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

- Ukpere, Wilfred I., Benedict, H.T, Balogun, O.O

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

- Mdletye, Mbongeni A., Coetzee, Jos, Ukpere, Wilfred I.

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

- Ukpere, Wilfred I., Van Rensburg, Adele Janse

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

- Ukpere, Wilfred I., Smit, Yolande, Ngary, Clency, Bruwer, Juan-Pierre

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

- Ukpere, Wilfred I., Smit, Yolande, Bruwer, Juan-Pierre, Siwangaza, Luyolo

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