Nirmala Dorasamy

Linking cultural dimensions with the nature of corruption: an institutional theory perspective

This article analyses the interaction between cultural dimensions and the nature of corruption as understanding governance issues from a cross-national perspective is becoming increasingly important. Drawing on institutional theory and recent conceptions of the nature of corruption, the study advances formal propositions for a framework that links dimensions of national culture with the pervasiveness and arbitrariness of corruption in the institutions of a nation. We argue that national culture (a macro-level variable) can mediate discretion and accountability (both micro-level variables) — thereby engendering either arbitrariness or pervasiveness in corruption. In advancing these propositions, it is acknowledged that national culture is an important macro-variable that influences corruption. This is important to scholarship in cross-cultural management because cross-national differences are best understood by considering both national differences and social institutions. Lien entre la dimension culturelle et la nature de la corruption : un point de vue de la théorie institutionnelle Soma Pillay & Nirmala Dorasamy Cet article analyse l’interaction entre les dimensions culturelles et la nature de la corruption car la compréhension de la question de la gouvernance d’un point de vue transnational est en train d’acquérir de plus en plus d’importance. En s’appuyant sur la théorie institutionnelle et sur les conceptions récentes de la nature de la corruption, l’étude avance des propositions formelles afin d’édifier un cadre qui lie les dimensions de la culture nationale à l’omniprésence et l’arbitraire de la corruption dans les institutions d’une nation. Nous arguons que la culture nationale (une variable de niveau macro) peut influer sur la discrétion et la responsabilisation (deux variables de niveau micro) — ce qui engendre, alors, ou l’arbitraire ou l’omniprésence de la corruption. En avançant ces propositions, il est reconnu que la culture nationale est une macro-variable qui influence la corruption. Ceci est important pour la recherche académique en gestion interculturelle parce que les différences interculturelles sont mieux comprises lorsque l’on considère à la fois les différences nationales et les institutions sociales.

Exploring excellence in leadership perceptions amongst South African managers

We apply the excellence in leadership (EIL) framework (Selvarajah, C. T., P. Duignan, C. Suppiah, T. Lane, and C. Nuttman 1995. “In Search of the ASEAN Leader: An Exploratory Study of the Dimensions that Relate to Excellence in Leadership.” Management International Review 35 (1): 29–44) to surface the implicit views on leadership excellence held by South African managers. Our attempt is informed by an understanding of ubuntu, an African world view that draws attention to the symbiotic relationship between individuals and the community they come from. In what is one of the first efforts to empirically test the influence of ubuntu in the workplace, we hypothesize that ubuntu leads South African managers to value inclusivity and impartiality. Further, we posit that managers from the earlier apartheid-era generations, having witnessed all the inequities, would put a greater premium on ubuntu-driven values than will those from the post-apartheid generation. Structural equation modelling of the data obtained through surveying 550 managers from across sectors provided mixed support for our hypotheses. Inclusive communication and impartiality in the workplace were found to be positively associated with excellence-related perceptions. The other findings however raised questions about how ubuntu exerts influence in the workplace. We make a case for more empirical work on ubuntu and discuss the implications of our work for theory and practice as they pertain to managerial development.

Predictors of Whistle-Blowing intentions: an analysis of multi-level variables

The purpose of this study was to examine the variables impacting on whistle-blowing intentions in the public services of two developing countries, South Africa and Mauritius. In particular, this study considers the barriers to whistle-blowing and the effect of demographic and cultural values on the perceptions of these barriers. The study finds major differences between South Africa and Mauritius with minor differences in regard to gender and education.

Reading Literacy in Primary Schools in South Africa: Educator Perspectives on Factors Affecting Reading Literacy and Strategies for Improvement

Abstract As a developing country, South Africa is faced with challenges in the sphere of education which have a direct impact on the literacy level of learners. Learners are taught in a language (English) which is not their home language. The socio-economic challenges, particularly of having little or no parental support, as well as the challenges of educators who are not proficient in English as a medium of instruction, and large class sizes, also contribute to the low literacy levels. South Africa’s performance in terms of the international reading tests, as well as the national literacy tests, has confirmed the seriousness of the problem and the urgency of finding solutions. This paper seeks to investigate the factors that impact on reading literacy as a preliminary step to finding measures to improve the quality of reading. Through an empirical study using a survey, data has been gathered from the perspective of educators from 40 schools in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The study will be beneficial to educators in the inter-mediate phase of primary schools; curriculum development specialists and national policy makers.

Advocating Service Learning for Developing Citizenship in University Students in South Africa

An effective and efficient public sector is largely dependent on employees who accept the responsibility for providing high-quality public services. It can be argued that public management students, as future employees in the public sector, need to be educated for responsible citizenship. Higher education institutions in South Africa are expected to promote social and economic development, and service learning can serve as a catalyst for developing responsible citizenship among public management students. This article investigates how service learning, as an experiential form of learning which has its roots in community service, meets community needs, enhances teaching and learning and contributes towards responsible citizenship. The extent to which service learning in public management as a discipline has been adopted by universities of technology in South Africa is also explored. It is argued that while public management students are expected to engage in experiential learning in the public sector, community-based learning should be included as a compulsory component of experiential learning. The authors suggest that service learning can make a significant contribution to socially responsible citizenship, an important value underpinning any public servant.

Good governance and whistleblowing : a case of a higher education institution (HEI) in South Africa

Abstract The article aims to explore the attitudes of employees toward the Protected Disclosures Act (2000) in providing protection to whistleblowers in South Africa. It seeks to examine the extent to which employees are encouraged to blow the whistle at higher education institutions, despite legislation which protects disclosures made in good faith. The assessment is conducted in the light of empirical research conducted at a higher education institution, against literature gleaned on whistleblower legislation and its impact on good governance. The research was limited to the Durban University of Technology, a higher education institution (HEI) in South Africa and may not produce the same findings at other similar higher education institutions. A conceptual framework informed by legislation, policy and procedures and organizational culture was used to determine employee percept ions of whistleblower protection within higher education institutions. The research methodology focused on questionnaires administered to all employees. Despite the implementation of a whistleblowers line at the institution, employees are of the opinion that practices and procedures relating to whistleblowing have not encouraged whistleblowing or even decreased unethical conduct, In light of this research, recommendations are made to promote a culture of whistleblowing that broadly need to be supported and articulated throughout the institution.

Mentorship and sustainable research output : a case study of the University of Johannesburg.

Higher education institutions (HEIs) in South Africa are facing challenges arising as a result of the shift from traditional teaching activities to a combination of research and teaching. Increasing emphasis on research, an integral part of this transformation of higher education, has required HEIs to develop and implement capacity development strategies to enable those new to research to engage in research output; and mentorship is a strategy that is enjoying increasing popularity. This article explores the challenges faced in the implementation of a formal research mentorship programme (REMP), using the University of Johannesburg as a case study. A quantitative approach was adopted to obtain the perceptions of academic staff of REMP as a strategy for building research capacity. The findings reveal that whilst the REMP is strongly favoured by academics as a means of guiding novice researchers, key factors need to be addressed to ensure its success. This article examines the challenges for both mentors and mentees and suggests actions to help mentorship programmes make sustainable contributions to the development of research capacity.

Transforming the Rural Agricultural Landscape Through Groundwater Optimisation: Exploring A Chinese-South African Partnership

The majority of the South African rural populace is directly or indirectly engaged in agricultural practices to earn a livelihood. However, impediments such as climate change, water shortages, and inadequacy of institutional support have undermined these once thriving subsistence farming communities. Furthermore, poor leadership in hydrology, coupled with a lack of depth in skills at all government levels to facilitate the understanding of the importance of groundwater, has made it near impossible for subsistence farmers to benefit optimally from groundwater. The 2012 drought experienced in South Africa paralysed several subsistence farming communities in KwaZulu-Natal. To revamp subsistence farming and assist these farmers across South Africa, the Department of Water and Sanitation launched interventions, but despite the enormous resources expended, indicators (e.g. unsustainable farming practices, poor crop yield, pitiable living conditions, and poor standards of living) provide evidence that these interventions have not yielded the desired results. This paper seeks to suggest practicable interventions aimed at reducing the vulnerability of subsistence farmers in KwaZulu-Natal. The study pursued a qualitative approach in that it solicited the views of experts on groundwater and in related fields to gain an in-depth perspective. Some of the core challenges undermining the sustainability and growth of subsistence farming in the study area were found to be the inadequacy of experts on groundwater, water shortages, institutional deficiencies, lack of political will, and lack of coordination among stakeholders. Pragmatic recommendations are made to address these challenges, among other things to encourage a South African-Chinese partnership in the hydrology sector.

Social Impact and Social Media Analysis Relating to Big Data

Social media is a component of a larger dynamic and complex media and information domain. As the connection with Big Data grows, its impact in the social media domain cannot be avoided. It is vital that while the positive impact needs to be recognized, the negative impact emerging from Big Data analysis as a social computational tool needs to be recognized and responded to by various agencies. There have been major investments in the development of more powerful digital infrastructure and tools to tackle new and more complex and interdisciplinary research challenges. While there is a need to size the opportunities offered by continuing advances in computational techniques for analyzing social media, the effective use of human expertise cannot be ignored. Using the right data, in the right way and for the right reasons, can change lives for the better, especially if Big Data is used discriminately and transparently. This chapter analyzes the impact of Big Data from social media platforms in the social, political, and economic spheres. Further, the discriminate use of Big Data analysis from social media platforms is explored, within the context of ethical conduct by potential users and proposes important imperatives to minimize, if not control, the negative impact of Big Data analysis from a social perspective.

The effectiveness of gender equitypPolicies in higher education : the case of the Durban University of Technology

Abstract Recent research has shown that despite the progress women have made in the workplace, they still lag behind in terms of higher level and rewarding positions. This situation is attributable to the policies that do not meet the needs of female employees. This paper therefore seeks to examine the effectiveness of gender equity policies in advancing the careers of women in higher education, using the Durban University of Technology as a case study. A mixed method design was adopted in which a sample of 250 women was drawn from academic and administrative units using stratified random sampling. A questionnaire was used to collect data, which was analyzed in order to highlight the factors influencing the career progression of women in higher education. The findings revealed that more policies need to be designed and effectively monitored in order to improve the working conditions of women in higher education.