The effects of inflation on economic growth and unemployment in light of the global financial crisis in BRICS countries
- Authors: Falakahla, Lwazi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Inflation (Finance) -- BRIC countries , Economic development -- BRIC countries Unemployment -- BRIC countries Monetary policy , Global Financial Crisis, 2008-2009
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39829 , vital:35477
- Description: The key critical role played by Central Banks’ monetary policy and government macroeconomic policy relies on precise and timely forecasts on economic growth along the business cycle periods. In the past, many emerging countries have been facing problems of high escalating inflationary prices. This dissertation is set out to examine the influence of inflation on output growth and unemployment considering the global financial crisis in BRICS countries using annual data collected over the period 1980 to 2016. The study is divided into two sections; namely macroeconomic policy and monetary policy principles. The empirical analyses are computed through using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach proposed by Pesaran et al. (2001). The macroeconomic policy findings show that there is a negative long run relationship between inflation and economic growth in Russia and South Africa. The study’s ARDL bounds test for cointegration results also indicated that there is statistically significant long run comovement between inflation and economic growth in all BRICS countries. The study results also provided that there is an existence of a negative short run relationship between inflation and economic growth in South Africa. The Phillips curve results indicated that a positive long run trade-off between inflation and unemployment is found and no short run relationship discovered. It is also revealed that the long run co-movement between inflation and unemployment only exists in Russia and South Africa. The study is significant because it contributes to the empirical determinants of long term prosperity of the BRICS partners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Falakahla, Lwazi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Inflation (Finance) -- BRIC countries , Economic development -- BRIC countries Unemployment -- BRIC countries Monetary policy , Global Financial Crisis, 2008-2009
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39829 , vital:35477
- Description: The key critical role played by Central Banks’ monetary policy and government macroeconomic policy relies on precise and timely forecasts on economic growth along the business cycle periods. In the past, many emerging countries have been facing problems of high escalating inflationary prices. This dissertation is set out to examine the influence of inflation on output growth and unemployment considering the global financial crisis in BRICS countries using annual data collected over the period 1980 to 2016. The study is divided into two sections; namely macroeconomic policy and monetary policy principles. The empirical analyses are computed through using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach proposed by Pesaran et al. (2001). The macroeconomic policy findings show that there is a negative long run relationship between inflation and economic growth in Russia and South Africa. The study’s ARDL bounds test for cointegration results also indicated that there is statistically significant long run comovement between inflation and economic growth in all BRICS countries. The study results also provided that there is an existence of a negative short run relationship between inflation and economic growth in South Africa. The Phillips curve results indicated that a positive long run trade-off between inflation and unemployment is found and no short run relationship discovered. It is also revealed that the long run co-movement between inflation and unemployment only exists in Russia and South Africa. The study is significant because it contributes to the empirical determinants of long term prosperity of the BRICS partners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An investigation into factors impacting on exports from South Africa to the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
- Authors: Fish, Colin
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Exports -- South Africa , Exports -- Africa, Southern , Manufactures -- South Africa , Manufactures -- Africa, Southern , Economic assistance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8800 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016494
- Description: Globalisation has changed the world economy. Manufacturers face vigorous competition in both local and export markets and need to have a genuine competitive advantage in order to prosper and grow. South Africa is still predominantly a resource based exporter with high aspirations of developing trade in value-added products. The government has recognised the importance of developing national manufacturing capacity as a means of increasing employment and reducing poverty. To this end the government provides substantial support to both the manufacturing and exporting sectors. The government also negotiated the Southern African Development Community (SADC) agreement which leverages some powerful competitive advantages for South African manufacturers exporting into the region. However, since ratification of the SADC agreement in 2008 there has been no perceptible increase in export activity to the region when compared to other markets. This research study was conducted to determine why this is the case and what factors are influencing the process. A literature review was undertaken encapsulating three principal themes; namely, export barriers, the role of the South African government in the export process, and the SADC agreement. Based on the findings of the literature review a research questionnaire was constructed and subsequently completed by a cross section of manufacturers in the Eastern Cape. It was found that export barriers do not pose a major obstacle to trade into the SADC region. The role the government plays was less conclusive with some successes noted, but on the whole the impact is not meaningfully positive. On the other hand the SADC agreement and the dynamics prevailing in the free trade area do have a positive impact on exports to the region. The level of awareness with regard to the government support initiatives was disappointingly low. The government offers a number of helpful support initiatives which are unknown to more than half the response group. The awareness level of the dynamics prevailing in the SADC region are an improvement but are still surprisingly low. South African manufacturers enjoy significant competitive advantages within the region that are going largely unnoticed. It is recommended, inter alia, that the government consolidates some of its support initiatives, as well as provides a dedicated SADC support desk. Management should adopt an export culture and re-evaluate the opportunity to trade with the SADC region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Fish, Colin
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Exports -- South Africa , Exports -- Africa, Southern , Manufactures -- South Africa , Manufactures -- Africa, Southern , Economic assistance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8800 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016494
- Description: Globalisation has changed the world economy. Manufacturers face vigorous competition in both local and export markets and need to have a genuine competitive advantage in order to prosper and grow. South Africa is still predominantly a resource based exporter with high aspirations of developing trade in value-added products. The government has recognised the importance of developing national manufacturing capacity as a means of increasing employment and reducing poverty. To this end the government provides substantial support to both the manufacturing and exporting sectors. The government also negotiated the Southern African Development Community (SADC) agreement which leverages some powerful competitive advantages for South African manufacturers exporting into the region. However, since ratification of the SADC agreement in 2008 there has been no perceptible increase in export activity to the region when compared to other markets. This research study was conducted to determine why this is the case and what factors are influencing the process. A literature review was undertaken encapsulating three principal themes; namely, export barriers, the role of the South African government in the export process, and the SADC agreement. Based on the findings of the literature review a research questionnaire was constructed and subsequently completed by a cross section of manufacturers in the Eastern Cape. It was found that export barriers do not pose a major obstacle to trade into the SADC region. The role the government plays was less conclusive with some successes noted, but on the whole the impact is not meaningfully positive. On the other hand the SADC agreement and the dynamics prevailing in the free trade area do have a positive impact on exports to the region. The level of awareness with regard to the government support initiatives was disappointingly low. The government offers a number of helpful support initiatives which are unknown to more than half the response group. The awareness level of the dynamics prevailing in the SADC region are an improvement but are still surprisingly low. South African manufacturers enjoy significant competitive advantages within the region that are going largely unnoticed. It is recommended, inter alia, that the government consolidates some of its support initiatives, as well as provides a dedicated SADC support desk. Management should adopt an export culture and re-evaluate the opportunity to trade with the SADC region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
How the Christian church can help in building business ethics
- Authors: Venter, Johannes Machiel
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Business -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Business ethics , Capitalism -- Religious aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8774 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012905
- Description: Research suggests that there is a relationship between religion and business ethics. When looking at the South African society and the statistics that says that 80 percent of the population is Christian but on the other hand we are confronted within this country with increasing incidents of corruption in private companies as well as in public services. Why would that be the case? This study seeks to understand if Christianity or the local church really makes an impact on the lives of its members. The research starts of by looking at behaviour in general and what constitute to good ethical decision-making. In the study on Christian ethics it becomes clear that there is a strong appeal in the Bible on ethical behaviour. The Bible goes as far as to claim that, when in a relationship with the Lord, the followers will show His character in the way they live at home and the way they behave and make ethical decisions at the workplace. This study used focus groups to research the role of the local church in changing behaviour. The study finds that Christianity per se does not change the behaviour of church members. The church members‘ definition of the church largely determines the impact the church will have on their lives. In the study on the Christian ethics it was clear that ethics were seen as something that was formed in communities and not by rules or regulations. It was not a case of people telling others what to do and what not. It was more a case of mentors that helped others to live differently in community with others. The study finds that when the local church is build on relationships and if there is a strong sense of community, the church has a huge impact on the lives of its members. This suggests that the local church should be more focused on strong and intimate relationships and not so much on the church as organisation or institute. This is also important for the businesses that will employ these members because they will make better ethical decisions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Venter, Johannes Machiel
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Business -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Business ethics , Capitalism -- Religious aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8774 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012905
- Description: Research suggests that there is a relationship between religion and business ethics. When looking at the South African society and the statistics that says that 80 percent of the population is Christian but on the other hand we are confronted within this country with increasing incidents of corruption in private companies as well as in public services. Why would that be the case? This study seeks to understand if Christianity or the local church really makes an impact on the lives of its members. The research starts of by looking at behaviour in general and what constitute to good ethical decision-making. In the study on Christian ethics it becomes clear that there is a strong appeal in the Bible on ethical behaviour. The Bible goes as far as to claim that, when in a relationship with the Lord, the followers will show His character in the way they live at home and the way they behave and make ethical decisions at the workplace. This study used focus groups to research the role of the local church in changing behaviour. The study finds that Christianity per se does not change the behaviour of church members. The church members‘ definition of the church largely determines the impact the church will have on their lives. In the study on the Christian ethics it was clear that ethics were seen as something that was formed in communities and not by rules or regulations. It was not a case of people telling others what to do and what not. It was more a case of mentors that helped others to live differently in community with others. The study finds that when the local church is build on relationships and if there is a strong sense of community, the church has a huge impact on the lives of its members. This suggests that the local church should be more focused on strong and intimate relationships and not so much on the church as organisation or institute. This is also important for the businesses that will employ these members because they will make better ethical decisions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An investigation into the parameters affecting the stability of Dithane
- Authors: Williams, Nadia
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Fungicides , Dithane
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10407 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/645 , Fungicides , Dithane
- Description: Plant diseases caused by fungi are the number one cause of crop loss worldwide. The application of a fungicide which is a toxic substance applied either to prevent the growth of, or to kill fungi is one of the methods by which plant diseases are controlled. Ethylenebisdithiocarbamate fungicides are a group of surface acting fungicides which control a broad spectrum of fungi and their associated plant diseases. Mancozeb, also commonly known as Dithane, falls under the polymeric Dithiocarbamate fungicides which have several sites of toxicity to the fungal cell. The use of Mancozeb as a fungicide is increasing worldwide due to the advantages of low acute toxicity, low production and short environmental persistence. However, it has one major disadvantage, namely its lack of oxidative stability under ambient conditions. One of the objectives of this study was to characterize the Dithane samples supplied by Dow AgroSciences in terms of their active ingredient, metal and stabilizer content, and to study the thermal decomposition behaviour of Dithane. An attempt was made to correlate the active ingredient analyses with the TGA and DSC results to establish whether the thermal stability and active ingredient content of Dithane could be simultaneously determined by thermal analysis. This approach offered the attractive advantage of shorter analysis times thus allowing the elimination of the more tedious analytical methods employed by Dow AgroSciences. Furthermore, Fourier Transform infra-red characterization of Dithane samples and metal complexes containing HMT, Mn and/or Zn was carried out in order to identify the presence of functional groups and to gain some insight into the nature of the bonding of HMT, sulfate and water. A study of the nature of the bands in the FTIR spectra of these complexes was able to highlight the nature of the bonding but could not give confirmation of the structures of these complexes. In addition to this, the amount of HMT present in the said complexes was determined by the FTIR using the standard addition method. A final objective of the study was to investigate the reconstitution of Dithane by investigating the influence of the addition order of the various constituents on the stability of the final product. The addition order was found to have a definite influence on the thermal stability of the final product as well as on the percentage of fixed HMT in the product, and the kinetics of the Mn/Zn exchange.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Williams, Nadia
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Fungicides , Dithane
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10407 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/645 , Fungicides , Dithane
- Description: Plant diseases caused by fungi are the number one cause of crop loss worldwide. The application of a fungicide which is a toxic substance applied either to prevent the growth of, or to kill fungi is one of the methods by which plant diseases are controlled. Ethylenebisdithiocarbamate fungicides are a group of surface acting fungicides which control a broad spectrum of fungi and their associated plant diseases. Mancozeb, also commonly known as Dithane, falls under the polymeric Dithiocarbamate fungicides which have several sites of toxicity to the fungal cell. The use of Mancozeb as a fungicide is increasing worldwide due to the advantages of low acute toxicity, low production and short environmental persistence. However, it has one major disadvantage, namely its lack of oxidative stability under ambient conditions. One of the objectives of this study was to characterize the Dithane samples supplied by Dow AgroSciences in terms of their active ingredient, metal and stabilizer content, and to study the thermal decomposition behaviour of Dithane. An attempt was made to correlate the active ingredient analyses with the TGA and DSC results to establish whether the thermal stability and active ingredient content of Dithane could be simultaneously determined by thermal analysis. This approach offered the attractive advantage of shorter analysis times thus allowing the elimination of the more tedious analytical methods employed by Dow AgroSciences. Furthermore, Fourier Transform infra-red characterization of Dithane samples and metal complexes containing HMT, Mn and/or Zn was carried out in order to identify the presence of functional groups and to gain some insight into the nature of the bonding of HMT, sulfate and water. A study of the nature of the bands in the FTIR spectra of these complexes was able to highlight the nature of the bonding but could not give confirmation of the structures of these complexes. In addition to this, the amount of HMT present in the said complexes was determined by the FTIR using the standard addition method. A final objective of the study was to investigate the reconstitution of Dithane by investigating the influence of the addition order of the various constituents on the stability of the final product. The addition order was found to have a definite influence on the thermal stability of the final product as well as on the percentage of fixed HMT in the product, and the kinetics of the Mn/Zn exchange.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The role of strategic control in implementing an empowerment strategy in a selected higher education institution
- Kolver, Willem Andreas Pieter
- Authors: Kolver, Willem Andreas Pieter
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Management , Employee empowerment , Strategic planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10890 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/71 , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Management , Employee empowerment , Strategic planning
- Description: Higher education institutions in South Africa are under pressure on account of changes in their environment so those institutions which can adapt to the changes and continue to carry out their purposes will be the most successful. According to Wellins, Byham and Wilson (1991:21) the employee empowerment and energy that comes with a feeling of ownership, are necessary prerequisites for continuous improvement. When organisational values, leadership actions and human resources systems, for example, rewards, training, and organisational structures are focused on empowerment, continuous improvement actions result. These, in turn, could lead to competitive quality, increased productivity and improved customer service. This dissertation aims to assess what would be an appropriate strategic control model when implementing an empowerment strategy. To this end an empowerment process management model is presented, as well as an investigation into the most effective environment where empowerment can be implemented and the management style needed. Secondly, the characteristics of strategic control are considered and lastly, the particular circumstances of a tertiary education institution are discussed. The findings of this study are that the concept of strategic control and empowerment and the reality which exists at the selected higher education institution concur in certain instances, from the managers’ perspective. Further research to investigate the role of strategic control in implementing an empowerment strategy at the selected higher education institution when all role players are included, is recommended.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
- Authors: Kolver, Willem Andreas Pieter
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Management , Employee empowerment , Strategic planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10890 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/71 , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Management , Employee empowerment , Strategic planning
- Description: Higher education institutions in South Africa are under pressure on account of changes in their environment so those institutions which can adapt to the changes and continue to carry out their purposes will be the most successful. According to Wellins, Byham and Wilson (1991:21) the employee empowerment and energy that comes with a feeling of ownership, are necessary prerequisites for continuous improvement. When organisational values, leadership actions and human resources systems, for example, rewards, training, and organisational structures are focused on empowerment, continuous improvement actions result. These, in turn, could lead to competitive quality, increased productivity and improved customer service. This dissertation aims to assess what would be an appropriate strategic control model when implementing an empowerment strategy. To this end an empowerment process management model is presented, as well as an investigation into the most effective environment where empowerment can be implemented and the management style needed. Secondly, the characteristics of strategic control are considered and lastly, the particular circumstances of a tertiary education institution are discussed. The findings of this study are that the concept of strategic control and empowerment and the reality which exists at the selected higher education institution concur in certain instances, from the managers’ perspective. Further research to investigate the role of strategic control in implementing an empowerment strategy at the selected higher education institution when all role players are included, is recommended.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
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