An analysis of logistics companies as contributors to efficient supply chain solution to the automotive industry within the Nelson Mandela Bay
- Nyweba, Akhona Gcinashe Andiswa
- Authors: Nyweba, Akhona Gcinashe Andiswa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Business logistics -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Industrial procurement -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Physical distribution of goods -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42957 , vital:36714
- Description: Nelson Mandela Bay region is one of the leading provinces that are contributing positively to the South African economy as the province is privillaged to being the home for giant multinational original equipment manufactureres (OEMs) such as Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA), Isuzu South Africa, Ford South Africa, First Auto Works (FAW), Beijing Automoive Industry Holding Company (BAIC) South Africa, Mercedes and Daimler. To support these automotive companies, logistics companies such as Transnet State Owned Company (SOC) Ltd, DHL South Africa, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) need to ensure that they positively influence the smooth transition of goods. However there are challenges of cost and inefficiences currently faced by the industry. These challenges effectively affect economic growth and the sustainability of the automotive industry. Against this background, this treatise investigates and seeks to address the underlying factors contributing to the ineffectiveness and inefficiency in supply chain for the industry. By establising and understanding how the logistic companies can contribute towards the sustainanbility of the automotive industry in the Nelson Mandela Bay region by driving efficiences in the value chain. The logistics companies are major influencers in the value chain for the industry and by breaking down logistics and supply chains as enablers will be beneficial for the industry. The overall objectives are to reveal and address the automotive industry’s supply chain challenges in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness. This will ultimately contribute to reducing the cost of doing business and improve the competitiveness of the industry. Furthermore to that, the researcher looked at the internal aspects such as resource availability, current infrastracture in the region, interconnection between road, rail and sea. On the external aspects, the researcher looked at the economic stability in the region, unemployment rate, and conduction of customer surveys to analyse how the automotive industry can be helped. These conclusions indicate that the above mentioned factors are contributing to the state of supply chain solutions in the Nelson Mandela Bay region and the recommendations highlighted will make a positive impact in the automotive industry within region. The study was done using the quantitative business research methodology, with an electronic survey as the measuring instrument. The sample consisted of industry players in the automotive industry within the Nelson Mandela Bay region. Future research regarding the topic on hand which is to analyse logistics companies as contributors to efficient supply chain solution to the automotive industry within the Nelson Mandela bay could be futher extended to other geographical arears. Furthermore, the research could be used by other industries to gain advantage on how their value chains can be improved thereby positively inpacting the overall trade and investment of the country and boosting econonomic stability for the country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Nyweba, Akhona Gcinashe Andiswa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Business logistics -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Industrial procurement -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Physical distribution of goods -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42957 , vital:36714
- Description: Nelson Mandela Bay region is one of the leading provinces that are contributing positively to the South African economy as the province is privillaged to being the home for giant multinational original equipment manufactureres (OEMs) such as Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA), Isuzu South Africa, Ford South Africa, First Auto Works (FAW), Beijing Automoive Industry Holding Company (BAIC) South Africa, Mercedes and Daimler. To support these automotive companies, logistics companies such as Transnet State Owned Company (SOC) Ltd, DHL South Africa, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) need to ensure that they positively influence the smooth transition of goods. However there are challenges of cost and inefficiences currently faced by the industry. These challenges effectively affect economic growth and the sustainability of the automotive industry. Against this background, this treatise investigates and seeks to address the underlying factors contributing to the ineffectiveness and inefficiency in supply chain for the industry. By establising and understanding how the logistic companies can contribute towards the sustainanbility of the automotive industry in the Nelson Mandela Bay region by driving efficiences in the value chain. The logistics companies are major influencers in the value chain for the industry and by breaking down logistics and supply chains as enablers will be beneficial for the industry. The overall objectives are to reveal and address the automotive industry’s supply chain challenges in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness. This will ultimately contribute to reducing the cost of doing business and improve the competitiveness of the industry. Furthermore to that, the researcher looked at the internal aspects such as resource availability, current infrastracture in the region, interconnection between road, rail and sea. On the external aspects, the researcher looked at the economic stability in the region, unemployment rate, and conduction of customer surveys to analyse how the automotive industry can be helped. These conclusions indicate that the above mentioned factors are contributing to the state of supply chain solutions in the Nelson Mandela Bay region and the recommendations highlighted will make a positive impact in the automotive industry within region. The study was done using the quantitative business research methodology, with an electronic survey as the measuring instrument. The sample consisted of industry players in the automotive industry within the Nelson Mandela Bay region. Future research regarding the topic on hand which is to analyse logistics companies as contributors to efficient supply chain solution to the automotive industry within the Nelson Mandela bay could be futher extended to other geographical arears. Furthermore, the research could be used by other industries to gain advantage on how their value chains can be improved thereby positively inpacting the overall trade and investment of the country and boosting econonomic stability for the country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An assessment of community partnerships with Amadlelo Agri in the Keiskammahoek dairy: A case of Amahlathi Local Municipality
- Authors: Hlobongwana, Vukile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- Economic aspects , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40150 , vital:35821
- Description: The study is based on partnerships between a rural agricultural community of South Africa and a private dairy company based in the Eastern Cape Province. The Department of Rural Development took an initiative to revitalise all the schemes inherited from the former homelands. Although profits earned from agriculture tend not to be immediate but rather gradual, the advancement of agriculture stimulates economic activity in other sectors. Amadlelo Agri in partnership with the communities and Government have turned this into a multi- million-rand profitable business. The challenge is how to replicate the model to operate on a large scale. The current setup has its pitfalls, and these include cutting of fences and allowing village animals to graze in the pastures belonging to the Dairy. To ensure that the study was well articulated and to assess and address those challenges, the project utilised a case study inquiry of the Amahlathi local municipality in the specific partnership of Amadlelo Agri and the Keiskammahoek community in shared milk ownership initiative. Primary data was collected using simple mixed methods research approach to 8 community members as the instrument was more aligned to the qualitative nature of the inquiry. Gathered data was organised and cleaned manually for analysis. Following the review and discussion of the findings the main findings that the study observed in the assessment of the benefits of community partnerships or sharedownerships are as follows: female and youths are not participating in such types of programmes; contradiction exists between participants regarding the objectives of the initiative; there is a lack of clarity from the developer side with regards to the type of shared ownership initiative; farmers lack the know-how of appropriately handling funds, strategic planning and marketing skills; partnerships are very influential in the creation of work culture and coordination in the community; resource endowment is a crucial factor hindering small scale farmers; and farmers’ training, development and update is lacking consistency. Recommendations put emphasis on ensuring that training is consistent and rigorous to ensure that the community will gain experience of the value of the project which can motivate and ensure that protection is improved by the same community members due to sense of ownership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Hlobongwana, Vukile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- Economic aspects , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40150 , vital:35821
- Description: The study is based on partnerships between a rural agricultural community of South Africa and a private dairy company based in the Eastern Cape Province. The Department of Rural Development took an initiative to revitalise all the schemes inherited from the former homelands. Although profits earned from agriculture tend not to be immediate but rather gradual, the advancement of agriculture stimulates economic activity in other sectors. Amadlelo Agri in partnership with the communities and Government have turned this into a multi- million-rand profitable business. The challenge is how to replicate the model to operate on a large scale. The current setup has its pitfalls, and these include cutting of fences and allowing village animals to graze in the pastures belonging to the Dairy. To ensure that the study was well articulated and to assess and address those challenges, the project utilised a case study inquiry of the Amahlathi local municipality in the specific partnership of Amadlelo Agri and the Keiskammahoek community in shared milk ownership initiative. Primary data was collected using simple mixed methods research approach to 8 community members as the instrument was more aligned to the qualitative nature of the inquiry. Gathered data was organised and cleaned manually for analysis. Following the review and discussion of the findings the main findings that the study observed in the assessment of the benefits of community partnerships or sharedownerships are as follows: female and youths are not participating in such types of programmes; contradiction exists between participants regarding the objectives of the initiative; there is a lack of clarity from the developer side with regards to the type of shared ownership initiative; farmers lack the know-how of appropriately handling funds, strategic planning and marketing skills; partnerships are very influential in the creation of work culture and coordination in the community; resource endowment is a crucial factor hindering small scale farmers; and farmers’ training, development and update is lacking consistency. Recommendations put emphasis on ensuring that training is consistent and rigorous to ensure that the community will gain experience of the value of the project which can motivate and ensure that protection is improved by the same community members due to sense of ownership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An assessment of the expanded public works programme in Eldorado Park
- Authors: Lewis, Elaine Elizabeth
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Public works -- South Africa -- Gauteng , Job creation -- South Africa -- Gauteng South Africa Department of Public Works Community development -- South Africa -- Gauteng Gauteng (South Africa)--Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40566 , vital:36183
- Description: South Africa is faced with the realities of a high unemployment and poverty rate. This remains a challenge in the country because it continues to impact the lives of many living in previously disadvantaged communities that have limited access to quality education, lack of skills and limited to no access to income opportunities. The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is a government steered programme that is targeted at unemployed individuals. The government has adopted this programme in an effort to address the challenge of unemployment in marginalized communities. The EPWP is a nationwide initiative with the objective of reducing unemployment by ensuring that the unskilled gain skills so that they are able to access the labour market and consequently earn an income. The five year report on the programme states that the EPWP was set to create 1 million temporary jobs for unemployed South Africans of which 40% are females, 30% youth and 2% people with disabilities. The programme mitigates some of the social exclusions within society and contributes to the alleviation of poverty through the creation of short term to medium term employment for the unskilled and unemployed (EPWP five-year report 2004/5 – 2008/9). The report identified four sectors that are critical and have the potential to create employment within the context of the EPWP. These sectors are the: Infrastructure sector; which focuses on increasing labour intensity for government funded infrastructure projects, Environment sector; which relates to public environmental improvement programmes, Social sector; which relates to public social programmes such as community based care programmes and non-state sector; which provides and creates work opportunities through collaboration with non-state organisations, as well as strengthening community participation through small enterprise leadership and incubation programmes (SA Department of public works, 2004/ 2008). The EPWP has empowered the beneficiaries/ EPWPs to gain skills, work experience and receive a monthly income in the form of a stipend. One of the main goals of the EPWP is to help these individuals to become self-sustained and to reduce the level of dependence on government social grants. The researcher noticed that there are some challenges such as the limited inclusion of disabled individuals in the community that remains a challenge. The aim of this research was to assess the contributions that were made by the EPWP towards alleviating the challenges of unemployment, lack of skills and substance abuse. These challenges continue to affect the previously disadvantaged community of Eldorado Park to date. Samples were collected at three NGOs and the municipal offices from the beneficiaries. The data was collected through the distribution of a questionnaire. The study was an attempt to evaluate the performance of EPWP, the impact on the lives of the beneficiaries and identify areas of improvement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Lewis, Elaine Elizabeth
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Public works -- South Africa -- Gauteng , Job creation -- South Africa -- Gauteng South Africa Department of Public Works Community development -- South Africa -- Gauteng Gauteng (South Africa)--Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40566 , vital:36183
- Description: South Africa is faced with the realities of a high unemployment and poverty rate. This remains a challenge in the country because it continues to impact the lives of many living in previously disadvantaged communities that have limited access to quality education, lack of skills and limited to no access to income opportunities. The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is a government steered programme that is targeted at unemployed individuals. The government has adopted this programme in an effort to address the challenge of unemployment in marginalized communities. The EPWP is a nationwide initiative with the objective of reducing unemployment by ensuring that the unskilled gain skills so that they are able to access the labour market and consequently earn an income. The five year report on the programme states that the EPWP was set to create 1 million temporary jobs for unemployed South Africans of which 40% are females, 30% youth and 2% people with disabilities. The programme mitigates some of the social exclusions within society and contributes to the alleviation of poverty through the creation of short term to medium term employment for the unskilled and unemployed (EPWP five-year report 2004/5 – 2008/9). The report identified four sectors that are critical and have the potential to create employment within the context of the EPWP. These sectors are the: Infrastructure sector; which focuses on increasing labour intensity for government funded infrastructure projects, Environment sector; which relates to public environmental improvement programmes, Social sector; which relates to public social programmes such as community based care programmes and non-state sector; which provides and creates work opportunities through collaboration with non-state organisations, as well as strengthening community participation through small enterprise leadership and incubation programmes (SA Department of public works, 2004/ 2008). The EPWP has empowered the beneficiaries/ EPWPs to gain skills, work experience and receive a monthly income in the form of a stipend. One of the main goals of the EPWP is to help these individuals to become self-sustained and to reduce the level of dependence on government social grants. The researcher noticed that there are some challenges such as the limited inclusion of disabled individuals in the community that remains a challenge. The aim of this research was to assess the contributions that were made by the EPWP towards alleviating the challenges of unemployment, lack of skills and substance abuse. These challenges continue to affect the previously disadvantaged community of Eldorado Park to date. Samples were collected at three NGOs and the municipal offices from the beneficiaries. The data was collected through the distribution of a questionnaire. The study was an attempt to evaluate the performance of EPWP, the impact on the lives of the beneficiaries and identify areas of improvement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An economic evaluation of the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) program in Uganda
- Authors: Leornard, Walusimbi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Agricultural development projects -- Uganda , Agriculture -- Economic Aspects -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PHD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45624 , vital:38920
- Description: The National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) programme was formed in Uganda in 2001 as a response to previously poor performance of extension services in Uganda. NAADS was formed as a demand-driven extension programme designed to improve farmers’ incomes through increased farm output in agriculture and to solve food insecurity in the country. Given the enormous resources injected into the programme intended to improve the welfare of farmers, the main objective of this study was to determine the economic viability of NAADS throughout the period 2001-2017. The study was conducted in four districts: Mpigi, Mubende, Luwero, and Mukono. Using a non-probability random sampling technique based on convenience and snowball sampling techniques, a sample of 384 participants took part in this study. Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) was used to assess the merits of this public investment project. The study also used descriptive methods of analysis such as a 5-point Likert-type scale so as to derive means. In addition, the study practiced the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) technique, and the cronbach alpha coefficient was used to test the reliability of factors in explaining the concerned five dimensions of this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Leornard, Walusimbi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Agricultural development projects -- Uganda , Agriculture -- Economic Aspects -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PHD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45624 , vital:38920
- Description: The National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) programme was formed in Uganda in 2001 as a response to previously poor performance of extension services in Uganda. NAADS was formed as a demand-driven extension programme designed to improve farmers’ incomes through increased farm output in agriculture and to solve food insecurity in the country. Given the enormous resources injected into the programme intended to improve the welfare of farmers, the main objective of this study was to determine the economic viability of NAADS throughout the period 2001-2017. The study was conducted in four districts: Mpigi, Mubende, Luwero, and Mukono. Using a non-probability random sampling technique based on convenience and snowball sampling techniques, a sample of 384 participants took part in this study. Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) was used to assess the merits of this public investment project. The study also used descriptive methods of analysis such as a 5-point Likert-type scale so as to derive means. In addition, the study practiced the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) technique, and the cronbach alpha coefficient was used to test the reliability of factors in explaining the concerned five dimensions of this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An evaluation of a profiling and selection process for apprentices in the South African automotive industry
- Authors: Puchert, Juliet Ingrid
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Artisans -- South Africa , Skilled labor -- South Africa Apprenticeship programs -- South Africa Occupational training -- South Africa Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43314 , vital:36791
- Description: The South African automotive industry is the biggest manufacturing sector and the largest contributor to the domestic economy. Within the national manufacturing sector, the artisan job family has been identified as a scarce and critical skill. Artisans are a number one area of concern with regard to filling vacancies in the country. The domestic economy as well as the effectiveness and success of the automotive industry could be negatively affected if this artisanal crisis is not adequately addressed. This study aimed to evaluate a profiling and selection process for apprentices in the South African automotive industry. A multiple-stage selection method was used to screen the applicants. The selection process included the following phases: application review, rating of the application documentation, aptitude testing, skills-based teamwork assessment and interviews. The researcher obtained access to the documentation generated through an annual apprentice selection process at a large multi-national automotive firm. The final sample consisted of 3 412 individuals that had applied for two types of apprenticeship programmes, namely, automotive electrician and millwright, across three intake years. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution tables and medians were used. Inferential statistical analysis, using survival analysis, was used to assess whether the survival curves were statistically different across the groups. The findings of this study are relevant to the South African automotive industry, as well as the manufacturing sector. The findings are also of value to human resource practitioners, educators, social scientists and other researchers. The 13 constructs investigated in the study showed a high association with longer survival time in the selection process. The positive evaluation of this selection process provides evidence to support its confirmation as the national selection tool. Four recommendations are proposed to the HRM field and four to the automotive industry. The multiple-hurdle selection process employed in this study should be replicated by the automotive industry in their selection of apprenticeship applicants. Standardisation practices, the use of on-line technology and the marketing of the apprenticeship position are also recommended. Furthermore, it is recommended that educational providers provide job preparation workshops to assist applicants to improve their survival opportunity within the selection processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Puchert, Juliet Ingrid
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Artisans -- South Africa , Skilled labor -- South Africa Apprenticeship programs -- South Africa Occupational training -- South Africa Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43314 , vital:36791
- Description: The South African automotive industry is the biggest manufacturing sector and the largest contributor to the domestic economy. Within the national manufacturing sector, the artisan job family has been identified as a scarce and critical skill. Artisans are a number one area of concern with regard to filling vacancies in the country. The domestic economy as well as the effectiveness and success of the automotive industry could be negatively affected if this artisanal crisis is not adequately addressed. This study aimed to evaluate a profiling and selection process for apprentices in the South African automotive industry. A multiple-stage selection method was used to screen the applicants. The selection process included the following phases: application review, rating of the application documentation, aptitude testing, skills-based teamwork assessment and interviews. The researcher obtained access to the documentation generated through an annual apprentice selection process at a large multi-national automotive firm. The final sample consisted of 3 412 individuals that had applied for two types of apprenticeship programmes, namely, automotive electrician and millwright, across three intake years. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution tables and medians were used. Inferential statistical analysis, using survival analysis, was used to assess whether the survival curves were statistically different across the groups. The findings of this study are relevant to the South African automotive industry, as well as the manufacturing sector. The findings are also of value to human resource practitioners, educators, social scientists and other researchers. The 13 constructs investigated in the study showed a high association with longer survival time in the selection process. The positive evaluation of this selection process provides evidence to support its confirmation as the national selection tool. Four recommendations are proposed to the HRM field and four to the automotive industry. The multiple-hurdle selection process employed in this study should be replicated by the automotive industry in their selection of apprenticeship applicants. Standardisation practices, the use of on-line technology and the marketing of the apprenticeship position are also recommended. Furthermore, it is recommended that educational providers provide job preparation workshops to assist applicants to improve their survival opportunity within the selection processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An evaluation of business support services for women-owned businesses
- Authors: Mabongo, Nozuko Priscilla
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Women-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Management , Businesswomen -- South Africa Support services (Management) Small business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40679 , vital:36213
- Description: The emergence of women into the entrepreneurial sector has been a phenomenal wonder to view. This trend is considered one of the most transformative economic and social developments. Thus, the measures to enhance their penetration into the market need to be explored in order to see what is still lacking. Historically, women ventured into business as a means of alleviating social issues, as the years went by the necessity-driven element evolved into an integral need for women to participate in the growth of value-adding sectors. Women around the world have faced many barriers to their participation in the development of the economy. The purpose of this study was to fill the gap by providing relevant information about the formal business environment, as well as the various support structures available to South African women in business. Over the past two decades, the view of development has always been criticised. Women entrepreneurs dominate the informal sector and have remained at the edge of the economy irrespective of their potential in development. There is a lack of participation in value-adding sectors by women entrepreneurs. Women in business are plagued with the absence of effective management skills, network linkages and mentorship. This in turn results in limited access to local and global markets, therefore, growth prospects are severely at risk. Furthermore, this limitation concludes issues leading these businesses into survivalist mode. The study assessed the business support services offered to women-owned businesses and further demonstrate whether any growth prospects could be achieved. Insight was given on the current situation of women-owned businesses with specific reference to evaluating the type of business support services provided to women-owned businesses. Lastly, the study described how the support services could result in improved business practices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mabongo, Nozuko Priscilla
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Women-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Management , Businesswomen -- South Africa Support services (Management) Small business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40679 , vital:36213
- Description: The emergence of women into the entrepreneurial sector has been a phenomenal wonder to view. This trend is considered one of the most transformative economic and social developments. Thus, the measures to enhance their penetration into the market need to be explored in order to see what is still lacking. Historically, women ventured into business as a means of alleviating social issues, as the years went by the necessity-driven element evolved into an integral need for women to participate in the growth of value-adding sectors. Women around the world have faced many barriers to their participation in the development of the economy. The purpose of this study was to fill the gap by providing relevant information about the formal business environment, as well as the various support structures available to South African women in business. Over the past two decades, the view of development has always been criticised. Women entrepreneurs dominate the informal sector and have remained at the edge of the economy irrespective of their potential in development. There is a lack of participation in value-adding sectors by women entrepreneurs. Women in business are plagued with the absence of effective management skills, network linkages and mentorship. This in turn results in limited access to local and global markets, therefore, growth prospects are severely at risk. Furthermore, this limitation concludes issues leading these businesses into survivalist mode. The study assessed the business support services offered to women-owned businesses and further demonstrate whether any growth prospects could be achieved. Insight was given on the current situation of women-owned businesses with specific reference to evaluating the type of business support services provided to women-owned businesses. Lastly, the study described how the support services could result in improved business practices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An evaluation of loyalty programmes
- Authors: Thaver, Aneshree Terrilla
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Customer loyalty programs -- South Africa , Customer clubs -- Evaluation Customer relations -- Evaluation Customer services -- Management Consumer satisfaction -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43856 , vital:37062
- Description: A Loyalty Programme, is the term most commonly used to summarise various Customer Relationship Management programmes instituted by companies, to endear and encourage loyalty from customers. In order to better understand the component of loyalty within the context of Loyalty Programmes, a dimensional approach has been suggested. The dimensional approach is based firstly, on behavioural loyalty theories, which focus on purchase patterns to qualify/quantify loyalty. Secondly, it included attitudinal loyalty measures to account for customer’s actions and feelings to aid in both the conceptualisation and measurement of loyalty. The need to understand and evaluate the effects of programmes specifically designed to promote loyalty from customers has prompted a surge in academic research, which has led to great debate over the effectiveness of these programmes. Previous empirical research has provided divergent findings and many polarised views abound. This is due in part to the lack of consistent research methodologies, concepts and measurements of previous studies, which has made the comparison of Loyalty Programmes increasingly difficult. However, despite these challenges, there remains substantial evidence in support of the overall effectiveness of Loyalty Programmes. The aim of this research has been to focus on developing a model to evaluate the components of Loyalty Programmes based on attitudinal and behavioural loyalty dimensions, with the view of recommending components that should be included in the design of Loyalty Programmes. An in-depth literature review was conducted and the two dimensions of loyalty (attitudinal and behavioural) were examined. Additionally, the following Theories were explored Social Exchange Theory, Equity Theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour, to examine the interchange between participants of Loyalty Programmes. The review of literature further laid the foundation for the conceptual model that proposed purchase behaviour, trust, communication, personalisation, flexibility, rewards and methods of participation as components which influenced Loyalty Programmes. A multi-method study, with 1090 respondents, was conducted and a proposed conceptual model was compiled. An analysis was conducted through various descriptive and inferential statistical tests as well as Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The results of the study identified the following factors Attitudinal loyalty (Attitudinal – Communication, Attitudinal – Flexibility, Attitudinal – General, Attitudinal – Rewards (Personal and Monetary) and Attitudinal – Trust) and Behavioural loyalty (Behavioural – Communication, Behavioural – Flexibility, Behavioural – General, Behavioural – Personalisation, Behavioural – Purchasing Behaviour, Behavioural – Rewards and Behavioural – Trust) to be of influence with regard to the effectiveness of Loyalty Programmes. The study concludes with managerial recommendations for the improvement in the design of Loyalty Programmes to enhance Attitudinal and Behavioural loyalty from participants. The recommendations from this study are based on the three strongest factor relationships identified through Pearson Product Moment Correlations. They are (a) Attitude – General and Behavioural – General (0.723), (b) Attitude – Communication and Behavioural – Communication (0.691) and (c) Attitude – Trust and Behavioural – Trust (0.595). Hence it is suggested that communication surrounding Loyalty Programmes needs to embrace new technologies and adopt a multichannel and multi-directional strategy to be more responsive to customers. Furthermore, trust was found to be influential in Loyalty Programme participation and how managers used the shared personal data, impacted customer willingness to participate in Loyalty Programmes. This study found that overall purchasing behaviour is poorly influenced by Loyalty Card/Programmes, as discounts and promotions did not sway shopper purchasing behaviour and that the most preferred rewards were monetary, free shipping and brand partnerships. In summary, consideration should be given to the type, flexibility and expiration of rewards offered. Further, a regular review of personalisation strategies, customer expectations and participation methods are recommended to bridge the mismatch between idle membership and active participation in Loyalty Programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Thaver, Aneshree Terrilla
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Customer loyalty programs -- South Africa , Customer clubs -- Evaluation Customer relations -- Evaluation Customer services -- Management Consumer satisfaction -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43856 , vital:37062
- Description: A Loyalty Programme, is the term most commonly used to summarise various Customer Relationship Management programmes instituted by companies, to endear and encourage loyalty from customers. In order to better understand the component of loyalty within the context of Loyalty Programmes, a dimensional approach has been suggested. The dimensional approach is based firstly, on behavioural loyalty theories, which focus on purchase patterns to qualify/quantify loyalty. Secondly, it included attitudinal loyalty measures to account for customer’s actions and feelings to aid in both the conceptualisation and measurement of loyalty. The need to understand and evaluate the effects of programmes specifically designed to promote loyalty from customers has prompted a surge in academic research, which has led to great debate over the effectiveness of these programmes. Previous empirical research has provided divergent findings and many polarised views abound. This is due in part to the lack of consistent research methodologies, concepts and measurements of previous studies, which has made the comparison of Loyalty Programmes increasingly difficult. However, despite these challenges, there remains substantial evidence in support of the overall effectiveness of Loyalty Programmes. The aim of this research has been to focus on developing a model to evaluate the components of Loyalty Programmes based on attitudinal and behavioural loyalty dimensions, with the view of recommending components that should be included in the design of Loyalty Programmes. An in-depth literature review was conducted and the two dimensions of loyalty (attitudinal and behavioural) were examined. Additionally, the following Theories were explored Social Exchange Theory, Equity Theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour, to examine the interchange between participants of Loyalty Programmes. The review of literature further laid the foundation for the conceptual model that proposed purchase behaviour, trust, communication, personalisation, flexibility, rewards and methods of participation as components which influenced Loyalty Programmes. A multi-method study, with 1090 respondents, was conducted and a proposed conceptual model was compiled. An analysis was conducted through various descriptive and inferential statistical tests as well as Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The results of the study identified the following factors Attitudinal loyalty (Attitudinal – Communication, Attitudinal – Flexibility, Attitudinal – General, Attitudinal – Rewards (Personal and Monetary) and Attitudinal – Trust) and Behavioural loyalty (Behavioural – Communication, Behavioural – Flexibility, Behavioural – General, Behavioural – Personalisation, Behavioural – Purchasing Behaviour, Behavioural – Rewards and Behavioural – Trust) to be of influence with regard to the effectiveness of Loyalty Programmes. The study concludes with managerial recommendations for the improvement in the design of Loyalty Programmes to enhance Attitudinal and Behavioural loyalty from participants. The recommendations from this study are based on the three strongest factor relationships identified through Pearson Product Moment Correlations. They are (a) Attitude – General and Behavioural – General (0.723), (b) Attitude – Communication and Behavioural – Communication (0.691) and (c) Attitude – Trust and Behavioural – Trust (0.595). Hence it is suggested that communication surrounding Loyalty Programmes needs to embrace new technologies and adopt a multichannel and multi-directional strategy to be more responsive to customers. Furthermore, trust was found to be influential in Loyalty Programme participation and how managers used the shared personal data, impacted customer willingness to participate in Loyalty Programmes. This study found that overall purchasing behaviour is poorly influenced by Loyalty Card/Programmes, as discounts and promotions did not sway shopper purchasing behaviour and that the most preferred rewards were monetary, free shipping and brand partnerships. In summary, consideration should be given to the type, flexibility and expiration of rewards offered. Further, a regular review of personalisation strategies, customer expectations and participation methods are recommended to bridge the mismatch between idle membership and active participation in Loyalty Programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An evaluation of social team building intervention on MBA group formation
- Authors: Westraadt, Johan Ewald
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Team learning approach in education , Business Administration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45679 , vital:38926
- Description: Teamwork and the ability to work effectively in a team is a critical skill in a technologically complex workplace where no individual can possess all the knowledge and skills. MBA programmes, therefore, require students to work in collaborative learning groups in order to not only share their knowledge and skills, but also to develop the needed team-based competencies. However, collaborative learning groups are prone to many pitfalls that could result in intra-group conflict and inefficiencies such as social loafing, where the group performance is less than the sum of the output of the individual members when working alone. Team development interventions (TDI) aim to improve team-based competencies of a team. One type of TDI that is often employed is social team building. It typically consists of a one-day extra-mural excursion involving some non-work-related tasks performed by teams to improve interpersonal relationships. The MBA groups are pre-allocated at the start of the academic programme and team building interventions are therefore needed to facilitate group formation. The main research question in this study deals with the effectiveness of these social team building TDI’s to promote group formation. The literature of teams and the factors that influence team effectivity were reviewed. Input-Process-Output models relate the factors that drive team performance. Three team viability measures critical to a teams’ performance were identified namely, group cohesion, group communication and goal-setting. There is strong empirical evidence that these factors contribute positively to the performance of the team. The influence of team building interventions on each of these factors were discussed. There is empirical evidence for the impact of team building interventions on these affective outcomes. However, empirical evidence for the link to objective performance measures is still lacking
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Westraadt, Johan Ewald
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Team learning approach in education , Business Administration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45679 , vital:38926
- Description: Teamwork and the ability to work effectively in a team is a critical skill in a technologically complex workplace where no individual can possess all the knowledge and skills. MBA programmes, therefore, require students to work in collaborative learning groups in order to not only share their knowledge and skills, but also to develop the needed team-based competencies. However, collaborative learning groups are prone to many pitfalls that could result in intra-group conflict and inefficiencies such as social loafing, where the group performance is less than the sum of the output of the individual members when working alone. Team development interventions (TDI) aim to improve team-based competencies of a team. One type of TDI that is often employed is social team building. It typically consists of a one-day extra-mural excursion involving some non-work-related tasks performed by teams to improve interpersonal relationships. The MBA groups are pre-allocated at the start of the academic programme and team building interventions are therefore needed to facilitate group formation. The main research question in this study deals with the effectiveness of these social team building TDI’s to promote group formation. The literature of teams and the factors that influence team effectivity were reviewed. Input-Process-Output models relate the factors that drive team performance. Three team viability measures critical to a teams’ performance were identified namely, group cohesion, group communication and goal-setting. There is strong empirical evidence that these factors contribute positively to the performance of the team. The influence of team building interventions on each of these factors were discussed. There is empirical evidence for the impact of team building interventions on these affective outcomes. However, empirical evidence for the link to objective performance measures is still lacking
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An exploratory view of e-governance as a driver of operational efficiency in the Amathole District Municipality
- Authors: Masiza, Luthando
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Internet in public administration , Internet in public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Information technology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Electronic government information -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42639 , vital:36676
- Description: This study is an exploration on how e-governance can be utilised as a means to attain operational efficiency. The study analyses matters around benefits and challenges, needs and sustainability. It specifically focussed on exploring means through which e-governance could be used as a leverage towards operational efficiency. The study was conducted in the context of the Amathole District Municipality from the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. It made use of mixed research methods, blending qualitative methods with quantitative methods. The primary data used in this study was collected from managers who are employees of the Municipality. Analysis of responses was more inclined towards interpretivist paradigm. Analysis made use of the study used thematic analysis and codes. The analysis provided in this study clearly outlined the link between operational efficiency and service delivery as facilitated by e-governance. While there were a few respondents who could not differentiate between e-governance and e-government, most were able to clearly differentiate the two. Outstanding benefits of e-governance were identified as being cost-saving, enhanced communication and improved decisions among several others. The study also revealed several factors inhibiting the acceleration of e-governance. Outstanding among these challenges include, technological illiteracy, cyber-crime and online trust. The ultimate recommendation was that citizens, businesses and the government must separately and collectively develop strategies, enhancing e-governance through harnessing the internet technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Masiza, Luthando
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Internet in public administration , Internet in public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Information technology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Electronic government information -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42639 , vital:36676
- Description: This study is an exploration on how e-governance can be utilised as a means to attain operational efficiency. The study analyses matters around benefits and challenges, needs and sustainability. It specifically focussed on exploring means through which e-governance could be used as a leverage towards operational efficiency. The study was conducted in the context of the Amathole District Municipality from the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. It made use of mixed research methods, blending qualitative methods with quantitative methods. The primary data used in this study was collected from managers who are employees of the Municipality. Analysis of responses was more inclined towards interpretivist paradigm. Analysis made use of the study used thematic analysis and codes. The analysis provided in this study clearly outlined the link between operational efficiency and service delivery as facilitated by e-governance. While there were a few respondents who could not differentiate between e-governance and e-government, most were able to clearly differentiate the two. Outstanding benefits of e-governance were identified as being cost-saving, enhanced communication and improved decisions among several others. The study also revealed several factors inhibiting the acceleration of e-governance. Outstanding among these challenges include, technological illiteracy, cyber-crime and online trust. The ultimate recommendation was that citizens, businesses and the government must separately and collectively develop strategies, enhancing e-governance through harnessing the internet technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Analysis of strategies for an effective Supply Chain Management Policy Framework in the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
- Authors: Balman, Vuyani Brian
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Industrial procurement -- Management Business logistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36299 , vital:33918
- Description: After the 1994 general elections, the government realised the importance of efficient and effective financial management and public sector procurement for the rebuilding of South Africa. This was done by embarking on a major review of its financial and supply chain management systems. The financial and supply chain management systems operate in an ever-changing environment, and that requires that these systems are fit for purpose. Supply Chain Management is one of the cornerstones for the performance of any organisation or company. Section 217 (3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa requires organs of state irrespective of whether they are at National, Provincial or Local government level to apply a procurement system which is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective when contracting for goods and services. The Constitution also attempts to protect and advance persons disadvantaged by unfair discrimination. Supply Chain Management has met an ever-increasing interest over the past decade. This interest comes from within the industry due to the huge amounts involved in procurement and the supply chain value creation. Every society strives to be in a state where every need is available and every citizen has what he/she requires to be able to leave a fulfilled life. In order to meet the needs of societies, member of the society carry out economic activities. The public procurement practice and systems have been acclaimed, based on empirical evidence, as the best means of guaranteeing the provision of public goods to the Citizens and public expenditure management.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Balman, Vuyani Brian
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Industrial procurement -- Management Business logistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36299 , vital:33918
- Description: After the 1994 general elections, the government realised the importance of efficient and effective financial management and public sector procurement for the rebuilding of South Africa. This was done by embarking on a major review of its financial and supply chain management systems. The financial and supply chain management systems operate in an ever-changing environment, and that requires that these systems are fit for purpose. Supply Chain Management is one of the cornerstones for the performance of any organisation or company. Section 217 (3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa requires organs of state irrespective of whether they are at National, Provincial or Local government level to apply a procurement system which is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective when contracting for goods and services. The Constitution also attempts to protect and advance persons disadvantaged by unfair discrimination. Supply Chain Management has met an ever-increasing interest over the past decade. This interest comes from within the industry due to the huge amounts involved in procurement and the supply chain value creation. Every society strives to be in a state where every need is available and every citizen has what he/she requires to be able to leave a fulfilled life. In order to meet the needs of societies, member of the society carry out economic activities. The public procurement practice and systems have been acclaimed, based on empirical evidence, as the best means of guaranteeing the provision of public goods to the Citizens and public expenditure management.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2019
Antecedents and influence of the union-management relationship on employee relationships in the automotive, component and metal industries in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole
- Authors: Bowler, Jennifer
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Industrial relations, South Africa , Psychology, Industrial Work environment Industrial relations Labor unions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37150 , vital:34126
- Description: South Africa is consistently portrayed as having uncooperative union-management relationships which negatively impact competitiveness. However, the post-1994 labour legislation was specifically crafted with the intention of positioning the adversarial wealth distribution phase of the union-management relationship within centralised bargaining forums and promoting cooperative relationships within workplaces. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether within the South Africa context of global competitiveness, the employment relations institutions of centralised and decentralised collective bargaining, employee participation and involvement, in the context of organisational justice, have contributed to management, shop stewards and production employees developing effective1 collective and individual employment relationships positively associated with competitive individual and company performance. The targeted population were companies within the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Area that were registered with one of the four bargaining councils, Automotive (NBF), Automotive component (MIBCO), New Tyre (NTMIBC) and Metal and Engineering (MEIBC). In addition, since the National Union of Metal Workers was the dominant union in all four of these councils, an additional criterion for potential participation was at least one NUMSA shop steward. Fourteen companies agreed to participate. In total 63 shop stewards, 82 managers and 660 production employees were surveyed using self-administered questionnaires. The results of the study identified that the three major stakeholders hold significantly different perceptions regarding the quality of the management-shop steward relationship, with management the most positive and production employees the least. Further, investigating the factors that influence the perceptions that management and shop stewards have of their relationship, it was identified that for management the most influential factor was their beliefs regarding the interdependent nature of the relationship. For the shop stewards the situation was more nuanced with beliefs regarding interdependence, the perceptions of shop steward-management climate within the bargaining council, satisfaction 1 Definition of an effective employment relationship: An effective employment relationship is one in which the parties successfully resolve issues arising from their conflicting interests and successfully pursue joint gains where they share common interests (Kochan & Katz, 1988) with bargaining council agreements and workplace human resource practices and procedural fairness all contributing factors to the quality of the shop steward-management relationship. The model tested for production employees investigated the relationship between the factors human resource practices, procedural fairness, the standardisation of work, the employees’ perception of the shop steward-management relationship and the relationship of the employees with both their supervisor and the organisation. The primary finding was that the perception that the production employees held regarding the shop steward-management relationship fully mediated the employees’ relationship with the organisation and partially mediated that with the supervisor. These findings confirm the mediating position occupied by shop stewards within unionised companies and without derogating the importance of supervisory-employee relationships, indicated the central importance of the management-shop steward relations in forging strong employee-manager and employee-organisational bonds. While the original purpose of the study included investigating the link between the key employment relationships, namely, shop steward-management, employee-supervisor and employee-organisation relationships, and company competitiveness, unfortunately due to the limited number of companies that participated, it was not possible to test a company level model that included company performance. However, tentative support was found for relationships between the shop steward-management relationship and company performance. This remains an area for further study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Bowler, Jennifer
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Industrial relations, South Africa , Psychology, Industrial Work environment Industrial relations Labor unions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37150 , vital:34126
- Description: South Africa is consistently portrayed as having uncooperative union-management relationships which negatively impact competitiveness. However, the post-1994 labour legislation was specifically crafted with the intention of positioning the adversarial wealth distribution phase of the union-management relationship within centralised bargaining forums and promoting cooperative relationships within workplaces. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether within the South Africa context of global competitiveness, the employment relations institutions of centralised and decentralised collective bargaining, employee participation and involvement, in the context of organisational justice, have contributed to management, shop stewards and production employees developing effective1 collective and individual employment relationships positively associated with competitive individual and company performance. The targeted population were companies within the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Area that were registered with one of the four bargaining councils, Automotive (NBF), Automotive component (MIBCO), New Tyre (NTMIBC) and Metal and Engineering (MEIBC). In addition, since the National Union of Metal Workers was the dominant union in all four of these councils, an additional criterion for potential participation was at least one NUMSA shop steward. Fourteen companies agreed to participate. In total 63 shop stewards, 82 managers and 660 production employees were surveyed using self-administered questionnaires. The results of the study identified that the three major stakeholders hold significantly different perceptions regarding the quality of the management-shop steward relationship, with management the most positive and production employees the least. Further, investigating the factors that influence the perceptions that management and shop stewards have of their relationship, it was identified that for management the most influential factor was their beliefs regarding the interdependent nature of the relationship. For the shop stewards the situation was more nuanced with beliefs regarding interdependence, the perceptions of shop steward-management climate within the bargaining council, satisfaction 1 Definition of an effective employment relationship: An effective employment relationship is one in which the parties successfully resolve issues arising from their conflicting interests and successfully pursue joint gains where they share common interests (Kochan & Katz, 1988) with bargaining council agreements and workplace human resource practices and procedural fairness all contributing factors to the quality of the shop steward-management relationship. The model tested for production employees investigated the relationship between the factors human resource practices, procedural fairness, the standardisation of work, the employees’ perception of the shop steward-management relationship and the relationship of the employees with both their supervisor and the organisation. The primary finding was that the perception that the production employees held regarding the shop steward-management relationship fully mediated the employees’ relationship with the organisation and partially mediated that with the supervisor. These findings confirm the mediating position occupied by shop stewards within unionised companies and without derogating the importance of supervisory-employee relationships, indicated the central importance of the management-shop steward relations in forging strong employee-manager and employee-organisational bonds. While the original purpose of the study included investigating the link between the key employment relationships, namely, shop steward-management, employee-supervisor and employee-organisation relationships, and company competitiveness, unfortunately due to the limited number of companies that participated, it was not possible to test a company level model that included company performance. However, tentative support was found for relationships between the shop steward-management relationship and company performance. This remains an area for further study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Assessing the impact of the income generating projects funded by the department of social development in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Charles, Phatheka Patience
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Economic assistance, Domestic
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37947 , vital:34267
- Description: Income-generating projects represent one strategy adopted by the Department of Social Development to alleviate poverty. This study assessed the impact of income-generating projects funded by the department of social development in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape. The study is based on five specific objectives which sought to: assess the effectiveness of income-generating projects in Uitenhage; evaluate the formulation, implementation and overall management of income-generating projects by the Department of Social Development; 3)determine the involvement of the beneficiaries in improving their welfare; assess the roleplayed by the Department of Social Development in capacitating the project; and examine the possible challenges that the projects face that hinder them from achieving the alleviation of poverty. A sample of 22 people was selected to represent the income-generating projects members population. Non-probability sampling techniques were used in choosing the sample. Specifically, purposive sampling was one of the non-probability techniques used to ensure that all the projects were included in the research. Data were collected using questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed by using the documentation method. The result from this study showed that there are different income-generating activities and that all have need for regular monitoring and evaluation visits from officials from the Department. Project members also need training in financial management so that they do not mismanage their project finances. The research findings further indicated, clearly, that strategies currently used by the Department are not effective enough to achieve the desired goals of poverty alleviation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Charles, Phatheka Patience
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Economic assistance, Domestic
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37947 , vital:34267
- Description: Income-generating projects represent one strategy adopted by the Department of Social Development to alleviate poverty. This study assessed the impact of income-generating projects funded by the department of social development in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape. The study is based on five specific objectives which sought to: assess the effectiveness of income-generating projects in Uitenhage; evaluate the formulation, implementation and overall management of income-generating projects by the Department of Social Development; 3)determine the involvement of the beneficiaries in improving their welfare; assess the roleplayed by the Department of Social Development in capacitating the project; and examine the possible challenges that the projects face that hinder them from achieving the alleviation of poverty. A sample of 22 people was selected to represent the income-generating projects members population. Non-probability sampling techniques were used in choosing the sample. Specifically, purposive sampling was one of the non-probability techniques used to ensure that all the projects were included in the research. Data were collected using questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed by using the documentation method. The result from this study showed that there are different income-generating activities and that all have need for regular monitoring and evaluation visits from officials from the Department. Project members also need training in financial management so that they do not mismanage their project finances. The research findings further indicated, clearly, that strategies currently used by the Department are not effective enough to achieve the desired goals of poverty alleviation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Assessing the local government turnaround strategy (2009) and implementation strategy (2010) focusing on municipal service delivery in rural municipalities. Case study: Ngqushwa Local Municipality
- Authors: Brown, Joelene
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37731 , vital:34232
- Description: Analysing the root causes of the challenges experienced by local municipalities in service delivery. A single case study research approach was utilised and the study was qualitative in nature. The research focussed on the challenges of rural local municipalities rendering municipal services to their communities and the root causes of these challenges. It furthermore assess whether the Local Government Turnaround Strategy can make a positive impact on service delivery, specifically within rural municipalities such as the Ngqushwa Local Municipality. The case study made use of an in depth literature review based on secondary sources as well as a semi structured interview with the Municipal Manager of the Ngqushwa Local Municipality. In the event that the root causes hampering service delivery can be solved, specifically in rural municipal areas, it will not only assist municipalities to comply with their constitutional duties, but will also assist with various socio-economic problems which exist within communities specifically in rural areas. The researcher experienced reluctance by the relevant employees of municipalities to part take in the research effort and to make themselves available for interviews. Large backlogs exist in relation to service delivery of municipalities specifically in rural areas. The research effort provided relevant information in relation to the root causes of the challenges which are experienced by local municipalities and what problems must be solved in order for municipalities to effectively and efficiently render service to communities in a sustainable manner.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Brown, Joelene
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37731 , vital:34232
- Description: Analysing the root causes of the challenges experienced by local municipalities in service delivery. A single case study research approach was utilised and the study was qualitative in nature. The research focussed on the challenges of rural local municipalities rendering municipal services to their communities and the root causes of these challenges. It furthermore assess whether the Local Government Turnaround Strategy can make a positive impact on service delivery, specifically within rural municipalities such as the Ngqushwa Local Municipality. The case study made use of an in depth literature review based on secondary sources as well as a semi structured interview with the Municipal Manager of the Ngqushwa Local Municipality. In the event that the root causes hampering service delivery can be solved, specifically in rural municipal areas, it will not only assist municipalities to comply with their constitutional duties, but will also assist with various socio-economic problems which exist within communities specifically in rural areas. The researcher experienced reluctance by the relevant employees of municipalities to part take in the research effort and to make themselves available for interviews. Large backlogs exist in relation to service delivery of municipalities specifically in rural areas. The research effort provided relevant information in relation to the root causes of the challenges which are experienced by local municipalities and what problems must be solved in order for municipalities to effectively and efficiently render service to communities in a sustainable manner.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Assessing the readiness for the implementation of municipal standard chart of accounts (mSCOA)
- Authors: Kwetana, Bulumko
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Municipal finance -- South Africa , Municipal finance -- Accounting -- South Africa Accounting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40489 , vital:36170
- Description: The research project was undertaken to explore the readiness for the implementation of the municipal standard chart of accounts (mSCOA) in Eastern Cape municipalities. The Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and other reporting guidelines emphasise on enhancing the quality of information to improve the relevance of financial reporting. They also make emphasis on the importance of preparing regular, accurate and complete financial and performance reports that are supported and evidenced by reliable information. In South Africa, the reporting system of the municipalities has been decentralised, and various municipalities use different financial reporting systems. The recently introduced mSCOA provides a uniform and standardised financial transaction classification framework. Essentially this means that mSCOA prescribes the method (the how) and format (the look) that municipalities and their entities should use to record and classify all expenditure (capital and operating), revenue, assets, liabilities, equity, policy outcomes and legislative reporting. The literature review explores the existing information for correlation with the implementation of mSCOA and recommendations are made to the National Treasury to ensure an approach and conversion plan that would be relevant and practical in the current municipal environment and address all challenges and concerns identified within a reasonable time frame. Overall, the municipalities were not ready for the overall mSCOA implementation as depicted by the challenges municipalities are facing. However, the results of the study showed that stakeholders play a huge role in facilitating the transition to mSCOA and can also create an enabling environment for change. Management should ensure more training mechanisms are in place to ensure all employees are well- versed with the management information systems that they use daily. Management should encourage enterprise risk management principles to be part of the culture of the municipalities on every project. The importance of the research for the public sector resides in recognition of the need for a better understanding of mSCOA as a wide public-sector reform so that significant risks and challenges related to mSCOA implementation are well anticipated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Kwetana, Bulumko
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Municipal finance -- South Africa , Municipal finance -- Accounting -- South Africa Accounting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40489 , vital:36170
- Description: The research project was undertaken to explore the readiness for the implementation of the municipal standard chart of accounts (mSCOA) in Eastern Cape municipalities. The Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and other reporting guidelines emphasise on enhancing the quality of information to improve the relevance of financial reporting. They also make emphasis on the importance of preparing regular, accurate and complete financial and performance reports that are supported and evidenced by reliable information. In South Africa, the reporting system of the municipalities has been decentralised, and various municipalities use different financial reporting systems. The recently introduced mSCOA provides a uniform and standardised financial transaction classification framework. Essentially this means that mSCOA prescribes the method (the how) and format (the look) that municipalities and their entities should use to record and classify all expenditure (capital and operating), revenue, assets, liabilities, equity, policy outcomes and legislative reporting. The literature review explores the existing information for correlation with the implementation of mSCOA and recommendations are made to the National Treasury to ensure an approach and conversion plan that would be relevant and practical in the current municipal environment and address all challenges and concerns identified within a reasonable time frame. Overall, the municipalities were not ready for the overall mSCOA implementation as depicted by the challenges municipalities are facing. However, the results of the study showed that stakeholders play a huge role in facilitating the transition to mSCOA and can also create an enabling environment for change. Management should ensure more training mechanisms are in place to ensure all employees are well- versed with the management information systems that they use daily. Management should encourage enterprise risk management principles to be part of the culture of the municipalities on every project. The importance of the research for the public sector resides in recognition of the need for a better understanding of mSCOA as a wide public-sector reform so that significant risks and challenges related to mSCOA implementation are well anticipated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Assessment of capacity building programmes offered to cooperatives in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Salman, Lusanda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cooperative societies -- Economic aspects Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43523 , vital:36905
- Description: Cooperatives play an important role in delivering services to those in need within the communities. Capacity building efforts for cooperatives are very crucial in increasing their effectiveness and to redress problems associated with limited administrative and organisational capacity. By providing technical assistance, training, and grant funds, the functioning of the cooperatives is enhanced and ultimately the outcomes are improved. Despite consensus about the importance of capacity-building, little high-quality evidence exists on the impact of capacity-building investments. This research paper presents the findings from the assessment conducted on the impact of capacity- building initiatives offered to cooperatives. The participants of the study were cooperatives from the Eastern Cape, all eight district municipalities were represented and the study included stakeholders working with cooperatives that included various government departments, agencies and the private sector. Findings from the study provide clear evidence that capacity-building efforts increase the effectiveness of cooperatives to plan, organise and manage their organisations. It has emerged strongly from research that cooperatives that have received capacity-building support in any form, have improved in terms of their functioning compared to those that have never been capacitated before. However, cooperatives are still faced with many challenges specifically relating to operational challenges, which include administration, financial, and governance and weak capability in terms of the knowledge and skills they possess.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Salman, Lusanda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cooperative societies -- Economic aspects Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43523 , vital:36905
- Description: Cooperatives play an important role in delivering services to those in need within the communities. Capacity building efforts for cooperatives are very crucial in increasing their effectiveness and to redress problems associated with limited administrative and organisational capacity. By providing technical assistance, training, and grant funds, the functioning of the cooperatives is enhanced and ultimately the outcomes are improved. Despite consensus about the importance of capacity-building, little high-quality evidence exists on the impact of capacity-building investments. This research paper presents the findings from the assessment conducted on the impact of capacity- building initiatives offered to cooperatives. The participants of the study were cooperatives from the Eastern Cape, all eight district municipalities were represented and the study included stakeholders working with cooperatives that included various government departments, agencies and the private sector. Findings from the study provide clear evidence that capacity-building efforts increase the effectiveness of cooperatives to plan, organise and manage their organisations. It has emerged strongly from research that cooperatives that have received capacity-building support in any form, have improved in terms of their functioning compared to those that have never been capacitated before. However, cooperatives are still faced with many challenges specifically relating to operational challenges, which include administration, financial, and governance and weak capability in terms of the knowledge and skills they possess.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Avoiding business failure in south africa
- Authors: Court, Nadine viargaret
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Business failures -- Prevention -- South Africa , Business failures Success in business Business enterprises -- Management -- South Africa Small business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/38024 , vital:34284
- Description: The purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive framework to forecast that a business is entering a distressed situation and to identify the warning signs to look out for before it is too late to turn the business around in order to maintain a sustainable future. The possible solution lies in what business owners and management can do, and look out for, to avoid business failure. The intended contribution of the study was to design a framework for most businesses, especially SMMEs, to follow to avoid business failure. Therefore, it can be seen from this study that it is critical for business owners and management to be innovative in their business to achieve competitive advantage and, as such, remain sustainable. Stakeholder relationships are critical to achieving a competitive advantage. Financial Analysis, Technology Management, Innovation, Organisational Design and Risk Management are interrelated and are very inter-dependent when seeking to avoid business failure. However, innovation and technology management have a significant influence on business failure and, as such, are critical to the success of the business.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Court, Nadine viargaret
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Business failures -- Prevention -- South Africa , Business failures Success in business Business enterprises -- Management -- South Africa Small business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/38024 , vital:34284
- Description: The purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive framework to forecast that a business is entering a distressed situation and to identify the warning signs to look out for before it is too late to turn the business around in order to maintain a sustainable future. The possible solution lies in what business owners and management can do, and look out for, to avoid business failure. The intended contribution of the study was to design a framework for most businesses, especially SMMEs, to follow to avoid business failure. Therefore, it can be seen from this study that it is critical for business owners and management to be innovative in their business to achieve competitive advantage and, as such, remain sustainable. Stakeholder relationships are critical to achieving a competitive advantage. Financial Analysis, Technology Management, Innovation, Organisational Design and Risk Management are interrelated and are very inter-dependent when seeking to avoid business failure. However, innovation and technology management have a significant influence on business failure and, as such, are critical to the success of the business.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Blockchain potential and disruptors for South Africa towards 2030
- Authors: Muntean, George
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Electronic funds transfers -- Security measures , Blockchains (Databases) Finance -- Technological innovations Technological innovations -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41603 , vital:36544
- Description: Blockchain (also called distributed ledger technology), the technology that underpins cryptocurrencies, is resulting in a new era of openness, decentralisation and global inclusion (World Economic Forum, 2017). Blockchain technology is set to complement another emerging field or group of technologies which are collectively defined as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This revolution is characterised by a “range of new technologies that are blending the physical, digital and biological worlds, impacting all disciplines, economies and industries, and even challenging ideas about what it means to be human” (World Economic Forum, 2017). Certain features of Blockchain technology namely; decentralisation, implied anonymity, transparency and immutability presents people with a technology that may well transform business models and indeed entire industries in the world and in South Africa. Some of these industries are explored further in this research, delving into ideas of how Blockchains may add value to them. This research effort approaches Blockchain technology from a future studies perspective, and assesses whether South Africa is ready to embrace the technology. The research also explores what South African stakeholders can do to be better prepared for expected disruptors and opportunities that the technology will bring. South Africa is seen as a developing nation in the global context and can well benefit from strategic use of emerging technologies such as Blockchain. This research effort will implement Inayatullah’s (2008) six pillars methodology, incorporating the various tools and methodologies within each pillar, in an effort to describe and present possible future scenarios for Blockchains in South Africa. This insight will be used to provide well thought out strategic recommendations for South Africa to prepare for adoption of Blockchain technologies, which could ultimately provide a competitive advantage for the country in the global marketplace.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Muntean, George
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Electronic funds transfers -- Security measures , Blockchains (Databases) Finance -- Technological innovations Technological innovations -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41603 , vital:36544
- Description: Blockchain (also called distributed ledger technology), the technology that underpins cryptocurrencies, is resulting in a new era of openness, decentralisation and global inclusion (World Economic Forum, 2017). Blockchain technology is set to complement another emerging field or group of technologies which are collectively defined as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This revolution is characterised by a “range of new technologies that are blending the physical, digital and biological worlds, impacting all disciplines, economies and industries, and even challenging ideas about what it means to be human” (World Economic Forum, 2017). Certain features of Blockchain technology namely; decentralisation, implied anonymity, transparency and immutability presents people with a technology that may well transform business models and indeed entire industries in the world and in South Africa. Some of these industries are explored further in this research, delving into ideas of how Blockchains may add value to them. This research effort approaches Blockchain technology from a future studies perspective, and assesses whether South Africa is ready to embrace the technology. The research also explores what South African stakeholders can do to be better prepared for expected disruptors and opportunities that the technology will bring. South Africa is seen as a developing nation in the global context and can well benefit from strategic use of emerging technologies such as Blockchain. This research effort will implement Inayatullah’s (2008) six pillars methodology, incorporating the various tools and methodologies within each pillar, in an effort to describe and present possible future scenarios for Blockchains in South Africa. This insight will be used to provide well thought out strategic recommendations for South Africa to prepare for adoption of Blockchain technologies, which could ultimately provide a competitive advantage for the country in the global marketplace.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Challenges of subsistence farming in South Africa: a case study of Emjkweni village in Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Mngqinya, Yoliswa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Subsistence agriculture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44553 , vital:38142
- Description: Subsistence agriculture plays an important role in the livelihood of Africa’s rural population. Yet in many countries like South Africa, rather than seeing an upward projection of food production with an almost natural shift towards commercialising household production of food, the state of rural agriculture continues to go into decline. Since the advent of South Africa’s new dawn of democracy in 1994, agriculture has been the priority of government for the advancement of subsistence economy and rural development in rural communities. But progress in making a vibrant sustainable economy out of subsistence farming has remained stymied. At a time when there is a need to significantly increase the productivity of subsistence/smallholder agriculture and ensure long-term food security, rural subsistence farmers in the former bread basket of the Eastern Cape Province, have abandoned crop production. Characteristic of contemporary Eastern Cape’s rural landscape is the sight of large tracts of farm land lying uncultivated. Amidst a raging debate in South Africa on land the merits of the debate remain silent in the face of visibly idle crop land. This study has attempted to make a small incision into a growing body of knowledge on land reform with a view to and laying bare current challenges that keep rural folk out of the field, notwithstanding availability of land. Adopting multi-level research techniques, a purposive sample of 83 village respondents in eMjikweni was selected. Through a combination of face-to-face interviews using an open-ended interview instrument; focus group discussions and case studies, information was extracted from the sample to understand the current challenges of subsistence farming that make for poor household crop production, intensified dependence on social grants for income and growing food insecurity. Despite a conducive policy environment, the study findings suggest that as long as political will is absent, the formula for agrarian reform will remain incorrect, further entrenching rural poverty. As an exercise in social enquiry, the study employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods, while being careful to note how methodology impacts on the ability of respondents to narrate their lived experience, which, carefully crafted, can be valuable catalysts to a more bottom-up approach to rural development, sustainable agriculture and enhanced food security in the Eastern Cape. The merit of this study in making the said incision into a growing body of information on land reform is that it provides a glimpse into the life of a rural subsistence farmer. With the launch of the Presidential Panel Report on Land Reform (2019) a few days ago, the voice and experience of those who bear the brunt of land reform becomes critical. They are a people facing enormous challenges to restoring subsistence agriculture as a vibrant contributor to food security at household level and to reduced dependency on the state for its livelihood. They are a people who once created the “bread basket” of the Eastern Cape Province with a vibrant agricultural economy. They are a people who raise children to form part of the significant statistics of migrants to the economic hubs of Gauteng Province in particular in search of employment. They are a people who contribute significantly to the growing numbers of people dependent on the state for social grants. They are a people central to solving land reform for a better South Africa. It is based on their stories that this study’s findings argue for the revitalisation of the subsistence economies of rural communities which recognises the deeply entrenched socio-economic and geo-spatial transformations over time that make it quite complex to return to a past utopia. It is the premise of this thesis that the smallholder and subsistence agricultural sector has the potential to create job opportunities and promote local economic development in rural communities, which in turn would mitigate the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality facing South African society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mngqinya, Yoliswa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Subsistence agriculture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44553 , vital:38142
- Description: Subsistence agriculture plays an important role in the livelihood of Africa’s rural population. Yet in many countries like South Africa, rather than seeing an upward projection of food production with an almost natural shift towards commercialising household production of food, the state of rural agriculture continues to go into decline. Since the advent of South Africa’s new dawn of democracy in 1994, agriculture has been the priority of government for the advancement of subsistence economy and rural development in rural communities. But progress in making a vibrant sustainable economy out of subsistence farming has remained stymied. At a time when there is a need to significantly increase the productivity of subsistence/smallholder agriculture and ensure long-term food security, rural subsistence farmers in the former bread basket of the Eastern Cape Province, have abandoned crop production. Characteristic of contemporary Eastern Cape’s rural landscape is the sight of large tracts of farm land lying uncultivated. Amidst a raging debate in South Africa on land the merits of the debate remain silent in the face of visibly idle crop land. This study has attempted to make a small incision into a growing body of knowledge on land reform with a view to and laying bare current challenges that keep rural folk out of the field, notwithstanding availability of land. Adopting multi-level research techniques, a purposive sample of 83 village respondents in eMjikweni was selected. Through a combination of face-to-face interviews using an open-ended interview instrument; focus group discussions and case studies, information was extracted from the sample to understand the current challenges of subsistence farming that make for poor household crop production, intensified dependence on social grants for income and growing food insecurity. Despite a conducive policy environment, the study findings suggest that as long as political will is absent, the formula for agrarian reform will remain incorrect, further entrenching rural poverty. As an exercise in social enquiry, the study employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods, while being careful to note how methodology impacts on the ability of respondents to narrate their lived experience, which, carefully crafted, can be valuable catalysts to a more bottom-up approach to rural development, sustainable agriculture and enhanced food security in the Eastern Cape. The merit of this study in making the said incision into a growing body of information on land reform is that it provides a glimpse into the life of a rural subsistence farmer. With the launch of the Presidential Panel Report on Land Reform (2019) a few days ago, the voice and experience of those who bear the brunt of land reform becomes critical. They are a people facing enormous challenges to restoring subsistence agriculture as a vibrant contributor to food security at household level and to reduced dependency on the state for its livelihood. They are a people who once created the “bread basket” of the Eastern Cape Province with a vibrant agricultural economy. They are a people who raise children to form part of the significant statistics of migrants to the economic hubs of Gauteng Province in particular in search of employment. They are a people who contribute significantly to the growing numbers of people dependent on the state for social grants. They are a people central to solving land reform for a better South Africa. It is based on their stories that this study’s findings argue for the revitalisation of the subsistence economies of rural communities which recognises the deeply entrenched socio-economic and geo-spatial transformations over time that make it quite complex to return to a past utopia. It is the premise of this thesis that the smallholder and subsistence agricultural sector has the potential to create job opportunities and promote local economic development in rural communities, which in turn would mitigate the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality facing South African society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Changing gender roles: challenges and strategies of female headship in Motherwell
- Authors: Kadaluka, Gloria Thamo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Gender roles
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44541 , vital:38138
- Description: For decades, research has examined men’s perceptions of the changing gender roles, highlighting the masculinity crisis and challenges men encounter due to the decreasing male provider role. Yet, studies have not explored women’s perceptions about these changing roles, which have consequentially enabled them to become female-headed households (FHHs). Part of the problem is that in theory, FHHs have indeed been classified as the poorest of the poor. Nevertheless in practice, governments have neglected efforts to support this group. In South Africa, research on challenges of FHHs is quantitative and portrays an overgeneralised image of poverty in FHHs. This study set out to develop a better understanding of how women make sense of the changing roles, in an attempt to investigate the processes through which women assume their headship status and to examine their challenges and strategies as FHHs. Using a qualitative research design in the form of a case study with a phenomenological study orientation, the study identified 40 female participants and the data was collected using in-depth interviews. Data was analysed through inductive thematic analysis. Findings indicated that female headship occurs through an identifiable process and most women were never married, divorced, separated or widowed. Thus, single motherhood is by choice, because it is a choice for independence. The significant obstacle hindering social progress is that women support the changing gender roles, while at the same time utilising linguistic repertoires to hold on to traditional gender role beliefs that reinforce patriarchy. Their also challenges manifested in a similar behavioral fashion, suggesting the intergenerational transmission of poverty. Poor education, sex for jobs, feminisation of labour, teenage pregnancies, burden of care, dependency burden, discrimination, absence of fathers and inability to balance work and family, are challenges that put FHHs under a sustained attack. These findings indicate that despite being poor, women do not view themselves as victims of poverty. They exercise urgency through forging social capital, salaries and child support grants. However, women are stuck in a poverty trap because their relations of exchange are limited to those women who are equally poor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Kadaluka, Gloria Thamo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Gender roles
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44541 , vital:38138
- Description: For decades, research has examined men’s perceptions of the changing gender roles, highlighting the masculinity crisis and challenges men encounter due to the decreasing male provider role. Yet, studies have not explored women’s perceptions about these changing roles, which have consequentially enabled them to become female-headed households (FHHs). Part of the problem is that in theory, FHHs have indeed been classified as the poorest of the poor. Nevertheless in practice, governments have neglected efforts to support this group. In South Africa, research on challenges of FHHs is quantitative and portrays an overgeneralised image of poverty in FHHs. This study set out to develop a better understanding of how women make sense of the changing roles, in an attempt to investigate the processes through which women assume their headship status and to examine their challenges and strategies as FHHs. Using a qualitative research design in the form of a case study with a phenomenological study orientation, the study identified 40 female participants and the data was collected using in-depth interviews. Data was analysed through inductive thematic analysis. Findings indicated that female headship occurs through an identifiable process and most women were never married, divorced, separated or widowed. Thus, single motherhood is by choice, because it is a choice for independence. The significant obstacle hindering social progress is that women support the changing gender roles, while at the same time utilising linguistic repertoires to hold on to traditional gender role beliefs that reinforce patriarchy. Their also challenges manifested in a similar behavioral fashion, suggesting the intergenerational transmission of poverty. Poor education, sex for jobs, feminisation of labour, teenage pregnancies, burden of care, dependency burden, discrimination, absence of fathers and inability to balance work and family, are challenges that put FHHs under a sustained attack. These findings indicate that despite being poor, women do not view themselves as victims of poverty. They exercise urgency through forging social capital, salaries and child support grants. However, women are stuck in a poverty trap because their relations of exchange are limited to those women who are equally poor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Community perception of air pollution: health and environmental impact of manganese operations at PE port
- Authors: Mtati, Vuyani
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Air -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Manganese -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Manufacturing industries Environmental health Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41919 , vital:36609
- Description: The Mining industry in South Africa is viewed as the backbone of the country’s economy; however, while benefiting from this engine of economic development, its impact on the environment and health has been of major concern to different stakeholders. The majority of people acknowledge the role of mining in the economy and the country. Others put more emphasis on public health and the environment. Furthermore, manganese plays an important role in the economic growth and development within the Eastern Cape Province. Responding to recent public concern over manganese dust emissions, Port of Port Elizabeth manager, Rajesh Dana, outlined a five-point manganese management plan formulated by Transnet. Mr. Dana stated the following: “We do not dispute the fact that our manganese operation in the Port of Port Elizabeth creates an inconvenience to port tenants and residents. However, as a responsible corporate citizen we have superior operational and compliance controls in place to mitigate these negative impacts.” Some of the concerns raised by community members are that the manganese ore dust has long term negative effects on the health of this city’s residents, the marine life, as well as the properties within, roughly, a 5km (own opinion estimate) radius of the tanks. Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay) has the potential to become a tourism and economic hub within this radius and beyond, and by removing this hazard it will allow for a green environment to be established that gives all the citizens as well as tourists, a place to take part in a healthy lifestyle. Some believe that the city, specifically the CBD area, has the potential to be world renowned for green innovations but having a major hazard in the way, which can be moved to, and better controlled at, Coega IDZ, is not only damaging to the health of its citizens but also the economy of the city. Air pollution affects both physical and human environments. Often, communities that are in close proximity to pollution sources are more vulnerable and experience its greatest effect. As a result, many residents complain of negative health related impacts caused by air pollution which is attributed to industries located close to these communities. About two million deaths annually are attributed to urban air pollution worldwide, which is an indication that air pollution remains an enormous health risk to people. Due to the health impacts on humans, air pollution has also been negatively categorised based on perceptions around the world. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of environmental pollution and public health on the South End, Humewood and Humerail occupants and their perceptions of air quality effects and health risks from the Transnet manganese operation in Port Elizabeth. The present study can be described as a quantitative descriptive survey that uncovered serious levels of pollution in the said areas that had dire health consequences for the people involved. The findings of the study indicate that residents live with the constant dust of a variety of chemical pollutants released both by normal Port operations and by periodic incidents caused by other polluters. They experience chronic respiratory symptoms, burning eyes, hearing deficiency and skin irritations. The study revealed that environmental pollution consequences affecting residents are inversely related to distance from the Port. The results obtained in this study are evidence that environmental pollution, especially manganese in the area, is a definite risk to the health of people living within the surrounding area. Although indicating the need to carry out a comprehensive study, the results call for immediate action to engage community members in order for them to understand the risks associated with the Port operations and prevent continued public over-exposure to environmental pollution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mtati, Vuyani
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Air -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Manganese -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Manufacturing industries Environmental health Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41919 , vital:36609
- Description: The Mining industry in South Africa is viewed as the backbone of the country’s economy; however, while benefiting from this engine of economic development, its impact on the environment and health has been of major concern to different stakeholders. The majority of people acknowledge the role of mining in the economy and the country. Others put more emphasis on public health and the environment. Furthermore, manganese plays an important role in the economic growth and development within the Eastern Cape Province. Responding to recent public concern over manganese dust emissions, Port of Port Elizabeth manager, Rajesh Dana, outlined a five-point manganese management plan formulated by Transnet. Mr. Dana stated the following: “We do not dispute the fact that our manganese operation in the Port of Port Elizabeth creates an inconvenience to port tenants and residents. However, as a responsible corporate citizen we have superior operational and compliance controls in place to mitigate these negative impacts.” Some of the concerns raised by community members are that the manganese ore dust has long term negative effects on the health of this city’s residents, the marine life, as well as the properties within, roughly, a 5km (own opinion estimate) radius of the tanks. Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay) has the potential to become a tourism and economic hub within this radius and beyond, and by removing this hazard it will allow for a green environment to be established that gives all the citizens as well as tourists, a place to take part in a healthy lifestyle. Some believe that the city, specifically the CBD area, has the potential to be world renowned for green innovations but having a major hazard in the way, which can be moved to, and better controlled at, Coega IDZ, is not only damaging to the health of its citizens but also the economy of the city. Air pollution affects both physical and human environments. Often, communities that are in close proximity to pollution sources are more vulnerable and experience its greatest effect. As a result, many residents complain of negative health related impacts caused by air pollution which is attributed to industries located close to these communities. About two million deaths annually are attributed to urban air pollution worldwide, which is an indication that air pollution remains an enormous health risk to people. Due to the health impacts on humans, air pollution has also been negatively categorised based on perceptions around the world. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of environmental pollution and public health on the South End, Humewood and Humerail occupants and their perceptions of air quality effects and health risks from the Transnet manganese operation in Port Elizabeth. The present study can be described as a quantitative descriptive survey that uncovered serious levels of pollution in the said areas that had dire health consequences for the people involved. The findings of the study indicate that residents live with the constant dust of a variety of chemical pollutants released both by normal Port operations and by periodic incidents caused by other polluters. They experience chronic respiratory symptoms, burning eyes, hearing deficiency and skin irritations. The study revealed that environmental pollution consequences affecting residents are inversely related to distance from the Port. The results obtained in this study are evidence that environmental pollution, especially manganese in the area, is a definite risk to the health of people living within the surrounding area. Although indicating the need to carry out a comprehensive study, the results call for immediate action to engage community members in order for them to understand the risks associated with the Port operations and prevent continued public over-exposure to environmental pollution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019