Conference Booklet 11 Nov - Nina - CPUT ACTIVE Web - Cape ...

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Paper Abstracts—In Alphabetical Order of Presenters
GOVERNING THE INTERNET TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION
PROCESS FOR THE SMALL AND MEDIUM HOSPITAL-
ITY ENTERPRISE (SMHE)
BUKELWA NGOQO, STEPHEN FLOWERDAY
Department of Information Systems, University of Fort Hare, East
London, South Africa
ABSTRACT
The SME sector makes a significant contribution to the economies
of developing countries. Small and Medium Hospitality Enterprises
(SMHEs) within the tourism industry are identified as a key component
of this sector. The Internet has created a global marketplace
for SMHEs and has thus become an indispensable tool for not only
marketing or communicating with consumers, but it also provides a
platform for consumers to transact online. However, despite the
advances in technology and in particular with Internet technologies,
SMHEs are not effectively using these new technologies. This
study sought to identify IT Governance principles which can be
adopted by SMHEs as well as Information Systems (IS) success
factors that will act as success indicators for SMHEs who implement
technological solutions. The findings of this study led to the development
of a model which acts as a guide when making the decision to
adopt technology in order to improve SMHE competitiveness. The
research methodology included mixed methods which incorporated
data from the literature survey, questionnaires and observations
completed by SMHE owners. The findings of this study confirm the
existence of a positive link between the use of Internet technologies
by SMHEs and their competitive advantage.
BUILDING PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS INTO
ENTREPRENEURIAL VENTURES – A PEDAGOGICAL AP-
PROACH FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
GAONTEBALE NODOBA; STUART HENDRY; TERRI GRANT;
CLAUDIA KALIL & JO MONSON
University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
ABSTRACT
The School of Management Studies at the University of Cape Town
(UCT) has developed an innovative and highly collaborative teaching
approach that equips postgraduate Management students with
the requisite skills to develop and deliver a live business project.
The focus of the live project is on the triple bottom line of people
(social responsibility); planet (environmental sensitivity) and profit
(financial accountability). This innovative teaching approach comprises
a collaborative effort between students, convenors of the
Business in Context and Business Communication courses and
small business owner-managers. The model was developed in an
attempt to prepare students for challenges in the workplace and to
offer technical support to small businesses (SMEs) in order to increase
their competitiveness.
The paper will set out the rationale for the approach to teaching and
explores ways in which business and academia can cooperate to
tackle sustainability issues. It describes the design of interventions,
amplifies the need for collaboration between academic departments
and highlights the mutual benefits for both universities and participating
small businesses as both aim to remain relevant and sustainable
in the 21 st century.