Acta Universitatis Danubius. Administratio

Factors that Permeate the Performance of Pension Funds in Nigeria: Evidence from Ekiti State

2025-06-20T08:33:25+00:00

The study investigates the factors that permeate the performance of pension funds in Nigeria. The study specifically addresses the effects of risk assessment of staff, age of pensioners, and contributions of pensioners towards the performance of the pension fund (Timely payment of pension) in Nigeria. It employed a quantitative research method, using questionnaires administered to obtain data from primary sources. The Microsoft Excel application was intermittently used to analyse the information, while E-View version 9 was used to carry out regression analysis. The results indicate that administrative staff of PFAs were not subjected to criminal record checks before, during, and after their interview for employment, and when employed by the PFAs, such staff are permeated by peer groups to commit fraud so as to live an extravagant lifestyle. The study further establishes that a lengthier time of contribution secures the pension fund’s sustainability through PFAs as a lengthier focuses on increasing fund availability for investment when compared to their elder counterparts, younger members participate for a lengthier duration of time and this serves as a bonus to PFAs to cushion the effects of the payments for the elderly with long life which better their social, infrastructural, healthcare facilities and welfare packages for life sustenance. In addition, early remittances of collected contributions from employers facilitate quick benefits processing and payments, which implies that a delay in remitting the morally obligatory contributions slow down the payment of incentives. A functional, dynamic supervision, review, and re-evaluation of the PFAs with a strong feedback mechanism for proper compliance with guidelines are to be put in place and strengthened. Strong legislation should be promulgated to guide against the mismanagement of PFs of Nigerian employees by the PFAs.

Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria’s Legislative Process

2025-08-20T10:38:57+00:00

This study addresses the lack of comprehensive research on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in sub-national legislative processes, particularly in Nigeria’s Niger State House of Assembly (NSHA). The motivation for the study arises from the growing global use of AI in governance, with limited exploration of its potential in Nigeria’s state assemblies. The study’s objectives are to investigate existing legislative practices and technological infrastructure in the NSHA, analyse AI’s perceived benefits, and identify challenges to its adoption. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with NSHA members. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Institutional Theory (IT) provide the theoretical framework, focusing on individual perceptions and organizational pressures that influence AI adoption. Findings reveal that AI could improve decision-making and accountability in legislative processes. However, technical expertise and infrastructure need enhancement. Recommendations include targeted capacity-building and infrastructure investments.

A Strategic Framework for Enhancing Ethical Leadership Through Policy Implementation in South Africa’s Mobile Industry

2025-09-04T08:30:46+00:00

This study developed a strategic framework to enhance ethical leadership by exploring factors affecting the implementation of policies and procedures in the South African mobile industry, with a focus on Cape Town. Using a qualitative, exploratory research design grounded in interpretivism, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 purposively selected management employees from a leading mobile network provider. Thematic analysis revealed that successful policy implementation depends on contextual variables, local capacity, and stakeholder motivation. Barriers included misinterpretation, organisational culture misalignment, and lack of communication. The study proposes a strategic ethical leadership framework centred on training, communication, and leadership modelling to foster ethical behaviour and policy adherence. The framework addresses challenges and provides practical, replicable strategies to embed ethical leadership within the South African mobile telecommunications context.

Intergenerational Solidarity: Prospects for Integrating Top-Bottom (Top-Down) and Bottom-Top (Bottom-Up) Policy in Nigeria

2025-09-05T08:47:53+00:00

Integrating top-down and bottom-up policy through intergenerational solidarity is imperative. The need for this study arises from the prevalent practice of older generations or those in top administrative positions formulating policies without the input of the younger generation. This practice occurs even in family decision-making processes, as documented in prior research. This study, which is both historical and survey-based, addresses this issue. The Intergenerational Solidarity Scale (IGSS) was used to generate data on the acceptability of intergenerational solidarity and its prospects for both top-down and bottom-up policy. The 25-item questionnaire was administered through a Google form, with the link shared on several academic and social platforms for responses. A total of 289 people responded to the questionnaire, but not for all variables. The data collected were analysed using frequency counts and percentages. The results show the highest support for intergenerational solidarity among the 48-57 age bracket, with more women (151), more non-science majors (165), more Christians (157), and more Master's degree holders. The responses are a testament to the fact that it is time for academics, administrators, and other stakeholders to change their approach to developing and implementing policies that include youth. This will allow intergenerational solidarity to thrive.

Determinants of Effective Revenue Management in South African Municipalities: Evidence from Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality

2025-09-04T08:09:57+00:00

The study aims to identify institutional, political and behavioural determinants that shape municipal revenue performance, using Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) as a case. Extends South African and Global South literature that links fiscal outcomes to governance capacity, political incentives and data integrity. Concurrent mixed-methods design: a survey of 120 municipal officials and 12 semi-structured interviews with finance managers, councillors and revenue practitioners. Persistent weaknesses include outdated billing/ICT, inaccurate debtor profiling and forecasting, inconsistent credit-control enforcement (especially near elections), and fragmented indigent registers that erode trust. These factors interact systemically to depress collection ratios and increase dependence on intergovernmental transfers. Technical fixes alone are insufficient. Improvements require professionalised revenue units, integrated digital platforms, depoliticised enforcement, updated indigent registers and citizen-facing transparency to rebuild compliance. Reframes municipal revenue management as a governance problem rather than a purely technical task and proposes a context-sensitive reform framework for BCMM and similar municipalities.

Employee’s Perception of The Employment Equity Act and its Relevance to Organisational Performance at a South African Research Institution

2025-09-04T08:02:37+00:00

This study examined employees’ perception of the Employment Equity Act (EEA) at a research institution in South Africa to ascertain its importance to organisational performance and possible implication. The study was carried out following a qualitative approach to answer research questions from a social-constructionism paradigm. The study used semi-structured individual interviews to collect data from purposefully sampled participants ranging from senior to entry-level employees. The data was analysed thematically through ATLAS.ti. The study finds that the EEA is understood as an economic, social, and political factor in the organisation and from each position it offers different implications to performance. Concluding that employees understand the EEA as a socio-economic factor given that it promotes their inclusion in social and economic activities and initiatives. Politically, the EEA factors in reducing inequality and promoting equity in the workplace thus offering organisations a management strategy that aligns with the SDGs, NDP and the EEA. The direct and indirect impact of the EEA is reduced injustice within the workplace, increased diversity and inclusion, and reduced discrimination. Future research on this area of work may generate impactful results by examining a different sector than research and education.

Organisational Transformation and Managerial Capability in South African Non-Profit Institutions: Developing a Framework for Institutional Resilience

2025-11-05T09:24:42+00:00

This study investigates how organisational transformation influences the development of managerial capabilities within non-profit organisations (NPOs) in Johannesburg, South Africa. Adopting a qualitative, exploratory approach grounded in an interpretivist paradigm, the research explores how transformation initiatives impact leadership alignment, capacity building, and institutional resilience. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 participants, including executive managers and programme heads from a prominent Johannesburg-based NPO. Thematic analysis revealed key challenges such as cultural resistance, fragmented stakeholder engagement, limited leadership vision, and constrained resource mobilisation—often compounded by legacy practices and weak accountability structures. In response, the study proposes an Integrated Framework for Capability-Driven Organisational Transformation, which emphasises participatory leadership, strategic communication, skills alignment, and sustainable performance monitoring. The findings contribute to both theory and practice by contextualising transformation within the South African non-profit sector, offering a roadmap for fostering strategic adaptability, ethical leadership, and long-term institutional resilience.

Breaking the Chain of Command: Rethinking Organisational Structures to Unlock Performance in South Africa’s Mining Sector

2025-11-05T09:28:09+00:00

This study explores how organisational structure influences employee performance within the mining industry of South Africa. Drawing from qualitative data gathered through semi-structured interviews with twelve mining professionals, the research investigates perceptions of hierarchy, communication flow, decision-making authority, and departmental collaboration. Thematic analysis reveals that traditional hierarchical and centralised structures are increasingly ineffective in a sector facing rapid technological, regulatory, and socio-economic shifts. These rigid configurations were found to impede timely decision-making, reduce engagement, and perpetuate departmental silos, ultimately undermining operational efficiency. Conversely, decentralised and flexible structures were linked to improved morale, faster problem resolution, and enhanced cross-functional collaboration. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by contextualising organisational structure within the unique realities of high-risk, resource-intensive industries in emerging markets. Recommendations are made for mining organisations to adopt adaptive structures that empower frontline decision-making and promote collaborative, agile cultures aligned with modern performance imperatives.

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Workforce Management in the Call Centre Industry

2025-11-05T09:31:07+00:00

This article examines the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on call centre operations management in South Africa, a key hub within the global business services sector. Adopting a qualitative, interpretivist design, the study explores how AI adoption reshapes efficiency, job roles, and customer experience. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants, comprising call centre agents, team leaders, and operations managers, reflecting the perspectives of employees directly involved in AI-enabled systems. Thematic analysis revealed a dual narrative: AI improves productivity and customer satisfaction, but also generates challenges linked to job security, learning demands, and the erosion of the human touch in service delivery. The findings highlight the need for a balanced approach where AI handles routine processes while employees focus on empathy-driven tasks in customer interactions.