CAPITAL: The Voice of Business Issue 2, 2016 | Page 58

KNOW MORE

In today ’ s connected world , a wealth of information is just waiting to be discovered . No more do you need to guess when making a decision in your business , because chances are the answer to your question is somewhere out there . Finding the nuggets of knowledge you need is the challenge though . So we went data mining and found these gems , many of which are written by researchers from local institutions who investigated local problems .
How can public and private intermediaries stimulate innovation ?
Research title : “ Bridging skills demand and supply in South Africa : The role of public and private intermediaries ” ( 2016 )
Authors : I . Petersen , G . Kruss , S . McGrath , M . Gastrow Source : Development Southern Africa , 33 ( 3 ), pp . 407 – 423​
It has been recognised that businesses , educational institutions and government need to collaborate to stimulate demand-led skills development . But each is a “ self-interested ” entity , and the role of intermediaries is crucial in encouraging systemic thinking and bridging objectives . This article looks at the important role of public and private intermediaries in three case studies : sugarcane growing and milling , automotive component manufacturing , and the Square Kilometre Array .
Does the Comrades Marathon ’ s ‘ up ’ run or ‘ down ’ run generate more income ?
Research title : “ Running up or down : Why is there a difference in spending ?” ( 2015 )
Authors : M . Kruger , M . Saayman
Source : Journal of Economic and Financial Sciences , 8 ( 1 ), pp . 63 – 82
Each year the Comrades Marathon makes an important annual contribution to the local economy . But does the “ up ” run or the “ down ” run generate more income ? This study looks at the strategic insights that the surprising differences in the economic outcomes of the two forms of the race could offer .
Looking for a new business ( ad ) venture ?
Research title : “ The geography of the South African adventure tourism industry ” ( 2016 )
Author : T . McKay Source : African Journal of Hospitality , Tourism and Leisure , 5 ( 3 )
Looking for a new business ( ad ) venture ? Opportunities abound in the South African adventure tourism industry . This study finds that in seven of the nine provinces the sector is underdeveloped , especially in terms of urban adventure products , and shows the uneven geographical distribution of adventure tourism suppliers . How is KwaZulu-Natal doing ? Read the paper to find out .
How do you retain black , female management staff ?
Research title : “ The psychological career resources and organizational commitment foci of the South African workforce ” ( 2016 )
Author : R . Tladinyane
Source : Problems and Perspectives in Management , 14 ( 1 ), pp . 168 – 175
How does a business keep valuable employees ? This study aims to shed some light by examining the relationship dynamics and organisational commitment of predominantly black , female employees at managerial and staff levels .
Can Lean benefit health services ?
Research title : “ The effect of Lean on staff morale in a rural district hospital outpatient department in KwaZulu-Natal ” ( 2015 )
Authors : L . Naidoo , Z . Fields Source : Journal of Contemporary Management , 12 , pp . 571 – 589
In a healthcare setting , the last thing you need is ineffective operations management , poor service delivery and low staff morale . This research focuses on a rural district hospital outpatient department in KwaZulu-Natal , and aims to identify the effect of Lean interventions on staff morale .
What do parents want at a Pietermaritzburg boys ’ boarding school ?
Research title : “ Boys ’ boarding school management : Understanding the choice criteria of parents ” ( 2013 )
Author : D . Vigar-Ellis Source : South African Journal of Education , 33 ( 1 ), pp . 1 – 15
Pietermaritzburg is known for the excellent quality of its schools . This study examines the competitive advantage that boys ’ secondary boarding schools must establish to attract and retain pupils . For schools in this sector to position themselves appropriately , they first need to determine the criteria parents use to evaluate one school against another . This study sets out to determine these criteria at a particular boys ’ boarding school in KwaZulu-Natal .
56 | Issue 2 | Capital

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