A deep gold mine metagenome as a source of novel esterases.
- Abbai, Nathlee S., Van Heerden, Esta, Piater, Lizelle A., Litthauer, Derek
- Authors: Abbai, Nathlee S. , Van Heerden, Esta , Piater, Lizelle A. , Litthauer, Derek
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Lipolytic activity , Biofilms , Esterases
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5843 , ISSN 1684–5315 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7898
- Description: New sources of enzymes for biotechnological applications are continually being sought for. While diverse microbial ecosysyems have been demonstrated in the deep subsurfaces, deep mines provide easy access to these specialist communities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess a deep mine biofilm as a source of novel esterase enzymes. Biofilm was collected from the Beatrix Mine in South Africa, at a depth of 808 m. Assessment of the diversity revealed a group of previously uncultured bacteria and archaea. A metagenome library was screened for esterolytic activity, producing two esterolytic clones: a phospholipase patatin protein and an isochorismatase family protein. The isochorismatase family protein contained the catalytic Asp and Cys but not the Arg, which is considered as important for catalysis. The patatin showed 55% similarity to its closest relative; the patatin family protein from Plesiocystis pacifica. The expressed patatin displayed a preference for the C6 ester and was maximally active at pH 8 and 30°C. This study reported that screening of a relatively small metagenome library from the deep mine biofilm provided two esterolytic clones, which differed from their known counterparts. This indicates that the deep mine ecosystems contain an untapped resource of novel and potentially useful enzymes which may have applications in chemical syntheses.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Abbai, Nathlee S. , Van Heerden, Esta , Piater, Lizelle A. , Litthauer, Derek
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Lipolytic activity , Biofilms , Esterases
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5843 , ISSN 1684–5315 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7898
- Description: New sources of enzymes for biotechnological applications are continually being sought for. While diverse microbial ecosysyems have been demonstrated in the deep subsurfaces, deep mines provide easy access to these specialist communities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess a deep mine biofilm as a source of novel esterase enzymes. Biofilm was collected from the Beatrix Mine in South Africa, at a depth of 808 m. Assessment of the diversity revealed a group of previously uncultured bacteria and archaea. A metagenome library was screened for esterolytic activity, producing two esterolytic clones: a phospholipase patatin protein and an isochorismatase family protein. The isochorismatase family protein contained the catalytic Asp and Cys but not the Arg, which is considered as important for catalysis. The patatin showed 55% similarity to its closest relative; the patatin family protein from Plesiocystis pacifica. The expressed patatin displayed a preference for the C6 ester and was maximally active at pH 8 and 30°C. This study reported that screening of a relatively small metagenome library from the deep mine biofilm provided two esterolytic clones, which differed from their known counterparts. This indicates that the deep mine ecosystems contain an untapped resource of novel and potentially useful enzymes which may have applications in chemical syntheses.
- Full Text:
A management perspective on the current status of referral marketing in the property selling industry
- Authors: Roberts-Lombard, M.
- Date: 2011-04
- Subjects: Referral market , Referral market relationships , Estate agencies
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5826 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7843
- Description: Increasing role specialization and the partial disintegration of the traditional family structure, social groups, as well as community entities have led buyers (consumers and businesses alike) to search for expert advice on products and services that has been provided informally through local social networks, as family members and peers. Marketing practitioners and theorists also routinely cite the power of the personal referral on customer behaviour. However, relatively few businesses have tried to harness the power of word-of-mouth (WOM). The purpose of the article is to indicate what the current status is of the relationships which estate agencies in the Gauteng Province, South Africa have with their referral market, and to provide recommendations to the management of estate agencies in the province regarding the improved application of the principles of relationship marketing to this market. The target population for this study was 1025 estate agencies, of which 250 managers and/or owners participated through personal interviews in the completion of questionnaires. Data analysis was done by calculating averages and standard deviations, Cronbach -values, p-values, the paired sample T-test, as well as standard marginal homogeneity test statistics. To strengthen their position in a highly competitive industry, estate agencies need to identify positive word-of-mouth referrers who can form part of their marketing strategy. Information pertaining to the products and services of the estate agency can be provided to these individuals to develop their value-added advantage to the marketing strategy of the business. Finally, estate agencies in Gauteng also need to provide customers with products (that is, property) and service delivery of a high quality. As a result, the estate agency can secure that the communication of their customers to the general public will ensure that the latter will purchase the products and services of the estate agency.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Roberts-Lombard, M.
- Date: 2011-04
- Subjects: Referral market , Referral market relationships , Estate agencies
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5826 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7843
- Description: Increasing role specialization and the partial disintegration of the traditional family structure, social groups, as well as community entities have led buyers (consumers and businesses alike) to search for expert advice on products and services that has been provided informally through local social networks, as family members and peers. Marketing practitioners and theorists also routinely cite the power of the personal referral on customer behaviour. However, relatively few businesses have tried to harness the power of word-of-mouth (WOM). The purpose of the article is to indicate what the current status is of the relationships which estate agencies in the Gauteng Province, South Africa have with their referral market, and to provide recommendations to the management of estate agencies in the province regarding the improved application of the principles of relationship marketing to this market. The target population for this study was 1025 estate agencies, of which 250 managers and/or owners participated through personal interviews in the completion of questionnaires. Data analysis was done by calculating averages and standard deviations, Cronbach -values, p-values, the paired sample T-test, as well as standard marginal homogeneity test statistics. To strengthen their position in a highly competitive industry, estate agencies need to identify positive word-of-mouth referrers who can form part of their marketing strategy. Information pertaining to the products and services of the estate agency can be provided to these individuals to develop their value-added advantage to the marketing strategy of the business. Finally, estate agencies in Gauteng also need to provide customers with products (that is, property) and service delivery of a high quality. As a result, the estate agency can secure that the communication of their customers to the general public will ensure that the latter will purchase the products and services of the estate agency.
- Full Text:
A prototype mobile money implementation in Nigeria
- Ayo, C.K., Ukpere, W.I., Oni, A., Omote, U., Akinsiku, D.
- Authors: Ayo, C.K. , Ukpere, W.I. , Oni, A. , Omote, U. , Akinsiku, D.
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mobile money , Cellphone banking - Nigeria
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5846 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7933
- Description: Researchers have shown that majority of the populace in the developing nations are rural dwellers that do not have access to basic financial services and are poor. This class of people are peasant farmers and petty traders who rely mostly on remittances from their wards and relations in major cities and abroad to meet their financial obligations at home. The methods of remittances are encumbered with challenges. Mobile money is a tool that allows individuals to make financial transactions using mobile cell phones. Nigeria is one of the fastest growing telecoms nations of the world and the adoption of mobile money will help a great deal to solve the problems associated with remittances. In this paper, we present a short messages services (SMS) and unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) implementation of mobile money implementation in Nigeria modelled using Django and Python as the programming language, MySQL as the data store and Apache hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) as the Web server. The system made comparative analysis with M-PESA implementation in Kenya: the first mobile money implantation in Africa. Furthermore, the system was tested among a selected few of the populace to evaluate the usability of the design. Findings revealed that the prototype implementation is user-friendly and can be used by all without many problems except for the illiterate populace; hence, the need to have a combined bank and agent-based implementation. This approach will help with time to reduce the number of unbanked populace, which is currently at 80%.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ayo, C.K. , Ukpere, W.I. , Oni, A. , Omote, U. , Akinsiku, D.
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mobile money , Cellphone banking - Nigeria
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5846 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7933
- Description: Researchers have shown that majority of the populace in the developing nations are rural dwellers that do not have access to basic financial services and are poor. This class of people are peasant farmers and petty traders who rely mostly on remittances from their wards and relations in major cities and abroad to meet their financial obligations at home. The methods of remittances are encumbered with challenges. Mobile money is a tool that allows individuals to make financial transactions using mobile cell phones. Nigeria is one of the fastest growing telecoms nations of the world and the adoption of mobile money will help a great deal to solve the problems associated with remittances. In this paper, we present a short messages services (SMS) and unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) implementation of mobile money implementation in Nigeria modelled using Django and Python as the programming language, MySQL as the data store and Apache hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) as the Web server. The system made comparative analysis with M-PESA implementation in Kenya: the first mobile money implantation in Africa. Furthermore, the system was tested among a selected few of the populace to evaluate the usability of the design. Findings revealed that the prototype implementation is user-friendly and can be used by all without many problems except for the illiterate populace; hence, the need to have a combined bank and agent-based implementation. This approach will help with time to reduce the number of unbanked populace, which is currently at 80%.
- Full Text:
A strategic reposition of the maritime industry for economic recovery and sustainability : “The Cabotage Act”.
- Lazarus, Okoroji, Ukpere, Wilfred Isioma
- Authors: Lazarus, Okoroji , Ukpere, Wilfred Isioma
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Cabotage Act, 2003 , Maritime industry - Nigeria , Transportation and shipping - Nigeria , Nigeria - Economy
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5863 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7960
- Description: The Cabotage Law came into force in April, 2004 (Cabotage Act, 2003) aimed at reserving the costal shipping for Nigeria nationals. In essence, the system of maintaining domestic shipping industry is being regulated by the Cabotage Law. This involves the merchant fleet, and the protection of the environment and bio-diversity. The study is of the view that if the Cabotage Law is properly implemented; Nigeria will be able to maintain jobs and skills in an industry that is vital to its future. Lack of knowledge about the maritime sector could be the basis for the very poor response that it has generated from investing public. The oceans are as old as the maritime trade and dates back to the beginning of recorded time. Nigeria can only negate the development of its maritime potentials at its own peril especially taken into consideration here expensive maritime resource.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lazarus, Okoroji , Ukpere, Wilfred Isioma
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Cabotage Act, 2003 , Maritime industry - Nigeria , Transportation and shipping - Nigeria , Nigeria - Economy
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5863 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7960
- Description: The Cabotage Law came into force in April, 2004 (Cabotage Act, 2003) aimed at reserving the costal shipping for Nigeria nationals. In essence, the system of maintaining domestic shipping industry is being regulated by the Cabotage Law. This involves the merchant fleet, and the protection of the environment and bio-diversity. The study is of the view that if the Cabotage Law is properly implemented; Nigeria will be able to maintain jobs and skills in an industry that is vital to its future. Lack of knowledge about the maritime sector could be the basis for the very poor response that it has generated from investing public. The oceans are as old as the maritime trade and dates back to the beginning of recorded time. Nigeria can only negate the development of its maritime potentials at its own peril especially taken into consideration here expensive maritime resource.
- Full Text:
Academic staff and employment equity profile in Business Management departments at universities in South Africa
- Authors: Nieuwenhuizen, Cecile
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Academic staff , Employment equity , Business Management departments
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5888 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8004
- Description: This article is a report on an attempt to determine the composition of academic staff of Business Management departments at South African universities. The objective was to determine the qualifications, level of employment and ranks filled by academics from the designated groups (black, coloured and Indian) and whites. Business Management and related departments from 13 universities representing 136 academics participated in the study. The findings indicate that academics from all the designated groups combined, constitute only 40%, as opposed to 60% whites, which indicates a shortage of academics from the former group. Thirty one per cent of all academic staff in Business Management have doctorates, and of these, 2% are from the combined designated groups and 29% from the white group. Ranked academics from the designated groups are in the minority: 31% are senior lecturers, 11% are associate professors and 7% are professors. The majority, which is 57%, of academics in business management are male and 43% are female. Representation of females from the designated groups is the lowest at 14%, with white males the highest at 31%. The results indicate that in the senior ranks, the number of academics from the designated groups, especially females, are far below employment equity expectations.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nieuwenhuizen, Cecile
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Academic staff , Employment equity , Business Management departments
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5888 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8004
- Description: This article is a report on an attempt to determine the composition of academic staff of Business Management departments at South African universities. The objective was to determine the qualifications, level of employment and ranks filled by academics from the designated groups (black, coloured and Indian) and whites. Business Management and related departments from 13 universities representing 136 academics participated in the study. The findings indicate that academics from all the designated groups combined, constitute only 40%, as opposed to 60% whites, which indicates a shortage of academics from the former group. Thirty one per cent of all academic staff in Business Management have doctorates, and of these, 2% are from the combined designated groups and 29% from the white group. Ranked academics from the designated groups are in the minority: 31% are senior lecturers, 11% are associate professors and 7% are professors. The majority, which is 57%, of academics in business management are male and 43% are female. Representation of females from the designated groups is the lowest at 14%, with white males the highest at 31%. The results indicate that in the senior ranks, the number of academics from the designated groups, especially females, are far below employment equity expectations.
- Full Text:
Airport capacity utilization in Nigeria : a performance and efficiency analysis
- Stephens, Mobolaji S., Ukpere, Wilfred I.
- Authors: Stephens, Mobolaji S. , Ukpere, Wilfred I.
- Date: 2011-11
- Subjects: Nigeria , Air transport , Air traffic flow , Staggered airport schedules , Air traffic management
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5780 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7787
- Description: Most airlines in Nigeria fly at about the same time of the day creating great strains on airports’ runways and air traffic management. This study examines air traffic flow: recorded landings and take-off times, arrival times and time between arrivals and times spent in the airport. The data collected were analyzed using the queue theory to know the airport turnaround time and the rate of usage of the airport as well as time variation in usage pattern. The results showed that the airport was grossly underutilized; most domestic traffic movements had two main peaks (morning and evening) with the headway been dangerously close. There is grave danger in clustered take-offs and landings so it was advised that to boost airport capacity utilization staggering of airlines’ schedules should be encouraged.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Stephens, Mobolaji S. , Ukpere, Wilfred I.
- Date: 2011-11
- Subjects: Nigeria , Air transport , Air traffic flow , Staggered airport schedules , Air traffic management
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5780 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7787
- Description: Most airlines in Nigeria fly at about the same time of the day creating great strains on airports’ runways and air traffic management. This study examines air traffic flow: recorded landings and take-off times, arrival times and time between arrivals and times spent in the airport. The data collected were analyzed using the queue theory to know the airport turnaround time and the rate of usage of the airport as well as time variation in usage pattern. The results showed that the airport was grossly underutilized; most domestic traffic movements had two main peaks (morning and evening) with the headway been dangerously close. There is grave danger in clustered take-offs and landings so it was advised that to boost airport capacity utilization staggering of airlines’ schedules should be encouraged.
- Full Text:
An empirical investigation into difficulties associated with barter trading : a prac[ti]tioners’ perspective
- Oliver, Portia, Mpinganjira, Mercy
- Authors: Oliver, Portia , Mpinganjira, Mercy
- Date: 2011-02
- Subjects: Countertrade , Barter trade
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5820 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7837
- Description: Difficult economic and business conditions experienced in many nations over the past few years have necessitated the need to look for different ways of ensuring business success. Many firms have found that one such way is through barter trading. This paper empirically investigates the difficulties firms face in barter trading. Data was collected from 61 barter practitioners in the media industry in South Africa. The findings show that there are many difficulties associated with barter trade but most of the difficulties relate to firms at organisational level. The findings also show that in general, the lower the level of firms’ pro-activeness in barter trading, the higher the level of difficulties perceived. From the results it can be concluded that most of the problems relating to barter trade are manageable at firm level. Organisations need to be certain that they have proper measures in place to ensure optimal use and management of barter trade. Knowledge of the potential difficulties associated with barter trade is essential as it can enable firms better anticipate and manage them so as not to have significant negative impact on the benefits anticipated.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Oliver, Portia , Mpinganjira, Mercy
- Date: 2011-02
- Subjects: Countertrade , Barter trade
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5820 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7837
- Description: Difficult economic and business conditions experienced in many nations over the past few years have necessitated the need to look for different ways of ensuring business success. Many firms have found that one such way is through barter trading. This paper empirically investigates the difficulties firms face in barter trading. Data was collected from 61 barter practitioners in the media industry in South Africa. The findings show that there are many difficulties associated with barter trade but most of the difficulties relate to firms at organisational level. The findings also show that in general, the lower the level of firms’ pro-activeness in barter trading, the higher the level of difficulties perceived. From the results it can be concluded that most of the problems relating to barter trade are manageable at firm level. Organisations need to be certain that they have proper measures in place to ensure optimal use and management of barter trade. Knowledge of the potential difficulties associated with barter trade is essential as it can enable firms better anticipate and manage them so as not to have significant negative impact on the benefits anticipated.
- Full Text:
An exploratory study of problems facing small contractors in the North West province of South Africa
- Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku, Phaladi, Makgati Jacob
- Authors: Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku , Phaladi, Makgati Jacob
- Date: 2009-10
- Subjects: Small contractors , Small contractor development programme
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5316 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7825
- Description: The main objective of this study was to examine the problems that are facing small contractors in the North West Province of South Africa. In undertaking the study a comprehensive literature review was conducted and it was supplemented by primary data gathering. A questionnaire was sent to over 100 contractors in the North West Province and 57 questionnaires were returned. The major findings of the research were that the problems facing small contractors were the following; Government not paying on time, lack of capital and difficulty in arranging guarantees, lack of technical skills, lack of business management skills. The importance of small contractors in South Africa has been recognised by many researchers and policy makers. The contribution of small contractors to the creation of jobs and to the alleviation of poverty has been recognised by many Governments in the Developing Countries including the South African Government. The aim of the study was to examine the problems facing contractors in South Africa focusing on the North West Province. The study made recommendations for a success small contractor development programme.
- Full Text:
An exploratory study of problems facing small contractors in the North West province of South Africa
- Authors: Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku , Phaladi, Makgati Jacob
- Date: 2009-10
- Subjects: Small contractors , Small contractor development programme
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5316 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7825
- Description: The main objective of this study was to examine the problems that are facing small contractors in the North West Province of South Africa. In undertaking the study a comprehensive literature review was conducted and it was supplemented by primary data gathering. A questionnaire was sent to over 100 contractors in the North West Province and 57 questionnaires were returned. The major findings of the research were that the problems facing small contractors were the following; Government not paying on time, lack of capital and difficulty in arranging guarantees, lack of technical skills, lack of business management skills. The importance of small contractors in South Africa has been recognised by many researchers and policy makers. The contribution of small contractors to the creation of jobs and to the alleviation of poverty has been recognised by many Governments in the Developing Countries including the South African Government. The aim of the study was to examine the problems facing contractors in South Africa focusing on the North West Province. The study made recommendations for a success small contractor development programme.
- Full Text:
Assessment of teaching corporate entrepreneurship to master’s level students.
- Authors: Groenewald, Darelle
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Corporate entrepreneurship - Study and teaching (Higher) - South Africa , Masters degrees - South Africa , Teaching methods - South Africa , Personality and academic achievement - South Africa , Intrapreneurial Performance Quotient
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5850 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7937
- Description: Tertiary education in terms of entrepreneurship is not adequate to stimulate entrepreneurial activity in South Africa. By assessing the effect and successfulness of tertiary modules offered in entrepreneurship (and in this case specifically corporate entrepreneurship) an improvement can be made to these courses which would lead to increased entrepreneurial activity. The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of a corporate entrepreneurship module that has been offered to master’s level students. The research is designed as a formal study where stated hypotheses are tested to demonstrate if there is a statistical significant difference between the corporate entrepreneurial style and personality of students (over a period of three year) before and after they have completed a master’s level module in CE. A pre- and post test were conducted over a period of three years (2007 – 2009). A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain the data. A judgemental purposive sampling technique was used and the sample consisted of 101 students. The results indicated that there is a statistical significant difference between the corporate entrepreneurial styles and personalities of students that have completed the course as well as the Intrapreneurial Performance Index. It is recommended that tertiary institutions, specifically in South Africa, must adopt a corporate entrepreneurship module in their post-graduate programmes which will assist to equip employees to become more entrepreneurial within existing businesses.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Groenewald, Darelle
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Corporate entrepreneurship - Study and teaching (Higher) - South Africa , Masters degrees - South Africa , Teaching methods - South Africa , Personality and academic achievement - South Africa , Intrapreneurial Performance Quotient
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5850 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7937
- Description: Tertiary education in terms of entrepreneurship is not adequate to stimulate entrepreneurial activity in South Africa. By assessing the effect and successfulness of tertiary modules offered in entrepreneurship (and in this case specifically corporate entrepreneurship) an improvement can be made to these courses which would lead to increased entrepreneurial activity. The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of a corporate entrepreneurship module that has been offered to master’s level students. The research is designed as a formal study where stated hypotheses are tested to demonstrate if there is a statistical significant difference between the corporate entrepreneurial style and personality of students (over a period of three year) before and after they have completed a master’s level module in CE. A pre- and post test were conducted over a period of three years (2007 – 2009). A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain the data. A judgemental purposive sampling technique was used and the sample consisted of 101 students. The results indicated that there is a statistical significant difference between the corporate entrepreneurial styles and personalities of students that have completed the course as well as the Intrapreneurial Performance Index. It is recommended that tertiary institutions, specifically in South Africa, must adopt a corporate entrepreneurship module in their post-graduate programmes which will assist to equip employees to become more entrepreneurial within existing businesses.
- Full Text:
Banking customers’ attitudes toward complaining : their likelihood of voicing a complaint and service recovery they consider appropriate.
- Petzer, D. J., Mostert, P. G.
- Authors: Petzer, D. J. , Mostert, P. G.
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Banking industry - South Africa , Customer complaints , Services marketing , Service recovery responses , Customer relations
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5899 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8018
- Description: This paper measures the attitude of banking customers towards complaining and their likelihood to complain when a service failure is experienced at their current and another bank. Insight is also provided into the service recovery responses customers consider appropriate when a service failure is experienced. The target population included individuals in the Gauteng Province of South Africa who hold a bank account in their personal capacity. An interviewer-administered survey was used to collect data using non-probability quota sampling based upon population group and gender. A demographic profile of respondents, as well as the findings in terms of the aforementioned constructs and related hypotheses is provided. The study found that respondents have a positive attitude towards complaining, and that they are significantly more likely to voice a complaint when experiencing a service failure at their current bank than at another bank. Significant differences also exist with regard to the individual responses respondents consider appropriate when confronted with a hypothetical service failure experienced at their current bank and another bank.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Petzer, D. J. , Mostert, P. G.
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Banking industry - South Africa , Customer complaints , Services marketing , Service recovery responses , Customer relations
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5899 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8018
- Description: This paper measures the attitude of banking customers towards complaining and their likelihood to complain when a service failure is experienced at their current and another bank. Insight is also provided into the service recovery responses customers consider appropriate when a service failure is experienced. The target population included individuals in the Gauteng Province of South Africa who hold a bank account in their personal capacity. An interviewer-administered survey was used to collect data using non-probability quota sampling based upon population group and gender. A demographic profile of respondents, as well as the findings in terms of the aforementioned constructs and related hypotheses is provided. The study found that respondents have a positive attitude towards complaining, and that they are significantly more likely to voice a complaint when experiencing a service failure at their current bank than at another bank. Significant differences also exist with regard to the individual responses respondents consider appropriate when confronted with a hypothetical service failure experienced at their current bank and another bank.
- Full Text:
Barter trading : an empirical investigation of management practices
- Authors: Oliver, P. , Mpinganjira, M.
- Date: 2011-12
- Subjects: Barter trade , Barter practitioners , Management practices
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5789 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7796
- Description: Barter trade is on the increase worldwide in both developed and developing countries. This study is aimed at investigating the management practices used by firms involved in barter trading in order to ensure that they take optimal advantage of benefits of barter trade and minimise its potential problems. Data was collected from 61 barter trade practitioners from the South African media industry. The findings show that most of the firms realise the need to have dedicated personnel responsible for barter trade in their firms. Having dedicated personnel responsible for barter trade helps ensure accountability. The findings also show that most of the firms actively search for barter opportunities, have top management support in their barter trading activities, make use of in-house specialists to negotiate barter deals and have in place clearly defined policies on managing barter trade. Nearly all the policies prescribe products that can be bartered, maximum value of deals acceptable, evaluation criteria for barter deals, accounting and tax treatment of barter deals as well as barter trade authorisation procedures. The findings of the study have practical significance to firms considering using barter trade in their organisations. These have been highlighted in the paper.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Oliver, P. , Mpinganjira, M.
- Date: 2011-12
- Subjects: Barter trade , Barter practitioners , Management practices
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5789 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7796
- Description: Barter trade is on the increase worldwide in both developed and developing countries. This study is aimed at investigating the management practices used by firms involved in barter trading in order to ensure that they take optimal advantage of benefits of barter trade and minimise its potential problems. Data was collected from 61 barter trade practitioners from the South African media industry. The findings show that most of the firms realise the need to have dedicated personnel responsible for barter trade in their firms. Having dedicated personnel responsible for barter trade helps ensure accountability. The findings also show that most of the firms actively search for barter opportunities, have top management support in their barter trading activities, make use of in-house specialists to negotiate barter deals and have in place clearly defined policies on managing barter trade. Nearly all the policies prescribe products that can be bartered, maximum value of deals acceptable, evaluation criteria for barter deals, accounting and tax treatment of barter deals as well as barter trade authorisation procedures. The findings of the study have practical significance to firms considering using barter trade in their organisations. These have been highlighted in the paper.
- Full Text:
Brain drain and African development : any possible gain from the drain?
- Benedict, Olumide Henrie, Ukpere, Wilfred Isioma
- Authors: Benedict, Olumide Henrie , Ukpere, Wilfred Isioma
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Brain drain - Africa , Brain gain - Africa , Africa - Emigration and immigration , Labor supply - Africa
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5856 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7953
- Description: Everyday, Africa loses her best academics, scientists, doctors, nurses, accountants, and other sought after professionals, through brain drain, into other richer countries. The question is: Why? The impact of the problem is to the detriment of development of the African continent. It also seems to be a continuous issue without any trend of ceasing. This paper explores the nature, effects (positive and negative) and reason for the brain drain in Africa. What can African countries do to minimize the problem or the impact thereof? The aim of this paper, with some models illustrating the subject matter, is to explore the nature and effects of brain drain on African development and ultimately pinpoint possible positive perspectives of brain gain from the drained brains.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Benedict, Olumide Henrie , Ukpere, Wilfred Isioma
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Brain drain - Africa , Brain gain - Africa , Africa - Emigration and immigration , Labor supply - Africa
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5856 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7953
- Description: Everyday, Africa loses her best academics, scientists, doctors, nurses, accountants, and other sought after professionals, through brain drain, into other richer countries. The question is: Why? The impact of the problem is to the detriment of development of the African continent. It also seems to be a continuous issue without any trend of ceasing. This paper explores the nature, effects (positive and negative) and reason for the brain drain in Africa. What can African countries do to minimize the problem or the impact thereof? The aim of this paper, with some models illustrating the subject matter, is to explore the nature and effects of brain drain on African development and ultimately pinpoint possible positive perspectives of brain gain from the drained brains.
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Budget deficit and long-term interest rates in South Africa
- Authors: Bonga-Bonga, Lumengo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Budget deficit - South Africa , Long-term interest rates - South Africa , Cointegrating vector autoregressive (VAR) , Fisher effect , Inflation - South Africa - Forecasting
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5868 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7965
- Description: This paper investigated the extent of the effects of the systematic and surprise changes in budget deficits on the long-term interest rate in South Africa. Use was made of the identified cointegrating vector autoregressive (VAR) techniques whereby cointegrating vectors were identified based on the Fisher effect theory and the expectation hypothesis of the term structure to assess the effect of systematic changes in budget deficit on the long-term interest rate. Moreover, the generalised impulse response functions obtained from the cointegrating VAR were used to assess the effect of the surprise change in budget deficit on the long-term interest rate. The results of the paper showed a positive relationship between the budget deficits and long-term interest rate under different assumptions of price expectations by economic agents.
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- Authors: Bonga-Bonga, Lumengo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Budget deficit - South Africa , Long-term interest rates - South Africa , Cointegrating vector autoregressive (VAR) , Fisher effect , Inflation - South Africa - Forecasting
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5868 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7965
- Description: This paper investigated the extent of the effects of the systematic and surprise changes in budget deficits on the long-term interest rate in South Africa. Use was made of the identified cointegrating vector autoregressive (VAR) techniques whereby cointegrating vectors were identified based on the Fisher effect theory and the expectation hypothesis of the term structure to assess the effect of systematic changes in budget deficit on the long-term interest rate. Moreover, the generalised impulse response functions obtained from the cointegrating VAR were used to assess the effect of the surprise change in budget deficit on the long-term interest rate. The results of the paper showed a positive relationship between the budget deficits and long-term interest rate under different assumptions of price expectations by economic agents.
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Chemometric investigation of the effects of chemical properties and concentrations on the extractability of benzimidazoles with supported liquid membrane
- Ngila, J. Catherine, Nindi, Mathew M., Mamba, Bhekie B., Msagati, Titus A. M.
- Authors: Ngila, J. Catherine , Nindi, Mathew M. , Mamba, Bhekie B. , Msagati, Titus A. M.
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Benzimidazoles , Liquid membranes , Liquid chromatography
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5875 , ISSN 1991-637X , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7973
- Description: Principle component analysis (PCA) and a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed in the study of factors affecting extractability of benzimidazole anthelmintics using supported liquid membrane (SLM) in liver, kidney, milk and urine at four concentration levels. The SLM extraction process was monitored by liquid chromatography - mass spectrometer (LC-MS). The results showed that the extractability of benzimidazoles is dependent on both the concentration levels and the chemical properties of compounds. Based on chemical properties, extraction of the compounds from the liver matrix showed no significant difference (p = 0.05) for the following pairs; albendazole and oxibendazole, thiabendazole and mebendazole, oxibendazole and fenbendazole, and oxibendazole and mebendazole. At some of the concentration levels, mainly between 1000 and 100, 100 and 10, and 10 and 1 μg/Kg, there was no significant difference. It was also found that, there was significant difference (at p = 0.05) in the extractability in milk between oxibendazole and albendazole, and also oxibendazole and fenbendazole. For milk also, the concentration range from 10 to 100 μg/L, showed no significant difference (p = 0.05). Urine matrix on the other hand, showed significant difference in the recoveries at all concentration levels.
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- Authors: Ngila, J. Catherine , Nindi, Mathew M. , Mamba, Bhekie B. , Msagati, Titus A. M.
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Benzimidazoles , Liquid membranes , Liquid chromatography
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5875 , ISSN 1991-637X , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7973
- Description: Principle component analysis (PCA) and a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed in the study of factors affecting extractability of benzimidazole anthelmintics using supported liquid membrane (SLM) in liver, kidney, milk and urine at four concentration levels. The SLM extraction process was monitored by liquid chromatography - mass spectrometer (LC-MS). The results showed that the extractability of benzimidazoles is dependent on both the concentration levels and the chemical properties of compounds. Based on chemical properties, extraction of the compounds from the liver matrix showed no significant difference (p = 0.05) for the following pairs; albendazole and oxibendazole, thiabendazole and mebendazole, oxibendazole and fenbendazole, and oxibendazole and mebendazole. At some of the concentration levels, mainly between 1000 and 100, 100 and 10, and 10 and 1 μg/Kg, there was no significant difference. It was also found that, there was significant difference (at p = 0.05) in the extractability in milk between oxibendazole and albendazole, and also oxibendazole and fenbendazole. For milk also, the concentration range from 10 to 100 μg/L, showed no significant difference (p = 0.05). Urine matrix on the other hand, showed significant difference in the recoveries at all concentration levels.
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Craft routes for developing craft business in South Africa : is it a good practice or limited policy option?
- Rogerson, C.M., Rogerson, J.M.
- Authors: Rogerson, C.M. , Rogerson, J.M.
- Date: 2011-11
- Subjects: Craft tourism , Craft development , Craft routes
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5785 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7792
- Description: The establishment of themed routes by packaging together geographically disparate tourism products is an important issue in tourism planning. New interest has been raised around the potential of craft routes. This article examines the utility of craft routes for developing the craft sector. In the context of South Africa it is argued craft development is promoted through a number of existing initiatives, including the establishment of integrated craft hubs and support for attendance at trade shows. The international and South African experience highlights several promising initiatives for craft sector development and suggests the establishment of craft routes offers only a marginal policy option for growing craft sector businesses.
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- Authors: Rogerson, C.M. , Rogerson, J.M.
- Date: 2011-11
- Subjects: Craft tourism , Craft development , Craft routes
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5785 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7792
- Description: The establishment of themed routes by packaging together geographically disparate tourism products is an important issue in tourism planning. New interest has been raised around the potential of craft routes. This article examines the utility of craft routes for developing the craft sector. In the context of South Africa it is argued craft development is promoted through a number of existing initiatives, including the establishment of integrated craft hubs and support for attendance at trade shows. The international and South African experience highlights several promising initiatives for craft sector development and suggests the establishment of craft routes offers only a marginal policy option for growing craft sector businesses.
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Credit and thrift co-operatives in Nigeria : a potential source of capital formation and employment
- Otto, Godly, Ukpere, Wilfred
- Authors: Otto, Godly , Ukpere, Wilfred
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Thrift and credit societies - Nigeria , Savings co-operatives - Nigeria , Investment capital - Nigeria , Employment - Nigeria
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5896 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8015
- Description: Unemployment is a major challenge in Nigeria and many other developing countries. There is unemployment among professionals and non-professionals alike, there is unemployment among young school graduates, experienced professionals, tradesmen, and non-skilled workers in Nigeria. The consequences of unemployment in Nigeria are grave and may be classified as social and private. They include increase in crime rates, loss of potential output, poverty, and loss of potential tax revenue due government, professional studentship and family instability. In Nigeria, as in some other developing countries, job losses by households’ heads have negatively affected some homes, leading to family disintegration. Unemployment can explain the rising trends of female headed households in Nigeria. One major source of unemployment in Nigeria is insufficient capital for investments. The Harrod-Domar (neo-classical) theory encourages savings as a source of capital formation for investments with the consequent employment generation. This work identifies co-operative credits and thrift associations as a veritable source of capital formation which is required for investment purposes. The thrift cooperative as a micro finance agency is also a direct source of employment for those engaged in its management or coordination.
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- Authors: Otto, Godly , Ukpere, Wilfred
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Thrift and credit societies - Nigeria , Savings co-operatives - Nigeria , Investment capital - Nigeria , Employment - Nigeria
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5896 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8015
- Description: Unemployment is a major challenge in Nigeria and many other developing countries. There is unemployment among professionals and non-professionals alike, there is unemployment among young school graduates, experienced professionals, tradesmen, and non-skilled workers in Nigeria. The consequences of unemployment in Nigeria are grave and may be classified as social and private. They include increase in crime rates, loss of potential output, poverty, and loss of potential tax revenue due government, professional studentship and family instability. In Nigeria, as in some other developing countries, job losses by households’ heads have negatively affected some homes, leading to family disintegration. Unemployment can explain the rising trends of female headed households in Nigeria. One major source of unemployment in Nigeria is insufficient capital for investments. The Harrod-Domar (neo-classical) theory encourages savings as a source of capital formation for investments with the consequent employment generation. This work identifies co-operative credits and thrift associations as a veritable source of capital formation which is required for investment purposes. The thrift cooperative as a micro finance agency is also a direct source of employment for those engaged in its management or coordination.
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Credit extension in South Africa: a business cycle perspective for the period 1985 to 2009
- Fourie, Leila, Botha, Ilsé, Mears, Ronald
- Authors: Fourie, Leila , Botha, Ilsé , Mears, Ronald
- Date: 2011-12
- Subjects: Business cycle , Credit , Procyclicality , Vector autoregression (VAR) , Cointegration , Structural vector autoregression (SVAR)
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/368251 , uj:5815 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7823
- Description: This paper investigates and quantifies the relationship between the macroeconomic business cycle and bank-granted credit in South Africa for the period 1985 to 2009. The main question that this research seeks to answer is what role do banks play in amplifying the business cycle and what is the impact of this on the macroeconomy? The outcomes of the econometric model support the hypothesis that a positive relationship exists between bank-extended credit and the business cycle. The vector autoregression technique was used to prove the relationship between credit and the underlying cycle. The analysis shows that a two-way relationship exists between credit and the coincident indicator, credit and insolvencies and credit and prime. Results from the vector error correction model show a significant short-run relationship of equilibrium in the cointegrating equation between credit and the coincident indicator. This corroborates the underlying theory that credit is a unifying variable that rapidly responds to shocks emanating from the dynamic interaction of cointegrating variables in the economy.
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- Authors: Fourie, Leila , Botha, Ilsé , Mears, Ronald
- Date: 2011-12
- Subjects: Business cycle , Credit , Procyclicality , Vector autoregression (VAR) , Cointegration , Structural vector autoregression (SVAR)
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/368251 , uj:5815 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7823
- Description: This paper investigates and quantifies the relationship between the macroeconomic business cycle and bank-granted credit in South Africa for the period 1985 to 2009. The main question that this research seeks to answer is what role do banks play in amplifying the business cycle and what is the impact of this on the macroeconomy? The outcomes of the econometric model support the hypothesis that a positive relationship exists between bank-extended credit and the business cycle. The vector autoregression technique was used to prove the relationship between credit and the underlying cycle. The analysis shows that a two-way relationship exists between credit and the coincident indicator, credit and insolvencies and credit and prime. Results from the vector error correction model show a significant short-run relationship of equilibrium in the cointegrating equation between credit and the coincident indicator. This corroborates the underlying theory that credit is a unifying variable that rapidly responds to shocks emanating from the dynamic interaction of cointegrating variables in the economy.
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Customer relationship management (CRM) in a South African service environment : an exploratory study
- Roberts-Lombard, Mornay, Du Plessis, Leon
- Authors: Roberts-Lombard, Mornay , Du Plessis, Leon
- Date: 2011-04
- Subjects: Long-term insurance organization , Customer loyalty , Conflict management , Customer relationship management
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5966 , ISSN 2141-2421 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8221
- Description: The primary objective of the study was to investigate the influence of trust, commitment, two-way communication and conflict handling on customer loyalty through customer relationship management (CRM) as a mediating variable at a South African long-term insurance organization. Both a qualitative and quantitative research approach was followed in the study. The population included all the customers of a long-term insurance provider in South Africa who held a life-insurance policy at the time of the study. The sample consisted of 254 customers in four major centers in South Africa. Primary data was gathered using a structured questionnaire, with items on a 7-point Likert scale referring to trust, commitment, two-way communication, conflict handling, CRM and customer loyalty. The statistical analysis that was used in the study included multiple regression analysis to test the hypotheses. The findings stipulate that a significant positive relationship exists between trust, commitment and conflict handling, and CRM at a long-term insurance provider in South Africa. The study further revealed that a significant negative relationship exists between two-way communication and CRM at the insurance provider. In addition, it was found that there is a significant positive relationship between CRM and customer loyalty at the insurance provider in South Africa. Therefore, long-term insurance providers in South Africa can improve and maintain the relationships between themselves and their customers if they exhibit trustworthy behavior, show genuine commitment to service, communicate information to customers efficiently and accurately, thereby also listening to their customers and handling potential and manifested conflicts skilfully. This will ultimately contribute to customer loyalty, which will ensure economic prosperity for the long-term insurance provider.
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Customer relationship management (CRM) in a South African service environment : an exploratory study
- Authors: Roberts-Lombard, Mornay , Du Plessis, Leon
- Date: 2011-04
- Subjects: Long-term insurance organization , Customer loyalty , Conflict management , Customer relationship management
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5966 , ISSN 2141-2421 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8221
- Description: The primary objective of the study was to investigate the influence of trust, commitment, two-way communication and conflict handling on customer loyalty through customer relationship management (CRM) as a mediating variable at a South African long-term insurance organization. Both a qualitative and quantitative research approach was followed in the study. The population included all the customers of a long-term insurance provider in South Africa who held a life-insurance policy at the time of the study. The sample consisted of 254 customers in four major centers in South Africa. Primary data was gathered using a structured questionnaire, with items on a 7-point Likert scale referring to trust, commitment, two-way communication, conflict handling, CRM and customer loyalty. The statistical analysis that was used in the study included multiple regression analysis to test the hypotheses. The findings stipulate that a significant positive relationship exists between trust, commitment and conflict handling, and CRM at a long-term insurance provider in South Africa. The study further revealed that a significant negative relationship exists between two-way communication and CRM at the insurance provider. In addition, it was found that there is a significant positive relationship between CRM and customer loyalty at the insurance provider in South Africa. Therefore, long-term insurance providers in South Africa can improve and maintain the relationships between themselves and their customers if they exhibit trustworthy behavior, show genuine commitment to service, communicate information to customers efficiently and accurately, thereby also listening to their customers and handling potential and manifested conflicts skilfully. This will ultimately contribute to customer loyalty, which will ensure economic prosperity for the long-term insurance provider.
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Customer retention through customer relationship management : the exploration of two-way communication and conflict handling
- Authors: Roberts-Lombard, Mornay
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Customer relationship management , CRM , Conflict management , Customer retention , Two-way communication , Short-term insurance industry - South Africa
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5866 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7963
- Description: Organisations such as banks and short-term insurance organisations become more aware of the importance of customer relationship management (CRM) and its potential to help them acquire new customers, retain existing ones and maximise their lifetime value. A close relationship with customers will require a strong coordination between information technology (IT) and marketing departments to provide a long-term retention of selected customers. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the influence of selected independent variables, two-way communication and conflict handling on intentional customer loyalty via CRM as the intervening variable at a South African shortterm insurance organisation. Primary data were gathered using a questionnaire, with items referring to CRM, customer loyalty, two-way communication and conflict handling. The sample consisted of 254 customers in four major centres in South Africa. Data were factor-analysed. One independent variable, conflict handling exerted a statistically significant positive influence on the intervening variable (CRM), while two-way communication exerted a statistically significant negative influence on the intervening variable (CRM). The intervening variable (CRM) positively influenced the dependent variable (Customer Loyalty). If short-term insurance organisations communicate timeously and accurately, and are skilled in conflict handling, greater loyalty will be created among customers.
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- Authors: Roberts-Lombard, Mornay
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Customer relationship management , CRM , Conflict management , Customer retention , Two-way communication , Short-term insurance industry - South Africa
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5866 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7963
- Description: Organisations such as banks and short-term insurance organisations become more aware of the importance of customer relationship management (CRM) and its potential to help them acquire new customers, retain existing ones and maximise their lifetime value. A close relationship with customers will require a strong coordination between information technology (IT) and marketing departments to provide a long-term retention of selected customers. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the influence of selected independent variables, two-way communication and conflict handling on intentional customer loyalty via CRM as the intervening variable at a South African shortterm insurance organisation. Primary data were gathered using a questionnaire, with items referring to CRM, customer loyalty, two-way communication and conflict handling. The sample consisted of 254 customers in four major centres in South Africa. Data were factor-analysed. One independent variable, conflict handling exerted a statistically significant positive influence on the intervening variable (CRM), while two-way communication exerted a statistically significant negative influence on the intervening variable (CRM). The intervening variable (CRM) positively influenced the dependent variable (Customer Loyalty). If short-term insurance organisations communicate timeously and accurately, and are skilled in conflict handling, greater loyalty will be created among customers.
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Determinants of airline choice-making : the Nigerian perspective
- Ukpere, Wilfred I., Stephens, Mobolaji S., Ikeogu, Christopher C., Ibe, Callistus. C., Akpan, Edem O.P.
- 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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- 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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