Basic HTML Version
594
UCT RESEARCH REPORT 2012
learning and personal development. A dedicated
methodology called SYSTAL (Systems Thinking Action
Learning) hasbeendevelopedand implementedparticularly
in the Executive MBA, linking systems thinking to on-the-
job action learning projects. Such approaches are also
implemented in the executive education and customized
academic programmes, as well as the MBA. The emphasis
on systems thinking allows for the holistic integration of
complex social, environmental and organizational issues
in the exercises, discussions and projects in the classroom
and beyond. A key underlying premise is the need for
personal reflection and the development of mindfulness in
becoming a responsible leader.
Continued efforts were put into developing GSB
researchers’ capabilities and networks. These included
in particular the “Research design and methodology
workshop”, which we hosted 23-25 May. Through this
workshop, we wanted to support African organisational
and management researchers in making profound impacts
on both practice and theory. Targeted at PhD students
and faculty members, the workshop was an intensive ‘boot
camp’ focusing on how to identify a compelling research
question, to situate research in the literature, and to develop
a coherent research design. Attention was also given to key
qualitative and quantitative data generation and analysis
methods, including quasi-experimental research designs.
Participants had an opportunity to present and discuss
their research, and they were expected to come carefully
prepared with regard to a comprehensive reading list.
The workshop was facilitated by Ted Baker (Associate
Professor at North Carolina State University and associate
editor of Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal) and Tim
Pollock (Professor at The Pennsylvania State University and
associate editor for the Academy of Management Journal).
In November, we hosted for the second time our annual,
international conference on “The Business of Social
and Environmental Innovation”. The 2012 conference
theme was “Informal Sector Entrepreneurship and Social
Entrepreneurship,” and the event included 36 paper
presentations and two keynotes. The conference was
supported by TrustAfrica, which provided for travel and
accommodation for a number of African delegates to
attend. It was also supported by the Bertha Centre for
Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship. A selection of
papers presented in last year’s conference is currently
being compiled in a book, with preliminary agreement to
publish from two publishers.
We continue to encourage GSB researchers to apply
for NRF ratings. The number of rated researchers in the
school is currently eight (excluding two rated visiting staff),
with represents almost 20 per cent of the school. This
is a significant increase over two years (300%). We also
encourage GSB researchers to apply for the UCT block
grants and the number of applicants has been increasing.
The GSB’s 2012 publication awards went to Ralph Hamann
(Best Paper -
Aclashof cultures (and lawyers): AngloPlatinum
and mine-affected communities in Limpopo Province,
South Africa,
published in
Resources Policy).
Hamieda
Parker (Best Emerging Researcher’s Paper -
Knowledge
acquisition and leakage in inter-firm relationships involving
new technology-based firms’
published in
Management
Decision
), Sean Gossel (Student Publication Award -
The
effects of capital inflows on South Africa's economy
,
published in
Applied Financial Economics
;
The Nominal
Rand/Dollar Exchange Rate: Before and After 1995
,
published in
Studies in Economics and Finance
; and
South Africa's Post-Liberalised Capital Flows and Business
Cycle Fluctuation
, published in
South African Journal
of Economics),
and John Fay and Farai Kapfudzaruwa
(Student Publication Award -
A comparative policy analysis
of the Clean Development Mechanism in South Africa and
China,
published in
Climate and Development.
)
With regard to publications, 2012 publications include
two authored books, one book chapter, four conference
papers, and 13 accredited, peer-reviewed journal articles.
School Statistics
Permanent and long-term contract staff
Professors
8
Emeritus Professors
3
Associate Professors
4
Senior Lecturers
19
Professional and Administrative Staff
80
Total
114
Students
Doctoral (PhD)
28
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
221
Master of Commerce (MCom)
95
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
35
Executive MBA
67
Associate in Management Programme (AIM)
54
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration
(PDBA)
64
Customised Academic Learning - Associate in
Management (AIM) in Management Practice
181
Customised Academic Learning - Postgraduate Diploma
in Management Practice (PGDip)
326
Executive Education
917
Total
1,988