Browsing by Author "McArthur, Brian Walter."

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The accommodation of people with disabilities within Transnet's workforce in KwaZulu- Natal.
(2018) Cebisa, Zwelakhe Erick.; McArthur, Brian Walter.
This research describes the factors influencing the inclusion of people with disabilities within the port environment in South Africa; hence the study was conducted at one of Transnet’s major divisions, the Transnet National Port Authority. The inclusion of people with disabilities has been on the country’s transformation agenda for some time. The literature review attests to the fact that historically, people with disabilities have been excluded and this phenomenon has translated itself into the labour market. It is for this reason that the inclusion of people with disabilities within organisations became a human rights issue as stated in the South African Employment Equity Act of 2000, the Act critically foregrounds the fact that the corporate world has not to date successfully included people with disabilities in the workplace. This research has used the model of organisational inclusion to describe factors which influence the inclusion of people with disabilities. The model consists of two components, namely the personal dimension and the organisational environment dimension. Personal dimension constructs have been used to describe the influence of both personal norms and values on the inclusion of people with disabilities, while the organisation environment dimensions have been used to describe the influence of policies, procedures and organisational rewards on the inclusion of people with disabilities. A probability sample of 361 employees was drawn from an estimated population of 6000 of the Transnet National Port Authority employees in KwaZulu-Natal, using stratified random sampling. The sample comprised employees with disabilities, employees without disabilities, members of management and human resources managers. Self-administered questionnaires with embedded checklists and interviews were used to collect the data. Qualitative data was collected by means of interviews. Only the human resources managers were interviewed because they generally had an in-depth understanding of organisational policies that affect the employment of people with disabilities. The survey revealed that Transnet was committed to employing people with disabilities. However, beliefs, myths, stereotyping and misconceptions surrounding those with disabilities also act as an impediment to the successful inclusion of people with disabilities within Transnet. Furthermore, the research revealed that the perceived cost of inclusion is a factor most likely to present more challenges. Furthermore, the results from qualitative analysis indicate that apart from perceived cost, the inclusion of people with disabilities at Transnet has genuine cost implications. It transpired that Transnet procures assets from global Original Equipment Manufacturers, so customisation to cater for people with disabilities can add to the costs of assets that are already expensive. The literature review acknowledges the important role that policies play in the organisation, as the development of policies is triggered by the gap in the inclusion of people with disabilities. The survey revealed that policies affecting the employment of people with disabilities are not effective in terms of their implementation, as most South African organisations are not on a par with the recommended target of 2%. Both the survey and the qualitative results recognise the significance of organisational procedures. However, organisational procedures cannot assist in achieving a successful inclusion where policies are not effectively implemented. Another issue is the rewards construct, which reveals that organisational rewards are more important to people with disabilities compared to those without. This could be due to the fact that people with disabilities have special needs and the exclusion experienced by this group has been extended to include organisational rewards. The research findings also endorse the notion that disability issues are not taken seriously by the Government and the corporate sector, as the employment of people with disabilities is being viewed as an onerous liability rather than a priority. Both the survey and qualitative results have revealed that the type of work to be performed also perpetuates exclusion. It emerged that most people with disabilities are not overly involved in Transnet’s core areas of business, such as the Crane and Pilot operation. They are mostly found in administrative departments such as human resources and finance. Apart from other divisions, the Transnet Freight Rail division was identified as the division that was unable to include people with disabilities; this exclusion is based on the tasks performed by this division. It also emerged that there is still non-compliance on the part of the company.
Adoption of E-commerce by small, medium and micro enterprises in Pietermaritzburg and Durban.
(2012) Ndayizigamiye, Patrick.; McArthur, Brian Walter.
There are a number of benefits associated with e-commerce adoption. E-commerce provides an opportunity for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to expand their range of transactions and expansion into foreign markets (OECD, 2000). In South Africa, a study on online retail reveals that South Africans spent two (2) billion rands buying goods online in 2010 (WorldWideWorx, 2011a). The projected growth of online spending was 40% for 2011 (ibid). In addition, at the end of the year 2011, the number of internet users in South Africa was approximately 8.5 million (Goldstuck, 2012). Furthermore, the installation of new undersea telecommunications cables in South Africa that will lead to an increase of the internet bandwidth at a cheaper price, the granting of licenses that allows Internet Service Providers to build their own networks and the growth of cell phone internet are indicators that more South Africans will be able to access the internet in the near future. This suggests that there is a market for internet-enabled businesses in South Africa. It is in this context that this research examines the adoption of e-commerce by South African SMMEs in the Pietermaritzburg and Durban areas. Particularly, this research focuses on four (4) e-commerce options: i) customers payment by credit card through the SMME’s website, ii) customers placing orders through the SMME’s website, iii) providing customer services through the SMME’s website and iv) placing orders with suppliers over the internet. From a clustered sample of 400 SMMEs from Pietermaritzburg and Durban (200 from each area), this research examines the current usage of the 4 e-commerce options, the determinants and inhibitors of e-commerce, e-commerce readiness in terms of e-commerce enablers that are implemented in those areas and the knowledge that SMMEs from these locations have about the benefits of e-commerce. Variables drawn from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory were tested for their significance as determinants of e-commerce within the context of SMMEs. Data were collected by means of questionnaires hand-delivered to SMME owner/managers. This study reveals that there is a disparity in e-commerce adoption rate by SMMEs between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. Such difference is mainly due to the differences in size of the businesses. In addition, it was found that three UTAUT variables influenced SMMEs’ decisions to adopt e-commerce. These variables are i) performance expectancy, ii) effort expectancy and iii) social influence. The social influence factor was found to be moderated by age. In addition, i) relative advantage, ii) compatibility and iii) complexity are the DOI variables that were found to have exerted some influence in the persuasion phase of the DOI model. The UTAUT and DOI theories were tentatively adapted to reflect the findings emanating from this study. This research also found that the majority of SMMEs that adopted e-commerce had knowledge of the benefits of e-commerce. Importantly, the research found that the majority of e-commerce adopters had an e-commerce strategy in place which is in contradiction with other research findings from the reviewed literature. The research shows that the majority of e-commerce adopters in both locations have i) their own company e-mail, ii) internet access and iii) a website. However, non-adopters in Pietermaritzburg show more readiness to e-commerce adoption compared to non-adopters in Durban as the majority of them already have i) an online presence, and ii) electronic mail. As expected, the majority of e-commerce adopters have a computerised inventory of company’s products and services. There is also evidence that customers’ and suppliers’ databases are built to carry out specific e-commerce activities. Lastly, the research found that whilst low use of e-commerce by customers is the only inhibitor that significantly affects the adoption of e-commerce in Durban, in Pietermaritzburg a number of inhibitors were found to impede e-commerce adoption. These are: i) lack of conviction of the financial and business benefits of e-commerce, ii) limited knowledge of the required technology, iii) low use of e-commerce amongst customers, iv) low use of e-commerce amongst suppliers, v) low level of computerisation within the company, vi) high cost of computers and network technologies, vii) telecommunications services not dependable, viii) concerns about internet security, and ix) concerns about legal issues, contracts and liability. In light of the research findings, it is recommended that government and policy makers be involved actively in promoting e-commerce adoption by SMMEs. In addition, SMME owners are urged to consider e-commerce adoption from an early stage of their business cycles and to take advantage of existing platforms that enable them to engage in e-commerce activities.
Assessing water management practices within the KwaZulu-Natal region: a case study of eThekwini Municipality.
(2020) Samuels, Alexander Bradley.; Ramluckan, Trishana.; McArthur, Brian Walter.
Our primary source of supply of water is through rainfall. It can be simply said that water is stored in dams, purified, and released at a cost to the public. Municipalities purchase water from their suppliers, and in the case of eThekwini, from Umgeni Water. Rainfall patterns have changed over a period and we are experiencing the effects of El Nino, a phenomenon that warms the Pacific Ocean and leads to drought in the southern hemisphere. The climate change scenario means lower and erratic rainfall and reduced water supply. The country will get drier, supply will be reduced while at the same time population increases, and economic and other activities create a huge water demand. Failure to supply water and failure to develop effective and adequate mitigating strategies carry grave human costs in the modern era. Economic losses due to water shortages are immense, impacting food supply, manufacturing, tourism, and other activities. The social cost includes a negative impact on the wealth of people and increasing the gap in living standards in society. The current water crisis affects millions. One of the main objectives of this study was to investigate the accessibility of water supply to consumers within the eThekwini Municipality region. The focus is on investigating the challenges experienced when trying to access water during erratic rainfall patterns. The rationale for conducting this study is therefore to help familiarise citizens of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) with the various restrictions and remedies that can help them conserve and utilise water more effectively and efficiently. This study emphasised the importance, causes, impacts, and current quality management system used for the limited water supply that is affecting not only the KZN province but South Africa. The study utilised an exploratory case study method to assess the water management practices within KwaZulu- Natal. A qualitative research approach was used which provided more value when determining the critical issues experienced during the supply of water. The research study was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal at the eThekwini Municipality Water and Sanitation Department. Purposive sampling was employed, with the sample size consisting of nine participants. Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were used as a data collection tool. NVivo 12 was employed as the software tool for thematic analysis for this qualitative study. This research study contributed to the creation of knowledge on a new implementation of a quality management system and how ISO 9001 can be used to ensure effective and efficient ii quality by implementing new practices that will ensure continuous improvement. Findings revealed that water accessibility is seen as a continuous water supply despite the implementation of water restrictions. It was noted that the current water scarcity situation has had an impact on the current water supply and dam levels. Findings also indicated that the eThekwini Municipality and Umgeni Reservoir had a very strong and healthy business relationship and that Umgeni Reservoir was supplying approximately 790MR litres of water daily. The SCADA system was the only criterion that could be used in the implementation of water restrictions. Water management practices were effectively managed in high consumption areas such as Umlazi and Tongaat. There was no actual quality management system in place and the eThekwini Municipality water and sanitation department were using various measures to meet the required quality standards. SANS241 and aggressive awareness programs were suggested to assist sensitive consumers. Revenue leakages were identified within the water supply system and recommendation for smart water metering was suggested for better reading, identifying water flow interruptions and illegal connections.
The causes and management of school-based violence in high schools in Umgungundlovu District of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2016) Eke, Chidi Idi.; McArthur, Brian Walter.; Mutinta, Given Chigaya.
A great deal of research has been conducted globally on the phenomenon of school- based violence and the devastating effect it has on teaching and learning. School-based violence is a multifaceted phenomenon and no single perspective or factor can sufficiently explain why learners behave in the ways they do, at home and at school, that lead to violence. School-based violence is denying South African children their constitutional right to a basic education by creating a school climate that hinders teaching and learning. The obstruction of a learner’s academic learning process as a result of violence could threaten their future prospects and their achievement of a better life in post-apartheid South Africa. It is for these reasons that this study examined the causes and management of school-based violence from a school-based perspective. The study aimed to determine the causes of school-based violence in high schools in uMgungundlovu district of KwaZulu-Natal, and to proffer a management model that would assist high school managers to reduce and manage school-based violence to create a school climate that promotes teaching and learning. The study used Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory to provide rich insights into the causes and solutions to school-based violence in high schools. A qualitative approach and purposive sampling technique were employed in the study. In-depth interviews and focus group interviews were used as data collection instruments for the study. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis and NVivo, a qualitative data analysis software. The study makes two contributions to the existing body of knowledge on school-based violence: the causes of school-based violence at each level of influence of the ecological systems model (microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem and macrosystem) were identified; and insights from these causes were used to develop a school-based violence management model that could assist school managers to reduce and manage school- based violence. The key themes that emerged from the findings include (1) lack of parental involvement in learners’ school issues; (2) learners’ misconduct in school influenced by the abuse of alcohol, drugs and other substances; (3) lack of adequate school security; (4) school managers lacking the required managerial skills to contain issues of school-based violence; e; and (5) female learners as the most significantly affected victims of cyber- violence.
Challenges in implementing an e-Government website in Guinea-Bissau.
(2011) Gomes Ca, Amediano.; McArthur, Brian Walter.
This research assesses the challenges involved in the implementation of an e-Government website in Guinea-Bissau. Special attention is given to Government ministries and their role in implementing the e-Government website. The goal has been to establish the extent to which the Government of Guinea-Bissau has responded to the challenges involved in establishing e-Government and the progress that has been made with regard to the priority initiatives pertaining to e-Government in the country. The study has made use of the survey research strategy. The study’s population consisted of twenty-three Government ministries. The study examines the challenges and prospects connected with the implementation of e-Government in GB and it also investigates the reasons for the failure of the country’s first IT implementation attempt. This study argues that e-Government in Guinea-Bissau (GB) has the potential to change the Government administration’s processes and also facilitate the delivery of Government information to the public. Realising this potential may be assisted if the ICT recommendations are taken into account by the relevant stakeholders. The development of an e-Government policy, an e-Government strategy and an e-Government programme were identified by respondents as matters of priority, as is the need to attend to GB’s broadband issues.
Challenges of government-to-government e-government: a case study of KwaZulu-Natal department of transport.
(2015) Abdulla, Mohamed Irshad.; Wissink, Henry Frank.; McArthur, Brian Walter.
e-Government (e-Gov) is the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance government service delivery to citizens. Government-to-Government (G2G) is a type of e-Gov concerned with the use of ICT within a government department or across different government departments. e-Gov is plagued by high failure rates and therefore faces challenges that inhibit governments from leveraging ICT to its fullest potential. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore and understand e-Gov challenges, focusing on G2G in particular. A qualitative research methodology was used, with a case-study research design. The research site was the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport. A conceptual framework comprising e-Gov and public management models and theories was used to interpret the data and reach conclusions. This research has shown that departmental e-Gov policy and the e-Gov quality management framework are foundational requirements for successful implementation. The challenges facing G2G in the KZN DoT can be considered as three layers with various inter-relations between the layers. The outer layer of challenges (sub-themes of strategy, usability, complexity, HR skills, resistance, systems development methodology, management support and data quality) must firstly be addressed, followed by the middle layer of challenges (themes of Addressing User Requirements, Business Process Management, Change Management, User Involvement, Organisational Culture and Priority); once this has been achieved, the central challenge facing G2G (User Adoption) is likely to be addressed. User Adoption was found to be the central challenge facing G2G since the lack of user adoption means that the intended benefits of G2G cannot be realised. By addressing these three layers, challenges related to Technology Infrastructure are solved in the process, although various other underlying issues related to Technology Infrastructure were identified. This research has addressed gaps in the literature on understanding the current challenges facing G2G as a particular form of e-Gov, and specifically how it is approached within a South African provincial government context. It has also bridged the gap between e-Gov and public management research, as each research domain has traditionally considered e-Gov independently. Finally, from a methodological perspective, this study contributes to the lack of qualitative research on e-Gov.
A critical analysis of the relationship between business information system technology and supply chain management with special reference to optimum efficiency within large enterprises in the food and drug retail sector in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2012) Ahern, Carol Anne.; O’Neill, Charles.; McArthur, Brian Walter.
The purpose of this research is to explore the relationship between supply chain management and business information system technology within the food and drug retail sector with special reference to optimum efficiency. Business information system technology leverages information and knowledge sharing throughout the supply chain which enables them to respond more effectively to an ever-changing and volatile marketplace. The relationship between supply chain management and business information system technology is multi-faceted and complex in nature, and consequently, has the ability to penetrate every element of an organisation’s functionality. Furthermore, it has the ability to penetrate the functionality of an entire chain or network of suppliers and markets irrespective of their position around the globe. Supply Chain management literature teaches that optimisation within functional areas is not as effective as cross-optimisation across functions and supply chain networks. As supply chains rely on business information technology for crossoptimisation, optimum efficiency will always be a moving target for as long as business technology and supply chain management continue to break through new ground. In this research large food and drug supply chain networks and their business information system requirements, trends, influence, effect and constraints were reviewed, with special reference to creating optimum efficiency in their supply chain networks. This research was motivated by discussions with Pick ‘n Pay’s business information system’s service provider and their desire to optimise Pick ‘n Pay’s supply chain network efficiency in a highly price-competitive environment, resulting in an in-depth case study being carried out on Pick ‘n Pay (Pty) Ltd stores in KwaZulu-Natal. The review of literature suggests that cross-optimisation is only mutually beneficial within trust relationships that exhibit seamless flows of information throughout a supply chain. Data suggests that despite Pick ‘n Pay’s use of advanced business information system technology, Pick ‘n Pay together with the food and drug retail stores in South Africa have a long way to go on this issue.
Enablers of knowledge sharing behaviour in female SMME networks.
(2019) Hall, Paula.; McArthur, Brian Walter.; Ellis, Deborah Ann.
Support for female entrepreneurs in South Africa has numerous economic and social benefits. Female SMME networks have arisen as an important support mechanism to increase female entrepreneurs’ social capital and enable knowledge sharing. The purpose of this study was to determine the nature, extent and enablers of knowledge sharing in female SMME networks. Using a quantitative questionnaire, this study statistically analysed female SMME networks members’ knowledge sharing behaviour (KSB) in relation to four key enablers derived from social capital theory. The study also analysed the type of knowledge shared and sought to determine if members’ KSB depended on demographic or business-related factors. Female SMME network members were found to display a high degree of KSB, particularly sharing of tacit knowledge. Two of the knowledge sharing enablers in the relational dimension of social capital, trust and social identity, were found to be highly correlated with members’ KSB, as did shared goals in the cognitive dimension. Surprisingly, social media usage, in the structural dimension, was found to have only a moderate correlation with KSB. This may be due to the members’ preference to share more tacit knowledge through socialisation than explicit knowledge through social media. Another unexpected finding was that KSB was found not to be dependent on member’s age, experience or education, nor on the number of employees or business sector of the SMME. This suggests that female SMME networks are conducive to knowledge sharing irrespective of the nature of the businesses or types of members. A multiple regression analysis between social capital, as a single aggregated construct made up of the four enablers, and KSB, found that social capital is a good predictor of KSB. However, these findings were limited to a small sample of members of SMME networks in KwaZulu-Natal - further studies are needed to establish more generalisable results. This research contributes to the study of KSB in inter-organisational networks, using a social capital framework, particularly in the context of female SMME networks. Given the importance of knowledge sharing for business success, female SMME networks should be supported in order to develop female entrepreneurs and their contribution to the South African economy.
An evaluation of bank SMEs lending criteria and gender bias in Gweru, Zimbabwe.
(2018) Maponga, Stephen Enos.; Derera, Evelyn.; McArthur, Brian Walter.
The contribution of SMES and entrepreneurship to economic growth is virtually an accepted truth the world over, but there are some groups that remain marginalised in this sector. Women are viewed as unequal to men and are discriminated against, a factor which also impacts on their ability to start and grow sustainable SMESs. This is evident in Zimbabwe. This project, thus, studies gender biases in the accessibility of loans in Gweru, Zimbabwe. Guided by feminist theories, mostly perspectives of liberal and social feminists, this study aimed to establish the existence or non-existence of bias, against women entrepreneurs, in the bank lending criteria. Positioned within the pragmatic research paradigm, this mixed method study was conducted in Gweru, Zimbabwe and constituted three (3) target populations. These were 1485 women-owned or managed SMESs in Gweru, 10 SMES finance experts and 10 bank loan managers based in Gweru. Positioned within the pragmatic research paradigm, this mixed methodology used questionnaires from women SMESs (319), as well as in-depth interviews with bank SMES loan managers (10), Finance Experts (10), to get qualitative insight into the circumstances of women entrepreneurs in Gweru. Having determined the reliability of quantitative data through the Cronbach’s Alpha Smirnov Kolmogorov, regression models and the Kruskal Wallis tests were performed on the collected data to meet the objectives of this study. As this was a concurrent, parallel mixed methods research design, the qualitative data from interviews was used to validate and add qualitative insights to the quantitative data. The triangulation method was used to ensure validity. Findings revealed four important sub-constructs of bank SMES lending criteria for women entrepreneurs. These included 1) partnerships and guarantees, 2) financial history, 3) business planning and 4) experience and specialization. The findings of this study showed that women entrepreneurs, who have male guarantors and partners, are more likely to secure loans than those without. The applicant’s financial history is also very crucial to accessing bank loans. Women who access bank loans can sustain their businesses, as they positively turnaround Zimbabwe’s economy. Future research should focus its attention on financial inclusivity of women owner/managers of SMESs.
A framework for the adoption of digital terrestrial television - the case of eThekwini Municipality. Uhlaka Lokutholwa Kwe-Digital Terrestrial Umabonakude - Udaba lukaMasipala weTheku.
(2022) Mabaso, Brian George.; McArthur, Brian Walter.; Naidoo, Karunagaran.
Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) brings many benefits to viewers compared to regular analogue televisions. Although many countries around the world introduced DTT with such benefits in mind, the rates of DTT adoption have been slow compared to other developing nations, and consequently, many countries, including South Africa, had to postpone the analogue switch-off date. Given the lagging consumer adoption of DTT in eThekwini Municipality, The purpose of this study is to apply the UTAUT model in predicting the citizens’ intention to adopt DTT and to determine the possible reasons for the slow adoption of DTT in eThekwini Municipality. This study is exploratory and employs a mixed methods approach, combining a quantitative approach using a survey questionnaire as a data collection tool, and a qualitative research approach, using interviews to collect data from industry experts. A total of 138 out of 267 respondents participated in the quantitative study, resulting in a 52% response rate, while 10 industry experts were interviewed as part of the qualitative study. The structural equation model (SEM) was employed to measure and analyse the relationships of observed values and latent variables, resulting in a new developed model. The findings indicate that the effect of the moderator variables on the relationship between the exogenous constructs and the dependent variable was found not to have a significant impact. The exogenous constructs of the UTAUT model that were investigated are Performance expectancy, The results from the quantitative study showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between the exogenous construct constructs and the behavioural intention to adopt, meaning that the citizens have intention to adopt DTT if it is made available. The qualitative results showed that leadership instability, policy inconsistencies, political interference and self-serving interest from some stakeholders were some of the factors behind the slow adoption of DTT. Iqoqa: I-Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) inosizo olukhulu kubabukeli uma kuqhathaniswa nohlobo lomabunakude abayi-analogue. Nakuba amazwe amaningi emhlabeni ethula lolu hlobo lwe-DDT emazweni awo ngoba elandela lezi zinto eziningi ezitholakalayo, amazinga okwamukela i-DTT asephansi kabi uma kuqhathaniswa nokwasemazweni asathuthuka kangangokuthi elaseNingizimu Afrika sekukaningi lihlehlisa usuku lokucima uhlelo lwe-analogue. Ngenxa yokulibala kwabanikazi bomabonakude ukuthi bashintshele ku-DTT ezindaweni zikaMasipala waseThekwini lolu cwaningo luhlose ukusebenzisa imodeli i-UTAUT ekuzameni ukuhlonza ngezinhloso zezakhamuzi ekuthatheni i-DTT kanye nokuthola izizathu okuyizona ezibangela ukuthi kuthathe kancane ukwamukelwa kwalolu hlelo lwe-DTT eThekwini. Lolu wucwaningo oluhlolayo futhi lusebenzisa indlela engxube luyihlanganisa neyikhwantithethivu. Ekuqoqeni imininingo lusebenzisa uhlu lwemibuzo yesaveyi bese kuthi ngokwendlela yokucwaninga eyikhwalithethivu lusebenzisa izinhlolomibono ekuqoqeni imininingo kochwepheshe bakule mboni. Kwababezophendula imibuzo abangama-267 bayi-138 sebebonke ababamba iqhaza ocwaningweni oluyikhwalithethivu, okusho ukuthi izinga lalabo abaphendula lingama-52%, kanti kwabuzwa imibuzo kochwepheshe bakule mboni abayi-10 kuyo le ngxenye eyikhwalitheyithivu. Kwasetshenziswa i-structural equation model (SEM) ekuhloleni nasekuhlaziyeni ubudlelwano bamagugu abonakalayo kanye namavariyebuli acashile ukuze kuthuthukiswe imodeli entsha. Imiphumela iveza ukuthi umthelela wamavariyebuli aziwa ngele-moderator variables ebudlelwaneni obuphakathi kwezincazelokuzakhela eziqhamuka ngaphandle kanye nevariyebuli encikile wakhombisa ukuba namandla amakhulu. Izincazelokuzakhela zangaphandle zemodeli i-UTAUT ezaphenywa zaba ngezokusebenza okulindelekile. Imiphumela yocwaningo oluyikhwantithethivu yaveza ukuthi kunobudlelwane obuhle nobukhulu phakathi kwezincazelokuzakhela zangaphandle kanye nokuzimisela ukwamukela, okuchaza ukuthi izakhamizi zizimisele ukwamukela i-DTT uma isitholakala. Imiphumela eyikhwalithethivu yaveza ukuthi ukungazinzi kobuhloli, izinqubomgomo ezishintsha njalo, ukugxambukela kwezombusazwe kanye nokuba ogombelakwesakhe kwalabo abangababambiqhaza kungezinye zezimo ezidala ukwamukeleka kwe-DTT ngendlela ehamba kancane kakhulu. Imiphumela yalolu cwaningo inemithelela eminingi kulabo abenza izinqubomgomo kanye nabasakazi kanti ingabhekiswa kakhulu ezakhamizini ngoba imininingo yesampula yayiqoqwa ezinkundleni zokuxhumana, okuyinto eyayivalela ngaphandle labo emiphakathini abangenayo indlela yokusebenzisa lezi zinkundla zokuxhumana. Imiphumela yalolu cwaningo yenezezela kwinjulalwazi ngalezi zindlela ezilandelayo: imodeli i-UTAUT yenezezelwa ngolwazi lobuchwepheshe njengencazelokuzakhela eyengeziwe kanti ibuye yenze neziphakamiso kulabo abathuthukisa izinqubomgomo.
Implementation of health management systems in Department of Health primary health care facilities in uMkhanyakude District, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2022) Kubheka, Zamanguni Fortunate.; Moshabela, Matlagolo Mosa.; McArthur, Brian Walter.
South Africa, as in many other countries, has had challenges attaining health outcomes, and has attributed this to weak health systems. Management strengthening has been prioritised as a critical entry point and core element towards strengthening the health system. Poor management of primary health care facilities has been identified as a major challenge to improving quality of health services. The study aimed to examine the role played by Operational Managers (OMs) on the implementation of health management systems at primary health care facilities in the uMkhanyakude Health District in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. The World Health Organisation’s conceptual frameworks for health systems performance systems, General Systems theory and Contingency theory were used as lenses to support the study. This study was exploratory in nature, and conducted through qualitative research methodology wherein OMs and primary health care Supervisors/Managers as the line managers of OMs in 56 primary health care facilities in the KZN DoH, uMkhanyakude Health District were purposively selected and interviewed through semi-structured in-depth interviews. The findings included that most management decisions, including planning, budget planning, workforce planning, supply chain and financial management, are centralised and controlled at the sub-district level, hence OMs play an insignificant role. OMs are not involved in planning, budgeting, and management of expenditure, management of supply chain or maintenance. The inadequate support and mentorship, lack of management training, ineffective centralised management systems, shortage of staff and too many programmes make it impossible for OMs to successfully implement their management functions, leading to a weak health system. It is recommended that the inputs and suggestions of OMs must be sought or they must be partially involved in critical decision-making as they are responsible for management of operations at this level. A systemic thinking approach when formulating management strengthening interventions will ensure that the focus is on resolving challenges across all management components and will strengthen the entire health system.
The influence of public and private supporting institutions on small, medium and micro enterprise development : a comparative study between Lesotho and South Africa.
(2015) Khoase, Refiloe Gladys.; McArthur, Brian Walter.; Mutinta, Given Chigaya.
Due to high rates of poverty and unemployment, economies are taking both immediate and longterm measures to tackle the issue. Amongst the measures economies have taken, are the development of SMMEs, especially in developing countries. It is perceived that SMMEs are high contributors of economic growth. To develop SMME sector, there are established public and private supporting institutions. The presence of these institutions perceived to create a favourable environment where SMMEs are able to grow sustainably and contribute to the country’s economy. If these institutions are not utilised, SMMEs could fail to develop and close down at the early stages. The aim of this research is to investigate the influence of the public and private supporting institutions with regard to businesses start-up and sustainable growth. Both Lesotho and South Africa have put in place a number of initiatives in the quest to support business development. However, there is not much said about the success or failure of such interventions from the public and private supporting institutions’ perspectives. Thus, there is a need to investigate the positive outcomes emanating from such institutions as well as the pitfalls resulting from their interventions that may hinder the start-up and growth of SMMEs. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect data. Semi-structured interviews with six supporting institutions in Maseru Lesotho, and six from Pietermaritzburg in SA were conducted. The survey covered a sample size of 379 owner-managers of registered SMMEs across all sectors in Maseru, and 384 in Pietermaritzburg. These sample sizes were generated using an online sample size calculator. A non-probability sampling method known as snowball sampling was used for the interveners (implementing agencies). Probability sampling methods known as stratified random sampling and cluster sampling methods were used for the SMMEs. The coded responses obtained from the interviews and questionnaires were analysed using NVivo 10 for Windows and SPSS for Windows, Version 22 respectively. Most SMMEs’ owner-managers in both Maseru and Pietermaritzburg are aware of the available supporting institutions and the assistance they provide at start-up and growth phases. However, entrepreneurs do not make full use of these institutions. Some entrepreneurs perceive that services provided by the supporting institutions are satisfactory, while some are not satisfied with such services. The main support they use is registering with these institutions which then allows them to operate formally. However, not making full use of supporting institutions’ programmes hampers SMMEs’ establishment, and they also do not grow sustainably. It is anticipated that the vii research findings will inform policy makers about factors that may contribute to or hinder the effectiveness of supporting institutions’ interventions at SMMEs’ start-up and growth phases. This is perceived will help policy makers and supporting institutions in devising adequate strategies to improve policy implementation or their service provision to SMMEs.
Information systems research methodology curricula.
(2015) McArthur, Brian Walter.; Vithal, Renuka.
The academic discipline of Information Systems (IS) is relatively young and its history is sprinkled with debates about identity and various quests to differentiate itself from related disciplines. Research in IS reflects these diverse quests, with a historically dominant quantitative tradition and an emerging qualitative and critical research paradigm. The formal research preparation of IS students is the phenomenon of interest, viewed from a curriculum perspective. This study explores intended and enacted research methodology (RM) curricula at the postgraduate level in South African public universities. The study is located in the interpretivist paradigm and was conducted in three phases. The first phase, comprising document analysis of formal handbook entries and module outlines, informed phase two, which was an eight week online virtual focus group discussion involving 12 RM lecturers across eight universities. The third phase involved site visits to two purposively selected, contrasting cases of RM curricula and included seminar observations, interviews and material analysis. An analytical framework, based on the curriculum analysis work of Lattuca and Stark (2011) and Posner (2004), informed analysis of the data. Content and thematic analysis of intended RM curricula yielded key themes which informed the analysis of cases. These themes are paradigmatic orientation, pedagogical orientation, linkage of the RM module to the research project and stakeholder orientation. Additional themes, namely, lecturer identity and the disciplinary identity of IS, were identified in the analysis of cases and emerged as key constructs in explaining the diversity of RM curricula in IS. Specific instantiation of a curriculum is conceptualized as a product of the interactions between the relative agency of the identities of the RM lecturer and the disciplinary culture. A model (identities in dialogue) and a matrix (RM structure-agency) have been developed to depict the specific RM curriculum identity produced through the interactions between the components of the constructs RM lecturer identity and discipline identity. The thesis thus build new theory, drawing from the case data to illustrate the explanatory power of the model and matrix. Furthermore, the thesis argues for the influential role of RM curricula in shaping research choices and the resultant influence on the evolving identity of IS as a discipline.
The interpretation and application of triangulation in information systems research.
(2020) Mutinta, Given Chigaya.; Govender, Irene.; McArthur, Brian Walter.
Scholars argue that a single research method is inadequate to investigate a complex phenomenon. As a result, there is growing interest in academic communities in the practicability of mixing research techniques in a process of triangulation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interpretation and application of triangulation within the disciplines of information systems (IS) at four universities in South Africa; the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the University of Cape Town, the University of the Witwatersrand, and Stellenbosch University. This study employed the exploratory and descriptive research designs, and mixed methods. The target population were academic staff in the IS disciplines. Census and purposive sampling were used to select participants for the quantitative and qualitative study respectively. A sample size of fifty (50) and eight (8) academics was drawn for the quantitative study and qualitative study respectively. Data was collected using document collection, questionnaires, and in-depth interviews. In-depth interviews and documents were analysed using thematic analysis technique. Questionnaires were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.1. The findings show that all (100 per cent) respondents were aware of triangulation. Data source triangulation (100.0 per cent) and methodological (82.4 per cent) are the most known types of triangulation. Methodological (90.2 per cent), investigator (67.0 per cent), data source (65.6 per cent), space (60.8 per cent), theory (52.9 per cent), time (41.1 per cent) and analyst (14.0 per cent) triangulation are the most used in this order. In spite of high respondents’ high levels of knowledge of triangulation, the seven types of triangulation are mainly used to validate research findings and explain research problems. There is thus a gap between the knowledge of triangulation and application of triangulation. IS academics find it easy to use data source (65.6 per cent), time (45.3 per cent), methodological (37.0 per cent), investigator (35.0 per cent), time (40.0 per cent), time (29.0 per cent), and space triangulation (23.5 per cent) in this order. Intradisciplinary triangulation is the most used than interdisciplinary triangulation. The findings indicate that academics with doctorates find it easier to use different types of triangulation than those with master’s degrees. The findings show that the frequently used type of triangulation is data source (19.0 per cent) and methodological (14.0 per cent). Largely, the study suggests that triangulation should be interpreted as Data source, Investigator, Theoretical, Methodological, Analyst, Space, and Time (DITMAST) triangulation, and to be used to Validate findings, Explain research problem, Enrich research instruments, and Refute findings (VEER). There is need to empower IS academics with knowledge on the interpretation of the different types of triangulation (DITMAST) and their application (VEER) in research.
Microsoft sharepoint server 2010 : a case study of corporate governance guiding its selection, deployment and commissioning at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2013) Jordan, Sonwabo Seedwell.; McArthur, Brian Walter.
Organizations typically have a reason for deciding to implement a particular business application, for example an Enterprise Resources Planning or a Human Resources management system. The reasons run the entire gamut from wanting to be the first (thus gaining a competitive edge) to playing catch-up (herd mentality perhaps) if everyone is deploying the solution. In between these extremes, there are organizations which take a technology agnostic view and thus set out to garner a good understanding of business challenges, opportunities, threats and risks to mitigate before seeking to deploy a particular solution. The objective of this study was to understand the business drivers and thought processes that the University of KwaZulu-Natal followed in selecting Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 technology. It was also the objective of the study to understand the deployment model chosen as well as understanding the attendant corporate governance put in place as well as the usage patterns once operational. The study followed a qualitative research format primarily using case study as the research design. Qualitative research was chosen because it is amenable to the collection, analysis and interpretation of data that cannot be easily or meaningfully quantified and summarized in the form of numbers. The case study research design was chosen because it allows the researcher to focus on one instance of a ‘thing’ to be investigated which then becomes the subject of an in-depth study using interviews and observation as a primary tool for data generation. A major finding of the study was that the University of KwaZulu-Natal followed an organic bottom-up approach which typically starts by providing collaborative sites and, as users find values in these sites, the implementation grows organically over a period of time. Another major finding was the absence of a formal documented corporate governance model that would include a SharePoint Delivery Plan for the organization. Consequently, of the four colleges within the university, only one college uses SharePoint technology. The adoption rate at the cluster or support services level is also markedly low.
Social deprivation and government employment of the non-profit sector: a two-phased interrogation of the welfare policy-practice phenomenon in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2020) Engelbrecht, Samuel Douglas.; Du Toit, Francois.; McArthur, Brian Walter.
Social services delivery in South Africa is substantially achieved through the contracting by provincial governments of select civil society organisations, required to be registered as non-profit organisations. The questions that arise are whether non-profit organisations operate in the area of greatest deprivation and whether the contractual relationships established by government with select non-profit organisations effectively impact citizen deprivation. Conducted from a pragmatic research perspective as a principally quantitative enquiry, the research investigates at the level of population study, in two phases, the phenomenon of non-profit organisation welfare service delivery in KwaZulu-Natal. The first phase interrogates the spatial relationship between the distribution of the human-welfare non-profit organisations and the distribution of human deprivation over the eleven municipal districts of KwaZulu-Natal. Undertaken as a cross-sectional study, a multidimensional deprivation measurement instrument was developed to measure deprivation throughout the province. Correlative association testing was performed to assess the form and extent of the relationship between all registered non-profit organisations, as well as the subset government-contracted non-profit organisations, and deprivation intensity. The second phase of the study was conducted as a five-year longitudinal investigation of provincial government’s disbursements to contracted non-profit welfare organisations, from fiscal year 2013. Regression analysis was undertaken for each provincial District Municipality, modelling the impact of annual disbursements to contracted NPO welfare providers on district poverty headcounts. The goal was to determine the explanatory effect of this expenditure on provincial deprivation levels. The findings of the first phase reveal that there is no discernable relationship between the provincial incidence of welfare non-profit organisations generally and the deprivation experienced by the provincial population. However, a very distinctive positive association is distinguished between the geographic incidence of deprivation and the location of government-contracted non-profit organisations. Second phase analysis demonstrates there is limited impact of government contracted non-profit organisation welfare provision on deprivation intensity in any region of KwaZulu-Natal. The evidence demonstrates that government’s social developmental welfare spend is neither impactful, nor judiciously targeted. It is concluded that this spending is palliative at best, markedly distinct from government’s stated ambition.
Social media as a communication tool during crises and disasters: a South African governance perspective.
(2016) Ramluckan, Trishana.; Subban, Mogesperie.; McArthur, Brian Walter.
Good governance is often a prevalent theme within the public administration sphere; being politically, socially and economically inclined. The focus of good governance is based on the responsibility of governments and governing bodies for the safety and well-being of their stakeholders. With the dominance of the technology age, social media and related technologies have become a strategic communications tool for the citizens of democratic states to voice their needs and opinions. Social media has proved to be a useful and effective communications tool in many crises internationally. However, in South Africa social media has not been fully embraced as a strategic communications tool by public organisations and is an evolving one. There is a lack of studies and knowledge of how social media can be used for crisis communication in South Africa or the factors that may influence it’s usage in crises. The study identified the gaps, and factors of using social media, thereby establishing the need for inclusion of social media in an organisation’s or government’s crisis management plan. Public Administrators play an important role in a crisis is to ensure that the citizens receive the vital information to ensure their safety in life-threatening situations and this became evident in the study. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to analyse the use of social media as a communication tool during crises and disasters from a South African governance perspective. As such, from the main aim, a few key objectives highlighted include amongst others: an investigation into the extent of social media usage in crisis and disaster communication; determining of the global factors affecting the use of social media in crisis and disasters and the proposal of updated communication flow models for the specific case of social media in crisis management; legislative and governance factors and developing an integrative model for the enhanced use of social media to address crisis communication whilst recommending social media strategies for effective use in crisis management for public/private South African organisations. A mixed methods approach was used to gather and analyse the findings. The study involved the collection of empirical data incorporating the use of questionnaires, interviews, secondary data and content analysis from authoritative documents to elicit relevant information from the relevant experts, specialists and academics in this field of study, utilising the Task Technology Fit (TTF) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as guidelines. From the identified factors which influence the adoption of social media, an issue regarding the awareness of the respondents toward the relevance of South African laws emerged. The #Feesmustfall campaign was one case study that revealed the extent to which social media was being used nationally and internationally. Key themes that emerged from the study include privacy and security which further emphasised the need for governing frameworks and legislation. Furthermore, social media strategies in terms of possible future legislation and or frameworks were recommended for the effective use in crisis management. The study concluded that social media is an important channel of communication in crisis and disaster but control mechanisms are required for its effectiveness. Furthermore, the study establishes the need for future research in this important area, which would be beneficial to the global community as a whole.
Strategic planning practices in manufacturing firms operating in Zimbabwe.
(2018) Chirima, Darlington Tinashe.; McArthur, Brian Walter.
Contemporary organisations from both the developed and the developing markets are increasingly embracing the practice of Strategic Planning hoping to derive superior performance levels. The study was prompted by managerial inadequacies and some gaps embedded in the existing body of knowledge on the Strategic Planning practices in manufacturing firms which have been crafted in the stable western markets. This study represents the first attempt to holistically document information on the Strategic Planning practices of firms in a hyper-volatile emerging economy, thus filling a gap that was embedded in the body of knowledge for a very long time. The study sought to explore how the four broad pillars of Strategic Planning (i.e. Environmental Analysis, Strategy Formulation, Strategy Implementation and Strategy Evaluation and Control) are conducted in Zimbabwe, as well as to determine the value of Strategic Planning to manufacturing firms. The adopted research context is not only unique, it is quintessentially a „moving laboratory‟ that provided an opportunity to examine the Strategic Planning practices and their resultant impact on firm performance. Following a positivist philosophy, the research design was descriptive and data collected were quantitative. After the pilot test, a total of 378 closed-ended questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 378 managers in 378 manufacturing firms in Harare, Zimbabwe. Stratified random sampling was used to pick 54 firms from each of the seven sectors under the manufacturing industries. Out of the 378 questionnaires sent out, 172 usable and valid questionnaires were collected, representing a 48% response rate. Some of the questionnaire scales were adopted from some previous classical works. The Cronbach alpha coefficients from the questionnaire‟s scales ranged from 0.730 to 0.943. Data was analysed by use of frequencies, means, T-tests, chi-square, regression and correlation analysis. Major findings from this study show that a significant number of manufacturing firms operating under conditions of increased turbulence have significantly shortened the time required to formulate a strategic plan. More so, the planning horizons have been seriously shortened to just one year. Out of all the Strategic Planning tools at the disposal of management, the study noted that the SWOT Analysis is the most widely used technique thus indicating the relative importance placed on the environment. Factors external to the firms were found to have the greatest bearing on Strategy Implementation initiatives of the manufacturing firms. Concerning the Environmental Scanning practices, Newspapers and Periodicals were the most frequently scanned information sources. The findings show that there is a moderate positive correlation between Perceived Environmental Uncertainty and Competitive Intelligence Acquisition. The results also indicate that Environmental Scanning is a significant predictor of firm performance. Overall, Strategic Planning Intensity is significantly and positively related to Managerial Expertise, Managerial Beliefs, Environmental Complexity and Level of Managerial Involvement. The relationship between Strategic Planning Intensity and Performance was found to be positive and significant. The study therefore encourages contemporary firms, both SMEs and large firms, to utilise the strategic management systems as they help them to closely align their operations to the turbulent environment and ultimately attain significant overall firm performances. Rather than maintaining the Strategic Planning initiatives fixed, the study recommends firms to adapt their Strategic Planning practices to their turbulent operating environments by encouraging more decentralisation, flexibility and informality of their Strategic Planning systems. To navigate the troubled turbulent environments and attain superior firm performance, firms need to be thorough and swift in their continuous intelligence acquisition efforts, planning processes, and carry along middle managers. Future research may address the „why‟ aspects through in-depth investigations using face to face interviews or focus groups and try to incorporate issues like cultural differences and leadership styles in the models. Where it is possible, objective performance measures may be used in similar studies. Besides filling the gap in the body of knowledge relating to the Strategic Planning practices of contemporary firms operating in turbulent environments, this study revealed practical issues management need to take note of. The study has uncovered a lot of current information on the Environmental Analysis, Strategy Formulation, Strategy Implementation and Strategy Evaluation and Control practices in firms operating in a turbulent developing environment. More so, as a way of contributing to the body of knowledge, study has developed a Strategic Planning model compatible with hyper-volatile environments especially in the developing world. The developed model advocates for what the researcher termed „The Advanced Planned-Emergent Model of Strategic Planning‟ which acknowledges the presence of both deliberate and emergent strategies in the organisation but demanding visionary leadership, greater flexibility, greater co-ordination, decentralisation, swiftness and adaptation in all the activities involved in the process.
The use of information and communication technologies in South African hotels : a self-evaluation by hotel managers.
(2011) Mndzebele, Nomsa Margareth.; Maharaj, Manoj Sewak.; McArthur, Brian Walter.
It is fair to assume that the level of participation in a world economy depends on the capacity of business organisations to use technology efficiently. Conducting business in the world today is driven by information technology. Internet technology has changed various business activities and transactions. In the Internet age, the development of electronic commerce (EC) is considered a major indicator of the overall competitiveness of organisations. An EC marketing channel can bring customers more benefits such as greater shopping convenience and potentially lower prices. Today, most hotels have been forced by the market to consider adopting EC to carry out business processes more efficiently. Hence, the purpose of the study is to determine the determinants of EC adoption by hotels in South Africa. This study is based on Tornatzky and Fleicher’s (1990) technological, organizational and environmental (TOE) model that includes technological context, organisational context and environmental context. The TOE model has been widely used to examine the factors that influence organisational technology adoption. The research model looked at eight determinants, which are (1) relative advantage, (2) compatibility, (3) complexity, (4) organisational size, (5) technology knowledge, (6) managers’ attitudes towards EC, (7) information intensity and (8) competition. A quantitative research design was used and a questionnaire was used to collect data and answer the research questions in the study. Four hundred hotels were randomly selected from the three groups of hotels suggested by the South African Tourism office, i.e. (1) Tourism Grading council hotel listing, (2) Tshwane accommodation listing and (3) AA travel accommodation. A total of 332 questionnaires were collected for data analysis, which represents a 94.9% response rate. Descriptive statistics, correlational statistics, one way analysis of variance, (ANOVA), regression analysis, cross tabulation tests and multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) were used to analyse the data. The results indicated that all three contexts (TOE) were important in the decision of EC adoption by the hotels in South Africa. The findings indicated that not all the determinants used had a statistically significant relationship with the extent of EC adoption in the hotel industry. The researcher also found out that hotels were more concerned about the benefits of EC than the organisational ability to adopt EC, the hotels that had sufficient resources were more willing to adopt EC. The findings also indicated that managers’ attitude towards EC adoption is influential on the extent of EC adoption. Finally, findings indicated that there is a lot of pressure from suppliers and customers for the hotels to use EC. Even though the mangers that filled in the questionnaire were computer literate, technology knowledge of EC would help managers to realise which systems are most appropriate.
User acceptance of systems for archiving and securing degree certificates and related documents.
(2019) Myeza, Philisiwe Joyce.; Blackledge, Jonathan Michael.; McArthur, Brian Walter.
Changing economic circumstances have led to the investigation of alternative solutions to economic problems. This has had an impact on communities who see academic qualifications as a solution to securing employment. With the increase in job opportunities requiring suitable qualifications, an increase in ‘qualification competition’ has occurred. This has resulted in academic qualifications being seen as a ‘key’ to securing employment. Unfortunately, such a perception has caused many individuals to pursue opportunities using ‘quick fix’ solutions and acquiring academic qualifications through breaches of security around these qualifications. Higher Education is one of the many sectors that is battling with security issues of this type. In South Africa alone, for the past few years, there has been a considerable increase in cases of persons who have been found to have faked either their senior certificates or university degrees, including doctorates. This is becoming a growing concern as it taints the image of the higher education sector in South Africa, and places at risk international relationshipsin higher education and beyond that the country has enjoyed over many years. Many education sectors are based on security systems in which the basic data of a person’s name and surname, for example, are retained when they graduateand the qualification they have legitimately received is recorded. This data is used when a re-print of a certificate is required. Though this method has been working well for some time, it has developed major flaws, in line with the sophistication of information and communications technology in general. This applies especially to the ability to edit e-versions of a certificate using image processing software. Thus, proper verification of the data captured in an e-version or hardcopy of a certificate (when reprinted, for example), represents an increasing risk, and, in some cases, results in a breach of security. Furthermore, some individuals have found ways to e-edit and print their own certificates, which look effectively identical to the authenticated certificates. While the emerging trend in various sectors is to store all data using the appropriate technology tools as a security measure for protecting information, organizations are becoming exposed to cybercrimes. As a result, data security has increasingly become a cause for concern. What is most disturbing, is that computer security breaches have increased, and in many cases, shown to be the result of ‘insider misuse and abuse’ of the information security measures established by an organization. It is for this reason that the current study and the work reported in this thesis has been undertaken and involves a focus on understanding what causes users to accept and follow an organization’s information systems security measures. The study is informed by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), as a framework to explore securing and archiving academic transcripts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). The results showed that the intention of the UKZN staff to use the system positively, relates to their performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions. The use of UTAUT in a mixed methods study within an academic environment assesses the existing measures of securing and archiving academic transcripts and identifies various weaknesses in the current system. Based on the findings of the study, the steganographic method is demonstrated and suggested as an improved method of securing and archiving academic certificates at UKZN. The original contribution is an in-depth study at UKZN that answered the user acceptance research questions and demonstrated the practical application of the steganographic method in securing and archiving data.