Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prof C Koornhof, Dean
Telephone number: 012 420 3330
Fax number: 012 362 5194
E-mail address: carolina.koornhof@up.ac.za
Preface by the Dean
The shared vision in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences is to be at the forefront of relevant and innovative economic, financial and management education and research.
In pursuance of this vision the Faculty has identified six pillars on which its performance is based, of which research is one. The Research Management Plan of the Faculty identifies the tactical and operational objectives in order to foster a research culture and develop research capacity in students and staff.
In 2004 the Faculty produced 64 accredited units - a percentage increase of 12,5% from 2003 - and another 30 units as a result of the backdated accreditation permitted by the Department of Education for additional research journals in the economic, financial and management fields.
Several initiatives in 2004 have contributed towards the achievement of the research aims of the Faculty. The formation of a Research Committee, a Research Ethics Committee and a Post Graduate Committee streamlined the research procedures in the Faculty. These committees ensure that the University's regulations are adhered to and that Departments adopt similar research processes. The committees with Heads of Department are also responsible for the quality of research.
A number of research workshops and conferences were held during the year, including a joint presentation with other faculties to assist staff with NRF rating applications.
The faculty Research Methodology Course (EBW 801) for masters and doctoral students was restructured and updated and enrollments have increased substantially.
The accredited journals of the faculty, The South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, Meditari and the Journal of Public Administration are now electronically available on the Web. Through partnerships the journals have become financially self-sufficient. A number of senior staff members act as editors or referees of numerous other accredited journals. Initiatives are in process to develop two further research journals in specialized research fields where there is a paucity of academic journals.
The Faculty offers several doctoral and masters degrees including the DCom, DBA, DPhil and DPA, MCom, MPhil, MPA and MBA. The numbers of students receiving doctoral and masters degrees in the Faculty also increased during 2004.
During 2004 the University’s Gordon Institute of Business Science introduced a new, cohort-based DBA programme. Initiatives to integrate the DBA offerings of GIBS and the Graduate School of Management are underway, with the expectation that, in time, the University will consistently produce ten or more DBA graduates each year, with a related publication spin-off.
In a knowledge society, the creation and dissemination of new knowledge and the development of research skills of students are important strategic drivers. Through its research, the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences contributes to the success of the South African economy and, in particular, South African business.
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