Papers by Dr Davy J Du Plessis
The aim of this study was to create an accounting-auditing framework that supports good corporate... more The aim of this study was to create an accounting-auditing framework that supports good corporate governance in local authorities in Zimbabwe. The study was driven by the low corporate governance index in all Zimbabwean local administrations. Low index contributed to inadequate service delivery in all Zimbabwean authorities. Existing literature shows that some elements of the internal audit may be used to enhance corporate governance in local authorities. It was against this background that this study sought to determine the extent to which some elements of the internal audit may be used to promote corporate governance. Pragmatism research philosophy guided the study. Due to this philosophy, mixed research design was used. The study examined the relationship between internal auditing pillars and corporate governance in local authorities using an explanatory research design. Data was gathered from internal auditing members at three local government and Accounting Association of Zimbabwe members A probability and non-probability sampling strategies were utilized to create 250 participants. The quantitative data was analysed using regression, and correlation. Qualitative data was analysed using the thematic approach. The study found that internal auditing dimensions, including audit committee, audit quality, and consulting role of internal audit, are crucial for the promotion of good corporate governance in local authorities. The study revealed that increasing the scope of internal audit to include three dimensions is crucial for building strong corporate practices in local authorities. The study found that improving the effectiveness of the three internal audit dimensions involves focusing on moderating factors such as audit committee independence, accounting experience/professional capacities, size of the audit committee, funding of internal auditing processes, internal audit staff competences, and stakeholder engagement. The study found that the three internal audit dimensions and six moderating factors can serve as a framework for local authorities to enhance good corporate governance. To promote excellent corporate governance, local authorities should adapt and expand their internal auditing operations and procedures to effectively develop and use the three dimensions and moderating elements in enhancing good corporate governance in addition to their traditional finance controlling mandate. The study suggests that local authorities adopt the presented framework which focuses on three pillars and 6 moderating variables. Future research may examine the framework's effectiveness in other local authorities not included in this study.
Significant transformations in conventional learning have occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ... more Significant transformations in conventional learning have occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the imperative for novel approaches to education. Virtual learning technology (VLT) offers an immersive and engaging education that can revolutionize teaching and learning paradigms and modern experiences. Thus, mobile devices are becoming more prevalent among university students when accessing virtual learning platforms. Moreover, many students in Namibia utilised mobile technologysupported learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The perceptions of students regarding mobile technology are a subject of ongoing research. This study investigated postgraduate students' experiences and viewpoints regarding using virtual learning platforms to advance their studies. A total of 42 postgraduate students completed an online survey about their virtual learning experiences in Namibia. The findings show favourable and robust perceptions towards the importance of virtual learning technology in enhancing teaching and learning in Namibia. A consensus was reached among most postgraduate students that learning materials are easily accessible via VLT. Hence, virtual learning platforms offer postgraduate students novel learning opportunities. Isolated disparities were noted in relation to the postgraduate mode of study using VLT, where some postgraduate students still prefer a greater degree of integrated mode for face-to-face teaching approaches. This could be related to slow acceptance, with the possibility of a shift in preference and interest in pleasant VLT experiences over time.
Journal of Namibian Studies, 2023
This article examines the challenges of intellectual property commercialisation on the realisatio... more This article examines the challenges of intellectual property commercialisation on the realisation of the Swakopmund protocol. Like many other countries, Namibia attempts to preserve Traditional Knowledge (TK) by developing a national legislative and administrative framework. Subsequently, this leads to a growing interest in applying TK, particularly among the San people of Southern Africa. The purpose of the current legislative framework and the Swakopmund Protocol is to protect and conserve Namibia's TK while simultaneously permitting access and long-term use. The Swakopmund Protocol is one of the legislations to protect TK. This study employed a qualitative research approach as the focal methodology. A purposeful sampling was used to select five traditional leaders of the San Community and two Business and Intellectual Property Authority's (BIPA) managers. The data was analysed with an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis using Atlas.ti 9™. The study examined the efficacy of the Swakopmund Protocol, which went into operation in 2010. Moreover, the study gave answer to questions such as what challenges the San community has faced when implementing the Swakopmund Protocol and how effective the Protocol is in protecting TK within Namibia? In addition, the study explored the ways forward in protecting TK and making the protection as efficient as possible to allow future generations to access such knowledge.
The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated many essential modifications across all sectors of the economy... more The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated many essential modifications across all sectors of the economy, including the education sector. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training lecturers were offered via a blended mode. The COVID-19 pandemic commanded entire Virtual Teaching and Learning for these students and lecturers. The article looks at the impact of student academic success due to only Virtual Teaching and Learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Department of Technical and
Researchleap, 2024
Conventional leadership models are insufficient to address modern concerns regarding the institut... more Conventional leadership models are insufficient to address modern concerns regarding the institutional transformation of Namibia's public institutions of higher education. Africa, especially Namibia, aims to utilize the transformational potential of education but encounters obstacles due to a lack of leadership and resources. The main objective of this article is to explore the challenges of institutional transformation at public institutions of higher education and the appropriateness of transformational leadership to drive successful and sustainable institutional transformation within Namibian public higher education institutions. The study employed a mixed-method approach, incorporating descriptive design and theme analysis. The data for the article was gathered via online surveys and semistructured interviews with management from Namibian public universities. ATLAS.ti aided the thematic analysis, while descriptive statistics was employed for quantitative data analysis with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Ethical issues were rigorously adhered to during the study procedure. Essential leadership traits include respect, honesty, stakeholder involvement, and flexibility. Moreover, a lack of vision, inefficient communication, and an inability to acknowledge team efforts impede institutional transformation. These observations highlight the significance of leadership in enabling effective transformation. The study highlights the crucial importance of transformational leadership because this leadership model features all the qualities needed by a leader to drive a successful institutional transformation in Namibian higher education. The results are consistent with previous research, highlighting the significance of transformational leadership attributes in promoting effective institutional transformation.
American Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities
There are numerous factors which have a role in impacting students' experiences at higher edu... more There are numerous factors which have a role in impacting students' experiences at higher education institutions. The study's main objectives are to determine which support structures at institutions of higher learning promote a conducive environment for student success. Secondly, to explore activities that institutions of higher learning can consider when addressing the issue of academic success. The paper focuses on the Honors Living-Learning Community (HLLC) at Rutgers University – Newark (RU-N), New Jersey as a case study to examine how it successfully ensures its students' academic success. A self-report survey was conducted to examine the experiences of HLLC alumni to identify factors impacting students’ academic success. The 2018 to 2021 alumni at the Honors Living-Learning Community (HLLC) at Rutgers University – Newark (RU-N) were the population for this study. The study opted for the theoretical framework of Tinto and Pusser; two noted theorists on student succ...
American Journal of Creative Education
Higher education institutions are positioned to meet the rising need for students to become posit... more Higher education institutions are positioned to meet the rising need for students to become positive change agents. Change agents does not only benefit an individual but his/her community at large. The quality of a curriculum and it’s delivery to build and nurture skills are critical drivers of becoming a positive change agent. The 2016 and 2017 Honors Living-Learning Community (HLLC) at Rutgers University – Newark (RU-N), in Newark, New Jersey, was the population for this study. This is the first comprehensive study aimed to obtain the perceived experience of graduates since the origin of the program in 2015. A survey was conducted to evaluate the extent the curriculum contributes to skill enhancement to become change agents, and provide recommendations for the HLLC curriculum enhancement to prepare students to become change agents. A 5-point Likert scale ranking from not at all important to extremely important was included to determine the importance of the skills needed to be ...
American Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities
Studies have found that in higher education institutions in the United States of America, a varie... more Studies have found that in higher education institutions in the United States of America, a variety of resources, student engagement, institutional practices, and other stakeholders contribute to students’ perceptions of becoming positive change agents. This project explores how the Honors Living-Learning Community (HLLC) program at Rutgers University-Newark (RUN), New Jersey capitalizes on resources, leadership, curriculum, and other strategies to promote students' perception to become positive change agents. Secondary research from a survey completed by the HLLC graduates was utilized for this project. As a descriptive study, survey responses were coded and evaluated to determine the HLLC’s impact on students’ perception on becoming positive change agents. The study found that the HLLC program at RUN successfully promotes students' perception to become positive change agents. The HLLC program achieves this through its curricular structure, which integrates academic rigor w...
Suitable leadership styles for the Covid-19 converged crisis
Africa Journal of Public Sector Development and Governance, Nov 1, 2020
Social Sciences
The Honors Living-Learning Community (HLLC) at Rutgers University–Newark (RU-N) pushes the bounda... more The Honors Living-Learning Community (HLLC) at Rutgers University–Newark (RU-N) pushes the boundaries of academia’s possibilities by placing community-engaged scholarship as a critical pillar of student success. Established in 2015, the HLLC is pursuing its triumvirate rallying call—“revolutionizing honors, cultivating talent, and engaging communities”. The HLLC brings together dynamic students passionate about social justice issues, Rutgers University-Newark faculty and staff, and community partners aiming to tackle some of the nation’s most urgent social issues. Pivoting on a curriculum structured around what it means to be a local citizen in a global world, the HLLC brings students and faculty members from every school and college at Rutgers-Newark together with community-based partners to operationalize authentic experiential learning. With its emphasis on social action and issues of inequality, the HLLC brings together the academic sphere and community-based organizations to de...
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Papers by Dr Davy J Du Plessis