VUT DigiResearch
Digiresearch is the VUT electronic open access archive. Its purpose is to collect, distribute and preserve the research performed by the VUT Research community
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Communities in DigiResearch
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- Inaugural addresses, Presentations etc.
Recent Submissions
Exploring water usage practices of kitchen staff in restaurants in the Vaal Region
(Vaal University of Technology, 2019-10) Van der Merwe, Etresia; Oosthuizen, D., Dr.; Dicks, E. G., Prof.
The tourism and hospitality industry uses vast amounts of water during general household activities and food service, food preparation, cooking, cleaning, and other kitchen duties. In addition, over the past years, water usage has increased due to the growth in the population, technology, lifestyle changes, and the increasing demand of the tourism and hospitality industry. It is evident that the demand for clean fresh water is growing immensely and saving water by all organisations can contribute to conserving water for future use. This study involves exploring water usage management practices of kitchen staff in restaurants in the Vaal region. Therefore, the research question was, what are the employee habits and/or practices regarding wasting as well as saving water in restaurants?
A qualitative observational design was used during this research study. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Vaal University of Technology before fieldwork commenced. After identifying 53 restaurants within the Vaal region (Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging, and Sasolburg), convenience sampling was used to select the restaurants for observations. Nineteen owners and supervisors gave consent, whereupon the restaurant kitchen staff were observed to determine their water usage practices and habits. Staff was not made aware of what was being observed and this created a more naturalistic environment. Information gathered from the observations was done until data saturation had been reached. The data collected was captured and coded making use of Atlas Tl programme in order to identify concepts, categories, and themes.
Form the results, six themes were identified. The majority of water wastage occurred during water disposal. Other water usage and wastage occurred during rinsing and tap use, with incorrect tap use, such as leaving the tap running and not properly closing the tap. Although various water practices and habits were observed within many restaurants, some water saving practices and habits also played a role in kitchen activities. Water saving was mainly done through the habits and practices of cleaning procedures, such as the removal of debris by scraping off scraps of food or softening debris before dishwashing. Other saving habits and procedures included using water readily available during cleaning.
During the process of observation and fieldwork, it was noticed that very few posters on correct handwashing procedures or correct water and equipment usage were displayed in participating restaurants. This phenomenon raised the question of whether the lack of communication of water usage, hand washing, and equipment usage was a contributing factor to water wastage occurring frequently. Therefore, the recommendations for future studies include the testing of staff knowledge and the impact of implementing communication tools, for instance, posters in restaurants on sustainable water usage. Consideration also needs to be made to assess if water saving policies and procedures are in place and being practiced. Further attention should also be given t training and education of staff on water usage, which could raise awareness on water sustainability. Considering that water usage and especially wastage is present in restaurants, future studies may also focus on the amount of water wastage that occurs within these organisations.
Perceived Construction Education and Training Authority's (CETA) strategic alignment barriers to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges' participation in construction skills development
(Vaal University of Technology, 2023-08) Peta, Mamakoba George; Dhurup, M., Prof.; Schutte, F., Dr.; Isabirye, A., Dr.; Surujlal, J., Prof.
The performance of the construction industry has a major effect on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. However, over the years, employers are finding it increasingly difficult to find and recruit individuals with the required skills for technical activities within the construction industry.
Strategic alignment is a management model that seeks to align the organisation's objectives with the objectives of the market and is primarily concerned with inherently dynamic adjustments between the two domains of business, and with mechanisms to improve organisational performance.
This study aimed to identify perceived CETA's strategic alignment barriers to South Africa's TVET colleges' participation in construction skills development. The research was motivated by the poor participation of TVET colleges in construction skills development, and consequently the low production of skills with the construction sector. While the CETA and TVET colleges were established to address skills shortages particularly in the construction industry, the TVET colleges are not producing enough of the minimum skilled candidates required to do the job.
An interpretive research paradigm and qualitative research methodology were adopted and applied in this study in order to address the research question. Data collection was based on in-depth semi-structured interviews with the participants from samples. Based on the in-depth semi-structured interviews with the research participants, thematic techniques were applied in the data analysis process.
The study revealed the significance of such important aspects of strategic management as the organisational strategy and environmental analysis, there is no indication that the CETA's strategy management is influenced or informed by the imperative of strategic alignment. In particular, the study found that the strategy management approach of the CETA is not based on or purposefully guided by environment analysis frameworks as dependable tools for aligning the organisation with the environment in which it operates. This is a finding that represents what can be described as an undetermined and weakened management approach within the CETA. The finding translated into a conclusion that the strategic management of strategic alignment approach of the CETA, which appears to have a negative effect on its alignment with the environment, presents itself as having a contributing effect on TVET colleges' poor participation in construction skills development.
A significant recommendation was made, and that is a proposed strategic alignment framework which is conceptualised or abbreviated as PASSSPORT, - representing [business] Purpose, Aims, Services, Structure. Systems, Players, Opportunities, Reliances and Triggers. The proposed framework is a direct contribution to the body of knowledge and value-add to assisting the CETA (and potentially the SETA fraternity) in processes of strategic alignment.
Modelling internal management systems and supply chain effectiveness in state-owned enterprises in a developing economy
(Vaal University of Technology, 2022-06) Nematatani, Pfanelo; Ntshingila, M. L., Dr.; Mafini, C., Prof.; Chinomona, E., Prof.
Although state-owned enterprises (SOEs) play an important role in the economies of many developed and developing countries, the majority fail to be sustainable. Most SOEs fail to contribute efficiently or effectively towards economic growth or the delivery of public services. Most South African SOEs are failing due to problems such as mismanagement, debt burden, underinvestment, depreciation of assets, poor corporate governance, and corruption. The failure of SOEs has led to a high increase in the cost of service they deliver, jobs losses, lowered investments and poor economic growth in South Africa. The aim of the study is to test a research model for internal management systems (IMS) and supply chain effectiveness in SOEs in a developing economy.
A quantitative design was adopted in which a survey questionnaire was administered to 863 supply chain practitioners working in six South African SOEs. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, Person Correlations and regression analysis. These tests are conducted using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 27.0).
The study results showed significant positive relationships between organisation support development and total quality management, knowledge management and competitive advantage, behavioural integration and competitive advantage, safety management and competitive advantage, safety management and innovation, innovation and competitive advantage, total quality management and competitive advantage, total quality management and supply chain relationship commitment, competitive advantage and supply chain relationship commitment, innovation and supply chain relationship commitment, total quality management and supply chain effectiveness, competitive advantage and supply chain effectiveness and supply chain relationship commitment and supply chain effectiveness.
The study concludes that the primary goal of SOEs in developing economies is to achieve a competitive advantage over their competitors. To achieve a position superior to that of their business competitors, they must first understand the strengths and weaknesses of their internal management, as well as the potential effects on supply chain effectiveness. Given the possibility that a study of this nature has not been performed before in South African SOEs, the results are an essential addition to the existing body of literature within the area of supply chain management (SCM) in SOEs in developing countries.
A model to measure the E-learning system success at a University of Technology in South Africa
(Vaal University of Technology, 2022-05) Rankapola, Madute Elias; Lebelo, S.; Zuva, T., Prof.
As e-learning systems adoption increases worldwide, their effectiveness and success measurement become imperative. Therefore, it is crucial to justify the investment made in e-learning systems by assessing their value and benefits within the academic field. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) adopt and implement e-learning systems to enhance the quality of their teaching and learning practices, such as extending the teaching and learning space beyond physical locations, convenience, on-demand learning, self-paced learning, cost-effectiveness, time-efficient and flexible learning environments. However, some universities in developing countries encounter many challenges in implementing e-learning systems and eventually drop out of their e-learning system endeavours. This implies that universities in developing countries may face unique challenges compared to those in developed countries. Therefore, the current study aimed to identify and investigate critical e-learning system success factors at universities of technology in South Africa and develop a comprehensive model to measure the e-learning system success. A literature review was conducted to achieve the research aims and objectives, and a research model that encompassed the variables: Technical System Quality (TSQ), Content & Information Quality (C&IQ), Educational System Quality (ESQ), Service Quality (SQ), User Self-Efficacy (USE), User Satisfaction (US), Intention to Use/Use (IU/U), Net Benefits and System Loyalty (SL). A cross-sectional survey was implemented using a 5-Likert scale electronic questionnaire to collect data from a sample of 654 participants studying Information and Communication Technology (ICT) from universities of technology in South Africa. The reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha and all the values were greater than 0,73, higher than the threshold of 0.70 for acceptable reliability. Validity was conducted through convergent (AVE>0.5) and discriminant validity (AVE>ICCS). Factor analysis was done using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and all nine constructs were retained after the analysis. The structural model displayed suitable model fit indices (CMIN/DF = 3.514; CFI = 0.935; Normed Fit Index Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (NFI) = 0.953; Comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.959; AGFI = 0.880; Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.926; and (RMSEA) = 0.068). These GoF results highlighted that the model was acceptable for deriving conclusions from the hypotheses tested. Pearson Correlation Analysis results showed positive relationships exist between the variables except for TSQ & USE. Multiple regression analysis indicated that USE→C&IQ (β= 0.183, <0.05); USE→ESQ (β = 0.453, <0.05) USE→SQ (β = 0.785,<0.05), USE→US (β = 0.995, <0.05), US→USE (β = 0.605, <0.05), IU/U→US (β = 0.797, <0.05), NB→IU/US (β= 0.538, <0.05), IU/U→NB (β = 0.166, <0.05), SL→NB (β = 0.736, <0.05) were statistically supported. The final model was then developed. The study contributed to the body of knowledge by highlighting critical factors that influence an e-learning system success at universities of technology in South Africa. The study provided a deep insight into the theories and models used for measuring system success. A modified model was developed. The model may be used by researchers to test system success in different settings and countries. Universities of Technology may use the model to guide the design, development and adoption of e-learning systems.
The factors that influence the users' adoption and acceptance of cloud computing at University of Technology in South Africa
(Vaal University of Technology, 2022-06-11) Lieta, Manche Aloycia; Sehume, Dr.; Zuva, Tranos, Prof.
Cloud computing can assist in overcoming the present boundaries in mobile learning (m-learning) regarding the limited processing and storage capabilities of the mobile devices. This way, learning applications can run on students’ mobile devices while the heaviest computing tasks take place in the cloud. For this to happen learners have to accept the use of cloud computing in their studies. This study endeavours to identify factors that influence the user’s adoption and acceptance of cloud computing in higher education sector. A model derived from a Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model was used to find factors that influence learners to adopt and accept cloud computing during their studies. Results showed that adoption and acceptance of cloud computing were significantly associated with some variables of the UTAUT model except for Effort Expectancy (EE). Performance Expectancy (PE) (p-value= .000), Social Influence (SI) (p-value= .010), Facilitating Conditions (FC) (p-value= .000), Trust (TR) (pvalue= .000), Behaviour Intention (BI) (p-value= .000), and User Behaviour (UB) (p-value= .000). User Behaviour was mostly influenced by Trust, then Facilitating Conditions followed by Performance Expectancy and lastly Social Influence. In conclusion, Trust seems to be the greatest influential factor when it comes to the adoption and usage of applications hosted on the internet.