful development. The quality and effectiveness of teaching determine to a great extent the overall quality of education and the attainment of educational goals and objectives. Information and Communication Technology ICT) has been globally acclaimed as a tool that can accelerate and promote teaching and learning (National Policy for Information Technology, 2001). As opined by Kirschmer and Waperies, (2003), Information and Communication Technology can make the school more efficient and productive, there by engendering a variety of tools to enhance and facilitate teachers’ professional activities. This theoretical paper reiterates the vital role of ICT in effective teaching and learning generally and essentially in Social Work Education. It kicked off by examining the concepts of ICT and social work; establishing the need for ICT tools in instructional delivery in social work. The paper thereafter examined some applications of ICT tools in Social Work Education delivery and emphasizes the need for social work educators to judiciously utilize the opportunities and benefits inherent in ICT oriented instructional delivery. The paper concludes with a caution on the potential impact of ICT on professional identity of confidentiality.
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Intergenerational socio-economic mobility and national development in Nigeria

  • Authors: Otto, G. , Ukpere, Wilfred I.
  • Date: 2011-11
  • Subjects: Nigeria - Economic development , Nigeria - Economic conditions , Intergenerational socio-economic mobility
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5786 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7793
  • Description: Nigeria is blessed with an abundance of human and natural resources. It is the 6th largest exporter of crude oil, formerly the largest and now the third largest exporter of palm oil in the world. It has the largest gas reserves in Africa including a vast accumulation of other natural resources and a population of about 147 million people, but it is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. This contradiction seems to evidence the fact that resources alone are not sufficient to engender growth and national development. For development to occur, the resources (human and material) must be employed to serve the positive needs of man. The human resources must be encouraged to work, initiate, interact and direct material resources towards solving practical problems and creating conveniences for man. For these to be, each and everybody in the society should be given an opportunity to contribute his or her quota toward meeting individual and collective needs. There is a need to create an opportunity space for all to contribute their talents, abilities and aptitudes towards solving societal problems. The wider the opportunity, the better for the economy. However, in Nigeria, unemployment, poverty, corruption, inequality among others, narrow the opportunity structure with the consequence that only a few people are positively engaged while majority of Nigerians rest heavily on receipts from the petroleum industry with its pollution and corruption side effects. This, has generated so much problems as the untapped energy is dissipated in negative directions in an attempt to ‘corner’ a larger share of the petroleum proceeds which is seen as free, God-given national cake which needs no work to benefit from. Intergenerational socio-economic mobility is an index that measures the opportunity structure in society, and the wider the opportunity structure, the more development is likely to occur. In sum, it is not just resources (oil or no oil) but the opportunity space that will engender development.
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Perceptions: a critical factor in transformational change management – lessons from the Department of Correctional Services of South Africa

  • Authors: Mdletye, Mbongeni A. , Coetzee, Jos , Ukpere, Wilfred I.
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Organizational change - Management , South Africa. Dept. of Correctional Services
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: uj:5463 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13439
  • Description: There is growing recognition globally that the current organisational change management methodologies and practices are ineffective. This admission is based on the fact that change efforts implemented in organisations do not produce the desired results in terms of set change objectives. This assertion is evidenced by the dismal success rate in the implementation of organisational change initiatives. Empirical studies conducted previously by authors such as Hattingh (2004), Balogun and Hope Hailey (2004), Bregman (2009), Lotich (2011), and Choi and Ruona (2011) have confirmed that there is indeed a high failure rate in the implementation of organisational change efforts. The high failure rate that organisations record is attributed to managers’ neglect of the elements and dynamics of change, which constitute the human dimension of change. People’s perceptions of change form part of the dynamics of change which need to be seriously addressed if success in the implementation of organisational change efforts is to be attained. Empirical studies that seek to validate the claim that perceptions play a critical role in shaping people’s attitudes towards change and consequently their responses to change in terms of their reactions and resistance to change, have somehow been very limited. This is what this study sought to do – to investigate, establish, explore and understand the role that perceptions play in influencing people’s attitudes towards change, thereby influencing the status of change in terms of success or failure. The undertaking of the study on perceptions was to ensure that managers understand the influence that perceptions have on people’s attitudes towards change. The researcher conducted a literature study in order to contextualise the role of perceptions in influencing people’s attitudes within the offender correctional environment in the Department of Correctional Services of South Africa. Two survey questionnaires, one for correctional officials and the other for offenders, were utilised for purposes of collecting data. The results of the study revealed that perceptions play a significant role in shaping people’s attitudes towards change and consequently their reactions to and experiences of change.
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Application of grounded theory in career research reviewed

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Van Rensburg, Adele Janse
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Grounded theory
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: uj:5457 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13433
  • Description: Most research studies pose some element of concern, discrepancies and controversy. Grounded theory (GT) research is not an exception. This paper provides an overview of how GT was applied in a PhD study about career transition phenomenon. It should be noted that it is not the intent of this paper to provide a detailed account of the completed study, but rather to provide a practical example of the process followed, which first-time GT researchers might find useful. Therefore, firstly, this paper provides an overview of GT in general, including two of the most controversial topics which are the use of literature and the application of qualitative data analysis (QDA) programs. Secondly, the researcher’s school of thought and her first-hand account of how grounded theory was applied, is explained.
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Globalisation and the challenges of unemployment, income inequality and poverty in Africa

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I.
  • Date: 2011
  • Subjects: Globalisation - Africa , Unemployment - Africa , Income inequality - Africa , Poverty - Africa
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5906 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8025
  • Description: There is an urgent need to re-investigate the functional relationship between globalisation, unemployment, income inequality and poverty in Africa. Unemployment accelerates the level of income inequality and poverty within a given society. In spite of the beautiful slogans associated with it, the current globalisation seems to have aggravated the problem of unemployment, the corollary of which is endemic income inequality and mass poverty in Africa. In fact, the trickle down economy pattern has consistently failed Africa. What is good for Wall Street may not necessarily be good for Africa. Viewed from any angle, the African continent seems to have been marginalised and left behind by globalisation. Capitalist globalisation undeniably, created wealth but also intensified inequality and poverty, particularly in Africa. High growth rate of Gross domestic product (GDP) may be a good statistics to parade at international conferences and seminars. However, for the hungry jobless youths in the streets, these are meaningless numbers since they do not translate into job creation or cure their hunger. Therefore, it is high time that African nations look beyond the official statistics of the so called high GDP growth rate and get down to the hard business of creating real jobs that take out the hungry, angry and jobless youths from the streets into workplaces. African countries need to develop comprehensive strategies to create jobs locally. In this paper, the current author posits that there is a strong linkage between globalisation, unemployment, income inequality and poverty in Africa. Some mechanisms were proffered to overcome these bottlenecks.
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Financial performance measures and business objectives attainment in fast food SMMEs in the Cape Metropoli s: a preliminary liability and suitability analysis

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Smit, Yolande , Ngary, Clency , Bruwer, Juan-Pierre
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Fast food restaurants - Economic aspects - South Africa - Cape Town
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: uj:5455 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13431
  • Description: According to the Small Business Act No. 102 of 1996, Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) were introduced by the South African government to assist with the achievement of uplifting the national economy to reduce the rising trend unemployment and poverty in the country. SMMEs are believed to contribute up to 30% of the Gross Domestic Product of South Africa and are further believed to be responsible for absorbing up to 80% of the national labour force. Regrettably, prior research suggests that these initiatives have not succeeded in reducing unemployment and eradicating poverty, since more than 75% of SMMEs have been reported to fail within their first two years of existence. Economic factors have been blamed for the dismal outcomes. However, the achievement of business objectives is very relevant to how a business is managed, particularly from a financial outlook. In essence, the current authors are of the view that SMMEs were not attaining their objectives owing to the ineffective utilisation of financial performance measures, which consequently affects the smooth existence of these entities as a going concern. The main objective of this paper was to determine the extent to which SMMEs make use of financial performance measures to attain their business objectives. The research adopted a quantitative approach, which entails the collection of data from 30 SMMEs leaders (owners and/or managers) in the Cape Metropolis. All participants were required to adhere to a list of strict delineation criteria. The finding reveals that SMMEs leaders do make use of financial performance measures to manage their respective businesses towards the attainment of business objectives, but only to a limited extent.
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Success factors of entrepreneurial activity in the Overberg region of Western Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Witbooi, Megan , Cupido, Chris , Ukpere, Wilfred I.
  • Date: 2011-03
  • Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Social entrepreneurship , Entrepreneurial activities
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5833 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7850
  • Description: Entrepreneurial activities around the world accounted for about 70% of the global GDP on average. However, in South Africa entrepreneurial activities only share 40% of the country’s GDP. With an unemployment rate of approximately 25%, accelerating entrepreneurial activity becomes crucial in a developing country like South Africa. A recent study executed in the Overberg rural district has shown vast opportunity for new endeavors in this direction. Entrepreneurial activity is mostly centered on large-scale agricultural practices. This district is the largest apple producer in the country and the second largest pear producer. However, unemployment in this region has increased in recent years due to the nature of fruit farming which is seasonal. Off-season farmers employ only up to 9% of the district farm workers which leaves 11.1% workers without employment for the rest of the year. Though this area is affluent with natural resources; scarcity of skills, poor infrastructure and lack of technology result in slow economic growth. Further, the absenteeism of entrepreneurial success factors makes it impossible for the many survivalist businesses in the informal sector to be sustainable and to show any form of growth. This paper will analyze the success factors or lack thereof and make recommendations towards opportunities that will help to advance the Overberg region’s entrepreneurial activity.
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Democracy and development in Rivers State of Nigeria

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Otto, Godly
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Democracy - Nigeria , Nigeria - Politics and government
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5466 , ISSN 2039-9340 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13442
  • Description: Democracy is popularly defined as the government of the people by the people for the people. In other words, it is a peoples’ government informed by the majority for the interest of the greatest number in society. Such a government must therefore aspire to improve the welfare of the greatest number in society to remain relevant. Nigerians clamoured for the return to democratic governance for a long time and that clamour was not without conflicts and injuries. However, since 1999, democracy has been in the country and currently is about 13 years old. The question is: are the expectations being realized? This work compares the pre-democratic and democratic dispensations in Rivers State using the unbalanced growth theory. The work observed that the cost of democracy in Nigeria at this time is relatively high compared to the military era. There is a need for more efficiency in governance in Nigeria now.
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The impact of globalisation on higher education : achieving a balance between local and global needs and realities.

  • Authors: Meyer, Marius , Bushney, Melanie , Ukpere, Wilfred I.
  • Date: 2011
  • Subjects: Universities - South Africa , Globalisation and higher education , Global curriculum , International standards , Corporate universities , Local needs
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5889 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8005
  • Description: The business world has changed dramatically over the last decade to address the reality of globalisation in the sphere of business. However, most universities have remained intact as local universities servicing local needs of citizens studying at their closest universities. For instance, a small number of universities have managed to attract students from other provinces, countries and regions. The question arises: to what extent have universities in South Africa embraced to the reality of globalisation? Are higher education institutions preparing students to work globally, or do they still function as institutions operating with a local mindset for a local market? Although South African universities have been widely criticised for not producing graduates meeting the needs of the local economy, these institutions are now challenged to prepare students for global markets. Only one local university achieved a ranking in the top hundred universities in the world according to the latest international ranking of universities. This reality poses several challenges for universities, for example, globalising curriculum to meet global needs and realities, as well as sourcing more academics from different parts of the world to infuse a global focus in the development and delivery of a global curriculum. Similarly, local universities are expected to play a key role in the socio-economic transformation of South Africa, while being challenged to meet international standards. This dichotomy places severe strain on the resources of universities, of which many may not be ready to compete globally, especially in the light of the rapid growth of private higher education, and big business, resorting to corporate universities to meet their needs. This paper seeks to determine the impact of globalisation on higher education with specific recommendations for achieving a balance between global and local higher education needs and realities.
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Is country branding a panacea or poison?

  • Authors: Mugobo, Virimai V. , Ukpere, Wilfred I.
  • Date: 2011-09
  • Subjects: Competitiveness , Globalisation , Nation branding , Branding (Marketing) , Country branding
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5776 , ISSN 993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7783
  • Description: The momentum towards complete globalisation advocated by proponents of the benefits of one big business village as the answer to the suffering of third world countries, has now been slowed down by the uncertainty resultant from the hitherto unprecedented global meltdown. With the coughing of America, the whole world seems to be catapulting into one big mess due to the global economic quagmire. Consequently, there is a global scramble for the limited and constantly contracting financial and market resources. Third world countries, rich in natural resources but insignificant global players, have been relegated to perpetual recipients of aid, finished products and obsolete or second rate technology. Despite having 53 countries, Africa is painted en bloc as a “dark continent” dogged by civil wars, disease, poverty and famine. This “bad continent” image thus affects all African countries including those that are fairly stable such as South Africa, Botswana, and Egypt. This scenario necessitates country differentiation through individualised or regionalised country branding.
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The status of internal controls in fast moving small medium and micro consumer goods enterprises within the Cape Peninsula

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Smit, Yolande , Bruwer, Juan-Pierre , Siwangaza, Luyolo
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Small Medium and Micro Enterprises - South Africa , Business failures - South Africa
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: uj:5464 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13440
  • Description: South African Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) play an important role in terms of stimulating the national economy. Despite the aforementioned, prior research shows that the failure rate of these entities is amongst one of the highest in the world, which is believed to be caused by economic factors. Several economic factors which impact on SMME sustainability have subsequently been researched and identified. As a result, SMME sustainability has received attention from the national government in recent times. One of economic factors which have been perceived by the authors as a major contributor to the high SMME failure rate is the lack of internal controls. Ultimately the responsibilities to both implement internal control frameworks and maintain all internal controls, rests with the management of an organisation. In essence, it can be said that a business is uncontrollable when it is essentially unmanageable. With the absence of adequate internal controls, an environment is created where an organisation is susceptible to all kinds of detrimental risks and, if these risks are not taken care of on time, the overall sustainability of the organisation could be negatively affected, which may lead in imminent failure. The main objective of this study was to determine the degree to which the implementation of an adequate system of internal control can help improve SMME sustainability. The research that was conducted was empirical in nature and fell within the ambit of the positivistic research paradigm. Questionnaires were administered and distributed to 110 owners and/or managers of SMMEs (SMME leaders) that operate within the fast moving consumer goods industry, situated in the Cape Peninsula. Based on the findings, it is obvious that most of the SMMEs do have a variety of internal controls, as prescribed by formal internal control frameworks but their support in terms of SMMEs sustainability were quite limited.
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Perception of tourism graduates and the tourism industry on the important knowledge and skills required in the tourism industry

  • Authors: Wakelin-Theron, Nicola , Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Spowart, Jane
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Important knowledge and skills , Tourism industry , Graduates
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/279706 , uj:30042 , Citation: Wakelin-Theron, N., Ukpere, W.I. & Spowart, J. 2018. Perception of tourism graduates and the tourism industry on the important knowledge and skills required in the tourism industry. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 7(4):1-18. , ISSN: 2223-814X
  • Description: Abstract: Higher education institutions (HEIs) are under increasing pressure to equip graduates with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attributes that would make them employable and highly versatile in various tourism sectors. This means that the various qualifications in tourism that are awarded by HEIs should reflect the tourism industry’s needs and expectations. Consequently, it is important to identify the kind of knowledge skills that need to be developed in tourism graduates to prepare them for the working world. The purpose of this article is to identify the perceptions of tourism graduates and the tourism industry on the important knowledge and skills required in the tourism industry. The research adopted a sequential explanatory mixed method, which entailed combining quantitative and qualitative methods. However the findings, both from the quantitative and qualitative phases highlight the important knowledge and skills required. In terms of important knowledge and skill, both parties seem to be at par in their perception. The study found that the most important knowledge and skills required in the tourism industry are customer service/awareness, ethical conduct at work, verbal communication, acceptance of responsibility, attention to detail, ability to work under pressure, time management skills, and motivation. Significant differences existed between the perceptions of tourism graduates and those of the tourism industry regarding professional, operational, knowledge and skills attributes. However, no significant differences existed between the perceptions of tourism graduates and those of the tourism industry regarding personality traits. This paper is hopefully useful for the development of important knowledge and skills required in the tourism industry. As such it has meaning for higher education institutions that offer tourism qualifications as well as the tourism industry who employs tourism graduates. This paper is original, as the study contributes to the body of knowledge and skills required in the tourism industry since no other paper as far as could be assessed, has taken up the topic of the perception of tourism graduates and the tourism industry on the important knowledge and skills required in the tourism industry in South Africa.
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Technology and work-life conflict of academics in a South African higher education institution

  • Authors: Kotecha, Kajal , Geldenhuys, Madelyn , Ukpere, Wilfred I.
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Work-life balance , Work-life conflict , Information and Communication Technology
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5475 , ISSN 2039-9340 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13451
  • Description: The use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) to work after regular working hours has become prevalent in the academic profession. Although ICTs are known to enhance work flexibility, they also seem to encourage academics to use ICT devices after hours for work-related purposes. The objective of this study was to investigate the implications of technologyassisted supplemental work (TASW) on the work-life conflict (WLC) of academics. The moderating role of gender was also taken into consideration in investigating the relationship between TASW and WLC. The study adopted a quantitative research approach and made use of an online survey to collect data. The WLC scale and the TASW scale were used. The sample consisted of academics from a higher education in South Africa (n = 216). The results of the research revealed a significant relationship between TASW and WLC. TASW is a significant predictor of WLC. Furthermore, the results revealed that gender significantly moderated the relationship between TASW and WLC. This study contributes further knowledge to the emerging field of research relating to TASW in a South African context. This study also emphasises the implications of using ICTs and their potential to encourage academics to extend their working hours.This study therefore questions the benefits of this work flexibility that many academics are privileged to have from using ICTs
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Exploring the triggers of transformational change in the South African Department of Correctional Services

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Coetzee, Jos , Mdletye, Mbongeni A.
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Organizational change , South Africa. Dept. of Correctional Services
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: uj:5459 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13435
  • Description: sChange is a critical phenomenon in any organisation that wants to optimise its performance at individual, team and organizational levels in order to survive and remain competitive in the intensely competitive and globalised operational environment – be it economic, social, political, technological, international or labour market environment. This paper presents empirical evidence gathered from research participants in the Correctional Centres located in the KwaZulu-Natal Region of the Department of Correctional Services on the factors that triggered the fundamental culture change from the punishment-oriented philosophy to the rehabilitation-driven philosophy in terms of the treatment of sentenced offenders (herein referred to as DCS change). An interest in the triggers of transformational change within a correctional environment has motivated the authors to embark on an empirical study which sought to establish the triggers of the transformational change in the Department of Correctional Services of South Africa. The study was significant, particularly if one considers the fact that there is generally an interest in the factors that force organisations to initiate and implement organisation-wide changes. Change and transformation strategists, organisation development practitioners, and managers in general in both the public and private sector globally and in South Africa in particular will benefit from the study, particular if one considers the fact that transformational change interventions are currently being implemented across the South African public service as part of the government’s agenda of reconstructing and developing the South African society. An extensive literature study on the external and internal triggers of organisational change was undertaken as part of contextualising the triggers of transformational change within the South African Correctional Services environment in general. The literature study was followed by the empirical study which focused on gathering data from correctional officials and offenders through utilising two survey questionnaires. The empirical findings revealed that the fundamental culture change from the punishment-oriented philosophy which was characterised by nonexistence of a human rights culture to a rehabilitation-focused philosophy underpinned by the promotion and maintenance of a human rights culture was sparked off by various internal and external factors. These ranged from financial, social and political reasons to complaints about service from offenders, complaints from national and international bodies regarding human rights violations, competitive forces, proactive and progressive leadership,and the need to reduce recidivism.
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Factors impacting job satisfaction of employees in the fast food industry in Cape Town

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Ukandu, Nnenna E.
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Job satisfaction , Fast food restaurants - Employees
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: uj:5451 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13427
  • Description: Job satisfaction increases the level of performance in any organisation including the fast food outlets. Job satisfaction helps to stimulate employees’ commitment in the workplace. In other words, employee satisfaction is vital for organisational development and growth. The fast food workers are unique and have their individual needs, potentials, values and goals. Job satisfaction can also enhance the level of motivation in the workplace. Hence, when the workers are satisfied, they also tend to be motivated towards organisational goals. This paper aims to look at factors impacting the job satisfaction of employee within the fast food industry, in order to proffer ways of improving the level of job satisfaction of fast food employees, in order to achieve a high level of employee and organisational performance. A survey concentrated mainly on the fast food industry. Only fast food employees with at least six (6) months experience were selected for the study, in order to obtain a reliable and valid response. Data was obtained from both the operational workers, administration, cashiers and the managers. A total of 200 closed-ended questionnaires were distributed and 123 employees responded, which gave a response rate of 62.5%. Research finding shows that the rate of personal growth of the employees in their workplace was not satisfactory with a rate of 56.1% respondents. Also, the flexible time plan was not very satisfactory to the workers since they were given a flexible time sometimes during busy periods. In addition, the employees were not allowed to participate in decisions that affects them. It is thus proposed that fast food employees should be empowered through effective participation in decision making. Moreover, the employee skills should be improved through coaching and feedback system.
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South African Industrial Conciliation Act of 1924 and current affirmative action : an analysis of labour economic history

  • Authors: Jordaan, Charline , Ukpere, Wilfred I.
  • Date: 2011-02
  • Subjects: Apartheid , Affirmative action , Industrial relations , Labour unions , South Africa. Industrial Conciliation Act, 1924
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5818 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7834
  • Description: This paper is directed towards making a comparison between the Industrial Conciliation Act (ICA) of 1924 and the current Affirmative Action (AA) in South Africa (SA), in order trace their respective impact to industrial relations in SA. First and foremost, it is necessary to give an overview of Industrial relations within the period of 1924 to 1948, and to identify three events that took place within that period and give a discussion of the events. Furthermore, the impact of those events on the labour legislation at that time, and its effect on the labour relationship will be analysed. Additionally, the different approaches used during these periods towards the labour relationship will be reviewed. Finally, an analysis will be made between Industrial Conciliation Act of 1924 and the current South African Affirmative Action.
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The role of women in peacemaking, conflict and rehabilitation management in Elele, Ikwerre Local Government of Rivers State, Nigeria

Innovation through global collaboration : a new source of competitive advantage (a study of Nigerian Breweries PLC)

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Otto, Godly
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Competitive advantage , Breweries - Nigeria , Nigerian Breweries Plc
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5467 , ISSN 2039-9340 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13443
  • Description: Recent studies on innovation portray traditional approaches to innovation, wherein firms focus solely on their centralized Research and Development team in their pursuit and creation of innovation, as fast becoming outdated; bringing about the need to rethink the way firms managed innovation. This study was motivated by the need to understand the strategies and practices used by firms that have achieved greater success in their collaborative innovative efforts, and how this gave them a competitive advantage, using Nigerian Breweries Plc., as a case study. The research objectives are to: ascertain ways of measuring and developing innovation capabilities for business growth; provide an insight into the concept of global innovative collaboration and how it leads to organizational efficiency; and find out how an effective collaborative network can enhance innovativeness as a springboard for attaining competitive advantage. The research design adopted was the survey method. Primary data were collected using the questionnaire; our hypotheses were tested using the Chi-square, and our respondents comprise of the Management staff, and other category of workers at Nigerian Breweries Plc., which resulted in the following findings: that Nigerian Breweries Plc. was able to achieve efficiency and an immense growth in business by developing adequate collaborative innovative capabilities which have positive impact on the competitive advantage of the organisation. Therefore, the effective collaborative innovative network is the springboard of Nigerian Breweries Plc.’s attainment of competitive advantage; and a corporate collaborative innovation environment helps reinforce and amplify employee morale, build leadership and career opportunities by helping employees work better together. It was concluded that, collaborative innovation is an effective and efficient way to achieve competitive advantage. It is recommended that organisations should, critically assess their collaborative innovation strategies alongside those of other players in preparing for collaboration, tactfully address the issue of trust, focus on efficient use of firm’s resources, and continually foster an organisational climate that promotes the processes of collaborative innovation.
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The relevance of modern technology usage on the business ventures of Kenyan women entrepreneurs

  • Authors: Ukpere, Celestine Lugaye , Slabbert, Andre D , Ukpere, Wilfred I.
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Businesswomen - Kenya , Women entrepreneurs - Kenya , Information and Communication Technology
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: uj:5480 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13457
  • Description: Technological advancement, the adoption of digital marketing and incorporation of digital platforms and websites have fundamentally changed the entrepreneurial landscape in Africa especially from a gender based perspective. Reduced data bundle rates, growth and spread of Internet use in Kenya has contributed to the development and incorporation of technology and digital tools by most women entrepreneurs in their business. During the last decade women based entrepreneurial ventures on the African continent has had to adapt and develop with the digital and modern technologies. This paper is a case study based on three business ventures, namely an informal small scale venture and two formal woman entrepreneurial ventures. The purpose of the paper was to establish the experiences of these women entrepreneurs with regards to their use of technology and digital marketing platforms, in order to ascertain their impact on the growth and development of their ventures. Incorporating technology tools in business has supported the survival and expansion of most Kenyan women entrepreneurs, through the creation of competitive advantages that allows and encourages prosperity within a global economic setting. This enables technology and digital marketing platforms to be categorised as an important strategic component and tool in modern commercial ventures. Women entrepreneurs on the African continent seem to have adapted to these new developments. This paper also reports specifically on the findings of an online survey conducted in Kenya in 2013, which investigated the experiences of women entrepreneurs in adapting and incorporating online social network platforms and digital tools in both the formal and informal sectors. This paper further explains the role digital technology tools such as ICTs, Online Marketing, and EMarketing including the Social media platforms, play to enhance Kenyan women entrepreneurial ventures.
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Determinants of airline choice-making : the Nigerian perspective

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Stephens, Mobolaji S. , Ikeogu, Christopher C. , Ibe, Callistus. C. , Akpan, Edem O.P.
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Decision making , Air travellers , Airline choice-making , Air transport industry - Nigeria
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5905 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8024
  • Description: This study is on choice decision-making of the Nigerian domestic air transport industry. It is aimed at determining the factors that influences air travellers’ choice of airlines to fly within Nigeria. In doing this, data was collected from air travellers using questionnaires following Likert scale of ranking. This enabled us to obtain the socio-economic characteristics and the airline attributes that helped influenced the air travellers in making their choice of airlines at the selected airports. The data collected were analysed using correlation matrix to check for multi-collinearity problems among the socioeconomic characteristics of air travellers and airline attributes. It was discovered that there exist no multi-collinearity problem. Furthermore, a stepwise regression analysis was carried out to determine the factors/attributes that were significantly influencing air travellers in airline choice decision making. To further verify the result of the regression analysis, a discrete choice-modelling analysis was done using NLOGIT. The both results showed that sex, age, marital status, income, comfort, on-board services, frequency, crew behaviour, fare and power of monopoly were significant variables and therefore influence the choice of airline by air travellers. Recommendations amongst others include airlines should use target marketing to attract more patronage from the different age groups, improve comfort and on-board services, increase frequency on major routes, charge competitive fares and apply the power of monopoly by either serving undeveloped routes or make their products distinct from others in the market and airlines should avail their air travellers more opportunities of purchasing tickets before getting to the airport.
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