The influence of the real business cycle shocks on aggregate demand in South Africa
- Authors: Mesatywa, Msa Pumelela
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Business cycles -- South Africa , Economic indicators -- South Africa Macroeconomics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42407 , vital:36653
- Description: The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of the real business cycle shocks on aggregate demand in South Africa. These shocks consist of government expenditure, oil prices, technology (proxied by research and development), labour productivity, and droughts. The theoretical framework is presented consisting of the literature review and empirical review. The Neo-classical, Keynesian and Structuralist theories are explained in the literature review. Furthermore, the empirical section consists of previous studies from developed and developing countries, and as well as studies conducted in South Africa based on the topic of this study. The Non-Linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) model approach was used to find the influence between economic growth, government expenditures, oil prices, technology shock (proxy research and development), labour productivity and droughts in South Africae using quarterly data from 1995 to 2017. The Hodrick-Prescott (HP) filter was used to extract the shocks and to test their influence on economic growth. The NARDL technique uses a single reduced form of equation to examine the long run relationship of the variables as opposed to other models. The NARDL technique is also suitable to use to test co-integration and does not require the underlying variables to be integrated of similar order. The results from the NARDL bounds test showed that there is a long run relationship for government expenditure, oil prices, technology, labour productivity and droughts. Furthermore, the labour productivity shock tends out to be the larger shock affecting South Africa’s economy. This study will provide policy recommendations on how to improve and increase labour productivity in South Africa.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The interaction between oil price shocks, currency volatility and stock market prices: evidence from South Africa
- Authors: Tshivhase, Mikovhe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Petroleum products -- Prices , Accounting and price fluctuations , Inflation (Finance) -- South Africa , Stock exchanges , Economics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43834 , vital:37051
- Description: Crude oil is an essential and strategic commodity in modern economies. Therefore, energy price fluctuations have the potential of affecting the economic welfare of a country. For instance, they have the potential to undermine the government’s attainment of its economic growth targets (National Treasury, 2016:2). The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) also considers oil price movements to be one of the major threats to currency volatility and the continued attainment of its inflation targets of about (3-6, per cent), as evidenced by numerous recent statements by its monetary policy committee (SARB, 2016:5-13). This study used co-integration tests to investigate the interaction between oil price shocks, exchange rates and stock market prices in South Africa over the period 1 January 2011 to 1 April 2018. The study employed the Johansen co-integration test. The results found no long run co-integration between oil prices, exchange rate and stock market prices. Therefore, this study adopted the VAR model for causality tests. Using the VAR model, this study found the existence of a unidirectional causality between stock prices and oil prices, with stock prices leading the oil prices changes. The all share index, resources and financials index were found to be significant variables to explain oil prices. This result is consistent with the business cycle view, which states that oil price fluctuations are mainly driven by demand factors. Furthermore, strong world output growth trends especially in emerging markets, could give rise to an upward surge in oil prices. The study also found that there is a weak correlation between stock price and exchange rate in South Africa. This is consistent with the asset approach. The findings of this study add to the already largely debated theories that seek to explain the relationship between the oil prices, exchange rates and stock market prices. The recommendation of this research is that, policy makers, researchers and investment bankers or fund managers who have interest or trade these financial instruments, may have to consider the role of stock market prices in the various sectors of the economy in their models for forecasting the path of the oil prices and the Rand/US Dollar exchange rate trend.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The relationship between cultural intelligence and cross-cultural psychological capital amongst expatriates
- Authors: Lamont, Mia Adri
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Cultural intelligence , Business anthropology Management -- Cross-cultural studies Corporate culture Work environment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40467 , vital:36168
- Description: This study explored the relationship between Cross-cultural (CC) PsyCap and Cultural Intelligence (CQ) amongst expatriates. The literature review revealed preliminary relationships between the two constructs and illuminated the need to broaden and extend current research to expatriates specifically. The study followed a quantitative research design in the form of non-experimental, cross-sectional research using convenience and snowball sampling. A composite questionnaire comprising the CC PsyCap scale and Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS) was used to measure CC PsyCap and CQ levels. This self-report measure was distributed via various social media platforms (N=102). Overall, the measurement models revealed high reliability in the present study. Although the modified hope subscale did not appear to be suited to the expatriate sample in the present study, confirmatory factor analysis revealed acceptable validity for both instruments overall. Significant differences were found in the means of CC PsyCap and CQ between demographic groups. Relationships between the constructs were tested through correlation-and regression analyses and several significant positive relationships were found between the constructs and their dimensions. Two of the strongest relationships found were between CC self-efficacy and CQ and between motivational CQ and CC PsyCap. Further, CC PsyCap was shown to account for a part of the variance in CQ and vice versa. This research adds to insights gained from the previously validated cross-cultural PsyCap measure and studies on the relationships between the two constructs.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The relationship between employee wellness and gratitude
- Authors: Jordaan, Chrizelle
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Employee health promotion -- South Africa , Work environment -- Psychological aspects Gratitude Psychology, Industrial
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39984 , vital:35636
- Description: A lack of research studies and available literature on the relationship between employee wellness and gratitude revealed enormous potential for further exploration and investigation, especially within a South African context. This is a relatively new field with limited literature and research evidence available. From the commencement of the research it was evident that there is possibility to successfully research if a relationship between employee wellness and gratitude exists, which formed the primary objective of the current study. The current study therefore aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge regarding the possible relationship that exists between employee wellness and gratitude within South African organisations. The researcher utilised a quantitative research technique by making use of a composite questionnaire measuring employee wellness and gratitude respectively. The results were then analysed in an attempt to establish if a relationship exists between employee wellness and gratitude, based on the responses gathered from the research population. The research sample consisted of 121 employees working in the waste collection industry. A combination of the Mental Health Continuum – Short Form, Gratitude Questionnaire (6-item form) as well as a demographic variable information page was utilised to gather data for the current study. The results indicated that significant findings between the demographic variables and the individual constructs respectively, however, the relationship between the dimensions of employee wellness and gratitude was lower than expected. Based on the results obtained within this study, it was concluded that a small relationship exists between employee wellness and gratitude. Chapter 5 includes a discussion on the recommendations for both the organisation as well as future researchers.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The relationship between perceived ethical leadership and employee life-satisfaction in South Africa
- Authors: van Rooyen, Uné
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Leadership -- Moral and ethical aspects , Leadership Business ethics Social responsibility of business
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44100 , vital:37110
- Description: Leadership behaviour has a significant impact on follower outcomes. How leaders are perceived in terms of ethical leadership and integrity may have an impact on follower well-being. This non-experimental, correlational study aimed to determine the relationships between Ethical Leadership, employee Life-satisfaction and Job-satisfaction in South Africa. Perceived Leader Integrity was used as an indicator of Ethical Leadership. Employing the survey method, Ethical Leadership was measured with the Perceived Leadership Integrity Scale (PLIS), Life-satisfaction was measured with the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and Job-satisfaction was measured with the Michigan Organisational Assessment Questionnaire Jobsatisfaction Subscale (MOAQ-JSS). The sample consisted of lower and middle managers in various organisations across different geographical locations in South Africa. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including Cronbach’s alpha testing, Person Product Moment correlation calculations as well as Independent samples T-tests and ANOVA statistics. The results indicated a positive, yet negligible relationship between Perceived Leader Integrity and Life-satisfaction, and a fair positive relationship between Perceived Leader Integrity and Job-satisfaction, as well as between Lifesatisfaction and Job-satisfaction. Despite several limitations, the study contributes to the current body of knowledge regarding leadership and well-being, specifically in a South African context. Recommendations for future research include cultural considerations, and more specific populations groups, among others.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The relationship between psychological capital and flourishing in the workplace
- Authors: De Reuck, Jani
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Psychology, Industrial , Personnel management Human capital -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39491 , vital:35272
- Description: Sales employees are often the most important channel a company uses to execute their strategies and generate income. Psychological capital emerged from the field of positive organisational scholarship, which believes that individuals and organisations will benefit from unlocking hidden potentials of employees by focusing on their strengths and positive qualities, leading to overall subjective well-being, referred to as flourishing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Psychological Capital and the Flourishing of retail sales employees. The current research study employed a descriptive, exploratory, quantitative and cross-sectional research design. Results were gathered through formal measurements using, The Psychological capital Questionnaire and the PERMA-Profiler and were analysed through the use of statistical measures. The Psychological Capital questionnaires were used to measure the construct of Psychological Capital (hope, resilience, optimism and self-efficacy). The PERMA-Profiler were utilised to measure the level of flourishing of the sample. Participants was selected by means of non-probability convenience sampling, while a sample of 350 retail sales employees employed at the three leading retail centres in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, completed the questionnaires. Quantitative data obtained from the survey questionnaires, were analysed through the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. The Pearson product-moment correlation was used to determine the strength of the relationships between the variables and the level of significance was set at a 95% confidence interval level (p ≤ 0,05). Owing to the data being non-normal, the Kruskal Wallis test was used to compare the distribution of different populations and nonparametric post hoc, Mann-Whitney U test. Based on the findings, there was a significant relationship found between psychological capital and flourishing amongst the sample employees in the retail industry. It is therefore possible that those relationships may hold true for future studies, in different industries as well as different occupations. Further exploration of these constructs is required in the South African context to see if the result in the present study can be supported or not.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The relationship between reward preferences and occupational stress within the South African law environment
- Authors: Orban, Shanice
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Psychology, Industrial , Stress (Psychology) -- Research Job stress
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43101 , vital:36735
- Description: The primary objective of this dissertation was to investigate the relationship between reward preferences and occupational stress within the South African law environment. In order to achieve this objective, the researcher tested a theoretical model using regression analysis, and made use of Pearson’s Product Moment Correlations. A further aim was to investigate whether differences existed according to different types of lawyers with regards to these constructs. This was done using t-Tests and analysis of variance tests. The questionnaire was completed by a total of 207 lawyers spanning across 21 law firms, in both the Eastern and Western Cape. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics which included frequency tables, and pie charts, and the aforementioned inferential statistics. The findings revealed a number of correlations between the factors of the two constructs, and significant differences with regards to the amount of stress experienced by employees within the law environment compared to the general population. The proposed theoretical model could be partially accepted as it showed that a correlation exists between Occupational Stress and the reward preference factors of Contingency Pay, Performance and Career Management, Quality Work Environment and Work/Home Integration, with no significant correlation between Occupational Stress and Base Pay and Benefits. Moreover, there was a statistically significant correlation between Distress and Reward Preferences, with no significant correlation between Coping Ability and Reward Preferences. The results of this study theoretically contribute to the area of reward preferences, and have uncovered a new area whereby reward preferences are shown to be related to occupational stress. The findings of this study hold important implications for the effective management and retention of key employees in the law environment within the South African context.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The relationship between reward preferences, psychological empowerment and emotional intelligence within the investment banking industry in South Africa
- Authors: Michalopoulos, Maria
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Incentives in industry -- South Africa , Emotional intelligence -- South Africa Investment banking -- South Africa Financial services industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41095 , vital:36295
- Description: The primary objective of this dissertation was to investigate the relationship between reward preferences, psychological empowerment and emotional intelligence (EQ) within the investment banking industry in South Africa. The researcher tested a theoretical model using regression analysis and made use of Pearson’s Product Moment Correlations in order to reach this objective. The secondary aim was to determine whether any differences existed according to job level with regards to these three constructs. This was achieved through using analysis of variance and Tukey’s HSD test. A questionnaire comprised of the Reward Preferences Questionnaire, Psychological Empowerment Questionnaire and Schutte Self-report Emotional Intelligence test was completed by a total of 221 investment banking professionals and managers, working within South Africa from several different private banking firms, as well as from larger institutional banks across the country. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, including frequency tables and pie charts, as well as the inferential statistics mentioned above. The findings revealed a number of correlations between the three constructs, as well as significant differences between job levels. The proposed theoretical model could be partially accepted as it showed that emotional intelligence acts as a partial mediator only when predicting Contingency Pay as a reward preference via psychological empowerment. In addition, emotional intelligence acts as a predictor for psychological empowerment and its subfactors, as well as the subconstructs that comprise reward preferences. These results provide topical insight into this line of research, as well as having contributed theoretically to these three constructs. Additionally, a gap in research was unveiled showing the various connections found between reward preferences, psychological empowerment and emotional intelligence. The findings of this study offer valuable implications concerning the effective management and performance of employees within the investment banking industry of South Africa.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The relationship between stock market development and economic growth in Africa
- Authors: Mkhize, Siyanda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Stock exchanges -- Africa , Africa -- Economic conditions -- 21st century , Economic development -- Africa -- 21st century , Capital market -- Africa , Finance -- Africa -- 21st century , Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115149 , vital:34082
- Description: Over the years there has been a substantial increase in the number of African stock markets. This has generated much interest from local and foreign investors, as these stock markets have had high returns. These conditions have created an interesting scenario for investigating the relationship between stock market development and economic growth. However, this opportunity has largely been neglected as the research on African stock market development is limited in developing economies relative to research conducted in developed countries. Furthermore, the research that has been conducted on the relationship between stock market development and economic growth in Africa, has generated inconclusive and conflicting results, in addition to this, the institutional quality of African countries is disregarded in most studies when the stock market development and economic growth nexus is analysed. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between stock market development and economic growth, incorporating institution variables to account for the institutional quality of African countries to provide clarity in this context. To achieve this, two sets of research hypotheses were created the first set aims to determine whether stock development has an influence on economic growth. The second set is to determine if there is any causal relationship between stock market development and economic growth. The study utilizes System Generalized Method of Moments models to examine the effect of stock market development on economic growth, in 18 African countries for the period 2003- 2016. The results indicate that market capitalization has a positive influence on economic growth whilst, contrastingly liquidity in the form of value traded has a negative effect on economic growth. The study further analyses the causal relationship between stock market development and economic growth, by employing the recently developed PVAR-Granger causality test. However, before this is done several Pedroni cointegration tests were first conducted to establish whether a long-term relationship exists between stock market development and economic growth, which revealed that no strong evidence of cointegration exists necessitating the use of a PVAR-Granger causality test. The PVAR-Granger causality test reveals that stock market development granger causes economic growth, irrespective of the stock market development measure used and there is no feedback effect from economic growth. The unilateral causality established in this study flowing from stock market development to economic growth supports the supply-leading hypothesis. The overall results of this study demonstrate that there is ambiguity on the impact of stock market development on economic growth, as the measures of stock market development have contrasting impacts on economic growth. The size component of stock market development in the form of market capitalization has positive influence whilst, liquidity in form of total value traded has a negative effect. However, the causal relationship is clearly shown to be unilaterally flowing from stock market development to economic growth.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The role of agricultural support programmes on the livelihoods of smallholder maize farmers in Lesotho: asset utilisation, productivity and perceptions
- Authors: Mohlahatsa, Taole
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Agriculture and state -- Lesotho , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho , Farms, Small -- Government policy -- Lesotho , Farms, Small -- Lesotho , Agricultural assistance -- Lesotho , Rural development -- Lesotho
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71580 , vital:29914
- Description: The agricultural sector is widely considered an important contributor to economic development in least developed countries. It plays an important role in Lesotho and has been the backbone of rural activities and the prime employer of Basotho citizens. Smallholder farming is recognised by the government of Lesotho as a vehicle for addressing food security and poverty reduction. Maize is the principal staple crop produced by about 90 percent of farmers in Lesotho and it constitutes about 80 percent of the Basotho diet. Maize production is highly affected by climate change and is characterised by fluctuating yields because of erratic rainfall. In addition to unfavorable climate change, smallholder farmers in Lesotho experience challenges such as lack of farming inputs, limited access to markets and limited financial capital. These constraints confine them to a life of subsistence farming with low production and increased incidences of poverty. The government of Lesotho has intervened in the smallholder agricultural sector to stimulate production and productivity by introducing some agricultural programmes such as (i) the National Fertiliser and Input subsidy, (ii) the Smallholder Agricultural Development Programme, (iii) the National Block Farming, and (iv) the Integrated Watershed Management Programme. However, despite such government interventions, production in the smallholder agricultural sector continues to face recurring constraints. Studies on the National Block Farming Programme have showed that the programme has had limited impact on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Furthermore, farmers believe the Integrated Watershed Management Programme has a biased selection criteria as selection of areas is influenced by politicians who favour areas where they have a large political following and marginilise other areas. These concerns have also led to low participation rates in such programmes as wealthier, large scale farmers capture most of the benefits of government programmes. Disproportionate benefits of agricultural programmes to smallholder farmers imply that they continue to face the same constraints in production and have to find alternative ways of maintaining production and selling excess produce to sustain their livelihoods. The main goal of this research is therefore to study the livelihoods of smallholder maize farmers in Lesotho and how agricultural support programmes influence their production of maize. The study adopted a pragmatic mixed methods approach with a qualitative dominant sequential design. Accordingly, both quantitative and qualitative data was used to address the research goal. Quantitative data collected from the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics and the World Bank was used for trend analysis on maize productivity, temperature and rainfall over the period 1980-2016. Qualitative primary data was collected by conducting focus group discussions with smallholder maize farmers and key stakeholder interviews using the sustainable livelihood framework as a conceptual guide. The study comprised of a total of 85 research participants consisting of 75 smallholder maize farmers and 10 key stakeholders. Farmers were selected from 10 key maize producing areas in Leribe and Mafeteng districts in Leribe. Results revealed fluctuating maize productivity and productivity growth rates where such fluctuations are caused by government intervention and natural calamities in the form of erratic rains and dry spells. Droughts and late arrival of subsidised inputs are the chief constraints to maize production. In relation to livelihood assets, human and social assets are the more available assets relative to other assets (financial, natural and physical) of the sustainable livelihood framework. Furthermore, the National Fertiliser and Input subsidy Programme and the Smallholder Agricultural Development Programme are the most beneficial programmes to farmers livelihoods as they increase the accessibility of limited livelihood assets and therefore allowing farmers to achieve their livelihood goals. In contrast, the National Block Farming and the Integrated Watershed Management Programme are the least beneficial programmes to farmers’ livelihoods and are biased in their geographical targeting criteria. The study recommends that the government revises all selected support programmes in this study in areas warranting improvements so as to fairly and efficiently allocate resources that meet the needs of farmers. The study also recommends that farmers put more effort in adopting new technologies and strategies to improve production of maize in areas where government intervention has failed.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The role of Information and Communication Technology in developing entrepreneurial skills in marginalised communities: the case of Grahamstown
- Authors: Mabika, Vinia Ruvimbo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Occupational training -- South Africa , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa , Vocational education -- South Africa , Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Businesspeople, Black -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Businesspeople -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/94169 , vital:31012
- Description: A call to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 was made by the United Nations in 2015 after the expiry of the Millennium Development Goals. This has led to the need for youth entrepreneurship studies in marginalised communities that are burdened by poverty. The marginalised communities in South Africa, where most poor unemployed people live face numerous challenges. These range from a shortage of skilled people, inequality, poverty, poor infrastructure and lack of formal and informal skills development for communities. Employing information and communication technologies (ICTs) has the potential to improve socio-economic activities, aid comprehensive human development and empower communities. To ensure human development, provision of ICTs to communities should be accompanied by approaches and guidelines that can be used to empower them through entrepreneurship. This requires investigating how ICTs can lead to the empowerment of unemployed citizens within a community. Specifically, the types of tailored ICT skills that are needed to access such empowerment opportunities and are typically taught at skills development programmes (SDPs). An interpretivist, qualitative case study approach was employed during the investigation of four skills development programmes in Grahamstown (Eastern Cape). The participants included programme directors, managers, trainees who had become entrepreneurs after attending training and those who had not started a business yet. Semi-structured interviews were employed for data collection and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data; while making use of absorptive capacity theory (ACT) as a theoretical framework. The researcher sought to answer the following main question: How should ICT-based skills development programmes be applied to enhance entrepreneurial skills within marginalised communities? To answer this, the research contributes by proposing a guideline that can be implemented to address the skills shortage in Grahamstown. The first stage requires a community needs assessment, looking at the community members prior and related knowledge. Secondly, the SDPs should create a culture of learning by transforming participants’ mindsets through core programmes. Thirdly, the core programmes should be linked with ICT skills training. After training is completed, the SDPs and external world bodies should assist with follow up support courses. During all these stages monitoring and evaluation should be implemented, and all key stakeholders should be involved.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The taxation of the “sharing economy” in South Africa
- Authors: Gumbo, Wadzanai Charisma
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Corporations -- Taxation Taxation -- South Africa Value-added tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Double taxation -- South Africa Tax evasion -- South Africa Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Tax administration and procedure -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64045 , vital:28525
- Description: The research examined whether the services provided by the “sharing economy” platforms are adequately dealt with by the current South African tax systems. In addressing this main goal, the research analysed how the South African tax systems deal with the income and expenses of Uber, Airbnb and their respective service providers. The research also investigated how South Africa could classify “sharing economy” workers and how this would affect the deductibility of the worker’s expenses. A brief analysis was made of the taxation of the “sharing economy” businesses in Australia and the United States of America. These countries have implemented measures to effectively deal with regulating the “sharing economy” businesses. An interpretative research approach was used to provide clarity on the matter. Documentary data used for the research consists of tax legislation, case law, textbooks, commentaries, journal articles and theses. The research concluded that the current taxation systems have loopholes that are allowing participants in the “sharing economy” to avoid paying tax in South Africa. The thesis recommends that the legislature could adopt certain measures applied in Australia and the United States of America to more effectively regulate “sharing economy” in South African and remedy the leakages the current tax systems suffer, causing SARS to lose potential revenue.
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- Date Issued: 2019
Timing of the incidence of tax in suspensive sale agreements and agreements with suspensive conditions
- Authors: Zondi, Bonginkosi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Tax administration and procedure -- South Africa , Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Taxation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44269 , vital:37144
- Description: This study critically examines suspensive sale agreements and agreements subject to suspensive conditions in the South African taxation system. It examines challenges associated with the application of the disposal rules in the context of the Income Tax Act No. 58 of 1962, which includes capital gains tax, and Value-Added Tax Act No. 89 of 1991 relating to these types of agreements. The study also looks at those aspects in which these agreements generally differ and concur. As one of its areas of focus, the study inter alia makes a comparison of the South African approach to the timing of the tax incidence under these agreements, to the approaches adopted by other countries, namely Canada, Zimbabwe and the United States of America (USA).
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- Date Issued: 2019
Vacancy and unemployment analysis in South Africa
- Authors: Hamman, Nicolene
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Job vacancies -- South Africa , Unemployment -- South Africa Job hunting -- South Africa Labor supply -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39621 , vital:35333
- Description: Ever since the transition post-1994, the South African economy have been faced with increasing unemployment rates, and an increasing labour force but not sufficient job opportunities to absorb these new entrants. Labour market conditions in South Africa can be considered tight after taking into account the high rates of unemployment and labour force participation. A unique empirical relationship surfaced within the macroeconomics context which had a significant impact on economic thinking. Beveridge (1944) postulated that there is a negative relationship between job vacancies and unemployment, and it is depicted by the Beveridge curve. This study therefore analysed the relationship between vacancies and unemployment in South Africa from 2008 to 2016. An autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) model was employed to carry out the objectives of this study and the results suggested that there is a positive relationship between these two variables; which imply that the Beveridge curve theory does not apply to labour market of South Africa. This in turn suggests that labour demand and labour supply exists concurrently in this particular market. Thus, it is commendable for policy makers to have an in-depth introspection at the skills-supply, and the policies examining unemployment in South Africa to ensure that the unemployed fill the unfilled vacancies.
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- Date Issued: 2019
Values and workplace expectations of young graduates in the private sector
- Authors: Kriel, Caylin Jade
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Generation Y -- Employment , Generation X -- Employment Intergenerational relations Group relations training Teams in the workplace Personnel management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40500 , vital:36177
- Description: Understanding the values and workplace expectations of young South African graduates, referred to in this study as Millennials, is vital for the future success of organisations. Organisations gain a competitive advantage by attracting, engaging and retaining top talent. Millennials are not always positively received in the workplace, due to the prevailing stereotypes held about this group. However, the Millennial generation has an important role to play in the workplace, both in contributing towards organisational success, and as future leaders. A greater understanding of this generation, more particularly in terms of their values and workplace expectations, is thus necessary for ensuring effective talent acquisition and management strategies. The aim of the study was to identify the values of Millennials, both within their personal and working lives. This is important; as individuals take their values into the workplace. Secondly, the expectations that Millennials have of their employers and workplaces in general was explored. With this understanding in mind, the purpose of the study was to advise organisations on how to better prepare for and accommodate Millennials’ values and workplace expectations, in order to enhance their role in contributing towards organisational success, as well as contributing towards their levels of engagement and job satisfaction. The study adopted a qualitative and phenomenological research design. The sample comprised eight young South African graduates working within the private sector, and residing in Port Elizabeth, within the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, who possessed an undergraduate tertiary qualification, and held at least one year’s work experience. It was further required that the participants fall within the Millennial generational cohort, aged between 22 and 30 years. The sampling technique used was non-probability purposive convenience sampling. One-on-one semi-structured interviews formed the data-collection instrument; and thematic analysis was used for the data processing and analysis. Congruence was identified between the values and the workplace expectations of young South African graduates in the private sector through the semi-structured interviews and the literature review; and between the identified values and the workplace expectations of the eight participants. This study contributes towards the field of knowledge used in describing the nature of the values and the workplace expectations of Millennials; and provides recommendations in terms of workplace implications.
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- Date Issued: 2019