Browsing by Subject "construction economics"

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    Promoting the communication participation of vision impaired persons via digital inclusion: the role of a mobile network operator's processes
    (2021) Smit, Karen; Lorenzo, Theresa; Kathard, Harsha; Goggin, Gerard
    This study aims to determine how the processes of a mobile network operator (MNO) promote or hinder the digital inclusion of vision impaired persons in South Africa. It draws on the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory and concepts in Inclusive Design, as well as the Social Model of Disability. Viewing the Diffusion of Innovation theory through a social model lens highlights critical gaps and enables the development of a framework for digital inclusion, making a significant contribution in the field accessible ICTs for persons with disabilities. A single case study with an embedded unit is used to identify and describe an MNO's processes in terms of whether they promote or hinder digital inclusion. The study includes documentary sources, semi-structured interviews with MNO management, and focus groups with vision impaired consumers. Findings are presented under two themes, namely ‘inclusive culture' and ‘inclusive design'. The first theme proposes five processes that MNOs should implement to promote an inclusive culture. Firstly, MNOs must frame disability inclusion as a commercial opportunity and not as charity. Secondly, MNOs should distinguish between an integration and an inclusion approach in their processes. Thirdly, top management should display personal leadership when supporting disability inclusion. Fourthly, MNOs must recognise the role played by disability employment in promoting broader consumer inclusion. Fifthly, MNOs must adopt a purpose-led approach to ensure that staff render empathetic customer service. The second theme outlines five key considerations when implementing inclusive design for promoting digital inclusion. Firstly, reliable connectivity and accessible devices are key to digital inclusion. Secondly, affordability is a barrier to digital inclusion for many vision impaired South Africans. Thirdly, vision impaired persons should be viewed as a viable consumer group. Fourthly, education and marketing are essential for raising awareness about accessible technology and services among both MNO staff and the public. Fifthly, promoting digital literacy enables vision impaired persons to use technology optimally. This study proposes that MNOs implement processes that embed inclusion and inclusive design into their culture in order to meet the needs of vision impaired persons. This will ensure that vision impaired consumers not only become part of a connected society, but are also able to participate in it. Keywords: mobile network operators; digital inclusion; processes; vision/visually impaired; accessibility; Global South, information communication technology.
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    Open Access
    The relationship between diversity, leadership and innovation in the South African construction industry
    (2022) Madikizela, Kolosa; Michell, Kathleen; Theo, Haupt
    The absence (or lack) of a diverse leadership and workforce in the South African construction industry is hindering innovation in the industry. The result is a weakened ability to respond to a fast paced technologically driven market and economic changes which impacts directly on organisational growth and performance. This further limits the industry's ability to provide inclusive innovative solutions to industry challenges and societal infrastructure challenges. Little is known about the role of leadership in driving, influencing, and managing the relationship between diversity and innovation in the South African construction industry. The construction industry has not been responsive to market changes and consequently, has been slow to innovate and grow. The rapidly evolving societal contextual landscape requires a more diverse workforce to specifically respond to and address these challenges. South Africa is faced with many infrastructure challenges, such as insufficient eroded road and water infrastructure, lack of sufficient housing, high unemployment of construction graduates, that impact negatively on society's most impoverished and marginalised. The exclusivity of South Africa's growth path is further emphasised by a high unemployment rate of 25%, while the comprehensive social welfare system has succeeded in reducing inequalities in access to public services and housing, poverty has remained stagnant, and inequality has remained exceptionally high, underpinned by one of the world's consistently highest unemployment rates. This study investigated the role of leadership in managing the relationship between diversity and innovation in the construction industry by examining how leadership influences, drives, and manages this relationship to advance organisational performance in the South African construction industry. A convergent parallel mixed method approach was used to elicit the views of all the professionals (the construction industry work force) working within the South African construction industry on how they perceive, interact, feel, experience, engage and rate the level of importance of the three elements under investigation. A pilot study was conducted with a small sample to evaluate the comprehensibility of the questions. Thereafter, a questionnaire (survey) was distributed to professionals in various roles and levels within the South African construction industry. To better understand how leaders within the South African construction industry view, interact, feel, experience, engage and rate the level of importance of the three elements, semi-structured interviews were conducted via Microsoft teams concurrently with the questionnaire that was distributed via the survey monkey digital platform. The quantitative data collected was exported from the Survey Monkey digital tool to the SPSS 27 software and analysed using descriptive, inferential and probability tests. The qualitative data was analysed thematically using the NVivo 12 software. The research found that the South African construction industry has the potential and opportunity to contribute to societal infrastructure challenges and that there is a correlation between leadership's ability to drive, influence and manage the relationship between diversity and innovation to advance successful organisational and industry performance. This study provided a framework articulating the mediating influence of leadership on the relationship between diversity and innovation to drive better inclusive societal infrastructure problem-solving in the South African construction industry.