Volume 9 Issue 1

COVID-19 has brought about significant change in a global dispensation. One of these changes is the catalysed use of fourth industrial revolution interventions 4IRI. In South Africa, among the industries that have been influenced by the catalysed use of 4IRI is that of the Higher Education industry. Apart from the fact that South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) were restructured during the mid-2000s (e.g. Technikons transforming to Universities of Technology), most curricula and/or teaching practices are still outdated; do not accommodate for the development of 21st-century skills. To this end, this study was conducted to theoretically investigate whether the catalysed use of 4IRI, as brought on by COVID-19, influenced the efficacy of South African HEIs. This study was exploratory in nature and constituted online desktop research. Stemming from the research conducted, it appears that the catalysed use of 4IRI in South African HEIs may not have any influence on its efficacy, at least in a theoretical dispensation.

Micro and small enterprise development are crucial to support a country's economy, and microfinance is vital to support its growth. Currently, the microfinance industry is faced with two main challenges: to reduce credit risk and to avoid losing sight of its social purpose. The study argues that this is a matter of vicious circle that can be broken using a practical credit application evaluation. The research purpose is to investigate an alternative method for credit application assessment using one of classic sociological theory, the three forms of capital, consisting of economic capital, social capital, and cultural capital. A survey of 100 e-entrepreneurs operating in e-commerce revealed that only two of the three capitals affect the credit potential variable. The uniqueness of the study is in the utilization of alternative behavioral data, including social media activity, informal training, and religiosity to measure the credit potential of a respondent. The study's results contribute to the alternative measure used in assessing credit potential. The rest of the paper discusses the implication and further research based on the findings.

This article investigates a range of disruptive technologies which have been identified as being disruptive or potentially disruptive to the current SME business models. By not being cognizant of the possible effect that these modern technologies may have on a variety of business sectors, SMEs run the risk of either losing business opportunities or not being able to participate in new business ventures in future so the competitive edge is lost. The impact of disruptive technologies is rapidly gaining momentum on a world-wide scale. Three complimentary disruptive technologies, associated with the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) have been selected for this study viz. Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). A single case study following the qualitative method was considered suitable to explore, probe and gain a clear understanding from a SME perspective, whether these three disruptive technologies have the potential to influence the business either positively or negatively. The focus of the questioning was directed at how SMEs intend to go about either engaging with, or choosing to delay, the implementation of Big Data, IoT and AI; and the possible impact such strategic decisions may have on the business. Data was collected from a sample of senior managers and supervisors as well as a focus group of employees. Semi-structured interviews were scheduled using face-to-face recorded interviews as well as a recoded conversation with a focus group. The findings indicated that senior managers are aware of some aspects of disruptive technology and have been thinking proactively about adopting new technologies, however, there was significant room for greater integration and implementation so as to become a market leader. Failure to engage with new technologies in the very near future could result in a SME becoming obsolete and less competitive while possible new entrants to the market may become the new ‘winners'. Strategic decisions in terms of the likely impact of disruptive technologies on SMEs, requires innovative approaches to speed up implementation. The impact of Covid-19 has highlighted the urgency of SMEs to embrace disruptive technologies with immediate effect.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of Good Corporate Governance (GCG) on the Wealth Added Index (WAI) which is known as a wealth creator. Good Corporate Governance is measured by the number of directors, number of commissioners, number of audit committees, and managerial ownership of the Company's WAI. GCG data was obtained from the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) publication for public companies in 2017 - 2019, while WAI represented survey data from SWA magazine for 4 consecutive years. The analysis used in this study was based on a multiple regression. From the results of this study, it was found that the GCG had an effect on WAI related to the number of directors, the number of audit committees, the share ownership ratio and the number of commissioners had a significant effect as a whole. Partially, the number of directors, the number of audit committees, and the number of managerial ownership have a significant effect, but the relationship considering the number of commissioners was not significant. This shows that management using good corporate governance can have positive impacts on the company, and by extension on WAI.

Emergency Management Services (EMS) personnel, particularly paramedics, should have crucial clinical decision-making abilities, by developing field or differential diagnoses and impressions. This enables them to make critical decisions pertaining to patient management plans and care. Paramedics among other healthcare professionals are concerned with declining employee performance. There is therefore a need for performance improvement that is dependent on how employees realize continuous professional development (CPD) activities. This study focused on revealing the effect of CPD programs on employee performance at Company A in KwaZulu-Natal. A sample of 10 participants was drawn from the population of Emergency Care Providers working at Company A. A qualitative research methodology was adopted with the employment of purposive non-probability sampling and semi-structured interviews. The study concluded that CPD programs have a very positive effect on the performance of employees, as they considered it a crucial aspect in developing their knowledge, skills and attitudes. The research study further revealed the significance of CPD on paramedic employees by highlighting how they assist the employees in being updated and treating patients according to new evidence-based practices. The study also identified factors that impact employee performance, like teamwork and good leadership. Additionally, it identified strategies which should be implemented by Company A to enhance employee performance: these included employing qualified facilitators, conducting formal CPD programs, and incorporating assessments. The study concluded by providing recommendations to enhance the CPD program, such as establishing ethical guidelines, monitoring and evaluation, crafting coordinated plans, use of technology and investing in quality facilitators.

The aim of this scientific paper was to find out the reasons for the shortage of nursing staff in German hospitals and to provide potential solution approaches for this shortage. Over the last years, the shortage of nursing staff has become a more and more important topic in the news: Not only due to the increasing amount of missing nurses, but also due to the ageing population in Germany, which leads to an increasing amount of patients in German hospitals. To reach this aim two surveys were done, of which one was for nursing staff only and the other one was for people from all occupational groups with the intention of creating comparative values. The surveys were done from March to April 2019 and were analysed afterwards. After a detailed analysis of the survey results, it can be summarized that the reasons for the shortage of nursing staff in German hospitals are very diverse: Starting with a weak salary, improvable working conditions – for example the shift work and the high amount of physical and psychological stress -, a difficult compatibility of family and job as well as the unattractive image of the job as a nurse in the society. It can be concluded that the solution for the shortage of nursing staff is very difficult. The future will show whether the governmental support will help to make the job as a nurse more attractive – not only for the current nurses, but also for potential future nurses.

Entrepreneurship is the key to innovation and economic growth, both for developed industrial countries and developing countries. Currently, in Indonesia there is growing awareness of the importance of the role of entrepreneurship in national development. On the other hand, advances in information technology, especially the internet, have made it possible for many people to connect to virtual communities in a network without borders. The main purpose of this research is to test research a model that forms Entrepreneurial Intention. Based on the survey method and purposive random sampling as a sampling technique, a research model testing using structural equation modelling proves that Social Media Usage has a positive and significant effect on Subjective Norms, but has no effect on Entrepreneurial Intention; while the Organizational Support has a positive and significant effect on Subjective Norms and Perceived Behavioral Control. Then, Subjective Norm and Perceived Behavioral Control have a positive and significant effect on Entrepreneurial Intention.