Effective practices of international volunteering for health : perspectives from partner organizations
- Lough, Benjamin J., Tiessen, Rebecca, Lasker, Judith N.
- Authors: Lough, Benjamin J. , Tiessen, Rebecca , Lasker, Judith N.
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: International volunteering , Quantitative , Training
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/271581 , uj:28887 , Citation: Lough, B.J., Tiessen, R. & Lasker, J.N. 2018. Effective practices of international volunteering for health : perspectives from partner organizations. Globalization and Health, 14:11. DOI 10.1186/s12992-018-0329-x
- Description: Abstract: The demand for international volunteer experiences to promote global health and nutrition is increasing and numerous studies have documented the experiences of the international volunteers who travel abroad; however, little is known about effective practices from the perspective of partner organizations. This study aims to understand how variables such as the skill-level of volunteers, the duration of service, cultural and language training, and other key variables affect partner organizations’ perceptions of volunteer effectiveness at promoting healthcare and nutrition...
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lough, Benjamin J. , Tiessen, Rebecca , Lasker, Judith N.
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: International volunteering , Quantitative , Training
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/271581 , uj:28887 , Citation: Lough, B.J., Tiessen, R. & Lasker, J.N. 2018. Effective practices of international volunteering for health : perspectives from partner organizations. Globalization and Health, 14:11. DOI 10.1186/s12992-018-0329-x
- Description: Abstract: The demand for international volunteer experiences to promote global health and nutrition is increasing and numerous studies have documented the experiences of the international volunteers who travel abroad; however, little is known about effective practices from the perspective of partner organizations. This study aims to understand how variables such as the skill-level of volunteers, the duration of service, cultural and language training, and other key variables affect partner organizations’ perceptions of volunteer effectiveness at promoting healthcare and nutrition...
- Full Text:
Status of geoinformatics education and training in Sub-Sahara Africa : initiatives taken and challenges
- Sumari, N.S., Shao, Z., Van Genderen, J.L., Musakwa, W., Ujoh, F., Washaya, P., Gumbo, T.
- Authors: Sumari, N.S. , Shao, Z. , Van Genderen, J.L. , Musakwa, W. , Ujoh, F. , Washaya, P. , Gumbo, T.
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Sub-Sahara Africa , Education , Training
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/400010 , uj:33365 , Citation: Sumari, N.S. et al. 2019. Status of geoinformatics education and training in Sub-Sahara Africa : initiatives taken and challenges.
- Description: Abstract: It has been more than twenty-five years since the World Bank published its comprehensive report on “Guidelines for Education and Training in Environmental Information Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: Some Key Issues”. Since this report was published, there have been considerable improvements in the region on implementing many of the actions proposed in that report relating to education, training and technology transfer. This paper presents an update on some of the activities that have taken place since the report was published and provides details on the current situation in the region. The paper shows how organizations such as the African Association on Remote Sensing of Environment (AARSE), the International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC), the Group on Earth Observation (GEO), as well as several others have helped to increase the manpower resources in the region and strengthened the institutional capacity in the field of Geoinformatics, by means of capacity building, technology transfer, international cooperation and through the provision of internal African resources. After reviewing what has happened in the field of Geo-Informatics education and training, we focused on current initiatives taken and challenges in five Sub-Saharan countries namely, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. We reviewed GIS education and training in the private sector, government, information communications technology in higher education institutions, GIS application areas and challenges facing GIS education and training. The paper concludes that, change should involve education stakeholders such as students, teachers/instructors in all level of education. Sub-Saharan Africa countries should focus on improving the quality of the curriculum, strengthening international and regional cooperation by the means of exchange programmes to improve education and training in Geoinformatics.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sumari, N.S. , Shao, Z. , Van Genderen, J.L. , Musakwa, W. , Ujoh, F. , Washaya, P. , Gumbo, T.
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Sub-Sahara Africa , Education , Training
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/400010 , uj:33365 , Citation: Sumari, N.S. et al. 2019. Status of geoinformatics education and training in Sub-Sahara Africa : initiatives taken and challenges.
- Description: Abstract: It has been more than twenty-five years since the World Bank published its comprehensive report on “Guidelines for Education and Training in Environmental Information Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: Some Key Issues”. Since this report was published, there have been considerable improvements in the region on implementing many of the actions proposed in that report relating to education, training and technology transfer. This paper presents an update on some of the activities that have taken place since the report was published and provides details on the current situation in the region. The paper shows how organizations such as the African Association on Remote Sensing of Environment (AARSE), the International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC), the Group on Earth Observation (GEO), as well as several others have helped to increase the manpower resources in the region and strengthened the institutional capacity in the field of Geoinformatics, by means of capacity building, technology transfer, international cooperation and through the provision of internal African resources. After reviewing what has happened in the field of Geo-Informatics education and training, we focused on current initiatives taken and challenges in five Sub-Saharan countries namely, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. We reviewed GIS education and training in the private sector, government, information communications technology in higher education institutions, GIS application areas and challenges facing GIS education and training. The paper concludes that, change should involve education stakeholders such as students, teachers/instructors in all level of education. Sub-Saharan Africa countries should focus on improving the quality of the curriculum, strengthening international and regional cooperation by the means of exchange programmes to improve education and training in Geoinformatics.
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A challenge to objective perception in hearing and seeing in counselling psychology.
- Authors: Baron, Philip
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cybernetics , Counselling , Training
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/197498 , uj:15467 , Baron, Philip. 2015. A challenge to objective perception in hearing and seeing in counselling psychology. Kybernetes, VOL/ISSUE NO: 44/8/9
- Description: Mainstream counselling psychology with its Western epistemology implies several assumptions about the therapeutic conversation. One assumption is the ability of the therapist to hear and see accurately during the therapy session. Apart from language difficulties and multi-cultural awareness, training in psychological counselling does not adequately address aspects of hearing and seeing as cognitive processors that are observer dependent and circular in nature. This paper addresses this missing link by providing a single document addressing errors in hearing and seeing, which can then be used for training new therapists.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Baron, Philip
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cybernetics , Counselling , Training
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/197498 , uj:15467 , Baron, Philip. 2015. A challenge to objective perception in hearing and seeing in counselling psychology. Kybernetes, VOL/ISSUE NO: 44/8/9
- Description: Mainstream counselling psychology with its Western epistemology implies several assumptions about the therapeutic conversation. One assumption is the ability of the therapist to hear and see accurately during the therapy session. Apart from language difficulties and multi-cultural awareness, training in psychological counselling does not adequately address aspects of hearing and seeing as cognitive processors that are observer dependent and circular in nature. This paper addresses this missing link by providing a single document addressing errors in hearing and seeing, which can then be used for training new therapists.
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Comparative study of skills of business consultants in the development of production cooperatives
- Authors: Mkwanazi, Sizwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Training , Development , Production
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/278233 , uj:29853 , Citation: Mkwanazi, S. 2018. Comparative study of skills of business consultants in the development of production cooperatives.
- Description: Abstract: Cooperatives are described as democratically owned enterprises founded on the principles of democratic processes, self-help, sharing and collective ownership for mutual benefit. Ordinary members of a society can set up a cooperative. Cooperatives create sustainable livelihoods at a community level. Sustainability through cooperatives is due to the triple bottom line focus and design, which includes economic, ecological and social factors. This paper focuses on cooperatives in production sectors such as clothing, agriculture and agro-processing, and energy. The skills of business consultancies tasked with the responsibility to train and develop these cooperatives are compared by country. Three countries were identified for comparison in this study and they are Kenya, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Production cooperatives had been successful in Kenya and in the United Kingdom while South Africa has had generally a high failure rate of cooperatives at 88% in 2009. This paper uses a desk review approach in evaluating business consultancy training reports published by cooperative development authorities in all the countries. Areas of improvement for South Africa and countries struggling with cooperatives development are presented in the recommendations section. In conclusion limitations of this study are indicated and suggestions for future research are provided.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mkwanazi, Sizwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Training , Development , Production
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/278233 , uj:29853 , Citation: Mkwanazi, S. 2018. Comparative study of skills of business consultants in the development of production cooperatives.
- Description: Abstract: Cooperatives are described as democratically owned enterprises founded on the principles of democratic processes, self-help, sharing and collective ownership for mutual benefit. Ordinary members of a society can set up a cooperative. Cooperatives create sustainable livelihoods at a community level. Sustainability through cooperatives is due to the triple bottom line focus and design, which includes economic, ecological and social factors. This paper focuses on cooperatives in production sectors such as clothing, agriculture and agro-processing, and energy. The skills of business consultancies tasked with the responsibility to train and develop these cooperatives are compared by country. Three countries were identified for comparison in this study and they are Kenya, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Production cooperatives had been successful in Kenya and in the United Kingdom while South Africa has had generally a high failure rate of cooperatives at 88% in 2009. This paper uses a desk review approach in evaluating business consultancy training reports published by cooperative development authorities in all the countries. Areas of improvement for South Africa and countries struggling with cooperatives development are presented in the recommendations section. In conclusion limitations of this study are indicated and suggestions for future research are provided.
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Mentoring and human resource development in the construction industry South Africa : where we are and where we need to go : a literature review
- Nkomo, M.W., Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
- Authors: Nkomo, M.W. , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Mentoring , Construction Industry , Training
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/71743 , uj:18191 , Citation: Nkomo, M.W. & Thwala, W.D. 2015. Mentoring and human resource development in the construction industry South Africa : where we are and where we need to go : a literature review.
- Description: Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nkomo, M.W. , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Mentoring , Construction Industry , Training
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/71743 , uj:18191 , Citation: Nkomo, M.W. & Thwala, W.D. 2015. Mentoring and human resource development in the construction industry South Africa : where we are and where we need to go : a literature review.
- Description: Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text:
Concrete crack repair with polymer modified materials. The need for specialized training of applicators, suppliers, consultants and clients
- Bester, Jannes, Kruger, Deon
- Authors: Bester, Jannes , Kruger, Deon
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Patch repair , Training
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/72791 , uj:18328 , Citation: Bester, J. & Kruger, D. 2015. Concrete crack repair with polymer modified materials. The need for specialized training of applicators, suppliers, consultants and clients.
- Description: Abstract: Concrete repair with polymer modified materials has become an integral part of the civil construction industry. Often, under-performance or even failure of such repairs can be attributed to the incorrect selection, preparation, application or care of the repair process. The root cause of this is basically the lack of adequate knowledge and understanding of the repair material and the repair process by the applicator, the supplier, the consultant and the client. Unfortunately, it seems that there is very little done in terms of the training of these four stakeholders. Decisions regarding repair materials and processes are often based on personal preferences, an elementary cost analysis and convincing sales pitches by some snake-oil salesmen. By using questionnaires designed specifically for each of the four different sectors of the concrete repair industry, a survey was done with regards to the state of training in South Africa in this specialized field. The results indicate that, although there is agreement that polymer-modified concrete patch repair is a highly specialized field; there is an unacceptably low level of training in each of these sectors with regards to the correct selection, application and care of such repair materials. Incorrect specification, inappropriate material selection, misunderstanding of the material properties and inadequate quality control are outcomes of this lack of knowledge and understanding which subsequently may lead to premature failures and/or under-performance of the repair. In addition, the survey results also indicate that the workforce performing the physical repair work, is mainly unskilled and some serious intervention is required to correct this situation.
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- Authors: Bester, Jannes , Kruger, Deon
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Patch repair , Training
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/72791 , uj:18328 , Citation: Bester, J. & Kruger, D. 2015. Concrete crack repair with polymer modified materials. The need for specialized training of applicators, suppliers, consultants and clients.
- Description: Abstract: Concrete repair with polymer modified materials has become an integral part of the civil construction industry. Often, under-performance or even failure of such repairs can be attributed to the incorrect selection, preparation, application or care of the repair process. The root cause of this is basically the lack of adequate knowledge and understanding of the repair material and the repair process by the applicator, the supplier, the consultant and the client. Unfortunately, it seems that there is very little done in terms of the training of these four stakeholders. Decisions regarding repair materials and processes are often based on personal preferences, an elementary cost analysis and convincing sales pitches by some snake-oil salesmen. By using questionnaires designed specifically for each of the four different sectors of the concrete repair industry, a survey was done with regards to the state of training in South Africa in this specialized field. The results indicate that, although there is agreement that polymer-modified concrete patch repair is a highly specialized field; there is an unacceptably low level of training in each of these sectors with regards to the correct selection, application and care of such repair materials. Incorrect specification, inappropriate material selection, misunderstanding of the material properties and inadequate quality control are outcomes of this lack of knowledge and understanding which subsequently may lead to premature failures and/or under-performance of the repair. In addition, the survey results also indicate that the workforce performing the physical repair work, is mainly unskilled and some serious intervention is required to correct this situation.
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Concrete crack repair with polymer modified mortars : the status quo in the South African construction industry and the way forward
- Bester, Jannes, Kruger, Deon
- Authors: Bester, Jannes , Kruger, Deon
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Concrete patch repair , Training , Repair material
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/366148 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/72307 , uj:18262 , Citation: Bester, J. & Kruger, D. 2015. Concrete crack repair with polymer modified mortars : the status quo in the South African construction industry and the way forward.
- Description: Abstract: In recent years, concrete repair has become an integral part of the construction industry. With the vast quantity of concrete used in the South African construction industry over the past 100 years, one can expect an increase in repair and rehabilitation requirements during the extended lifecycle of exposed concrete structures. Crack repair, re-profiling of spalled areas and surface sealing with polymer related materials forms the bulk of such repair and rehabilitation operations. Due to the complexity of these projects and the variety of professionals and other stakeholders involved from the diagnostics to the implementation phase (specialists consultants, contractors, suppliers and owners of the structures), considerable problems seem to have surfaced to ensure cost-effective but sustainable and durable outcomes. It has been found that in many concrete repair projects, the responsibility for the repair work, adequate quality control and the assessment of successful patch repairs are not fully embraced by the various stakeholders. This concern has led to the research as reported in this paper. The research entailed a series of questionnaires drawn up specifically for the four different stakeholder sectors of the concrete repair industry. The results indicate that, although there is agreement that concrete repair is a highly specialized field, there is not enough training in the correct use of the repair materials, nor enough knowledge regarding the diagnostics or material specification and selection processes. Knowledge on polymer modified mortar is also minimal. These problems are compounded by inadequate quality control and lack of ongoing monitoring of patch repair failure. The paper concludes with suggestions on the way forward.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bester, Jannes , Kruger, Deon
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Concrete patch repair , Training , Repair material
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/366148 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/72307 , uj:18262 , Citation: Bester, J. & Kruger, D. 2015. Concrete crack repair with polymer modified mortars : the status quo in the South African construction industry and the way forward.
- Description: Abstract: In recent years, concrete repair has become an integral part of the construction industry. With the vast quantity of concrete used in the South African construction industry over the past 100 years, one can expect an increase in repair and rehabilitation requirements during the extended lifecycle of exposed concrete structures. Crack repair, re-profiling of spalled areas and surface sealing with polymer related materials forms the bulk of such repair and rehabilitation operations. Due to the complexity of these projects and the variety of professionals and other stakeholders involved from the diagnostics to the implementation phase (specialists consultants, contractors, suppliers and owners of the structures), considerable problems seem to have surfaced to ensure cost-effective but sustainable and durable outcomes. It has been found that in many concrete repair projects, the responsibility for the repair work, adequate quality control and the assessment of successful patch repairs are not fully embraced by the various stakeholders. This concern has led to the research as reported in this paper. The research entailed a series of questionnaires drawn up specifically for the four different stakeholder sectors of the concrete repair industry. The results indicate that, although there is agreement that concrete repair is a highly specialized field, there is not enough training in the correct use of the repair materials, nor enough knowledge regarding the diagnostics or material specification and selection processes. Knowledge on polymer modified mortar is also minimal. These problems are compounded by inadequate quality control and lack of ongoing monitoring of patch repair failure. The paper concludes with suggestions on the way forward.
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Contemporary perceptions of interpreting in South Africa
- Pienaar, Marné, Cornelius, Eleanor
- Authors: Pienaar, Marné , Cornelius, Eleanor
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Interpreting , Perceptions , Training , Research
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/93098 , uj:20308 , Citation: Pienaar, M. & Cornelius, E. 2016. Contemporary perceptions of interpreting in South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: Since the inception of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), much has been done to professionalize interpreting in South Africa in terms of accreditation, training and research. Yet two incidents in particular, namely the memorial service of the late President Nelson Mandela and the Oscar Pistorius trial highlighted the gap between theory and practice and strengthened the common perception that South African interpreters are incompetent. This article investigates these common perceptions by focusing mainly on media reports on interpreting, in general, and the events surrounding the sign language interpreting services rendered during the widely televised memorial service and the equally widely covered Pistorius trial, in particular. Criticisms in the media voiced from within the interpreting profession by academics and SATI1 accredited interpreters, and aimed mainly at the Department of Justice during the Pistorius trial, also receive attention. It is concluded that the struggle remains for insight into what interpreters can and cannot do, the conditions required for optimal interpreting performance and the misperception that anyone who speaks two languages, can interpret between them.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Pienaar, Marné , Cornelius, Eleanor
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Interpreting , Perceptions , Training , Research
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/93098 , uj:20308 , Citation: Pienaar, M. & Cornelius, E. 2016. Contemporary perceptions of interpreting in South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: Since the inception of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), much has been done to professionalize interpreting in South Africa in terms of accreditation, training and research. Yet two incidents in particular, namely the memorial service of the late President Nelson Mandela and the Oscar Pistorius trial highlighted the gap between theory and practice and strengthened the common perception that South African interpreters are incompetent. This article investigates these common perceptions by focusing mainly on media reports on interpreting, in general, and the events surrounding the sign language interpreting services rendered during the widely televised memorial service and the equally widely covered Pistorius trial, in particular. Criticisms in the media voiced from within the interpreting profession by academics and SATI1 accredited interpreters, and aimed mainly at the Department of Justice during the Pistorius trial, also receive attention. It is concluded that the struggle remains for insight into what interpreters can and cannot do, the conditions required for optimal interpreting performance and the misperception that anyone who speaks two languages, can interpret between them.
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Teacher advocacy for the enhancement of professional learning and development in continuous professional teacher development programmes
- Dasoo, N., Van Der Merwe Muller, L.
- Authors: Dasoo, N. , Van Der Merwe Muller, L.
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Continuous Professional Teacher Development , Training , Learning
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/455222 , uj:40283 , Citation: Dasoo, N. & Van Der Merwe Muller, L. 2020. Teacher advocacy for the enhancement of professional learning and development in continuous professional teacher development programmes. South African Journal of Higher Education, Volume 34 | Number 4 | 2020 | pages 45‒59. , DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.20853/34-4-3485 , eISSN: 1753-5913
- Description: Abstract: This article focuses on the key role of teachers in the decision-making process concerning the design and implementation of Continuous Professional Teacher Development (CPTD) at a network of independent schools in Johannesburg. The procedure of examining the role-players in the CPTD process and the level of ownership that teachers appropriate in setting and developing their own topics and goals for training, learning and development are discussed. Activity theory and the theory of communities of practice informed the qualitative study undertaken at three independent primary schools in geographically different areas of Johannesburg. The aim of the study was to indicate that teachers as adult learners can generate useful ideas and topics for CPTD and can inform and improve their practice by recommending effective CPTD activities. Semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and document analysis were employed as data gathering techniques to collect rich data from a purposefully selected sample of primary school teachers. Teachers described activities and methods of learning that could improve their CPTD practices. The findings identify important elements that can be applied in CPTD and professional learning contexts. The proposed elements can be implemented to enhance teacher participation, decision-making and ownership of CPTD and teacher learning.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dasoo, N. , Van Der Merwe Muller, L.
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Continuous Professional Teacher Development , Training , Learning
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/455222 , uj:40283 , Citation: Dasoo, N. & Van Der Merwe Muller, L. 2020. Teacher advocacy for the enhancement of professional learning and development in continuous professional teacher development programmes. South African Journal of Higher Education, Volume 34 | Number 4 | 2020 | pages 45‒59. , DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.20853/34-4-3485 , eISSN: 1753-5913
- Description: Abstract: This article focuses on the key role of teachers in the decision-making process concerning the design and implementation of Continuous Professional Teacher Development (CPTD) at a network of independent schools in Johannesburg. The procedure of examining the role-players in the CPTD process and the level of ownership that teachers appropriate in setting and developing their own topics and goals for training, learning and development are discussed. Activity theory and the theory of communities of practice informed the qualitative study undertaken at three independent primary schools in geographically different areas of Johannesburg. The aim of the study was to indicate that teachers as adult learners can generate useful ideas and topics for CPTD and can inform and improve their practice by recommending effective CPTD activities. Semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and document analysis were employed as data gathering techniques to collect rich data from a purposefully selected sample of primary school teachers. Teachers described activities and methods of learning that could improve their CPTD practices. The findings identify important elements that can be applied in CPTD and professional learning contexts. The proposed elements can be implemented to enhance teacher participation, decision-making and ownership of CPTD and teacher learning.
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Node between firm’s knowledge-intensive activities and their propensity to innovate : insights from Nigeria’s Mining Industry
- Authors: Jegede, Oluseye Oladayo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Knowledge-based activities , Research & development , Training
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/459557 , uj:40863 , Citation: Jegede, O.O. 2020. Node between firm’s knowledge-intensive activities and their propensity to innovate : insights from Nigeria’s Mining Industry.
- Description: Abstract: While studies have examined the nexus between knowledge and innovative performance, literatures from developing country context are very scant. The study thus examines which knowledge-intensive activities influence the propensity of the mining firms in Nigeria to implement either product innovation, process innovation or both kinds of innovations. The study explored 106 purposively selected mining firms in Nigeria to check the effect of knowledge on the prevalence of innovation in the industry. Using a of questionnaire administered to the chief executive officers/most senior managers of the firms, the study identified six main knowledge indicators for the mining industry which were regressed against indicators of technological innovations. The study found out that while R&D activities were important for product innovation, acquisition of machinery, equipment, hardware or software were the principal drivers of process innovation. The knowledge-based activities common to both innovation types were acquisition of external knowledge/technologies, learning, knowledge exchange & training as well as other activities like feasibility study, market research, continuous improvement, business process re-engineering, tooling-up, routine software upgrade, amongst others. The study concludes that certain knowledge-intensive activities were important for different kinds of innovations in the firms.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Jegede, Oluseye Oladayo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Knowledge-based activities , Research & development , Training
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/459557 , uj:40863 , Citation: Jegede, O.O. 2020. Node between firm’s knowledge-intensive activities and their propensity to innovate : insights from Nigeria’s Mining Industry.
- Description: Abstract: While studies have examined the nexus between knowledge and innovative performance, literatures from developing country context are very scant. The study thus examines which knowledge-intensive activities influence the propensity of the mining firms in Nigeria to implement either product innovation, process innovation or both kinds of innovations. The study explored 106 purposively selected mining firms in Nigeria to check the effect of knowledge on the prevalence of innovation in the industry. Using a of questionnaire administered to the chief executive officers/most senior managers of the firms, the study identified six main knowledge indicators for the mining industry which were regressed against indicators of technological innovations. The study found out that while R&D activities were important for product innovation, acquisition of machinery, equipment, hardware or software were the principal drivers of process innovation. The knowledge-based activities common to both innovation types were acquisition of external knowledge/technologies, learning, knowledge exchange & training as well as other activities like feasibility study, market research, continuous improvement, business process re-engineering, tooling-up, routine software upgrade, amongst others. The study concludes that certain knowledge-intensive activities were important for different kinds of innovations in the firms.
- Full Text:
The impact of information systems auditor’s training on the quality of an information systems audit
- Dube, Ishmael, Smith, Rozanne Janet, Marx, Ben
- Authors: Dube, Ishmael , Smith, Rozanne Janet , Marx, Ben
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Training , IT audit quality , IT audit
- Language: English
- Type: Conference Proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/461622 , uj:41123 , Citation: Dube, I., Smith, R.J. & Marx, B. 2020. The impact of Information Systems Auditor’s Training on the quality of an Information Systems Audit.
- Description: Abstract: The significance of information technology (IT) audits in organisations is an area that has received increased focus, and it is increasingly necessary to conduct additional research into the IT audit subject area. As a result of increased dependence and spending on IT, it has effectively become a requirement for organisations to increase their level of assurance about these investments and their ability to deliver as expected. IT audits fulfil this role, and are used to examine the effectiveness of controls, security of important systems and business operations to identify weaknesses and find ways that can be used to improve and mitigate the impact of these weaknesses. However, prior research has not measured the impact that training of auditors has on the quality of IT audits. The findings of this study show that organisations play an integral role in the training programs. However, these organisations do not understand their training programs and cannot properly communicate the training requirements to IT auditors. The research findings have also shown that continuous professional development programs are additional tools in enhancing IT auditor knowledge. This research undertaking has found that generally, internal programs are more effective in delivering content to IT auditors and thus more emphasis can be put on them. Overall, this research undertaking strengthens the idea that resources should be committed to improving training programs, as improving training programs eventually leads to efficiency in all matters related to IT audit quality.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dube, Ishmael , Smith, Rozanne Janet , Marx, Ben
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Training , IT audit quality , IT audit
- Language: English
- Type: Conference Proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/461622 , uj:41123 , Citation: Dube, I., Smith, R.J. & Marx, B. 2020. The impact of Information Systems Auditor’s Training on the quality of an Information Systems Audit.
- Description: Abstract: The significance of information technology (IT) audits in organisations is an area that has received increased focus, and it is increasingly necessary to conduct additional research into the IT audit subject area. As a result of increased dependence and spending on IT, it has effectively become a requirement for organisations to increase their level of assurance about these investments and their ability to deliver as expected. IT audits fulfil this role, and are used to examine the effectiveness of controls, security of important systems and business operations to identify weaknesses and find ways that can be used to improve and mitigate the impact of these weaknesses. However, prior research has not measured the impact that training of auditors has on the quality of IT audits. The findings of this study show that organisations play an integral role in the training programs. However, these organisations do not understand their training programs and cannot properly communicate the training requirements to IT auditors. The research findings have also shown that continuous professional development programs are additional tools in enhancing IT auditor knowledge. This research undertaking has found that generally, internal programs are more effective in delivering content to IT auditors and thus more emphasis can be put on them. Overall, this research undertaking strengthens the idea that resources should be committed to improving training programs, as improving training programs eventually leads to efficiency in all matters related to IT audit quality.
- Full Text:
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