School of Accounting, Economics and Finance

Publish or Perish: Embracing Research Publication – that was the bold theme of this year’s School of Accounting, Economics and Finance Research Day.

The forum which has been held annually for seven consecutive years is aimed at contributing towards increasing research output in the College of Law and Management Studies.

The event, attended by 70 delegates, saw 30 academics and postgraduate students showcase quality research work done in areas of sustainability, finance management, entrepreneurship and capital, banks and exchange rates, health economics and regional economics.

‘It is important for all of us to embrace the University’s publication agenda when it comes to research,’ said Dean and Head of the School, Professor Mabutho Sibanda. ‘Presenting research on these platforms provides an opportunity to get constructive feedback from your peers making you think out of the box and encouraging you to produce quality research. The College and UKZN need academics and postgraduate students who produce quality research.’

The plenary sessions featured presentations by Ms Charmaine Lathleiff, Dr Colette Muller and Dr Claire Vermaak, Mr Lazarus Muchabaiwa and Professor Josue Mbonigaba, and Ayodeji Ogunlesi & Dr Gerry Bokana.

Ms Charmaine Lathleiff presentation was on: Imagining an Authentic Workplace Using Simulation: Exploring Simulation Pedagogy in Auditing Education. The presentation unpacked a more interactive way of teaching and applying theory in a practical setting.

Ms Colette Muller and Ms Claire Vermaak presented research they are working on with a masters student, Ms Singizi Sarah Nkulu, titled: A Double Disadvantage? Investigating the Gender Gap in Labour Market Outcomes Between African Immigrants and Citizens in Post-Apartheid South Africa.

Mr Lazarus Muchabaiwa and Professor Josue Mbonigaba presented on: The Impact of the Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) Strategy on Knowledge, Service Utilisation and Outcomes in Zimbabwe, while Ayodeji Ogunlesi & Dr Gerry Bokana: Agricultural Productivity and Food Security Stability in sub-Saharan Africa: LSDV and SYS-GMM Approach.

For the first time in the event’s history, the research sessions ran parallel with a Software Workshop for academics and Postgraduate students doing managerial accounting as well as a 3 Minute Thesis Competition. The 3 Minute Competition involved PhD candidates from various schools in the College, presenting their theses in three minutes.

Competition finalists included Law academic Mr Lee Swales who won the first prize with a presentation titled: An Analysis of the Regulatory Environment Governing Electronic Evidence in South Africa: its Implication for the Application of the Rules Applicable to Hearsay Evidence, Authentication and Weight; and whether These Factors are influenced by the Nature of Proceedings.

The following presentations were also featured:

• Mr Oladotun Anifowose on: Military Expenditure, Peace Dividend, Economic Performance and Inclusive Growth in MINT Countries – The Role of Institutions
• Mr Rotimi Mathew on: Oil Price Shocks, Exchange Rates Movement and Economic Performance in Africa’s Oil Exporting Countries
• Mr Sabelo Ngema on: Renewable Energy Technologies: Overcoming the Barriers to Promote Renewable Energy Supply in South Africa to Drive Economic Growth
• Law academic Ms Sheetal Soni on: Spare-Part Sisters and Bred-to-Order Brothers: an Ethical and Legal Analysis of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis for the Purposes of Sex Selection and Tissue Typing
• Mr Simiso Msomi on: Asymmetry of Monetary Policy Expectations and Exchange rate behaviour.
• Lazarus Muchabaiwa: Analysis of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Utilization among young people in Zimbabwe

Swales was followed by Soni – who also won the People’s Choice Award – with Mathew coming third.

Words: Thandiwe Jumo