Changing gender roles: challenges and strategies of female headship in Motherwell
- Authors: Kadaluka, Gloria Thamo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Gender roles
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44541 , vital:38138
- Description: For decades, research has examined men’s perceptions of the changing gender roles, highlighting the masculinity crisis and challenges men encounter due to the decreasing male provider role. Yet, studies have not explored women’s perceptions about these changing roles, which have consequentially enabled them to become female-headed households (FHHs). Part of the problem is that in theory, FHHs have indeed been classified as the poorest of the poor. Nevertheless in practice, governments have neglected efforts to support this group. In South Africa, research on challenges of FHHs is quantitative and portrays an overgeneralised image of poverty in FHHs. This study set out to develop a better understanding of how women make sense of the changing roles, in an attempt to investigate the processes through which women assume their headship status and to examine their challenges and strategies as FHHs. Using a qualitative research design in the form of a case study with a phenomenological study orientation, the study identified 40 female participants and the data was collected using in-depth interviews. Data was analysed through inductive thematic analysis. Findings indicated that female headship occurs through an identifiable process and most women were never married, divorced, separated or widowed. Thus, single motherhood is by choice, because it is a choice for independence. The significant obstacle hindering social progress is that women support the changing gender roles, while at the same time utilising linguistic repertoires to hold on to traditional gender role beliefs that reinforce patriarchy. Their also challenges manifested in a similar behavioral fashion, suggesting the intergenerational transmission of poverty. Poor education, sex for jobs, feminisation of labour, teenage pregnancies, burden of care, dependency burden, discrimination, absence of fathers and inability to balance work and family, are challenges that put FHHs under a sustained attack. These findings indicate that despite being poor, women do not view themselves as victims of poverty. They exercise urgency through forging social capital, salaries and child support grants. However, women are stuck in a poverty trap because their relations of exchange are limited to those women who are equally poor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Kadaluka, Gloria Thamo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Gender roles
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44541 , vital:38138
- Description: For decades, research has examined men’s perceptions of the changing gender roles, highlighting the masculinity crisis and challenges men encounter due to the decreasing male provider role. Yet, studies have not explored women’s perceptions about these changing roles, which have consequentially enabled them to become female-headed households (FHHs). Part of the problem is that in theory, FHHs have indeed been classified as the poorest of the poor. Nevertheless in practice, governments have neglected efforts to support this group. In South Africa, research on challenges of FHHs is quantitative and portrays an overgeneralised image of poverty in FHHs. This study set out to develop a better understanding of how women make sense of the changing roles, in an attempt to investigate the processes through which women assume their headship status and to examine their challenges and strategies as FHHs. Using a qualitative research design in the form of a case study with a phenomenological study orientation, the study identified 40 female participants and the data was collected using in-depth interviews. Data was analysed through inductive thematic analysis. Findings indicated that female headship occurs through an identifiable process and most women were never married, divorced, separated or widowed. Thus, single motherhood is by choice, because it is a choice for independence. The significant obstacle hindering social progress is that women support the changing gender roles, while at the same time utilising linguistic repertoires to hold on to traditional gender role beliefs that reinforce patriarchy. Their also challenges manifested in a similar behavioral fashion, suggesting the intergenerational transmission of poverty. Poor education, sex for jobs, feminisation of labour, teenage pregnancies, burden of care, dependency burden, discrimination, absence of fathers and inability to balance work and family, are challenges that put FHHs under a sustained attack. These findings indicate that despite being poor, women do not view themselves as victims of poverty. They exercise urgency through forging social capital, salaries and child support grants. However, women are stuck in a poverty trap because their relations of exchange are limited to those women who are equally poor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Community perception of air pollution: health and environmental impact of manganese operations at PE port
- Authors: Mtati, Vuyani
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Air -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Manganese -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Manufacturing industries Environmental health Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41919 , vital:36609
- Description: The Mining industry in South Africa is viewed as the backbone of the country’s economy; however, while benefiting from this engine of economic development, its impact on the environment and health has been of major concern to different stakeholders. The majority of people acknowledge the role of mining in the economy and the country. Others put more emphasis on public health and the environment. Furthermore, manganese plays an important role in the economic growth and development within the Eastern Cape Province. Responding to recent public concern over manganese dust emissions, Port of Port Elizabeth manager, Rajesh Dana, outlined a five-point manganese management plan formulated by Transnet. Mr. Dana stated the following: “We do not dispute the fact that our manganese operation in the Port of Port Elizabeth creates an inconvenience to port tenants and residents. However, as a responsible corporate citizen we have superior operational and compliance controls in place to mitigate these negative impacts.” Some of the concerns raised by community members are that the manganese ore dust has long term negative effects on the health of this city’s residents, the marine life, as well as the properties within, roughly, a 5km (own opinion estimate) radius of the tanks. Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay) has the potential to become a tourism and economic hub within this radius and beyond, and by removing this hazard it will allow for a green environment to be established that gives all the citizens as well as tourists, a place to take part in a healthy lifestyle. Some believe that the city, specifically the CBD area, has the potential to be world renowned for green innovations but having a major hazard in the way, which can be moved to, and better controlled at, Coega IDZ, is not only damaging to the health of its citizens but also the economy of the city. Air pollution affects both physical and human environments. Often, communities that are in close proximity to pollution sources are more vulnerable and experience its greatest effect. As a result, many residents complain of negative health related impacts caused by air pollution which is attributed to industries located close to these communities. About two million deaths annually are attributed to urban air pollution worldwide, which is an indication that air pollution remains an enormous health risk to people. Due to the health impacts on humans, air pollution has also been negatively categorised based on perceptions around the world. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of environmental pollution and public health on the South End, Humewood and Humerail occupants and their perceptions of air quality effects and health risks from the Transnet manganese operation in Port Elizabeth. The present study can be described as a quantitative descriptive survey that uncovered serious levels of pollution in the said areas that had dire health consequences for the people involved. The findings of the study indicate that residents live with the constant dust of a variety of chemical pollutants released both by normal Port operations and by periodic incidents caused by other polluters. They experience chronic respiratory symptoms, burning eyes, hearing deficiency and skin irritations. The study revealed that environmental pollution consequences affecting residents are inversely related to distance from the Port. The results obtained in this study are evidence that environmental pollution, especially manganese in the area, is a definite risk to the health of people living within the surrounding area. Although indicating the need to carry out a comprehensive study, the results call for immediate action to engage community members in order for them to understand the risks associated with the Port operations and prevent continued public over-exposure to environmental pollution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mtati, Vuyani
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Air -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Manganese -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Manufacturing industries Environmental health Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41919 , vital:36609
- Description: The Mining industry in South Africa is viewed as the backbone of the country’s economy; however, while benefiting from this engine of economic development, its impact on the environment and health has been of major concern to different stakeholders. The majority of people acknowledge the role of mining in the economy and the country. Others put more emphasis on public health and the environment. Furthermore, manganese plays an important role in the economic growth and development within the Eastern Cape Province. Responding to recent public concern over manganese dust emissions, Port of Port Elizabeth manager, Rajesh Dana, outlined a five-point manganese management plan formulated by Transnet. Mr. Dana stated the following: “We do not dispute the fact that our manganese operation in the Port of Port Elizabeth creates an inconvenience to port tenants and residents. However, as a responsible corporate citizen we have superior operational and compliance controls in place to mitigate these negative impacts.” Some of the concerns raised by community members are that the manganese ore dust has long term negative effects on the health of this city’s residents, the marine life, as well as the properties within, roughly, a 5km (own opinion estimate) radius of the tanks. Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay) has the potential to become a tourism and economic hub within this radius and beyond, and by removing this hazard it will allow for a green environment to be established that gives all the citizens as well as tourists, a place to take part in a healthy lifestyle. Some believe that the city, specifically the CBD area, has the potential to be world renowned for green innovations but having a major hazard in the way, which can be moved to, and better controlled at, Coega IDZ, is not only damaging to the health of its citizens but also the economy of the city. Air pollution affects both physical and human environments. Often, communities that are in close proximity to pollution sources are more vulnerable and experience its greatest effect. As a result, many residents complain of negative health related impacts caused by air pollution which is attributed to industries located close to these communities. About two million deaths annually are attributed to urban air pollution worldwide, which is an indication that air pollution remains an enormous health risk to people. Due to the health impacts on humans, air pollution has also been negatively categorised based on perceptions around the world. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of environmental pollution and public health on the South End, Humewood and Humerail occupants and their perceptions of air quality effects and health risks from the Transnet manganese operation in Port Elizabeth. The present study can be described as a quantitative descriptive survey that uncovered serious levels of pollution in the said areas that had dire health consequences for the people involved. The findings of the study indicate that residents live with the constant dust of a variety of chemical pollutants released both by normal Port operations and by periodic incidents caused by other polluters. They experience chronic respiratory symptoms, burning eyes, hearing deficiency and skin irritations. The study revealed that environmental pollution consequences affecting residents are inversely related to distance from the Port. The results obtained in this study are evidence that environmental pollution, especially manganese in the area, is a definite risk to the health of people living within the surrounding area. Although indicating the need to carry out a comprehensive study, the results call for immediate action to engage community members in order for them to understand the risks associated with the Port operations and prevent continued public over-exposure to environmental pollution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Companies creating shared value through their business models
- Authors: Ncemane, Bonakele
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Business planning , Strategic planning Social responsibility of business Capitalism -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42935 , vital:36712
- Description: The subject of this treatise was the construct “Creating Shared Value”. The purpose was to explore the business models companies use to create shared value. The study was based on the life insurance industry. The study employed a qualitative paradigm and four Cases were content analysed. It was found that business models used by the insurance industry increase quality of life and thereby increasing social value; further these business models increases economic value for business through the reduction of insurance costs . This mutual and simultaneous creation of economic value and social value is the underlying principle of the Shared Value Construct. Secondly it was found that business models used by the life insurance companies selected for the study manifested hybrid business models with features of both inclusive and social business models components. Practical implications – Policy makers should consider providing universal coverage based on the emerging hybrid business model as an alternative to National Health Insurance business model that is aimed at compulsory membership of citizens to a medical aids. These model enhance early detection of disease’s which promotes better health management and prevention, literature review correlated this with better productivity, less insurance claims and general wellbeing of the citizens.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Ncemane, Bonakele
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Business planning , Strategic planning Social responsibility of business Capitalism -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42935 , vital:36712
- Description: The subject of this treatise was the construct “Creating Shared Value”. The purpose was to explore the business models companies use to create shared value. The study was based on the life insurance industry. The study employed a qualitative paradigm and four Cases were content analysed. It was found that business models used by the insurance industry increase quality of life and thereby increasing social value; further these business models increases economic value for business through the reduction of insurance costs . This mutual and simultaneous creation of economic value and social value is the underlying principle of the Shared Value Construct. Secondly it was found that business models used by the life insurance companies selected for the study manifested hybrid business models with features of both inclusive and social business models components. Practical implications – Policy makers should consider providing universal coverage based on the emerging hybrid business model as an alternative to National Health Insurance business model that is aimed at compulsory membership of citizens to a medical aids. These model enhance early detection of disease’s which promotes better health management and prevention, literature review correlated this with better productivity, less insurance claims and general wellbeing of the citizens.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Contribution of the Coega development corporation to small enterprise growth in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Nakimbugwe, Norris Linda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Coega Development Corporation , Small business -- Growth -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Small business -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42913 , vital:36705
- Description: This study seeks to investigate the contribution of the Coega Development Corporation to Small Enterprise growth in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Current discourse regarding IDZs suggests that their establishment is an engine to economic growth through the attraction of both domestic and foreign investments, as well as the promotion of exports through incentive packages for IDZ companies. While, the attraction of larger FDI corporations may be significant to the growth of the local economy, it can also be a barrier to Small Enterprise Growth due to the influx of larger corporations into the market although the synergetic co-existence of both the larger corporations and the local SMEs is crucial to the overall welfare of economy. With these potential challenges in mind research investigated into the contribution of the Coega IDZ project to the growth of local Small Enterprises in Nelson Mandela Bay. The study adopted a quantitative research design and self-administered questionnaires which were used for data collection from information rich respondents. Overall, findings of this study indicate that the Coega Development Corporation has to some extent contributed to small enterprise growth through its infrastructure projects, some of its existing labour regulations and also through the development of human capital skills of individuals within the small enterprises. These findings were in agreement with some of those from the literature review in the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Nakimbugwe, Norris Linda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Coega Development Corporation , Small business -- Growth -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Small business -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42913 , vital:36705
- Description: This study seeks to investigate the contribution of the Coega Development Corporation to Small Enterprise growth in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Current discourse regarding IDZs suggests that their establishment is an engine to economic growth through the attraction of both domestic and foreign investments, as well as the promotion of exports through incentive packages for IDZ companies. While, the attraction of larger FDI corporations may be significant to the growth of the local economy, it can also be a barrier to Small Enterprise Growth due to the influx of larger corporations into the market although the synergetic co-existence of both the larger corporations and the local SMEs is crucial to the overall welfare of economy. With these potential challenges in mind research investigated into the contribution of the Coega IDZ project to the growth of local Small Enterprises in Nelson Mandela Bay. The study adopted a quantitative research design and self-administered questionnaires which were used for data collection from information rich respondents. Overall, findings of this study indicate that the Coega Development Corporation has to some extent contributed to small enterprise growth through its infrastructure projects, some of its existing labour regulations and also through the development of human capital skills of individuals within the small enterprises. These findings were in agreement with some of those from the literature review in the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Critical determinants of service quality for the port of cape town users
- Authors: Thomas, Darren Roger
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Physical distribution of goods -- Management , Business logistics -- South Africa -- Cape Town Harbors -- South Africa -- Cape Town Shipping -- South Africa -- Cape Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43845 , vital:37052
- Description: This research study was motivated by the daily observed operational experiences from the perspective of the researcher’s logistics business. Poor levels of operational service quality were observed in the Port of Cape Town during the 2017/2018 “wind season” which occurs from September to March, where the port lost more than 1200-man hours due to wind delays. The poor levels of operational service quality are further compounded by the effects of the wind delays and its impact on congestion at the port which results in financial loss to importers and exporters and their intermodal service providers. Nearly ninety six percent (96%) of exports from South Africa are by sea, therefore South Africa’s trade with the rest of the world is by sea. Thus, ports are important economic contributors and play an important role for both inbound and outbound logistics. Service quality failures affect business-to-business players in the logistics chain. Port users suffer financial and reputational damage when containers, which are shipped via the port, are delayed due to service quality failures. The purpose of this treatise was to determine what the critical determinants of service quality for the Port of Cape Town users are. To achieve this a conceptual research model was developed, where six variables were identified that have an influence on service quality. The six variables identified are Communication, Competence, Access, Reliability, Understanding/Knowing Customer and Tangibles. A literature review was then conducted to determine what the difference between B2C and B2B operational service quality is. This was done by investigating both the similarities and differences between B2C and B2B and providing a review of service quality and customer satisfaction. Similarly, a literature review was also conducted to investigate the contrasts between international and local port service quality. This was achieved by investigating the importance of ports and an overview of the South African port network. An overview of the Port of Cape Town was then provided where inefficiencies in the Port of Cape Town are discussed. Service quality in selected international ports are then discussed before the chapter was concluded by providing a review of service quality at the port of Cape Town’s two closest international competitors. The methodological approach to the study was quantitative research using a survey strategy to test the conceptual model. Analysis was performed through descriptive and inferential statics. Based on the analysis, the study could conclude by making important managerial recommendations that the management of the Port of Cape Town could implement to improve the level of Operational Service Quality at the port. Some of the recommendations are, that the ports staff should be trained in the importance of proactive communication. Port staff should receive regular training with respect to their operational functions. The port should provide a platform which will allow port users to raise concerns or provide compliments related to container operations or port staff interactions. Before communicating start up times after port stoppages, the port needs to take in to consideration the necessary time required to get staff back to their operational posts and other start-up operations when advising the port reopening time to port users. Port management should implement a better maintenance programme for the container handling equipment as it was the respondent’s perception that the handling equipment used in the port is not always in good working condition.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Thomas, Darren Roger
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Physical distribution of goods -- Management , Business logistics -- South Africa -- Cape Town Harbors -- South Africa -- Cape Town Shipping -- South Africa -- Cape Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43845 , vital:37052
- Description: This research study was motivated by the daily observed operational experiences from the perspective of the researcher’s logistics business. Poor levels of operational service quality were observed in the Port of Cape Town during the 2017/2018 “wind season” which occurs from September to March, where the port lost more than 1200-man hours due to wind delays. The poor levels of operational service quality are further compounded by the effects of the wind delays and its impact on congestion at the port which results in financial loss to importers and exporters and their intermodal service providers. Nearly ninety six percent (96%) of exports from South Africa are by sea, therefore South Africa’s trade with the rest of the world is by sea. Thus, ports are important economic contributors and play an important role for both inbound and outbound logistics. Service quality failures affect business-to-business players in the logistics chain. Port users suffer financial and reputational damage when containers, which are shipped via the port, are delayed due to service quality failures. The purpose of this treatise was to determine what the critical determinants of service quality for the Port of Cape Town users are. To achieve this a conceptual research model was developed, where six variables were identified that have an influence on service quality. The six variables identified are Communication, Competence, Access, Reliability, Understanding/Knowing Customer and Tangibles. A literature review was then conducted to determine what the difference between B2C and B2B operational service quality is. This was done by investigating both the similarities and differences between B2C and B2B and providing a review of service quality and customer satisfaction. Similarly, a literature review was also conducted to investigate the contrasts between international and local port service quality. This was achieved by investigating the importance of ports and an overview of the South African port network. An overview of the Port of Cape Town was then provided where inefficiencies in the Port of Cape Town are discussed. Service quality in selected international ports are then discussed before the chapter was concluded by providing a review of service quality at the port of Cape Town’s two closest international competitors. The methodological approach to the study was quantitative research using a survey strategy to test the conceptual model. Analysis was performed through descriptive and inferential statics. Based on the analysis, the study could conclude by making important managerial recommendations that the management of the Port of Cape Town could implement to improve the level of Operational Service Quality at the port. Some of the recommendations are, that the ports staff should be trained in the importance of proactive communication. Port staff should receive regular training with respect to their operational functions. The port should provide a platform which will allow port users to raise concerns or provide compliments related to container operations or port staff interactions. Before communicating start up times after port stoppages, the port needs to take in to consideration the necessary time required to get staff back to their operational posts and other start-up operations when advising the port reopening time to port users. Port management should implement a better maintenance programme for the container handling equipment as it was the respondent’s perception that the handling equipment used in the port is not always in good working condition.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Customer loyalty programmes in the South African grocery and retail sector
- Authors: Harmse, Nyree
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Customer loyalty programs -- South Africa , Customer clubs -- South Africa Grocery trade -- South Africa Food industry and trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39599 , vital:35331
- Description: While there has been substantial research on loyalty programmes, few studies specifically focus on the attitudinal and behavioural components of a loyalty programmes within grocery and retail sector programmes in South Africa. This study is part of a broader study of South African loyalty programmes, but specifically examines the attitudinal and behavioural influences on loyalty programmes in the South African grocery and retail sector. A comprehensive literature review was conducted and factors influencing loyalty programmes were identified. The literature reviewed informed the conceptual model that proposed purchasing behaviour, trust, communication, personalisation, flexibility, rewards and method of participation influenced the success of grocery and retail sector loyalty programmes with attitude and behaviour serving as intermediate variables. The academic literature selected for the study is grounded in the academic theories of social exchange and planned behaviour. The methodology followed was through self-administered questionnaires developed from academic literature. Data were collected from 1090 respondents across South Africa, of which 643 respondents were members of grocery and retail sector loyalty programmes. The data analysis conducted through various descriptive and inferential statistical tests and exploratory factors analysis identified that factors of purchasing behaviour, trust, communication, personalisation, flexibility, rewards and general assessment were factors influencing loyalty programmes. Loyalty programme studies in South Africa are generally conducted on specific loyalty programmes, which are owned by the programme owners and therefore unpublished. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by using academic theory to establish the attitudinal and behavioural factors that affect loyalty programmes within the South African grocery and retail sector. The study concludes with managerial recommendations that grocery and retail sector managers can implement to influence the success of loyalty programmes. Some of the recommendations include the use of communication as a lever to influence other factors and the overall effectiveness of the programme. Other recommendations include data management and rewards that create flexible and personalised experiences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Harmse, Nyree
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Customer loyalty programs -- South Africa , Customer clubs -- South Africa Grocery trade -- South Africa Food industry and trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39599 , vital:35331
- Description: While there has been substantial research on loyalty programmes, few studies specifically focus on the attitudinal and behavioural components of a loyalty programmes within grocery and retail sector programmes in South Africa. This study is part of a broader study of South African loyalty programmes, but specifically examines the attitudinal and behavioural influences on loyalty programmes in the South African grocery and retail sector. A comprehensive literature review was conducted and factors influencing loyalty programmes were identified. The literature reviewed informed the conceptual model that proposed purchasing behaviour, trust, communication, personalisation, flexibility, rewards and method of participation influenced the success of grocery and retail sector loyalty programmes with attitude and behaviour serving as intermediate variables. The academic literature selected for the study is grounded in the academic theories of social exchange and planned behaviour. The methodology followed was through self-administered questionnaires developed from academic literature. Data were collected from 1090 respondents across South Africa, of which 643 respondents were members of grocery and retail sector loyalty programmes. The data analysis conducted through various descriptive and inferential statistical tests and exploratory factors analysis identified that factors of purchasing behaviour, trust, communication, personalisation, flexibility, rewards and general assessment were factors influencing loyalty programmes. Loyalty programme studies in South Africa are generally conducted on specific loyalty programmes, which are owned by the programme owners and therefore unpublished. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by using academic theory to establish the attitudinal and behavioural factors that affect loyalty programmes within the South African grocery and retail sector. The study concludes with managerial recommendations that grocery and retail sector managers can implement to influence the success of loyalty programmes. Some of the recommendations include the use of communication as a lever to influence other factors and the overall effectiveness of the programme. Other recommendations include data management and rewards that create flexible and personalised experiences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Determinants of a competitive bunkering service: a South African model
- Authors: Mdlalose, Silindile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Ships -- Fuel -- South Africa , Oil transfer operations -- South Africa Coastal water transportation -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41471 , vital:36487
- Description: South Africa is one of the best strategically positioned countries in the world in terms of trade routes from the west to the east. According to the Operation Phakisa research team, about 13 000 vessels visit South African ports annually and nearly 30 000 vessels sail along the South African coast yearly. Yet, less than ten percent of visiting vessels replenish bunkers in the country. This is a lost business opportunity for the South African bunker industry. South Africa has struggled to attract and maintain bunker business for some time. The aim of this study is to establish what the determinants of a competitive bunker industry are. A positivism philosophy is adopted to conduct the study. Using information gathered through a literature review, a conceptualised model for a competitive bunker industry is formulated. The model claims that there is a positive relationship between bunker industry competitiveness and eight independent variables identified in literature. The eight independent variables identified are (i) Bunker Fuel, (ii) Location, (iii) Port Accessibility, (iv) Rules and Regulations, (v) Service, (vi) Infrastructure, (vii) Cost of Service and (viii) Human Capital. A survey is conducted using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was generated specifically to collect primary data. There are 104 usable responses received back from the survey. The response data are used for quantitative data analysis. Quantitative data analysis methods like the EFA, Cronbach’s alpha, one sample t-test and Pearson Moment Correlations’ analysis are employed to test the conceptualised model. Findings show that independent variables (i) Service, (ii) Infrastructure, (iii) Port Accessibility, (iv) Location and (v) Bunker Industry Competitiveness (the independent variable) are contributors to bunker industry competitiveness (dependent variable). The results indicate that to achieve bunker industry competitiveness, the best approach will be to employ a collective approach that will simultaneously consider all of the literature-identified variables. All of the variables will have to be considered and aligned when the strategy for a competitive bunker industry is created.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mdlalose, Silindile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Ships -- Fuel -- South Africa , Oil transfer operations -- South Africa Coastal water transportation -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41471 , vital:36487
- Description: South Africa is one of the best strategically positioned countries in the world in terms of trade routes from the west to the east. According to the Operation Phakisa research team, about 13 000 vessels visit South African ports annually and nearly 30 000 vessels sail along the South African coast yearly. Yet, less than ten percent of visiting vessels replenish bunkers in the country. This is a lost business opportunity for the South African bunker industry. South Africa has struggled to attract and maintain bunker business for some time. The aim of this study is to establish what the determinants of a competitive bunker industry are. A positivism philosophy is adopted to conduct the study. Using information gathered through a literature review, a conceptualised model for a competitive bunker industry is formulated. The model claims that there is a positive relationship between bunker industry competitiveness and eight independent variables identified in literature. The eight independent variables identified are (i) Bunker Fuel, (ii) Location, (iii) Port Accessibility, (iv) Rules and Regulations, (v) Service, (vi) Infrastructure, (vii) Cost of Service and (viii) Human Capital. A survey is conducted using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was generated specifically to collect primary data. There are 104 usable responses received back from the survey. The response data are used for quantitative data analysis. Quantitative data analysis methods like the EFA, Cronbach’s alpha, one sample t-test and Pearson Moment Correlations’ analysis are employed to test the conceptualised model. Findings show that independent variables (i) Service, (ii) Infrastructure, (iii) Port Accessibility, (iv) Location and (v) Bunker Industry Competitiveness (the independent variable) are contributors to bunker industry competitiveness (dependent variable). The results indicate that to achieve bunker industry competitiveness, the best approach will be to employ a collective approach that will simultaneously consider all of the literature-identified variables. All of the variables will have to be considered and aligned when the strategy for a competitive bunker industry is created.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Determining the effects of debt-to-GDP ratio on the economic growth of Greece, Italy and South Africa
- Mowoe, Merioboroghene Oreoluwa
- Authors: Mowoe, Merioboroghene Oreoluwa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Debts, Public -- Greece , Debts, Public -- Italy Debts, Public -- South Africa Economic development Greece -- Economic conditions Italy -- Economic conditions South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41942 , vital:36611
- Description: A major challenge that most countries currently face, is to bring their economies out of indebtedness. In this study, the impact of public debt on the economic growth of Greece, Italy, and South Africa, and any similarities between them, was analysed. Two models were adopted for this purpose, the ARDL model and the VEC model. The ARDL was used to conduct a co-integration relationship between public debts, economic growth, with four controlled variables: inflation, government spending, net export, and investment. The results showed a negative co-integrating relationship for all three countries. In addition, the VEC model was adopted to determine whether there was causation between public debt and economic growth in each of the three countries. It was found that a unidirectional causality between public debt and economic growth exists for all three countries. For Greece, a long-run causality was found moving from economic growth to public debt. For Italy, short-run and long-run causalities were found, moving from economic growth to public debt. For South Africa, both a long-run and a short-run causality were found moving from public debt to economic growth. The economic growth and development policies for reducing the public debt of these countries, are recommended in accordance with the findings of the research results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mowoe, Merioboroghene Oreoluwa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Debts, Public -- Greece , Debts, Public -- Italy Debts, Public -- South Africa Economic development Greece -- Economic conditions Italy -- Economic conditions South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41942 , vital:36611
- Description: A major challenge that most countries currently face, is to bring their economies out of indebtedness. In this study, the impact of public debt on the economic growth of Greece, Italy, and South Africa, and any similarities between them, was analysed. Two models were adopted for this purpose, the ARDL model and the VEC model. The ARDL was used to conduct a co-integration relationship between public debts, economic growth, with four controlled variables: inflation, government spending, net export, and investment. The results showed a negative co-integrating relationship for all three countries. In addition, the VEC model was adopted to determine whether there was causation between public debt and economic growth in each of the three countries. It was found that a unidirectional causality between public debt and economic growth exists for all three countries. For Greece, a long-run causality was found moving from economic growth to public debt. For Italy, short-run and long-run causalities were found, moving from economic growth to public debt. For South Africa, both a long-run and a short-run causality were found moving from public debt to economic growth. The economic growth and development policies for reducing the public debt of these countries, are recommended in accordance with the findings of the research results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Do FDI and public investment crowd in/out domestic private investment in the SADC region?
- Authors: Ngeendepi, Eslon J
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49997 , vital:41968
- Description: This paper attempts to contribute to empirical literature on investment theory by examining whether FDI inflows and government capital expenditure crowd-in/out domestic private investment in 15 SADC member states for the period 1991-2017. In order to realise the study objective, the panel Pool Mean Group (PMG)/ARDL technique was employed in estimating the shot-run and long-run relationship between FDI, government capital expenditure, domestic private investment and a further three more variables (interest rate, GDP growth rate and trade openness.) added to the model to form multivariate framework. Findings from the study show that FDI inflow crowd-in domestic private investment in both the short and long run, while government capital expenditure is found to crowd-out domestic private investment in the long-run and crowd-in domestic private investment in the short-run. The study concludes by providing policy recommendations and suggesting areas for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Ngeendepi, Eslon J
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49997 , vital:41968
- Description: This paper attempts to contribute to empirical literature on investment theory by examining whether FDI inflows and government capital expenditure crowd-in/out domestic private investment in 15 SADC member states for the period 1991-2017. In order to realise the study objective, the panel Pool Mean Group (PMG)/ARDL technique was employed in estimating the shot-run and long-run relationship between FDI, government capital expenditure, domestic private investment and a further three more variables (interest rate, GDP growth rate and trade openness.) added to the model to form multivariate framework. Findings from the study show that FDI inflow crowd-in domestic private investment in both the short and long run, while government capital expenditure is found to crowd-out domestic private investment in the long-run and crowd-in domestic private investment in the short-run. The study concludes by providing policy recommendations and suggesting areas for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Effective enterprise risk management: a case of Telkom South Africa
- Authors: Mkula, Tamara
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Risk management , Organizational change Telkom (Firm : South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41054 , vital:36286
- Description: The premise of this research study was to study the phenomenon of Effective Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), to understand the effective enterprise risk management within Telkom SA after the implementation of organisational changes which have seen the company operating in six different business units. Enterprise risk management can no longer be an afterthought in an organisation, it should be integrated into an organisational strategy. Organisations which have successfully integrated an ERM into their organisational strategy have proved to be effective and profitable. However, the intention of this research study was not necessarily to analyse the ERM integration into Telkom’s organisational strategy. Rather, this study explored and described the views of the Telkom SA senior level enterprise risk management professionals in understanding if the recently implemented organisational structure changes did influence, or rather impact the effectiveness of ERM in the organisation. The selective sampling approach was used to accumulate relevant ERM data through unstructured, individual and in-depth interviews with ERM professionals in each of the six different business units at Telkom SA. A four-step data analysis interactive model was employed to analyse data collected for the study. Major findings were related to lack of ERM alignment in different business units, broad scope of ERM with no well-defined roles and responsibilities, lack of ERM skills, lack of established ERM risk committees. Some positives were those of more visibility in organisational risk, improved management of enterprise risk and increased accountability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mkula, Tamara
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Risk management , Organizational change Telkom (Firm : South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41054 , vital:36286
- Description: The premise of this research study was to study the phenomenon of Effective Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), to understand the effective enterprise risk management within Telkom SA after the implementation of organisational changes which have seen the company operating in six different business units. Enterprise risk management can no longer be an afterthought in an organisation, it should be integrated into an organisational strategy. Organisations which have successfully integrated an ERM into their organisational strategy have proved to be effective and profitable. However, the intention of this research study was not necessarily to analyse the ERM integration into Telkom’s organisational strategy. Rather, this study explored and described the views of the Telkom SA senior level enterprise risk management professionals in understanding if the recently implemented organisational structure changes did influence, or rather impact the effectiveness of ERM in the organisation. The selective sampling approach was used to accumulate relevant ERM data through unstructured, individual and in-depth interviews with ERM professionals in each of the six different business units at Telkom SA. A four-step data analysis interactive model was employed to analyse data collected for the study. Major findings were related to lack of ERM alignment in different business units, broad scope of ERM with no well-defined roles and responsibilities, lack of ERM skills, lack of established ERM risk committees. Some positives were those of more visibility in organisational risk, improved management of enterprise risk and increased accountability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Effectiveness of rural development programmes in marginalized rural areas: Umzimvubu Local Municipality
- Authors: Mndela, Ntandokazi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41043 , vital:36285
- Description: Rural development projects (RDPs) present a means to develop communities while providing employment for community members in marginalised rural areas (MRAs). This study investigated the efficacy of RDPs by focussing on a target RDP in the Umzimvubu local municipality. In the area under investigation, a community development project was established by the community members with the aid of the government. The project witnessed a gradual death over time. This study investigated the reasons for failure of the community development project with the objective of determining the efficacy of RDP as a means to emancipate marginalised rural communities, and to provide guidelines that could be used in initiating and maintaining the sustainable operation of future rural community development projects. The study was conducted through a descriptive research approach. Questionnaires were employed to collect information. The study revealed that poor project management and monitoring and a lack of community participation, community input in decision-making, participation of young people and continued technical and financial support from the government were the major challenges confronting this community development projects in MRAs. Furthermore, the study revealed that the impacts of RDPs were more prominent at a micro-level, as beneficiaries were mostly the people directly associated with the project. The study concluded by prescribing a set of guidelines that could be adopted in starting and running RDPs in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mndela, Ntandokazi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41043 , vital:36285
- Description: Rural development projects (RDPs) present a means to develop communities while providing employment for community members in marginalised rural areas (MRAs). This study investigated the efficacy of RDPs by focussing on a target RDP in the Umzimvubu local municipality. In the area under investigation, a community development project was established by the community members with the aid of the government. The project witnessed a gradual death over time. This study investigated the reasons for failure of the community development project with the objective of determining the efficacy of RDP as a means to emancipate marginalised rural communities, and to provide guidelines that could be used in initiating and maintaining the sustainable operation of future rural community development projects. The study was conducted through a descriptive research approach. Questionnaires were employed to collect information. The study revealed that poor project management and monitoring and a lack of community participation, community input in decision-making, participation of young people and continued technical and financial support from the government were the major challenges confronting this community development projects in MRAs. Furthermore, the study revealed that the impacts of RDPs were more prominent at a micro-level, as beneficiaries were mostly the people directly associated with the project. The study concluded by prescribing a set of guidelines that could be adopted in starting and running RDPs in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Efficient market hypothesis in South Africa: an analysis using the flexible form unit root test
- Authors: Nomatye, Anelisa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Stocks -- Prices -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- South Africa Stocks -- South Africa Johannesburg Stock Exchange Economic indicators -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42825 , vital:36697
- Description: An efficient stock market is characterised by prices that are reflective of all the information such that there are no opportunities for arbitrageurs. In an efficient market, it is impossible to beat the market, therefore it follows that stock prices in an efficient market should follow a random walk. This study investigates whether the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is an efficient market using the JSE Top 40 listed stocks, thus the relevance of the EMH in the current South African market is analysed. A corerlation analysis is undertaken to find whether the individual stocks in the different sectors are correlated in their returns, or if there are any intersector correlations. This analysis showed that individual sector stocks are mostly correlated, however, the individual sector stocks do not show a relationship with common sectors. The data used is monthly data of the individual stocks from 31 January 1999 to 30 June 2018. The study takes into consideration that the period is post the Asian Contagion and during the dot.com bubble. Also considered is the Global Financial crisis that occurred in 2007/2008. The study period thus allows enough time for market corerction. The study utilises the conventional unit root tests; the augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF), Phillips- Perron (PP) and the Kwiatkowski–Phillips–Schmidt–Shin (KPSS) tests. Also utilised are modified unit root tests of Elliot, Rothenburg and Stock (ERS) (1996) as well as Ng and Perron (2001). Due to criticisms of the initially utilised unit roots, the nonlinear test of Kapetanois et al. (2003) and the Flexible Fourier form (FFF) is employed. Based on the empirical analysis, the study demonstrates that although the studies received conflicting evidence the FFF demonstrates the most “power” of the tests, thus is deemed to provide more accurate results. This test provided evidence of stationarity in the JSE market, thus implying inefficiency. The results were different for only two of the forty stocks, namely, Shoprite and Bidvest which implied efficiency. The study thus found that the EMH is not relevant to the current South African market and other theories should be considered in analysing the market. This also provides a case for behavioural finance to be analysed, as the assumption that all investors are rational is questioned.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Nomatye, Anelisa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Stocks -- Prices -- South Africa , Stock exchanges -- South Africa Stocks -- South Africa Johannesburg Stock Exchange Economic indicators -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42825 , vital:36697
- Description: An efficient stock market is characterised by prices that are reflective of all the information such that there are no opportunities for arbitrageurs. In an efficient market, it is impossible to beat the market, therefore it follows that stock prices in an efficient market should follow a random walk. This study investigates whether the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is an efficient market using the JSE Top 40 listed stocks, thus the relevance of the EMH in the current South African market is analysed. A corerlation analysis is undertaken to find whether the individual stocks in the different sectors are correlated in their returns, or if there are any intersector correlations. This analysis showed that individual sector stocks are mostly correlated, however, the individual sector stocks do not show a relationship with common sectors. The data used is monthly data of the individual stocks from 31 January 1999 to 30 June 2018. The study takes into consideration that the period is post the Asian Contagion and during the dot.com bubble. Also considered is the Global Financial crisis that occurred in 2007/2008. The study period thus allows enough time for market corerction. The study utilises the conventional unit root tests; the augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF), Phillips- Perron (PP) and the Kwiatkowski–Phillips–Schmidt–Shin (KPSS) tests. Also utilised are modified unit root tests of Elliot, Rothenburg and Stock (ERS) (1996) as well as Ng and Perron (2001). Due to criticisms of the initially utilised unit roots, the nonlinear test of Kapetanois et al. (2003) and the Flexible Fourier form (FFF) is employed. Based on the empirical analysis, the study demonstrates that although the studies received conflicting evidence the FFF demonstrates the most “power” of the tests, thus is deemed to provide more accurate results. This test provided evidence of stationarity in the JSE market, thus implying inefficiency. The results were different for only two of the forty stocks, namely, Shoprite and Bidvest which implied efficiency. The study thus found that the EMH is not relevant to the current South African market and other theories should be considered in analysing the market. This also provides a case for behavioural finance to be analysed, as the assumption that all investors are rational is questioned.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Efficient market hypothesis with structural breaks: evidence from BRICS stock markets
- Authors: Guduza, Sinazo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Stock exchanges , Investment analysis Developing countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42342 , vital:36647
- Description: The study is an examination of weak form market efficiency (EMH) in BRICS equity markets using weekly data spanning from 2005 to 2018. The study makes use linear as well as nonlinear unit rot tests, that is, the ADF and KSS tests respectively. For more robust results, the study uses the Integer Flexible Fourier Function (IFFF) and the Fractional Frequency Flexible Fourier Function (FFFFF) to account for smooth structural breaks. The study investigates the full sample period and splits the empirical data into three sub-samples corresponding to the period succeeding the global financial crisis, the BRICS summits and the BRICS Development Bank (BDB). This study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to investigate the efficiency in the BRICS stock markets using a combination of the specified series of unit root tests. Moreover, there are no prior studies that have examined these markets for the sub-samples mentioned above. Our empirical results point us to convincing evidence of weak form inefficiency as the majority of the results reject the null hypothesis of a unit root.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Guduza, Sinazo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Stock exchanges , Investment analysis Developing countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42342 , vital:36647
- Description: The study is an examination of weak form market efficiency (EMH) in BRICS equity markets using weekly data spanning from 2005 to 2018. The study makes use linear as well as nonlinear unit rot tests, that is, the ADF and KSS tests respectively. For more robust results, the study uses the Integer Flexible Fourier Function (IFFF) and the Fractional Frequency Flexible Fourier Function (FFFFF) to account for smooth structural breaks. The study investigates the full sample period and splits the empirical data into three sub-samples corresponding to the period succeeding the global financial crisis, the BRICS summits and the BRICS Development Bank (BDB). This study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to investigate the efficiency in the BRICS stock markets using a combination of the specified series of unit root tests. Moreover, there are no prior studies that have examined these markets for the sub-samples mentioned above. Our empirical results point us to convincing evidence of weak form inefficiency as the majority of the results reject the null hypothesis of a unit root.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Electric cars: their carbon implications and adoption in South Africa
- Authors: Moeletsi, Mokhele Edmond
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Electric vehicles -- Economic aspects , Electric vehicles -- South Africa Power resources -- South Africa Sustainable development -- South Africa Energy policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41886 , vital:36606
- Description: Climate change is a reality that is starting to have an impact on society through decreased agricultural production and increased extreme weather events, resulting to worldwide disasters. It is caused by human activities that release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. One of the key areas of concern is the mobility sector which accounts for around 20% of the total energy use, with a GHG footprint of close to 14% of the global emissions. International organisations are concerned about the elevating GHG emissions resulting from the increasing internal combustion engine vehicles, leading to the recent wave in electrifying the vehicles which presents many of advantages as well as major constraints. This study used the quantitative research approach to investigate the possible benefits of electric vehicles to our environment in the future. The projections of vehicle population size were estimated using three cases, and the electric vehicle penetration into the market by 2030 was investigated with four different scenarios. Further research was done to investigate the possible barriers present in the South African market that impede the adoption of electric vehicles. The results showed that the projection of the business-as-usual case, coupled with mitigation scenarios, present a better option for mitigation. The worst case of exponential increases in vehicle population does not present any GHG emissions moderation hope for any of the mitigation scenarios used in the study. The other case shows high mitigation potential, but it leads to a case of economic decline where the numbers of vehicles are decreasing with time. The findings of the study on barriers to adoption of electric vehicles in the market highlighted the high purchase price, high battery price and high likelihood for owning a secondary vehicle based on the current circumstances, as the main barriers that the respondents in the Gauteng Province found to be unattractive. But generally the willingness to buy electric vehicles was high for the majority of the factors that were presented. With these perceived positive opinions by the respondents, it is down to government and private companies to provide an environment conducive to changed opinions conducive for the consumers. This relates to advancing the technology and providing policy support for the accelerated adoption of electric vehicles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Moeletsi, Mokhele Edmond
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Electric vehicles -- Economic aspects , Electric vehicles -- South Africa Power resources -- South Africa Sustainable development -- South Africa Energy policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41886 , vital:36606
- Description: Climate change is a reality that is starting to have an impact on society through decreased agricultural production and increased extreme weather events, resulting to worldwide disasters. It is caused by human activities that release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. One of the key areas of concern is the mobility sector which accounts for around 20% of the total energy use, with a GHG footprint of close to 14% of the global emissions. International organisations are concerned about the elevating GHG emissions resulting from the increasing internal combustion engine vehicles, leading to the recent wave in electrifying the vehicles which presents many of advantages as well as major constraints. This study used the quantitative research approach to investigate the possible benefits of electric vehicles to our environment in the future. The projections of vehicle population size were estimated using three cases, and the electric vehicle penetration into the market by 2030 was investigated with four different scenarios. Further research was done to investigate the possible barriers present in the South African market that impede the adoption of electric vehicles. The results showed that the projection of the business-as-usual case, coupled with mitigation scenarios, present a better option for mitigation. The worst case of exponential increases in vehicle population does not present any GHG emissions moderation hope for any of the mitigation scenarios used in the study. The other case shows high mitigation potential, but it leads to a case of economic decline where the numbers of vehicles are decreasing with time. The findings of the study on barriers to adoption of electric vehicles in the market highlighted the high purchase price, high battery price and high likelihood for owning a secondary vehicle based on the current circumstances, as the main barriers that the respondents in the Gauteng Province found to be unattractive. But generally the willingness to buy electric vehicles was high for the majority of the factors that were presented. With these perceived positive opinions by the respondents, it is down to government and private companies to provide an environment conducive to changed opinions conducive for the consumers. This relates to advancing the technology and providing policy support for the accelerated adoption of electric vehicles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Entrepreneurial intention in the public service of South Africa
- Authors: Mhlanga, Unathi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , New business enterprises -- South Africa Small business -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41106 , vital:36357
- Description: Entrepreneurship is a phenomenon that has been studied across the world by scholars, practitioners and governments. All these different researchers believe that it is a critical tool for economic growth, job creation and enhancing innovation. However, some researchers have conceded that there has been limited research in entrepreneurship and the public service. Thus, this treatise is one of the few studies that have been conducted in entrepreneurial intention in the public service and the examination of entrepreneurial intention of public servants and the factors that influence individuals to opt for employment in the public service. A literature review examining the current knowledge on entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial intention in various contexts was conducted. The reviewed literature allowed for the formation of the base for a conceptual model to be developed. The proposed model claimed that there was a positive influence of culture, family obligations, job security, role modelling, entrepreneurial self – efficacy, access to financial resources and locus of control on the entrepreneurial intentions of public servants in South Africa. Furthermore, the theory of planned behaviour and social learning theory also known as social cognitive theory were explored. There were various statistical analysis tests that were conducted on the quantitative data collected. The mono – method quantitative was used with 280 respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests and exploratory factor analysis were conducted to test the proposed conceptual model. The conceptual model tested consisted of the independent variables; culture, family obligations, job security, role modelling, entrepreneurial self – efficacy, access to financial resources and locus of control with entrepreneurial intention being the dependent variable for assessing the entrepreneurial intention of public servants in the public service of South Africa. The study found that the South African public servants have high entrepreneurial intentions and are very optimistic about creating and running their own business someday. The various statistical analyses split the independent variables from seven to eighteen variables: Family Commitments, Career, Job Purpose, Risk, Access to Knowledge, Entrepreneurship Exposure, Influence, Access to Finance, Financial Support, Business Financing, Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy, Cultural Perceptions, Societal Standards, Cultural Dedication, Service, Self-Belief and Reward. However, after further analysis of the relationships between the independent variables and the dependent variable, some factors were rejected. A model comprising of factors useful for assessing the entrepreneurial intentions in the public service is recommended with the following factors: Family Commitments, Career, Entrepreneurship Exposure, Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy, Cultural Perceptions, Societal Standards and Reward. Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy was found to explain approximately 75% of the movement in the entrepreneurial intentions of public servants. Significant differences on the entrepreneurial intentions of individuals from different races and those who varied according to years of experience were found. The study also found that Culture and Job Security influenced the decision to pursue public service employment. To conclude, the study makes managerial recommendations implementable for government and other stakeholders. Some of the recommendations include incentivising public servants with tax breaks, entrepreneurship courses and easier access to funding to enable them to exit the public service to start their own businesses. Additionally, entrepreneurship education is recommended to become compulsory in schools and for public servants through the National School of Government (NSG). Entrepreneurial ecosystems that encourage pay-it-forward type of interactions were also recommended. Seasoned entrepreneurs can be used as mentors to those public servants who wish to pursue entrepreneurship instead of remaining in the public service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mhlanga, Unathi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , New business enterprises -- South Africa Small business -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41106 , vital:36357
- Description: Entrepreneurship is a phenomenon that has been studied across the world by scholars, practitioners and governments. All these different researchers believe that it is a critical tool for economic growth, job creation and enhancing innovation. However, some researchers have conceded that there has been limited research in entrepreneurship and the public service. Thus, this treatise is one of the few studies that have been conducted in entrepreneurial intention in the public service and the examination of entrepreneurial intention of public servants and the factors that influence individuals to opt for employment in the public service. A literature review examining the current knowledge on entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial intention in various contexts was conducted. The reviewed literature allowed for the formation of the base for a conceptual model to be developed. The proposed model claimed that there was a positive influence of culture, family obligations, job security, role modelling, entrepreneurial self – efficacy, access to financial resources and locus of control on the entrepreneurial intentions of public servants in South Africa. Furthermore, the theory of planned behaviour and social learning theory also known as social cognitive theory were explored. There were various statistical analysis tests that were conducted on the quantitative data collected. The mono – method quantitative was used with 280 respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests and exploratory factor analysis were conducted to test the proposed conceptual model. The conceptual model tested consisted of the independent variables; culture, family obligations, job security, role modelling, entrepreneurial self – efficacy, access to financial resources and locus of control with entrepreneurial intention being the dependent variable for assessing the entrepreneurial intention of public servants in the public service of South Africa. The study found that the South African public servants have high entrepreneurial intentions and are very optimistic about creating and running their own business someday. The various statistical analyses split the independent variables from seven to eighteen variables: Family Commitments, Career, Job Purpose, Risk, Access to Knowledge, Entrepreneurship Exposure, Influence, Access to Finance, Financial Support, Business Financing, Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy, Cultural Perceptions, Societal Standards, Cultural Dedication, Service, Self-Belief and Reward. However, after further analysis of the relationships between the independent variables and the dependent variable, some factors were rejected. A model comprising of factors useful for assessing the entrepreneurial intentions in the public service is recommended with the following factors: Family Commitments, Career, Entrepreneurship Exposure, Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy, Cultural Perceptions, Societal Standards and Reward. Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy was found to explain approximately 75% of the movement in the entrepreneurial intentions of public servants. Significant differences on the entrepreneurial intentions of individuals from different races and those who varied according to years of experience were found. The study also found that Culture and Job Security influenced the decision to pursue public service employment. To conclude, the study makes managerial recommendations implementable for government and other stakeholders. Some of the recommendations include incentivising public servants with tax breaks, entrepreneurship courses and easier access to funding to enable them to exit the public service to start their own businesses. Additionally, entrepreneurship education is recommended to become compulsory in schools and for public servants through the National School of Government (NSG). Entrepreneurial ecosystems that encourage pay-it-forward type of interactions were also recommended. Seasoned entrepreneurs can be used as mentors to those public servants who wish to pursue entrepreneurship instead of remaining in the public service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Evaluating the benefits of the extended public works programme in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Lindani-Beni, Bulelwa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Public service employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Job creation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Public works -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40555 , vital:36182
- Description: Public Works Programmes (PWPs) are interventions implemented by the government to overcome the high levels of unemployment and to provide the poor with salaries so that they can meet their basic needs. This was done in response to the United Nations (UN) call to meet the sustainable development goals adopted in 2015. The study defines PWPs and gives an overview of the categories of the intervention programmes. Different countries use the PWPs for different aims from poverty reduction, response to economic shocks and guaranteed employment. Most of the countries, like South Africa, use these programmes as a temporary relief. Unemployment remains a challenge in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) and the municipality has always been unsuccessful in reaching the targets expected in job creation. The study compares the South African Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) with the two other international programmes, India and Malawi. The analysis of the three phases of the South African EPWP since its inception in 2004 is done in this study. The paper analysed the BCMM’s EPWP projects in the Eastern Cape where there is a high level of unemployment and a high degree of rural-urban migration. An overview of the Malawi Social Action Fund (MASAF) and India’s National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA) is also presented in this study. The researcher analysed documents and desktop reviews for the study. The available information such as the programme strategic plans, logical frameworks, policy documents, implementation reports, academic journals and media reports were consulted for this study. The study highlighted challenges in the South African EPWP which contributes towards the inefficiency of the programme in reducing the high levels of unemployment in the BCMM. The researcher provided recommendations that may improve the effectiveness of the public works programme in South Africa. One recommendation is the development of a Management Information System for EPWP that can assist the government in monitoring and evaluating the whole programme in the different departments and municipalities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Lindani-Beni, Bulelwa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Public service employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Job creation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Public works -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40555 , vital:36182
- Description: Public Works Programmes (PWPs) are interventions implemented by the government to overcome the high levels of unemployment and to provide the poor with salaries so that they can meet their basic needs. This was done in response to the United Nations (UN) call to meet the sustainable development goals adopted in 2015. The study defines PWPs and gives an overview of the categories of the intervention programmes. Different countries use the PWPs for different aims from poverty reduction, response to economic shocks and guaranteed employment. Most of the countries, like South Africa, use these programmes as a temporary relief. Unemployment remains a challenge in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) and the municipality has always been unsuccessful in reaching the targets expected in job creation. The study compares the South African Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) with the two other international programmes, India and Malawi. The analysis of the three phases of the South African EPWP since its inception in 2004 is done in this study. The paper analysed the BCMM’s EPWP projects in the Eastern Cape where there is a high level of unemployment and a high degree of rural-urban migration. An overview of the Malawi Social Action Fund (MASAF) and India’s National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA) is also presented in this study. The researcher analysed documents and desktop reviews for the study. The available information such as the programme strategic plans, logical frameworks, policy documents, implementation reports, academic journals and media reports were consulted for this study. The study highlighted challenges in the South African EPWP which contributes towards the inefficiency of the programme in reducing the high levels of unemployment in the BCMM. The researcher provided recommendations that may improve the effectiveness of the public works programme in South Africa. One recommendation is the development of a Management Information System for EPWP that can assist the government in monitoring and evaluating the whole programme in the different departments and municipalities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Expectations and experiences of talent management across South Africa and the effect on retention
- Authors: Du Randt, Jean
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Employee retention -- South Africa , Employee selection Manpower planning Personnel management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39556 , vital:35290
- Description: The “war on talent” is intensifying and effective talent management strategies are imperative for business success. This study explores the expectations and experiences of talent management strategies amongst employees across South Africa and their impact on retention. The literature review covers the constructs of talent management, working environment, rewards, leadership, race, age and gender as well as retention. A quantitative survey approach with comparative studies was adopted. A snowball convenience sampling method was used with links to an on-line questionnaire e-mailed to potential respondents. A total of 711 useable responses were received. Statistical analysis included factor analysis, Cronbach alpha reliability testing, mean factor scores, paired samplet-tests, Pearson’s correlations, T-tests and ANOVAs. The study found that leadership was the factor rated as most important followed by working environment and development. Respondents reported significant differences between expectations and employer ratings on all factors, with cash rewards being the greatest source of dissatisfaction. Experiences of work environment, leadership and development indicated stronger correlations to retention than cash rewards. Women, millennials and non-whites demonstrated the highest retention risks. A significant negative correlation was found between the respondents’ reported experience of leadership, work environment and development and the importance they attached to cash rewards. The study supports Hertzberg’s classification of cash rewards as a hygiene factor and Alderfer’s ERG theory’s concept of frustration-regression. This has significant implications for the focus of talent and retention strategies, and it is proposed that improving the quality of leadership, work environments and development opportunities will decrease the current over-reliance on monetary rewards as a retention tool.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Du Randt, Jean
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Employee retention -- South Africa , Employee selection Manpower planning Personnel management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39556 , vital:35290
- Description: The “war on talent” is intensifying and effective talent management strategies are imperative for business success. This study explores the expectations and experiences of talent management strategies amongst employees across South Africa and their impact on retention. The literature review covers the constructs of talent management, working environment, rewards, leadership, race, age and gender as well as retention. A quantitative survey approach with comparative studies was adopted. A snowball convenience sampling method was used with links to an on-line questionnaire e-mailed to potential respondents. A total of 711 useable responses were received. Statistical analysis included factor analysis, Cronbach alpha reliability testing, mean factor scores, paired samplet-tests, Pearson’s correlations, T-tests and ANOVAs. The study found that leadership was the factor rated as most important followed by working environment and development. Respondents reported significant differences between expectations and employer ratings on all factors, with cash rewards being the greatest source of dissatisfaction. Experiences of work environment, leadership and development indicated stronger correlations to retention than cash rewards. Women, millennials and non-whites demonstrated the highest retention risks. A significant negative correlation was found between the respondents’ reported experience of leadership, work environment and development and the importance they attached to cash rewards. The study supports Hertzberg’s classification of cash rewards as a hygiene factor and Alderfer’s ERG theory’s concept of frustration-regression. This has significant implications for the focus of talent and retention strategies, and it is proposed that improving the quality of leadership, work environments and development opportunities will decrease the current over-reliance on monetary rewards as a retention tool.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Exploring the financial giving behaviours at a congregational church in Port Elizabeth: a qualitative study
- Authors: Stoffels, Eldridge
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: United Congregational Church of Southern Africa , Bantu Congregational Church in South Africa Church finance -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Finance -- Psychological aspects Investments -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43990 , vital:37090
- Description: The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) was established in 1967 through the combination of Church bodies in the Congregational Union of Southern Africa (CUSA), The London Missionary Society (LMS) and Bantu Congregational Church of Southern Africa (BCCSA). The vision of the founders of the UCCSA (LMS) in 1799 was to establish the two Congregational Churches, complete the groundwork through erecting church buildings, provide training to Church Ministers and fund the churches until they became self-sustainable. Thereupon fruitful ways needed to be established to raise funds for the mission of the church. One of the primary methods of raising money was from financial giving of members. The Congregational Church that is the focus of this study forms part of the UCCSA, which includes the church bodies within Southern Africa. The financial statements of this church were scrutinised and it was found to be making losses in the prior 3 financial years (2015-2017). However, in the 2018 financial year the members’ contributions increased by 35 percent compared to the previous financial year. The study therefore explored the factors influencing financial giving behaviours among members at a Congregational Church in Port Elizabeth, taking into consideration a significant positive shift in financial giving in the 2018 financial year in comparison with the prior 3 financial years (2015-2017). Based on this exploration, recommendations will be developed that could assist in enhancing the financial position of the Congregational Church as well as its sustainability as a religious organisation in future. A qualitative, explorative and contextual design was used for the study. The causal model for financial giving described by Finke, Bahr and Scheitle (2006) was used as basis for a theoretical framework. Using purposive sampling, 12 church members that were aged between 18 and 60 years and had recently financially contributed through pledging (tithing), and other monetary donations as part of their church membership were chosen to participate in two focus group discussions, thereby ensuring the data collected was rich with context. The data was analysed by using ATLAS.ti software which has been proven to guarantee the reliability of results. To ensure a high standard of qualitative research, the study adhered to the main principles of trustworthiness by Lincoln and Guba, including dependability, transferability, confirmability and credibility of the research process. Ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence, informed consent, privacy, anonymity and confidentiality of data, as well as obtaining ethical clearance, were adhered to in the study. The study yielded data that gave rise to eleven main themes and five sub-themes with regard to the factors that influenced financial giving behaviours of church members. These included: blessings members received from God, church attendance, belonging to a church community and church size, church financial needs (sub-themes included leadership, transparency about the financial position of the church and historic influences), stewardship (sub-themes included non-financial giving behaviours and other financial giving responsibilities), church involvement, tithing, member’s budget, spirituality, and stages of life. Participants were in agreement that blessings from God, belonging to a church community, transparency about the financial position of the church, member’s budget, and spirituality positively influenced their financial giving behaviours in the church. Factors that negatively influenced their giving behaviours included church size, historic influences, non-financial giving behaviours and other financial giving responsibilities. Church involvement, the member’s budget, as well as stages of life both positively and negatively influenced their financial giving behaviours. Participants were not in agreement whether church attendance, leadership and tithing influenced their financial giving behaviours in the church. Finke et al. (2006)’s conceptual model could be used to explain the findings. However, additional factors were identified to be influencing financial giving behaviours among members at the church under study. Some of the main recommendations made, based on the objectives of the study, are: For the Church Council to remain transparent with communication to church members of the financial position of the church; To continue with the stewardship campaign on a yearly basis to encourage members to give financially and of their time and talents to the church; Communicate with members of the church regarding the financial position of the church if it again experiences financial difficulties.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Stoffels, Eldridge
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: United Congregational Church of Southern Africa , Bantu Congregational Church in South Africa Church finance -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Finance -- Psychological aspects Investments -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43990 , vital:37090
- Description: The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) was established in 1967 through the combination of Church bodies in the Congregational Union of Southern Africa (CUSA), The London Missionary Society (LMS) and Bantu Congregational Church of Southern Africa (BCCSA). The vision of the founders of the UCCSA (LMS) in 1799 was to establish the two Congregational Churches, complete the groundwork through erecting church buildings, provide training to Church Ministers and fund the churches until they became self-sustainable. Thereupon fruitful ways needed to be established to raise funds for the mission of the church. One of the primary methods of raising money was from financial giving of members. The Congregational Church that is the focus of this study forms part of the UCCSA, which includes the church bodies within Southern Africa. The financial statements of this church were scrutinised and it was found to be making losses in the prior 3 financial years (2015-2017). However, in the 2018 financial year the members’ contributions increased by 35 percent compared to the previous financial year. The study therefore explored the factors influencing financial giving behaviours among members at a Congregational Church in Port Elizabeth, taking into consideration a significant positive shift in financial giving in the 2018 financial year in comparison with the prior 3 financial years (2015-2017). Based on this exploration, recommendations will be developed that could assist in enhancing the financial position of the Congregational Church as well as its sustainability as a religious organisation in future. A qualitative, explorative and contextual design was used for the study. The causal model for financial giving described by Finke, Bahr and Scheitle (2006) was used as basis for a theoretical framework. Using purposive sampling, 12 church members that were aged between 18 and 60 years and had recently financially contributed through pledging (tithing), and other monetary donations as part of their church membership were chosen to participate in two focus group discussions, thereby ensuring the data collected was rich with context. The data was analysed by using ATLAS.ti software which has been proven to guarantee the reliability of results. To ensure a high standard of qualitative research, the study adhered to the main principles of trustworthiness by Lincoln and Guba, including dependability, transferability, confirmability and credibility of the research process. Ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence, informed consent, privacy, anonymity and confidentiality of data, as well as obtaining ethical clearance, were adhered to in the study. The study yielded data that gave rise to eleven main themes and five sub-themes with regard to the factors that influenced financial giving behaviours of church members. These included: blessings members received from God, church attendance, belonging to a church community and church size, church financial needs (sub-themes included leadership, transparency about the financial position of the church and historic influences), stewardship (sub-themes included non-financial giving behaviours and other financial giving responsibilities), church involvement, tithing, member’s budget, spirituality, and stages of life. Participants were in agreement that blessings from God, belonging to a church community, transparency about the financial position of the church, member’s budget, and spirituality positively influenced their financial giving behaviours in the church. Factors that negatively influenced their giving behaviours included church size, historic influences, non-financial giving behaviours and other financial giving responsibilities. Church involvement, the member’s budget, as well as stages of life both positively and negatively influenced their financial giving behaviours. Participants were not in agreement whether church attendance, leadership and tithing influenced their financial giving behaviours in the church. Finke et al. (2006)’s conceptual model could be used to explain the findings. However, additional factors were identified to be influencing financial giving behaviours among members at the church under study. Some of the main recommendations made, based on the objectives of the study, are: For the Church Council to remain transparent with communication to church members of the financial position of the church; To continue with the stewardship campaign on a yearly basis to encourage members to give financially and of their time and talents to the church; Communicate with members of the church regarding the financial position of the church if it again experiences financial difficulties.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Exploring the financial giving behaviours at a congregational church in Port Elizabeth: a qualitative study
- Authors: Stoffels, Eldridge
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Tithes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43979 , vital:37089
- Description: The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) was established in 1967 through the combination of Church bodies in the Congregational Union of Southern Africa (CUSA), The London Missionary Society (LMS) and Bantu Congregational Church of Southern Africa (BCCSA). The vision of the founders of the UCCSA (LMS) in 1799 was to establish the two Congregational Churches, complete the groundwork through erecting church buildings, provide training to Church Ministers and fund the churches until they became self-sustainable. Thereupon fruitful ways needed to be established to raise funds for the mission of the church. One of the primary methods of raising money was from financial giving of members. The Congregational Church that is the focus of this study forms part of the UCCSA, which includes the church bodies within Southern Africa. The financial statements of this church were scrutinised and it was found to be making losses in the prior 3 financial years (2015-2017). However, in the 2018 financial year the members’ contributions increased by 35 percent compared to the previous financial year. The study therefore explored the factors influencing financial giving behaviours among members at a Congregational Church in Port Elizabeth, taking into consideration a significant positive shift in financial giving in the 2018 financial year in comparison with the prior 3 financial years (2015-2017). Based on this exploration, recommendations will be developed that could assist in enhancing the financial position of the Congregational Church as well as its sustainability as a religious organisation in future. A qualitative, explorative and contextual design was used for the study. The causal model for financial giving described by Finke, Bahr and Scheitle (2006) was used as basis for a theoretical framework. Using purposive sampling, 12 church members that were aged between 18 and 60 years and had recently financially contributed through pledging (tithing), and other monetary donations as part of their church membership were chosen to participate in two focus group discussions, thereby ensuring the data collected was rich with context. The data was analysed by using ATLAS.ti software which has been proven to guarantee the reliability of results. To ensure a high standard of qualitative research, the study adhered to the main principles of trustworthiness by Lincoln and Guba, including dependability, transferability, confirmability and credibility of the research process. Ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence, informed consent, privacy, anonymity and confidentiality of data, as well as obtaining ethical clearance, were adhered to in the study. The study yielded data that gave rise to eleven main themes and five sub-themes with regard to the factors that influenced financial giving behaviours of church members. These included: blessings members received from God, church attendance, belonging to a church community and church size, church financial needs (sub-themes included leadership, transparency about the financial position of the church and historic influences), stewardship (sub-themes included non-financial giving behaviours and other financial giving responsibilities), church involvement, tithing, member’s budget, spirituality, and stages of life. Participants were in agreement that blessings from God, belonging to a church community, transparency about the financial position of the church, member’s budget, and spirituality positively influenced their financial giving behaviours in the church. Factors that negatively influenced their giving behaviours included church size, historic influences, non-financial giving behaviours and other financial giving responsibilities. Church involvement, the member’s budget, as well as stages of life both positively and negatively influenced their financial giving behaviours. Participants were not in agreement whether church attendance, leadership and tithing influenced their financial giving behaviours in the church. Finke et al. (2006)’s conceptual model could be used to explain the findings. However, additional factors were identified to be influencing financial giving behaviours among members at the church under study. Some of the main recommendations made, based on the objectives of the study, are: For the Church Council to remain transparent with communication to church members of the financial position of the church; To continue with the stewardship campaign on a yearly basis to encourage members to give financially and of their time and talents to the church; iv Communicate with members of the church regarding the financial position of the church if it again experiences financial difficulties.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Stoffels, Eldridge
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Tithes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43979 , vital:37089
- Description: The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) was established in 1967 through the combination of Church bodies in the Congregational Union of Southern Africa (CUSA), The London Missionary Society (LMS) and Bantu Congregational Church of Southern Africa (BCCSA). The vision of the founders of the UCCSA (LMS) in 1799 was to establish the two Congregational Churches, complete the groundwork through erecting church buildings, provide training to Church Ministers and fund the churches until they became self-sustainable. Thereupon fruitful ways needed to be established to raise funds for the mission of the church. One of the primary methods of raising money was from financial giving of members. The Congregational Church that is the focus of this study forms part of the UCCSA, which includes the church bodies within Southern Africa. The financial statements of this church were scrutinised and it was found to be making losses in the prior 3 financial years (2015-2017). However, in the 2018 financial year the members’ contributions increased by 35 percent compared to the previous financial year. The study therefore explored the factors influencing financial giving behaviours among members at a Congregational Church in Port Elizabeth, taking into consideration a significant positive shift in financial giving in the 2018 financial year in comparison with the prior 3 financial years (2015-2017). Based on this exploration, recommendations will be developed that could assist in enhancing the financial position of the Congregational Church as well as its sustainability as a religious organisation in future. A qualitative, explorative and contextual design was used for the study. The causal model for financial giving described by Finke, Bahr and Scheitle (2006) was used as basis for a theoretical framework. Using purposive sampling, 12 church members that were aged between 18 and 60 years and had recently financially contributed through pledging (tithing), and other monetary donations as part of their church membership were chosen to participate in two focus group discussions, thereby ensuring the data collected was rich with context. The data was analysed by using ATLAS.ti software which has been proven to guarantee the reliability of results. To ensure a high standard of qualitative research, the study adhered to the main principles of trustworthiness by Lincoln and Guba, including dependability, transferability, confirmability and credibility of the research process. Ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence, informed consent, privacy, anonymity and confidentiality of data, as well as obtaining ethical clearance, were adhered to in the study. The study yielded data that gave rise to eleven main themes and five sub-themes with regard to the factors that influenced financial giving behaviours of church members. These included: blessings members received from God, church attendance, belonging to a church community and church size, church financial needs (sub-themes included leadership, transparency about the financial position of the church and historic influences), stewardship (sub-themes included non-financial giving behaviours and other financial giving responsibilities), church involvement, tithing, member’s budget, spirituality, and stages of life. Participants were in agreement that blessings from God, belonging to a church community, transparency about the financial position of the church, member’s budget, and spirituality positively influenced their financial giving behaviours in the church. Factors that negatively influenced their giving behaviours included church size, historic influences, non-financial giving behaviours and other financial giving responsibilities. Church involvement, the member’s budget, as well as stages of life both positively and negatively influenced their financial giving behaviours. Participants were not in agreement whether church attendance, leadership and tithing influenced their financial giving behaviours in the church. Finke et al. (2006)’s conceptual model could be used to explain the findings. However, additional factors were identified to be influencing financial giving behaviours among members at the church under study. Some of the main recommendations made, based on the objectives of the study, are: For the Church Council to remain transparent with communication to church members of the financial position of the church; To continue with the stewardship campaign on a yearly basis to encourage members to give financially and of their time and talents to the church; iv Communicate with members of the church regarding the financial position of the church if it again experiences financial difficulties.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Exploring the management-union relationship at a large automotive manufacturer
- Authors: Le Roux, Loreen
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Industrial relations -- South Africa , Labor unions -- South Africa Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa Organizational behavior -- South Africa Psychology, Industrial
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40382 , vital:36154
- Description: The South African labour environment makes a significant contribution to the country’s ability to function within a social market economy. Labour instability deters foreign investment and has had a negative impact on productivity levels. It would, therefore, be of value to the field of labour relations to consider how the management-union relationship at an organisational level can be improved to encourage a stable, effective and collective relationship. A qualitative approach was adopted to explore and describe the nature of the management-union relationship, including both the confrontational and cooperative elements of interaction, at a large automotive MANUFACTURER that operates within a multinational group. The study explored the effectiveness of the Industrial Relations Framework, which was once or is regarded as the benchmark of Industrial Relations structures within the South African context. This was due to its implementation of an adapted Co-determination Model of employee participation from as early as 1994; thus, providing an opportunity to study a long-established and mature management-union relationship. The relationship was regarded as an aspect of the Industrial Relations climate and focused on interaction within the MANUFACTURER’s Industrial Relations Framework (three committees being the Joint Strategic Workshop, Plant Committee and Negotiating Committee). The aim of the study is to describe the specific factors identified by the parties as having influenced their relationship. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the Industrial Relations Framework was considered in terms of its contribution towards achieving the parties’ goals and lastly, suggestions for improvement were shared to improve the effectiveness of the relationship. The literature reviewed considered the nature of the collective relationship. Firstly, the characteristics of a collective relationship were described to appreciate the complexity and multifaceted, simultaneous influences of the external and internal elements, which impact on the relationship. Secondly, frames of reference were identified that contextualised the chosen industrial relations ideology adopted. Thirdly, typical industrial relations relationship patterns were described which explained the selected approach adopted in the management-union interaction. Fourthly, the South African legislative context was highlighted to appreciate the South African Government’s support for the primacy of the collective relationship. Lastly, a few academic models that included seminal work, were considered to recognise key factors influencing the collective relationship. The most common factors identified were attitudinal dimensions (attitudes, behaviours, and perceptions), goals, sharing common objectives, trust, recognition of legitimacy, access to information, voice, equity (fairness), and communication. The sample consisted of Human Resource Management and NUMSA representatives who participated in the Industrial Relations Framework. Semi-structured, individual interviews were used as a research instrument for data gathering. On conclusion of this phase, a thematic analysis was conducted and themes were identified. This assisted in the description of key factors that had an impact on this particular collective relationship within a pluralistic industrial relations context. The findings revealed that the nature of the relationship differed at the various committees. It was influenced by the functioning of the committee, the effectiveness in achieving the parties’ goals, the level of management represented and the nature of the processes involved in the interaction (information-sharing, consultation and negotiation). Positive changes are underway whereby union capacity building is being addressed to aid and elevate the level of engagement. Operational improvements to benefit the functioning of the committees and afford the union increased input. A joint organisational vision is also being drafted as the first step towards a closer, future partnership as the MANUFACTURER faces competitive challenges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Le Roux, Loreen
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Industrial relations -- South Africa , Labor unions -- South Africa Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa Organizational behavior -- South Africa Psychology, Industrial
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40382 , vital:36154
- Description: The South African labour environment makes a significant contribution to the country’s ability to function within a social market economy. Labour instability deters foreign investment and has had a negative impact on productivity levels. It would, therefore, be of value to the field of labour relations to consider how the management-union relationship at an organisational level can be improved to encourage a stable, effective and collective relationship. A qualitative approach was adopted to explore and describe the nature of the management-union relationship, including both the confrontational and cooperative elements of interaction, at a large automotive MANUFACTURER that operates within a multinational group. The study explored the effectiveness of the Industrial Relations Framework, which was once or is regarded as the benchmark of Industrial Relations structures within the South African context. This was due to its implementation of an adapted Co-determination Model of employee participation from as early as 1994; thus, providing an opportunity to study a long-established and mature management-union relationship. The relationship was regarded as an aspect of the Industrial Relations climate and focused on interaction within the MANUFACTURER’s Industrial Relations Framework (three committees being the Joint Strategic Workshop, Plant Committee and Negotiating Committee). The aim of the study is to describe the specific factors identified by the parties as having influenced their relationship. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the Industrial Relations Framework was considered in terms of its contribution towards achieving the parties’ goals and lastly, suggestions for improvement were shared to improve the effectiveness of the relationship. The literature reviewed considered the nature of the collective relationship. Firstly, the characteristics of a collective relationship were described to appreciate the complexity and multifaceted, simultaneous influences of the external and internal elements, which impact on the relationship. Secondly, frames of reference were identified that contextualised the chosen industrial relations ideology adopted. Thirdly, typical industrial relations relationship patterns were described which explained the selected approach adopted in the management-union interaction. Fourthly, the South African legislative context was highlighted to appreciate the South African Government’s support for the primacy of the collective relationship. Lastly, a few academic models that included seminal work, were considered to recognise key factors influencing the collective relationship. The most common factors identified were attitudinal dimensions (attitudes, behaviours, and perceptions), goals, sharing common objectives, trust, recognition of legitimacy, access to information, voice, equity (fairness), and communication. The sample consisted of Human Resource Management and NUMSA representatives who participated in the Industrial Relations Framework. Semi-structured, individual interviews were used as a research instrument for data gathering. On conclusion of this phase, a thematic analysis was conducted and themes were identified. This assisted in the description of key factors that had an impact on this particular collective relationship within a pluralistic industrial relations context. The findings revealed that the nature of the relationship differed at the various committees. It was influenced by the functioning of the committee, the effectiveness in achieving the parties’ goals, the level of management represented and the nature of the processes involved in the interaction (information-sharing, consultation and negotiation). Positive changes are underway whereby union capacity building is being addressed to aid and elevate the level of engagement. Operational improvements to benefit the functioning of the committees and afford the union increased input. A joint organisational vision is also being drafted as the first step towards a closer, future partnership as the MANUFACTURER faces competitive challenges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019