African Sector Research Articles

Trade Liberalisation and Female Employment in Botswana and South Africa

The literature on trade liberalisation has presented female labour force participation and employment as positive outcomes which can be realised through trade. Given that female employment depends on the growth and gender composition of the industries affected by trade, authors have found conflicting evidence on the topic. However, Caǧatay (2005) has put forth hypotheses to explain possible scenarios under which feminisation of the labour force can take place, namely the buffer, segmentation and substitution hypotheses. The purpose of this research paper is to determine which of these hypotheses are congruent with changes in female labour force participation in Botswana and South Africa. Both are middle income countries with similar trade compositions which have undertaken trade liberalisation strategies over the last few decades and have experienced positive growth in female labour force participation. Micro and macroeconomic data on trade and employment were utilised for both countries and the findings suggest that the substitution hypothesis holds for both the agricultural and manufacturing sectors in Botswana. While the substitution hypothesis also holds in the South African agricultural sector, the buffer hypothesis holds in the manufacturing sector. Though the female employment growth in both these countries is a positive labour market indicator, developing countries such as these should strive towards attaining outcomes which resemble the segmentation hypothesis to ensure the sustainability of female employment growth. To achieve this, trade and industrial policies should identify female-dominated sectors, or at least sectors which are an important source of female employment, and gear development towards those. In addition, labour policies should be developed in conjunction with these trade and industrial policies to protect the rights of the workers in these industries.

Measuring the systemic risk transfer from the United States to the South African financial sector

ABSTRACTThe sub-prime crisis in 2008 illustrated how systemic risk in the financial sector of one country could spread to the financial sectors in other countries, and subsequently result in a global financial crisis. This direct transfer of systemic risk was made possible by phenomena such as contagion and common shocks. The way in which these elements of interconnectedness can magnify seemingly small levels of systemic risk, and subsequently transfer between financial sectors illustrate the necessity for a more in-depth analysis. This measurement is done using three approaches. A dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) model is used to investigate contagion. To analyse the volatility spillover effect from the US to SA, an exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic (EGARCH) model is employed. Finally, a new contribution is made where a marginal expected shortfall (MES) model is used to set the FTSE/JSE All-Share Index (ALSI) as a hypothetical bank in the financial sector of the S&P 500. All approaches show weak evidence for a direct systemic risk transfer and therefore indicate that any systemic risk transfer is more likely to take an indirect form through changes in capital flows or interest rates.

Indian health diplomacy in East Africa: Exploring the potential in pharmaceutical manufacturing

ABSTRACTIndian engagement in East Africa’s health sector is multifaceted, comprehensive and involves national and subnational actors. It includes exports of low cost generics, building health infrastructure, aid, technical assistance and hosting medical tourists among others. This paper, based on extensive fieldwork conducted with multiple stakeholders in Kenya and Ethiopia, provides an overview of the various components of India’s co-operation in the East African health sector and identifies pharmaceutical manufacturing as a space for Indian actors to leverage their strengths. It focuses on two case studies of manufacturers: a third-generation company in Kenya owned by members of the Indian diaspora, and a newly formed subsidiary of an Indian corporation in Ethiopia. These case studies inform the larger debate on India’s health diplomacy on the continent and the myriad ways in which the Indian state as well as corporates can enhance existing co-operation.

Managerial strategies to promote interorganisational and multisectoral collaboration in the South African public sector: a case study approach

This study argues that to effectively address the problem of food insecurity, there is a need for interorganisational and multisectoral coordination in program implementation in the South African public sector. This article identifies key challenges faced by government departments in the coordination of social assistance programs aimed at achieving food security. The article presents the results of a qualitative research approach, through the use of a multiple case study design to provide a detailed description of the challenges and limitations that government departments face in coordinating social assistance programs. The results of the investigation revealed the gaps that inhibit effective multisectoral and interorganisational collaboration. The article concludes by suggesting various managerial strategies that can be infused in the South African public sector to promote organisational effectiveness.

Analysis of Factors Influencing Bank Profitability: Evidence from the West African Economic and Monetary Union Banking Sector

Analysis of Factors Influencing Bank Profitability: Evidence from the West African Economic and Monetary Union Banking Sector

The transformation of governance in the South African energy sector : critical considerations for gender mainstreaming

The transformation of governance in the South African energy sector : critical considerations for gender mainstreaming

Managerial strategies to promote interorganisational and multisectoral collaboration in the South African public sector: a case study approach

Managerial strategies to promote interorganisational and multisectoral collaboration in the South African public sector: a case study approach

Organic matter isotopes reveal enhanced rainfall activity in Northwestern Mediterranean borderland during warm substages of the last 200 kyr

In this study we use bulk sediment organic matter stable isotopes (δ13Corg and δ15N) to examine the nature and timing of preserved organic matter in borehole PRGL1-4 from Northwestern Mediterranean Sea. This region is known as a transitional zone between the North Atlantic atmospheric circulation and the North African monsoon system. In the Gulf of Lion (SE France), increased inputs of organic matter from sediment-laden rivers occurred during warm substages of the last 200 kyr (MIS 5e, 5c, and 5a; MIS 6d, and 6b). Increased terrestrial organic matter are inferred from organic carbon isotopic composition (δ13Corg), and are interpreted as resulting from enhanced rainfall over the Rhone river catchment area. Such increase in terrestrial organic carbon induced enhancement of the primary productivity leading to the formation of local oxygen minimum zone as demonstrated by ∼3‰ values in δ15N. Comparison with regional paleohydrological records from the northern Mediterranean borderlands reveals the regional character of these pluvial events. Taking advantage of the location of PRGL1-4 borehole, out of Mediterranean cyclogenesis area, we suggest that the pluvial events recorded during warm substages of the last 200 kyr occurred in response to enhanced passage of North Atlantic atmospheric perturbation over the Gulf of Lion catchment area (especially over Rhone river watershed which represent 80% of the GoL catchment area), a scenario possibly similar to that encountered today during negative- NAO like conditions. At a regional scale, our data suggests that high rainfall events over the Gulf of Lion catchement area and the Rhone watershed occurred at the time of North African summer monsoon and the sapropel deposition in the Mediterranean basin, thus highlighting a close coupling between mid- (North Atlantic) and low-latitudes (monsoon) climate systems. Importantly, our geochemical evidence from the Gulf of Lion support an extra-Mediterranean source for the regional pluvial events described in many paleoclimatic records from the northern Mediterrean borderlands during warm substages of the last climate cycles. Consequently, we suggest that this region as a whole could provide, in addition to the river runoff from the North African sector, the necessary conditions for the sapropel deposition.

A framework for simulating systemic risk and its application to the South African banking sector

We present a network-based framework for simulating systemic risk that considers shock propagation in banking systems. In particular, the framework allows the modeller to reflect a top-down framework where a shock to one bank in the system affects the solvency and liquidity position of other banks, through systemic market risks and consequential liquidity strains. We illustrate the framework with an application using South African bank balance sheet data. Spikes in simulated assessments of systemic risk agree closely with spikes in documented subjective assessments of this risk. This indicates that network models can be useful for monitoring systemic risk levels. The model results are sensitive to liquidity risk and market sentiment and therefore the related parameters are important considerations when using a network approach to systemic risk modelling.Keywords: Systemic risk; banking networks; network structure; market sentiment

Mitchell’s Brewery: entrepreneurship challenges in the South African craft beer industry

Learning outcomes They are as follows: to identify strategic growth opportunities for SMEs in the South African craft beer industry; to understand the complexities associated with operating a craft beer SME in the South African alcohol sector and analyse the SME’s strategic decision-making process that happens as a result; to understand the challenges and identify opportunities for entrepreneurship and growth in an emerging economy and niche segment; to develop a differentiation strategy for a small player in a competitive market; and to impart industry-specific knowledge and insight on the craft brewing industry. Case overview/synopsis The case is centred on the challenges that Hein Swart, managing director of Mitchell’s Brewery, is facing in sustaining business operations amid heavy regulations and increasing competition from existing craft breweries. In addition, there is the entry of a different type of competitor into the South African market that did not exist previously. The case narrative broadly presents several industry themes that interact with each other and create the existing complexities. Complexity academic level This case is targeted at postgraduate business school students with some work experience who want to build their critical thinking, business management and strategic decision-making skills such as Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and Executive MBA academic programmes, and also delegates on Executive Education programmes. The case is expected to be used as a case study for courses in entrepreneurship and strategic management; however, it can also be applied in strategic marketing courses. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship

The Uncertain Path to Enterprise Architecture (EA) Maturity in the South African Financial Services Sector

The Uncertain Path to Enterprise Architecture (EA) Maturity in the South African Financial Services Sector

Characterization of ionospheric irregularities at different longitudes during quiet and disturbed geomagnetic conditions

This paper investigates the plasma irregularities at different longitudes in the month of March 2015; a period that consists of both quiet and disturbed geomagnetic conditions. The average rate of change of TEC index (ROTIave), derived from Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements obtained at South America, Africa, Asia and Oceania equatorial regions, was used as indicator. The observations revealed significant longitudinal differences for both quiet and disturbed conditions. The quiet-time observations indicate that irregularities were most frequent in the American and African sectors, it is rarely observed in the Asian sector and mostly absent in the Oceania longitudes. The strength is however observed to decrease eastward i.e. it is most prominent in the American sector (up to ∼1.6 TECU/min.) and absent in the Oceania longitudes. The results of the investigation of the 17 March, 2015 storm event revealed that the storm appeared not to hinder the development of irregularities in all the stations in the America sector during the night following the main phase. However, significant longitudinal variation is observed within the sector on the first night following the storm's recovery. In the African sector, the storm inhibits the development of irregularities in all the stations during the storm days considered: a development that is fundamentally different from the America sector. Generally, no significant storm effect is observed in the Asian and Oceania stations considered. The storm-time longitudinal variations of irregularities have been partly attributed to the storm timing and significant longitudinal difference in the action of storm-induced related drivers.

Personal factors in talent retention in the South African banking industry

This study explored the influence of personal factors on job retention in a banking services sector setting. South African banking sector employees (n = 262) participated in the study (age range = 18–45 years; female = 62%, white = 57%). The participants were equally distributed in the different geographical locations (metropolitan areas = 53%, inland areas = 47%). The employees self-reported on their personal factors (emotional intelligence and self-esteem) and job retention factors. Regression analysis revealed personal factors as a composite variable to predict the talent retention factors of job characteristics, supervisor support, career opportunities, and work/life balance. Furthermore, the results indicated no significant differences in personal factors and retention factors by geographical location. The findings contribute new insights to the talent retention literature by presenting the importance of the personal attributes and demographical differences of employees.

Antimicrobial resistance surveillance in the South African private sector report for 2016

Aim: The relevance of surveillance for antimicrobial resistance is increasingly recognised in the light of a global action plan to combat resistance. This report presents antimicrobial susceptibility testing on ESKAPE pathogens from private sector laboratories in South Africa for 2016.Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) performed on ESKAPE organisms (Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae and Escherichia coli) isolated from blood cultures at four private pathology laboratories in 2016 were analysed. Analysis and reporting of data were done via a uniform platform created by the NICD for national AST data.Results: AST were reported on 9 029 ESKAPE organisms including 58% Enterobacteriaceae, 28% Gram-positive bacteria and 14% Gram-negative bacteria and drug-bug combination was performed following the Global Antimicrobial Surveillance System (GLASS) guidelines by the World Health Organization.Conclusions: The most important resistance to address is a high level of ESBL in Enterobacteriaceae, which necessitates the use of carbapenems for treatment. Resistance to carbapenems is recorded in this report but not confirmation of genes by genotypic methods. During this period, no increase in vancomycin-resistant Enterococci was observed.

Antimicrobial resistance surveillance in the South African public sector

Electronic surveillance for antimicrobial resistance was established in 2013 for public sector laboratories and released annually. This article reports susceptibility data on ESKAPE pathogens for 2016.

Scripting Black African Muslim Presence in South African Islam: A Quest for Self-understanding beyond the Moment of Conversion

What does it mean to be forever framed as a Muslim cultural “Other”? And what kind of epistemic closure does such framing imply? The little that is written (academic and popular) about the Black African Muslim experience and encounter with Islam in South Africa often entraps this sector within the theme of “conversion to Islam”. This essay examines, therefore, the following question: to what extent does the theme and “narrative of conversion” perform a sort of racial coding that unintentionally writes off Black African Muslim identity as less authentic and therefore not fully Muslim? Taking as its data the available literature on the Black African Muslim sector, limited as it is, as well as selected pieces by a Black African Muslim writer and poet, the essay posits a reading that is attentive to Black African Muslim self-understanding, subjectivities and sense of self beyond the moment of conversion.

Career-related dispositional factors in relation to retention within the retail sector: An exploratory study

The study aimed to explore the extent to which employees’ organisational commitment and career adaptability predicted employee retention factors in the South African retail sector; taking employee demographics into account. A sample of 224 early to mid-career permanent retail employees participated in the study (single = 51.3%; female = 53.1%; mixed-race = 50.9%). The participants responded to surveys on their organisational commitment, career adaptability, and retention factors. A stepwise regression analysis was computed to predict employee retention factors from their organisational commitment and career adaptability. Results suggested the organisational commitment and career adaptability to explain 16% of the variance in employee retention factors. Of the organisation commitment factors, affective commitment was the most predictive of employee retention; followed by normative commitment. The career adaptability factor of curiosity predicted work-life balance. Talent retention in the retail sector appears to be explained by organisational commitment factors relatively more so than by career adaptability factors.

Variability of the Southern Hemisphere Subtropical Jet Stream in the Second Half of the 20th Century and Early 21st Century

Latitudinal position and wind speed of the Southern Hemisphere subtropical jet stream have been investigated on the basis of ERA-Interim, JRA-55, and NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data for 1948–2013. The analysis covers different time intervals in summer and winter seasons, as well as different spatial domains. It has been shown that the variability of the southern jet stream parameters in both winter and summer seasons is predominantly characterized by wind-speed weakening on the jet-stream axis and its poleward shift. The winter seasons of 2000–2013 identified a shift in the jet-stream axis toward the equator in the Atlantic (60°–0° W) and African (0°–60° E) sectors; the wind-speed increase in the Atlantic sector was statistically significant. The wind speed on the jet-stream axis in both winter and summer is closely related to the temperature difference in the upper tropospheric layer of 200–400 hPa between the latitudinal zones of 0°–30° S and 30°–60° S. A significant negative correlation (r = −0.78) between wind speed and temperature difference has been revealed for the winter season in the upper tropospheric layer between the latitudinal zones of 30°–60° S and 60°–90° S, which can be explained by the Southern Annular Mode variability in this season. No such relationship has been found for the summer season.

Storm Time Total Electron Content Modeling Over African Low‐Latitude and Midlatitude Regions

AbstractThis paper presents storm time total electron content (TEC) modeling results based on artificial neural networks, for both low‐latitude and midlatitude African regions. The developed storm time TEC models were based on Global Positioning System (GPS) observations from GPS receiver stations selected in low latitude, Northern and Southern hemisphere midlatitude regions of the African sector. GPS data selection was based on a storm criterion of −50 nT and storm data sets used to develop the models were within the periods 2001–2015, 2000–2015, and 1998–2015, for African low latitude, Northern and Southern Hemisphere midlatitude regions, respectively. For the first time in storm time TEC modeling, the meridional wind velocity was introduced as an additional input to the well‐known TEC modeling inputs (diurnal variation, seasonal variation, solar activity, and geomagnetic activity representations) to take into account the effect of neutral winds in moving ionization within the ionosphere along the magnetic field lines. Results showed that the use of meridional wind as an additional input leads to overall percentage improvements of about 5%, 10%, and 5% for the low‐latitude, Northern and Southern Hemisphere midlatitude regions, respectively. High‐latitude storm‐induced winds and the interhemispheric blows of the meridional winds from summer to winter hemisphere may be associated with these improvements.

The impact of black economic empowerment on business risk - evidence from the South African industrial sector

The impact of black economic empowerment on business risk - evidence from the South African industrial sector