African Journal of Estate and Property Management

African Journal of Estate and Property Management ISSN 9671-8498 Vol. 5 (6), pp. 001-009, June, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Organizational complexity and departmental leadership: Perceptions of leadership and teaching/learning in a US research-intensive academic department

Fabio Bento

Programme for Teacher Education, Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology Management, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU, 7491 Trondheim, Norway. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 47 41276799.

Accepted 21 September, 2017

Abstract

This study aims to contribute to the discussion about the role of leadership in academic departments in research-intensive universities. The objective here is to understand how leadership and teaching are perceived in the context of an academic department of one elite US research-intensive university. Semi-structured interviews carried out in a dialogical manner, with the aim of grasping teachers’ perceptions of leadership in their academic department, were the main data gathering method. Complexity theory which involves the investigation of how apparently random patterns of behaviour form complex dynamic systems, constitutes the theoretical framework of this study. The contribution of this school of thought is the emphasis on non-linearity as the main approach to understanding living systems. The main finding of this study is that participants identified self-organization as their main organizational strength. Dispersed, non -hierarchical leadership was described both as an outcome and a major factor contributing to what was perceived as organizational success.

Key words: Leadership, complexity theory, systems thinking, higher education.

African Journal of Estate and Property Management ISSN 9671-8498 Vol. 5 (5), pp. 001-010, May, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The effects of discrimination perception and job satisfaction on Turkish public accountants’ turnover intention

Gökhan Özer and Mehmet Günlük*

Department of Accounting and Finance, Business School, Gebze Institute of Technology, Turkey.

Accepted 17 January, 2018

Abstract

This research tests a model of turnover intentions for accountants’ motivated by the belief that understanding the turnover phenomenon among accountants’ may help personnel managers and manpower planners design effective retention strategies. It may also provide occupational counselors and prospective job seekers a better perspective on the nature and requirements of jobs in accounting. The purpose of this study is to investigate the links between perceived discrimination, job satisfaction and turnover intention at public accounting firms in Turkey. The primary discrimination issue discussed in the study is the perceived fairness of decisions involving pay and promotions. Fairness is examined in terms of the consistent application of standards across individuals in the firm’s decision-making. To explore these issues, a survey was distributed to 600 members of accounting profession operating in various districts of Turkey selected randomly. The authors’ analysis resulting from 240 accountants suggest that 1) perceived discrimination positively affects accountants turnover intentions 2) perceived discrimination negatively affects accountants job satisfaction and 3) accountants job satisfaction negatively affects their turnover intentions.

Key words: Accountants, turnover intention, discrimination perception, Turkish public accountants, job satisfaction.

African Journal of Estate and Property Management ISSN 9671-8498 Vol. 5 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Organizational design of a rail company using fuzzy ANP

Resad Nuhodzic¹, Dragana Macura²*, Nebojsa Bojovic² and Milos Milenkovic²

¹Railway Transport of Montenegro, Montenegro.

²The Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering,University of Belgrade,Vojvode Stepe 305, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.

Accepted 11 October, 2017

Abstract

For development of state policy, railway traffic has great importance, considering necessary reduction of traffic pollution, strengthening and increase of the national rail company. According to the rail market liberalization and deregulation, a rail company has to be flexible and open to the current trends on the market. The organizational design has great importance, since a rail company with an adequate structure can take a better position on the transport market. Organizational structure enables a company to achieve its planned strategic goals and to function effectively and efficiently. In this paper, fuzzy analytic network process was used as a solution for making a decision, which alternative was optimum, considering the variety of data, and their uncertainty, interactions and feedback. This method was applied as a tool for choosing the optimal organizational structure, and it was presented at numerical example based on the data from the Montenegro Railway.

Key words: Organizational design, fuzzy numbers, analytic network process, rail company.

African Journal of Estate and Property Management ISSN 9671-8498 Vol. 5 (3), pp. 001-014, March, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Six sigma concept within banking system

Vojislav Stoiljkovic, Pedja Milosavljevic* and Sasa Randjelovic

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nis, Aleksandra Medvedeva 14, 18000 Nis, Serbia.

Accepted 12 September, 2017

Abstract

Finance industry is considerably applying six sigma quality process with the aim of eliminating defects. Six sigma is a powerful system. Basically it is measuring of quality that longs for perfection (3,4 defects on 1.000.000 transactions). The very name of this philosophy is important. The word "sigma" is a Greek letter which represents standard deviation, the term that describes how distant is the data from average or middle. "Six" parts is involved when one measures the things the company does right. This work shows the example of Six sigma concept implementation on the crediting process within the bank. For realization of improvement project DMAIC model is used. The process is recorded according to SIPOC model and improved by usage of tools and quality models. All this enabled achieving faster developing crediting process that has less variation of CTQs and possibility for management to monitor the process at any time.

Key words: Six sigma, banking, improve, process, crediting.

Key words: Food scenario, emerging trend.

African Journal of Estate and Property Management ISSN 9671-8498 Vol. 5 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The current global economic crisis and its impacts in Tanzania

Honest Prosper Ngowi

Dar Es Salaam Business School, Mzumbe University, Box 20266, Dar Es salaam, Tanzania. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +255 754653740.

Accepted 21 April, 2017

Abstract

This paper is on the current global financial crisis and its impacts in Tanzania. The author gives an overview of the meaning, nature, causes, general impacts and possible solutions for the crisis in Tanzania. Informed mainly by a review of literature and analysis of the same, it is found by the author that the crisis officially started to manifest itself in September 2008 in the financial markets in the United States of America (USA). Since then it has spread not only to financial but also to the real economy of many parts of the world especially in Europe and Asia where the first round effects are rapidly being experienced. In Africa in general and Tanzania in particular, the second round effects (bounce-on effects) are increasingly being experienced. The many direct and indirect, long term and short term impacts are emanating from the recession that is unfolding as a result of the crisis. There have been several strategies to deal with the crisis at macro and micro-level in various countries. These include but are not limited to various bailout plans and stimulus packages for various economies in general and specific sectors and industries in particular. Tanzania, as is the case with many other developing countries is suffering from the second round effects of the crisis. The impacts on the country so far include but are not limited to potential and actual reduced economic growth, reduced foreign currency earning as a result of reduced exports, reduced tourism and its earnings, reduced remittances and reduced Official Development Assistance (ODA) . These impacts are likely to have many far- reaching and profound negative implications on many other aspects in the country. Among the policy implications based on the discussions in the paper include the need to be proactive instead of being reactive in addressing the crisis in general and its impacts. Among other things, there is a need to be vigilant as the crisis keeps on unfolding and to take measures to reduce the negative impacts of the crisis.

Key words: Global financial crises, economic, employment, Tanzania.