Accountability deficits in local government in South Africa: implications for social and economic development
- Authors: Sepogwane, Pheladi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Budget deficits -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa Local government -- South Africa -- Evaluation South Africa -- Economic conditions Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43424 , vital:36879
- Description: Local government faces require that spheres of government provide accountable, effective, transparent, and good governance. Yet local government face challenges that compel a need for mechanisms that will improve the accountability and effective management of municipal resources. There have been concerns among scholars that development is not being coordinated by an evenly powerful formation of fitting accountability regimes (Abata, 2012; Adenuga, 2013). For this reason, the study aims to investigate to what degree and how trends towards local government policymaking and implementation have been matched by correspondent changes and innovations in accountability regimes and practices. In keeping with the distinctions made above, it undertakes research on accountability practices in two domains of politics. It entails a systematic comparative empirical research on accountability regimes surrounding: the municipal mayors, committees and managers in regular policymaking, implementation and crisis management; evaluating the effectiveness of accountability regimes as catalysts of development programmes. The Researcher observed growing concerns on the issues of accountability. Hence an exploratory study on the issue based on qualitative research methodology was undertaken. The method of research is comprised of a case study, observation and interviews that were conducted. The accountability systems that were examined include the political, bureaucratic and professional accountability systems. Yet the two accountability mechanisms that were designed highlight the challenges in the dominance, abuse of powers, non-compliance with the code of conduct, the lack of exemplary behaviour and accountability deficits. The major conclusion that is drawn from the research study is that a multi-dimensional is required to ensure effective accountability systems in municipalities. The recommendations include the enforcement of the legal instruments, codes of conduct; the impartial prosecution of violators; implementing effective policies on training and personnel management and encouraging associations and stakeholders to play a catalytic role in enforcing accountability in municipalities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Sepogwane, Pheladi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Budget deficits -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa Local government -- South Africa -- Evaluation South Africa -- Economic conditions Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43424 , vital:36879
- Description: Local government faces require that spheres of government provide accountable, effective, transparent, and good governance. Yet local government face challenges that compel a need for mechanisms that will improve the accountability and effective management of municipal resources. There have been concerns among scholars that development is not being coordinated by an evenly powerful formation of fitting accountability regimes (Abata, 2012; Adenuga, 2013). For this reason, the study aims to investigate to what degree and how trends towards local government policymaking and implementation have been matched by correspondent changes and innovations in accountability regimes and practices. In keeping with the distinctions made above, it undertakes research on accountability practices in two domains of politics. It entails a systematic comparative empirical research on accountability regimes surrounding: the municipal mayors, committees and managers in regular policymaking, implementation and crisis management; evaluating the effectiveness of accountability regimes as catalysts of development programmes. The Researcher observed growing concerns on the issues of accountability. Hence an exploratory study on the issue based on qualitative research methodology was undertaken. The method of research is comprised of a case study, observation and interviews that were conducted. The accountability systems that were examined include the political, bureaucratic and professional accountability systems. Yet the two accountability mechanisms that were designed highlight the challenges in the dominance, abuse of powers, non-compliance with the code of conduct, the lack of exemplary behaviour and accountability deficits. The major conclusion that is drawn from the research study is that a multi-dimensional is required to ensure effective accountability systems in municipalities. The recommendations include the enforcement of the legal instruments, codes of conduct; the impartial prosecution of violators; implementing effective policies on training and personnel management and encouraging associations and stakeholders to play a catalytic role in enforcing accountability in municipalities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Challenges of subsistence farming in South Africa: a case study of Emjkweni village in Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Mngqinya, Yoliswa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Subsistence agriculture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44553 , vital:38142
- Description: Subsistence agriculture plays an important role in the livelihood of Africa’s rural population. Yet in many countries like South Africa, rather than seeing an upward projection of food production with an almost natural shift towards commercialising household production of food, the state of rural agriculture continues to go into decline. Since the advent of South Africa’s new dawn of democracy in 1994, agriculture has been the priority of government for the advancement of subsistence economy and rural development in rural communities. But progress in making a vibrant sustainable economy out of subsistence farming has remained stymied. At a time when there is a need to significantly increase the productivity of subsistence/smallholder agriculture and ensure long-term food security, rural subsistence farmers in the former bread basket of the Eastern Cape Province, have abandoned crop production. Characteristic of contemporary Eastern Cape’s rural landscape is the sight of large tracts of farm land lying uncultivated. Amidst a raging debate in South Africa on land the merits of the debate remain silent in the face of visibly idle crop land. This study has attempted to make a small incision into a growing body of knowledge on land reform with a view to and laying bare current challenges that keep rural folk out of the field, notwithstanding availability of land. Adopting multi-level research techniques, a purposive sample of 83 village respondents in eMjikweni was selected. Through a combination of face-to-face interviews using an open-ended interview instrument; focus group discussions and case studies, information was extracted from the sample to understand the current challenges of subsistence farming that make for poor household crop production, intensified dependence on social grants for income and growing food insecurity. Despite a conducive policy environment, the study findings suggest that as long as political will is absent, the formula for agrarian reform will remain incorrect, further entrenching rural poverty. As an exercise in social enquiry, the study employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods, while being careful to note how methodology impacts on the ability of respondents to narrate their lived experience, which, carefully crafted, can be valuable catalysts to a more bottom-up approach to rural development, sustainable agriculture and enhanced food security in the Eastern Cape. The merit of this study in making the said incision into a growing body of information on land reform is that it provides a glimpse into the life of a rural subsistence farmer. With the launch of the Presidential Panel Report on Land Reform (2019) a few days ago, the voice and experience of those who bear the brunt of land reform becomes critical. They are a people facing enormous challenges to restoring subsistence agriculture as a vibrant contributor to food security at household level and to reduced dependency on the state for its livelihood. They are a people who once created the “bread basket” of the Eastern Cape Province with a vibrant agricultural economy. They are a people who raise children to form part of the significant statistics of migrants to the economic hubs of Gauteng Province in particular in search of employment. They are a people who contribute significantly to the growing numbers of people dependent on the state for social grants. They are a people central to solving land reform for a better South Africa. It is based on their stories that this study’s findings argue for the revitalisation of the subsistence economies of rural communities which recognises the deeply entrenched socio-economic and geo-spatial transformations over time that make it quite complex to return to a past utopia. It is the premise of this thesis that the smallholder and subsistence agricultural sector has the potential to create job opportunities and promote local economic development in rural communities, which in turn would mitigate the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality facing South African society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mngqinya, Yoliswa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Subsistence agriculture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44553 , vital:38142
- Description: Subsistence agriculture plays an important role in the livelihood of Africa’s rural population. Yet in many countries like South Africa, rather than seeing an upward projection of food production with an almost natural shift towards commercialising household production of food, the state of rural agriculture continues to go into decline. Since the advent of South Africa’s new dawn of democracy in 1994, agriculture has been the priority of government for the advancement of subsistence economy and rural development in rural communities. But progress in making a vibrant sustainable economy out of subsistence farming has remained stymied. At a time when there is a need to significantly increase the productivity of subsistence/smallholder agriculture and ensure long-term food security, rural subsistence farmers in the former bread basket of the Eastern Cape Province, have abandoned crop production. Characteristic of contemporary Eastern Cape’s rural landscape is the sight of large tracts of farm land lying uncultivated. Amidst a raging debate in South Africa on land the merits of the debate remain silent in the face of visibly idle crop land. This study has attempted to make a small incision into a growing body of knowledge on land reform with a view to and laying bare current challenges that keep rural folk out of the field, notwithstanding availability of land. Adopting multi-level research techniques, a purposive sample of 83 village respondents in eMjikweni was selected. Through a combination of face-to-face interviews using an open-ended interview instrument; focus group discussions and case studies, information was extracted from the sample to understand the current challenges of subsistence farming that make for poor household crop production, intensified dependence on social grants for income and growing food insecurity. Despite a conducive policy environment, the study findings suggest that as long as political will is absent, the formula for agrarian reform will remain incorrect, further entrenching rural poverty. As an exercise in social enquiry, the study employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods, while being careful to note how methodology impacts on the ability of respondents to narrate their lived experience, which, carefully crafted, can be valuable catalysts to a more bottom-up approach to rural development, sustainable agriculture and enhanced food security in the Eastern Cape. The merit of this study in making the said incision into a growing body of information on land reform is that it provides a glimpse into the life of a rural subsistence farmer. With the launch of the Presidential Panel Report on Land Reform (2019) a few days ago, the voice and experience of those who bear the brunt of land reform becomes critical. They are a people facing enormous challenges to restoring subsistence agriculture as a vibrant contributor to food security at household level and to reduced dependency on the state for its livelihood. They are a people who once created the “bread basket” of the Eastern Cape Province with a vibrant agricultural economy. They are a people who raise children to form part of the significant statistics of migrants to the economic hubs of Gauteng Province in particular in search of employment. They are a people who contribute significantly to the growing numbers of people dependent on the state for social grants. They are a people central to solving land reform for a better South Africa. It is based on their stories that this study’s findings argue for the revitalisation of the subsistence economies of rural communities which recognises the deeply entrenched socio-economic and geo-spatial transformations over time that make it quite complex to return to a past utopia. It is the premise of this thesis that the smallholder and subsistence agricultural sector has the potential to create job opportunities and promote local economic development in rural communities, which in turn would mitigate the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality facing South African society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Employee talent management in the Uganda health sector: a public institutions perspective
- Authors: Nakato, Jamidah
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Employee retention -- Uganda , Leadership -- Uganda Executives -- Training of Executive ability
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41751 , vital:36578
- Description: Globally, talent management has been acknowledged as a prime source of employee attraction and retention as well as organisational performance and commitment. Although the health sector plays an important role in the economic development of any country, in Uganda, the management of talented employees still remains a challenge. In this country, many institutions have not incorporated and adopted suitable talent management strategies, thus compromising access to and quality of care. A hypothetical model and measuring instruments were developed to investigate the factors contributing to and the benefits of effective employee talent management in the Ugandan health sector. The following ten independent variables that have the prospect of influencing effective talent management (intervening variable) were identified on the basis of organisational, management and personal factors: talent pool, organisational support, work conditions, social and work environment, reward system, leadership styles, career development, supervisor support, employee engagement and employee personality. In this study, it was also postulated that talent management has potential to effect the dependent variables, namely, talent attraction, employee retention, organisational performance and organisational commitment. In total, fourteen hypotheses were formulated to test relationships between independent, intervening and dependent variables. The study utilised the quantitative research paradigm in order to seek employee perceptions regarding public institutions within the health sector, in Uganda’s Central region. Using stratified random sampling, a sample of 910 participants was drawn from the identified population. A survey was conducted with the aid of a structured, selfadministered questionnaire that was distributed to the seven categories of hospitals and health centres in Central Uganda; 910 questionnaires were distributed to doctors, consultants, dentists, dispensers, nurses, pharmacists, clinical officers, laboratory staff, occupational therapists, allied health staff, environmental health officers, general administrative cadres, cold chain technicians and support staff. Of these, 655 were useable, which indicates a 71% response rate. The data collected was captured and analysed using various statistical analysis techniques. The study findings reveal that organisational support, employee satisfaction, an enabling work environment, a stable working environment and career development effectively influence talent management. However, management in health sector institutions need to realise the importance of facilitating and monitoring job autonomy and personal values in order to effectively enhance talent management. The study results further reveal that talent management has a positive influence on employee retention and holistic development for organisational performance. For optimal talent management, the study recommends that organisations pay attention to cultivating an enabling and stable work environment that is suitable for motivating employees towards improved performance and work commitment. Therefore, health sector management should focus on potential, and not only on performance, by matching individuals with the right positions that can expose their capabilities and potential. It was further recommended that organisations need to accept and show confidence in their employees by allowing them freedom in carrying out their tasks. In addition, it was highlighted that ascertaining and utilising information about the values and principles that employees hold can help explain their behaviours and attitudes at work. This would increase the chances of talented employees realising their full potential and competencies in their jobs. Therefore, this study found that there is a need for public institutions within the health sector to focus on supporting employees by offering a well-defined career development programme, which caters for the needs of individuals and which acts as an incentive for the recruitment of qualified employees. Thus, management will succeed in retaining, attracting and maintaining talented individuals who can perform well. In order to uphold the expected ethical behaviour of conducting research, the researcher obtained approval and ethics clearance from Nelson Mandela University, permission to conduct the study from the Ugandan Ministry of Health, and communicated all the information relevant to the study to the participants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Nakato, Jamidah
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Employee retention -- Uganda , Leadership -- Uganda Executives -- Training of Executive ability
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41751 , vital:36578
- Description: Globally, talent management has been acknowledged as a prime source of employee attraction and retention as well as organisational performance and commitment. Although the health sector plays an important role in the economic development of any country, in Uganda, the management of talented employees still remains a challenge. In this country, many institutions have not incorporated and adopted suitable talent management strategies, thus compromising access to and quality of care. A hypothetical model and measuring instruments were developed to investigate the factors contributing to and the benefits of effective employee talent management in the Ugandan health sector. The following ten independent variables that have the prospect of influencing effective talent management (intervening variable) were identified on the basis of organisational, management and personal factors: talent pool, organisational support, work conditions, social and work environment, reward system, leadership styles, career development, supervisor support, employee engagement and employee personality. In this study, it was also postulated that talent management has potential to effect the dependent variables, namely, talent attraction, employee retention, organisational performance and organisational commitment. In total, fourteen hypotheses were formulated to test relationships between independent, intervening and dependent variables. The study utilised the quantitative research paradigm in order to seek employee perceptions regarding public institutions within the health sector, in Uganda’s Central region. Using stratified random sampling, a sample of 910 participants was drawn from the identified population. A survey was conducted with the aid of a structured, selfadministered questionnaire that was distributed to the seven categories of hospitals and health centres in Central Uganda; 910 questionnaires were distributed to doctors, consultants, dentists, dispensers, nurses, pharmacists, clinical officers, laboratory staff, occupational therapists, allied health staff, environmental health officers, general administrative cadres, cold chain technicians and support staff. Of these, 655 were useable, which indicates a 71% response rate. The data collected was captured and analysed using various statistical analysis techniques. The study findings reveal that organisational support, employee satisfaction, an enabling work environment, a stable working environment and career development effectively influence talent management. However, management in health sector institutions need to realise the importance of facilitating and monitoring job autonomy and personal values in order to effectively enhance talent management. The study results further reveal that talent management has a positive influence on employee retention and holistic development for organisational performance. For optimal talent management, the study recommends that organisations pay attention to cultivating an enabling and stable work environment that is suitable for motivating employees towards improved performance and work commitment. Therefore, health sector management should focus on potential, and not only on performance, by matching individuals with the right positions that can expose their capabilities and potential. It was further recommended that organisations need to accept and show confidence in their employees by allowing them freedom in carrying out their tasks. In addition, it was highlighted that ascertaining and utilising information about the values and principles that employees hold can help explain their behaviours and attitudes at work. This would increase the chances of talented employees realising their full potential and competencies in their jobs. Therefore, this study found that there is a need for public institutions within the health sector to focus on supporting employees by offering a well-defined career development programme, which caters for the needs of individuals and which acts as an incentive for the recruitment of qualified employees. Thus, management will succeed in retaining, attracting and maintaining talented individuals who can perform well. In order to uphold the expected ethical behaviour of conducting research, the researcher obtained approval and ethics clearance from Nelson Mandela University, permission to conduct the study from the Ugandan Ministry of Health, and communicated all the information relevant to the study to the participants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Model for the alleviation of poverty in South Africa
- Authors: Visagie, Jana
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa , Poverty -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45701 , vital:38956
- Description: The existence of extreme poverty in an affluent world is morally unacceptable and action needs to be taken. The reduction of economic and social inequality within countries and between countries, as well as the honouring of human rights, is of utmost importance, but the eradication of poverty must take priority One of the main problems with poverty is that poverty impedes human flourishing). People are hungry and constantly live in pain and anguish while education is hampered. People do not develop fully on cognitive and physical levels as poverty allows the exploitation of the poor and their bodies. Feelings of shame and worthlessness are established for reasons people cannot control. To contribute to the ongoing attempts to reduce poverty, it is necessary to have an understanding as to why people remain poor in an affluent world and what can be done to address the causes of poverty. Unless a global culture of ethics and value alignment is pursued for the reduction of poverty, there will be devastating effects for the future Underwriting lasting escapes from chronic poverty demands more investment in education, employment and human development potentials and in the related infrastructure that permits people to enhance their living standards while developing their resilience to handle setbacks and the effects of climate change.ffects include, for example, disaster-risk management, global healthcare and social cohesion. These investment efforts 9 have the ability to generate a virtuous cycle of poverty reduction, national economic growth and enlarged individual opportunity This could diminish the inequalities that decelerate human development. The lack of practical and outcome-based poverty reduction models affords this research with a unique opportunity to fulfil the need and to contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the reduction of poverty towards 2030.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Visagie, Jana
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa , Poverty -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45701 , vital:38956
- Description: The existence of extreme poverty in an affluent world is morally unacceptable and action needs to be taken. The reduction of economic and social inequality within countries and between countries, as well as the honouring of human rights, is of utmost importance, but the eradication of poverty must take priority One of the main problems with poverty is that poverty impedes human flourishing). People are hungry and constantly live in pain and anguish while education is hampered. People do not develop fully on cognitive and physical levels as poverty allows the exploitation of the poor and their bodies. Feelings of shame and worthlessness are established for reasons people cannot control. To contribute to the ongoing attempts to reduce poverty, it is necessary to have an understanding as to why people remain poor in an affluent world and what can be done to address the causes of poverty. Unless a global culture of ethics and value alignment is pursued for the reduction of poverty, there will be devastating effects for the future Underwriting lasting escapes from chronic poverty demands more investment in education, employment and human development potentials and in the related infrastructure that permits people to enhance their living standards while developing their resilience to handle setbacks and the effects of climate change.ffects include, for example, disaster-risk management, global healthcare and social cohesion. These investment efforts 9 have the ability to generate a virtuous cycle of poverty reduction, national economic growth and enlarged individual opportunity This could diminish the inequalities that decelerate human development. The lack of practical and outcome-based poverty reduction models affords this research with a unique opportunity to fulfil the need and to contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the reduction of poverty towards 2030.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Residents’ perspectives on township tourism in Mondesa, Swakopmund, Namibia
- Auala, Lovisa Sisco Ndapanda
- Authors: Auala, Lovisa Sisco Ndapanda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Tourism — Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42448 , vital:36661
- Description: Township tourism is regarded as one of the fastest growing tourist activities in Namibia (Buning, Legant, Schauwinhold, Steinbrink & Subenguth, 2016:14). This research study presents an exploratory inquiry that seeks an in-depth understanding of residents’perspectives on township tourism in Mondesa, Swakopmund, Namibia.In order to conceptualise the extent to which the residents’needs are being met through the benefits derived from township tourism. The residents’ perspectives on township tourism in Mondesa areexplored with respect to the benefits and costs derived from township tourism, participation in township tourism, and interaction with tourist during a township tour and consultation on township tourismwhich forms part of the research questions ofthe study. By applying the Social Exchange Theory (SET) in this study, the relationships between the variables that influence the residents perceived benefit and costs of township tourism in Mondesa are explored further in depth in combination with Pretty’s Typology of participation and Scheyne’s typology of community empowerment in tourism (Ap, 1992: 668; Mason, 2003:119; Sharpley and Telfer, 2002:152;Cooper, Fletcher, Gilbert & Wanhill, 1993:91).These variables are namely; social, economic, psychological, environmental, cultural, Manipulative, passive, educational and political factors. They form part of the conceptual framework of the study.This study followed a qualitative research approachandmultiple data sources were collected including semi-structured interviews with residents from Mondesa:these included residents involved in township tourism and those not involved in township tourism. To triangulate the data collection, semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from tourism industry and government bodies related to townshiptourism. Data analysis was done through the facilitation of Atlas tiaqualitative data analysis software and deductive codes were established from the literature(variables from the conceptual framework)and themes were developed from the research questions.The findings indicate that residents who are not involved in township tourism arenot influenced by the benefit and cost equation of the social exchange theory (Andriotis, 2005:69). Therefore residents not involved in township tourism are positive about tourism irrespective of whether they benefit directly from financial gain through tourism. The findingsfurtheremphasis oncommunity benefitsfrom township tourism being as important, than individual benefits. This study also provides knowledge that meaningful interaction between tourist and residents has the ability to reduce the apartheid paradigm of racial division and discrimination, which was the basis of the formation of townships.Residents’ misconception about white people are changed due to their personal interaction and cultural exchange with white tourist during a township tour. Anothersignificant findings to emerge from this study is the ability for township tourism to transform the lives of residents living in townships through the intrinsic benefits derived from township tourism. Township tourism has the ability to contribute to positive human exchange through interaction between residents and tourists. By sharing a positive cultural exchange, strong relationships are built between the tourists and residents, which may provide long term sustainability of township tourism. The positive personal transformational effect on residents through interaction with tourists is contributing to residents’ socio-economic well-being. Therefore township tourism has the ability to quantitatively and qualitatively address the alleviationof poverty in townshipsand fostering understanding and mutual respect among peoples of the world.The studyconcluded with a framework of guidelines toaid key stakeholders in the development and planning of township tourism and encourages the practice of sustainable tourism in townships.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Auala, Lovisa Sisco Ndapanda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Tourism — Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42448 , vital:36661
- Description: Township tourism is regarded as one of the fastest growing tourist activities in Namibia (Buning, Legant, Schauwinhold, Steinbrink & Subenguth, 2016:14). This research study presents an exploratory inquiry that seeks an in-depth understanding of residents’perspectives on township tourism in Mondesa, Swakopmund, Namibia.In order to conceptualise the extent to which the residents’needs are being met through the benefits derived from township tourism. The residents’ perspectives on township tourism in Mondesa areexplored with respect to the benefits and costs derived from township tourism, participation in township tourism, and interaction with tourist during a township tour and consultation on township tourismwhich forms part of the research questions ofthe study. By applying the Social Exchange Theory (SET) in this study, the relationships between the variables that influence the residents perceived benefit and costs of township tourism in Mondesa are explored further in depth in combination with Pretty’s Typology of participation and Scheyne’s typology of community empowerment in tourism (Ap, 1992: 668; Mason, 2003:119; Sharpley and Telfer, 2002:152;Cooper, Fletcher, Gilbert & Wanhill, 1993:91).These variables are namely; social, economic, psychological, environmental, cultural, Manipulative, passive, educational and political factors. They form part of the conceptual framework of the study.This study followed a qualitative research approachandmultiple data sources were collected including semi-structured interviews with residents from Mondesa:these included residents involved in township tourism and those not involved in township tourism. To triangulate the data collection, semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from tourism industry and government bodies related to townshiptourism. Data analysis was done through the facilitation of Atlas tiaqualitative data analysis software and deductive codes were established from the literature(variables from the conceptual framework)and themes were developed from the research questions.The findings indicate that residents who are not involved in township tourism arenot influenced by the benefit and cost equation of the social exchange theory (Andriotis, 2005:69). Therefore residents not involved in township tourism are positive about tourism irrespective of whether they benefit directly from financial gain through tourism. The findingsfurtheremphasis oncommunity benefitsfrom township tourism being as important, than individual benefits. This study also provides knowledge that meaningful interaction between tourist and residents has the ability to reduce the apartheid paradigm of racial division and discrimination, which was the basis of the formation of townships.Residents’ misconception about white people are changed due to their personal interaction and cultural exchange with white tourist during a township tour. Anothersignificant findings to emerge from this study is the ability for township tourism to transform the lives of residents living in townships through the intrinsic benefits derived from township tourism. Township tourism has the ability to contribute to positive human exchange through interaction between residents and tourists. By sharing a positive cultural exchange, strong relationships are built between the tourists and residents, which may provide long term sustainability of township tourism. The positive personal transformational effect on residents through interaction with tourists is contributing to residents’ socio-economic well-being. Therefore township tourism has the ability to quantitatively and qualitatively address the alleviationof poverty in townshipsand fostering understanding and mutual respect among peoples of the world.The studyconcluded with a framework of guidelines toaid key stakeholders in the development and planning of township tourism and encourages the practice of sustainable tourism in townships.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The development of a socio-economic model to promote women empowerment initiatives in the renewable energy sector of South Africa
- Authors: Keown, Harvey
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Women -- Employment -- South Africa , Women in development -- South Africa Equality -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 2000-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40621 , vital:36199
- Description: The objective of this research was, therefore, to evaluate and recommend new approaches to mainstream gender in the renewable energy sector. This objective would be achieved by introducing a model of the factors that contribute to the perceived success of the socio-economic empowerment of women within the renewable energy sector of the RSA. This study is equally beneficial to any Country that might be embarking on a Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program. Also, the research findings and recommendations are equally relevant to the mining, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors who wish to mainstream gender in their sectors. From the empirical evidence, Executive Leadership (ethical leadership) positively influences Good Governance and Successful Women’s Empowerment. Therefore, the inference can be made that the respondents deemed Executive Leadership to be a primary contributing factor to both Good Governance and Successful Women’s Empowerment. According to the empirical results, Social Investment (funding) and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (policy) positively influence Successful Women’s Empowerment. Finally, the empirical results indicate that Sustainable Programmes are a positive contributing factor to Good Governance. The respondents did not consider Stakeholder Engagement statistically significant in relation to Good Governance or Successful Women’s Empowerment. This could be a case of misinterpretation, or lack of experience regarding the importance of Stakeholder Engagement. However, the literature indicates the criticality of Stakeholder Engagement, as well as Change Management. Further research should be conducted to establish the lack of appreciation by respondents for the importance of Stakeholder Engagement and Change Management. These findings shed light on the opportunities for the socio-economic empowerment of women in the renewable energy sector of the RSA, by developing women-led Independent Power Producers.The South African Constitution is lauded as one of the most progressive in the world, and in some respects considered better than the Constitution of the United States of America with regards to Human and Socio-Economic Rights. Yet, South Africa exhibits the highest incidence of recorded rape in the world, with an increase in femicides, violence against women and children, and even more barbaric acts of burning their victims, and cannibalism in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. This research argues that if women were economically empowered, they would be able to extricate themselves from these perilous situations. The paradox between the South African Constitution and the reality, is indicative of deep structural challenges that will require exceptional solutions that will address the systemic issues that this study will discuss. The renewable energy sector, which is one of the fastest growing business sectors in South Africa, could be that catalyst for this change, and, more importantly, change the stereotypical paradigm of women entrepreneurs as owners of ‘chicken coops’ and ‘veggie patches’, to become owner-operators of their own power generation facilities, thereby making a meaningful contribution to women-led Independent Power Producers. However, it would be a lost opportunity if the renewable energy sector were to follow a similar trajectory to the mining sector in failing to mainstream gender, or if the renewable energy sector were to repeat the errors of the mining sector in attempting to empower women. Based on the literature review, guidance from subject matter experts, survey data, and personal field experience, I examine the primary research question: What are the main contributors and variables which can positively influence the socioeconomic empowerment of women initiatives in the renewable energy sector in the Republic of South Africa? In order to respond to this primary research question, a theoretical model was developed, which was informed by the academic literature, reports and studies from the public and private sectors, data garnered through a questionnaire, as well as face-to-face dialogue sessions. In order to address the primary objective of developing the theoretical model, several secondary goals were established by developing a conceptual model that comprised of variables determined through a detailed review of the related gender and renewable energy literature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Keown, Harvey
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Women -- Employment -- South Africa , Women in development -- South Africa Equality -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 2000-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40621 , vital:36199
- Description: The objective of this research was, therefore, to evaluate and recommend new approaches to mainstream gender in the renewable energy sector. This objective would be achieved by introducing a model of the factors that contribute to the perceived success of the socio-economic empowerment of women within the renewable energy sector of the RSA. This study is equally beneficial to any Country that might be embarking on a Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program. Also, the research findings and recommendations are equally relevant to the mining, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors who wish to mainstream gender in their sectors. From the empirical evidence, Executive Leadership (ethical leadership) positively influences Good Governance and Successful Women’s Empowerment. Therefore, the inference can be made that the respondents deemed Executive Leadership to be a primary contributing factor to both Good Governance and Successful Women’s Empowerment. According to the empirical results, Social Investment (funding) and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (policy) positively influence Successful Women’s Empowerment. Finally, the empirical results indicate that Sustainable Programmes are a positive contributing factor to Good Governance. The respondents did not consider Stakeholder Engagement statistically significant in relation to Good Governance or Successful Women’s Empowerment. This could be a case of misinterpretation, or lack of experience regarding the importance of Stakeholder Engagement. However, the literature indicates the criticality of Stakeholder Engagement, as well as Change Management. Further research should be conducted to establish the lack of appreciation by respondents for the importance of Stakeholder Engagement and Change Management. These findings shed light on the opportunities for the socio-economic empowerment of women in the renewable energy sector of the RSA, by developing women-led Independent Power Producers.The South African Constitution is lauded as one of the most progressive in the world, and in some respects considered better than the Constitution of the United States of America with regards to Human and Socio-Economic Rights. Yet, South Africa exhibits the highest incidence of recorded rape in the world, with an increase in femicides, violence against women and children, and even more barbaric acts of burning their victims, and cannibalism in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. This research argues that if women were economically empowered, they would be able to extricate themselves from these perilous situations. The paradox between the South African Constitution and the reality, is indicative of deep structural challenges that will require exceptional solutions that will address the systemic issues that this study will discuss. The renewable energy sector, which is one of the fastest growing business sectors in South Africa, could be that catalyst for this change, and, more importantly, change the stereotypical paradigm of women entrepreneurs as owners of ‘chicken coops’ and ‘veggie patches’, to become owner-operators of their own power generation facilities, thereby making a meaningful contribution to women-led Independent Power Producers. However, it would be a lost opportunity if the renewable energy sector were to follow a similar trajectory to the mining sector in failing to mainstream gender, or if the renewable energy sector were to repeat the errors of the mining sector in attempting to empower women. Based on the literature review, guidance from subject matter experts, survey data, and personal field experience, I examine the primary research question: What are the main contributors and variables which can positively influence the socioeconomic empowerment of women initiatives in the renewable energy sector in the Republic of South Africa? In order to respond to this primary research question, a theoretical model was developed, which was informed by the academic literature, reports and studies from the public and private sectors, data garnered through a questionnaire, as well as face-to-face dialogue sessions. In order to address the primary objective of developing the theoretical model, several secondary goals were established by developing a conceptual model that comprised of variables determined through a detailed review of the related gender and renewable energy literature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The influence of customers’ culture on sales promotions and store equity for pick n pay stores South Africa and Zimbabwe
- Authors: Musekiwa, Albert
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Consumer behaviour
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44565 , vital:38144
- Description: The store industry is globally the main distribution channel for grocery items to reach final consumers. Specifically for South Africa and Zimbabwe the store industry greatly contributes to the countrys economic growth. However, increasing competition in developed countries has forced store chains with a competitive edge in terms of promoting their brands and building market share such as Walmart and Spar to expand into the growing African market. Concomitantly, growing African store chains such as Choppies of Botswana are moving into new African markets such as South Africa and Zimbabwe. Following this increasing competition, Pick n Pay a leading store chain in South Africa has responded by opening stores in African townships and other African countries such as Zimbabwe. This has resulted in Pick n Pay customers’ cultural diversity, and how to build and maintain market share through effective promotional and brand building strategies being areas of concern. Therefore the primary objective of this study is to determine the influence of Pick n Pay customers’ cultural orientations on their buying behaviour towards monetary- and non-monetary sales promotions and store equity in South Africa and Zimbabwe. From a comprehensive literature review, a hypothesised model was developed to determine the customers’ cultural orientations that might influence the buying behaviour towards monetary- and non-monetary sales promotions and Pick n Pays store equity in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Four customers cultural orientations were investigated namely, ubuntu/unhu, power distance, uncertainty avoidance and status consumption. This quantitative research approach study sought the perceptions of Pick n Pays customers on their cultural orientations, buying behaviour towards monetary- and non-monetary sales promotions and on store equity in South Africa and Zimbabwe. A survey was conducted with the aid of a structured hardcopy questionnaire, distributed via fieldworkers in both countries using a combination of convenience- and snowball sampling. A final usable sample of 500 respondents was obtained. The items in the questionnaire were validated by conducting exploratory factor analysis, where after the Cronbachs alpha values were calculated for each of the valid constructs to confirm inter-item reliability. Descriptive statistics in the form of frequency distributions was used to summarise the demographic profiles of the respondents and to describe the means and standard deviations of the valid constructs. The Pearsons product moment correlations revealed moderate correlations between monetary- and non-monetary sales promotions as well as non-monetary sales promotions and store equity in the full sample, and for the South African and Zimbabwean samples. Moderate correlation was also found in South African sample between Ubuntu ubuntu/unhu cultural orientation and non-monetary sales promotions. Multi-collinearity diagnostics testing was conducted prior to multiple regression analysis to confirm that there is no evidence of collinearity between the independent-, mediating- and dependent variables. The multiple regression analysis revealed eight statistical significant relationships between the independent-, mediating- and dependent variables for the full sample while for the South African and Zimbabwean samples four and nine were found respectively. Although the full sample and Zimbabwean sample had similar statistically significant relationships, the relationship between an uncertainty avoidance cultural orientation and store equity was unique to the Zimbabwean sample only. There was only a statistically significant relationship between a power distance cultural orientation and store equity for the South African sample. Structural equation modelling was used as the main statistical procedure to test for mediation in the study. Only two relationships found in the multiple regression analysis were not confirmed in the structural equation modelling results, namely the relationships between an confirmed in the structural equation modelling results, namely the relationships between an uncertainty avoidance cultural orientation and monetary sales promotions, as well as with non-monetary sales promotions. Six path relationships were confirmed in the structured equation modelling. These statistical significant path relationships were between an ubuntu/unhu- cultural orientation with monetary- and non-monetary sales promotions, as well as with store equity. A statistical significant path relationships were also found between a status consumption cultural orientation with non-monetary sales promotions and store equity. The sixth statistical significant path relationship was between non-monetary sales promotions and store equity. Furthermore, SEM confirmed full mediation of monetary sales promotions in the relationship between a status consumption cultural orientation and store equity. On the other hand, there were partial mediations of non-monetary sales promotions in the relationships between an ubuntu/unhu and status consumption cultural orientations with store equity. The SEM results also confirmed that the data fits the complete model. Multi-variant analysis of variance was carried out to determine if respondents’ demographic profiles influenced their cultural orientations and buying behaviour towards monetary-and non-monetary sales promotions. Post-hoc Scheffe tests identified sixteen statistically significant mean differences between the demographic data groups and the cultural orientation and sales promotions variables. Subsequently, the Cohens d analysis confirmed thirteen practical significant relationships, of which only three had large practical significance. Based on the MRA and SEM confirmed relationships, several suggestions are made. Ubuntu/Unhu and status consumption cultural orientations influenced buying behaviour towards non-monetary sales promotions. For ubuntu/unhu orientated customers, it is suggested that Pick n Pay keeps its non-monetary sales promotions open and accessible to most customers and sponsor more popular events such as competitions for baking, cooking and soccer. To target status consumption orientated customers, Pick n Pay should position its non-monetary sales promotions in line with their expectations such as promoting healthy living to appeal to its healthy conscious customers. Pick n Pay should also avoid making price the focal point when communicating to status consumption orientated consumers but rather focus on image building selling points such as store service. For ubuntu/unhu orientated customers, Pick n Pay should underscore the interdependence value in its communication of monetary sales promotions by offering monetary promotions with benefits for all family members. To entrench brand equity, Pick n Pay should engage ubuntu/unhu brand ambassadors from influential family members, friends and community groups such as church groups and provide after-sales service using 24hr customer service hotlines and social media to promote customer interaction any time of the day. Pick n Pay must consider entrenching the status consumption health conscious customers into interaction between themselves or the store through chatrooms or clubs to make sure they remain loyal to the store. It is recommended that Pick n Pay conduct non-monetary sales promotion by creating awareness campaigns for its organic and finest private brands in their Fresh Living Magazine so that customers have product knowledge and encourage them to become regular buyers. In-store distribution of product samples can also help build interest in the brands. Furthermore, employing data mining techniques on customer databases provided in Smartshopper and Rich Rewards loyalty programmes can help understanding specific target customer groups and developing target marketing campaigns. For status consumption orientated customers, Pick n Pay can incentivise the adoption of online shopping through sales promotions such as free delivery for first time shoppers. The store can also have personalised free rewards for its most loyal customers. For ubuntu/unhu orientated customers, it is recommended that Pick n Pay engage in corporate social responsibility that target the needy in the society such as donating to elderly and orphanages and request their customers to donate their loyalty points to charities of their own choices. It is suggested that Pick n Pay promote excellent service and a wide variety of quality products to ensure their status consumption orientated customers remain loyal to the store. They can also offer a suggestions box for these customers to make them feel heard. Their employees should be selected based on contemporary skills such as digital- and green marketing and healthy living product knowledge and they should train their current employees on these areas to enable addressing customers’ queries confidently. This study has added to scarce academic literature on customers’ cultural orientations, sales promotion buying behaviour and store equity in Africa in general. From the hypothesised model developed in this study, a significant contribution has been made in the body of knowledge on the influence of customers’ culture on buying behaviour towards sales promotions and store equity, especially in the retail field for stores such as Pick n Pay. This study was also the first to identify the major role demographics can play in customers’ cultural orientations and sales promotion buying behaviour. The recommendations can be useful to assist with developing marketing strategies suitable for any retail store such as Pick n Pay which wants to venture into African markets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Musekiwa, Albert
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Consumer behaviour
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44565 , vital:38144
- Description: The store industry is globally the main distribution channel for grocery items to reach final consumers. Specifically for South Africa and Zimbabwe the store industry greatly contributes to the countrys economic growth. However, increasing competition in developed countries has forced store chains with a competitive edge in terms of promoting their brands and building market share such as Walmart and Spar to expand into the growing African market. Concomitantly, growing African store chains such as Choppies of Botswana are moving into new African markets such as South Africa and Zimbabwe. Following this increasing competition, Pick n Pay a leading store chain in South Africa has responded by opening stores in African townships and other African countries such as Zimbabwe. This has resulted in Pick n Pay customers’ cultural diversity, and how to build and maintain market share through effective promotional and brand building strategies being areas of concern. Therefore the primary objective of this study is to determine the influence of Pick n Pay customers’ cultural orientations on their buying behaviour towards monetary- and non-monetary sales promotions and store equity in South Africa and Zimbabwe. From a comprehensive literature review, a hypothesised model was developed to determine the customers’ cultural orientations that might influence the buying behaviour towards monetary- and non-monetary sales promotions and Pick n Pays store equity in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Four customers cultural orientations were investigated namely, ubuntu/unhu, power distance, uncertainty avoidance and status consumption. This quantitative research approach study sought the perceptions of Pick n Pays customers on their cultural orientations, buying behaviour towards monetary- and non-monetary sales promotions and on store equity in South Africa and Zimbabwe. A survey was conducted with the aid of a structured hardcopy questionnaire, distributed via fieldworkers in both countries using a combination of convenience- and snowball sampling. A final usable sample of 500 respondents was obtained. The items in the questionnaire were validated by conducting exploratory factor analysis, where after the Cronbachs alpha values were calculated for each of the valid constructs to confirm inter-item reliability. Descriptive statistics in the form of frequency distributions was used to summarise the demographic profiles of the respondents and to describe the means and standard deviations of the valid constructs. The Pearsons product moment correlations revealed moderate correlations between monetary- and non-monetary sales promotions as well as non-monetary sales promotions and store equity in the full sample, and for the South African and Zimbabwean samples. Moderate correlation was also found in South African sample between Ubuntu ubuntu/unhu cultural orientation and non-monetary sales promotions. Multi-collinearity diagnostics testing was conducted prior to multiple regression analysis to confirm that there is no evidence of collinearity between the independent-, mediating- and dependent variables. The multiple regression analysis revealed eight statistical significant relationships between the independent-, mediating- and dependent variables for the full sample while for the South African and Zimbabwean samples four and nine were found respectively. Although the full sample and Zimbabwean sample had similar statistically significant relationships, the relationship between an uncertainty avoidance cultural orientation and store equity was unique to the Zimbabwean sample only. There was only a statistically significant relationship between a power distance cultural orientation and store equity for the South African sample. Structural equation modelling was used as the main statistical procedure to test for mediation in the study. Only two relationships found in the multiple regression analysis were not confirmed in the structural equation modelling results, namely the relationships between an confirmed in the structural equation modelling results, namely the relationships between an uncertainty avoidance cultural orientation and monetary sales promotions, as well as with non-monetary sales promotions. Six path relationships were confirmed in the structured equation modelling. These statistical significant path relationships were between an ubuntu/unhu- cultural orientation with monetary- and non-monetary sales promotions, as well as with store equity. A statistical significant path relationships were also found between a status consumption cultural orientation with non-monetary sales promotions and store equity. The sixth statistical significant path relationship was between non-monetary sales promotions and store equity. Furthermore, SEM confirmed full mediation of monetary sales promotions in the relationship between a status consumption cultural orientation and store equity. On the other hand, there were partial mediations of non-monetary sales promotions in the relationships between an ubuntu/unhu and status consumption cultural orientations with store equity. The SEM results also confirmed that the data fits the complete model. Multi-variant analysis of variance was carried out to determine if respondents’ demographic profiles influenced their cultural orientations and buying behaviour towards monetary-and non-monetary sales promotions. Post-hoc Scheffe tests identified sixteen statistically significant mean differences between the demographic data groups and the cultural orientation and sales promotions variables. Subsequently, the Cohens d analysis confirmed thirteen practical significant relationships, of which only three had large practical significance. Based on the MRA and SEM confirmed relationships, several suggestions are made. Ubuntu/Unhu and status consumption cultural orientations influenced buying behaviour towards non-monetary sales promotions. For ubuntu/unhu orientated customers, it is suggested that Pick n Pay keeps its non-monetary sales promotions open and accessible to most customers and sponsor more popular events such as competitions for baking, cooking and soccer. To target status consumption orientated customers, Pick n Pay should position its non-monetary sales promotions in line with their expectations such as promoting healthy living to appeal to its healthy conscious customers. Pick n Pay should also avoid making price the focal point when communicating to status consumption orientated consumers but rather focus on image building selling points such as store service. For ubuntu/unhu orientated customers, Pick n Pay should underscore the interdependence value in its communication of monetary sales promotions by offering monetary promotions with benefits for all family members. To entrench brand equity, Pick n Pay should engage ubuntu/unhu brand ambassadors from influential family members, friends and community groups such as church groups and provide after-sales service using 24hr customer service hotlines and social media to promote customer interaction any time of the day. Pick n Pay must consider entrenching the status consumption health conscious customers into interaction between themselves or the store through chatrooms or clubs to make sure they remain loyal to the store. It is recommended that Pick n Pay conduct non-monetary sales promotion by creating awareness campaigns for its organic and finest private brands in their Fresh Living Magazine so that customers have product knowledge and encourage them to become regular buyers. In-store distribution of product samples can also help build interest in the brands. Furthermore, employing data mining techniques on customer databases provided in Smartshopper and Rich Rewards loyalty programmes can help understanding specific target customer groups and developing target marketing campaigns. For status consumption orientated customers, Pick n Pay can incentivise the adoption of online shopping through sales promotions such as free delivery for first time shoppers. The store can also have personalised free rewards for its most loyal customers. For ubuntu/unhu orientated customers, it is recommended that Pick n Pay engage in corporate social responsibility that target the needy in the society such as donating to elderly and orphanages and request their customers to donate their loyalty points to charities of their own choices. It is suggested that Pick n Pay promote excellent service and a wide variety of quality products to ensure their status consumption orientated customers remain loyal to the store. They can also offer a suggestions box for these customers to make them feel heard. Their employees should be selected based on contemporary skills such as digital- and green marketing and healthy living product knowledge and they should train their current employees on these areas to enable addressing customers’ queries confidently. This study has added to scarce academic literature on customers’ cultural orientations, sales promotion buying behaviour and store equity in Africa in general. From the hypothesised model developed in this study, a significant contribution has been made in the body of knowledge on the influence of customers’ culture on buying behaviour towards sales promotions and store equity, especially in the retail field for stores such as Pick n Pay. This study was also the first to identify the major role demographics can play in customers’ cultural orientations and sales promotion buying behaviour. The recommendations can be useful to assist with developing marketing strategies suitable for any retail store such as Pick n Pay which wants to venture into African markets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Water utility efficiency and stated choice responses: status quo effects, effects of presentation format and response time
- Authors: Murwirapachena, Genius
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Water utilities -- Finance , Waterworks -- Finance Waterworks -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41741 , vital:36577
- Description: Water regulators and policymakers around the world are increasingly influencing water systems towards efficiency and sustainable consumption. In pursuit of these, most regulators mainly use traditional economic-analysis methods to benchmark water utilities and elicit water-service preferences. There have been discussions of several other techniques that extend the commonly used traditional economic analysis tools in the literature. Regardless of these discussions, the practical application of new economic analysis tools in the water sector remains relatively low. This study intends to extend the existing literature by providing more robust methods that could be useful to water regulators. The study asks four research questions to shed light on whether more robust methods are the way forward in water regulation. More precisely, the study investigates the consistency of efficiency scores obtained from the data envelopment analysis (DEA), stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and stochastic non-parametric envelopment of data (StoNED) techniques on a sample of South African water utilities. Additionally, the study examines the impact of status quo bias, presentation format and response time on results from discrete choice experiments conducted using a case of the South African water sector. The study reports four main findings. First, we find that the StoNED method (based on the methods of moments estimator) outperformed both SFA and DEA. However, SFA outperformed StoNED, when the latter was based on the pseudolikelihood estimator. Second, we find that including a partially relevant status quo reduced status quo bias but did not significantly affect empirical estimates. Major differences are noted in the marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) estimates reported for one of the sub-samples. Third, we find that presenting attributes and levels using the visuals format generated more statistically significant coefficients than presenting them as text or text-and-visuals. Generally, we find that the presentation format significantly affects choice. Finally, we find that removing fast or slow responses from the sample did not significantly affect both utility function and MWTP results. Based on these findings, the study makes four main recommendations. Firstly, the study argues that StoNED (method of moments estimator) and SFA are more appropriate for estimating efficiency in heterogenous water sectors. The study makes recommendations for future studies that seek to do a methodological cross-checking of the three efficiency analysis techniques in the water sector. Secondly, the study argues that a text-and-visuals experiment improves choice task clarity and yields more robust estimates. Thus, more research on the effects of presentation formats is required in environmental economics so that guidelines on developing valid presentation formats for choice tasks can be established. Finally, the study argues against the exclusion of fast and slow responses from the dataset; and recommends approaches for future studies that investigate the impact of response time on choice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Murwirapachena, Genius
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Water utilities -- Finance , Waterworks -- Finance Waterworks -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41741 , vital:36577
- Description: Water regulators and policymakers around the world are increasingly influencing water systems towards efficiency and sustainable consumption. In pursuit of these, most regulators mainly use traditional economic-analysis methods to benchmark water utilities and elicit water-service preferences. There have been discussions of several other techniques that extend the commonly used traditional economic analysis tools in the literature. Regardless of these discussions, the practical application of new economic analysis tools in the water sector remains relatively low. This study intends to extend the existing literature by providing more robust methods that could be useful to water regulators. The study asks four research questions to shed light on whether more robust methods are the way forward in water regulation. More precisely, the study investigates the consistency of efficiency scores obtained from the data envelopment analysis (DEA), stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and stochastic non-parametric envelopment of data (StoNED) techniques on a sample of South African water utilities. Additionally, the study examines the impact of status quo bias, presentation format and response time on results from discrete choice experiments conducted using a case of the South African water sector. The study reports four main findings. First, we find that the StoNED method (based on the methods of moments estimator) outperformed both SFA and DEA. However, SFA outperformed StoNED, when the latter was based on the pseudolikelihood estimator. Second, we find that including a partially relevant status quo reduced status quo bias but did not significantly affect empirical estimates. Major differences are noted in the marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) estimates reported for one of the sub-samples. Third, we find that presenting attributes and levels using the visuals format generated more statistically significant coefficients than presenting them as text or text-and-visuals. Generally, we find that the presentation format significantly affects choice. Finally, we find that removing fast or slow responses from the sample did not significantly affect both utility function and MWTP results. Based on these findings, the study makes four main recommendations. Firstly, the study argues that StoNED (method of moments estimator) and SFA are more appropriate for estimating efficiency in heterogenous water sectors. The study makes recommendations for future studies that seek to do a methodological cross-checking of the three efficiency analysis techniques in the water sector. Secondly, the study argues that a text-and-visuals experiment improves choice task clarity and yields more robust estimates. Thus, more research on the effects of presentation formats is required in environmental economics so that guidelines on developing valid presentation formats for choice tasks can be established. Finally, the study argues against the exclusion of fast and slow responses from the dataset; and recommends approaches for future studies that investigate the impact of response time on choice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
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