Faculty of Management Sciences at Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) hosted the annual Prestige Research Seminar on 25 October 2012 as part of the aim to deliver on the fit-for-purpose research at the university.   

Students and academic staff delivered eight papers this year to showcase the faculty’s academic prowess in research. The papers varied in fields from job satisfaction of employees in selected five-star hotels in the Western Cape, an economic perspective on the social responsibility of business,  needs assessment of employers in the Mangaung area, a reflection on self-sufficiency in productive work of SMME’s in the Masilonyana Municipality, The effect of consumer behaviour on the development of small, medium and micro manufacturing enterprises in Welkom, student experiences of the use of video as support medium in the delivery of Advanced Industrial Relations IV at CUT, evaluating the implementation of HIV and AIDS policies at a major South African hotel group to the personal financial management practices of young married couples.   

Professor Dave Lubbe, professor in Accounting from the University of the Free State led the discussion on research in Economic and Management Sciences. Prof. Lubbe emphasised the importance of research as an integral component of an academic’s career and the importance of making a contribution to personal development in academe.  He reflected on his personal experiences in research, challenges facing academics and some best practices shaping scientific research as a discipline.   Two prizes were also awarded, one for best research and one for best presentation. This was awarded to Mrs Lisa-Marie Couglan and Mrs Chrizaan Grobbelaar, respectively.   

Pictured from left are Mrs Chrizaan Grobbelaar that won the award for best presentation, Mrs Lisa-Marie Couglan that won the award for best research, Professor Albert Strydom, Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, and Professor Deseré Kokt (Chairperson of the Faculty Research Committee).