TUT DIGITAL OPEN REPOSITORY

Recent Submissions

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    A study of job satisfaction and work engagement at the National Treasury of South Africa.
    (Aosis Publishing, 2021-12-03) Thokoa, Thokoa; Naidoo, Vinessa; Herbst, Tessie H.H.
    Orientation: There is overwhelming research on job satisfaction and work engagement as it relates to the private sector when compared with the public sector. Noting differences between the two sectors, the undeniable importance of the latter and that its employees are central to service delivery the dynamics of the concepts must be understood comprehensively. This study aims to add to this body of knowledge. Research purpose: To determine the level of job satisfaction and work engagement at National Treasury, and whether job satisfaction is a significant predictor of work engagement. Motivation for the study: South African Government’s financial performance, which is largely the responsibility of National Treasury is unsatisfactory. As this responsibility is carried out by its employees, noting that job satisfaction and work engagement are some of the more recognised antecedents for employee performance, these need to be understood as the first step towards intervention. Research approach/ design and method: A quantitative approach was followed wherein two questionnaires were administered via online census survey to all employees (n = 1189). Data collected were analysed using the mean and the frequency polygon. Multiple linear regression was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Main findings: Somewhat low levels of job satisfaction and work engagement were observed. Multiple linear regression has confirmed that job satisfaction is a predictor of work engagement (R2 = 49.1%). It was also discovered that non monetary aspects of the former such as communication and access to promotional opportunities are significant predictors while pay is not. Practical / managerial implications: Job satisfaction, which relates to a focused state of work engagement, can also be harnessed through non-monetary aspects of the job. Contribution/ value added: The study provided insight into the level of job satisfaction and engagement at National Treasury and reinforced the sentiment that satisfied employees tend to be vigorous, dedicated and absorbed.
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    Guiding principles for establishing energy consumption reduction and increase production performance in manufacturing.
    (International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 2020-09-26) Van Wyk, Gert; Naidoo, Vinessa; Edoun, Innocents E.
    This study provides a review, framework and guiding principles for constructing energy consumption reduction disciplines, with examples of application to international industries. It reviews the work of agencies and governments in creating energy efficiency models that help policy makers to assess changes in energy efficiency. A possibility to reduce costs incurred in product manufacturing and energy consumption constitutes energy-efficient consumption at industrial enterprises. The study justifies the performance indicators of industrial enterprises’ power supply systems. The estimates produced indicate that the largest portion of the potential energy savings is attributed to implementation of energy-saving projects. The study was performed at a manufacturing plant in South Africa with 489 respondents. It focused on energy usage in the manufacturing sector since this sector has always been the largest contributor to the GDP of South Africa. The results indicated that the proposed framework can not only reduce energy consumption but also increase production.
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    The year I found my voice: Transforming self confidence through a women’s leadership programme.
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2024-11-12) Herbst, Tessie H.H.; Roux, Amarentia T.; Naidoo, Vinessa
    Women-only leadership development programmes are vital for reducing the global gender gap in senior management; however, research on their impact is limited. This study explores the effect of a transformational women’s leadership development programme on self confidence among female academics in a South African higher education institution. A mixed methods approach combines quantitative analysis to assess the changes in women leaders’ communication confidence, while the qualitative analysis explores the women leaders’ experiences in adopting new behaviour patterns. The quantitative results reveal significant enhancements in women leaders’ confidence, underscoring the programme’s ability to drive transformational change. The qualitative insights uncover a four-phase transformational learning process, which includes encountering a disorienting dilemma, meaning-making, achieving transformational insight and integrating these insights into leadership practice. Contribution: This study provides new insights, recommendations for future research and guidance on developing, evaluating and implementing women’s leadership programmes in higher education. It contributes significantly to understanding the role of women-only leadership development in addressing gender equity.
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    The Post-Covid-19 e-services continuance usage in low-Income countries.
    (IGI Global and Information Resources Management Association., 2024-01-01) Naidoo, Vinessa; Muchandigona, Ana Kundai
    The COVID-19 pandemic renewed the role of digital government for conventional delivery of e-services while creating a paradigm shift for the telecommuting ecosystem. Prior to COVID-19, e-services usage had been slow in least-income countries; hence the need for clarity on whether its usage will be sustained in the post-COVID-19 era. This study sought to develop a model for the continuance usage of e-services after the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative data were collected from a South African government, and the designed model was validated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM). Results indicated that perceived usefulness (PU) and exerted pressure (EPU) are highly significant antecedents of continuance usage. Theoretically, the model contributes to technology continuance usage. It also affirms the organizational readiness for digital transformation through the use of combined technologies. Future research should focus on conceptual skills such as innovativeness, flexibility, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and empathy needed for digital transformation.
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    Priority water research questions for South Africa developed through participatory processes.
    (IWA Publishing, 2013-07-23) Siebrits, R. M.; Winter, K.; Barnes, J.; Dent, M. C.; Ekama, G.; Ginster, M.; Harrison, J.; Jackson, B.; Jacobs, I.; Jordaan, A.; Kasan, H. C.; Kloppers, W.; Le Roux, R.; Maree, J.; Momba, M. N. B.; Munnik, A. V.; Keeffe, J. O.; Schulze, R.; Silberbauer, M.; Still, D.; Van Zyl, J. E.
    This paper describes a collaborative process of identifying and prioritising current and future water research questions from a wide range of water specialists within South Africa. Over 1 600 questions were collected, reduced in number and prioritised by specialists working in water research and practice. A total of 59 questions were finally proposed as an outcome of the study and are categorised under the themes of change, data, ecosystems, governance, innovation and resources. The questions range in scale, challenge and urgency, and are also aligned with prevailing paradigms in water research. The majority of the questions dealt with relatively short- to medium-term research requirements and most focused on immediate issues such as water supply, service delivery and technical solutions. Formulations of long-term research questions were sparse, partly because some of the principles and methods used in this study were difficult to apply in the South African context, and also because researchers are influenced by addressing what are believed to be the more immediate, short-term water-related challenges in South Africa. This is the first initiative of its kind to produce a comprehensive and inclusive list of research priorities for water in South Africa.