This case study investigates the criteria for organizational effectiveness in non-profit organizations (NPOs) with the aim to determine how the elements of sustainability fit within the criteria. To achieve this, the study utilized the research questions: "what criteria do NPOs use to evaluate their effectiveness?" and "how is sustainability embedded in NPO effectiveness?" The research design was interpretivist, adopting focus group interviews to obtain data. Specifically, two focus group interviews were held with the top management of an NPO which revealed that both financial and non-financial criteria were equally essential for NPO effectiveness. This finding is consistent with the literature, although it contradicts the initial assumption of the study that NPO effectiveness was based more on non-financial criteria than financial criteria. The study also found that the effectiveness of an NPO should be viewed in two ways: firstly, "the full achievement of its mandate" and, secondly, "the ability to run business projects to cover cost." It also emerged that both the ability to cover costs and the achievement of a mandate should be done in a sustainable manner (a sustainable manner is seen as one that is harmonious with the natural and the socio-political environment). The results of this paper present a practical case for the management of NPOs by reiterating that the full achievement of the NPO mandate and the successful running of social projects to generate funds for sustainability are key elements of effectiveness. Given the essential role that NPOs play in developing countries, this study has OPEN ACCESS Sustainability 2015, 7 9561 provided the foundation for more widespread enquiry into the sustainability and effectiveness of NPOs.

This paper set out to propose the actor-network theory (ANT) as a lens through which to understand and interpret the sociotechnical knowledge sharing challenges in organisations. The methodology for this study was developed within the context of ANT by adopting its ideals and principles. The findings demonstrate that using the concept of the Moments of Translation as a lens to study this phenomenon is indeed a novel way of investigating the reason why there is still difficulty with sharing and managing knowledge. This perspective is proposed to transform the way that knowledge sharing factors are perceived. By utilising a normative approach, this research looked at how knowledge sharing as an ideal can be achieved when taking into account the existing constraints within an organisation. A general framework is proposed to guide the formation of a network of aligned interest for knowledge sharing.

The aim of this paper is to explore the factors influencing knowledge sharing amongst higher education academics, using the actor-network theory (ANT) as a theoretical lens. Knowledge sharing in higher education is not institutionalised, therefore knowledge is not always captured nor systematically stored and organised. This leads to a lack of retention of valuable institutional know-how, inefficient work processes and reinventing the wheel. The research questions revealed social, process and technology factors as affecting the formation, growth, stability, and institutionalisation of knowledge sharing in a network of aligned interests. ANT was utilised in conjunction with historical and contextual analysis, tracing the development of the explicit sociotechnical conditions within which to enable sharing of knowledge amongst academics. The study was qualitative in nature, employing an interpretive case study methodology. Semi-structured questions were used to interview eighteen academic staff members as actors from a University of Technology in South Africa, exploring the factors inductively. Culture and management support emerged as the most important social factors. Management is identified to hold a significant position in influencing the uptake and sustainability of knowledge sharing. Factors of technology and processes are centred on facilitating opportunities to share and ensuring effectiveness and efficiency. Knowledge sharing strategies should adopt a blend of personal interaction and technology-based approaches. A general framework of factors influencing the formation, growth and institutionalisation of knowledge sharing was developed to inform knowledge sharing strategies in higher education. Recommendations are made in light of these factors for implementation by higher education managers

This paper discusses factors influencing e-Government initiatives by African Governments to improve services to their citizens, businesses and their constituent. It further discusses, as a socially constructed phenomenon, the degree of readiness of governments to implement e-Government initiatives to improve services. The discussion uses Actor Network Theory (ANT) and in particular the concepts of moments of translation and irreversibility as a lens through which to understand and interpret the social phenomenon. Although a number of e-Government researchers have argued that strong leadership and clear vision is required to implement e-Government initiatives, the view is that Governments have continuously failed to achieve the intended results. E-Government potentials and benefits which are well documented in Information Systems and e-Government research literature have not been realised by governments due to limited capabilities in the administration of the public service. The study applied a deductive approach where semi-structured interviews were used for data collection in a selected Provincial Government in South Africa. The outcome is a general framework to determine the readiness of South Africa government and generally, African governments for e-Government initiatives to achieve the intended results.

This paper set out to propose the actor-network theory (ANT) as a lens through which to understand and interpret the sociotechnical knowledge sharing challenges in organisations. The methodology for this study was developed within the context of ANT by adopting its ideals and principles. The findings demonstrate that using the concept of the Moments of Translation as a lens to study this phenomenon is indeed a novel way of investigating the reason why there is still difficulty with sharing and managing knowledge. This perspective is proposed to transform the way that knowledge sharing factors are perceived. By utilising a normative approach, this research looked at how knowledge sharing as an ideal can be achieved when taking into account the existing constraints within an organisation. A general framework is proposed to guide the formation of a network of aligned interest for knowledge sharing.

Information and communication technology (ICT) curriculum integration is a complex task, and it proves to be a challenge to many organisations and institutions of higher learning. However, ICT serves many purposes including simplifying complex tasks. Many higher education institutions use ICT for innovative teaching and learning. Although ICT has been considered as an educational initiative for the future, it is still not universally understood. This paper presents the role of the ICT curriculum in modern-day classroom and how it should be implemented at a university of technology to enhance teaching and learning. In this study quantitative techniques were used to collect data. Responses from 53 participants in the Department of Office Management and Technology at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology showed the participants' strong views on the significance of the ICT curriculum on the strategies for teaching and learning. Furthermore, the results showed that ICT improves the strategies for teaching and learning. Its integration in modern-day classroom could lead to the transformation of education at the universities of technologies (UoTs). It has been recommended that more research on education technology should be undertaken to develop the strategies for teaching and learning at UoTs to advance transformation in other fields of social science. There is still a challenge on how best education technology could be employed without resistance and without being too costly.

This research applies the changing of cognitive mechanisms of University students through Entrepreneurship Education (EE). The study hypothesises that entrepreneurial orientation (achievement orientation, personal control, innovation and self-esteem) improves after completing the entrepreneurship module. The context of this research involves undergraduate commerce students from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in South Africa. The study involves quantitative research using questionnaires through a longitudinal approach. The research design consists of a pre-test, post-test and post-test after the intervention. The impact of the training intervention was assessed over a 12 month period based on a randomised control design. This study indicates that entrepreneurial orientation was influenced through this Entrepreneurship module. The practical implications of this study emphasises the importance of training approaches that are based on empirical research. The uniqueness of this paper lies in the pedagogy used that allows the effectiveness of assessing a training program.

The paper discusses cloud computing as a technology innovation for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa to improve competitiveness, retain sustainability and maintain cost-effectively. The concept of duality of structures (DoS) of Giddens’ Structuration Theory was used as a lens through which to understand and interpret the factors influencing the readiness of SMEs to adopt cloud computing as a lens to innovate their businesses and become competitive in the face of global economic slowdown, high cost of IT services and inadequate e-competency. The purpose of the study was to determine the readiness of SMEs to innovate their businesses using technology solutions such as cloud computing. An extensive investigation on sixteen (16) SMEs from Gauteng and Mpumalang Provinces indicated a number of factors suggested by DoS have influenced the readiness of SMEs to adopt technology. The perspective is that clouding computing adoption as a technology innovation suggests a significant trend with the potential to increase agility and lower costs of IT services. The finding of the study is a general framework to guide SMEs to assess their readiness to adopting these technologies to save costs, improve their efficiency and competitive position