Happiness levels amongst South African Veterinarians
- Authors: Venter,Cordene
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Happiness , Job satisfaction , Veterinarians -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45745 , vital:38960
- Description: Happiness is a new field of study in various healthcare fields. Researchers indicated that although there are numerous studies investigating mental well-being amongst veterinarians, scientific research into happiness in veterinary medicine has not begun and that happiness levels of veterinarians are unknown. This treatise is the first known study examining the happiness levels of South African veterinarians and the implications that increased happiness levels can have for organisations who employ veterinarians. An in-depth literature review was conducted and the two main constructs of happiness – eudaimonia and hedonism were examined. Additionally, the three theories of happiness, namely set-point theory, social comparison theory and the affect theory were explored and the importance of happiness in the workplace was established. The literature further laid the foundation for the conceptual model that proposed influence in the workplace, social relationships, satisfaction with work-life balance, purpose, optimism, work satisfaction, work stress and leisure lead to happiness of South African veterinarians. The study concludes with managerial recommendations that veterinary practice owners can implement to increase the happiness levels of their veterinarians so that they can have social, financial and personal gain. encourage their employees to pursue leisure activities. Life coaches or industrial psychologists can be used to bridge the generational gap between veterinarians and to minimise interpersonal conflict. Moreover, managers need to have conversations with their employees to understand their needs and to help them achieve their professional goals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Venter,Cordene
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Happiness , Job satisfaction , Veterinarians -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45745 , vital:38960
- Description: Happiness is a new field of study in various healthcare fields. Researchers indicated that although there are numerous studies investigating mental well-being amongst veterinarians, scientific research into happiness in veterinary medicine has not begun and that happiness levels of veterinarians are unknown. This treatise is the first known study examining the happiness levels of South African veterinarians and the implications that increased happiness levels can have for organisations who employ veterinarians. An in-depth literature review was conducted and the two main constructs of happiness – eudaimonia and hedonism were examined. Additionally, the three theories of happiness, namely set-point theory, social comparison theory and the affect theory were explored and the importance of happiness in the workplace was established. The literature further laid the foundation for the conceptual model that proposed influence in the workplace, social relationships, satisfaction with work-life balance, purpose, optimism, work satisfaction, work stress and leisure lead to happiness of South African veterinarians. The study concludes with managerial recommendations that veterinary practice owners can implement to increase the happiness levels of their veterinarians so that they can have social, financial and personal gain. encourage their employees to pursue leisure activities. Life coaches or industrial psychologists can be used to bridge the generational gap between veterinarians and to minimise interpersonal conflict. Moreover, managers need to have conversations with their employees to understand their needs and to help them achieve their professional goals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Housing price volatility: exploring metropolitan property markets in South Africa
- Authors: Zwane, Reuben Mabutho
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Housing -- Prices -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21560 , vital:29554
- Description: This study analyses the housing price volatility in metropolitan areas in South Africa, particularly Port Elizabeth and East London residential housing markets. This study uses secondary statistical data, obtained from secondary sources. The study uses quarterly time series data for the period 1981:1 to 2015:3 giving 139 observations. The data will be collected from different sources. The main sources of data are real estate agencies (Trafalgar, Harcourts and Property24), the South African Department of Trade and Industry (dti) and supplemented by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). The study shall use the ordinary least squares (OLS) method to estimate its results. Ordinarily, this is a generalised linear modelling technique that may be used to model a single response variable which has been recorded on at least an interval scale. This method requires that the underlying stochastic processes of the variables are stationary. That is, explanatory variables should exhibit constant means and variances over time. If the stochastic processes are not stationary, OLS produces unreliably significant coefficients. Results showed that household savings, household income and total growth in household buildings (TGH) are statistically significant in explaining changes in house prices. Jointly, all the explanatory variables can account for almost 52% of the changes in the dependent variable. The Durbin Watson statistic showed that there is no autocorrelation in the model. This shows that the model is good. Results from the regression show that there is a negative relationship between house prices and household savings. A one-unit increase in household savings leads to a 0.407 decrease in house prices. This relationship makes economic sense because when households save, there is less income available to buy houses. When there is less income available to buy houses, it would mean there is less demand for houses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Zwane, Reuben Mabutho
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Housing -- Prices -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21560 , vital:29554
- Description: This study analyses the housing price volatility in metropolitan areas in South Africa, particularly Port Elizabeth and East London residential housing markets. This study uses secondary statistical data, obtained from secondary sources. The study uses quarterly time series data for the period 1981:1 to 2015:3 giving 139 observations. The data will be collected from different sources. The main sources of data are real estate agencies (Trafalgar, Harcourts and Property24), the South African Department of Trade and Industry (dti) and supplemented by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). The study shall use the ordinary least squares (OLS) method to estimate its results. Ordinarily, this is a generalised linear modelling technique that may be used to model a single response variable which has been recorded on at least an interval scale. This method requires that the underlying stochastic processes of the variables are stationary. That is, explanatory variables should exhibit constant means and variances over time. If the stochastic processes are not stationary, OLS produces unreliably significant coefficients. Results showed that household savings, household income and total growth in household buildings (TGH) are statistically significant in explaining changes in house prices. Jointly, all the explanatory variables can account for almost 52% of the changes in the dependent variable. The Durbin Watson statistic showed that there is no autocorrelation in the model. This shows that the model is good. Results from the regression show that there is a negative relationship between house prices and household savings. A one-unit increase in household savings leads to a 0.407 decrease in house prices. This relationship makes economic sense because when households save, there is less income available to buy houses. When there is less income available to buy houses, it would mean there is less demand for houses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Improving leadership development in the Eastern Cape Treasury: a succession planning and leadership development study
- Authors: Zuzile, Zikhona Siviwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Development leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Executive succession -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19575 , vital:28895
- Description: Leadership development is very important in business and much is often said about ‘growing’ leaders in business organisations. Leadership development cannot be achieved in one training course or programme, but should rather be an everyday practice of existing leaders. Leader development concentrates on individual leader development, enrichment or attainment of within-person competence while leadership development concentrates on relational development. This paper addresses and outlines how an all-inclusive method to leadership development and succession planning is needed for the employees of the Eastern Cape Treasury. It also looks at the willingness of the existing leadership in government to coach and mentor the youth of today to take on a leadership role when the current leaders exit the market. The head office in Bhisho for the Eastern Cape Treasury has 390 employees and in total, when combined with district offices around the Eastern Cape, there are 454. The questionnaire was sent out to 80 employees and 55 of those were filled and returned to the researcher. The targeted employees were those in the following positions: Administrative Officer, Assistant Director, Deputy Director, Director and Chief Director. The empirical results though showed that Autocratic Leadership and Satisfaction with Compensation Package had no correlation with Leadership development, whereas Organisational Culture, Senior Management Support and Participative Leadership Style showed positive correlation with Leadership development success. Implementing the recommendations might help with improving leadership development in the Provincial Treasury.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Zuzile, Zikhona Siviwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Development leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Executive succession -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19575 , vital:28895
- Description: Leadership development is very important in business and much is often said about ‘growing’ leaders in business organisations. Leadership development cannot be achieved in one training course or programme, but should rather be an everyday practice of existing leaders. Leader development concentrates on individual leader development, enrichment or attainment of within-person competence while leadership development concentrates on relational development. This paper addresses and outlines how an all-inclusive method to leadership development and succession planning is needed for the employees of the Eastern Cape Treasury. It also looks at the willingness of the existing leadership in government to coach and mentor the youth of today to take on a leadership role when the current leaders exit the market. The head office in Bhisho for the Eastern Cape Treasury has 390 employees and in total, when combined with district offices around the Eastern Cape, there are 454. The questionnaire was sent out to 80 employees and 55 of those were filled and returned to the researcher. The targeted employees were those in the following positions: Administrative Officer, Assistant Director, Deputy Director, Director and Chief Director. The empirical results though showed that Autocratic Leadership and Satisfaction with Compensation Package had no correlation with Leadership development, whereas Organisational Culture, Senior Management Support and Participative Leadership Style showed positive correlation with Leadership development success. Implementing the recommendations might help with improving leadership development in the Provincial Treasury.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Integrated development planning as a poverty alleviation tool
- Nonyukela, Siphokazi Constance
- Authors: Nonyukela, Siphokazi Constance
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19070 , vital:28770
- Description: This research paper has explored the role of Integrated Development Planning (IDP) as a poverty alleviation tool in Koukamma Municipality. The National Development Plan (2011) outlines that political democracy cannot flourish if most of the people of South Africa are still faced with poverty. The plan further states that the current democratic government should proactively prioritise finding plans to eliminate poverty for the people of South Africa. It is a national framework for development, and elimination of poverty and reduction of inequality are its main objectives. Its success will be measured by the degree to which the lives and opportunities of the poorest people of South Africa are transformed in a sustainable manner. Thus, the use of IDP in municipalities is a legislative requirement through the Local Government Systems Act 32 of 2000 and Sections 152/3 of the South African Constitution of 1996. The IDP also ensures that municipalities implement and assess the impact of their developmental programmes and poverty alleviation projects on the objectives of sustainable development. In this study an interview was held with the Municipal Manager of the municipality who is the champion of the IDP which contains poverty alleviation projects, in order to assess their successes and challenges. There were also questionnaires handed out to a sample of the community to assess their satisfaction with the implementation of the IDP and to highlight the socio-economic conditions of the population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Nonyukela, Siphokazi Constance
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19070 , vital:28770
- Description: This research paper has explored the role of Integrated Development Planning (IDP) as a poverty alleviation tool in Koukamma Municipality. The National Development Plan (2011) outlines that political democracy cannot flourish if most of the people of South Africa are still faced with poverty. The plan further states that the current democratic government should proactively prioritise finding plans to eliminate poverty for the people of South Africa. It is a national framework for development, and elimination of poverty and reduction of inequality are its main objectives. Its success will be measured by the degree to which the lives and opportunities of the poorest people of South Africa are transformed in a sustainable manner. Thus, the use of IDP in municipalities is a legislative requirement through the Local Government Systems Act 32 of 2000 and Sections 152/3 of the South African Constitution of 1996. The IDP also ensures that municipalities implement and assess the impact of their developmental programmes and poverty alleviation projects on the objectives of sustainable development. In this study an interview was held with the Municipal Manager of the municipality who is the champion of the IDP which contains poverty alleviation projects, in order to assess their successes and challenges. There were also questionnaires handed out to a sample of the community to assess their satisfaction with the implementation of the IDP and to highlight the socio-economic conditions of the population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Isolating the consumer determinants of choice when making a purchasing decision in a supplier company
- Authors: Williams, Rita Christine
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Customer relations , Customer services -- Management Consumer satisfaction -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36048 , vital:33885
- Description: The objective of this research was to establish the determinants of purchase choice by customers and to establish the modality of their decision-making process. The study was conducted at PerkinElmer a scientific equipment supplier company. PerkinElmer South Africa supplies equipment to industrial laboratories, academic laboratories and laboratories in government institutions. It has become clear to the researcher that understanding the customer and what their perceptions are is the key to business success. These insights would give the researcher the knowledge of important factors in the customer modality of purchase decisions. The literature review revealed that there are numerous factors that influences a customer buying decision namely: Customer relationships management, Unique selling proposition, the importance of salespeople, customer satisfaction levels, the brand name, Brand awareness, brand perception, brand loyalty, price, the service levels that the company provides after sale. The customer decision-making process and the various stages involved, an empirical study was conducted utilising in-depth interviews. The five main themes that were investigated through in-depth interviews were the following: Customer relationship management, brand, customer satisfaction levels, price, service. The factors were probed, analysed and compared and each customer’s preference was noted. The study employs a qualitative approach as this stance supports the researcher’s interest in the customer views and perceptions. A small sample was utilised from the scientific sector in the Eastern Cape and the Gauteng area. The empirical results indicated the importance of service support and if this is not in place it can mean the loss of future business. The customers in academia had the common view that the price is most important. The university policy forces the lowest priced equipment to be purchased. The respondents unanimously voiced their concerns regarding the expensiveness of PerkinElmer consumables.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Williams, Rita Christine
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Customer relations , Customer services -- Management Consumer satisfaction -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36048 , vital:33885
- Description: The objective of this research was to establish the determinants of purchase choice by customers and to establish the modality of their decision-making process. The study was conducted at PerkinElmer a scientific equipment supplier company. PerkinElmer South Africa supplies equipment to industrial laboratories, academic laboratories and laboratories in government institutions. It has become clear to the researcher that understanding the customer and what their perceptions are is the key to business success. These insights would give the researcher the knowledge of important factors in the customer modality of purchase decisions. The literature review revealed that there are numerous factors that influences a customer buying decision namely: Customer relationships management, Unique selling proposition, the importance of salespeople, customer satisfaction levels, the brand name, Brand awareness, brand perception, brand loyalty, price, the service levels that the company provides after sale. The customer decision-making process and the various stages involved, an empirical study was conducted utilising in-depth interviews. The five main themes that were investigated through in-depth interviews were the following: Customer relationship management, brand, customer satisfaction levels, price, service. The factors were probed, analysed and compared and each customer’s preference was noted. The study employs a qualitative approach as this stance supports the researcher’s interest in the customer views and perceptions. A small sample was utilised from the scientific sector in the Eastern Cape and the Gauteng area. The empirical results indicated the importance of service support and if this is not in place it can mean the loss of future business. The customers in academia had the common view that the price is most important. The university policy forces the lowest priced equipment to be purchased. The respondents unanimously voiced their concerns regarding the expensiveness of PerkinElmer consumables.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Local tourism governance of destination marketing organisations
- Authors: Bartis, Hugh Henry
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Place marketing Tourism -- Marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17799 , vital:28455
- Description: Globally tourism is one of the biggest industries and its role is considered key in economic development. In South Africa, tourism is one of the main economic drivers. Thus, tourism contributes to the gross domestic product, generates foreign exchange and provides sustainable employment opportunities. In order to facilitate local economic development (LED), local destination marketing organisations (DMOs) need to ensure that their operations are geared towards optimising the economic advantages related to tourism growth and development. As a result the DMOs must be strategic and well-managed. One way of achieving this is to ensure that the board of directors and specifically the non-executive directors (NEDs) practise good governance. In South Africa, three (3) types of DMOs are found, namely those that are funded by local government and incorporated into the municipality. The second type of DMOs is funded by the private sector. The third type of DMOs is those funded by both the local government and the private sector. In this case, the DMO has an agreement with the local government in terms of what their mandate is and what the agreed outcomes would be. A board of directors, comprising both executive directors (EDs) and nonexecutive directors (NEDs) is responsible for the governance of the local DMO. The main research problem of the study is the attributes and experience of the nonexecutive directors that serve on the boards of DMOs in accordance with developmental standards of best practices. In order to address the main problem, the following research objectives were formulated: To identify best practice by examining the literature as to how NEDs are prepared to serve on boards of both listed and non-listed organisations. To determine whether any policy frameworks provide guidance to NEDs serving on DMOs in South Africa. To examine whether any training or preparatory programmes exist specifically for NEDs in DMOs. To investigate whether NEDs should have specific attributes that would improve their governance of DMOs. To develop a set of recommendations that would assist NEDs to play a more effective role when executing their responsibilities. In order to address these research objectives, a quantitative research methodology was adopted sampling all the DMOs in South Africa that could be identified and were governed by a board of directors. For this purpose, a self-completed questionnaire was distributed to the board of directors of DMOs and specifically the non-executive directors. The results of the study indicated that no guidelines existed that DMOs could follow to better prepare the NEDs of local DMOs. Furthermore, no policy frameworks provide guidance to NEDs serving on local DMOs. The only guidelines that exist are generic guidelines of the King IV Report for NEDs of listed and non-listed organisations. In addition, Pike (2016:108) listed a number of characteristics of good governance. The study also revealed that no training or preparatory programmes exist for the NEDs of local DMOs. Finally, the study highlighted five (5) attributes that NEDs consider as critical in fulfilling their obligations. These include the empowerment of NEDs, the commitment of NEDs, communication with NEDs, job satisfaction of the NEDs and the need for NEDs to understand policy frameworks relevant to their tasks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bartis, Hugh Henry
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Place marketing Tourism -- Marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17799 , vital:28455
- Description: Globally tourism is one of the biggest industries and its role is considered key in economic development. In South Africa, tourism is one of the main economic drivers. Thus, tourism contributes to the gross domestic product, generates foreign exchange and provides sustainable employment opportunities. In order to facilitate local economic development (LED), local destination marketing organisations (DMOs) need to ensure that their operations are geared towards optimising the economic advantages related to tourism growth and development. As a result the DMOs must be strategic and well-managed. One way of achieving this is to ensure that the board of directors and specifically the non-executive directors (NEDs) practise good governance. In South Africa, three (3) types of DMOs are found, namely those that are funded by local government and incorporated into the municipality. The second type of DMOs is funded by the private sector. The third type of DMOs is those funded by both the local government and the private sector. In this case, the DMO has an agreement with the local government in terms of what their mandate is and what the agreed outcomes would be. A board of directors, comprising both executive directors (EDs) and nonexecutive directors (NEDs) is responsible for the governance of the local DMO. The main research problem of the study is the attributes and experience of the nonexecutive directors that serve on the boards of DMOs in accordance with developmental standards of best practices. In order to address the main problem, the following research objectives were formulated: To identify best practice by examining the literature as to how NEDs are prepared to serve on boards of both listed and non-listed organisations. To determine whether any policy frameworks provide guidance to NEDs serving on DMOs in South Africa. To examine whether any training or preparatory programmes exist specifically for NEDs in DMOs. To investigate whether NEDs should have specific attributes that would improve their governance of DMOs. To develop a set of recommendations that would assist NEDs to play a more effective role when executing their responsibilities. In order to address these research objectives, a quantitative research methodology was adopted sampling all the DMOs in South Africa that could be identified and were governed by a board of directors. For this purpose, a self-completed questionnaire was distributed to the board of directors of DMOs and specifically the non-executive directors. The results of the study indicated that no guidelines existed that DMOs could follow to better prepare the NEDs of local DMOs. Furthermore, no policy frameworks provide guidance to NEDs serving on local DMOs. The only guidelines that exist are generic guidelines of the King IV Report for NEDs of listed and non-listed organisations. In addition, Pike (2016:108) listed a number of characteristics of good governance. The study also revealed that no training or preparatory programmes exist for the NEDs of local DMOs. Finally, the study highlighted five (5) attributes that NEDs consider as critical in fulfilling their obligations. These include the empowerment of NEDs, the commitment of NEDs, communication with NEDs, job satisfaction of the NEDs and the need for NEDs to understand policy frameworks relevant to their tasks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Monetary policy and microfinance in Sub-Sahara Africa: Ghana’s perspective
- Authors: Wiredu, Nana Kwame
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Monetary policy -- Ghana , Microfinance -- Ghana Ghana -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36037 , vital:33884
- Description: Ghana, like many other developing countries in Sub-Sahara Africa, recognises the important role that the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play in economic development. These enterprises need an environment conducive to thriving and growth, to contribute to employment and overall output. A key pillar to this is access to affordable credit. Credit in itself is thought to be affected by monetary policy formulated and put forth by the central bank, on behalf of government. The pass-through effect of monetary policy on commercial banking rates, as charged by bank and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), is a concern for MSMEs. Therefore, this study sought to highlight cause and effects relationship between monetary policy, the lending rate and private sector credit, and also sought to find a possible cushion for MSMEs through the microfinance targeting approach. Annual aggregate monetary time series data from the Bank of Ghana (BoG) was analysed. Multiple linear regression and analysis of variance test results reveal evidence of a significant and proportional effect of both the monetary policy rate and commercial banking rate on credit to the private sector. The key implication of the findings is that the pass-through effect of monetary policy negatively affects MSMEs. The study recommends that governments in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), and particularly the government of Ghana, should take into consideration the effects of monetary policy on MSMEs, when formulating monetary policies. It is also recommended that governments in SSA should formulate policies that enhance MSMEs access to adequate and affordable credit to enable it contribute more to economic growth. Perhaps, this can be done through microfinance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Wiredu, Nana Kwame
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Monetary policy -- Ghana , Microfinance -- Ghana Ghana -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36037 , vital:33884
- Description: Ghana, like many other developing countries in Sub-Sahara Africa, recognises the important role that the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play in economic development. These enterprises need an environment conducive to thriving and growth, to contribute to employment and overall output. A key pillar to this is access to affordable credit. Credit in itself is thought to be affected by monetary policy formulated and put forth by the central bank, on behalf of government. The pass-through effect of monetary policy on commercial banking rates, as charged by bank and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), is a concern for MSMEs. Therefore, this study sought to highlight cause and effects relationship between monetary policy, the lending rate and private sector credit, and also sought to find a possible cushion for MSMEs through the microfinance targeting approach. Annual aggregate monetary time series data from the Bank of Ghana (BoG) was analysed. Multiple linear regression and analysis of variance test results reveal evidence of a significant and proportional effect of both the monetary policy rate and commercial banking rate on credit to the private sector. The key implication of the findings is that the pass-through effect of monetary policy negatively affects MSMEs. The study recommends that governments in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), and particularly the government of Ghana, should take into consideration the effects of monetary policy on MSMEs, when formulating monetary policies. It is also recommended that governments in SSA should formulate policies that enhance MSMEs access to adequate and affordable credit to enable it contribute more to economic growth. Perhaps, this can be done through microfinance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Parental influences on the next generation’s intention to join the family business
- Authors: Saunders, Shelley Beryl
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- Succession , Family-owned business enterprises -- Management Family corporations -- Management Success in business
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35072 , vital:33612
- Description: Family businesses play an important role worldwide and in South Africa, in terms of their economic contribution and their ability to create jobs. However, the unwillingness of next generation family members (NGFMs) to join the family business seriously jeopardises its long-term survival. This is a matter of great concern for family business owners who in general have a strong desire to pass on the business to the next generation and to preserve the family’s legacy. Of the many factors relating to a person’s choice of career, parents are by far the most influential. Against this background, the purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the influence that parents have on the NGFM’s intentions to join the family business as well as the factors that moderate this influence. Establishing how parents influence an NGFM’s intention to join the family business makes an important theoretical contribution to family business, succession and entrepreneurial literatures, and holds both practical and theoretical relevance. The literature review provided an overview of the field of family business and discussed the nature of these businesses. Several frameworks, theories and perspectives relating to family businesses were elaborated on. The important role that family businesses play in the economies of countries and the unique challenges they face were highlighted. One of the most important challenges facing family businesses is that of transgenerational succession and the willingness of the next generation to make the family business their career choice. Several behaviour and career choice theories were discussed, particularly in relation to the South African context, and a summary of all the factors influencing career choice in terms of these theories was presented. Several parental influences on career choice were identified and examined in detail, namely Parent–child relationship, Parents’ job characteristics, Parental financial security, Parental job satisfaction, Parental identification, Parental expectations, Parental support and Parental style. Additionally, the influence of each parental influences on NGFMs, in a family business context, was highlighted. Based on anecdotal and empirical support, these parental influences were hypothesised as influencing the dependent variable in this study, namely Intention to join the family business. Based on the social cognitive career theory, Self-efficacy and Outcome expectations were hypothesised as moderating the aforementioned relationships. This study adopted a positivist research paradigm and a quantitative methodological approach that was deductive in nature. The methodology adopted to collect primary data was a cross-sectional analytical survey. A structured questionnaire was distributed to respondents who were identified by means of judgemental sampling and 453 completed questionnaires were subjected to statistical analysis. The validity of the scales measuring the dependent, moderating and independent variables was assessed by means of factor analysis and the reliability thereof by calculating Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated. Multiple regression analysis (MRA) was used to assess the hypothesised relationships. The findings show that only one third of the respondents agreed that they had Intentions to join the family business. Furthermore, the results of the MRA reported significant and positive relationships between the independent variables Parental expectations, Perceived parental outcomes, and Parental identification, and the dependent variable Intention to join the family business. The results of the moderated regression analysis revealed that Self-efficacy and Outcome expectations do not moderate the relationships between all the parental influences investigated and Intention to join the family business as hypothesised. However, a significant positive relationship at the ten per cent confidence level was reported between the interaction effect, Self-efficacy x Perceived parental outcomes, and Intention to join the family business. A significant positive relationship at the five per cent confidence level was also reported between the interaction effect Outcome expectations x Parental identification, and Intention to join the family business. Based on the findings of this study, numerous recommendations were made. This study makes a contribution to both theory and practice. In terms of theory, the results have highlighted the applicability of both the theory of planned behaviour and the social cognitive career theory in explaining an NGFM’s Intention to join the family business. In addition, the applicability of these theories in the family business context has been confirmed. This study also contributes to the family business literature in that it provides new insights into how parents influence one of family businesses’ biggest challenges, namely their children not wanting to take over the family business. In terms of practice, the findings show that that several of the parental influences investigated do indeed increase the intention of NGFMs to join the family business. It is anticipated that these findings will encourage parents who own family businesses to take note of how they influence their children’s decision whether to join them in the family business, and ultimately to contribute to its possible long-term survival and success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Saunders, Shelley Beryl
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- Succession , Family-owned business enterprises -- Management Family corporations -- Management Success in business
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35072 , vital:33612
- Description: Family businesses play an important role worldwide and in South Africa, in terms of their economic contribution and their ability to create jobs. However, the unwillingness of next generation family members (NGFMs) to join the family business seriously jeopardises its long-term survival. This is a matter of great concern for family business owners who in general have a strong desire to pass on the business to the next generation and to preserve the family’s legacy. Of the many factors relating to a person’s choice of career, parents are by far the most influential. Against this background, the purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the influence that parents have on the NGFM’s intentions to join the family business as well as the factors that moderate this influence. Establishing how parents influence an NGFM’s intention to join the family business makes an important theoretical contribution to family business, succession and entrepreneurial literatures, and holds both practical and theoretical relevance. The literature review provided an overview of the field of family business and discussed the nature of these businesses. Several frameworks, theories and perspectives relating to family businesses were elaborated on. The important role that family businesses play in the economies of countries and the unique challenges they face were highlighted. One of the most important challenges facing family businesses is that of transgenerational succession and the willingness of the next generation to make the family business their career choice. Several behaviour and career choice theories were discussed, particularly in relation to the South African context, and a summary of all the factors influencing career choice in terms of these theories was presented. Several parental influences on career choice were identified and examined in detail, namely Parent–child relationship, Parents’ job characteristics, Parental financial security, Parental job satisfaction, Parental identification, Parental expectations, Parental support and Parental style. Additionally, the influence of each parental influences on NGFMs, in a family business context, was highlighted. Based on anecdotal and empirical support, these parental influences were hypothesised as influencing the dependent variable in this study, namely Intention to join the family business. Based on the social cognitive career theory, Self-efficacy and Outcome expectations were hypothesised as moderating the aforementioned relationships. This study adopted a positivist research paradigm and a quantitative methodological approach that was deductive in nature. The methodology adopted to collect primary data was a cross-sectional analytical survey. A structured questionnaire was distributed to respondents who were identified by means of judgemental sampling and 453 completed questionnaires were subjected to statistical analysis. The validity of the scales measuring the dependent, moderating and independent variables was assessed by means of factor analysis and the reliability thereof by calculating Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated. Multiple regression analysis (MRA) was used to assess the hypothesised relationships. The findings show that only one third of the respondents agreed that they had Intentions to join the family business. Furthermore, the results of the MRA reported significant and positive relationships between the independent variables Parental expectations, Perceived parental outcomes, and Parental identification, and the dependent variable Intention to join the family business. The results of the moderated regression analysis revealed that Self-efficacy and Outcome expectations do not moderate the relationships between all the parental influences investigated and Intention to join the family business as hypothesised. However, a significant positive relationship at the ten per cent confidence level was reported between the interaction effect, Self-efficacy x Perceived parental outcomes, and Intention to join the family business. A significant positive relationship at the five per cent confidence level was also reported between the interaction effect Outcome expectations x Parental identification, and Intention to join the family business. Based on the findings of this study, numerous recommendations were made. This study makes a contribution to both theory and practice. In terms of theory, the results have highlighted the applicability of both the theory of planned behaviour and the social cognitive career theory in explaining an NGFM’s Intention to join the family business. In addition, the applicability of these theories in the family business context has been confirmed. This study also contributes to the family business literature in that it provides new insights into how parents influence one of family businesses’ biggest challenges, namely their children not wanting to take over the family business. In terms of practice, the findings show that that several of the parental influences investigated do indeed increase the intention of NGFMs to join the family business. It is anticipated that these findings will encourage parents who own family businesses to take note of how they influence their children’s decision whether to join them in the family business, and ultimately to contribute to its possible long-term survival and success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Renewable energy project financing for economic growth and development: the case of Zambia
- Authors: Banda, Zondwayo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- Economic aspects -- Zambia , Energy industries -- Zambia -- Finance Economic development -- Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21527 , vital:29533
- Description: Energy is a critical component for the economic growth and development of developing countries. In particular Zambia’s economy requires energy in order to contribute to the reduction of poverty and inequalities in income and gender. Zambia faces an energy deficit which is compounded by lack of adequate financing and low electricity tariffs. The current energy deficit can challenge the achievement of such goals by Zambia. The aim of this research was to explore the impact of renewable energy project financing on Zambia’s economic growth and development. The mixed research methods through the use of questionnaires and interviews were used in achieving the research aim and objectives. In addition primary and secondary data were used as data sources for this research study. The current energy deficit in Zambia has negatively affected all the sectors in Zambia. In order to address the energy deficit, investments in the energy sector particularly through the use of project finance are required as such investments have the potential to improve energy generation, distribution and supply. Zambia has many sources of renewable energy such as solar, wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal making renewable energy project financing as the potential energy source to plug the energy deficit. By extension investments in renewable energy provide an opportunity for investors to expand their businesses and recoup their investments with high returns. Thus many sectors such as health, education, agriculture and service among others would benefit from the increased energy supply thereby improving their operations and spurring economic activities. Furthermore, renewable energy would improve access to energy in both urban and rural areas where electrification rates are as low as 25% and 3% respectively. Despite such positive impacts of renewable energy project the following account for the negative impacts: Externalisation of profits by investors; and, Over dependence on hydro-power. As energy is critical for economic growth and development of Zambia the major recommendations include the following: Seizing Project Finance Opportunities – with the abundance renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass, project finance in the form of debt and equity can be utilised to develop and implement renewable energy projects in order to improve energy generation, supply and distribution; Accelerating Renewable Energy Projects - Given the positive impacts of renewable energy project financing on economic growth and development in Zambia, renewable energy projects should be accelerated to result in increased economic growth and development; Removal of Red Tape - The government should reduce the red tape to ensure attraction of investments and implementation of renewable energy projects. Removal of red tape can accelerate investments and implementation of renewable energy projects as was the case in Kenya; Raising Awareness on Renewable Energy Benefits - Making investors and citizens aware (through investment forums and government websites) about the benefits of renewable energy would attract investors but would also allow local people to participate in the implementation of renewable energy projects. Further research – As this research involved organisations and participants in Lusaka province further research involving more participants and organisations outside Lusaka province is required to improve the research results. In addition further research is required to be conducted during reduced levels of energy deficits to improve research results. In this regard the recommendations are aimed at improving energy generation, distribution and supply so as to contribute to the economic growth and development of Zambia.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Banda, Zondwayo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- Economic aspects -- Zambia , Energy industries -- Zambia -- Finance Economic development -- Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21527 , vital:29533
- Description: Energy is a critical component for the economic growth and development of developing countries. In particular Zambia’s economy requires energy in order to contribute to the reduction of poverty and inequalities in income and gender. Zambia faces an energy deficit which is compounded by lack of adequate financing and low electricity tariffs. The current energy deficit can challenge the achievement of such goals by Zambia. The aim of this research was to explore the impact of renewable energy project financing on Zambia’s economic growth and development. The mixed research methods through the use of questionnaires and interviews were used in achieving the research aim and objectives. In addition primary and secondary data were used as data sources for this research study. The current energy deficit in Zambia has negatively affected all the sectors in Zambia. In order to address the energy deficit, investments in the energy sector particularly through the use of project finance are required as such investments have the potential to improve energy generation, distribution and supply. Zambia has many sources of renewable energy such as solar, wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal making renewable energy project financing as the potential energy source to plug the energy deficit. By extension investments in renewable energy provide an opportunity for investors to expand their businesses and recoup their investments with high returns. Thus many sectors such as health, education, agriculture and service among others would benefit from the increased energy supply thereby improving their operations and spurring economic activities. Furthermore, renewable energy would improve access to energy in both urban and rural areas where electrification rates are as low as 25% and 3% respectively. Despite such positive impacts of renewable energy project the following account for the negative impacts: Externalisation of profits by investors; and, Over dependence on hydro-power. As energy is critical for economic growth and development of Zambia the major recommendations include the following: Seizing Project Finance Opportunities – with the abundance renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass, project finance in the form of debt and equity can be utilised to develop and implement renewable energy projects in order to improve energy generation, supply and distribution; Accelerating Renewable Energy Projects - Given the positive impacts of renewable energy project financing on economic growth and development in Zambia, renewable energy projects should be accelerated to result in increased economic growth and development; Removal of Red Tape - The government should reduce the red tape to ensure attraction of investments and implementation of renewable energy projects. Removal of red tape can accelerate investments and implementation of renewable energy projects as was the case in Kenya; Raising Awareness on Renewable Energy Benefits - Making investors and citizens aware (through investment forums and government websites) about the benefits of renewable energy would attract investors but would also allow local people to participate in the implementation of renewable energy projects. Further research – As this research involved organisations and participants in Lusaka province further research involving more participants and organisations outside Lusaka province is required to improve the research results. In addition further research is required to be conducted during reduced levels of energy deficits to improve research results. In this regard the recommendations are aimed at improving energy generation, distribution and supply so as to contribute to the economic growth and development of Zambia.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Response of the IMF and the World Bank to the Great Recession and the Euro sovereign crisis in a globalising world
- Authors: Thibane, Tankiso Abel
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Recessions Globalization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/16142 , vital:28330
- Description: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) now the World Bank, were created in the mid-1940s. The IMF was tasked to manage the post-war international monetary system, while the World Bank’s role during its early years was to provide development finance to war-torn Europe. These institutions reformed some of their roles to make them relevant to the globalising world over the years and also responded to several post-war crises. Since these two institutions carry out their roles in a globalising world, this study has revealed that globalisation has different interpretations as many researchers refer to the economic and non-economic explanations of its meaning. Globalisation is also a historical process as it traces back several years ago. Since approximately the mid-2000s, the global economy experienced two economic crises, namely the US sub-prime financial crisis that later became the Great Recession and the Euro sovereign crisis. The two economic crises spread to other countries globally that were interconnected into the global economy regarding international trade, investment and banking. These two crisis events required responses from the IMF and the World Bank. The two institutions displayed a variety of strengths and weaknesses in dealing with the recession and the Euro crisis. The lending of both these institutions has been their strength as they have managed to expand their lending capacity during the two crisis periods examined. The IMF’s crisis intervention time frames have also been its strength, as the speed in which it has approved financial assistance requests has been within reasonable time frames. The IMF’s new lending instruments have been its weakness, as the success of these instruments has not been fully tested so far. This is because of the little use of the IMF’s new lending instruments. The IMF’s crisis prevention efforts through the use of its surveillance tools have also been its flaw. This is based on the fact that it has failed to prevent the US financial crisis (later the Great Recession) and the Euro sovereign crisis. Overall, this study found that these institutions played a significant role in responding to the Great Recession and Euro sovereign crisis as their strengths outweigh their weaknesses. However, the weaknesses of the IMF confirm that it needs to reform its role and learn from its flaws in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Thibane, Tankiso Abel
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Recessions Globalization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/16142 , vital:28330
- Description: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) now the World Bank, were created in the mid-1940s. The IMF was tasked to manage the post-war international monetary system, while the World Bank’s role during its early years was to provide development finance to war-torn Europe. These institutions reformed some of their roles to make them relevant to the globalising world over the years and also responded to several post-war crises. Since these two institutions carry out their roles in a globalising world, this study has revealed that globalisation has different interpretations as many researchers refer to the economic and non-economic explanations of its meaning. Globalisation is also a historical process as it traces back several years ago. Since approximately the mid-2000s, the global economy experienced two economic crises, namely the US sub-prime financial crisis that later became the Great Recession and the Euro sovereign crisis. The two economic crises spread to other countries globally that were interconnected into the global economy regarding international trade, investment and banking. These two crisis events required responses from the IMF and the World Bank. The two institutions displayed a variety of strengths and weaknesses in dealing with the recession and the Euro crisis. The lending of both these institutions has been their strength as they have managed to expand their lending capacity during the two crisis periods examined. The IMF’s crisis intervention time frames have also been its strength, as the speed in which it has approved financial assistance requests has been within reasonable time frames. The IMF’s new lending instruments have been its weakness, as the success of these instruments has not been fully tested so far. This is because of the little use of the IMF’s new lending instruments. The IMF’s crisis prevention efforts through the use of its surveillance tools have also been its flaw. This is based on the fact that it has failed to prevent the US financial crisis (later the Great Recession) and the Euro sovereign crisis. Overall, this study found that these institutions played a significant role in responding to the Great Recession and Euro sovereign crisis as their strengths outweigh their weaknesses. However, the weaknesses of the IMF confirm that it needs to reform its role and learn from its flaws in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Substance over form in the context of general anti-avoidance provisions in the income tax act
- Authors: Saba, Ncumisa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Tax evasion -- South Africa Tax planning -- South Africa Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35049 , vital:33610
- Description: The provisions of GAAR are contained in sections 80A to 80L of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962. The main objective of the GAAR is to prohibit impermissible tax avoidance. One of the main purposes of the GAAR is to identify the true nature of a transaction and therefore the provisions of the GAAR focus on the substance of the transaction rather than its form. There can be however difficulty in determining the true substance of a transaction and the intention of the taxpayer when applying the substance over form principle. The substance over form principle is not defined in the GAAR, therefore it is critical that an understanding of this principle is obtained. The purpose of the research was to critically analyse the principle of substance over form in the context of the GAAR. This analysis assessed whether the GAAR is able to effectively identify substance over form in complex tax avoidance arrangements that have been formulated by the taxpayer. The GAAR has provided the Commissioner which tests to apply in order to identify the substance of the transaction over its form and its seeks to remove the façade that is created by tax avoidance schemes however it was submitted that there were areas of the GAAR that require improvement in order to ensure transparency and consistent application of the GAAR. The research also analysed the tests applied by the courts in determining substance over form in different instances. It was determined that the courts apply the abnormality test and the lack of commercial purpose test when determining the substance of a transaction. A contrast of the principles applied the GAAR and the courts was also performed in order to ascertain whether there are any similarities and/or differences when determining the substance of a transaction. It was determined that the principles of the GAAR are not vastly different to the principles applied by the case law when determining substance of a transaction. In order to for the GAAR to be effective in determining substance of a transaction, it will have to be used with reference to case law.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Saba, Ncumisa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Tax evasion -- South Africa Tax planning -- South Africa Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35049 , vital:33610
- Description: The provisions of GAAR are contained in sections 80A to 80L of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962. The main objective of the GAAR is to prohibit impermissible tax avoidance. One of the main purposes of the GAAR is to identify the true nature of a transaction and therefore the provisions of the GAAR focus on the substance of the transaction rather than its form. There can be however difficulty in determining the true substance of a transaction and the intention of the taxpayer when applying the substance over form principle. The substance over form principle is not defined in the GAAR, therefore it is critical that an understanding of this principle is obtained. The purpose of the research was to critically analyse the principle of substance over form in the context of the GAAR. This analysis assessed whether the GAAR is able to effectively identify substance over form in complex tax avoidance arrangements that have been formulated by the taxpayer. The GAAR has provided the Commissioner which tests to apply in order to identify the substance of the transaction over its form and its seeks to remove the façade that is created by tax avoidance schemes however it was submitted that there were areas of the GAAR that require improvement in order to ensure transparency and consistent application of the GAAR. The research also analysed the tests applied by the courts in determining substance over form in different instances. It was determined that the courts apply the abnormality test and the lack of commercial purpose test when determining the substance of a transaction. A contrast of the principles applied the GAAR and the courts was also performed in order to ascertain whether there are any similarities and/or differences when determining the substance of a transaction. It was determined that the principles of the GAAR are not vastly different to the principles applied by the case law when determining substance of a transaction. In order to for the GAAR to be effective in determining substance of a transaction, it will have to be used with reference to case law.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The causal relationship between savings and economic growth in the Southern African development community
- Authors: Nsenga, Dieu Donne Katamba
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Saving and investment -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17409 , vital:28337
- Description: Promoting high domestic savings rates in order to boost economic growth is one of the SADC macroeconomic targets. Based on both the Solow’s (1956) and the endogenous “AK” growth models that predict a positive relationship between savings and economic growth in a closed economy, and on the Aghion-Comin-Howitt’s (2006) hypothesis that assumes a positive relationship between savings and economic growth in an open economy, two separate empirical models were constructed to test the long-run relationship and the causality between savings and economic growth in the SADC region. To this end, annual time series data for ten SADC member states obtained from the World Bank Indicators over the period 1985-2015 were pooled. The Panel ARDL/Pooled Mean Group estimator developed by Pesaran, Shin and Smith (1997) was performed to analyse the data. The main findings are that domestic savings is positively related to GDP in an open economy, whereas in a closed economy, it is insignificant. In addition, the speed of adjustment revealed a bi-directional causality between savings and economic growth. However, the speed of adjustment is much slower when the model is estimated with savings as the dependent variable but faster when GDP is regressed as the dependent variable. Thus, SADC member states are encouraged to implement policies that promote domestic savings as well as attract foreign direct investments, in order to boost economic growth. GDP growth will, in turn, increase the level of domestic savings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Nsenga, Dieu Donne Katamba
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Saving and investment -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17409 , vital:28337
- Description: Promoting high domestic savings rates in order to boost economic growth is one of the SADC macroeconomic targets. Based on both the Solow’s (1956) and the endogenous “AK” growth models that predict a positive relationship between savings and economic growth in a closed economy, and on the Aghion-Comin-Howitt’s (2006) hypothesis that assumes a positive relationship between savings and economic growth in an open economy, two separate empirical models were constructed to test the long-run relationship and the causality between savings and economic growth in the SADC region. To this end, annual time series data for ten SADC member states obtained from the World Bank Indicators over the period 1985-2015 were pooled. The Panel ARDL/Pooled Mean Group estimator developed by Pesaran, Shin and Smith (1997) was performed to analyse the data. The main findings are that domestic savings is positively related to GDP in an open economy, whereas in a closed economy, it is insignificant. In addition, the speed of adjustment revealed a bi-directional causality between savings and economic growth. However, the speed of adjustment is much slower when the model is estimated with savings as the dependent variable but faster when GDP is regressed as the dependent variable. Thus, SADC member states are encouraged to implement policies that promote domestic savings as well as attract foreign direct investments, in order to boost economic growth. GDP growth will, in turn, increase the level of domestic savings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth in South Africa
- Authors: Ansong, Ama Yiadomaa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa Gross domestic product -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21494 , vital:29527
- Description: Numerous studies have investigated FDI and the possible benefits for African countries in terms of job creation opportunities, technology transfers, growth and development. Despite these potential benefits, FDI also has its negative effects on the host country in terms of market dominance, profit repatriation and loss of tax revenue if tax incentives are offered. In an effort to attract more FDI, host countries have undertaken various policy incentives to attract foreign investors. This study examines the trends and determinants of FDI flows to South Africa and other African countries. The period chosen for this study is from 1990- 2016. The study commences with a background study of FDI and GDP. Various literature offerings and different schools of thought with regard to FDI are also deliberated. To offer a better understanding of the relationship between FDI and GDP, econometric estimation was employed. The econometric estimation methods employed were, Unit Root, Johansen Cointegration, Vector Error Correction (VECM), Impulse Response Test, Variance Decomposition and the Granger Causality Test. Based on Granger causality test it can be concluded that South Africa’s economic growth attracts FDI and not vice versa. South Africa must therefore focus on growing its economy to attract more FDI.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ansong, Ama Yiadomaa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa Gross domestic product -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21494 , vital:29527
- Description: Numerous studies have investigated FDI and the possible benefits for African countries in terms of job creation opportunities, technology transfers, growth and development. Despite these potential benefits, FDI also has its negative effects on the host country in terms of market dominance, profit repatriation and loss of tax revenue if tax incentives are offered. In an effort to attract more FDI, host countries have undertaken various policy incentives to attract foreign investors. This study examines the trends and determinants of FDI flows to South Africa and other African countries. The period chosen for this study is from 1990- 2016. The study commences with a background study of FDI and GDP. Various literature offerings and different schools of thought with regard to FDI are also deliberated. To offer a better understanding of the relationship between FDI and GDP, econometric estimation was employed. The econometric estimation methods employed were, Unit Root, Johansen Cointegration, Vector Error Correction (VECM), Impulse Response Test, Variance Decomposition and the Granger Causality Test. Based on Granger causality test it can be concluded that South Africa’s economic growth attracts FDI and not vice versa. South Africa must therefore focus on growing its economy to attract more FDI.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The impact of social grants in poverty alleviation: the case of child support grants in Lusikisiki
- Williams, Antonia Nomthandazo Hycinth
- Authors: Williams, Antonia Nomthandazo Hycinth
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Child support -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19542 , vital:28892
- Description: This study investigates the impact of the impact of Social Grants in poverty alleviation; a case in point is the Child Support Grants in Lusikisiki. Poverty is characterized by an increase in depravation, unemployment and inequality. Social Security has been introduced as a social safety net that reduces the severity of poverty. The study uncovers the significance of the Child Support Grant in sustaining families and meeting their basic human needs. The study further shows that the Child Support Grant is a reliable monthly cash injection that benefits the children and other people in the households. It gives hope, allows beneficiaries to make choices and enables them to take care of themselves and their families, therefore restores dignity. The additional support provided to the Child Support Grant recipients promotes human development and improves access to education and health. The Child Support Grant has a significant impact on poverty alleviation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Williams, Antonia Nomthandazo Hycinth
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Child support -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19542 , vital:28892
- Description: This study investigates the impact of the impact of Social Grants in poverty alleviation; a case in point is the Child Support Grants in Lusikisiki. Poverty is characterized by an increase in depravation, unemployment and inequality. Social Security has been introduced as a social safety net that reduces the severity of poverty. The study uncovers the significance of the Child Support Grant in sustaining families and meeting their basic human needs. The study further shows that the Child Support Grant is a reliable monthly cash injection that benefits the children and other people in the households. It gives hope, allows beneficiaries to make choices and enables them to take care of themselves and their families, therefore restores dignity. The additional support provided to the Child Support Grant recipients promotes human development and improves access to education and health. The Child Support Grant has a significant impact on poverty alleviation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The impact of the ISO 9001:2015 on organisational change in South African organisations
- Authors: Pearson, Dean Warren
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Organizational change -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa Organizational behavior -- South Africa Leadership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34476 , vital:33384
- Description: In order for organisations to grow and maintain their competitive advantage, change has become the norm. Quality management systems are increasingly being deployed as a means to maintain this advantage, and enhance the quality of product and service offerings. The implementation of the latest publication of ISO9001:2015 requires organisations to have a more holistic overview and understanding of leadership requirements, planning as well as the organisational context they operate in. A positivistic research paradigm, with a quantitative, explorative and deductive approach was used to conduct the study. The study explored the requirements of change in organisations implementing the latest publication of ISO9001:2015 within the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area. It aimed at exploring the relationship between selected demographic variables, and the variables of the study. Lastly, the relationship between organisational context, planning and leadership (independent variables) and organisational change (dependent variable) were explored. The sample comprised of 81 organisations that were based in the Eastern Cape having their quality management systems based on the ISO9001 structure. A structured questionnaire with a Cronbach‘s alpha of more than 0.8 was used to collect data and distributed to lower, middle and upper level managers within these selected organisations. The empirical results indicated that the variables under study were prevalent in the organisations currently ISO9001 certified and in the process of implementing the latest version of the standard. However, the sizes of the studied organisations were found to present the most noteworthy differences, highlighting the current and future requirements for successful organisational change. Recommendations related to the findings were made for managers, as well as for research, and industry. Ethical principles were maintained throughout the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Pearson, Dean Warren
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Organizational change -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa Organizational behavior -- South Africa Leadership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34476 , vital:33384
- Description: In order for organisations to grow and maintain their competitive advantage, change has become the norm. Quality management systems are increasingly being deployed as a means to maintain this advantage, and enhance the quality of product and service offerings. The implementation of the latest publication of ISO9001:2015 requires organisations to have a more holistic overview and understanding of leadership requirements, planning as well as the organisational context they operate in. A positivistic research paradigm, with a quantitative, explorative and deductive approach was used to conduct the study. The study explored the requirements of change in organisations implementing the latest publication of ISO9001:2015 within the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area. It aimed at exploring the relationship between selected demographic variables, and the variables of the study. Lastly, the relationship between organisational context, planning and leadership (independent variables) and organisational change (dependent variable) were explored. The sample comprised of 81 organisations that were based in the Eastern Cape having their quality management systems based on the ISO9001 structure. A structured questionnaire with a Cronbach‘s alpha of more than 0.8 was used to collect data and distributed to lower, middle and upper level managers within these selected organisations. The empirical results indicated that the variables under study were prevalent in the organisations currently ISO9001 certified and in the process of implementing the latest version of the standard. However, the sizes of the studied organisations were found to present the most noteworthy differences, highlighting the current and future requirements for successful organisational change. Recommendations related to the findings were made for managers, as well as for research, and industry. Ethical principles were maintained throughout the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The personal development of steve jobs :a psychobiographical study
- Authors: Van Staden, Dete
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Jobs, Steve, 1955-2011 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Developmental psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45723 , vital:38958
- Description: A psychobiography is the construction of an individual’s life according to a psychological theory. This psychobiography reviews the life of Steven Paul Jobs (1955-2011), United States information technology intrepreneur and inventor. This study employs a qualitative, case study design. The researcher preferred a specific individual, therefore this study entails a non- probability, purposive sampling procedure. The data collection consists of primary and secondary sources. Data analysis was conducted according to Alexander’s (1988) model, as well as Miles and Huberman’s (1994) approach. The research conducted was done in an ethical manner. The primary aim of this study is to describe and interpret Jobs’ personal development through the application of tevinson et al.’s human development framework. Jobs was born, and soon after birth, given up for adoption. At the age of twenty-one, he and his friend, Steve Wozniak, invented Apple Computers. Jobs was known as an entrepreneur, innovator and genius, and was recognised as a pioneer in the information technology world. Regardless of personal and business disappointments, he designed successful products, generated enormous profits and led Apple to become the world’s most valuable and leading company. Through exploring Jobs’ life, a holistic overview of his personal development was obtained. The findings revealed that Jobs created a life structure for himself which allowed him to follow his dreams and spiration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Van Staden, Dete
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Jobs, Steve, 1955-2011 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Developmental psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45723 , vital:38958
- Description: A psychobiography is the construction of an individual’s life according to a psychological theory. This psychobiography reviews the life of Steven Paul Jobs (1955-2011), United States information technology intrepreneur and inventor. This study employs a qualitative, case study design. The researcher preferred a specific individual, therefore this study entails a non- probability, purposive sampling procedure. The data collection consists of primary and secondary sources. Data analysis was conducted according to Alexander’s (1988) model, as well as Miles and Huberman’s (1994) approach. The research conducted was done in an ethical manner. The primary aim of this study is to describe and interpret Jobs’ personal development through the application of tevinson et al.’s human development framework. Jobs was born, and soon after birth, given up for adoption. At the age of twenty-one, he and his friend, Steve Wozniak, invented Apple Computers. Jobs was known as an entrepreneur, innovator and genius, and was recognised as a pioneer in the information technology world. Regardless of personal and business disappointments, he designed successful products, generated enormous profits and led Apple to become the world’s most valuable and leading company. Through exploring Jobs’ life, a holistic overview of his personal development was obtained. The findings revealed that Jobs created a life structure for himself which allowed him to follow his dreams and spiration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The readiness of the South African private and public sector for the fourth industrial revolution
- Authors: Putzier, Mark Ludwig
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Technology and civilization , Sustainable development Artificial intelligence Industrial revolution
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17422 , vital:28332
- Description: The exponential growth of technology over the past few years led to it being given prime slot at the World Economic Forum held in Davos in January 2016, with Forum founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab coining this potentially disruptive phenomenon as the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’. Since then, the term Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR) has gained ever increasing relevance and importance. Schwab (2016) emphasised that the world is on the edge of “a technological revolution that will fundamentally alter the way we live, work and relate to one another”; and that in the pure “scale, scope and complexity, the transformation will be unlike anything humankind has experienced before”. What is certain is that the FIR is predicted by many to impact significantly on jobs in the world as robotics; automation and artificial intelligence become more prolific. This shift will have a direct bearing on South Africa as well. With the challenges facing the country, such as infrastructure constraints, frequent industrial actions, rising costs and shortages of skills, the loss of further jobs should be of concern for government and the private sector alike. The outcomes of the in-depth analysis of future studies practice and theory in this research study give credence to the argument that the manner in which planning for the future of the FIR in the South African context is taking place requires profound adjustments. The development of fresh insight through the application of futures studies is essential to this planning process, as is progressively evidenced in the tendency for present day business to make collaborative decisions and strategies that are founded on and informed by futures studies. This research has tried to gain insight into the possible future of the FIR in South Africa through the creation of four scenarios towards 2035. These are outlined as follows: The Fifth Element, which is the ‘best case’ scenario, to which the country aspires; Terminator, the ‘worst case’ scenario, in which everything goes bad; The Matrix, the outlier future based on a surprising, disruptive, emerging issue; and The Day the Earth Stood Still, in which no change takes place, making it ‘business as usual’. The research furthermore endeavoured to discover the preferred future for the FIR in a South African context, as a basis for the Future Vision of the FIR in South Africa towards 2035. All through this study, Inayatullah’s (2008) pillars of futures studies were applied as a guide in mapping the present and future, further deepening and broadening the future through the development of scenarios, and, finally, transforming the future by narrowing it down to the preferred. It is up to the South African public and private sectors to determine which path is to be followed in the decisions surrounding the embrace and acceptance of the FIR as the country moves towards progress and sustainable development. Through a novel and innovative methodology, the creation of an atmosphere of trust, and the sharing of purpose, values and benefits, a national Future Vision of the FIR in South Africa towards 2035 is attainable. All stakeholders have to commit to working in co-operative partnerships, with government, society, local communities and labour striding boldly together into a world of technological, commercial, environmental and social innovation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Putzier, Mark Ludwig
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Technology and civilization , Sustainable development Artificial intelligence Industrial revolution
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17422 , vital:28332
- Description: The exponential growth of technology over the past few years led to it being given prime slot at the World Economic Forum held in Davos in January 2016, with Forum founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab coining this potentially disruptive phenomenon as the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’. Since then, the term Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR) has gained ever increasing relevance and importance. Schwab (2016) emphasised that the world is on the edge of “a technological revolution that will fundamentally alter the way we live, work and relate to one another”; and that in the pure “scale, scope and complexity, the transformation will be unlike anything humankind has experienced before”. What is certain is that the FIR is predicted by many to impact significantly on jobs in the world as robotics; automation and artificial intelligence become more prolific. This shift will have a direct bearing on South Africa as well. With the challenges facing the country, such as infrastructure constraints, frequent industrial actions, rising costs and shortages of skills, the loss of further jobs should be of concern for government and the private sector alike. The outcomes of the in-depth analysis of future studies practice and theory in this research study give credence to the argument that the manner in which planning for the future of the FIR in the South African context is taking place requires profound adjustments. The development of fresh insight through the application of futures studies is essential to this planning process, as is progressively evidenced in the tendency for present day business to make collaborative decisions and strategies that are founded on and informed by futures studies. This research has tried to gain insight into the possible future of the FIR in South Africa through the creation of four scenarios towards 2035. These are outlined as follows: The Fifth Element, which is the ‘best case’ scenario, to which the country aspires; Terminator, the ‘worst case’ scenario, in which everything goes bad; The Matrix, the outlier future based on a surprising, disruptive, emerging issue; and The Day the Earth Stood Still, in which no change takes place, making it ‘business as usual’. The research furthermore endeavoured to discover the preferred future for the FIR in a South African context, as a basis for the Future Vision of the FIR in South Africa towards 2035. All through this study, Inayatullah’s (2008) pillars of futures studies were applied as a guide in mapping the present and future, further deepening and broadening the future through the development of scenarios, and, finally, transforming the future by narrowing it down to the preferred. It is up to the South African public and private sectors to determine which path is to be followed in the decisions surrounding the embrace and acceptance of the FIR as the country moves towards progress and sustainable development. Through a novel and innovative methodology, the creation of an atmosphere of trust, and the sharing of purpose, values and benefits, a national Future Vision of the FIR in South Africa towards 2035 is attainable. All stakeholders have to commit to working in co-operative partnerships, with government, society, local communities and labour striding boldly together into a world of technological, commercial, environmental and social innovation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between employability and labour market participation
- Uwuoruya, Nosayaba Frederick
- Authors: Uwuoruya, Nosayaba Frederick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Job hunting , Labor market -- Africa College graduates -- Employment -- Africa Career development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36101 , vital:33892
- Description: Unemployment is an urgent socio- economic issue facing not just Sub-Saharan Africa but also the global world at large (Yu, 2013). Globally, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that 201 million people were unemployed in 2014. Almost 74 million of those unemployed were young people (aged 15-24) in 2014. The ILO report further states that the number of people seeking employment was over 30 million more than in 2008, because several people lost their jobs due to the world economic recession. One of the results recorded from the ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook 2016, show that youth unemployment is still three times that of the adult unemployment rate at 13.1% (ILO, 2016). Unemployed youths are estimated to be 73.3 million, a 3.3% decline from the global crisis in 2008 (ILO,2016:6). Crisp and Powell, (2016) indicate youth are vulnerable due to the economic fragility of the labour market and uneven recovery over the past years.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Uwuoruya, Nosayaba Frederick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Job hunting , Labor market -- Africa College graduates -- Employment -- Africa Career development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36101 , vital:33892
- Description: Unemployment is an urgent socio- economic issue facing not just Sub-Saharan Africa but also the global world at large (Yu, 2013). Globally, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that 201 million people were unemployed in 2014. Almost 74 million of those unemployed were young people (aged 15-24) in 2014. The ILO report further states that the number of people seeking employment was over 30 million more than in 2008, because several people lost their jobs due to the world economic recession. One of the results recorded from the ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook 2016, show that youth unemployment is still three times that of the adult unemployment rate at 13.1% (ILO, 2016). Unemployed youths are estimated to be 73.3 million, a 3.3% decline from the global crisis in 2008 (ILO,2016:6). Crisp and Powell, (2016) indicate youth are vulnerable due to the economic fragility of the labour market and uneven recovery over the past years.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between employability and labour market participation
- Uwuoruya, Nosayaba Frederick
- Authors: Uwuoruya, Nosayaba Frederick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Labor supply -- South Africa , Unemployment -- South Africa Work environment Work -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36111 , vital:33894
- Description: Unemployment is an urgent socio- economic issue facing not just Sub-Saharan Africa but also the global world at large (Yu, 2013). Globally, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that 201 million people were unemployed in 2014. Almost 74 million of those unemployed were young people (aged 15-24) in 2014. The ILO report further states that the number of people seeking employment was over 30 million more than in 2008, because several people lost their jobs due to the world economic recession. One of the results recorded from the ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook 2016, show that youth unemployment is still three times that of the adult unemployment rate at 13.1% (ILO, 2016). Unemployed youths are estimated to be 73.3 million, a 3.3% decline from the global crisis in 2008 (ILO,2016:6). Crisp and Powell, (2016) indicate youth are vulnerable due to the economic fragility of the labour market and uneven recovery over the past years.The case of Sub-Saharan Africa is no different. South Africa is one of the countries grappling with high rates of unemployment, especially among youths (Burger & Fintel, 2009). According to a report by Statistics South Africa in 2015, 5.2 million of the labour force were unemployed, while 15.1 million South Africans are not economically active- resulting in an unemployment rate of 24.5% in the fourth quarter of 2015 (Statistics South Africa, 2015). Since- 2010, the first quarter of each year recorded increases in unemployment levels. The number of unemployed individuals had increase by more than half a million (626000, 521000) in the first quarter of 2015 and 2016 respectively (Statistics South Africa, 2016). The youth unemployment rate in South Africa decreased to 47.60% in the third quarter of 2016 from 53.70% in the second quarter of 2016.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Uwuoruya, Nosayaba Frederick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Labor supply -- South Africa , Unemployment -- South Africa Work environment Work -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36111 , vital:33894
- Description: Unemployment is an urgent socio- economic issue facing not just Sub-Saharan Africa but also the global world at large (Yu, 2013). Globally, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that 201 million people were unemployed in 2014. Almost 74 million of those unemployed were young people (aged 15-24) in 2014. The ILO report further states that the number of people seeking employment was over 30 million more than in 2008, because several people lost their jobs due to the world economic recession. One of the results recorded from the ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook 2016, show that youth unemployment is still three times that of the adult unemployment rate at 13.1% (ILO, 2016). Unemployed youths are estimated to be 73.3 million, a 3.3% decline from the global crisis in 2008 (ILO,2016:6). Crisp and Powell, (2016) indicate youth are vulnerable due to the economic fragility of the labour market and uneven recovery over the past years.The case of Sub-Saharan Africa is no different. South Africa is one of the countries grappling with high rates of unemployment, especially among youths (Burger & Fintel, 2009). According to a report by Statistics South Africa in 2015, 5.2 million of the labour force were unemployed, while 15.1 million South Africans are not economically active- resulting in an unemployment rate of 24.5% in the fourth quarter of 2015 (Statistics South Africa, 2015). Since- 2010, the first quarter of each year recorded increases in unemployment levels. The number of unemployed individuals had increase by more than half a million (626000, 521000) in the first quarter of 2015 and 2016 respectively (Statistics South Africa, 2016). The youth unemployment rate in South Africa decreased to 47.60% in the third quarter of 2016 from 53.70% in the second quarter of 2016.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between leadership styles and work engagement within the workplace
- Authors: Soares, Michelle
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa , Management -- Employee participation Employee motivation Work environment Organizational behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35480 , vital:33738
- Description: The proposed research was designed to investigate the relationship between leadership styles and work engagement within the workplace. The introduction provided the background to the research study, a brief theoretical overview of the leadership styles and work engagement as well as the relationship between the two variables was discussed. An overview of the motivation of the study, problem statements, research objectives and the propositions were also considered. A literature review provided a background to the origins, definitions, approaches, characteristics, styles, benefits, consequences, theories and models of leadership and work engagement. Thereafter, the relationship between the two variables were discussed and the propositions were revisited. The type of research conducted was an empirical study which utilised correlational and crosssectional design. The research methodology dealt with the population and sample, the measuring instruments, procedure, validity, reliability and ended off with the ethical standards that were considered whilst the research study was conducted. The findings attempted to answer whether a relationship existed between perceptions of leadership styles with the primary aim to either accept or reject the propositions posed in the preceding chapters. The research study concluded in discussing the results and attempted to link it to the literature that was presented in Chapter Two. The main aim was to identify whether relationships existed between the two variables. The study then concluded in discussing the limitations that were found in the study and discussed possible recommendations for the organisation and for potential future researchers who display an interest in pursuing this study further. In conclusion, the findings posed significant implications for leaders within the workplace who aspire to increase their employees’ work engagement levels for purposes of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of their employees’ overall performance towards achieving the business objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Soares, Michelle
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa , Management -- Employee participation Employee motivation Work environment Organizational behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35480 , vital:33738
- Description: The proposed research was designed to investigate the relationship between leadership styles and work engagement within the workplace. The introduction provided the background to the research study, a brief theoretical overview of the leadership styles and work engagement as well as the relationship between the two variables was discussed. An overview of the motivation of the study, problem statements, research objectives and the propositions were also considered. A literature review provided a background to the origins, definitions, approaches, characteristics, styles, benefits, consequences, theories and models of leadership and work engagement. Thereafter, the relationship between the two variables were discussed and the propositions were revisited. The type of research conducted was an empirical study which utilised correlational and crosssectional design. The research methodology dealt with the population and sample, the measuring instruments, procedure, validity, reliability and ended off with the ethical standards that were considered whilst the research study was conducted. The findings attempted to answer whether a relationship existed between perceptions of leadership styles with the primary aim to either accept or reject the propositions posed in the preceding chapters. The research study concluded in discussing the results and attempted to link it to the literature that was presented in Chapter Two. The main aim was to identify whether relationships existed between the two variables. The study then concluded in discussing the limitations that were found in the study and discussed possible recommendations for the organisation and for potential future researchers who display an interest in pursuing this study further. In conclusion, the findings posed significant implications for leaders within the workplace who aspire to increase their employees’ work engagement levels for purposes of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of their employees’ overall performance towards achieving the business objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018