https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/21672 2026-05-05T16:16:07Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/31747 Systematic Review as a Research Method to Establish the Concept of Value Leaks During Project Deployment Asiedu, Dr. Ernest Marfo; Mkansi, Marcia Systematic literature review is considered an important research methodology that can equip practising managers with the knowledge to solve problems in their field. However, there is insufficient research in project management that attempts to provide managers with information on how systematic literature review can help solve problems. Most research works answer theoretical questions for academic purposes rather than address work related issues faced by these managers in their line of work. In addressing this gap, this study adopted a systematic literature review as a research methodology to establish a demonstrative concept of value leaks problem during project deployment. As emphasised in the project business case, project value leak is a serious issue in project management. The ability to control or avert it can make or break a project’s value success. The findings clarify how systematic literature review aided the establishment of value leak’s concept during project deployment. First, the study formulates the factors that propel an occurrence of value leaks, which might traditionally be considered a slip during project deployment. Second, it situates value leaks from earned value analysis (EVA) perspective as a widely accepted technique to assess and report project performance. Third, it establishes value leaks’ causal factors and their sources of origin. Beyond equipping managers with problem-solving knowledge, the findings culminate in developing the value leaks diagnostic model, which serves as a guide and diagnostic mechanism to create and maintain value through project management practitioners’ projects, regardless of the industry. In addition, this study contributes to the contemporary literature in project management as the concept of project value leaks is still gaining prominence, and the adoption of a systematic review as a research methodology to establish this concept advances knowledge 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/31746 Macro environment determinants affecting the availability of artemisinin-based combination therapies in Uganda Nagitta, Oluka Pross; Mkansi, Marcia Purpose – Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) have been developed to treat uncomplicated malaria. However, scanty studies exist to inform the role of macro factors in explaining the nonavailability of ACT in developing countries. Therefore, this paper aims to evaluate the different macro-environment factors affecting the availability of ACTs in the public hospital setting. Design/methodology/approach – This study applied a quantitative methodological approach and structural equation modeling (SEM) to test hypotheses statistically. SEM examines linear causal relationships among variables while accounting for measurement error. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess model reliability. CFA and SEM were used to determine the shared variance-covariance of variables, define the latent construct and provide a more precise way to account for the error variances associated with the variables, which, if untested, could lead to biased parameter estimates. This was guided by the data collected from 40 general public hospitals with 283 respondents. Findings – This study’s results support a model for promoting social-cultural, technological and legal factors. The availability of ACTs is significantly affected by legal factors. Improving legal aspects by a unit can enhance ACT availability by 0.59. Political factors scored the least, and they do not influence the availability of malaria drugs. Research limitations/implications – The design was quantitative and cross-sectional. Future research could be longitudinal with a mixed-method approach and consider other external stakeholders. Practical implications – Reducing the impact of the nonavailability of antimalarial drugs in general public hospitals requires a holistic concerted and coordinated supply chain approach that tackles the political, economic, social-cultural norms, technological and legal factors. Research paper 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/31745 Critical Factors Contributing to Budget Overruns in Ghana's Telecommunication Industry Construction Projects Asiedu, Dr. Ernest Marfo; Mkansi, Marcia This study sought to examine the occurrence of, and the most critical factors that cause, budget overruns in Ghana’s telecommunications industry construction projects by applying an exploratory sequential mixed method approach. A multiple case study approach was initially adopted to ensure a greater understanding of the differences and similarities between four cases drawn from companies engaged in the construction of network expansion projects. This was followed by a survey of 230 practitioners responsible for managing construction projects within the industry. The software programs, Atlas ti, SPSS, and AMOS version 25.0, were used in the data analysis. An exploratory factor analysis and a structural equation modelling were performed to test and validate the hypothetical model developed to illustrate the most critical factors that cause budget overruns. The findings resulted in the final model dubbed ‘Budget Overrun Flowerpot’, provides practitioners with better understanding of the most critical causal factors that need to be managed appropriately to improve project efficiency and budget performance. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/31744 Mobile Application Diffusion An Exploration of Trust and Privacy Amongst Rural Enterprises in South Africa Chakuzira, Wellington; Mkansi, Marcia This review paper presents academic literature exploring why there is a slow adoption of mobile technologies amongst rural enterprises in South Africa. The researchers conducted a thorough literature review of studies related to trust and privacy on mobile applications published in journals between January 2020 and April 2023. The study reviewed two main external variables: trust and privacy of technology adoption. The systematic review shows that common trust concerns for rural enterprises include untrusted service providers, weak security, and security attacks. Additionally, the review revealed common privacy issues and concerns, including integrity, user awareness, unobservability, and deniability as obstacles to the fast uptake of mobile applications in rural marketplaces in South Africa. Considering these factors, the paper concludes by offering practical and theoretical suggestions that can assist rural entrepreneurs in enhancing the diffusion of mobile technology. conference paper 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z