USB News
Newsroom
South Africans use double Earth’s resources
By Dr Lize Barclay, Senior Lecturer in Futures Studies and Systems Thinking at the University of Stellenbosch Business School.
We Can Restore Ecosystems, Together as #GenerationRestoration
By Dr Lize Barclay, Senior Lecturer in Futures Studies and Systems Thinking at the University of Stellenbosch Business School.
The backbone of our country’s frail economy is weakening – rebuilding SMMEs needed
By Seraj Toefy, Custodian of Entrepreneurship at the business school.
Insights into Africa’s infrastructure finance
New research explores the causes of private investment in infrastructure development in sub-Saharan Africa
How AI can help government improve service delivery
A new study explores the impact of AI on SA governance by 2030.
Harness the power of migrant remittances to finance African development
As migrant remittances steadily become the largest source of incoming capital for developing countries, outstripping foreign direct investment and development aid, African countries need to think more innovatively about leveraging these inflows for their development needs in a post-Covid economy.
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
From ‘hopeless continent’ to Africa rising: What does the future hold?
Written by MBA students as part of a group assignment for the module Perspectives on African Frontiers. They are BTN Ramoshaba, GR Slabbert, GJ White, K Muthu, PW van Lill, and D Roostee.
Prof André Roux: For SA’s economy, things will have to get worse before they get better
This opinion piece written by Prof Roux, economist and head of USB’s Futures Studies programmes, appeared exclusively in Business Day.
Short-term low growth is “new normal” but longer-term view holds positive signs
Guest lecturer in Corporate and Development Finance Jason Hamilton points to slow signs of recovery in global economic activity.
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?
Technology
Insights into Africa’s infrastructure finance
New research explores the causes of private investment in infrastructure development in sub-Saharan Africa
How AI can help government improve service delivery
A new study explores the impact of AI on SA governance by 2030.
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.
Entrepreneurship
The backbone of our country’s frail economy is weakening – rebuilding SMMEs needed
By Seraj Toefy, Custodian of Entrepreneurship at the business school.
The four capabilities you and your business require for future success
To ensure sustained relevance and customer value, four distinctive capabilities need to be developed, operationalised and renewed over time.
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.
Economics
The backbone of our country’s frail economy is weakening – rebuilding SMMEs needed
By Seraj Toefy, Custodian of Entrepreneurship at the business school.
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.
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
South Africans use double Earth’s resources
By Dr Lize Barclay, Senior Lecturer in Futures Studies and Systems Thinking at the University of Stellenbosch Business School.
We Can Restore Ecosystems, Together as #GenerationRestoration
By Dr Lize Barclay, Senior Lecturer in Futures Studies and Systems Thinking at the University of Stellenbosch Business School.
Thinking in circles this Earth Day
By Dr Lize Barclay, Senior Lecturer in System Thinking and Futures Studies
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.