scholarly journals Women in Leadership: Insights from Female Principals of Rural Secondary Schools in Vhembe District of South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Livhalani Bridget Sinyosi ◽  
Onoriode Collins Potokri
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
South African ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Women In Leadership ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Female Principals ◽  
Vhembe District

Gender predisposition towards female leaders within the South African context remains a problem and compelling issue, particularly in rural settings, which are often marginalised and overlooked. Guided by the transformational leadership theory, this article explored the experiences of South African female principals in managing secondary schools in the Vhembe District of Limpopo. A profoundly traditional and patriarchal society characterises this rural setting. Hence, a qualitative research approach and a case study design were used. Ten female principals from ten (10) randomly selected secondary schools in the Vhembe District were purposively selected to serve as participants. Through semi-structured interviews, data were gathered from the sampled participants. Findings from the article reveal that patriarchy still plays a role in disadvantaging women from effectively assuming their duties as leaders. Most of the participants–female principals are subjected to gender bias and thus, unproductive, impact the cooperation from learners, parents, teachers, the community, and the Department of Education officials. Despite unpleasant experiences, female leaders in this article demonstrate selflessness in their daily leadership tasks and routines. Furthermore, they are inspirational and serve as role models to all they had relationships with for the transformation and change they desire in their schools. To the sampled principals, being selfless and inspirational is their leadership strength. One way of the few mentioned becoming a leader one aspires to.

Gender and Tourism

2021 ◽  
pp. 110-127
Author(s):  
Denise Salvador ◽  
Zélia Breda ◽  
Filipa Brandão
Keyword(s):  
Labour Market ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Women In Leadership ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Dual Roles ◽  
Personal Lives ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Early Entry

An increasing number of women occupy positions in the labour market that were previously restricted to men. This is, however, still limited by the dual roles of working women. This chapter aims to address gender issues in the tourism industry. Specifically, it focuses on female participation in the labour market, highlighting the characteristics of women in leadership positions. A case study approach was used, focusing on female leaders in the hotel sector in Fortaleza, Brazil. An exploratory qualitative study was developed through semi-structured interviews, which aimed to gather data on the career path of female leaders. The collected data allowed understanding how these women reached top-level positions, and their leadership styles. Results indicate that early entry into the labour market, dedication, education, entrepreneurial skills, and dynamic personality are instrumental and work directly affects family relationships, being the cause of some problems in their personal lives.

scholarly journals Women in veterinary leadership positions: their motivations and enablers

2019 ◽  
Vol 186 (5) ◽  
pp. 155-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Tindell ◽  
Renate Weller ◽  
Tierney Kinnison
Keyword(s):  
Role Models ◽  
Future Generation ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Women In Leadership ◽  
Female Leadership ◽  
Leadership Roles ◽  
Motivating Factors ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Veterinary Profession ◽  
Veterinary Surgeons

BackgroundDespite now having higher numbers of women than men within the veterinary profession, there are substantially less women in leadership roles. Research, primarily in other professions, has focussed on barriers to leadership and sometimes overlooked facilitators and motivators. This study aimed to explore the motivating factors for female veterinary surgeons to become leaders, to identify potential strategies to increase female leadership.MethodsSixteen female leaders from academia, professional bodies, industry and clinical practice took part in semistructured interviews. Interviews were analysed using a thematic analysis approach.ResultsTwo themes were developed: ‘Potential for positive influence’ and ‘Requirement of external enablers’. Participants wanted to influence change for themselves, including work-life balance and developing their role, and for others through a position of influence. They wanted to inspire and mentor the future generation of leaders. External enablers allowed this transition to occur, including formal mentors and informal support systems, opportunities for growth and increased responsibility, and leadership training.ConclusionPotential strategies to increase female leaders include the promotion of female role models, increasing awareness of training and increasing work flexibility. The profession could improve its support of the next generation of leaders and celebrate the successful female leaders we already possess.

scholarly journals Overcoming challenges associated with managing change towards Digital Banking - a case of a South African bank

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-92
Author(s):  
S MAHARAJ ◽  
◽  
RID POOE ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovation ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Environment Change ◽  
Managing Change

In today’s highly competitive business environment, change has become the order of the day for businesses that want to survive and stay competitive through the winds and turbulences of change. Change comes as a consequence of companies repositioning themselves in anticipation of rapid advancements in technology, quest for new opportunities in different geographical markets, and the need for new strategic intent. The aim of this study was to explore challenges faced by a South African bank following the integration of the three (3) business units towards digital banking. In exploring this question, the study adopted a quality research approach which involved purposive sampling where semi-structured interviews were held with 20 bank employees who were affected by the integration process. Following the primary data collection and data analysis, the following five (5) themes emerged, which represented the main challenges which employees associated with managing change toward digital banking by the focal bank: 1) lack of guiding principles for the change process, (2) clash of sub-cultures of the various units, (3) employee involvement and engagement, (4) absence of post-integration plan, and (5) lack of communication. By drawing from the Kurt Lewin’ theory of change and the diffusion of innovation theory, the study extended our understanding of these theories in the context of integration literature. The themes were analysed In light of the emerged themes, recommendations were made and directions for future research were suggested.

scholarly journals Gender identity: Exploring struggles & school support among New Zealand senior secondary students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Krishn Chandra
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Diverse Students ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Gender Diverse ◽  
Senior Secondary ◽  
Academic And Social Experiences

<p>This research was undertaken with an intention to contribute to the existing literature and research on issues related to struggles and support for gender diverse students in New Zealand secondary schools. Gender diversity is a classification of individuals who do not see themselves as just male or female. LGBTQIA [lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgender and Queer] has been an acronym used to describe individuals of alternative lifestyles. The main objective of this study was to investigate in-depth to understand the positive and negative experiences of gender diverse students in New Zealand Secondary schools. A qualitative research approach was utilised and pragmatics as the research paradigm, as the focus was on the experiences of the learners and view of the teachers. Semi-structured interviews were used as this is regarded as a process of in-depth inquiry which has generated detailed descriptions. The outcomes of this research have been in line with the current and existing literature related to the experiences of gender diverse students in secondary schools in New Zealand. A review of existing literature indicates that gender diverse students are subjected to negative academic and social experiences such as verbal slurs, emotional harassment and abuse. Further, the disengagement of the curriculum and the support of the teachers in schools. The positive indication of this research was the support of the heterosexual students and teachers in the school however, there is a need for more support. It is recommended from this research that the school needs to provide professional development for its teachers and design their curriculum to create equality in the school.</p>

scholarly journals Gender identity: Exploring struggles & school support among New Zealand senior secondary students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Krishn Chandra
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Diverse Students ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Gender Diverse ◽  
Senior Secondary ◽  
Academic And Social Experiences

<p>This research was undertaken with an intention to contribute to the existing literature and research on issues related to struggles and support for gender diverse students in New Zealand secondary schools. Gender diversity is a classification of individuals who do not see themselves as just male or female. LGBTQIA [lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgender and Queer] has been an acronym used to describe individuals of alternative lifestyles. The main objective of this study was to investigate in-depth to understand the positive and negative experiences of gender diverse students in New Zealand Secondary schools. A qualitative research approach was utilised and pragmatics as the research paradigm, as the focus was on the experiences of the learners and view of the teachers. Semi-structured interviews were used as this is regarded as a process of in-depth inquiry which has generated detailed descriptions. The outcomes of this research have been in line with the current and existing literature related to the experiences of gender diverse students in secondary schools in New Zealand. A review of existing literature indicates that gender diverse students are subjected to negative academic and social experiences such as verbal slurs, emotional harassment and abuse. Further, the disengagement of the curriculum and the support of the teachers in schools. The positive indication of this research was the support of the heterosexual students and teachers in the school however, there is a need for more support. It is recommended from this research that the school needs to provide professional development for its teachers and design their curriculum to create equality in the school.</p>

scholarly journals School financial management: Insights for decision making in public primary schools

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Adebunmi Yetunde Aina ◽  
Keshni Bipath
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Continuous Training

To realise the ideal of quality inclusive education, proper financial management is vital. Existing literature indicates that the mismanagement of school funds is largely due to principals and the school governing bodies (SGB) in many schools not having good working relationships with stakeholders and lacking the necessary financial skills, more specifically in schools in townships and rural areas. The study we report on in this article investigated the financial management of public primary schools situated in urban areas by adopting a qualitative research approach and employing a multiple case study research design. Five schools participated and data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews with the principal, school accountant and chairperson of the SGB of the selected schools. Findings revealed that, despite the fact that all South African schools are governed and controlled by the South African Schools Act, the financial management of fee-paying schools differs from no-fee schools situated in townships and rural areas. In many schools, the unavailability of the parent members of SGBs and their limited financial skills were barriers to effective financial decisions. Based on these findings, we recommend that the relevant stakeholders involved in school financial management obtain continuous training from the Department of Basic Education, in order to empower and support school governors to effectively carry out their financial functions.

scholarly journals Decision Domains and Teacher Participation: A Qualitative Investigation of Decision-Making in Egyptian Schools

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waheed Hammad
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Teacher Participation ◽  
Student Discipline ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Discipline Policy ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
Central Administrators

The purpose of this paper is to explore the gap between actual and desired decision domains as a potential factor affecting teacher participation in decision-making in Egyptian schools. In order to explore this gap, the study sets out to answer three questions: (1) what would a typology of school decisions look like in Egypt’s secondary schools? (2) How do Egyptian teachers perceive actual decisions made in their schools? (3) What decision domains are most desired by Egyptian teachers? The study employed a qualitative, descriptive research approach based on individual, semi-structured interviews with a sample of 85 school teachers and senior and middle management members in nine general secondary schools in Damietta County, Egypt. School documents were also collected and analyzed. These included minutes of meetings of school boards and Boards of Trustees (BOTs). A typology of school decisions was developed which revealed the absence of significant decisions related to curriculum. Teachers’ responses showed that they regarded school decisions as insignificant and irrelevant to their concerns, and that significant decisions are retained by central administrators. Desired decision areas were identified which included curriculum and student discipline policy. As this study is consistent with the current interest in decentralization and increased participation in Egypt’s schools, it is hoped that the findings will be useful to educational policy makers as well as practitioners as they implement decentralization initiatives in Egypt. The findings may also have relevance and applicability to comparable secondary schools in other parts of the world.

scholarly journals The role of information management in project management success: Narratives from entrepreneurs operating within the South African construction industry

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Willie T. Chinyamurindi
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Information Management ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
South African ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
The South ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Role Of Information

Background: The South African construction industry is noted to be one of the most popular industries heavily dependent on projects. Calls exist for research that ascertains not just how entrepreneurs act as project managers but also the evaluation of project success and the role information management plays in all this.Objectives: The aim of this study was to understand the views and experiences of entrepreneurs in how: (1) project management success is conceptualised, and (2) the role that information management played to this within a South African construction industry space.Method: The study adopts a qualitative research approach using semi-structured interviews to generate narratives and themes around how: (1) project management success is conceptualised, and (2) the role that information management played to this. A sample of 15 entrepreneurs working within the construction industry was used for this study.Results: Based on the analysis of the narratives of the 15 entrepreneurs, project success was conceptualised mainly along three themes. Firstly, project success was about keeping the customer happy. Secondly, project success in the construction industry meant meeting the set targets, especially those of a financial nature. Finally, project success was about channelling internal synergies to realise external gains. Further, the 15 entrepreneurs espoused one main sub-theme around the role of information management to this conceptualisation of project success. This posits the role of information management to be a currency in effective decision-making.Conclusion: The study concluded by focusing on the implications and recommendations based on the identified themes.

scholarly journals Modelling Positive Behaviour: A Vital Strategy in Instilling Positive Discipline Among Secondary School Learners

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-172
Author(s):  
Lwazi Sibanda ◽  
Joyce Mathwasa
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Positive Discipline ◽  
School Counsellors ◽  
Development Committee ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
School Heads

This qualitative study, guided by interpretive paradigm, explored how secondary schools use modelling positive behaviour strategy to instil positive discipline among learners in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe. The study was enthused by the abolition of corporal punishment, exclusion due to delinquent behaviour and adoption of positive, inclusive discipline strategies to maintain order in schools. A case study design purposively sampled four schools in which four school heads, twenty members of the disciplinary committee, four school counsellors, two education officers, four School Development Committee chairpersons and forty prefects participated. Data collected through focus group interviews, semi-structured interviews and document analysis were thematically analysed. The results indicated that secondary schools adopted the modelling positive behaviour strategy to instil positive discipline among learners. New staff members’ orientation focused on conduct, modelling of positive behaviour whenever teachers, learners and parents interact as they perform various activities in the school environment. The study also established that prefects as role models were afforded opportunity to lead assembly sessions. The study concluded that in spite of a few cases of misconduct, it is evident that modelling positive behaviour strategy produced affirmative outcomes in schools understudy. The study recommends further research that explores other strategies that could be adopted by schools to maintain positive discipline particularly in rural schools.

scholarly journals INDUCTION OF WOMEN BEGINNER TEACHERS AT TWO SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNITY SECONDARY SCHOOLS

2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 774-789
Author(s):  
Happy Ngwira ◽  
Onoriode Collins Potokri
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Classroom Management ◽  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Community Practice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Beginner Teachers

The quest of beginner teachers becoming experienced teachers remains a major issue within the educational terrain. Induction experience(s) of beginner teachers particularly women in selected community secondary schools in South Africa was the focus of this research. In this research, the problems that women beginner teachers face at some selected schools, as well as the types of induction programmes used to support them, as they grappled with the problems, were explored. A qualitative research approach involving semi-structured interviews and non-participant observation was used in the collection of the requisite data. A sample comprising two community secondary schools and four women beginner teachers were selected to take part in the research. To make meaning of the data which were collected, inductive analysis of the data was conducted. Communities of Practice was used as the theory that underpinned the research findings reported in this paper. Based on the data analysis and the communities of practice theory that served as the framework, the paper among other findings reports that induction programmes used in sampled/selected schools were highly ineffective in supporting the women beginner teachers to overcome the problems revealed. The research contributes to the body of knowledge on the lived experiences of beginner teachers at the beginning of their teaching career and provides recommendations on classroom management and dealing with ill-disciplined learners. Keywords: beginner teacher; community practice; education leadership; teachers’ induction; women teacher.

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