Housing market dynamics and economic growth in South Africa (1994 – 2019)
- Authors: Muchaonyerwa, Forward
- Date: 2023-09
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa , Housing -- Prices -- South Africa , Housing forecasting -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28628 , vital:74477
- Description: The housing market contributes significantly to economic growth. On this background, the study examined South Africa’s housing market dynamics, particularly determinants of demand, supply, and formal housing prices. Furthermore, the study looked at the impact of housing prices on economic growth from 1994:Q1 to 2019:Q2. The study period is important as it covers the new political dispensation in South Africa where the country entered a new democracy in 1994. The first three objectives of the study were to identify the determinants of housing demand, supply, and prices. The theory of demand and supply provided the theoretical framework for these models. Estimation of the housing demand, supply and price models was done by the employing Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) technique. The Three Stage Least Squares (3SLS) model was estimated for robustness. Findings from SUR and 3SLS confirmed that Housing Demand (HD) is negatively and significantly influenced by residential Building Costs per Square Meter (BCSM), Housing Supply (HS) and Financial Costs (FC); and positively influenced by House Prices (HP). In addition, HS is negatively affected by BCSM, HD, Production Costs (PC) and Urban Population (UP); and positively influenced by HP and Residential Construction Confidence (RC). Lastly, HP are negatively affected by Prime Overdraft Rate (POR) and RC; and positively influenced by BCSM, HS, HD, Coincident Business Cycle Indicator (CBC) and residential Valuation (VAL). The fourth objective was to examine the impact of house prices on economic growth. An economic model was specified with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as its dependent variable. The new growth theory provided the theoretical framework for this model. The Johansen co-integration technique confirmed a long run-term relationship between economic growth and house prices. The Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) was estimated to analyze the long and short run relationship among the variables. Empirical results confirmed that house prices have a positive impact on economic growth. Results further confirmed that CBC and Unemployment Rate (UR) are also positively related to GDP. POR and Leading Business Cycle indicator (LEBC) are negatively related to GDP. Granger Causality test was performed to analyze the causality between house prices and economic growth. The results indicated that there is a long run unidirectional causality from house prices to economic growth. With these results, the study recommends policy formation emanating from continuous research by establishing a human settlement agency or task team. The team can establish procedures for data collection and maintain a database for all kinds of housing market data. Their mandate includes research on commissioning of new towns and/or cities to boost housing supply. The government should avail more land and relax restrictive regulations and minimize red tape to ensure that houses are supplied to meet the growing demand as well as to stabilize prices. Policies to promote confidence and stabilize building costs are needed. These variables indicated significant influence on housing dynamics. It is also recommended to incentivize households to participate on the mortgage market. This assist both households through the wealth effect which positively influence increase in economic activity in South Africa. , Thesis (DCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-09
- Authors: Muchaonyerwa, Forward
- Date: 2023-09
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa , Housing -- Prices -- South Africa , Housing forecasting -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28628 , vital:74477
- Description: The housing market contributes significantly to economic growth. On this background, the study examined South Africa’s housing market dynamics, particularly determinants of demand, supply, and formal housing prices. Furthermore, the study looked at the impact of housing prices on economic growth from 1994:Q1 to 2019:Q2. The study period is important as it covers the new political dispensation in South Africa where the country entered a new democracy in 1994. The first three objectives of the study were to identify the determinants of housing demand, supply, and prices. The theory of demand and supply provided the theoretical framework for these models. Estimation of the housing demand, supply and price models was done by the employing Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) technique. The Three Stage Least Squares (3SLS) model was estimated for robustness. Findings from SUR and 3SLS confirmed that Housing Demand (HD) is negatively and significantly influenced by residential Building Costs per Square Meter (BCSM), Housing Supply (HS) and Financial Costs (FC); and positively influenced by House Prices (HP). In addition, HS is negatively affected by BCSM, HD, Production Costs (PC) and Urban Population (UP); and positively influenced by HP and Residential Construction Confidence (RC). Lastly, HP are negatively affected by Prime Overdraft Rate (POR) and RC; and positively influenced by BCSM, HS, HD, Coincident Business Cycle Indicator (CBC) and residential Valuation (VAL). The fourth objective was to examine the impact of house prices on economic growth. An economic model was specified with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as its dependent variable. The new growth theory provided the theoretical framework for this model. The Johansen co-integration technique confirmed a long run-term relationship between economic growth and house prices. The Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) was estimated to analyze the long and short run relationship among the variables. Empirical results confirmed that house prices have a positive impact on economic growth. Results further confirmed that CBC and Unemployment Rate (UR) are also positively related to GDP. POR and Leading Business Cycle indicator (LEBC) are negatively related to GDP. Granger Causality test was performed to analyze the causality between house prices and economic growth. The results indicated that there is a long run unidirectional causality from house prices to economic growth. With these results, the study recommends policy formation emanating from continuous research by establishing a human settlement agency or task team. The team can establish procedures for data collection and maintain a database for all kinds of housing market data. Their mandate includes research on commissioning of new towns and/or cities to boost housing supply. The government should avail more land and relax restrictive regulations and minimize red tape to ensure that houses are supplied to meet the growing demand as well as to stabilize prices. Policies to promote confidence and stabilize building costs are needed. These variables indicated significant influence on housing dynamics. It is also recommended to incentivize households to participate on the mortgage market. This assist both households through the wealth effect which positively influence increase in economic activity in South Africa. , Thesis (DCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-09
Human capital development and strategic plan alignment: a case of the Eastern Cape Department of Education
- Zindi, Beauty https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4790-5379
- Authors: Zindi, Beauty https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4790-5379
- Date: 2023-09
- Subjects: Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28694 , vital:74500
- Description: Human capital development as an interactive process enhances and facilitates the development of skills, capabilities and potential of human capital through organisational development. Thus, to achieve goals and strategic plans effectively and efficiently, the public sector must continuously upskill the knowledge and capacity of its human capital. The dearth in skills and capacity, often result in sub-optimal performance in the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE). To achieve key objectives in its strategic plan, the ECDoE must align its hhuman capital development needs with its strategic plan. The main objective of this study is to explore the nature and extent of alignment between human capital development and the strategic plan of the ECDoE. The sub-objectives of the study are to: (i) establish a conceptual framework for informing human capital development and strategic plan alignment in theECDoE ; (ii) determine how continuous teacher development as a human capital development approach can be more closely aligned with the strategic priorities of the ECDoE’s strategic plan; (iii) explore how human capital development aligns with the strategic plan and Performance Development Management System (PDMS) of the ECDoE and (iv) recommend how the ECDoE can align its strategic human capital development to its strategic plan and performance management system. The study adopts a pragmatic research philosophy and a mixed- methods approach. The quantitative strategy and positivist paradigm were adopted to collect data, from purposefully two hundred and sixty-seven (n=267) educators using a survey questionnaire. The interpretivist research philosophy informed the qualitative strategy. In-depth interview data was collected from five (n=5) purposefully sampled information-rich participants to a point of data saturation. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. Statistical results from survey data rejected hypothesis H10 and confirmed H11 which hypothesised that there was a relationship between eemployee performance and sstrategic plan alignment. Results further confirmed the relationship between employee performance and effectiveness of training alignment. Furthermore, results confirmed an association between employee performance and trainee evaluation. Results from qualitative data suggest that the ECDoE lacked competitive and effective skills human capital development training programmes, effective human resource development strategy as well as developmental capacity building training opportunities for educators. Such capacity dearth affected both educator and learner performance, leading to sub-optimal performance learner outcomes and academic achievement results. The ECDoE must therefore closely monitor and evaluate training programmes and assess their impact on educator performance. Training must be closely aligned with skills and capacity training needs of employees and must contribute to skills acquisition and job performance indicators, envisaged in the department’s strategic plan, mission and vision. Given the findings, the study recommends a framework for human capital development and strategic plan alignment in the public sector, particularly in the ECDoE. It concludes that continuous professional development must be a key performance driver for improving effectiveness and efficiency in strategic goal, vision and mission attainment. , Thesis (DPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-09
- Authors: Zindi, Beauty https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4790-5379
- Date: 2023-09
- Subjects: Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28694 , vital:74500
- Description: Human capital development as an interactive process enhances and facilitates the development of skills, capabilities and potential of human capital through organisational development. Thus, to achieve goals and strategic plans effectively and efficiently, the public sector must continuously upskill the knowledge and capacity of its human capital. The dearth in skills and capacity, often result in sub-optimal performance in the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE). To achieve key objectives in its strategic plan, the ECDoE must align its hhuman capital development needs with its strategic plan. The main objective of this study is to explore the nature and extent of alignment between human capital development and the strategic plan of the ECDoE. The sub-objectives of the study are to: (i) establish a conceptual framework for informing human capital development and strategic plan alignment in theECDoE ; (ii) determine how continuous teacher development as a human capital development approach can be more closely aligned with the strategic priorities of the ECDoE’s strategic plan; (iii) explore how human capital development aligns with the strategic plan and Performance Development Management System (PDMS) of the ECDoE and (iv) recommend how the ECDoE can align its strategic human capital development to its strategic plan and performance management system. The study adopts a pragmatic research philosophy and a mixed- methods approach. The quantitative strategy and positivist paradigm were adopted to collect data, from purposefully two hundred and sixty-seven (n=267) educators using a survey questionnaire. The interpretivist research philosophy informed the qualitative strategy. In-depth interview data was collected from five (n=5) purposefully sampled information-rich participants to a point of data saturation. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. Statistical results from survey data rejected hypothesis H10 and confirmed H11 which hypothesised that there was a relationship between eemployee performance and sstrategic plan alignment. Results further confirmed the relationship between employee performance and effectiveness of training alignment. Furthermore, results confirmed an association between employee performance and trainee evaluation. Results from qualitative data suggest that the ECDoE lacked competitive and effective skills human capital development training programmes, effective human resource development strategy as well as developmental capacity building training opportunities for educators. Such capacity dearth affected both educator and learner performance, leading to sub-optimal performance learner outcomes and academic achievement results. The ECDoE must therefore closely monitor and evaluate training programmes and assess their impact on educator performance. Training must be closely aligned with skills and capacity training needs of employees and must contribute to skills acquisition and job performance indicators, envisaged in the department’s strategic plan, mission and vision. Given the findings, the study recommends a framework for human capital development and strategic plan alignment in the public sector, particularly in the ECDoE. It concludes that continuous professional development must be a key performance driver for improving effectiveness and efficiency in strategic goal, vision and mission attainment. , Thesis (DPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-09
The dynamics of implementing inclusive education: case studies of four secondary schools, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Nyawo, Nokuphumula Grace https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7816-5910
- Authors: Nyawo, Nokuphumula Grace https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7816-5910
- Date: 2023-09
- Subjects: Inclusive education , Special education , Education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/29587 , vital:78275
- Description: Investigating how teachers implement inclusive education (IE) in their teaching in the 21st century is of the utmost importance, as classrooms are representative of the communities outside of the school, where people confront similar real-life issues, irrespective of their physical and mental abilities. Schools are the locations where young people are prepared to cope in the real world as adults. There is no place – other than the school – where learners who do not have special needs can become better acquainted with peers who face barriers to learning, and the ways in which they go about overcoming such hurdles hence this study explored how teachers implement IE in selected schools in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and the manner in which they react to the challenges such implementation presents. The interpretivist paradigm underpinned this research study, with the researcher employed qualitative research methodology to conduct the study in four secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal. In addition to conducting interviews, the researcher reviewed documents and carried out observations, to determine how teachers implemented IE in their teaching. To that end, the researcher interviewed eight teachers from the four schools (two per school). It is worth noting that teachers implementing IE were interviewed, in an attempt to make the study as meaningful as possible. The participants valued the impact which IE had on the lives of learners with special needs who, in most cases, felt deprived of a chance to learn, and believed their right to access education was being denied them. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, even teachers who had been unwilling to use technology felt obliged to use it, in an attempt to ensure that no learner would be left behind. Surprisingly, as the findings indicated, some participants revealed that despite the introduction of Education White Paper 6 (RSA, 2001), teachers still felt inadequately trained and ill-equipped to deal with learners with special needs, as the playing field was not level in terms of the teacher–learner ratio, given that overcrowding remains a thorn in the flesh of rural and township schools alike, and in light of the fact that unemployment is rife, meaning many parents cannot send their child(ren) to psychologists for diagnoses or remedial interventions. Based on the research findings, it is recommended that pre-service teachers be exposed to modules on IE implementation prior to commencing teaching, and that serving teachers be exposed to incentivised training on IE implementation. Teacher support, such as scribes and electronic devices, is recommended, as these aids may prove handy when educators are faced with diverse learner needs within one class, and need to give their undivided attention to highflyers and struggling learners alike. Lastly, the Department of Basic Education is encouraged to provide ongoing support to serving teachers, and to design a flexible curriculum that will accommodate all learners, irrespective of their mental and physical capabilities. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-09
- Authors: Nyawo, Nokuphumula Grace https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7816-5910
- Date: 2023-09
- Subjects: Inclusive education , Special education , Education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/29587 , vital:78275
- Description: Investigating how teachers implement inclusive education (IE) in their teaching in the 21st century is of the utmost importance, as classrooms are representative of the communities outside of the school, where people confront similar real-life issues, irrespective of their physical and mental abilities. Schools are the locations where young people are prepared to cope in the real world as adults. There is no place – other than the school – where learners who do not have special needs can become better acquainted with peers who face barriers to learning, and the ways in which they go about overcoming such hurdles hence this study explored how teachers implement IE in selected schools in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and the manner in which they react to the challenges such implementation presents. The interpretivist paradigm underpinned this research study, with the researcher employed qualitative research methodology to conduct the study in four secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal. In addition to conducting interviews, the researcher reviewed documents and carried out observations, to determine how teachers implemented IE in their teaching. To that end, the researcher interviewed eight teachers from the four schools (two per school). It is worth noting that teachers implementing IE were interviewed, in an attempt to make the study as meaningful as possible. The participants valued the impact which IE had on the lives of learners with special needs who, in most cases, felt deprived of a chance to learn, and believed their right to access education was being denied them. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, even teachers who had been unwilling to use technology felt obliged to use it, in an attempt to ensure that no learner would be left behind. Surprisingly, as the findings indicated, some participants revealed that despite the introduction of Education White Paper 6 (RSA, 2001), teachers still felt inadequately trained and ill-equipped to deal with learners with special needs, as the playing field was not level in terms of the teacher–learner ratio, given that overcrowding remains a thorn in the flesh of rural and township schools alike, and in light of the fact that unemployment is rife, meaning many parents cannot send their child(ren) to psychologists for diagnoses or remedial interventions. Based on the research findings, it is recommended that pre-service teachers be exposed to modules on IE implementation prior to commencing teaching, and that serving teachers be exposed to incentivised training on IE implementation. Teacher support, such as scribes and electronic devices, is recommended, as these aids may prove handy when educators are faced with diverse learner needs within one class, and need to give their undivided attention to highflyers and struggling learners alike. Lastly, the Department of Basic Education is encouraged to provide ongoing support to serving teachers, and to design a flexible curriculum that will accommodate all learners, irrespective of their mental and physical capabilities. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-09
The mediating effects of human resource management practices on the relationship between organisational learning and the performance of small businesses
- Jongilanga, Nandi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2360-6753
- Authors: Jongilanga, Nandi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2360-6753
- Date: 2023-09
- Subjects: Small business -- Personnel management , Organizational learning
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/29424 , vital:77965
- Description: SMEs are the productive drivers of economic growth and create jobs in many economies around the globe and in South Africa. Moreover, these businesses operate in a highly competitive environment and as they grow, there is a need to develop and implement HRM practices to achieve sustainability. However, there is still limited research about SMEs in the HRM context. The purpose of this study was to establish the role of HRM in the performance and sustainability of SMEs in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the purpose of this study the study adopted the positivist paradigm motivated by the quantitative approach that used a descriptive research design. A survey in the form of questionnaires was employed in which 265 questionnaires were randomly distributed across small businesses in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape. Findings/results: The findings of the study showed that there is a positive significant impact of a) organisational learning and performance of small businesses, b) organisational learning and HRM practices, c) HRM practices and performance of small businesses, d) HRM practices significantly mediates the relationship between organisational learning and sustainable development. The study showed that HRM practices does not mediates the relationship between organisational learning and financial performance. Practical implications: Based on the findings of the study, scholars must conduct more research on the HRM in SMEs because of the significant role that HRM plays in the sustainability of these businesses. Moreover, small businesses must implement the HR function or policy in the businesses to remain sustainable and maximise their resources. Originality/value: The results of this study could guide small business owners and managers must implement HRM practices in their businesses to achieve a competitive sustainable advantage int the highly competitive environment in which they operate. , Thesis (MBM) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-09
- Authors: Jongilanga, Nandi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2360-6753
- Date: 2023-09
- Subjects: Small business -- Personnel management , Organizational learning
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/29424 , vital:77965
- Description: SMEs are the productive drivers of economic growth and create jobs in many economies around the globe and in South Africa. Moreover, these businesses operate in a highly competitive environment and as they grow, there is a need to develop and implement HRM practices to achieve sustainability. However, there is still limited research about SMEs in the HRM context. The purpose of this study was to establish the role of HRM in the performance and sustainability of SMEs in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the purpose of this study the study adopted the positivist paradigm motivated by the quantitative approach that used a descriptive research design. A survey in the form of questionnaires was employed in which 265 questionnaires were randomly distributed across small businesses in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape. Findings/results: The findings of the study showed that there is a positive significant impact of a) organisational learning and performance of small businesses, b) organisational learning and HRM practices, c) HRM practices and performance of small businesses, d) HRM practices significantly mediates the relationship between organisational learning and sustainable development. The study showed that HRM practices does not mediates the relationship between organisational learning and financial performance. Practical implications: Based on the findings of the study, scholars must conduct more research on the HRM in SMEs because of the significant role that HRM plays in the sustainability of these businesses. Moreover, small businesses must implement the HR function or policy in the businesses to remain sustainable and maximise their resources. Originality/value: The results of this study could guide small business owners and managers must implement HRM practices in their businesses to achieve a competitive sustainable advantage int the highly competitive environment in which they operate. , Thesis (MBM) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-09
Tourism and economic growth in the Republics of Botswana and Madagascar: an empirical investigation of causal links
- Authors: Masvingise, Kudzai
- Date: 2023-09
- Subjects: Tourism -- Botswana , Economic development -- Botswana , Econometric models
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28334 , vital:74267
- Description: This study investigated the Granger causality of tourism and economic growth in the Republics of Botswana and Madagascar during the period 1995 2019. The study was inspired by speculation regarding the influence of tourism on the economic growth of the two countries, given that the literature cautions that the relationship is not always direct and obvious, but rather depends on the country and changes over time. The ARDL-bounds F-test was used to test for co-integration and for Granger causality, with the ECM-based multivariate Granger-causality test used. The results confirm that tourism and economic growth have a prevailing stable, long-run co-integration in both countries, with a unidirectional causation, in that tourism is propelled by economic growth. These findings support the growth-led tourism GDP TOR hypothesis for both countries, and do not corroborate the popular tourism-led growth TPR GDP hypothesis. The study findings imply that both countries’ rich natural resources are insufficient to propel tourism growth and drive GDP in the absence of a supportive economic environment. The study therefore recommends that investment and policy efforts in Botswana and Madagascar focus more on overall economic development than at tourism per se. This would create an environment conducive for attracting and retaining visitors to these countries, and thus boost tourism. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-09
- Authors: Masvingise, Kudzai
- Date: 2023-09
- Subjects: Tourism -- Botswana , Economic development -- Botswana , Econometric models
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28334 , vital:74267
- Description: This study investigated the Granger causality of tourism and economic growth in the Republics of Botswana and Madagascar during the period 1995 2019. The study was inspired by speculation regarding the influence of tourism on the economic growth of the two countries, given that the literature cautions that the relationship is not always direct and obvious, but rather depends on the country and changes over time. The ARDL-bounds F-test was used to test for co-integration and for Granger causality, with the ECM-based multivariate Granger-causality test used. The results confirm that tourism and economic growth have a prevailing stable, long-run co-integration in both countries, with a unidirectional causation, in that tourism is propelled by economic growth. These findings support the growth-led tourism GDP TOR hypothesis for both countries, and do not corroborate the popular tourism-led growth TPR GDP hypothesis. The study findings imply that both countries’ rich natural resources are insufficient to propel tourism growth and drive GDP in the absence of a supportive economic environment. The study therefore recommends that investment and policy efforts in Botswana and Madagascar focus more on overall economic development than at tourism per se. This would create an environment conducive for attracting and retaining visitors to these countries, and thus boost tourism. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-09
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