College of Business and Economics | Annual Report 2023 13 Research impact With an intentional focus on societal impact, the CBE demonstrated strategic and impactful engagement with the sustainable development goals (SDGs), reflecting its commitment to addressing global and local challenges through research. In 2022, the CBE recorded 674 publications listed in Scopus, a number that rose to 762 in 2023, marking a commendable 13% increase in its Scopus publication count. This growth underscores the CBE’s commitment to producing high-quality, globally recognised research. In its inaugural assessment of interactions with the SDGs, the CBE has highlighted significant contributions, particularly in areas that resonate deeply with the South African context. The most pronounced emphasis was on SDG 1 – No Poverty, with 331 publications illustrating the CBE’s dedication to tackling poverty, a critical issue in South Africa. Following closely, the College’s engagement with SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, resulted in 301 publications. This engagement is especially pertinent given South Africa’s current socioeconomic context, characterised by a need for sustainable economic development and employment generation. The third most emphasised SDG was SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, reflecting the growing recognition of the need to bolster industry, spur innovation, and develop robust infrastructure in South Africa. To further underscore the CBE’s comprehensive engagement, it is also pivotal to acknowledge its multidisciplinary approach, as evidenced by its involvement in SDG 14 – Life Below Water, among others. Prof Talita Greyling’s paper, ‘A Tale of Three Countries: What is the relationship between COVID-19, Lockdown and Happiness?’ was recognised as Top Cited Article by Wiley Publishers. Postdoctoral Research Fellows (PDRFs) The Postdoctoral Research Fellows (PDRFs), a critical component of the institution’s research engine, demonstrated significant progress by increasing their collective contribution to 97 ROUs in 2023, up from 88.98 ROUs in the preceding year. This growth is a testament to the enhanced research activities and output quality driven by the postdoctoral community. The number of PDRFs increased from 71, including one senior PDRF, at the start of 2023, to 81 by the year’s end, including 10 senior PDRFs. The 10 senior PDRFs further illustrate the CBE’s proactive approach to advancing its research agenda. This cohort of senior PDRFs, distinguished by achieving more than three approaches to teaching, particularly related to 4IR, with these being discussed in the Teaching and Learning Innovation segment at College Board meetings. Notably, the SUCSESS Project Teaching & Learning Digi-Handbook highlights a plethora of innovative teaching practices stemming from the Erasmus+ funded SUCSESS project, including the integration of virtual reality facilities and MAXHub technology in lecture rooms. The University also offers enrichment modules for students at no additional cost: African Insights, Artificial Intelligence in 4IR, Introduction to the SDGs, and Financial Literacy. These modules are essential in expanding the relevance of learning for employability purposes in a nationally responsive and globally relevant manner. Over 4 100 of our students participated in 2023. Our graduates continue to demonstrate high employability rates, with 87,3% of national and 81,3% of international students securing employment within a year of graduation. Moreover, we are fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among our graduates, with 46 CBE alumni launching businesses in 2023. A new partnership with Enactus South Africa further strengthens this focus. More than 100 STH students gained valuable real-world experience through work-integrated learning placements with 10 industry partners. The Mobius internship programme provides valuable internship opportunities for young people. This programme fosters their professional development and prepares them for success in their future careers. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION – FOOTPRINT AND IMPACT Outputs: publications ( journals, conferences, books, etc.) In 2023, the CBE showed remarkable growth in its research output, achieving a total of 1 256 publications approved for submission to DHET. These publications translate into 738 research output units (ROUs), made up of 83% articles, 8% books and book chapters, and 9% conference proceedings, marking a significant rise from 677 ROUs in 2022. These metrics highlight not only the CBE’s commitment to academic excellence but also its strategic role in advancing UJ’s research agenda and its contribution to reinforcing UJ’s status as a research-intensive university. Other exciting news is that the second edition of the Handbook of Innovation Indicators and Measurement, edited by Prof Fred Gault, Prof Anthony Arundel, and Prof Erika Kraemer-Mbula, is finally out.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjU1NDYx