UWCScholar :: Browsing by Author "Naicker, Visvanathan"

Browsing by Author "Naicker, Visvanathan"

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The adoption of electronic data interchange among small to medium enterprise suppliers to a large distribution center in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2006) Naicker, Visvanathan; Pillay, Rubin; Mansfield, Glen; Dept. of Management; Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) plays an important role in improving organizational competitiveness. Information technology has been instrumental in integrating functional areas within and outside firms. This research used empirical evidence to evaluate the state of EDI in the in the willingness of SME's to connect electronically to a large distribution centre in South Africa. Furthermore, it investigated the EDI adoption rate from the viewpoint of a small business. Many such businesses feel coerced by larger trade partners to adopt EDI or lose the customer.
Barriers to tacit knowledge retention: an understanding of the perceptions of the knowledge management of people inside and outside the organisation
(AOSIS Open Journals, 2013) Bessick, Jacky; Naicker, Visvanathan
BACKGROUND: Knowledge loss causes challenges for organisations that wish to remain competitive. These organisations must identify the risks that could lead to knowledge loss and become aware of issues that affect knowledge retention. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this research was to identify tacit knowledge retention barriers that could cause knowledge loss in an organisation. The paper presents a framework for the assessment of the impact of these barriers and discusses the research findings in order to critique that framework. METHOD: A quantitative strategy was used to interpret the findings. The target population is information technology (IT) professionals in a government organisation. Interviews were conducted in order to produce a more context-sensitive interpretation of the findings. A quantitative research approach was used to ensure the findings would precisely reflect the target population. RESULTS: The majority of respondents confirmed that career development requires professional development, training prospects and improves the employability of employees. The agreed result was that respondents seek autonomy, that is, the ability to make decisions. Job stress and burnout are experienced because of problems with in filling posts, and the competition between the private and public sectors for experienced IT employees. CONCLUSION: Certain determinants were found that affect barriers in knowledge management: organisational commitment, job satisfaction, job characteristics and talent management. These need to be measured to prevent barriers from occurring. Implications are drawn from the study; these provide a focus for further research to bridge some gaps in information technology that currently limit the widespread use of knowledge management.
The e ect of mobile BI on organisational managerial decision-making
(University of Western Cape, 2014) Buchana, Yasser; Naicker, Visvanathan; Bankole, Felix
Managerial decision-making has always involved the use of numerous distinct information resources. Modern managerial decision-making processes require a wealth of information that is enhanced and transformed into knowledge in order to take effective action. Mobility in business is increasingly exercising influence on core business processes of organisations. The shift to wireless technologies coupled with the rapid growth of mobile devices in business has led to a new era in business computing. Mobile Business Intelligence (Mobile BI) is a system that has been conceived to assist, accelerate and to enhance the managerial decision-making processes. This thesis focuses on the e ect of Mobile BI on managerial decision-making. This thesis was able to answer the research question and to meet the research objectives through an extensive study of literature on the two most important spheres of influence i.e Business Intelligence and Managerial decision-making. Moreover, the objectives were met through the implementation of practical empirical research. The latter was carried out through a survey research design using questionnaire method of data collection. This research produced an number of ndings. The results indicated that Mobile BI played an important influencing role in the way managers make decisions. This study found that Mobile BI improved the quality of decisions made by managers used it for decision support subsequently improving performance of the organisation. Overall, four factors were found to be the predictors of Mobile BI for managerial decision making in organisations: Perceived Ease of Use of Mobile BI, Attitudes towards Use of Mobile BI, Perceived Value of Mobile BI with Behavioural Intention to Use of Mobile BI emerging as the most important predictors of Managerial Organisational decision-making.
Education and SMME Business Growth: A Gender Perspective from South Africa
(The Clute Institute, 2013) Brijlal, Pradeep; Naicker, Visvanathan; Peters, Ricardo
Entrepreneurship is becoming an increasingly important source of employment for women in many countries. Policymakers and other stakeholders typically fail to differentiate between the needs of different SMME sectors when designing support programmes. Using survey data obtained from SMME owner managers in the Western Cape, this article attempts to identify whether the level of education and gender has an impact on business growth. A survey instrument in the form of a questionnaire was utilized to capture the data from 369 face-to-face interviews. The findings from this research reveal a positive relationship between the level of education of business owners and their respective business abilities to increase business growth. There were no significant differences between men and women in relation to business growth. The research has implications for policymakers seeking to understand the factors that influence business growth.
Education and SMME business growth: a gender perspective from South Africa
(Clute Institute, 2013) Brijlal, Pradeep; Naicker, Visvanathan; Peters, Ricardo
Entrepreneurship is becoming an increasingly important source of employment for women in many countries. Policymakers and other stakeholders typically fail to differentiate between the needs of different SMME sectors when designing support programmes. Using survey data obtained from SMME owner managers in the Western Cape, this article attempts to identify whether the level of education and gender has an impact on business growth. A survey instrument in the form of a questionnaire was utilized to capture the data from 369 face-to-face interviews. The findings from this research reveal a positive relationship between the level of education of business owners and their respective business abilities to increase business growth. There were no significant differences between men and women in relation to business growth. The research has implications for policymakers seeking to understand the factors that influence business growth.
Educator's pedagogy influencing the effective use of computers for teaching purposes in classrooms: Lessons learned from secondary schools in South Africa
(Academic Journals, 2010) Naicker, Visvanathan
The use of computers in the classroom could allow both educators and learners to achieve new capabilities. There are underlying factors, however, that are obstructing the adoption rate of computer use for instructional purposes in schools. This research focused on these problems with a view to determining which critical success factors promote a higher adoption rate of computer usage in education. To investigate the secondary school educator's perceptions of the use of computers for teaching purposes and to analyse the effect of these strategies on their teaching pedagogies in the present environment. The nature of the study required a mixed methods approach to be employed, making use of both quantitative and qualitative data. Two questionnaires, one for the educators and one for the principals of the schools were hand-delivered to 60 secondary schools. Exploratory factor analysis and various internal consistency measures were used to assess and analyse the data. The analyses of the data indicated that educator pedagogies were the highest predictors on the use of computers in the classroom. Although the quantitative analyses for educator support, training and attitude were the lowest predictors on the use of computers, the qualitative analysis, nevertheless, found sufficient support for it. Educationists and policy-makers must include all principals and educators when technological innovations are introduced into schools. All these role-players need to be cognisant of the implications if innovations are not appropriately implemented. Including the use of computers in educator training programs is important so that pre-service educators can see the benefits of using the computer in their own teaching. Educator pedagogy, theories and beliefs and access to computers were the highest predictors of using computers, hence a model was developed. The model aims to strengthen the educators' initiatives to increase the likelihood that would result in enhanced teaching and learning when using computers.
Electronic patient record (EPR) system in South Africa : information, storage, retrieval and share amongst clinicians
(University of the Western cape, 2016) Tokosi, Temitope Oluwaseyi; Naicker, Visvanathan
A phenomenological philosophy underlies this research study which attempts to understand clinicians’ perception and understanding of an electronic patient record (EPR) system currently operational at a hospital in the Western Cape Province in South Africa (SA). Healthcare is a human right, thus patient records contain critical data and mostly paper-based in many SA hospitals. Clinicians are the EPR primary users and their attitude in its use is important for its success. This study explores, identifies and determines clinicians’ cognitive attributes towards EPR with a technology use framework developed. An initial quantitative approach was applied but unsuccessful due to low sample size. A pilot study was then conducted using 11 respondents. Purposive sampling was first initiated then snowball introduced later to improve the sample size qualitatively. Interviews were administered to 15 clinicians and tape recorded. Narrative content analysis was used as the preferred analysis technique because of the advantage of gaining direct information from study participants, unobtrusive and a nonreactive way to study the phenomenon of interest. Research findings tested 12 propositions and found high impact relationships between attitude (ATT) and each listed theme namely: perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), complexity (COM), facilitating condition (FC), use behaviour (USE). Use behaviour had high impact relationships with storage (STO) and retrieval (RET). There were moderate impact relationships between PU and USE; PEOU and PU; RA and ATT; job fit (JF) and ATT; USE and share (SHA). The implication here is that any EPR system to be implemented should be tested using this framework to ascertain its usefulness and fit with a hospital's objectives and users expectations. By so doing, anticipated problems can be mitigated against and resolved before implementation. The study contributes to the information system (IS) body of knowledge through the technology use framework. The framework is for adoption by hospital management and its use by clinicians where EPR is operational. Traditional IS frameworks can be adopted for hospitals about to implement EPR because of the relevance of the "intent to use" theme.
Electronic patient record (EPR) system in South Africa : information, storage, retrieval and share amongst clinicians
(University of the Western cape, 2016) Tokosi, Temitope Oluwaseyi; Naicker, Visvanathan
A phenomenological philosophy underlies this research study which attempts to understand clinicians’ perception and understanding of an electronic patient record (EPR) system currently operational at a hospital in the Western Cape Province in South Africa (SA). Healthcare is a human right, thus patient records contain critical data and mostly paper-based in many SA hospitals. Clinicians are the EPR primary users and their attitude in its use is important for its success. This study explores, identifies and determines clinicians’ cognitive attributes towards EPR with a technology use framework developed. An initial quantitative approach was applied but unsuccessful due to low sample size. A pilot study was then conducted using 11 respondents. Purposive sampling was first initiated then snowball introduced later to improve the sample size qualitatively. Interviews were administered to 15 clinicians and tape recorded. Narrative content analysis was used as the preferred analysis technique because of the advantage of gaining direct information from study participants, unobtrusive and a nonreactive way to study the phenomenon of interest. Research findings tested 12 propositions and found high impact relationships between attitude (ATT) and each listed theme namely: perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), complexity (COM), facilitating condition (FC), use behaviour (USE). Use behaviour had high impact relationships with storage (STO) and retrieval (RET). There were moderate impact relationships between PU and USE; PEOU and PU; RA and ATT; job fit (JF) and ATT; USE and share (SHA). The implication here is that any EPR system to be implemented should be tested using this framework to ascertain its usefulness and fit with a hospital's objectives and users expectations. By so doing, anticipated problems can be mitigated against and resolved before implementation. The study contributes to the information system (IS) body of knowledge through the technology use framework. The framework is for adoption by hospital management and its use by clinicians where EPR is operational. Traditional IS frameworks can be adopted for hospitals about to implement EPR because of the relevance of the "intent to use" theme.
An evaluation of the present status of the certificate in, school business management
(Academic Journals, 2011) Naicker, Visvanathan; Combrinck, Theodore; Bayat, Abdullah
By almost any measure, most South African public schools, and especially schools in the Western Cape, have under-performed academically. For a number of years, there has existed a wide degree of consensus among education stakeholders, and particularly in government, that the problems in our schools extend beyond mere academic under-achievement. Principals need to be occupied with the tasks of managing and leading teaching and learning, that is, instruction leadership, and not managing routine administrative matters only. In recognising the potential of school administrative personnel to provide relief and support for the administrative role of principals, the Western Cape Government initiated a training course in July, 2008 for school business administrators. The course was modelled on a very successful training course developed in the United Kingdom.
Relationship marketing: Strategic and tactical challenges for SMEs
(Academic Journals, 2010) Saungweme, Percy; Naicker, Visvanathan; Chuma, Watson
This study sought to explore the tactical and strategic challenges, which small and medium sized service firms may face in their bid to successfully practice and implement Relationship marketing. The framework of the requirements for successful practice of relationship marketing propounded by Gronroos (1996) was used in this study to explore likely, the tactical and strategic challenges that small and medium sized service firms face in their endeavour to practice Relationship marketing (RM). A critical literature review was undertaken on the inherent characteristics of SMEs and how they pose the aforementioned challenges. Small and medium sized firms could find it strategically and tactically challenging to meet effectively, the requirements of successfully implementing and practicing Relationship marketing owing to their inherent characteristics and constraints. Researchers are recommended to empirically investigate the applicability of the ''generalized'' requirements for the successful practice of Relationship marketing in small and medium sized service firms. The study viewpoint, which is the first of its kind, demonstrates that the ''one size fit all'' approach as regards the practice of Relationship marketing does not generically apply to all business forms (large and small) hence, may not be generalized to small and medium sized service firms as well across all types of economies.
Report on review of the current status of the pilot Certificate in School Business Administration (CSBA) 2008-2009: Guidelines for CSBA 2010
(University of the Western Cape: School of Business and Finance, 2010) Naicker, Visvanathan; Combrinck, Theodore; Bayat, Abdullah
Executive Summary: By almost any measure, most South African public schools, and schools in the Western Cape, are underperforming academically. For a number of years, there has existed a wide degree of consensus among education stakeholders, and particular government, that the problems in our schools extend beyond academic under-achievement. Massive budget allocations, overhauling curricular, restoring skewed learning resources, retraining educators and attempting to deal with the more pressing community problems and social ills that influence the results of a school are all necessary interventions. But, unless there is a concurrent improvement of schools from a „business‟ management point of view, there is no guarantee that the resources allocated to schools, both materially and in the form of educators, will be optimally deployed. Principals need to be occupied with the tasks of managing and leading teaching and learning i.e. instruction leadership, not managing routine administration. In recognising the potential of school administrative personnel to provide relief and support for the administrative role of principals, the Western Cape Government initiated a training course – the CSBA – in July 2008 for school business administrators. The ground-breaking pilot programme was completed in February 2010. Thereafter the WCED commissioned an evaluation of the results achieved. The purpose of the evaluation is to inform the WCED‟s plans for development of the course going forward. This report represents a synopsis of the findings of the evaluation.
Small medium micro enterprise business goals and government support: a South African case study
(APM, 2013) Peters, R.; Naicker, Visvanathan
Small and medium-scale enterprises (SMMEs) form the majority of the enterprises in the South African economy. The South African government has identified the SMME sector as one of the potential enablers to achieve its objectives of improving job creation opportunities, reducing poverty and creating a more equitable distribution of wealth. The aim of this article was to provide a perspective on the success government support initiatives has had on the SMME sector. To achieve this, the study sought to analyse the perceived strengths and weaknesses of government's national strategy and its institutions tasked with creating an enabling environment for the sector. The study employed a survey research design methodology in which mixed methods were used. The national business strategy employed by government was critically analysed. Empirical data was collected from 282 respondents in order to answer the research question. The results show that the government's approach has favoured 'supply-side interventions' including, providing access to training, credit, mentoring and information to existing and new business. Furthermore, this study has identified the lack of awareness as the primary reason for the under-delivery of the government support initiatives in SMME development. Respondents indicated that they frequently made use of the services of business consultants and external specialists from which they perceived added more value to their respective businesses.
Strategic alliance governance in Zimbabwe policy and strategy
(Academic Journals, 2009) Naicker, Visvanathan; Saungweme, Percy
Worldwide interest in strategic alliances has increased dramatically partly because of their potential to expand firms operations in the short run. Among the many issues posed by the increasing interest in strategic alliances, this paper focuses specifically on the dynamics associated with the governance of strategic alliance relationships. Furthermore, due to the constant deterioration of the Zimbabwean economy and the resultant heightened customer expectations, Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have to enter into collaborative relationships which involve a high level of trust, goal alignment and commitment. The research used a multi-method field approach to gather, information on strategic alliances and corporate governance from 50 strategic alliance relationships from a wide spectrum of firms in a variety of industries in Zimbabwe. Ultimately, this paper identifies four critical governance areas into a framework for strategic alliance governance. The advent of the Internet has increased the ease of application or collaboration to form strategic alliances. Factors such as increased competition because of easier market entry, speed of data, and demanding customer requirements are necessitating a revolutionary change in the way that SMEs are managed. The struggling economy of Zimbabwe provides a platform that enables SMEs to extend their alliances to its suppliers thereby forming dynamic industrial districts. These factors, shared with an eagerness to contribute towards information and technology flow, will enable an efficient alliance thereby responding to the needs of customers.
Towards a learner-centred approach: Interactive online peer assessment
(Researchgate, 2016-01) Naicker, Visvanathan; Bayat, Abdullah
The tremendous workload produced by multiple assessments that aim for a learnercentered approach to learning in huge classes and the inability to provide results timeously, often results in lecturers’ maintaining teacher-centered approaches to learning even if they appreciate the benefits of learner-centered approaches. One step toward a learner-centered approach is to incorporate peer assessment. In this study we went one step further and combined peer assessment with e-learning. Interactive online peer assessment can lessen the workload on lecturers and may be an important step towards designing courses that are learner-centered. In this study we report on the lessons and experiences of an interactive online peer assessment system. An evaluative case-study approach was undertaken. The theoretical underpinning of this study is activity theory. Lecturers monitored and evaluated the progress of the students who undertook this course and this article is a report of the study. Interactive online peer assessment can be enhanced if s
Understanding retail strategy and shopping behaviour: Perspectives from a developing country
(Academic Journals, 2012) Naicker, Visvanathan; Brijlal, Pradeep
This research indicates that in order for retailers to achieve their primary objective of increasing the amount of customer traffic into their stores, some powerful, highly effective and strategic tools that retailers possess need to be utilised in an effective manner – in order to meet their objectives. This research has been developed to examine the strategies that retailers can utilise – in order to influence the customers’ preference to shop in their stores. From the multitude of strategic choices available for each decision, a retailer can choose any combination. A survey was conducted, in order to collect data on customer behaviour, recruiting, store design, retail marketing, Supply chain management (SCM), customer relationship management (CRM) – as well as a few other criteria – in the South African retail sector. This descriptive study establishes whether a retailer who makes an initial choice about which strategy to implement, complies with the existing understanding on the customers’ preferences. Patterns and trends were detected when studying the determinants of various strategic retail combinations for retailers. The data indicated asymmetric evaluations of choices, in combination with a few distinct patterns. Additionally, a few associations between store preferences and price were identified with specific locations for the customers. Some combinations are more alike than others; and a concern exists that the pricing strategy in isolation fails to portray a complete picture. The study reveals that retailers should be more customer-focused; while at the same time, providing the requisite skills to their employees, in order to retain their existing customers, and to attract new customers.
Understanding retail strategy and shopping behaviour: Perspectives from a developing country
(Academic Journals, 2012) Naicker, Visvanathan; Brijlal, Pradeep
This research indicates that in order for retailers to achieve their primary objective of increasing the amount of customer traffic into their stores, some powerful, highly effective and strategic tools that retailers possess need to be utilised in an effective manner in order to meet their objectives. This research has been developed to examine the strategies that retailers can utilise in order to influence the customers' preference to shop in their stores. From the multitude of strategic choices available for each decision, a retailer can choose any combination. A survey was conducted, in order to collect data on customer behaviour, recruiting, store design, retail marketing, Supply chain management (SCM), customer relationship management (CRM) - as well as a few other criteria - in the South African retail sector. This descriptive study establishes whether a retailer who makes an initial choice about which strategy to implement, complies with the existing understanding on the customers' preferences. Patterns and trends were detected when studying the determinants of various strategic retail combinations for retailers. The data indicated asymmetric evaluations of choices, in combination with a few distinct patterns. Additionally, a few associations between store preferences and price were identified with specific locations for the customers. Some combinations are more alike than others; and a concern exists that the pricing strategy in isolation fails to portray a complete picture. The study reveals that retailers should be more customer-focused; while at the same time, providing the requisite skills to their employees, in order to retain their existing customers, and to attract new customers.
The use of computers among secondary school educators in the Western Cape Central Metropole
(University of the Western Cape, 2010) Naicker, Visvanathan; Fourie, Louis C. H.; Dept. of Information Systems; Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
The use of computers in the classroom could allow both educators and learners to achieve new capabilities. There are underlying factors, however, that are obstructing the adoption rate of computer use for instructional purposes in schools. The study focused on these problems with a view to determining which critical success factors promote a higher adoption rate of computer usage in education. This study derived its theoretical framework from various technology adoption and educational models Methodology: The nature of the study required a . Furthermore, it investigated ways in which computer technology could enhance learning. mixed methods approach to be employed, making use of both quantitative and qualitative data. Two questionnaires, one for the educators and one for the principals of the schools were hand-delivered to 60 secondary schools. Exploratory factor analysis and various internal consistency measures were used to assess and analyse the data.Conclusion: Educationists and policy-makers must include all principals and educators when technological innovations are introduced into schools. All these role-players need to be cognisant of the implications if innovations are not appropriately implemented. Including the use of computers in educator training programs is important so that pre-service educators can see the benefits of using the computer in their own teaching.

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