Triggers and barriers to youth entrepreneurship in the Eastern Cape South Africa
- Authors: Chindoga, Lynety
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Youth development -- South Africa , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Young adults -- Employment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25948 , vital:64636
- Description: To realise the dream of the African Renaissance and a better life for all South Africans, the entrepreneurial energies of all people, including children, should be harnessed to contribute towards economic development, job creation and poverty alleviation. Entrepreneurship creates wealth and results in economic prosperity for a country. However, in South Africa, entrepreneurship still remains a dream yet to be realised. This is supported by the findings of Maas and Herrington (2006), who identified entrepreneurial activity in South Africa to be very weak as evidenced by a low Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) rate. Youths are not engaging in entrepreneurial activity and are making the bulk of the unemployed in South Africa. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the perceived triggers and barriers to youth entrepreneurship in South Africa. Two sets of questionnaires were self- administered to high school students and university students. The respondents which consisted of three hundred and twenty three university students and two hundred and fifty six high school students, were selected using simple random sampling method. Five point Likert scale was used to measure the responses. Descriptive as well as inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The results indicated that youth entrepreneurial intention is low in South Africa. The results also indicated that students perceived mainly extrinsic rewards, market opportunities as well as intrinsic rewards as the three top triggers towards entrepreneurial intention. Independence/autonomy and capital were also regarded as triggers to entrepreneurial intentions. The barriers to youth entrepreneurship included lack of capital, skill and support as well as lack of market opportunities and risk. The study recommends that in order to encourage youth entrepreneurial intentions, government and all stakeholders should ensure that all the perceived triggers are made available. In addition, the barriers to youth entrepreneurship should be minimised. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2011
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Chindoga, Lynety
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Youth development -- South Africa , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Young adults -- Employment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25948 , vital:64636
- Description: To realise the dream of the African Renaissance and a better life for all South Africans, the entrepreneurial energies of all people, including children, should be harnessed to contribute towards economic development, job creation and poverty alleviation. Entrepreneurship creates wealth and results in economic prosperity for a country. However, in South Africa, entrepreneurship still remains a dream yet to be realised. This is supported by the findings of Maas and Herrington (2006), who identified entrepreneurial activity in South Africa to be very weak as evidenced by a low Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) rate. Youths are not engaging in entrepreneurial activity and are making the bulk of the unemployed in South Africa. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the perceived triggers and barriers to youth entrepreneurship in South Africa. Two sets of questionnaires were self- administered to high school students and university students. The respondents which consisted of three hundred and twenty three university students and two hundred and fifty six high school students, were selected using simple random sampling method. Five point Likert scale was used to measure the responses. Descriptive as well as inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The results indicated that youth entrepreneurial intention is low in South Africa. The results also indicated that students perceived mainly extrinsic rewards, market opportunities as well as intrinsic rewards as the three top triggers towards entrepreneurial intention. Independence/autonomy and capital were also regarded as triggers to entrepreneurial intentions. The barriers to youth entrepreneurship included lack of capital, skill and support as well as lack of market opportunities and risk. The study recommends that in order to encourage youth entrepreneurial intentions, government and all stakeholders should ensure that all the perceived triggers are made available. In addition, the barriers to youth entrepreneurship should be minimised. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2011
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Work-family conflict, stress and some demographic and occupational variables among female factory workers in East London, South Africa
- Authors: Dywili, Mtutuzeli
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Work and family -- South Africa , Job stress -- South Africa , Women employees -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24128 , vital:62382
- Description: The study examines work-family conflict, stress, and some demographic and occupational variables among female factory workers in East London, South Africa. The participants were female factory workers in East London, South Africa. The independent variables for the study were, demographic and occupational variables, while stress is the dependent variable. Work-family conflict is dependent on demographic and occupational variables, while on the other hand is independent to stress. The demographic variables concerned are age, marital status, number of children and age of the last born child. The occupational variable on the other hand is occupational level, i.e. managerial versus non-managerial. The measuring instruments were a self-designed questionnaire to measure the demographic and occupational variables, a questionnaire developed by Stephens and Sommer (1996) to measure work-family conflict (cronbach’s alpha = 0,90) and the Effort – Reward Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire (Pikhart, Bobak, Siegrist, Pajak, Rywick, Kyshegyi, Gostaus, Skodova& Marmot, 1996) to measure stress at workplace. Cronbach’s alpha for the whole questionnaire reaches the value of 0,89. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2011
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Dywili, Mtutuzeli
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Work and family -- South Africa , Job stress -- South Africa , Women employees -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24128 , vital:62382
- Description: The study examines work-family conflict, stress, and some demographic and occupational variables among female factory workers in East London, South Africa. The participants were female factory workers in East London, South Africa. The independent variables for the study were, demographic and occupational variables, while stress is the dependent variable. Work-family conflict is dependent on demographic and occupational variables, while on the other hand is independent to stress. The demographic variables concerned are age, marital status, number of children and age of the last born child. The occupational variable on the other hand is occupational level, i.e. managerial versus non-managerial. The measuring instruments were a self-designed questionnaire to measure the demographic and occupational variables, a questionnaire developed by Stephens and Sommer (1996) to measure work-family conflict (cronbach’s alpha = 0,90) and the Effort – Reward Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire (Pikhart, Bobak, Siegrist, Pajak, Rywick, Kyshegyi, Gostaus, Skodova& Marmot, 1996) to measure stress at workplace. Cronbach’s alpha for the whole questionnaire reaches the value of 0,89. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2011
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Critical assessment of leadership skills in developmental local government: a case study of Buffalo City Municipality in the Eastern Cape
- Mnyatheli, Mbeko Bandla Sizasomzi
- Authors: Mnyatheli, Mbeko Bandla Sizasomzi
- Date: 2011-01
- Subjects: Leadership , Municipal government , Buffalo City (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26175 , vital:64950
- Description: This study seeks to examine the nature and role of leadership, in pursuit of a suitable leadership for a Developmental Local Government environment. The aim of this study is to describe the nature of leadership, particularly in local government, and in public organization in general. The study begins by teasing out the various concepts and terminology attendant with leadership in this environment. The study further reviews relevant literature as basis for understanding and goes on to interrogate the general theories on leadership with a view to choose the best practice in leadership of a developmental local government. Central to its quest for answers, is the drive from the constitutional mandate, a developmental local government imposed to municipality by the constitution of the Republic of South Africa, (1996) arising out of the need to transform the South African local government from an erstwhile policy of racial segregation to a new democratic political dispensation fostering equity and access to services and resources for all citizens. The challenge for the new leadership therefore is how to deal, speedily with the huge disparities and socio-economic backlogs? What kind of leadership and what level of knowledge, skills and competencies are required and how soon can public goods and services be delivered to the satisfaction of the communities it serves? ‘Analysis of variance’ was used to analyse and interpret data collected. Literature on the difference between transactional and transformational leadership formed the basis of the findings. Finally, findings and conclusions were drawn. On the bases of these, recommendations for Buffalo City Municipality were presented. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2011
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011-01
- Authors: Mnyatheli, Mbeko Bandla Sizasomzi
- Date: 2011-01
- Subjects: Leadership , Municipal government , Buffalo City (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26175 , vital:64950
- Description: This study seeks to examine the nature and role of leadership, in pursuit of a suitable leadership for a Developmental Local Government environment. The aim of this study is to describe the nature of leadership, particularly in local government, and in public organization in general. The study begins by teasing out the various concepts and terminology attendant with leadership in this environment. The study further reviews relevant literature as basis for understanding and goes on to interrogate the general theories on leadership with a view to choose the best practice in leadership of a developmental local government. Central to its quest for answers, is the drive from the constitutional mandate, a developmental local government imposed to municipality by the constitution of the Republic of South Africa, (1996) arising out of the need to transform the South African local government from an erstwhile policy of racial segregation to a new democratic political dispensation fostering equity and access to services and resources for all citizens. The challenge for the new leadership therefore is how to deal, speedily with the huge disparities and socio-economic backlogs? What kind of leadership and what level of knowledge, skills and competencies are required and how soon can public goods and services be delivered to the satisfaction of the communities it serves? ‘Analysis of variance’ was used to analyse and interpret data collected. Literature on the difference between transactional and transformational leadership formed the basis of the findings. Finally, findings and conclusions were drawn. On the bases of these, recommendations for Buffalo City Municipality were presented. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2011
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011-01
Marketing Management: BEC 221 & 221E
- Authors: Viljoen, K , Chikandiwa, C
- Date: 2011-01
- Subjects: Marketing -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17437 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010247
- Description: Marketing Management: BEC 221 & 221E, Supplementary examination, January 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2011-01
- Authors: Viljoen, K , Chikandiwa, C
- Date: 2011-01
- Subjects: Marketing -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17437 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010247
- Description: Marketing Management: BEC 221 & 221E, Supplementary examination, January 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2011-01
Adoption and use of a learning management system at the University of Fort Hare: environmental factors
- Authors: Xazela, M W H M
- Date: 2010-12
- Subjects: Management information systems , Technology -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25851 , vital:64498
- Description: Learning Management Systems are adopted and used by institutions of higher learning such as universities, universities of technology and colleges. The acceptance of integrating Learning Management Systems into the traditional classroom method of teaching and learning presents many challenges to academic staff, students, and management at various levels. If such challenges are not addressed they may lead to project failure. If such projects fail, institutions may not realise the returns on their investments as institutions usually allocate many of their resources to start such projects. This study addresses the question of which critical environmental and management success factors are necessary for the successful acceptance of such a technology and what is necessary for such a technology to be used continually. This study examines Information Systems literature, users‘ environmental and management factors, and perceptions in the context of an institution of higher learning to suggest Critical Success Factors for such a project. Critical Success Factors are identified and discussed under the contexts of Management Support, the appointment of a Project Champion, provision of training to project participants, provision of adequate access to computing resources, monitoring and evaluation of the project, the existence of strong communication channels, and creation of positive perceptions about the target technology. Acceptance models such as Technology Acceptance Model and the Expectation Confirmation Model in Information Systems literature are also taken into consideration in coming up with the suggested Critical Success Factors. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010-12
- Authors: Xazela, M W H M
- Date: 2010-12
- Subjects: Management information systems , Technology -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25851 , vital:64498
- Description: Learning Management Systems are adopted and used by institutions of higher learning such as universities, universities of technology and colleges. The acceptance of integrating Learning Management Systems into the traditional classroom method of teaching and learning presents many challenges to academic staff, students, and management at various levels. If such challenges are not addressed they may lead to project failure. If such projects fail, institutions may not realise the returns on their investments as institutions usually allocate many of their resources to start such projects. This study addresses the question of which critical environmental and management success factors are necessary for the successful acceptance of such a technology and what is necessary for such a technology to be used continually. This study examines Information Systems literature, users‘ environmental and management factors, and perceptions in the context of an institution of higher learning to suggest Critical Success Factors for such a project. Critical Success Factors are identified and discussed under the contexts of Management Support, the appointment of a Project Champion, provision of training to project participants, provision of adequate access to computing resources, monitoring and evaluation of the project, the existence of strong communication channels, and creation of positive perceptions about the target technology. Acceptance models such as Technology Acceptance Model and the Expectation Confirmation Model in Information Systems literature are also taken into consideration in coming up with the suggested Critical Success Factors. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010-12
Evaluation of the impact of financial fraud and corruption on the sustainable development of selected municipalities in South Africa
- Okubena, Olumuyiwa Olamilekan
- Authors: Okubena, Olumuyiwa Olamilekan
- Date: 2010-12
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa , Fraud -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25569 , vital:64335
- Description: This thesis explored the pernicious effects of financial fraud and corruption and the importance of the rule of law, transparency and accountability of public sector. These critical conditions serve as the foundation for the effective and efficient governance and the economic growth of a nation, especially through utilizing the opportunities provided by globalization through increased investment and trade. The thesis looks at the importance of upholding the rule of law and fostering transparency and accountability in the public sector in combating financial fraud and corruption, particularly as components of effective national strategies. The rule of law, transparency and accountability in the public sector serve not only as means to counter financial fraud and corruption but also as fundamental conditions of effective governance. It was discovered that financial fraud and corruption is a complex phenomenon, present in all countries. Its causes are engendered by conditions of underdevelopment. Hence, its effects hinder and impede the development process itself. It was also confirmed that financial fraud and corruption are co-determined by many other factors, including cultural and moral values. The motivation to remain honest may be weakened by low public official’s salaries, promotion of personnel unconnected to performance, dysfunctional government budgets, loss of organizational purpose, bad example by chief official’s and political leaders, or long established patron-client relationships, in which the sharing of bribes or the exchange of favors has become entrenched. Financial fraud and corruption can be highly concentrated at the top of a political system and associated with political power, or broadly based at lower levels in the system, associated with administrative processes and discretionary powers. Hence, bribes can be blatant or subtle and take many different forms, including cash payments, job offers, scholarships, foreign trips or political and other favors. Furthermore, the development of sustainable local authorities however is an ambitious issue that requires local authorities to focus on the improvement of the quality of life of present and future communities without depleting the natural resources at their disposal. For sustainable and equitable development, this study espouses on the far-reaching implications for local authorities through multiple regression analysis due to various economic, social and institutional challenges that have to be taken into consideration when a process to promote sustainable development is considered. To comprehensively actualize the implications of financial fraud and corruption on the sustainable development of local authorities, a multistage cluster sampling, a form of probability sampling technique was adopted. Semantically, to identify the research paradigms suitable for this study, a hybrid approach to research design was used (quantitative and qualitative). This however enables the impact of financial fraud and corruption on the sustainable development of selected local authorities in South Africa to be ascertained. Moreover, the study explores the circumstances and implications surrounding financial fraud and corruption in the local authorities in South-Africa. Financial fraud and corruption tends to emerge when an organization or a public official has monopoly power over a good or service that generates rent, has the discretionary power to decide who will receive it, and is not accountable. Financial fraud and corruption’s roots are grounded in a country’s social and cultural history, political and economic development, bureaucratic traditions and policies. This study also identifies that, direct and indirect factors promote financial fraud and corruption. Direct factors include regulations and authorizations, taxation, spending decisions, provision of goods and services at below market prices, and financing political parties. On the other hand, quality of bureaucracy, level of public sector wages, penalty systems, institutional controls, and transparency of rules, laws, and processes are the indirect factors that promote financial fraud and corruption. Financial fraud and corruption is a symptom of deep institutional weaknesses that leads to inefficient economic, social, and political outcomes. It reduces economic growth, retards long-term foreign and domestic investments, enhances inflation, depreciates national currency, reduces expenditures for education and health, increases military expenditures, misallocates talent to rent-seeking activities, pushes firms underground, distorts markets and the allocation of resources, increases income inequality and poverty, reduces tax revenue, increases child and infant mortality rates, distorts the fundamental role of the government (on enforcement of contracts and protection of property. Nonetheless, this study concludes that financial fraud and corruption impedes economic efficiency which could slow or shrink economic growth. This will adversely affect all income classes, especially the most vulnerable, the poor. The effect of financial fraud and corruption through investment expenditure on health and education critical to sustainable development was noted in this study. In practice, the distinction between governance and government and the resultant mechanisms directed at local sustainable development do not seem to be clear. Hence, lack of understanding of the meaning of sustainability and governance for local development is still lacking. Recommendations on the serious consequences of financial fraud and corruption on economic growth, capital formation, poverty and inequality to foster and address sustainable development are also provided in this study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010-12
- Authors: Okubena, Olumuyiwa Olamilekan
- Date: 2010-12
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa , Fraud -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25569 , vital:64335
- Description: This thesis explored the pernicious effects of financial fraud and corruption and the importance of the rule of law, transparency and accountability of public sector. These critical conditions serve as the foundation for the effective and efficient governance and the economic growth of a nation, especially through utilizing the opportunities provided by globalization through increased investment and trade. The thesis looks at the importance of upholding the rule of law and fostering transparency and accountability in the public sector in combating financial fraud and corruption, particularly as components of effective national strategies. The rule of law, transparency and accountability in the public sector serve not only as means to counter financial fraud and corruption but also as fundamental conditions of effective governance. It was discovered that financial fraud and corruption is a complex phenomenon, present in all countries. Its causes are engendered by conditions of underdevelopment. Hence, its effects hinder and impede the development process itself. It was also confirmed that financial fraud and corruption are co-determined by many other factors, including cultural and moral values. The motivation to remain honest may be weakened by low public official’s salaries, promotion of personnel unconnected to performance, dysfunctional government budgets, loss of organizational purpose, bad example by chief official’s and political leaders, or long established patron-client relationships, in which the sharing of bribes or the exchange of favors has become entrenched. Financial fraud and corruption can be highly concentrated at the top of a political system and associated with political power, or broadly based at lower levels in the system, associated with administrative processes and discretionary powers. Hence, bribes can be blatant or subtle and take many different forms, including cash payments, job offers, scholarships, foreign trips or political and other favors. Furthermore, the development of sustainable local authorities however is an ambitious issue that requires local authorities to focus on the improvement of the quality of life of present and future communities without depleting the natural resources at their disposal. For sustainable and equitable development, this study espouses on the far-reaching implications for local authorities through multiple regression analysis due to various economic, social and institutional challenges that have to be taken into consideration when a process to promote sustainable development is considered. To comprehensively actualize the implications of financial fraud and corruption on the sustainable development of local authorities, a multistage cluster sampling, a form of probability sampling technique was adopted. Semantically, to identify the research paradigms suitable for this study, a hybrid approach to research design was used (quantitative and qualitative). This however enables the impact of financial fraud and corruption on the sustainable development of selected local authorities in South Africa to be ascertained. Moreover, the study explores the circumstances and implications surrounding financial fraud and corruption in the local authorities in South-Africa. Financial fraud and corruption tends to emerge when an organization or a public official has monopoly power over a good or service that generates rent, has the discretionary power to decide who will receive it, and is not accountable. Financial fraud and corruption’s roots are grounded in a country’s social and cultural history, political and economic development, bureaucratic traditions and policies. This study also identifies that, direct and indirect factors promote financial fraud and corruption. Direct factors include regulations and authorizations, taxation, spending decisions, provision of goods and services at below market prices, and financing political parties. On the other hand, quality of bureaucracy, level of public sector wages, penalty systems, institutional controls, and transparency of rules, laws, and processes are the indirect factors that promote financial fraud and corruption. Financial fraud and corruption is a symptom of deep institutional weaknesses that leads to inefficient economic, social, and political outcomes. It reduces economic growth, retards long-term foreign and domestic investments, enhances inflation, depreciates national currency, reduces expenditures for education and health, increases military expenditures, misallocates talent to rent-seeking activities, pushes firms underground, distorts markets and the allocation of resources, increases income inequality and poverty, reduces tax revenue, increases child and infant mortality rates, distorts the fundamental role of the government (on enforcement of contracts and protection of property. Nonetheless, this study concludes that financial fraud and corruption impedes economic efficiency which could slow or shrink economic growth. This will adversely affect all income classes, especially the most vulnerable, the poor. The effect of financial fraud and corruption through investment expenditure on health and education critical to sustainable development was noted in this study. In practice, the distinction between governance and government and the resultant mechanisms directed at local sustainable development do not seem to be clear. Hence, lack of understanding of the meaning of sustainability and governance for local development is still lacking. Recommendations on the serious consequences of financial fraud and corruption on economic growth, capital formation, poverty and inequality to foster and address sustainable development are also provided in this study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010-12
Strategies for empowering Kenya's informal economy to realise its full potential for socio- economic development
- Authors: Nason, Benson Vundi
- Date: 2010-12
- Subjects: Informal sector (Economics) -- Kenya , Kenya -- Economic conditions , Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25676 , vital:64425
- Description: This study attempted to identify realistic strategies that are accepted by those in the Jua Kali sector of Kenya’s informal economy. The strategies were seen as being relevant, practical and achievable in integrating the sector, or some parts of it, in the formal economy. Special attention was given to export potential as the driving force in socio-economic development. Since Jua Kali enterprises are widely spread throughout an area covering all the more heavily populated regions of Kenya, including many small villages as well as major towns, a comprehensive, nationwide study was out of the question. For this reason, the study was limited to the following areas with known and readily accessible concentrations of Jua Kali entrepreneurs. This included key suburbs of Nairobi and key regional towns like Machakos, Athi River and Mlolongo. The objectives of the study were to establish the problems faced by the informal sector in Kenya, to find out how such problems have affected the relevant artisans, to investigate if the artisans were aware of those problems and what they were doing if anything, to solve the problems they encountered. Finally, the study sought to establish what the other stakeholders were doing to improve the informal sector. The bulk of the literature reviewed underscored the facts that: the manufacturing sub–sector of Kenya’s informal economy has immense potential as an engine for driving the nation’s economy. Secondly, the full potential of the informal sector will only be realised if the manufacturers concerned are empowered to develop their own strategies for developing the informal economy. Such strategies should aim towards the goal of producing and marketing high quality products that are sold to both local and at the international markets via exports. The study adopted critical ethnography as its research method. Critical ethnography as a method requires a plan for the conducting of field research that is reflexive in nature whereby the researcher facilitates a consensual process in which the subjects reflect on their own situation and develop their own solutions to problems. In the present case the process was a communal one with a consensual decision making and actions by the subjects. All interpretations and meaning to activities and actions to be taken were thereof informed by the subjects being studied. At the end of the study, the findings of the analysis were presented to each of the participating subjects for their final comments with those comments being incorporated in the report. The principles of critical ethnography therefore, were seen as providing an ideal framework for exploring the possibilities of self–empowerment that enabled the subjects of the study to fulfil their potential within this important sector. Data analysis and presentation have been presented using tables. Finally, the study’s conclusions and recommendations have been presented in the relevant and subsequent chapters therein. As opportunities and resources will allow in the future, the dissemination of the study findings will continue to be facilitated throughout the country of Kenya. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010-12
- Authors: Nason, Benson Vundi
- Date: 2010-12
- Subjects: Informal sector (Economics) -- Kenya , Kenya -- Economic conditions , Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25676 , vital:64425
- Description: This study attempted to identify realistic strategies that are accepted by those in the Jua Kali sector of Kenya’s informal economy. The strategies were seen as being relevant, practical and achievable in integrating the sector, or some parts of it, in the formal economy. Special attention was given to export potential as the driving force in socio-economic development. Since Jua Kali enterprises are widely spread throughout an area covering all the more heavily populated regions of Kenya, including many small villages as well as major towns, a comprehensive, nationwide study was out of the question. For this reason, the study was limited to the following areas with known and readily accessible concentrations of Jua Kali entrepreneurs. This included key suburbs of Nairobi and key regional towns like Machakos, Athi River and Mlolongo. The objectives of the study were to establish the problems faced by the informal sector in Kenya, to find out how such problems have affected the relevant artisans, to investigate if the artisans were aware of those problems and what they were doing if anything, to solve the problems they encountered. Finally, the study sought to establish what the other stakeholders were doing to improve the informal sector. The bulk of the literature reviewed underscored the facts that: the manufacturing sub–sector of Kenya’s informal economy has immense potential as an engine for driving the nation’s economy. Secondly, the full potential of the informal sector will only be realised if the manufacturers concerned are empowered to develop their own strategies for developing the informal economy. Such strategies should aim towards the goal of producing and marketing high quality products that are sold to both local and at the international markets via exports. The study adopted critical ethnography as its research method. Critical ethnography as a method requires a plan for the conducting of field research that is reflexive in nature whereby the researcher facilitates a consensual process in which the subjects reflect on their own situation and develop their own solutions to problems. In the present case the process was a communal one with a consensual decision making and actions by the subjects. All interpretations and meaning to activities and actions to be taken were thereof informed by the subjects being studied. At the end of the study, the findings of the analysis were presented to each of the participating subjects for their final comments with those comments being incorporated in the report. The principles of critical ethnography therefore, were seen as providing an ideal framework for exploring the possibilities of self–empowerment that enabled the subjects of the study to fulfil their potential within this important sector. Data analysis and presentation have been presented using tables. Finally, the study’s conclusions and recommendations have been presented in the relevant and subsequent chapters therein. As opportunities and resources will allow in the future, the dissemination of the study findings will continue to be facilitated throughout the country of Kenya. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010-12
The Influence of stakeholder orientation and entrepreneurial orientation on the performance of small tourism businesses in the Eastern Cape Province
- Maseko, Ian https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1374-1660
- Authors: Maseko, Ian https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1374-1660
- Date: 2010-12
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa , Tourism -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25937 , vital:64635
- Description: Small businesses have been identified as a catalyst for the growth and expansion of both developed and developing economies. In South Africa, tourism is an important element of the economy and small tourism businesses play an integral role in this sector. However, the success of these firms is influenced by the business orientation adopted. In this regard, entrepreneurial orientation and stakeholder orientation are considered key factors in ensuring enterprise performance and longevity. The main objective of this research is to establish the relationship between stakeholder orientation, entrepreneurial orientation and the performance of small tourism businesses. In order to accomplish this purpose, the reliability and validity of the instrument was assessed, followed by a multiple regression analysis and a Pearson correlation analysis to test the proposed hypotheses. Overall findings from this study suggest that one dimension of stakeholder orientation and entrepreneurial orientation has a positive significant relationship with small firm performance. The results also confirm that stakeholder orientation dimensions and entrepreneurial orientation are positively correlated. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010-12
- Authors: Maseko, Ian https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1374-1660
- Date: 2010-12
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa , Tourism -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25937 , vital:64635
- Description: Small businesses have been identified as a catalyst for the growth and expansion of both developed and developing economies. In South Africa, tourism is an important element of the economy and small tourism businesses play an integral role in this sector. However, the success of these firms is influenced by the business orientation adopted. In this regard, entrepreneurial orientation and stakeholder orientation are considered key factors in ensuring enterprise performance and longevity. The main objective of this research is to establish the relationship between stakeholder orientation, entrepreneurial orientation and the performance of small tourism businesses. In order to accomplish this purpose, the reliability and validity of the instrument was assessed, followed by a multiple regression analysis and a Pearson correlation analysis to test the proposed hypotheses. Overall findings from this study suggest that one dimension of stakeholder orientation and entrepreneurial orientation has a positive significant relationship with small firm performance. The results also confirm that stakeholder orientation dimensions and entrepreneurial orientation are positively correlated. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010-12
Trust and identity management within online social networks
- Authors: Galpin, Ryan
- Date: 2010-12
- Subjects: Online social networks , Data privacy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25972 , vital:64638
- Description: Online social networking is one of the largest Internet activities, with almost one third of all daily Internet users visiting these websites. Characteristics of this environment are issues relating to trust, user privacy and anonymity. Service providers are focused primarily on acquiring users, and little attention is given to the effective management of these users within the social networking environment. This study serves to evaluate if proper identity management processes and controls are needed to protect users and their informational privacy, while establishing a higher degree of user trust for other users and the system. Design Science is followed as the primary methodology, with the final outcome being a proposed artefact. Through a detailed experiment, an evaluation of the controls and processes exhibited by Facebook and MySpace was conducted. The areas of evaluation were identified through the Vulnerability Mitigation and Assessment (VAM) methodology. The findings of this experiment, together with the secondary data reviewed, form the proposed artefact, which is a set of controls aimed at increasing trust and privacy through the effective implementation of these controls and identity management processes. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010-12
- Authors: Galpin, Ryan
- Date: 2010-12
- Subjects: Online social networks , Data privacy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25972 , vital:64638
- Description: Online social networking is one of the largest Internet activities, with almost one third of all daily Internet users visiting these websites. Characteristics of this environment are issues relating to trust, user privacy and anonymity. Service providers are focused primarily on acquiring users, and little attention is given to the effective management of these users within the social networking environment. This study serves to evaluate if proper identity management processes and controls are needed to protect users and their informational privacy, while establishing a higher degree of user trust for other users and the system. Design Science is followed as the primary methodology, with the final outcome being a proposed artefact. Through a detailed experiment, an evaluation of the controls and processes exhibited by Facebook and MySpace was conducted. The areas of evaluation were identified through the Vulnerability Mitigation and Assessment (VAM) methodology. The findings of this experiment, together with the secondary data reviewed, form the proposed artefact, which is a set of controls aimed at increasing trust and privacy through the effective implementation of these controls and identity management processes. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010-12
Adoption of IT Systems by HR professionals in order to enhance efficacy at the University of Fort Hare
- Authors: Ngqubekile, Nolufefe
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Management information systems , Personnel management , Public administration
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27176 , vital:66326
- Description: This study seeks to address the adoption of Integrated Tertiary Software (ITS), ease of use of ITS and continuous usage in Human Resources Departments. The focus of this research project is User Acceptance and Continued Use of ITS within the HR Department - the case of Fort Hare University. The University is a multi - campus operation and the use of paper systems is extremely difficult. The University made a decision to invest in ITS with the objective of improving effectiveness and efficiency of services. The nature of the problem is that ITS is partially used and it is necessary to further explore the specific influence of technological and environmental factors that may change the user’s acceptance and use of this IT System. The nature of this study is Qualitative and follows an Interpretive Approach. The Research Instrument used is an in-depth questionnaire distributed and responded to by all HR Professionals at the UFH. Recommendations based on findings will be used to design the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for the Adoption of IT Systems by HR Professionals in order to enhance efficacy at the University of Fort Hare. The CSFs can be generalized to other settings and were identified for the UFH HR Department to include. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce , 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Ngqubekile, Nolufefe
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Management information systems , Personnel management , Public administration
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27176 , vital:66326
- Description: This study seeks to address the adoption of Integrated Tertiary Software (ITS), ease of use of ITS and continuous usage in Human Resources Departments. The focus of this research project is User Acceptance and Continued Use of ITS within the HR Department - the case of Fort Hare University. The University is a multi - campus operation and the use of paper systems is extremely difficult. The University made a decision to invest in ITS with the objective of improving effectiveness and efficiency of services. The nature of the problem is that ITS is partially used and it is necessary to further explore the specific influence of technological and environmental factors that may change the user’s acceptance and use of this IT System. The nature of this study is Qualitative and follows an Interpretive Approach. The Research Instrument used is an in-depth questionnaire distributed and responded to by all HR Professionals at the UFH. Recommendations based on findings will be used to design the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for the Adoption of IT Systems by HR Professionals in order to enhance efficacy at the University of Fort Hare. The CSFs can be generalized to other settings and were identified for the UFH HR Department to include. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce , 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An investigation of the impact of the funding strategy of government on the sustainability of NGO work in them health sector: a case of the Eastern Cape province in South Africa
- Authors: Vhutuzah,Miriam.
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Non-governmental organization , Health services administration , Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25926 , vital:64564
- Description: Under the apartheid regime the blacks suffered from social exclusion whereby the state sought to provide social services to the white community. Blacks used NGOs to fight the apartheid regime after the banning of political parties by the government. The government tried to quell the social unrest by instituting restrictive legislation to the NGOs. However, the NGOs managed to survive by getting funds from external sources that were anti-apartheid and the funding was camouflaged. While the blacks used the NGOs as frontiers to fight apartheid, they also provided services like health, education and others. The white NGOs managed to thrive unabated. After the fall of apartheid, many leaders left the NGO sector to join the government. It has been of great concern to note that after the apartheid, NGOs failed to assume the position that they used to possess during apartheid. The major objective of the study was to assess the funding strategy of the government in relation to the sustainability of the work of NGOs. This was achieved through analysing the guiding principles and prerequisites of the government in terms of procedures of disbursing funds to NGOs and how this affects NGO operations. The research made use of one major approach in the social sciences which is qualitative. The use of a qualitative technique reflects an attempt to ensure an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon in question. This is what was needed by the question under study, to understand the institutional environment of NGOs by looking into their operational experiences and holding in-depth interviews with NGOs and government officials in order to understand their views about the existing funding strategy. The study found out that the pre-requisites of the funding organisations can be met by NGOs which previously thrived under the apartheid government. Due to their more sophisticated nature, it is these types of NGOs that interface most effectively with the donor community and are major beneficiaries of the bulk of donor funding. It also discovered that the rural-based NGOs are not networked and only rely on government funding which is short-lived. Some of the well established NGOs manipulate the existing opportunities to pursue private interests. Moreover, donors are mainly interested in funding popular activities like AIDS but they target well established organisations. In view of the above findings, the study recommends that the pre-requisites for NGOs must be streamlined to the rural-based NGOs and communication from the government should be improved especially for the rural-based NGOs where forms of communication are limited. There is need to establish an independent body, mandated by the government to carry out NGO issues .The government should also introduce incentives to the donors that fund rural-based NGOs and also encourage donors to fund TB activities by introducing incentives. Moreover, there is need for the government to adopt institutional development principles which emphasises on internal organizational development by training NGO members in order to improve their skills. Externally, the institutional impediments like inherited legal instruments that were pro-apartheid should be addressed. Lastly, there is need for the government to engage NGOs in the policy making process. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce , 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Vhutuzah,Miriam.
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Non-governmental organization , Health services administration , Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25926 , vital:64564
- Description: Under the apartheid regime the blacks suffered from social exclusion whereby the state sought to provide social services to the white community. Blacks used NGOs to fight the apartheid regime after the banning of political parties by the government. The government tried to quell the social unrest by instituting restrictive legislation to the NGOs. However, the NGOs managed to survive by getting funds from external sources that were anti-apartheid and the funding was camouflaged. While the blacks used the NGOs as frontiers to fight apartheid, they also provided services like health, education and others. The white NGOs managed to thrive unabated. After the fall of apartheid, many leaders left the NGO sector to join the government. It has been of great concern to note that after the apartheid, NGOs failed to assume the position that they used to possess during apartheid. The major objective of the study was to assess the funding strategy of the government in relation to the sustainability of the work of NGOs. This was achieved through analysing the guiding principles and prerequisites of the government in terms of procedures of disbursing funds to NGOs and how this affects NGO operations. The research made use of one major approach in the social sciences which is qualitative. The use of a qualitative technique reflects an attempt to ensure an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon in question. This is what was needed by the question under study, to understand the institutional environment of NGOs by looking into their operational experiences and holding in-depth interviews with NGOs and government officials in order to understand their views about the existing funding strategy. The study found out that the pre-requisites of the funding organisations can be met by NGOs which previously thrived under the apartheid government. Due to their more sophisticated nature, it is these types of NGOs that interface most effectively with the donor community and are major beneficiaries of the bulk of donor funding. It also discovered that the rural-based NGOs are not networked and only rely on government funding which is short-lived. Some of the well established NGOs manipulate the existing opportunities to pursue private interests. Moreover, donors are mainly interested in funding popular activities like AIDS but they target well established organisations. In view of the above findings, the study recommends that the pre-requisites for NGOs must be streamlined to the rural-based NGOs and communication from the government should be improved especially for the rural-based NGOs where forms of communication are limited. There is need to establish an independent body, mandated by the government to carry out NGO issues .The government should also introduce incentives to the donors that fund rural-based NGOs and also encourage donors to fund TB activities by introducing incentives. Moreover, there is need for the government to adopt institutional development principles which emphasises on internal organizational development by training NGO members in order to improve their skills. Externally, the institutional impediments like inherited legal instruments that were pro-apartheid should be addressed. Lastly, there is need for the government to engage NGOs in the policy making process. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce , 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Econometric determinants of liquidity of the South African bond market
- Mingiri, Kapingura Forget https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5808-5612
- Authors: Mingiri, Kapingura Forget https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5808-5612
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Economic indicators , Economic forecasting -- Africa , Bond market
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26346 , vital:65243
- Description: The importance of the bond market to the financial system and broader economy of a country cannot be underestimated. It is important to analyse factors which determine liquidity in this essential market. This study seeks to establish the determinants of liquidity in the South African bond market using monthly data covering the period 1995 to 2009. It begins by providing an updated overview of the South African bond market and an analysis of the relevant literature. Two models linking bond market liquidity to its theoretical determinants were specified. In contrast to the available literature, this study analyses liquidity at both macroeconomic and market microstructure level using two measures of liquidity, volume and the bid-ask spread, applying the VAR approach and two-stage least squares for robust check. All macroeconomic variables (except stock market) were identified to have an impact on bond market liquidity in the long-run. As far as market microstructure factors are concerned, both volume and volatility were established to be important determinants of liquidity in the South African bond market. The study recommended that, as for macroeconomic factors, authorities should keep inflation at low and stables levels as well as a stable currency. Also, offering bond investors certain facilities and the removal of restrictions on foreign investor activities are other important conditions to improve bond market liquidity. As far as market microstructure factors are concerned, we suggest that, ways to safe-guard against excessive volatility include the creation of a vibrant derivative market, development of a more active and well-functioning repurchase market./ , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mingiri, Kapingura Forget https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5808-5612
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Economic indicators , Economic forecasting -- Africa , Bond market
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26346 , vital:65243
- Description: The importance of the bond market to the financial system and broader economy of a country cannot be underestimated. It is important to analyse factors which determine liquidity in this essential market. This study seeks to establish the determinants of liquidity in the South African bond market using monthly data covering the period 1995 to 2009. It begins by providing an updated overview of the South African bond market and an analysis of the relevant literature. Two models linking bond market liquidity to its theoretical determinants were specified. In contrast to the available literature, this study analyses liquidity at both macroeconomic and market microstructure level using two measures of liquidity, volume and the bid-ask spread, applying the VAR approach and two-stage least squares for robust check. All macroeconomic variables (except stock market) were identified to have an impact on bond market liquidity in the long-run. As far as market microstructure factors are concerned, both volume and volatility were established to be important determinants of liquidity in the South African bond market. The study recommended that, as for macroeconomic factors, authorities should keep inflation at low and stables levels as well as a stable currency. Also, offering bond investors certain facilities and the removal of restrictions on foreign investor activities are other important conditions to improve bond market liquidity. As far as market microstructure factors are concerned, we suggest that, ways to safe-guard against excessive volatility include the creation of a vibrant derivative market, development of a more active and well-functioning repurchase market./ , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Effects of hyperinflation on stock market performance: case of Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mutandwa, Tsitsi Hope
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Stocks--Zimbabwe , Stock exchanges--Zimbabwe , Inflation targeting--Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24980 , vital:63768
- Description: In this study an analysis of the long-term equilibrium relationship between inflation, selected macroeconomic variables and the Zimbabwe stock market (represented by market capitalization) is explored. Using stock market capitalization as a proxy for stock market performance is important for an investigator since it can capture movements in the whole market. The link between stock market performance and macroeconomic variables in particular inflation is well-documented in the literature. However, a void in the literature relates to examining the cointegration between hyperinflation and stock market performance. Although hyperinflation is nothing more than inflation at high rates, clarity on this point is necessary because of the seemingly unclear nature of the relationship in the literature. Inflation has mostly been documented as negatively impacting on financial markets. This is not so clear when it comes to hyperinflation. The Zimbabwean stock market has performed well during the high inflation period. This then raises the question: Does hyperinflation stimulate the growth of the stock market? The analysis is undertaken by employing cointegration and vector error correction modeling approach using quarterly data for the period 1980-2007 Our results show among others, that hyperinflation has impacted negatively on the growth of the stock market in Zimbabwe. However, other driving factors such as foreign direct investment and relatively high bank lending rates may have fuelled the observed growth in the stock market during the period of study. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mutandwa, Tsitsi Hope
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Stocks--Zimbabwe , Stock exchanges--Zimbabwe , Inflation targeting--Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24980 , vital:63768
- Description: In this study an analysis of the long-term equilibrium relationship between inflation, selected macroeconomic variables and the Zimbabwe stock market (represented by market capitalization) is explored. Using stock market capitalization as a proxy for stock market performance is important for an investigator since it can capture movements in the whole market. The link between stock market performance and macroeconomic variables in particular inflation is well-documented in the literature. However, a void in the literature relates to examining the cointegration between hyperinflation and stock market performance. Although hyperinflation is nothing more than inflation at high rates, clarity on this point is necessary because of the seemingly unclear nature of the relationship in the literature. Inflation has mostly been documented as negatively impacting on financial markets. This is not so clear when it comes to hyperinflation. The Zimbabwean stock market has performed well during the high inflation period. This then raises the question: Does hyperinflation stimulate the growth of the stock market? The analysis is undertaken by employing cointegration and vector error correction modeling approach using quarterly data for the period 1980-2007 Our results show among others, that hyperinflation has impacted negatively on the growth of the stock market in Zimbabwe. However, other driving factors such as foreign direct investment and relatively high bank lending rates may have fuelled the observed growth in the stock market during the period of study. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Implications of a currency board arrangement for the Zimbabwean economy: the lessons of experience
- Authors: Ndlovu, Edwin
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Economic indicators , Inflation targeting , Foreign exchange
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26492 , vital:65480
- Description: Inflation is one of the most important factors for gauging the health of the economy. For production, employment and trade to take place, it is crucial that inflation be low and stable. This study analyses the implications of a currency board system in a hyperinflationary economy, using quarterly Zimbabwean data covering the period 1995 to 2008.An empirical model linking inflation to its identified theoretical determinants is specified. The study employs a cointegration and a vector error correction (VEC) modeling, to provide robust long run and short run dynamic effects of hyper inflation on the economy. The empirical findings reveal a strong significant relationship between inflation and government deficit, expected inflation, money supply growth and the exchange rate. These results corroborate the theoretical predictions and the previous findings that most hyperinflations are deficit-induced. The study thus suggests an implementation of a currency board arrangement for Zimbabwe to eradicate hyperinflation based on its link with exchange rate, money supply and government deficit. A currency board restrains the tendency by most central banks to create money to finance government deficits, and reduces expectations of rising inflation through its instantaneous credibility in reducing inflation. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Ndlovu, Edwin
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Economic indicators , Inflation targeting , Foreign exchange
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26492 , vital:65480
- Description: Inflation is one of the most important factors for gauging the health of the economy. For production, employment and trade to take place, it is crucial that inflation be low and stable. This study analyses the implications of a currency board system in a hyperinflationary economy, using quarterly Zimbabwean data covering the period 1995 to 2008.An empirical model linking inflation to its identified theoretical determinants is specified. The study employs a cointegration and a vector error correction (VEC) modeling, to provide robust long run and short run dynamic effects of hyper inflation on the economy. The empirical findings reveal a strong significant relationship between inflation and government deficit, expected inflation, money supply growth and the exchange rate. These results corroborate the theoretical predictions and the previous findings that most hyperinflations are deficit-induced. The study thus suggests an implementation of a currency board arrangement for Zimbabwe to eradicate hyperinflation based on its link with exchange rate, money supply and government deficit. A currency board restrains the tendency by most central banks to create money to finance government deficits, and reduces expectations of rising inflation through its instantaneous credibility in reducing inflation. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Re-thinking rural development through agriculture
- Matunhu, Jephias (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8415-5867)
- Authors: Matunhu, Jephias (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8415-5867)
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24532 , vital:63067
- Description: This study addresses the problem of abject rural poverty in the post-apartheid South Africa with specific reference to the Amathole Rural District (ARD) in the Eastern Cape Province (the poorest province in the country). Abject poverty is conceptualized as inability to meet the basic human needs such as food, water, shelter and clothes. The study is premised in the revisionist trajectory of rural economic development, which regards agriculture as the ‘engine’ for rural development. The thesis addressed the following issues on rural poverty reduction in the ARD; the efficacy of rural agriculture in rural poverty reduction, value-adding to rural farm produce, support that is required and social factors that may affect the residents’ ability to fight poverty through agriculture? The thesis adopted the concurrent transformative mixed research methodology; and data were collected from a purposive sample of 138 respondents using unstructured interviews and semi-structured questionnaires. Data were collected with the help of research assistance. The study established that the ARD residents were keen to fight abject poverty through rural agriculture but were constrained by the lack of arable land, financial resources, technological support, corruption and HIV/AIDs. In view of the above findings, the thesis concluded that deep collaboration and participation of strategic partners such as government, the rural residents, NGOs and the business sector is essential in the implementation of pro-poor strategies in the ARD. The thesis also called for further research into the following areas that have a direct influence on the efficacy of rural agriculture on the ARD’s development; ICT and development, the rural residents’ attitude towards savings and on the political economy of cooperative ventures in rural agriculture. The thesis also encouraged further research to establish new linkages and roles of the following pertinent partners in ARD’s development; government, the rural residents, NGOs and the business sector. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Matunhu, Jephias (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8415-5867)
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24532 , vital:63067
- Description: This study addresses the problem of abject rural poverty in the post-apartheid South Africa with specific reference to the Amathole Rural District (ARD) in the Eastern Cape Province (the poorest province in the country). Abject poverty is conceptualized as inability to meet the basic human needs such as food, water, shelter and clothes. The study is premised in the revisionist trajectory of rural economic development, which regards agriculture as the ‘engine’ for rural development. The thesis addressed the following issues on rural poverty reduction in the ARD; the efficacy of rural agriculture in rural poverty reduction, value-adding to rural farm produce, support that is required and social factors that may affect the residents’ ability to fight poverty through agriculture? The thesis adopted the concurrent transformative mixed research methodology; and data were collected from a purposive sample of 138 respondents using unstructured interviews and semi-structured questionnaires. Data were collected with the help of research assistance. The study established that the ARD residents were keen to fight abject poverty through rural agriculture but were constrained by the lack of arable land, financial resources, technological support, corruption and HIV/AIDs. In view of the above findings, the thesis concluded that deep collaboration and participation of strategic partners such as government, the rural residents, NGOs and the business sector is essential in the implementation of pro-poor strategies in the ARD. The thesis also called for further research into the following areas that have a direct influence on the efficacy of rural agriculture on the ARD’s development; ICT and development, the rural residents’ attitude towards savings and on the political economy of cooperative ventures in rural agriculture. The thesis also encouraged further research to establish new linkages and roles of the following pertinent partners in ARD’s development; government, the rural residents, NGOs and the business sector. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Rethinking water service delivery system in Zimbabwe: a case study of Kwekwe Municipality
- Authors: Mupindu, Wisemen
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Water-supply -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24117 , vital:62379
- Description: This study examines the perceived scarcity of household water service delivery in the city of Kwekwe under the Midlands province of Zimbabwe. Kwekwe Municipality appears to be characterized by an erratic supply of clean water for household use. The city of Kwekwe has experienced an unreliable domestic water service delivery system since the beginning of this millennium. This study aims to investigate the causes of the problem, its extent, impact and what could be done to mitigate the problem. The study employs interviews, questionnaires, observations and document analyses to establish that population growth, ageing equipment, a lack of foreign currency and local funding, as well as a lack of expertise and of political will have contributed to the poor domestic water supply in the city of Kwekwe. The city of Kwekwe needs to commit itself to improving the current situation by involving the community, constructing more storage facilities, and by putting monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in place. The research design took the form of a case study of Kwekwe Municipality. A mixture of qualitative and quantitative research designs were used in this study. The qualitative/interpretivist approach was more dominant, allowing some overlapping with the quantitative/positivist paradigm whenever this was considered reasonable. The study sample consisted of a conveniently assembled sample of 120 respondents. The target population for the study comprised of 110 residents of Kwekwe urban and 10 Kwekwe City Municipality Water Authorities from the Works Department. This study focuses on the 4 residential areas of Kwekwe Municipality. The data collection instruments include questionnaires and focus group interviews. Electronically recorded, in-depth interviews were held with the water authorities and the consumers to establish their perceptions on the best practice of the water service delivery system in Zimbabwe. The data collection tools contained a preliminary section on the biological data of the respondents. All data was subjected to either qualitative or quantitative analysis techniques in order to strike a balance between the structured survey instruments and the anecdotes of the respondents. Quantitative data was analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while qualitative data was subjected to document analysis which entailed classifying the data, extracting themes, identifying patterns, tallying and quantifying responses and making generalizations out of these patterns. This implies that the research methodology focused on the method, tools and techniques used to assist in achieving the objectives of the study and answering the research questions that the research seeks to address. The term research methodology is used, in this study, to refer to the philosophical assumptions, values, and theories which inform and underpin the way in which a particular research method is used. In this study, the case study research design was used as the operational framework for data gathering. The case study research method is essentially grounded in the interpretive research paradigm. To this end, the study sought the perceptions of both the consumers and the water authorities. The major finding of the study is that the ability of Kwekwe Municipality to provide household water service delivery to its consumers is slightly below average. However, there was a slight improvement in the household water service delivery but consumers are still remaining dissatisfied. Another finding, related to this one, was that the electricity deficiency cost the efficacy of Kwekwe Municipality in its provision of household water service delivery. The study proposes that more studies which seek to interrogate the domestic water service delivery system of the Zimbabwean Municipalities should be embarked upon by the state. The study also recommends that service delivery training programmes be implemented in order to enhance the competence of the water authorities. Furthermore, the study suggests that consumers be placed at the center of household water debates when policies, rules and regulations of the water service delivery system are formulated. Finally, the study implores that municipalities need to have their own reserves and generators for emergency cases during electricity power cuts. It is imperative that the water reservoirs constantly hold 4 days‟ worth of water capacity. The municipality of Kwekwe must refurbish the entire water reticulation system. Municipalities must carry out an audit of water meter readings and also confirm that all water meters are functional. Manpower to read the correct meter reading should be increased in number and must have reliable transport. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mupindu, Wisemen
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Water-supply -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24117 , vital:62379
- Description: This study examines the perceived scarcity of household water service delivery in the city of Kwekwe under the Midlands province of Zimbabwe. Kwekwe Municipality appears to be characterized by an erratic supply of clean water for household use. The city of Kwekwe has experienced an unreliable domestic water service delivery system since the beginning of this millennium. This study aims to investigate the causes of the problem, its extent, impact and what could be done to mitigate the problem. The study employs interviews, questionnaires, observations and document analyses to establish that population growth, ageing equipment, a lack of foreign currency and local funding, as well as a lack of expertise and of political will have contributed to the poor domestic water supply in the city of Kwekwe. The city of Kwekwe needs to commit itself to improving the current situation by involving the community, constructing more storage facilities, and by putting monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in place. The research design took the form of a case study of Kwekwe Municipality. A mixture of qualitative and quantitative research designs were used in this study. The qualitative/interpretivist approach was more dominant, allowing some overlapping with the quantitative/positivist paradigm whenever this was considered reasonable. The study sample consisted of a conveniently assembled sample of 120 respondents. The target population for the study comprised of 110 residents of Kwekwe urban and 10 Kwekwe City Municipality Water Authorities from the Works Department. This study focuses on the 4 residential areas of Kwekwe Municipality. The data collection instruments include questionnaires and focus group interviews. Electronically recorded, in-depth interviews were held with the water authorities and the consumers to establish their perceptions on the best practice of the water service delivery system in Zimbabwe. The data collection tools contained a preliminary section on the biological data of the respondents. All data was subjected to either qualitative or quantitative analysis techniques in order to strike a balance between the structured survey instruments and the anecdotes of the respondents. Quantitative data was analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while qualitative data was subjected to document analysis which entailed classifying the data, extracting themes, identifying patterns, tallying and quantifying responses and making generalizations out of these patterns. This implies that the research methodology focused on the method, tools and techniques used to assist in achieving the objectives of the study and answering the research questions that the research seeks to address. The term research methodology is used, in this study, to refer to the philosophical assumptions, values, and theories which inform and underpin the way in which a particular research method is used. In this study, the case study research design was used as the operational framework for data gathering. The case study research method is essentially grounded in the interpretive research paradigm. To this end, the study sought the perceptions of both the consumers and the water authorities. The major finding of the study is that the ability of Kwekwe Municipality to provide household water service delivery to its consumers is slightly below average. However, there was a slight improvement in the household water service delivery but consumers are still remaining dissatisfied. Another finding, related to this one, was that the electricity deficiency cost the efficacy of Kwekwe Municipality in its provision of household water service delivery. The study proposes that more studies which seek to interrogate the domestic water service delivery system of the Zimbabwean Municipalities should be embarked upon by the state. The study also recommends that service delivery training programmes be implemented in order to enhance the competence of the water authorities. Furthermore, the study suggests that consumers be placed at the center of household water debates when policies, rules and regulations of the water service delivery system are formulated. Finally, the study implores that municipalities need to have their own reserves and generators for emergency cases during electricity power cuts. It is imperative that the water reservoirs constantly hold 4 days‟ worth of water capacity. The municipality of Kwekwe must refurbish the entire water reticulation system. Municipalities must carry out an audit of water meter readings and also confirm that all water meters are functional. Manpower to read the correct meter reading should be increased in number and must have reliable transport. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An empirical investigation of the balance sheet channel of monetary policy transmission in South Africa
- Authors: Kelvin, Mudita
- Date: 2009-12
- Subjects: Transmission mechanism (Monetary policy) -- South Africa , Financial statements
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24106 , vital:62375
- Description: The intention of this study is to outline an empirical framework of the balance sheet channel of monetary policy transmission in South Africa. Specifically, this study examines how monetary policy decisions are transmitted, through the balance sheet of business firms, to the real economy. The study is motivated by the fact that credit has now occupied an important role in the funding of new capital investment in South Africa. Thus, the balance sheet channel may become a relevant channel in the monetary policy transmission process. This study augments the co integration and vector auto regression (VAR) analysis with impulse response and variance decomposition analyses to provide evidence for the balance sheet channel. The study employs quarterly South African data covering the period 1980 to 2008. For that purpose, The VAR model will contain the following variables, Bank rate (monetary policy effect), External finance premium (information asymmetry channel), stock market capitalization (to cater for the collateral channel), Changes in industrial and commercial inventories (cashflows channel), credit extension (to cater for the effect of credit demand), and gross domestic product (to cater for the aggregate shock). The study finds evidence in support of the balance sheet channel of monetary policy transmission in South Africa. The channel is weak as proved by the results. Therefore, the balance sheet channel should not be neglected from both the policy perspective and academic literature point of view in South Africa. However, the findings may only pertain to idiosyncratic economic developments during the sample period, while not necessarily serving as a best guide as to how the South African economy would work in the future. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2009
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009-12
- Authors: Kelvin, Mudita
- Date: 2009-12
- Subjects: Transmission mechanism (Monetary policy) -- South Africa , Financial statements
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24106 , vital:62375
- Description: The intention of this study is to outline an empirical framework of the balance sheet channel of monetary policy transmission in South Africa. Specifically, this study examines how monetary policy decisions are transmitted, through the balance sheet of business firms, to the real economy. The study is motivated by the fact that credit has now occupied an important role in the funding of new capital investment in South Africa. Thus, the balance sheet channel may become a relevant channel in the monetary policy transmission process. This study augments the co integration and vector auto regression (VAR) analysis with impulse response and variance decomposition analyses to provide evidence for the balance sheet channel. The study employs quarterly South African data covering the period 1980 to 2008. For that purpose, The VAR model will contain the following variables, Bank rate (monetary policy effect), External finance premium (information asymmetry channel), stock market capitalization (to cater for the collateral channel), Changes in industrial and commercial inventories (cashflows channel), credit extension (to cater for the effect of credit demand), and gross domestic product (to cater for the aggregate shock). The study finds evidence in support of the balance sheet channel of monetary policy transmission in South Africa. The channel is weak as proved by the results. Therefore, the balance sheet channel should not be neglected from both the policy perspective and academic literature point of view in South Africa. However, the findings may only pertain to idiosyncratic economic developments during the sample period, while not necessarily serving as a best guide as to how the South African economy would work in the future. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2009
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009-12
Global leadership competencies in the industrial development zones in South Africa
- Dweba, Zandisile Moses https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0001-1095
- Authors: Dweba, Zandisile Moses https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0001-1095
- Date: 2009-06
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa , Industrialization
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24046 , vital:62312
- Description: In the literature reviewed a lack in leadership competencies to deal with globalisation and global trends within the South African organisation context (Fontyn, 2001; Tizard, 2001; Kriek, 2002) was identified which led to questions being raised on the prevalence of these essential global leadership competencies within South African transnational and global organisations. Realising the need for the development of an outwardly focused and globally competitive leadership model this study sought to investigate: The key generic leadership competencies relevant to globalisation The specific relevant leadership competencies and their prevalence within the industrial development zones Whether or not the surveyed individual competencies were significant and had an impact on global leadership competencies that rendered leaders capable of operating in a global environment. A multi-method research plan was followed in order to consolidate existing knowledge on global leadership competencies and then to expand upon that knowledge. The approach was preferred due to the lack of leadership competency research within Industrial Development Zones. The study consisted of a qualitative study leading to the assessment of the current state of knowledge and understanding of the global leadership competencies. This phase was aimed at stimulating a debate on the topic in preparation for the quantitative phase which investigated the prevalence of these global leadership competencies within the Industrial Development Zones. Through the literature review, fifteen global leadership competencies were identified and these formed the basis for the questionnaire used for data collection. This list of global leadership competencies should, however, not be seen as an exhaustive list as opinions varied on leadership competencies relevant to globalisation (Msomi, 2001; Rossouw & Bews, 2002). iv In the findings of this study: The respondents largely confirmed the prevalence of the global leadership competencies in the Industrial Development Zones. While there existed high internal consistency of the variables measured, the demonstration of the competencies by leaders in the Industrial Development Zones, as perceived by the respondents, was found to be largely insignificant and as such had no impact on global leadership competencies and the ability of the zones‟ leaders to operate in a global environment. The recommendations that ensue should, in view of the limitations cited, be implemented with caution as their generalisability might be limited. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2009
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009-06
- Authors: Dweba, Zandisile Moses https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0001-1095
- Date: 2009-06
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa , Industrialization
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24046 , vital:62312
- Description: In the literature reviewed a lack in leadership competencies to deal with globalisation and global trends within the South African organisation context (Fontyn, 2001; Tizard, 2001; Kriek, 2002) was identified which led to questions being raised on the prevalence of these essential global leadership competencies within South African transnational and global organisations. Realising the need for the development of an outwardly focused and globally competitive leadership model this study sought to investigate: The key generic leadership competencies relevant to globalisation The specific relevant leadership competencies and their prevalence within the industrial development zones Whether or not the surveyed individual competencies were significant and had an impact on global leadership competencies that rendered leaders capable of operating in a global environment. A multi-method research plan was followed in order to consolidate existing knowledge on global leadership competencies and then to expand upon that knowledge. The approach was preferred due to the lack of leadership competency research within Industrial Development Zones. The study consisted of a qualitative study leading to the assessment of the current state of knowledge and understanding of the global leadership competencies. This phase was aimed at stimulating a debate on the topic in preparation for the quantitative phase which investigated the prevalence of these global leadership competencies within the Industrial Development Zones. Through the literature review, fifteen global leadership competencies were identified and these formed the basis for the questionnaire used for data collection. This list of global leadership competencies should, however, not be seen as an exhaustive list as opinions varied on leadership competencies relevant to globalisation (Msomi, 2001; Rossouw & Bews, 2002). iv In the findings of this study: The respondents largely confirmed the prevalence of the global leadership competencies in the Industrial Development Zones. While there existed high internal consistency of the variables measured, the demonstration of the competencies by leaders in the Industrial Development Zones, as perceived by the respondents, was found to be largely insignificant and as such had no impact on global leadership competencies and the ability of the zones‟ leaders to operate in a global environment. The recommendations that ensue should, in view of the limitations cited, be implemented with caution as their generalisability might be limited. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2009
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009-06
Intergovermental policy integration and poverty eradication in a developmental state: the case of the PGDP and Amathole IDP in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Hofisi, Costa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2571-6991
- Authors: Hofisi, Costa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2571-6991
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa , Public administration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25744 , vital:64475
- Description: The post-apartheid South African government inherited an economy characterised by a dichotomy between well developed and affluent whites and the underdeveloped and impoverished African blacks. This dichotomy was manifest in sharp divisions with regard to access to decent housing, health, education and transport just to mention a few, thus reflecting poverty, as a widespread phenomenon. Since 1994, the South African government has made major efforts aimed at addressing poverty, however, that poverty persists, despite the efforts, cannot be contested. One of the major challenges has been the disjuncture between policies at various spheres of government. This study examines the articulation between two spheres of government focusing on the Provincial Growth and Development Programme of the Eastern Cape and the integrated development plan of Amathole District Municipality. Currently not much research has been carried out in this area. This study illuminates various analytical and practical issues and hopefully provides a useful basis for improvement in the government’s declared commitment to poverty eradication. Triangulating qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, the study aimed to investigate the integration of the Provincial Growth and Development Program and the Integrated Development Plan and the contribution of these policy instruments towards poverty eradication in the Eastern Cape. A further aim was to analyse community participation in and knowledge of the PGDP and Amathole IDP and how they have been effective. This was an empirically grounded study, based on the use of a combination of data collection methods, analysis of primary and secondary sources of data including government documents, administering in-depth interviews to a range of informants within government, the community and a questionnaire survey of a sample drawn from members of the community in the Amatole District Municipality and, finally the use of Amatole district as a case study which was the major unit of analysis. The findings from the study revealed that there is a plethora of challenges confronting policy integration, often resulting in institutional paralysis and inertia. Such challenges vary from lack of capacity in local government, lack of political will, policy shifts, a plethora of legislation, competing if not conflicting priorities, nonattendance of Intergovernmental forums, lack of cooperation by sector departments, contradictions between legislation, policy inconsistencies, conceptual imprecision and conceptual blurring. Moreover, the neo-liberal ideology informing development planning not only in the province, but in South Africa as a whole as propagated by western main stream economists leaves benefits indeed merely ‘trickling down’ to the poor and not ‘pouring’, such that the transition in South Africa has been reduced to an ‘elite transition’. The research results confirm, as observed elsewhere, that experiences of several developing countries over the past decades do not appear to support the trickle down hypothesis. On the other hand, community participation is also stifled by lack of participatory spaces, poor participatory methodologies and structures which make participation difficult while the poor remain trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty. Real participation goes beyond ‘passive development objects’ and ‘recipients of development’ to ensuring that people are empowered to become ‘masters of their own development’ within the context of a participatory democratic developmental state. There is need for not only a thorough examination of the political use of the ‘local’, the ‘poor’ but even the very conceptualisation of participation and its methodologies for effective community participation to be realised. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2009
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Hofisi, Costa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2571-6991
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa , Public administration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25744 , vital:64475
- Description: The post-apartheid South African government inherited an economy characterised by a dichotomy between well developed and affluent whites and the underdeveloped and impoverished African blacks. This dichotomy was manifest in sharp divisions with regard to access to decent housing, health, education and transport just to mention a few, thus reflecting poverty, as a widespread phenomenon. Since 1994, the South African government has made major efforts aimed at addressing poverty, however, that poverty persists, despite the efforts, cannot be contested. One of the major challenges has been the disjuncture between policies at various spheres of government. This study examines the articulation between two spheres of government focusing on the Provincial Growth and Development Programme of the Eastern Cape and the integrated development plan of Amathole District Municipality. Currently not much research has been carried out in this area. This study illuminates various analytical and practical issues and hopefully provides a useful basis for improvement in the government’s declared commitment to poverty eradication. Triangulating qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, the study aimed to investigate the integration of the Provincial Growth and Development Program and the Integrated Development Plan and the contribution of these policy instruments towards poverty eradication in the Eastern Cape. A further aim was to analyse community participation in and knowledge of the PGDP and Amathole IDP and how they have been effective. This was an empirically grounded study, based on the use of a combination of data collection methods, analysis of primary and secondary sources of data including government documents, administering in-depth interviews to a range of informants within government, the community and a questionnaire survey of a sample drawn from members of the community in the Amatole District Municipality and, finally the use of Amatole district as a case study which was the major unit of analysis. The findings from the study revealed that there is a plethora of challenges confronting policy integration, often resulting in institutional paralysis and inertia. Such challenges vary from lack of capacity in local government, lack of political will, policy shifts, a plethora of legislation, competing if not conflicting priorities, nonattendance of Intergovernmental forums, lack of cooperation by sector departments, contradictions between legislation, policy inconsistencies, conceptual imprecision and conceptual blurring. Moreover, the neo-liberal ideology informing development planning not only in the province, but in South Africa as a whole as propagated by western main stream economists leaves benefits indeed merely ‘trickling down’ to the poor and not ‘pouring’, such that the transition in South Africa has been reduced to an ‘elite transition’. The research results confirm, as observed elsewhere, that experiences of several developing countries over the past decades do not appear to support the trickle down hypothesis. On the other hand, community participation is also stifled by lack of participatory spaces, poor participatory methodologies and structures which make participation difficult while the poor remain trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty. Real participation goes beyond ‘passive development objects’ and ‘recipients of development’ to ensuring that people are empowered to become ‘masters of their own development’ within the context of a participatory democratic developmental state. There is need for not only a thorough examination of the political use of the ‘local’, the ‘poor’ but even the very conceptualisation of participation and its methodologies for effective community participation to be realised. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2009
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Assessment of the implementation of performance management system at Mnquma Local municipality of the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Mbiko, Khanyiso Livingstone
- Date: 2008-12
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Personnel management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24165 , vital:62439
- Description: The intention of this study was to assess the implementation of performance management system at the Mnquma local municipality. The municipality of Mnquma has in the past been plagued by service delivery challenges and thus the study sought to ascertain whether the challenges could be attributed to the failures of the performance management system within the municipality. It became apparent from the literature review that for any local municipality to play a meaningful role in ensuring that South Africa achieves the goal of becoming a developmental state, capable of confronting service delivery challenges, there needs to be a proper implementation of the performance management system. The study was also aimed at identifying the factors that support or hinder the implementation of the performance management system within the Mnquma local municipality. In order to achieve this objective, scheduled interviews were conducted with various respondents in the municipality. The respondents included the councilors from the four political parties comprising the municipality council, municipal manager and the rest of the Section 57 managers. The key findings that emerged from the data collected, was that the implementation of the performance management system has not been successful. It is also became apparent that there are brewing political tensions that are likely to affect the political stability of the municipality. In addition, it was also evident that there was a minimal or lack of involvement of the local communities in the municipal affairs such as the development of the Municipal Key Performance Indicators. It would therefore be critical important for the management of the Mnquma local municipality to take into account the results of this study and its recommendations so as to ensure that there is a proper implementation of the performance management system within the municipality. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2008
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008-12
- Authors: Mbiko, Khanyiso Livingstone
- Date: 2008-12
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Personnel management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24165 , vital:62439
- Description: The intention of this study was to assess the implementation of performance management system at the Mnquma local municipality. The municipality of Mnquma has in the past been plagued by service delivery challenges and thus the study sought to ascertain whether the challenges could be attributed to the failures of the performance management system within the municipality. It became apparent from the literature review that for any local municipality to play a meaningful role in ensuring that South Africa achieves the goal of becoming a developmental state, capable of confronting service delivery challenges, there needs to be a proper implementation of the performance management system. The study was also aimed at identifying the factors that support or hinder the implementation of the performance management system within the Mnquma local municipality. In order to achieve this objective, scheduled interviews were conducted with various respondents in the municipality. The respondents included the councilors from the four political parties comprising the municipality council, municipal manager and the rest of the Section 57 managers. The key findings that emerged from the data collected, was that the implementation of the performance management system has not been successful. It is also became apparent that there are brewing political tensions that are likely to affect the political stability of the municipality. In addition, it was also evident that there was a minimal or lack of involvement of the local communities in the municipal affairs such as the development of the Municipal Key Performance Indicators. It would therefore be critical important for the management of the Mnquma local municipality to take into account the results of this study and its recommendations so as to ensure that there is a proper implementation of the performance management system within the municipality. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2008
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008-12