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Masters Degrees (Accounting)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/6934

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Accounting) by Author "Fields, Ziska."

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    The entrepreneurial intention (EI) of the bachelor of commerce accounting students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
    (2019) Mtshali, Thabo Wonder.; Fields, Ziska.
    The South African labour market is struggling to create job opportunities for citizens and it is hard to counteract unemployment with relevant skills demanded by various industries. The unemployment rate was 25% in 2015; however, it has increased to 27.7% (Stats SA, 2017). Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in reducing poverty by creating job opportunities. Countries like South Africa should focus on developing young innovative entrepreneurs at university level specifically. Efforts started in 2017 when the Department of Higher Education and Training launched a national student entrepreneurship programme. This is a positive initiative; however, various degrees need to be aligned to this initiative to support the venture theoretically to develop and enhance entrepreneurial thinking, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial action amongst students and graduates. The Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) students follow a structured academic program of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). This accounting body defines the minimum qualifications and standards expected for accountants. The University of KwaZulu-Natal employs standards and procedures that are in line with SAICA policies. The Accounting degree also focusses specifically on money management modules. The main purpose of this study was to assess the levels of Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) final-year students’ entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention at the Westville campus. The study investigated whether a gap exists between the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) curriculum versus the knowledge and skills required for successful entrepreneurs. The researcher used the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to determine if Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) students are capable and ready to become entrepreneurs. There were 303 Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) final-year students in 2017 at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Westville campus. From the population of 303 students, a sample size of 170 students was identified to participate in the study. Data were collected using questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics to describe the characteristics that are common in the sample. Data analysis tools included mean scores, standard deviation and variance. Inferential statistics were used to compare data between males and females. The reliability of the results on each construct was measured using the Cronbach Alpha Coefficient. The results showed that students are willing to start their own businesses and become entrepreneurs, but they lack entrepreneurship education to equip them with the necessary skills to start their businesses. The results also revealed that students have positive attitudes towards becoming entrepreneurs, especially when they are supported by family, friends, classmates and society. Even with these positive attitudes towards entrepreneurship, the Perceived Behavioural Control construct showed that students are not likely to start businesses because they lack entrepreneurial skills and have limited knowledge and understanding about operating and managing a business. Despite their strong positive attitude towards starting businesses, students need entrepreneurship education.
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    Implementing the principles of responsible management education within the curriculum of the Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L).
    (2017) Mokoqama, Malebo Miranda.; Fields, Ziska.
    ABSTRACT There is an urgency for educational institutions to contribute to solving the world’s social, economic and environmental problems. Solutions to these global problems are not directed at multinational corporations only but also on educational institutions such as business schools. Curriculums in business schools are questioned in terms of the relevance and practical application of what students learn to real life scenarios. Hence, business schools have a responsibility to promote and encourage responsible management education within their curriculum and learning experience. This allows business schools to produce graduates who will become responsible leaders; who will have a lasting impact in businesses and in the society at large. In addition, business schools face the rising pressure to promote responsible management education through initiatives such as Principals of Responsible Management Education (PRME). There are over 600 business schools across the world that are part of PRME. Nevertheless, the Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB & L) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), is not part of PRME. This indicates the need to enhance responsible management education by applying the PRME principles within the GSB & L curriculum. A mixed methods approach was used through interviews and questionnaires to ascertain the perceptions of the students as well as staff members, regarding responsible management education and the implementation of a PRME within the GSB & L curriculum. Stratified sampling technique was used to collect quantitative data and to collect qualitative data, convenience sampling was used. Findings revealed that the majority of the students agreed that PRME should be included in the curriculum at the GSB & L. The study shows that PRME would benefit the GSB & L and the students as it creates greater awareness of sustainability issues and leadership requirements to lead an organisation responsibly and sustainably. The qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis and the quantitative data was analysed statistician using Statistical Programme for Social Science SPSS software. In conclusion, there is still room for improvement in responsible management education at the GSB & L in UKZN. It is therefore recommended that business schools in general, and GSB & L specifically, should re-evaluate their curriculums and pedagogies by being more sustainable in research, teaching, and content. Key terms: PRME, Curriculum, Sustainability, Education, Responsible Management
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    A skills audit of selected Pietermaritzburg Small Medium Enterprise (SME) owner-managers: a critical assessment.
    (2016) Mlambo, Cynthia.; Fields, Ziska.
    ABSTRACT Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are important contributors to the South African economy and are drivers for reducing unemployment, especially when the formal sector continues to shed jobs. However, for SMEs to be successful, sustainable and to grow, they need to operate efficiently and productively in order for them to achieve a maximum contribution to national as well as provincial economies. Most studies have shown that, on average, 50% of the small businesses that are started eventually fail in two years of being established. The high failure rate of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) has been blamed among other things on the lack of managers’ skilfulness. A study that was conducted by the World Bank (2012) revealed that 82% of start-ups fail within the first two years, not only because of the external factors such as economic conditions, but rather due to a lack of technical and managerial expertise. This situation is also true in South Africa as the failure rate of SMEs is between 70 to 80% and most of these failures are caused by lack of managerial and entrepreneurial skills that are vital for Small Medium Enterprise development. The motivation to this research study was to conduct a skills audit for ownermanagers of some established Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Pietermaritzburg. The targeted population was owner-managers of selected SMEs in Pietermaritzburg who were registered members of the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business (PCB). A non-probability sampling technique incorporating census sampling and snowballing was adopted for the purposes of this research. Due to a low response rate, a switch from census sampling to snowball-sampling technique was made. This study was quantitative in nature and primary information was obtained through the use of questionnaires. The questionnaires were pilot tested before the actual data collection to test for its validity. The computer software called Statistical Package Sciences (SPSS) Version 22 was used for data analysis. The results indicated that most owner-managers had more communication competency compared to the other skills (accounting, finance and bookkeeping, management, marketing and technological skills). Even though most owner-managers agreed that they were competent in one way or the other, the results of this study also showed that most Pietermaritzburg owner-managers commented that poor management of finance is one of the most common causes of business failure. Poor general management was highlighted as the second most common cause for businesses to fail in this study, thereby reflecting that most Pietermaritzburg ownermanagers agreed that poor management of businesses is causing most business failures. The results of this study could help prevent future business failure rates by adding information to the existing body of knowledge. Recommendations on steps to match the available skills to the required skills can help government, educational institutes and businesses to provide improved and appropriate training and development to owner-managers of SMEs to bridge the skills gaps that are prevalent. These recommendations included that sole proprietors and partners need training in accounting and finance management skills as they showed a considerable lack of competency. Pietermaritzburg owner-managers were also advised to make use of inexpensive ways of marketing like the use of social media platforms, exhibitions and networking. It was also recommended to Pietermaritzburg owner-managers to apply appropriate technologies in their businesses to enhance the growth of their enterprises. A recommendation was made to all SME owner-managers in Pietermaritzburg to make use of government initiatives that are available to support small businesses. Organisations like Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) and the Department of Trade (DTI) are also available to provide support to small businesses in every sector. From literature reviewed and the findings of this research study, the advice was given to owner-managers to constantly develop their management skills through training in order for them to remain abreast of the ever-changing business environment that would require a different way of doing things.