University of South Africa

About: University of South Africa is a education organization based out in Pretoria, South Africa. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Context (language use) & Population. The organization has 8478 authors who have published 19960 publications receiving 237688 citations. The organization is also known as: Unisa.

The influence of career orientations on subjective work experiences

Abstract: Orientation: In an increasingly turbulent business context in which people are less dependent on organisational career arrangements and have greater agency in career decisions, organisations have come to pay increasing attention to retaining valuable talented managerial potential. Research purpose: The study empirically assessed the causal influence of individuals’ career orientations on their perceived life satisfaction, job or career satisfaction, sense of happiness and their perceptions of work as a valuable activity as aspects of their subjective work experiences. Motivation for study: From an organisational perspective, research on individuals’ inner definitions of career success and satisfaction is needed to guide current selection, placement, development, reward and retention practices. Research design, approach and method: A quantitative survey was conducted on a random sample of 2997 participants at predominantly managerial and supervisory level in the service industry. The measuring instruments consisted of an adapted five-factor career orientations model of the Career Orientations Inventory and a 4-item global subjective work experiences scale. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was conducted to achieve the aim of the study. Main findings/results: Statistically significant causal relationships were observed between the career orientations and subjective work experiences variables. Practical implications: Individuals’ career orientations influence their general sense of life and job or career satisfaction, happiness and perceptions of work as a valuable activity. Organisations concerned with the retention of staff need to find a way of aligning individuals’ career needs and motives with the goals and aspirations of the organisation. Contribution/value-add: The research confirms the need for assessing the inner career orientations of employees as these provide valuable information regarding the motives and values driving individuals’ career decision making and subjective experiences of their working lives.

The usefulness of reflexive photography for qualitative research: A case study in higher education

Abstract: This study explores the usefulness of reflexive photography for qualitative research in the human and social sciences. The investigation was done in the context of how male academics construct their world in a university during transformation. A group of white, male academics in the human sciences were provided with a camera and were requested to take pictures of the most meaningful aspects of their work environment. Thereafter photo-elicitation interviews were conducted, transcribed and analysed. The study illustrates the usefulness of reflexive photography to determine human interpretation of interaction with the environment. Participants commented positively on and helped to identify the advantages and limitations of the technique. The research indicated that photographs have no intrinsic meaning but serve as symbols of meaning that participants explain during interviews. Content analysis, a second level of analysis that is based on the first level, is useful in some ways as indicated.

Study on adsorption of some common metal ions present in industrial effluents by Moringa stenopetala seed powder

Abstract: In this study, the removal of Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions from industrial effluent was investigated using Moringa stenopetala seed powder. The surface functionality, morphology, crystallinity, thermal stability and charge of the Moringa stenopetala seed powder was studied using FTIR, XRD, zeta potential, TGA, SEM and BET. Equilibrium isotherms, kinetic and thermodynamic models for three metal ions removal were also studied. The maximum percentage adsorption under optimum conditions of Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions from synthetic wastewater were 99.65, 99.66 and 99.42%, whereas that from industrial effluent were 94.17, 94.67 and 92.81%. The results of the adsorption equilibria fit the Freundlich isotherm (R2 ≥ 0.926) than Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 23.26, 16.13 and 10.20 mg/g for Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions respectively. On the other hand, the adsorption of Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions were well defined by the pseudo-second order model (R2 = 1). Furthermore, the calculated values of ΔH were 54.59, 52.01 and 54.55 KJ mol−1, ΔS were 201.94 J/K−1 mol−1, 194.79 J/K−1 mol−1, and 199.45 J/K−1 mol−1 for Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions respectively. The positive value of ΔH indicated that the adsorption of metal ions on the adsorbent was an endothermic process.

Challenges Faced By SME's In South Africa: Are Marketing Skills Needed?

Abstract: In South Africa the SME sector has been placed on the governments priority list for economic assistance and job creation. The government expects 500 000 jobs to be created every year for the next 10 years - the bulk which is expected to come from the SME sector. Research conducted by Bowler, Dawood and Page (2006) and Phakisa (2009) estimate that 40% of new business ventures fail in their first year, 60% in their second year, and 90% in their first 10 years of existence. There are numerous reasons for these failures and many authors have identified the challenges these businesses face. The research problem of this study emanates from the current high business failure rate as well as the lack of and need for marketing skills of South African SME managers. The research investigates the correlation between business success and the need for marketing skills and to what extent the lack of these skills influence the failure or success of the business. The research made a direct link to the lack of marketing skills and the failure of businesses as well as the fact that managers and owners are aware of these shortcomings that they have. The conclusion is that there is a positive correlation between the success of a business and the need for marketing skills in South African SMEs. The challenge that now faces government, educational institutions and businesses themselves is to develop these marketing skills in such a way that the chances of survival of these SMEs are increased.