Factors influencing digital marketing adoption for female interpreneurs in small and medium enterprices of OR Thambo Municipality
- Authors: Maduna, Siyasanga
- Date: 2024-00
- Subjects: Digital Marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/10065 , vital:74935
- Description: The rise of the Internet has transformed the business landscape, leading to the rapid growth of major online retailers and service providers like Amazon, Facebook, and Google, all of which play significant roles in the digital economy (Kannan, 2017). Global internet usage continues to grow, with South Africa not an exception. The research seeks to explore the factors influencing digital marketing adoption for female entrepreneurs on small and medium enterprise in OR Tambo municipality. This dissertation employs a quantitative research design. The study employs structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques to analyse a comprehensive dataset gathered from 313 female entrepreneurs. The findings reveal a nuanced relationship between adoption of digital marketing and business performance. The SEM results indicate that H4, have a positive influence on adoption of digital marketing, and H5, have a positive influence on business performance. The hypotheses H1; H2 and H3 had negative relationship on adoption on adoption of digital marketing hence they were rejection. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of factors that influence the adoption of digital marketing on enhancing business performance for SME’s. The dissertation contributes to inclusive economic development, policy implications; educational interventions; strategic business imperative and social impact. Beyond the economic aspects, the study contributes to social impact by challenging and potentially reshaping societal norms and expectations regarding women's roles in business. This research not only advances the theoretical understanding of the link between adoption of digital marketing and business performance but also provides valuable insights for designing effective marketing strategies to improve business performance on female entrepreneurs. The dissertation concludes with suggestions for future research directions to further refine an understanding of the intricate dynamics involved in the relationship between adoption of digital marketing and business performance. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Economics and Financial Sciences, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-00
Government expenditure on health services and economic development in South Africa
- Authors: Magida, Ngesisa
- Date: 2024-00
- Subjects: Government expenditure on health services
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/10146 , vital:74943
- Description: Economic development relates to economic growth and improvements in the living standards of people. South Africa is ranked among the slow developing countries in the world, based on the high percentage of people living under poor conditions. This study examines the relationship between government health expenditure and economic development in South Africa between 1994 and 2022. Human development index (HDI), government health expenditure (GHE), inflation, population growth, and unemployment are the variables used to investigate this relationship. Auto regressive distributed lag (ARDL) and Granger causality were employed to examine this relationship. Government expenditure on health services and inflation were found to have a positive short-run and long-run relationship with human development index, whereas unemployment and population growth showed a negative relationship with HDI in the long-run. Granger causality results highlighted a unidirectional causality between HDI and GHE in South Africa, among other explanatory variables. HDI Granger causes GHE and vice versa. Continuous increment and monitoring of GHE distribution, to ensure that the growing population receives proper healthcare to boost the life expectancy of the citizens and to fund the preventative measures against health epidemics in South Africa is the policy recommendation to improve HDI in South Africa. Keywords: , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Economics and Financial Sciences, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-00
Household food security status and its determinantsin Mthata Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Nodo, Asive
- Date: 2024-00
- Subjects: Food Security
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/10156 , vital:74945
- Description: Food security remains a critical issue worldwide, and South Africa is no exception. This national challenge is especially acute in the Eastern Cape Province, known as one of the poorest regions in the country. The highest rates of poverty are observed in the Eastern Cape Province, with the population largely dependent on social grants to secure their food needs. The primary objective of the study was to examine the household food security status and its determinants in Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study was conducted in Tabase and Ncise in Mthatha. The purposive sampling technique was employed in the study and 336 data points were achieved. The study used the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), developed by the USAID-funded Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance II (FANTA), and leveraged Tobit regression analysis, particularly advantageous for handling censored dependent variables, to examine the determinants of food household food security. The results revealed that gender, age, crops and social grants have no statistical significant relationship with food insecurity. Education, employment status, income, livestock and dietary diversity have a statistical significant relationship with food insecurity. Results further revealed that 40.36% of households were food insecure while 4.22% were food secure, 7.83% were mildly food insecure and 40.36% were severely food insecure. The study recommends the formation of agricultural cooperatives with government support, prioritising education incentives, and strengthening existing food support initiatives. It emphasizes promoting savings clubs and subsidising nutrient-rich foods to enhance accessibility. These multifaceted recommendations aim to address household food security in Mthatha, providing a comprehensive framework for intervention and policy considerations. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Economics and Finacial Sciences, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-00
Health capital and labour productivity in selected Southern African Development Community (SADC) Countries
- Authors: Mafunda, Lihle Andiswa
- Date: 2023-00
- Subjects: Masters of commerce
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/10116 , vital:74937
- Description: Health plays a critical role in economic development, as it directly affects productivity and ultimately leads to higher per capita income. Within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, health capital has immense significance for labour productivity, serving as a catalyst for growth. This study investigated the relationship between health capital and labour productivity in selected SADC countries from 2000 to 2020, with the chosen period primarily based on data availability and coverage for the selected countries during this timeframe. To accomplish this, the study employed the panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) models and techniques, which leverage the advantages of panel data and ARDL models, enabling the analysis of both short-run and long-run relationships, providing a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics between variables over time. The data for the study period was obtained from a single reliable source, The Global Economy, ensuring credibility. The primary finding from the pooled mean group (PMG) estimator indicates a positive and significant relationship between health capital and labour productivity in the short run, suggesting that investments in healthcare can boost productivity. However, contrary to the expected theory and prior assumptions, the long-run findings reveal a negative and significant relationship. This discrepancy highlights the complexity of the health-productivity relationship and necessitates further investigation to comprehend the underlying mechanisms and design effective policy interventions. Policymakers must carefully consider these mixed findings and tailor their strategies accordingly to promote both health and productivity in the long term. It is crucial to strike a balance between immediate gains and sustainable long-term outcomes. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Economics and Financial Sciences, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-00
Investigating the determinants of economics growth in South Africa
- Authors: Dudumashe, Nomsindisi
- Date: 2023-00
- Subjects: Economic growth determinants in South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9986 , vital:74931
- Description: Economic growth is regarded as one of the prime macroeconomic objectives of any economy. The study aimed to investigate the determinants of economic growth in South Africa for the period 1994 to 2021 using yearly data obtained from World Bank and IMF. The analysis of all the variables has been provided to show the relationship that the variables have with economic growth in the South African economy. The independent variables used were capital stock, financial development, employment and inflation. In achieving this aim, an Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) was used since it examines both the short-term and the long-term dynamics of the determinants of economic growth. In addition, Granger causality was used to determine whether the explored variables were causally related to one another. In the long run, the results point out that financial development was significant at 5%, while capital stock and employment were significant at 10%. In the short run, all variables were significant at 1%. The study recommends employment stimulation, investment in capital stock and financial development in order to boost economic growth. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Economics and Financial Sciences, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-00
Load shedding and performance of small-scale resturants in Mthatha, South Africa
- Authors: Matangayi, Lelethu
- Date: 2023-00
- Subjects: Economics and commerce
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/10346 , vital:74969
- Description: Small businesses in South Africa are recognized for creating jobs and increasing economic growth. Ever since South Africa experienced load shedding in 2008, small businesses, especially those in the restaurant sector, have been hugely affected by load shedding as they heavily rely on electricity for most of their business operations. Load shedding results in a loss of sales and a decrease in productivity, which reduces their profitability and eventually, sustainability. The purpose of the study was to establish the extent to which load shedding affects the performance of small-scale restaurants in Mthatha, South Africa. A positivist research paradigm was adopted for the study, which was anchored on a quantitative approach using an explanatory research design. A fully structured self-administered questionnaire was sent to 53 small-scale restaurant owners or managers and 51 responded. Data analyzed using SmartPLS4 revealed that load shedding has a negative but insignificant impact on both the profitability and productivity of small-scale restaurants. Based on the results load shedding does not impact the performance of small-scale restaurants in Mthatha as both performance proxies showed a statistically insignificant impact. Looking at the current situation of electricity in South Africa, things are getting worse as it is common for Mthatha people to go the entire day without electricity. This study helps in identifying the extent of the effects load shedding has on small-scale restaurants. This study adds to the findings of prior research on the effects of load shedding on the performance of small-scale restaurants and the study contributed to the body of iii knowledge on the effects of load shedding on the performance of small-scale restaurants and mitigates on existing literature gap where the populace is not aware of the extent to which load shedding has affected the performance of small-scale restaurants. , Faculty of Economics and Financial Sciences, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-00
Natural resource rents and public debt in selected resource in rich Sub-Saharan AfricanCountries
- Authors: Chizengeya, Elisha
- Date: 2023-00
- Subjects: Rents and Public debt
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/9970 , vital:74930
- Description: Many Sub-Saharan African countries are endowed with natural resources and yet their public debts are keeping on ballooning. The skyrocketing of these debts can cause a public debt crisis which can further bite on the poor who are already living miserable lives in resource-rich countries. This study examines the impact of natural resource rents on public debt in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries from 2000 to 2020, utilising the panel ARDL technique. The main objective of this research work was to investigate the relationship between natural resource rents and public debt in selected resource-rich Sub-Saharan African countries. The panel ARDL technique employed in this study strengthens the analysis by considering both short-run and long-run dynamics. In the short run, a significant and negative relationship is observed between natural resource rents and public debt, aligning with the theoretical expectations of resource-rich economies benefiting from increased revenues. However, in the long run, a contrasting pattern emerges, indicating that natural resource rents contribute to an increase in public debt, highlighting the challenges associated with the resource curse phenomenon. The empirical analysis reveals noteworthy findings with implications for theory, practice, and policy. The findings underscore the need for careful fiscal management and prudent policies in resource-rich countries to avoid excessive debt accumulation over the long term. This highlights the importance of implementing effective governance mechanisms, transparency, and accountability frameworks to manage natural resource revenues responsibly. In conclusion, this study contributes to the understanding of the relationship between natural resource rents and public debt in SSA countries. It emphasizes the importance of balancing short-term fiscal benefits with long-term sustainability and provides valuable insights for policymakers to design and implement effective resource management strategies. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Economics and Financial Sciences, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-00
The nexus between oil prices, exchange rate and foreeign direct investment in South Africa
- Authors: Mapanzure, Rufaro
- Date: 2023-00
- Subjects: Direct Marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/10126 , vital:74939
- Description: The 2000 to 2020 relationship between oil prices, exchange rates, and foreign direct investment (FDI) in South Africa presents a fascinating case in the global economics. Noteworthy is that this period is marked by some important geopolitical events, technological advancements, and economic shifts that provide a rich ground for analyzing how these three critical factors interact in an emerging country. South Africa, with its unique economic and political landscape, offers an exemplary context for exploring the dynamics of these variables and their collective impact on the nation's economic health and growth. This study conducted an empirical analysis to investigate the association of oil prices, exchange rates, and foreign direct investment (FDI) in South Africa from 2000 to 2020. The research applied the autoregressive distributed lag bounds technique (ARDL) after initial unit root tests indicated different orders of integration (1(0) and 1(1)) for the variables. The results align with the risk aversion theory, revealing a significant and negative relationship between exchange rates and foreign direct investment in the long-term. Conversely, the interaction term EXCH_OIL, interest rates, and inflation demonstrated a significant and positive relationship with foreign direct investment in both the short-run and the long-run. The Granger causality test identified a unidirectional causality from foreign direct investment to exchange rates. This study recommends implementing policies aimed at stabilizing oil prices and exchange rates to entice foreign investment into South Africa. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-00
The relationship between financial inclusion and economic well being in South Africa
- Authors: Genukile, Lwazi
- Date: 2023-00
- Subjects: Commerce in economics
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/10053 , vital:74934
- Description: Financial inclusion has been regarded as a solution to the problem of poor economic well-being by providing quality access to financial services. It also contributes to resource and income distribution and boosts consumption and investment, which lead to an overall stimulation in economic well-being. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between financial inclusion and economic well-being in South Africa. To achieve this, the study examined the long-run and short-run relationships between financial inclusion and economic well-being in South Africa using quarterly time-series data from 1992 to 2020. The data was obtained from World Bank economic indicators and a SARB statistics enquiry. The study used the Autoregressive Distributed lag bound test and the Error Correction Model to examine the long-run and short-run relationships of the variables. The Granger causality test was conducted to identify the directional causality amongst the variables. The variables used in this study were GDP per capita (GDPPC) as a measure of economic well-being, which is the dependent variable, whereas bank account holders, access to credit, and insurance were used as major explanatory variables. The study discovered that in the long-run, bank account holders and access to credit have a positive significant relationship with GDP per capita, whilst inflation rate indicated a negative relationship with GDP per capita. However, in the short-run results, the study revealed that insurance and inflation rate have a positive relationship with GDP per capita, whereas access to credit presented a negative relationship with GDP per capita. The Granger causality test only indicated a bi-directional causality between inflation rate and GDP per capita. A diagnostic test was conducted in the model and the results revealed that all instruments used in the model are valid and reliable. Based on these findings, the existence of a positive relationship between financial inclusion and economic well-being can be confirmed, hence validating the hypothesis in South Africa. This study recommends that government and policy-makers should focus more on accelerating the expansion of access to credit and insurance at lower transactional costs and management fees, especially for the poor and most vulnerable population in the country. Furthermore, the access to credit, insurance and economic well-being relationship should take place in an inflation framework-sensitive environment. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Economics and Financial Sciences, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-00
The relationship between trade opennes and enviromental quality in South Africa
- Authors: Dingiswayo, Unathi
- Date: 2022-00
- Subjects: Commerce and administraton
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/10012 , vital:74932
- Description: The study empirically examined the relationship between trade openness and environmental quality in South Africa for the period 1994 to 2018. To achieve the objective, the study employed the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Bounds technique and Granger causality test. The results revealed that trade openness, have a positive and significant relationship with carbon emission, both in the short-run and long-run. The granger causality test results also showed a unidirectional causality running from trade openness to environmental quality. The implication of the findings is that the South African government must implement trade agreements that can strengthen the capacity for governments to address environmental issues. In particular, the reduction of trade barriers on environmental goods can lead to increased access to green technologies at lower cost. The government must enact and enforce strict environmental laws to avoid the “pollution haven hypothesis” which normally affect the low-income countries. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Economics and Financial Sciences, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-00
The relationship between energy price and economic growth in South Africa
- Authors: Takentsi, Siyakudumisa
- Date: 2021-00
- Subjects: Commerce in economics
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/10272 , vital:74954
- Description: This study empirically investigated the relationship between energy prices and economic growth in South Africa by employing the auto regressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds test technique for the period from 1994 to 2019. The ARDL model is capable of detecting hidden co-integration relationships and perfectly works even in the series that are integrated of different orders. The study found the presence of a long-run relationship between the variables. The findings revealed that electricity prices have a negative impact on economic growth in the long run and short run, while crude oil prices highlighted a positive linkage with economic growth in the long run and short run. The Granger causality analysis indicated the non-existence of causal relationship between energy prices and economic growth in South Africa. However, in South Africa the Granger causality found unidirectional causality from labour productivity to economic growth and from gross fixed capital formation to economic growth. The study recommends that the government should take steps to mitigate the effects of rising in electricity prices. , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Economics and Financial Sciences, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-00