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Simon Susman appointed as an Honorary Professor at Stellenbosch Business School (USB)
Susman is also chairperson of the business school’s advisory board. On his appointment he says: “It was a huge surprised and I was touched by this. For someone who doesn’t have a higher education to be given an honorary professorship is indeed a true honour.”
New book explores Japanese philosophy in modern business world
Prof Frank Brueck, honorary professor at USB, published a book based on the wisdom of the old Japanese philosophy of IKIGAI (the reason/purpose of life). He developed a unique model to review your own (working) life in these trying times. In this new book Ikigai is transferred to the modern business world. It highlights how we can achieve purpose and meaning as individually as leaders and collectively as organisations. Here he shares more about the book:
New senior lecturer in Organisational Behaviour joins USB
Dr Natasha Winkler-Titus joined USB recently as a senior lecturer in Organisational Behaviour and Leadership. She is also the current President of the Society for Industrial and Organisational Psychology in South Africa (SIOPSA).
Entrepreneurs present innovative business ideas at Lion’s Den 2020
Entrepreneur Lohan Pieterse was named the overall winner at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) Lion’s Den event on Wednesday, 18 November 2020.
Implications of Covid-19 on infrastructure finance in Africa
There is a significant infrastructure finance gap in Africa that is likely to widen due to the Covid-19 pandemic unless countries consider alternative financing techniques, says Dr Ashenafi Fanta, senior lecturer in Development Finance at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB.
First woman at USB to obtain sought-after research rating
Dr Lee-Ann Steenkamp, head of the University of Stellenbosch Business School’s (USB) Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning, was the first female academic of the business school to acquire the National Research Foundation (NRF) rating.
Leadership
Workplace bullying and sick leave during COVID-19
Although sickness in the workplace is not uncommon, the strict guidelines in place to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and constant news updates on the spread of the disease, can make people hyper-aware and even suspicious of their co-workers’ health.
Not all leaders are equally well during COVID-19
USB’s Dr Nicky Terblanche explores the underlying truth of leadership during a pandemic.
Gender-based violence increases during lockdown
USB’s Dr Nthabiseng Moleko addresses the alarming increase of gender-based violence (GBV) during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Coaching
Leading through a crisis
Business leaders, including MTN South Africa CEO Godfrey Motsa, shared their advice to lead effectively during these unprecedented times at the online 2020 USB Business Breakfast event that was hosted by the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB).
Work in the time of Corona
Prof Renata Schoeman, Head of the Health Care Leadership MBA specialisation stream at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), reassures us that we can stay productive, healthy and happy while working from home during the 21-day COVID-19 lockdown.
Development Finance
Implications of Covid-19 on infrastructure finance in Africa
There is a significant infrastructure finance gap in Africa that is likely to widen due to the Covid-19 pandemic unless countries consider alternative financing techniques, says Dr Ashenafi Fanta, senior lecturer in Development Finance at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB.
New report launched: Bold steps to stimulate a changed economy and renewal of South Africa’s growth trajectory
An alternative economic strategy for South Africa, proposed by Dr Nthabiseng Moleko and Prof Mark Swilling, could see GDP doubling in 10 years, 10 million people moving out of poverty, and unemployment cut by two-thirds to 12% by 2030.
Sino-African relations: Opportunities and risks for Africa
A panel of experts on African matters agreed that the Sino-African relations are beneficial to both Africa and China, though not equally. But how exactly is Africa benefiting from the Sino-African relations and how can the continent leverage this relationship to exploit her boundless opportunities and resources?
Experts on Africa’s prospects under ‘Africa Rising’ concept
The takeaway from the panel discussion was that economic growth in Africa was incumbent on leadership.
The outcry for Africa to industrialise is growing louder!
This Africa Industrialisation Day we reflect on the pace at which Africa is developing. Most African nations are eager to industrialise given the associated benefits of job creation, economic resilience and technological diffusion. However, it is the agglomeration and development of industrial clusters in Africa that will ultimately lead to progress.
The future of banking: What to expect from SA’s banking sector towards 2035
South Africa’s banking will be characterised by digital banking solutions unimaginable today due to the continued influence of key factors and trends in future.
Technology
What USB is doing to ensure teaching and learning continue during COVID-19
The USB has been developing its Blended Learning format since 2015 – even more digital platforms have been investigated since then.
#Flattenthecurve on Cybercrime
Dr Martin Butler, Senior Lecturer in Digital Transformation at USB warns against digital vulnerability and how to flatten the curve on cybercrime.
Organisations embracing technology in response to COVID-19
Dr Lize Barclay, Senior Lecturer in Futures Studies and Systems Thinking, University of Stellenbosch Business School, unpacks the global effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and highlights how technology can help us through the accompanying challenges.
Innovation in SA organisations driven by C-level support, new report finds
South African business leaders are putting innovation front and centre in their organisational strategies to help drive sustainable growth. This was one of the key findings in a new pilot study tracking South African public and private sector organisations’ innovation management capabilities.
Experts discuss 4IR impact on South Africa
The event was held at the FNB Portside Building in the Cape Town CBD and MBA head, Martin Butler, who is passionate about innovation in technology, was the facilitator.
Empowering SA’s Blue-Collar Female Workers with Technology
Fourth Industrial Revolution technology will allow women to participate in jobs that used to exclude them due to their perceived lack of strength, stamina and education level.
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurs present innovative business ideas at Lion’s Den 2020
Entrepreneur Lohan Pieterse was named the overall winner at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) Lion’s Den event on Wednesday, 18 November 2020.
When an innovative business idea comes to life
2019 Lion’s Den winners share their experience So, which is it?
How businesses can thrive in the New World Order
Entrepreneurism is the tool that will allow us not only to survive but thrive in this new world order.
Entrepreneurship report reveals how startups can drive growth in a disrupted world
USB launches Global Entrepreneurship Monitor South Africa (GEM SA) report in partnership with GEM SA and Seda.
Township entrepreneurs fighting hunger in communities
SBA participants pull together to feed disadvantaged communities.
Life after lockdown: Survival of the fattest
The coronavirus will lead to business failures, market consolidation and entrench incumbents with strong balance sheets. Should policymakers react?
Economics
Rightsizing: the ‘Goldilocks dilemma’ for business under COVID-19 pressure
Downsizing may present a short-term solution to survival for businesses under the pressures of the coronavirus pandemic, but rightsizing – checking the relevance of value propositions, repurposing resources and filling gaps in customer needs – should not be overlooked as a route to longer-term sustainability.
Is COVID-19 Africa’s economic curse or cure?
African business experts converse about COVID-19 and its impact on Africa’s economy.
South Africa’s survival and recovery options
Guest lecturer in corporate and development finance at USB, Jason Hamilton, says South Africa needs a long-term growth plan after lockdown ends.
Plunging oil price and SA economy
Prof André Roux comments on the plunging oil price and its effects on our economy.
StatsSA Covid-19 Survey
Comments on survey, conducted by Stats SA during lockdown and how the crisis is affects local businesses.
Possible alternative futures for SA
Prof André Roux and Gideon Botha explores four alternative futures for SA post COVID-19.
Social Impact
Society is grieving: How can we make meaning of it?
This opinion piece was written by Prof Arnold Smit, Associate Professor of Business in Society at USB, and was used as an exclusive on Fin24.
What is our right to health?
Prof Renata Schoeman, head of the MBA in Health Care Leadership programme at USB, says COVID-19 highlights the need for people to take personal responsibility for their health.
Philanthropy lacks imagination.
Dr Armand Bam, Head of Social Impact at USB, encourages philanthropists to shift focus from traditional philanthropic models in order to genuinely effect positive change.
“Third Sector” impact of Covid-19
Dr Armand Bam looks at the impact of COVID-19 on NPOs.
Virus and values
Prof Arnold Smit, Associate Professor of Business in Society, unpacks five moral values that we all have in common. These values, he says, are the essence of what makes us human, and should be upheld at all costs during these difficult times in our society.
Sustainability
Substantial increase in sustainability reporting regulations around the world, new report finds
The fifth edition of Carrots & Sticks (C&S) provides an analysis of the latest trends in reporting provisions, covering 614 reporting requirements and resources (a substantial increase on the 383 assessed in the previous report in 2016) across over 80 countries, including the world’s 60 largest economies.
Time to take mining companies to task
Mining companies are implicated in the socio-political conflict around them. Their stakeholders shouldn’t let them off the hook.
Your office toilet uses 90% of your company’s water
Office buildings consume almost half the municipal water supply, although they make up just 10% of customers, with office bathrooms responsible for up to 90% of a commercial building’s consumption and also the greatest source of leaks and inefficient water use.
Economic and philanthropic activities in conflict zones don’t bring peace
As business increasingly looks to expansion into emerging markets in Africa and other developing economies, companies face increased risk of operating in conflict zones – but also the opportunity to contribute to bringing about peace, in turn increasing the long-term sustainability of their investments.
SA’s disregard for nature means we need 1.7 planets to survive
If all people in the world lived like South Africans did in relation to the Earth’s resources, we would need 1.7 planets, says Dr Jako Volschenk Senior Lecturer in Strategy and Sustainability at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB).
Elite capture of land distribution alarming, says PLAAS researcher
She was one of the speakers at a Leader’s Angle event on Land Reform, alongside advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, Landbank’s Dr Litha Magingxa and Dr Aninka Claassen, director of the Land & Accountability Research Centre (LARC).