The role of stakeholders in developing entrepreneurs in the bunkering industry: the case of Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Yibe, Luthando
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Oil transfer operations -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Small business -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54849 , vital:48033
- Description: In July 2014 the South African government launched an oceans economy growth and development program called Operation Phakisa: Ocean Economy. The oceans economy is one of the sectors that is identified by the South African government where entrepreneurship can play a meaningful role in contributing to South Africa’s economic growth. Shipping is regarded as a critical operation within the export and import activities of any country . About 30 000 vessels sail along the coast of South Africa each year and approximately 13 000 vessels visit South African ports annually. Bunker replenishment is identified as a critical component within the operation of ships. In 2016 the first offshore bunkering operations were in launched in the Nelson Mandela Bay ports to revitalise the bunkering business. The aim of the study is to provide insight into how entrepreneurs can recognise value in business models, the application of the business model framework and how stakeholders can play a role in developing entrepreneurs in the bunkering sector. A survey using interviews was conducted amongst key stakeholders in the bunkering industry in the Nelson Mandela Bay region. Six themes were formulated, and these themes formed the basis of the interview structure. The themes focused amongst on challenges faced by entrepreneurs, access to funding, impact of industry regulations, government programmes and support available to entrepreneurs and the application of business model and innovation. The findings revealed that whilst Small Medium Enterprises faced several challenges in entering the industry, the support provided by key stakeholders and the application of a business model is key if entrepreneurs are to be successful in the bunkering industry. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciencess, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Yibe, Luthando
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Oil transfer operations -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Small business -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54849 , vital:48033
- Description: In July 2014 the South African government launched an oceans economy growth and development program called Operation Phakisa: Ocean Economy. The oceans economy is one of the sectors that is identified by the South African government where entrepreneurship can play a meaningful role in contributing to South Africa’s economic growth. Shipping is regarded as a critical operation within the export and import activities of any country . About 30 000 vessels sail along the coast of South Africa each year and approximately 13 000 vessels visit South African ports annually. Bunker replenishment is identified as a critical component within the operation of ships. In 2016 the first offshore bunkering operations were in launched in the Nelson Mandela Bay ports to revitalise the bunkering business. The aim of the study is to provide insight into how entrepreneurs can recognise value in business models, the application of the business model framework and how stakeholders can play a role in developing entrepreneurs in the bunkering sector. A survey using interviews was conducted amongst key stakeholders in the bunkering industry in the Nelson Mandela Bay region. Six themes were formulated, and these themes formed the basis of the interview structure. The themes focused amongst on challenges faced by entrepreneurs, access to funding, impact of industry regulations, government programmes and support available to entrepreneurs and the application of business model and innovation. The findings revealed that whilst Small Medium Enterprises faced several challenges in entering the industry, the support provided by key stakeholders and the application of a business model is key if entrepreneurs are to be successful in the bunkering industry. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciencess, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Understanding the factors that influence employee engagement
- Authors: Dengana, Xolla Olwethu
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Employee motivation , Employees -- Attitudes , Management -- Employee participation
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51118 , vital:43210
- Description: Employee engagement is essential in elevating the possibility of any business success. This study investigated and sought to understand the influence of certain factors on employee engagement in a Fast-Moving Consumer Goods firm in Gauteng, South Africa. Employees play a crucial role in assisting any firm to deliver a service or product of high quality to the end users or customers. The existing literature suggests a correlation between engaged employees and commitment and staff turnover which has a direct impact on company performance. This study investigated some of the key factors that influence employee engagement with a focus on the impact of departmental culture, two-way communication, leadership, recognition, and training development. For the purposes of this study, the moderating variable was employee’s attitude which ultimately may influence the level of engagement that employees have. To answer the research questions, a quantitative approach was selected for the purposes of this research. This is more especially as quantitative research is ideal to find statistical relationships between variables and outcomes Quantitative research will therefore be used to determine the relationships between the variables under study. A convenience sampling method was chosen for this study. Research instruments adopted for the study were extracted from several articles which adopted similar constructs. These research instruments were then contextualised for the purposes of understanding the factors that influence employee engagement within an FMCG environment. The researcher ensured that all research instruments adopted for the study, were validated, and have a Cronbach-alpha score of more than 0.7 which is an ideal unit of measure for research-instruments internal consistency. The data collected was subjected to correlation and regression analysis to satisfy the objective of the study. Based on the results, suitable suggestions were given to which factors to focus on more which could influence employee engagement the most. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business Administration, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Dengana, Xolla Olwethu
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Employee motivation , Employees -- Attitudes , Management -- Employee participation
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51118 , vital:43210
- Description: Employee engagement is essential in elevating the possibility of any business success. This study investigated and sought to understand the influence of certain factors on employee engagement in a Fast-Moving Consumer Goods firm in Gauteng, South Africa. Employees play a crucial role in assisting any firm to deliver a service or product of high quality to the end users or customers. The existing literature suggests a correlation between engaged employees and commitment and staff turnover which has a direct impact on company performance. This study investigated some of the key factors that influence employee engagement with a focus on the impact of departmental culture, two-way communication, leadership, recognition, and training development. For the purposes of this study, the moderating variable was employee’s attitude which ultimately may influence the level of engagement that employees have. To answer the research questions, a quantitative approach was selected for the purposes of this research. This is more especially as quantitative research is ideal to find statistical relationships between variables and outcomes Quantitative research will therefore be used to determine the relationships between the variables under study. A convenience sampling method was chosen for this study. Research instruments adopted for the study were extracted from several articles which adopted similar constructs. These research instruments were then contextualised for the purposes of understanding the factors that influence employee engagement within an FMCG environment. The researcher ensured that all research instruments adopted for the study, were validated, and have a Cronbach-alpha score of more than 0.7 which is an ideal unit of measure for research-instruments internal consistency. The data collected was subjected to correlation and regression analysis to satisfy the objective of the study. Based on the results, suitable suggestions were given to which factors to focus on more which could influence employee engagement the most. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business Administration, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Understanding the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on SMEs in South Africa
- Authors: Ogunniyi, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53039 , vital:44883
- Description: The current research dissertation is on the topic- Understanding the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on SMEs in South Africa. It aims to analyse the strategies of SMEs to make positive results from the Fourth Industrial Revolution in South Africa. The research mainly concentrates on the concepts and techniques of technology implementation, customer relationship and advanced technology in SME Enterprises of South Africa. These techniques are needed to validate the importance of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the enhancement of SMEs in South Africa. In this entire process of research, the researcher evaluates current condition of SMEs in South Africa and the issues that are faced by these enterprises. The changes that are needed by these enterprises and their impact on organisational structure is also discussed. In addition to this, the researcher has also undertaken secondary research on the existing literature in this current topic and related topics. Therefore, the researcher was able to gain a clear insight into the study area. As SMEs are facing problems related to marketing and marking their position in the global market, useful recommendations are given to eliminate these problems. The researcher found out that SMEs need to improve policies to implement technological innovations to secure a market position for SMEs. In order to carry out the research, the researcher applied interpretivism and a deductive approach. Along with this, the qualitative research/methodology was chosen for carrying out the investigation. Qualitative data and non-probability sampling helped in collecting data. Analysis of this data was done by explaining transcripts of the interviews with the sample of entrepreneurs of South African SMEs. The researcher used a total of ten entrepreneurs from different industries in the country. Most of these entrepreneurs interviewed are from previously disadvantaged backgrounds with university degrees. The researcher made an effort to select candidates from different cities across South Africa. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Ogunniyi, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53039 , vital:44883
- Description: The current research dissertation is on the topic- Understanding the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on SMEs in South Africa. It aims to analyse the strategies of SMEs to make positive results from the Fourth Industrial Revolution in South Africa. The research mainly concentrates on the concepts and techniques of technology implementation, customer relationship and advanced technology in SME Enterprises of South Africa. These techniques are needed to validate the importance of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the enhancement of SMEs in South Africa. In this entire process of research, the researcher evaluates current condition of SMEs in South Africa and the issues that are faced by these enterprises. The changes that are needed by these enterprises and their impact on organisational structure is also discussed. In addition to this, the researcher has also undertaken secondary research on the existing literature in this current topic and related topics. Therefore, the researcher was able to gain a clear insight into the study area. As SMEs are facing problems related to marketing and marking their position in the global market, useful recommendations are given to eliminate these problems. The researcher found out that SMEs need to improve policies to implement technological innovations to secure a market position for SMEs. In order to carry out the research, the researcher applied interpretivism and a deductive approach. Along with this, the qualitative research/methodology was chosen for carrying out the investigation. Qualitative data and non-probability sampling helped in collecting data. Analysis of this data was done by explaining transcripts of the interviews with the sample of entrepreneurs of South African SMEs. The researcher used a total of ten entrepreneurs from different industries in the country. Most of these entrepreneurs interviewed are from previously disadvantaged backgrounds with university degrees. The researcher made an effort to select candidates from different cities across South Africa. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Understanding the South African international investment position and the valuation effects: subtitle if needed. If no subtitle follow instructions in manual
- Authors: Hlati, Sisamnkelo
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Economics
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51534 , vital:43298
- Description: This study examines the relationship between the South African Net International Investment Positions and the valuation effects over a period of 47 years from 1970 to 2017. To investigate the long run relationship between NIIP and the determinants thereof, this current study made use of the bounds test technique and the results indicate that a long run relationship exist. In which case, the autoregressive distributed lag model to empirically investigate the impact of the current account balance, capital account balance and the valuation effects on the South African NIIP was conducted and this current study finds out that there is a long run positive relationship between the current account balance and the South African NIIP. However, the study noted that the impact of the current account balance is volatile and this could be due to the net investment income payments (in a form of interest and dividend) made to foreign investors, which constitute a proportionately large share of the South African current account deficit. The capital account balance exhibits a positive long run impact on the South African NIIP in line with theory. The valuation effects on the other hand indicate a relatively stable impact on the South African NIIP, while in the long run have a positive impact on NIIP. The positive impact of the valuation effects could be due to gains being relatively larger than losses in the long run. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Economics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Hlati, Sisamnkelo
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Economics
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51534 , vital:43298
- Description: This study examines the relationship between the South African Net International Investment Positions and the valuation effects over a period of 47 years from 1970 to 2017. To investigate the long run relationship between NIIP and the determinants thereof, this current study made use of the bounds test technique and the results indicate that a long run relationship exist. In which case, the autoregressive distributed lag model to empirically investigate the impact of the current account balance, capital account balance and the valuation effects on the South African NIIP was conducted and this current study finds out that there is a long run positive relationship between the current account balance and the South African NIIP. However, the study noted that the impact of the current account balance is volatile and this could be due to the net investment income payments (in a form of interest and dividend) made to foreign investors, which constitute a proportionately large share of the South African current account deficit. The capital account balance exhibits a positive long run impact on the South African NIIP in line with theory. The valuation effects on the other hand indicate a relatively stable impact on the South African NIIP, while in the long run have a positive impact on NIIP. The positive impact of the valuation effects could be due to gains being relatively larger than losses in the long run. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Economics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
A multiple case study exploration into community members’ ecopsychological responses to environmental degradation in South Africa
- Authors: Barnwell, Garret
- Date: 2021-03
- Subjects: Environmental psychology -- South Africa , Environmental degradation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54892 , vital:48377
- Description: The psychological impact of environmental degradation in South Africa and its impact on communities’ relationships to the natural world is an understudied area. This study’s main aim was to explore community members’ reactions and responses to different forms of environmental degradation in South Africa by analysing two case studies: Rustenburg in the North West province and Limpopo province’s Vhembe District. The qualitative case studies relied on emplaced individual and focus group interviews. The findings from this study are presented in this doctoral thesis by publication. The first case study of Rustenburg in the North West’s platinum mining belt was selected due to the extractive industry’s historical impact on the natural environment, which is interlinked with the identity and heritage of host mining communities who could be considered land and environmental defenders. Two publications have been published on this case study. The first article, Critical reflections from South Africa: Using the Power Threat Meaning Framework to place climate-related distress in its socio-political context, was published in the British Psychology Society’s Clinical Psychology Forum Special Issue: Psychology and the Climate and Environmental Crisis in August 2020 and provides a critical reflection on psychological distress in Rustenburg, and questions whether popular terms used, such as “climate anxieties”, are useful for communities confronted by ecological crises. The paper concludes that there is danger in the dehistoricisation and medicalisation of distress that is rooted in climate, land and environmental injustices. The paper sets the scene for papers to follow that examine the interrelationship between place attachments and psychological responses to environmental degradation associated with slow violence. The second article, ’Nothing green can grow without being on the land’: Mine-affected communities’ psychological experiences of ecological degradation and resistance in Rustenburg, South Africa, was published in Community Psychology in Global Perspective Special Issue: Communities reclaiming power and social justice in the face of climate change and presents a broad overview of psychological responses to ecological degradation associated with environmental injustices. The paper suggests that psychological distress is attributed to environmental injustices. Furthermore, the process of place severing – the psychological threats, harms and disruptions to place-based dialogues – contributes to distress experienced in extractive settings. The two articles in this case study concluded by demonstrating how community resistance plays a part in addressing cumulative ecological harms and restoring the ancestral relationship with place. The second case study in the Vhembe District was selected due to the community’s psycho-spiritual connection to the sacred sites in the area and the histories of environmental degradation in the area. Article three, ‘Mupo is life’: Intergenerational community identity and safeguarding of sacred natural sites is in press in the journal Ecopsychology. The paper found that place plays a role in shaping and transferring intergenerational community identities. Furthermore, Zwifho shape worldviews about Mupo, i.e. all of existence, that underpin land and environmental defenders’ responses to environmental degradation and place severing. The fourth article, “Restoring roots”: Lived experiences of place severing and dialogical resurgence associated with deforestation and land dispossession in Limpopo province, South Africa, is under review by AWRY: Journal of Critical Psychology. The article demonstrates that place severing is rooted in histories of colonialism and that distress is related to losses and cumulative ecological harm. Furthermore, the article shows how decolonial dialogical resurgence responds to the mechanisms that drive place severing. The fifth and final publication, Grounding community psychology in ecopsychosocial accompaniment, is a chapter that explores opportunities for community psychologists to accompany others, specifically in relationship with people who have experienced displacement and environmental justice struggles. Collectively, these four articles and book chapter present the first publications of a larger research study that spans two South African case studies and that should yield several more publications. These publications draw on critical psychologies, including decolonial theory, liberation psychology, critical community psychology and radical ecopsychology. Within this thesis, the journal articles and book chapter are consolidated by an overarching discussion chapter that situates these five publications within the context of existing literature, and describes how existing theory and methodology have been advanced. The study demonstrates the interconnectedness between histories of colonialism, land injustices and environmental degradation that contribute to intergenerational psychological distress. Grassroots community organising groups play a critical role in addressing the resulting cumulative environmental harms through place-based resistance and dialogical resurgence. Moreover, the study suggests that critical psychologies have important roles to play in supporting land and environmental justice struggles through critical research, evaluations and assessments, and litigation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-03
- Authors: Barnwell, Garret
- Date: 2021-03
- Subjects: Environmental psychology -- South Africa , Environmental degradation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54892 , vital:48377
- Description: The psychological impact of environmental degradation in South Africa and its impact on communities’ relationships to the natural world is an understudied area. This study’s main aim was to explore community members’ reactions and responses to different forms of environmental degradation in South Africa by analysing two case studies: Rustenburg in the North West province and Limpopo province’s Vhembe District. The qualitative case studies relied on emplaced individual and focus group interviews. The findings from this study are presented in this doctoral thesis by publication. The first case study of Rustenburg in the North West’s platinum mining belt was selected due to the extractive industry’s historical impact on the natural environment, which is interlinked with the identity and heritage of host mining communities who could be considered land and environmental defenders. Two publications have been published on this case study. The first article, Critical reflections from South Africa: Using the Power Threat Meaning Framework to place climate-related distress in its socio-political context, was published in the British Psychology Society’s Clinical Psychology Forum Special Issue: Psychology and the Climate and Environmental Crisis in August 2020 and provides a critical reflection on psychological distress in Rustenburg, and questions whether popular terms used, such as “climate anxieties”, are useful for communities confronted by ecological crises. The paper concludes that there is danger in the dehistoricisation and medicalisation of distress that is rooted in climate, land and environmental injustices. The paper sets the scene for papers to follow that examine the interrelationship between place attachments and psychological responses to environmental degradation associated with slow violence. The second article, ’Nothing green can grow without being on the land’: Mine-affected communities’ psychological experiences of ecological degradation and resistance in Rustenburg, South Africa, was published in Community Psychology in Global Perspective Special Issue: Communities reclaiming power and social justice in the face of climate change and presents a broad overview of psychological responses to ecological degradation associated with environmental injustices. The paper suggests that psychological distress is attributed to environmental injustices. Furthermore, the process of place severing – the psychological threats, harms and disruptions to place-based dialogues – contributes to distress experienced in extractive settings. The two articles in this case study concluded by demonstrating how community resistance plays a part in addressing cumulative ecological harms and restoring the ancestral relationship with place. The second case study in the Vhembe District was selected due to the community’s psycho-spiritual connection to the sacred sites in the area and the histories of environmental degradation in the area. Article three, ‘Mupo is life’: Intergenerational community identity and safeguarding of sacred natural sites is in press in the journal Ecopsychology. The paper found that place plays a role in shaping and transferring intergenerational community identities. Furthermore, Zwifho shape worldviews about Mupo, i.e. all of existence, that underpin land and environmental defenders’ responses to environmental degradation and place severing. The fourth article, “Restoring roots”: Lived experiences of place severing and dialogical resurgence associated with deforestation and land dispossession in Limpopo province, South Africa, is under review by AWRY: Journal of Critical Psychology. The article demonstrates that place severing is rooted in histories of colonialism and that distress is related to losses and cumulative ecological harm. Furthermore, the article shows how decolonial dialogical resurgence responds to the mechanisms that drive place severing. The fifth and final publication, Grounding community psychology in ecopsychosocial accompaniment, is a chapter that explores opportunities for community psychologists to accompany others, specifically in relationship with people who have experienced displacement and environmental justice struggles. Collectively, these four articles and book chapter present the first publications of a larger research study that spans two South African case studies and that should yield several more publications. These publications draw on critical psychologies, including decolonial theory, liberation psychology, critical community psychology and radical ecopsychology. Within this thesis, the journal articles and book chapter are consolidated by an overarching discussion chapter that situates these five publications within the context of existing literature, and describes how existing theory and methodology have been advanced. The study demonstrates the interconnectedness between histories of colonialism, land injustices and environmental degradation that contribute to intergenerational psychological distress. Grassroots community organising groups play a critical role in addressing the resulting cumulative environmental harms through place-based resistance and dialogical resurgence. Moreover, the study suggests that critical psychologies have important roles to play in supporting land and environmental justice struggles through critical research, evaluations and assessments, and litigation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-03
Perceptions and attitudes towards leadership styles and staff morale in Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury
- Authors: Tsheqane-Sonn, Nandipa
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Leadership --South Africa --Eastern Cape , Employee morale -- South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50731 , vital:42398
- Description: The Eastern Cape Provincial Government is comprised of 14 departments, including the Provincial Legislature, and ten (10) public entities. The legislative mandate of Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury (ECPT) is delegated by National Treasury to ensure transparency, accountability and sound financial controls in the management of public finances in accordance with the Constitution, PFMA and Treasury Regulations. The focus of the study is to investigate the perceived leadership style that exists at ECPT. Data was collected by means of a survey questionnaire which consisted of closed questions and distributed to a sample of employees at ECPT who hold positions for senior managers, middle managers and other employees outside these categories, such as administrative assistants. The following leadership styles were examined: Autocratic leadership style, Democratic leadership style, Laissez-faire leadership style and Transformational leadership style. The leadership styles were considered as dependent variables, including Intention to resign, while staff motivation was considered to be the dependent variable. Leadership is described as the social process of persuading people to work towards an institutional goal happily, enthusiastically and persistently. The results of the study revealed autocratic leadership was perceived as the most dominant style that exists at ECPT. Recommendations are made to management to pay attention to the autocratic leadership style as this style has been proven by researchers to have a negative effect on employee motivation. Motivation is described as the force within us that stimulates, directs and sustains our behaviour. The research study further explored the perceptions of employees on motivation. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory was explored as part of the motivation theories. Results based on this theory revealed that the Physiological needs of staff at ECPT are not met. These needs include biological needs such as water, food and air. Chapter 2 of the Constitution of South Africa states that everyone has the right to have access to sufficient food and water. In light of the constitutional requirements on human rights and legislative environment that ECPT operates in, it is recommended that management ensures employees have access to clean water and basic sanitation and accommodation, particularly in the working environment. McClelland’s needs ix theory revealed that staff at ECPT have a high need for achievement, moderate need for power and a low need for affiliation as respondents remained neutral on whether their needs for affiliation were met. It is recommended that management adopts initiatives such as team building, meeting teams regularly to communicate departmental strategies and to involve staff in decision-making and policy updates. The study confirms that when employees are motivated, they go the extra mile in fulfilling responsibilities and by ensuring that staff morale is considered and boosted, ECPT stands to benefit from a motivated workforce that will lead the department in excelling on its mandate of ensuring that the lives of the people of Eastern Cape are improved. It further adjudicates that the appropriate style of leadership is needed that will augment staff morale. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences , Business School, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
- Authors: Tsheqane-Sonn, Nandipa
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Leadership --South Africa --Eastern Cape , Employee morale -- South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50731 , vital:42398
- Description: The Eastern Cape Provincial Government is comprised of 14 departments, including the Provincial Legislature, and ten (10) public entities. The legislative mandate of Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury (ECPT) is delegated by National Treasury to ensure transparency, accountability and sound financial controls in the management of public finances in accordance with the Constitution, PFMA and Treasury Regulations. The focus of the study is to investigate the perceived leadership style that exists at ECPT. Data was collected by means of a survey questionnaire which consisted of closed questions and distributed to a sample of employees at ECPT who hold positions for senior managers, middle managers and other employees outside these categories, such as administrative assistants. The following leadership styles were examined: Autocratic leadership style, Democratic leadership style, Laissez-faire leadership style and Transformational leadership style. The leadership styles were considered as dependent variables, including Intention to resign, while staff motivation was considered to be the dependent variable. Leadership is described as the social process of persuading people to work towards an institutional goal happily, enthusiastically and persistently. The results of the study revealed autocratic leadership was perceived as the most dominant style that exists at ECPT. Recommendations are made to management to pay attention to the autocratic leadership style as this style has been proven by researchers to have a negative effect on employee motivation. Motivation is described as the force within us that stimulates, directs and sustains our behaviour. The research study further explored the perceptions of employees on motivation. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory was explored as part of the motivation theories. Results based on this theory revealed that the Physiological needs of staff at ECPT are not met. These needs include biological needs such as water, food and air. Chapter 2 of the Constitution of South Africa states that everyone has the right to have access to sufficient food and water. In light of the constitutional requirements on human rights and legislative environment that ECPT operates in, it is recommended that management ensures employees have access to clean water and basic sanitation and accommodation, particularly in the working environment. McClelland’s needs ix theory revealed that staff at ECPT have a high need for achievement, moderate need for power and a low need for affiliation as respondents remained neutral on whether their needs for affiliation were met. It is recommended that management adopts initiatives such as team building, meeting teams regularly to communicate departmental strategies and to involve staff in decision-making and policy updates. The study confirms that when employees are motivated, they go the extra mile in fulfilling responsibilities and by ensuring that staff morale is considered and boosted, ECPT stands to benefit from a motivated workforce that will lead the department in excelling on its mandate of ensuring that the lives of the people of Eastern Cape are improved. It further adjudicates that the appropriate style of leadership is needed that will augment staff morale. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences , Business School, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
Rural enterprise development as a means to poverty alleviation
- Authors: Bodley, David Cyril
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49759 , vital:41797
- Description: South Africa’s disappointing economic performance over the last decade has resulted in a socio-economic crisis, with unemployment and inequality rates being of the highest rates anywhere in the world. Furthermore, unemployment is concentrated among the young, unskilled, and previously disadvantaged population posing a considerable threat to South Africa’s new democracy. Internationally, a method to absorb job seekers into the economy is to make small business the engine-room of economic growth and development. Consequently, the South African Government has identified in its National Development Plan the establishment of small businesses as a priority, including the development of small businesses in rural and marginalised communities. As rural communities in South Africa experience systemic problems such as the lack of infrastructure, financial capital, skills and potential markets, establishing enterprises in rural settings is often more complex than those more advanced parts of the economy elsewhere where fewer constraints exist. This makes the task of establishing and growing rural entities particularly challenging, suggesting bespoke policy and support is required. This study analyses the literature to gain an understanding of economic development theory and how this intersects with and informs small enterprise development policy. It then looks at South Africa’s strategy and policy framework pertaining to enterprise development. Specifically, the literature examines the role of rural enterprise development to establish whether this enables people to move out of poverty or further entraps people in poverty. The study collates data from a rural and marginalised community through observation and interview techniques. Firstly, multiple in-depth interviews were conducted with nineteen entrepreneurs in a rural community to collect data on business opportunities and explore the type of support entrepreneurs would require from government. Secondly, a focus group interview was conducted with entrepreneurs that had ii experienced institutional support to understand how well current policy and programmes support rural enterprise development. The primary data was analysed in conjunction with the literature on economic theory and enterprise development using the technique of triangulation to avoid logic leaps and formation of false assumptions. The insights and findings from the analysis reinforced certain facts within the body of knowledge pertaining to enterprise development, but there were also some interesting new insights that emanate from the data. South Africa has been able to introduce a wide range of policy initiatives and has multiple programmes and strategies to support small enterprise development. It has achieved firm success and impetus as well as experiencing certain failures. The study clearly highlights both and makes recommendations to improve policy promoting rural enterprise development as a means to alleviate poverty. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
- Authors: Bodley, David Cyril
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49759 , vital:41797
- Description: South Africa’s disappointing economic performance over the last decade has resulted in a socio-economic crisis, with unemployment and inequality rates being of the highest rates anywhere in the world. Furthermore, unemployment is concentrated among the young, unskilled, and previously disadvantaged population posing a considerable threat to South Africa’s new democracy. Internationally, a method to absorb job seekers into the economy is to make small business the engine-room of economic growth and development. Consequently, the South African Government has identified in its National Development Plan the establishment of small businesses as a priority, including the development of small businesses in rural and marginalised communities. As rural communities in South Africa experience systemic problems such as the lack of infrastructure, financial capital, skills and potential markets, establishing enterprises in rural settings is often more complex than those more advanced parts of the economy elsewhere where fewer constraints exist. This makes the task of establishing and growing rural entities particularly challenging, suggesting bespoke policy and support is required. This study analyses the literature to gain an understanding of economic development theory and how this intersects with and informs small enterprise development policy. It then looks at South Africa’s strategy and policy framework pertaining to enterprise development. Specifically, the literature examines the role of rural enterprise development to establish whether this enables people to move out of poverty or further entraps people in poverty. The study collates data from a rural and marginalised community through observation and interview techniques. Firstly, multiple in-depth interviews were conducted with nineteen entrepreneurs in a rural community to collect data on business opportunities and explore the type of support entrepreneurs would require from government. Secondly, a focus group interview was conducted with entrepreneurs that had ii experienced institutional support to understand how well current policy and programmes support rural enterprise development. The primary data was analysed in conjunction with the literature on economic theory and enterprise development using the technique of triangulation to avoid logic leaps and formation of false assumptions. The insights and findings from the analysis reinforced certain facts within the body of knowledge pertaining to enterprise development, but there were also some interesting new insights that emanate from the data. South Africa has been able to introduce a wide range of policy initiatives and has multiple programmes and strategies to support small enterprise development. It has achieved firm success and impetus as well as experiencing certain failures. The study clearly highlights both and makes recommendations to improve policy promoting rural enterprise development as a means to alleviate poverty. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
The contribution of financial development to economic growth in BRICS countries
- Authors: Ruzive, Tafadzwa Mutsvedu
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Economic development -- BRIC countries , BRIC countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Doctorate's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57501 , vital:58028
- Description: Finance is a driver of growth, but only up to a certain extent. The debate about the influence of financial development on economic growth has been ongoing for more than a century. Since Schumpeter (1912) wrote about the happenings on Lombard Street, right up to the economists of today, there is growing interest in how financial development affects economic activity and hence economic growth. With economic growth gaining prominence in respect of development discourse, an inquiry into the finance-growth nexus has grown rapidly. The latest advances of the finance-growth nexus show a positive relationship between financial development and economic growth. However, in the face of recent financial crises and recessions, the validity of this conclusion has been put into doubt. In this regard, little research has been done globally pertaining to the limits of finance as a driver of growth globally, and within BRICS economies in particular. This research investigates the limits of the influence of financial development on economic growth in BRICS countries. Utilising indices of financial development in Panel Smooth Transition Regressions (PSTR), thresholds to the influence of finance on economic growth are identified for the stock market, the banking sector and financial inclusion initiatives undertaken in BRICS countries. The study found that economic growth is negatively related to stock market development at both low and high levels of stock market development; banking sector development is positively related to economic growth and total factor productivity at both low and high levels of banking sector development. Financial inclusion is positively related to economic growth at low levels of its development. This relationship becomes negative as financial inclusion initiatives grow larger. In a nutshell, stock market development should be pursued as a secondary economic growth policy, banking sector development should be spearheaded as a primary growth strategy. Financial Inclusion should be pursued as a primary growth driver until it reaches a point where it begins to detract from growth. The thresholds and speeds of transitions between low and high levels of financial development indicators should be considered as financial development targets and sequencing inputs for regional financial policy development in BRICS countries. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
- Authors: Ruzive, Tafadzwa Mutsvedu
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Economic development -- BRIC countries , BRIC countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Doctorate's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57501 , vital:58028
- Description: Finance is a driver of growth, but only up to a certain extent. The debate about the influence of financial development on economic growth has been ongoing for more than a century. Since Schumpeter (1912) wrote about the happenings on Lombard Street, right up to the economists of today, there is growing interest in how financial development affects economic activity and hence economic growth. With economic growth gaining prominence in respect of development discourse, an inquiry into the finance-growth nexus has grown rapidly. The latest advances of the finance-growth nexus show a positive relationship between financial development and economic growth. However, in the face of recent financial crises and recessions, the validity of this conclusion has been put into doubt. In this regard, little research has been done globally pertaining to the limits of finance as a driver of growth globally, and within BRICS economies in particular. This research investigates the limits of the influence of financial development on economic growth in BRICS countries. Utilising indices of financial development in Panel Smooth Transition Regressions (PSTR), thresholds to the influence of finance on economic growth are identified for the stock market, the banking sector and financial inclusion initiatives undertaken in BRICS countries. The study found that economic growth is negatively related to stock market development at both low and high levels of stock market development; banking sector development is positively related to economic growth and total factor productivity at both low and high levels of banking sector development. Financial inclusion is positively related to economic growth at low levels of its development. This relationship becomes negative as financial inclusion initiatives grow larger. In a nutshell, stock market development should be pursued as a secondary economic growth policy, banking sector development should be spearheaded as a primary growth strategy. Financial Inclusion should be pursued as a primary growth driver until it reaches a point where it begins to detract from growth. The thresholds and speeds of transitions between low and high levels of financial development indicators should be considered as financial development targets and sequencing inputs for regional financial policy development in BRICS countries. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
A comparative analysis of the effects of different Levels of Education on growth in African Economies
- Authors: Mkhosana, Nomathamsanqa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Economic development -- Effect of education on , Education -- Economic Aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50393 , vital:42161
- Description: The economic growth and development of a country depend on the educational opportunities available to its citizens. Education is deemed to influence economic growth via improved labour productivity particularly through knowledge and skills accumulation by promoting technological improvement and innovation. The aim of the study was to highlight the importance of each level of education on economic growth of African countries. The objective of the study was to find which level of education (primary, secondary and tertiary) has the most significant effect on economic growth. To obtain this objective, the study using two panel cointegration methods, the fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) method applied to data covering the period of 2000 to 2017, the study aimed at sampling 10 educated economies and 10 advanced economies in Africa, since South Africa and Kenya belong in both categories, the study a total of 18 African economies. The results of the study show discrepancies, that is, primary and secondary education being most beneficial towards more advanced economies whilst only tertiary education is beneficiary towards more educated African countries. Policy implications are provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mkhosana, Nomathamsanqa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Economic development -- Effect of education on , Education -- Economic Aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50393 , vital:42161
- Description: The economic growth and development of a country depend on the educational opportunities available to its citizens. Education is deemed to influence economic growth via improved labour productivity particularly through knowledge and skills accumulation by promoting technological improvement and innovation. The aim of the study was to highlight the importance of each level of education on economic growth of African countries. The objective of the study was to find which level of education (primary, secondary and tertiary) has the most significant effect on economic growth. To obtain this objective, the study using two panel cointegration methods, the fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) method applied to data covering the period of 2000 to 2017, the study aimed at sampling 10 educated economies and 10 advanced economies in Africa, since South Africa and Kenya belong in both categories, the study a total of 18 African economies. The results of the study show discrepancies, that is, primary and secondary education being most beneficial towards more advanced economies whilst only tertiary education is beneficiary towards more educated African countries. Policy implications are provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A framework for enhancing compliance with Employee Performance Management and Development Systems(EPMDS) among public sector doctors in BCMM health facilities
- Bayeni, Luvuyo Lonwabo Precious
- Authors: Bayeni, Luvuyo Lonwabo Precious
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Performance -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47520 , vital:40116
- Description: This research explored an employee performance management and development system in the context of the public health centres in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study reviewed the literature on EPMDS in the public health sector of South Africa, noting the shortfalls, challenges, and ways in which it could be improved. The major findings from the study include the need to review the entire policy, revise the pay-scales, and co-create a new EPMDS policy creating space for the representation of the views of the employees. Without completing the development and performance evaluation, grade progression cannot be implemented despite years of service; hence the problem doctors face with their salary levels. The current EPMDS was found to be ineffective due to the wide discrepancy that exists between doctors and other health professionals in public health institutions. Among the commitment motivators highlighted by the respondents, was the need to develop an organisational culture that permits employees to recognise that they are appreciated. Future research must consider using mixed research methods, in the context of other South African Provinces and include a larger sample of research participants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bayeni, Luvuyo Lonwabo Precious
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Performance -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47520 , vital:40116
- Description: This research explored an employee performance management and development system in the context of the public health centres in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study reviewed the literature on EPMDS in the public health sector of South Africa, noting the shortfalls, challenges, and ways in which it could be improved. The major findings from the study include the need to review the entire policy, revise the pay-scales, and co-create a new EPMDS policy creating space for the representation of the views of the employees. Without completing the development and performance evaluation, grade progression cannot be implemented despite years of service; hence the problem doctors face with their salary levels. The current EPMDS was found to be ineffective due to the wide discrepancy that exists between doctors and other health professionals in public health institutions. Among the commitment motivators highlighted by the respondents, was the need to develop an organisational culture that permits employees to recognise that they are appreciated. Future research must consider using mixed research methods, in the context of other South African Provinces and include a larger sample of research participants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A framework for price tariffs in the costing structures of South African private hospitals
- Authors: Botha, Gideon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Hospitals, Proprietary
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47489 , vital:40126
- Description: The increase of South African health care costs can be extrapolated into the global healthcare cost challenge, with various factors contributing to this problem. One of the factors viewed as being central to the rising cost of health care is the inability of health care provider organisations to accurately measure unit costs of resources used to treat a patient for their medical condition and patient outcomes. The measurement of an accurate unit cost and patient outcomes is imperative to improving value, which is seen as an improvement in outcomes for every rand spent. The determination of price tariffs and the price tariff payment model used to onward bill the price tariff for medical services have also been identified as having a central role in improving value in health care. In order for price tariffs to improve value, they should be reflective and be based on an accurate unit cost that reflects the cost of resources used to provide efficient and effective care for a patient’s medical condition. For the price tariff payment model to improve value, it needs to reward providers for delivering superior patient outcomes at a lower cost by making price tariffs contingent on achieving specified outcomes as well as incorporating performance payments or holdbacks based on outcomes achieved. This study provides a framework for price tariffs in the costing structures of South African private hospitals. Secondary research was conducted in the form of a comprehensive literature search in order to do an interpretative analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the various combinations of unit costing models and price tariff payment models used to determine prices in private hospitals. The literature review was followed by primary research that involved three phases, all of which used a qualitative research approach. In Phase 1, primary data were collected using unobtrusive measures that consisted of a data request first, followed by unstructured interviews with representatives of Hospital A and Hospital B to obtain an analysis of the combinations of unit costing model and price tariff payment model used for a laparoscopic appendectomy. In Phase 2, data were collected by means of an unstructured interview with a surgeon describing a laparoscopic appendectomy procedure in detail and based on this process description, the approximate costs for the various resources that were sourced from different suppliers could be calculated. The data analysis and interpretation were done in three phases, with each phase having different research objectives. The data were first coded and then interpreted. In the first primary research phase, the combinations of unit costing models and price tariff payment models used by private Hospital A and Hospital B were evaluated. In the second phase, the recommended combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model was applied to a hypothetical example and evaluated. In the final phase, based on the outcome of the first and second research phases, a combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model for private hospitals was recommended. The results showed that the recommended combination of unit costing and price tariff payment model namely time-driven activity-based costing with the global fee price tariff payment model was the most appropriate to determine price tariffs in private hospitals when compared to the unit costing models and price tariff payment models used by Hospital A and Hospital B for a laparoscopic appendectomy. Furthermore, the recommended combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model was found to be usable for the determination of price tariffs in the costing structures of private hospitals. The time-driven activity-based costing model and global fee price tariff payment model should be adopted or used as guidelines for determining price tariffs in private hospitals in South Africa. Price tariffs would be more transparent as they would reflect the actual resource cost of treating the patient and the resources used and treatment provided could then be assessed against the delivery value chain that charts the principal activities involved in a patient’s care for a medical condition to ensure that patient best-practice protocols are followed. The proposed framework enables the determination of price tariffs based on an accurate unit cost reflecting the actual resources used to provide efficient and effective care and also improve value for the patient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Botha, Gideon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Hospitals, Proprietary
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47489 , vital:40126
- Description: The increase of South African health care costs can be extrapolated into the global healthcare cost challenge, with various factors contributing to this problem. One of the factors viewed as being central to the rising cost of health care is the inability of health care provider organisations to accurately measure unit costs of resources used to treat a patient for their medical condition and patient outcomes. The measurement of an accurate unit cost and patient outcomes is imperative to improving value, which is seen as an improvement in outcomes for every rand spent. The determination of price tariffs and the price tariff payment model used to onward bill the price tariff for medical services have also been identified as having a central role in improving value in health care. In order for price tariffs to improve value, they should be reflective and be based on an accurate unit cost that reflects the cost of resources used to provide efficient and effective care for a patient’s medical condition. For the price tariff payment model to improve value, it needs to reward providers for delivering superior patient outcomes at a lower cost by making price tariffs contingent on achieving specified outcomes as well as incorporating performance payments or holdbacks based on outcomes achieved. This study provides a framework for price tariffs in the costing structures of South African private hospitals. Secondary research was conducted in the form of a comprehensive literature search in order to do an interpretative analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the various combinations of unit costing models and price tariff payment models used to determine prices in private hospitals. The literature review was followed by primary research that involved three phases, all of which used a qualitative research approach. In Phase 1, primary data were collected using unobtrusive measures that consisted of a data request first, followed by unstructured interviews with representatives of Hospital A and Hospital B to obtain an analysis of the combinations of unit costing model and price tariff payment model used for a laparoscopic appendectomy. In Phase 2, data were collected by means of an unstructured interview with a surgeon describing a laparoscopic appendectomy procedure in detail and based on this process description, the approximate costs for the various resources that were sourced from different suppliers could be calculated. The data analysis and interpretation were done in three phases, with each phase having different research objectives. The data were first coded and then interpreted. In the first primary research phase, the combinations of unit costing models and price tariff payment models used by private Hospital A and Hospital B were evaluated. In the second phase, the recommended combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model was applied to a hypothetical example and evaluated. In the final phase, based on the outcome of the first and second research phases, a combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model for private hospitals was recommended. The results showed that the recommended combination of unit costing and price tariff payment model namely time-driven activity-based costing with the global fee price tariff payment model was the most appropriate to determine price tariffs in private hospitals when compared to the unit costing models and price tariff payment models used by Hospital A and Hospital B for a laparoscopic appendectomy. Furthermore, the recommended combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model was found to be usable for the determination of price tariffs in the costing structures of private hospitals. The time-driven activity-based costing model and global fee price tariff payment model should be adopted or used as guidelines for determining price tariffs in private hospitals in South Africa. Price tariffs would be more transparent as they would reflect the actual resource cost of treating the patient and the resources used and treatment provided could then be assessed against the delivery value chain that charts the principal activities involved in a patient’s care for a medical condition to ensure that patient best-practice protocols are followed. The proposed framework enables the determination of price tariffs based on an accurate unit cost reflecting the actual resources used to provide efficient and effective care and also improve value for the patient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A framework for price tariffs in the costing structures of South African private hospitals
- Authors: Botha, Gideon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Medical care, Cost of -- South Africa , Medical economics -- South Africa Medical care -- South Africa -- Cost control Cost accounting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50432 , vital:42167
- Description: The increase of South African health care costs can be extrapolated into the global healthcare cost challenge, with various factors contributing to this problem. One of the factors viewed as being central to the rising cost of health care is the inability of health care provider organisations to accurately measure unit costs of resources used to treat a patient for their medical condition and patient outcomes. The measurement of an accurate unit cost and patient outcomes is imperative to improving value, which is seen as an improvement in outcomes for every rand spent. The determination of price tariffs and the price tariff payment model used to onward bill the price tariff for medical services have also been identified as having a central role in improving value in health care. In order for price tariffs to improve value, they should be reflective and be based on an accurate unit cost that reflects the cost of resources used to provide efficient and effective care for a patient’s medical condition. For the price tariff payment model to improve value, it needs to reward providers for delivering superior patient outcomes at a lower cost by making price tariffs contingent on achieving specified outcomes as well as incorporating performance payments or holdbacks based on outcomes achieved. This study provides a framework for price tariffs in the costing structures of South African private hospitals. Secondary research was conducted in the form of a comprehensive literature search in order to do an interpretative analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the various combinations of unit costing models and price tariff payment models used to determine prices in private hospitals. The literature review was followed by primary research that involved three phases, all of which used a qualitative research approach. In Phase 1, primary data were collected using unobtrusive measures that consisted of a data request first, followed by unstructured interviews with representatives of Hospital A and Hospital B to obtain an analysis of the combinations of unit costing model and price tariff payment model used for a laparoscopic appendectomy. In Phase 2, data were collected by means of an unstructured interview with a surgeon describing a laparoscopic appendectomy procedure in detail and based on this process description, the approximate costs for the various resources that were sourced from different suppliers could be calculated. The data analysis and interpretation were done in three phases, with each phase having different research objectives. The data were first coded and then interpreted. In the first primary research phase, the combinations of unit costing models and price tariff payment models used by private Hospital A and Hospital B were evaluated. In the second phase, the recommended combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model was applied to a hypothetical example and evaluated. In the final phase, based on the outcome of the first and second research phases, a combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model for private hospitals was recommended. The results showed that the recommended combination of unit costing and price tariff payment model namely time-driven activity-based costing with the global fee price tariff payment model was the most appropriate to determine price tariffs in private hospitals when compared to the unit costing models and price tariff payment models used by Hospital A and Hospital B for a laparoscopic appendectomy. Furthermore, the recommended combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model was found to be usable for the determination of price tariffs in the costing structures of private hospitals. The time-driven activity-based costing model and global fee price tariff payment model should be adopted or used as guidelines for determining price tariffs in private hospitals in South Africa. Price tariffs would be more transparent as they would reflect the actual resource cost of treating the patient and the resources used and treatment provided could then be assessed against the delivery value chain that charts the principal activities involved in a patient’s care for a medical condition to ensure that patient best-practice protocols are followed. The proposed framework enables the determination of price tariffs based on an accurate unit cost reflecting the actual resources used to provide efficient and effective care and also improve value for the patient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Botha, Gideon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Medical care, Cost of -- South Africa , Medical economics -- South Africa Medical care -- South Africa -- Cost control Cost accounting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50432 , vital:42167
- Description: The increase of South African health care costs can be extrapolated into the global healthcare cost challenge, with various factors contributing to this problem. One of the factors viewed as being central to the rising cost of health care is the inability of health care provider organisations to accurately measure unit costs of resources used to treat a patient for their medical condition and patient outcomes. The measurement of an accurate unit cost and patient outcomes is imperative to improving value, which is seen as an improvement in outcomes for every rand spent. The determination of price tariffs and the price tariff payment model used to onward bill the price tariff for medical services have also been identified as having a central role in improving value in health care. In order for price tariffs to improve value, they should be reflective and be based on an accurate unit cost that reflects the cost of resources used to provide efficient and effective care for a patient’s medical condition. For the price tariff payment model to improve value, it needs to reward providers for delivering superior patient outcomes at a lower cost by making price tariffs contingent on achieving specified outcomes as well as incorporating performance payments or holdbacks based on outcomes achieved. This study provides a framework for price tariffs in the costing structures of South African private hospitals. Secondary research was conducted in the form of a comprehensive literature search in order to do an interpretative analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the various combinations of unit costing models and price tariff payment models used to determine prices in private hospitals. The literature review was followed by primary research that involved three phases, all of which used a qualitative research approach. In Phase 1, primary data were collected using unobtrusive measures that consisted of a data request first, followed by unstructured interviews with representatives of Hospital A and Hospital B to obtain an analysis of the combinations of unit costing model and price tariff payment model used for a laparoscopic appendectomy. In Phase 2, data were collected by means of an unstructured interview with a surgeon describing a laparoscopic appendectomy procedure in detail and based on this process description, the approximate costs for the various resources that were sourced from different suppliers could be calculated. The data analysis and interpretation were done in three phases, with each phase having different research objectives. The data were first coded and then interpreted. In the first primary research phase, the combinations of unit costing models and price tariff payment models used by private Hospital A and Hospital B were evaluated. In the second phase, the recommended combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model was applied to a hypothetical example and evaluated. In the final phase, based on the outcome of the first and second research phases, a combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model for private hospitals was recommended. The results showed that the recommended combination of unit costing and price tariff payment model namely time-driven activity-based costing with the global fee price tariff payment model was the most appropriate to determine price tariffs in private hospitals when compared to the unit costing models and price tariff payment models used by Hospital A and Hospital B for a laparoscopic appendectomy. Furthermore, the recommended combination of unit costing model and price tariff payment model was found to be usable for the determination of price tariffs in the costing structures of private hospitals. The time-driven activity-based costing model and global fee price tariff payment model should be adopted or used as guidelines for determining price tariffs in private hospitals in South Africa. Price tariffs would be more transparent as they would reflect the actual resource cost of treating the patient and the resources used and treatment provided could then be assessed against the delivery value chain that charts the principal activities involved in a patient’s care for a medical condition to ensure that patient best-practice protocols are followed. The proposed framework enables the determination of price tariffs based on an accurate unit cost reflecting the actual resources used to provide efficient and effective care and also improve value for the patient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An Analysis of the Impact of Industry 4.0 on the Motor Industry in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Dorothy, Liesel
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Motor vehicle industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape.
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47721 , vital:40329
- Description: Over the past decade we have noted the accelerated development in information technology which has resulted in the internet moving from merely connecting people via computers to its connections now being extended to connect virtually everything. It has changed the daily lives of humans, from how we communicate with each other and drive our vehicles to how we work as well. These advancements in technology have created smart technologies which give organisations and countries a competitive advantage when implemented. Developed countries in Europe and North America have invested significant sums of money in order to speed up the implementation of industry 4.0 given the benefits that can be derived from it. Literature on industry 4.0 is on the rise, however not many studies have been conducted in Africa or South Africa. The purpose of this research is to analyse the impact that industry 4.0 technologies have on the operational performance of an organisation in the automotive industry in the Eastern Cape in South Africa. The effects of these technologies on the operational performance of an organisation will be assessed on the key performance measures of: speed, flexibility, quality, delivery dependability and cost. The study also seeks to define a guideline for organisations to use who wish to implement these technologies into their operations. A literature review on the subject was conducted as well as an empirical investigation. The results from both the literature review and the empirical investigation found that the operational performance of an organisation improves with the implementation of technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Dorothy, Liesel
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Motor vehicle industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape.
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47721 , vital:40329
- Description: Over the past decade we have noted the accelerated development in information technology which has resulted in the internet moving from merely connecting people via computers to its connections now being extended to connect virtually everything. It has changed the daily lives of humans, from how we communicate with each other and drive our vehicles to how we work as well. These advancements in technology have created smart technologies which give organisations and countries a competitive advantage when implemented. Developed countries in Europe and North America have invested significant sums of money in order to speed up the implementation of industry 4.0 given the benefits that can be derived from it. Literature on industry 4.0 is on the rise, however not many studies have been conducted in Africa or South Africa. The purpose of this research is to analyse the impact that industry 4.0 technologies have on the operational performance of an organisation in the automotive industry in the Eastern Cape in South Africa. The effects of these technologies on the operational performance of an organisation will be assessed on the key performance measures of: speed, flexibility, quality, delivery dependability and cost. The study also seeks to define a guideline for organisations to use who wish to implement these technologies into their operations. A literature review on the subject was conducted as well as an empirical investigation. The results from both the literature review and the empirical investigation found that the operational performance of an organisation improves with the implementation of technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An evaluation of the organisational performance of members of the district based support team in inclusive education – a case study of the Grahamstown circuit
- Authors: Dyantyi, Khona
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Administration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47868 , vital:40391
- Description: Inclusive learning around the world takes into account both the rights of learners and how education systems can adapt in just and equitable ways to respond to learner differences. White Paper 6, launched by the Department of Education in 2001, has been praised in this regard as a groundbreaking post-Apartheid strategy that provides the vision and basis for turning the fragmented and unequal education system in South Africa into one that is inclusive. This represents a fundamental change from an academic placement process throughout the education system to an influx of educational support services. This study specifically explores how one Eastern Cape District Based Support Team perceives its roles and responsibilities. To investigate these viewpoints, a qualitative research model was used within an interpretive framework. For the choice of participants in the study, purposeful sampling methods were used. Data was collected and analysed using thematic data analysis through semi-structured individual interviews and a single focus group interview. The following key findings were revealed in the results. On the one hand, there are significant factors that allow the efficacy of District Based Support Teams as enabling agents of inclusion to be supported. These include: • A substantial degree of alignment between inclusive education theory and current inclusive education policy; • Enabling inclusive education policy and guidelines; • The interpretation of inclusive education by research participants and the goals of inclusive education are aligned with the policy they see as a framework to direct and encourage their practice; • The District Based Support Team's view of their position is basically that of support service with the primary responsibility to allow inclusive learning to be implemented. On the other hand, structural debilitating factors substantially weaken these teams ' effectiveness. These include:South African School and Administration Management System • Early identification of obstacles and admission age • Budget • Support tools/ equipment • Human Resources - human and physical resources • The unproductive inclusion of special schools as resource centres in the District Based Support Teams. • Poor infrastructure • Coordination and cooperation with the National DoE to enforce IE policies. Years after its adoption, the key challenge remains the translation of encouraging policy language into practical action at all levels of the process within the broader context of the failure of Inclusive Education Policy to have any significant impact on the education system. At the district level, it needs innovative leadership across the Specialised Education Support Unit (including District Based Teams and Special School Resource Centers) and firm management within it to allow organisational coordination and intersectoral cooperation within an integrated community context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Dyantyi, Khona
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Administration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47868 , vital:40391
- Description: Inclusive learning around the world takes into account both the rights of learners and how education systems can adapt in just and equitable ways to respond to learner differences. White Paper 6, launched by the Department of Education in 2001, has been praised in this regard as a groundbreaking post-Apartheid strategy that provides the vision and basis for turning the fragmented and unequal education system in South Africa into one that is inclusive. This represents a fundamental change from an academic placement process throughout the education system to an influx of educational support services. This study specifically explores how one Eastern Cape District Based Support Team perceives its roles and responsibilities. To investigate these viewpoints, a qualitative research model was used within an interpretive framework. For the choice of participants in the study, purposeful sampling methods were used. Data was collected and analysed using thematic data analysis through semi-structured individual interviews and a single focus group interview. The following key findings were revealed in the results. On the one hand, there are significant factors that allow the efficacy of District Based Support Teams as enabling agents of inclusion to be supported. These include: • A substantial degree of alignment between inclusive education theory and current inclusive education policy; • Enabling inclusive education policy and guidelines; • The interpretation of inclusive education by research participants and the goals of inclusive education are aligned with the policy they see as a framework to direct and encourage their practice; • The District Based Support Team's view of their position is basically that of support service with the primary responsibility to allow inclusive learning to be implemented. On the other hand, structural debilitating factors substantially weaken these teams ' effectiveness. These include:South African School and Administration Management System • Early identification of obstacles and admission age • Budget • Support tools/ equipment • Human Resources - human and physical resources • The unproductive inclusion of special schools as resource centres in the District Based Support Teams. • Poor infrastructure • Coordination and cooperation with the National DoE to enforce IE policies. Years after its adoption, the key challenge remains the translation of encouraging policy language into practical action at all levels of the process within the broader context of the failure of Inclusive Education Policy to have any significant impact on the education system. At the district level, it needs innovative leadership across the Specialised Education Support Unit (including District Based Teams and Special School Resource Centers) and firm management within it to allow organisational coordination and intersectoral cooperation within an integrated community context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An investigation of the link between Financial sector development and economic growth in Zimbabwe from 1980 -2016
- Authors: Machokoto, Sydney
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Financial institutions-- Zimbambwe , Economic growth, development,planning -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49894 , vital:41814
- Description: This study investigated the link between financial sector development and economic growth in Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2016 using the Auto Regressive Distributed Lag model. Market capitalization as a ratio of gross domestic product (GDP), bank credit to the private sector as a ratio of GDP and financial assets of microfinance as a ratio of GDP were used as proxy variables for financial sector development. Economic growth was measured by real GDP. The Granger causality test indicated bi-directional causality between access to financial services and economic growth in Zimbabwe in the long run. Market capitalization and bank credit to the private sector did not Granger cause economic growth in Zimbabwe. It was recommended that the government should promote the functioning of the capital market as it is the conduit for providing long term capital to businesses. Bank credit to the private sector was found to be statistically significant. It was recommended that the government should promote decentralization of the banking sector to rural areas. The proxy variables of financial development used were statistically significant in influencing economic growth. The findings from the study led to the recommendation to open additional microfinance companies in remote areas and to increase the supply of financial services and products. Empirical evidence indicates that the link between financial development and economic growth depends on the proxy variables of financial sector development used in econometric modelling. The model was tested for heteroscedasticity, serial correlation, stability and normality. The econometric tests conducted were all satisfactory. This made the model ideal for policy formulation and recommendation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Machokoto, Sydney
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Financial institutions-- Zimbambwe , Economic growth, development,planning -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49894 , vital:41814
- Description: This study investigated the link between financial sector development and economic growth in Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2016 using the Auto Regressive Distributed Lag model. Market capitalization as a ratio of gross domestic product (GDP), bank credit to the private sector as a ratio of GDP and financial assets of microfinance as a ratio of GDP were used as proxy variables for financial sector development. Economic growth was measured by real GDP. The Granger causality test indicated bi-directional causality between access to financial services and economic growth in Zimbabwe in the long run. Market capitalization and bank credit to the private sector did not Granger cause economic growth in Zimbabwe. It was recommended that the government should promote the functioning of the capital market as it is the conduit for providing long term capital to businesses. Bank credit to the private sector was found to be statistically significant. It was recommended that the government should promote decentralization of the banking sector to rural areas. The proxy variables of financial development used were statistically significant in influencing economic growth. The findings from the study led to the recommendation to open additional microfinance companies in remote areas and to increase the supply of financial services and products. Empirical evidence indicates that the link between financial development and economic growth depends on the proxy variables of financial sector development used in econometric modelling. The model was tested for heteroscedasticity, serial correlation, stability and normality. The econometric tests conducted were all satisfactory. This made the model ideal for policy formulation and recommendation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Analysis of the existence of the Phillips curve, Okun’s law and Taylor rule in the Zambian economy
- Authors: Chella, Siame Nampasa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Unemployment -- Effect of inflation -- Mathematical models --Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49783 , vital:41800
- Description: The objective for this study was to explore the relationship between inflation and growth with an understanding of the effects of unemployment on growth. The primary objective of this paper was to investigate the existence of Phillips Curve, Okun’s Law, and Taylor Rule in Zambia on the basis that Zambia is a youthful economy, with a growing population, which is expected to temper with unemployment rates, as an increase in the supply of labour might be too high for the demand for jobs available. To be specific, the study aims at determining the relationship between inflation and growth and seeks to understand what policy measures have been undertaken to curb inflation and reduce unemployment in Zambia. To achieve this, a quantitative research was undertaken using the ARDL cointegration model in conjunction with sensitivity tests to cater for structural changes in the economy with 2007 standing as the break point, as well as paying attention to the fact that different policy regimes employed during the course of the data covered, that being, 1996 to 2017, would affect that rates of unemployment, inflation and growth of the country, across period under review. The study revealed that Zambia faces a Hybrid New Keynesian Phillips Curve during the period under study which is dominated by a mixture of both back-ward and forward-looking aspects of inflation. This specifically, paints the effects of inflation persistence as well future expectations of inflation on growth. Further, a cointegration relationship was established between unemployment and output, while Taylor principles were found not to apply to the Zambian economy, which have proved in other economies to be foundation blocks for good economic growth and as such significant to both fiscal and monetary policy authorities of the economy. The researcher therefore recommends that Zambian policy makers, that is, both the fiscal and the monetary authorities, work together in order to attain minimal and optimal levels of inflation to help achieve a conducive economic environment for the country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Chella, Siame Nampasa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Unemployment -- Effect of inflation -- Mathematical models --Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49783 , vital:41800
- Description: The objective for this study was to explore the relationship between inflation and growth with an understanding of the effects of unemployment on growth. The primary objective of this paper was to investigate the existence of Phillips Curve, Okun’s Law, and Taylor Rule in Zambia on the basis that Zambia is a youthful economy, with a growing population, which is expected to temper with unemployment rates, as an increase in the supply of labour might be too high for the demand for jobs available. To be specific, the study aims at determining the relationship between inflation and growth and seeks to understand what policy measures have been undertaken to curb inflation and reduce unemployment in Zambia. To achieve this, a quantitative research was undertaken using the ARDL cointegration model in conjunction with sensitivity tests to cater for structural changes in the economy with 2007 standing as the break point, as well as paying attention to the fact that different policy regimes employed during the course of the data covered, that being, 1996 to 2017, would affect that rates of unemployment, inflation and growth of the country, across period under review. The study revealed that Zambia faces a Hybrid New Keynesian Phillips Curve during the period under study which is dominated by a mixture of both back-ward and forward-looking aspects of inflation. This specifically, paints the effects of inflation persistence as well future expectations of inflation on growth. Further, a cointegration relationship was established between unemployment and output, while Taylor principles were found not to apply to the Zambian economy, which have proved in other economies to be foundation blocks for good economic growth and as such significant to both fiscal and monetary policy authorities of the economy. The researcher therefore recommends that Zambian policy makers, that is, both the fiscal and the monetary authorities, work together in order to attain minimal and optimal levels of inflation to help achieve a conducive economic environment for the country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Approaches used by NGOs in managing HIV/AIDS programmes in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Budaza, Silakhe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: HIV(Disease)-- Psychological aspects -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49775 , vital:41799
- Description: The purpose of this research study was to explore the interventions NGOs used in addressing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS along with an exploration of the management and causal factors behind project failures and success. Five districts in the province of the Eastern Cape, South Africa were used in the study. The study had three objectives- the first being to identify the various approaches used to manage HIV/AIDS by NGOs; the second was to consider the influence HIV/AIDS policies on the health sector NGOs and finally the third objective of the study was to explore the monitoring and evaluation mechanism set in place to track progress, or lack of, in HIV/AIDS programs. The research design followed a qualitative methodology and data was gathered from ten participants through semi-structured interviews and supported by a document analysis of existing HIV and AIDS policies from both a national and provincial level which were qualitative. The findings showed that a lack of adequate or delayed funding affected the overall performance of NGOs as well as approaches such as home-based care and educational support programs. Resource mobilization and fundraising ought to be diversified so that there is a committed and varied pool of funds to enable the execution of HIV/AIDS services and programs. The government and other stakeholders should build on local capacity to implement these various programs and build financial, social and organizational sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Budaza, Silakhe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: HIV(Disease)-- Psychological aspects -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49775 , vital:41799
- Description: The purpose of this research study was to explore the interventions NGOs used in addressing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS along with an exploration of the management and causal factors behind project failures and success. Five districts in the province of the Eastern Cape, South Africa were used in the study. The study had three objectives- the first being to identify the various approaches used to manage HIV/AIDS by NGOs; the second was to consider the influence HIV/AIDS policies on the health sector NGOs and finally the third objective of the study was to explore the monitoring and evaluation mechanism set in place to track progress, or lack of, in HIV/AIDS programs. The research design followed a qualitative methodology and data was gathered from ten participants through semi-structured interviews and supported by a document analysis of existing HIV and AIDS policies from both a national and provincial level which were qualitative. The findings showed that a lack of adequate or delayed funding affected the overall performance of NGOs as well as approaches such as home-based care and educational support programs. Resource mobilization and fundraising ought to be diversified so that there is a committed and varied pool of funds to enable the execution of HIV/AIDS services and programs. The government and other stakeholders should build on local capacity to implement these various programs and build financial, social and organizational sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Approaches used by NGOs in managing HIV/AIDS programmes in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Budaza, Silakhe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa , Disease management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50457 , vital:42169
- Description: The purpose of this research study was to explore the interventions NGOs used in addressing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS along with an exploration of the management and causal factors behind project failures and success. Five districts in the province of the Eastern Cape, South Africa were used in the study. The study had three objectives- the first being to identify the various approaches used to manage HIV/AIDS by NGOs; the second was to consider the influence HIV/AIDS policies on the health sector NGOs and finally the third objective of the study was to explore the monitoring and evaluation mechanism set in place to track progress, or lack of, in HIV/AIDS programs. The research design followed a qualitative methodology and data was gathered from ten participants through semi-structured interviews and supported by a document analysis of existing HIV and AIDS policies from both a national and provincial level which were qualitative. The findings showed that a lack of adequate or delayed funding affected the overall performance of NGOs as well as approaches such as home-based care and educational support programs. In addition, the negative stigma associated with HIV/AIDS has been a looming issue since 2004 which continues to undermine efforts of NGOs in their means to manage HIV/AIDS. The consequences of stigma from the findings are treatment adherence issues and little to no attendance of HIV/AIDS programs provided by the respective NGOs. Effective planning and management along with capacitated staff and volunteers increased the positive outcome of HIV/AIDS programs and services offered by the NGOs. From the study findings, it is recommended that the planning of HIV/AIDS approaches should consider resource planning to avoid abandoning projects midway due to a lack of resources. The management and monitoring of NGOs within the health sector, dealing with epidemics such as HIV/AIDS need to build on flexibility in implementation and have effective risk assessments in place as a contingency, so that corrective action is taken. Resource mobilization and fundraising ought to be diversified so that there is a committed and varied pool of funds to enable the execution of HIV/AIDS services and programs. The government and other stakeholders should build on local capacity to implement these various programs and also build financial, social and organizational sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Budaza, Silakhe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa , Disease management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50457 , vital:42169
- Description: The purpose of this research study was to explore the interventions NGOs used in addressing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS along with an exploration of the management and causal factors behind project failures and success. Five districts in the province of the Eastern Cape, South Africa were used in the study. The study had three objectives- the first being to identify the various approaches used to manage HIV/AIDS by NGOs; the second was to consider the influence HIV/AIDS policies on the health sector NGOs and finally the third objective of the study was to explore the monitoring and evaluation mechanism set in place to track progress, or lack of, in HIV/AIDS programs. The research design followed a qualitative methodology and data was gathered from ten participants through semi-structured interviews and supported by a document analysis of existing HIV and AIDS policies from both a national and provincial level which were qualitative. The findings showed that a lack of adequate or delayed funding affected the overall performance of NGOs as well as approaches such as home-based care and educational support programs. In addition, the negative stigma associated with HIV/AIDS has been a looming issue since 2004 which continues to undermine efforts of NGOs in their means to manage HIV/AIDS. The consequences of stigma from the findings are treatment adherence issues and little to no attendance of HIV/AIDS programs provided by the respective NGOs. Effective planning and management along with capacitated staff and volunteers increased the positive outcome of HIV/AIDS programs and services offered by the NGOs. From the study findings, it is recommended that the planning of HIV/AIDS approaches should consider resource planning to avoid abandoning projects midway due to a lack of resources. The management and monitoring of NGOs within the health sector, dealing with epidemics such as HIV/AIDS need to build on flexibility in implementation and have effective risk assessments in place as a contingency, so that corrective action is taken. Resource mobilization and fundraising ought to be diversified so that there is a committed and varied pool of funds to enable the execution of HIV/AIDS services and programs. The government and other stakeholders should build on local capacity to implement these various programs and also build financial, social and organizational sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Assessing factors that mitigate business risks in the operations of emerging black-owned businesses in Mthatha, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Bovungana, Afrika Khanyiso
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Business enterprises, Black
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47502 , vital:40121
- Description: The study sought to assessfactors that mitigate business risks in the operations of emerging black-owned businesses in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. Small businesses in the country are significant contributorsto the South African economy,as they provide employment and development opportunities to disadvantaged communities. Many of these businesses are operationalbut have no formal systems in place to operate effectively. The lack of proper operating procedures can result ininefficiencies that often lead to the collapse and eventual failure of these businesses. Van Vuuren,a professor at the University of Pretoria,mentionedin a round table dialogue that in South Africa the early stage entrepreneurial activity rate has been recorded as9.2% whereas in similar developing economies such as Brazil early stage entrepreneurialactivity isapproximately 40%. The study utilised a quantitative research design and employed a Likert scale questionnaire on a sample of 64 black-owned small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) chosen by means of a random probability samplingmethod. QuestionPro was used to analyse the data and discuss the findings of the study.The various factors identified and highlighted indicate the integral challenges faced by the black-owned SMMEs remain prevalent. The success or failure is dependent on dynamic interventions that are taken into consideration and implemented for the improvement of the environment and business life cycle of black-owned businesses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bovungana, Afrika Khanyiso
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Business enterprises, Black
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47502 , vital:40121
- Description: The study sought to assessfactors that mitigate business risks in the operations of emerging black-owned businesses in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. Small businesses in the country are significant contributorsto the South African economy,as they provide employment and development opportunities to disadvantaged communities. Many of these businesses are operationalbut have no formal systems in place to operate effectively. The lack of proper operating procedures can result ininefficiencies that often lead to the collapse and eventual failure of these businesses. Van Vuuren,a professor at the University of Pretoria,mentionedin a round table dialogue that in South Africa the early stage entrepreneurial activity rate has been recorded as9.2% whereas in similar developing economies such as Brazil early stage entrepreneurialactivity isapproximately 40%. The study utilised a quantitative research design and employed a Likert scale questionnaire on a sample of 64 black-owned small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) chosen by means of a random probability samplingmethod. QuestionPro was used to analyse the data and discuss the findings of the study.The various factors identified and highlighted indicate the integral challenges faced by the black-owned SMMEs remain prevalent. The success or failure is dependent on dynamic interventions that are taken into consideration and implemented for the improvement of the environment and business life cycle of black-owned businesses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Challenges of electronic surveillance in combating crime and addressing developmental issues in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Dyasi, Alutha Vusisizwe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electronics in criminal investigation --South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49823 , vital:41805
- Description: Crime has been prevalent in South Africa, particularly in Port Elizabeth where violent crimes such as attempted murder, murder, sexual offences, robbery and hijacking have been reported to the South African Police Service. These violent crimes are mostly prevalent in police precincts such as Gelvandale, Bethelsdorp, Kwazakhele, New Brighton and Walmer. As a result, development in these police precincts has been affected negatively. This is highlighted by how developmental issues such as poverty and unemployment have been ubiquitous due to the manner with which crime has an effect on development. ICT companies are continuously providing solutions to crime-related challenges. The emergence of new technologies, such as CCTV surveillance cameras, drones and facial recognition software have been proven to be a solution to combating crime in some developing countries in Africa. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the challenges of electronic surveillance in combating crime and addressing developmental issues in Port Elizabeth. The study found out that the developmental issues faced by communities in Port Elizabeth include unemployment, poverty, a high crime rate, substance abuse, and a lack of resources. In addition, the study concluded that, the lack of education and skills development, gangsterism, unemployment and poverty were amongst the main causes of crime in Port Elizabeth. The study also revealed that, the SAPS does not have enough electronic surveillance devices such as CCTV cameras installed in high crime areas, thus, recommendations were made on how electronic surveillance can be used to combat crime and address developmental issues
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Dyasi, Alutha Vusisizwe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electronics in criminal investigation --South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49823 , vital:41805
- Description: Crime has been prevalent in South Africa, particularly in Port Elizabeth where violent crimes such as attempted murder, murder, sexual offences, robbery and hijacking have been reported to the South African Police Service. These violent crimes are mostly prevalent in police precincts such as Gelvandale, Bethelsdorp, Kwazakhele, New Brighton and Walmer. As a result, development in these police precincts has been affected negatively. This is highlighted by how developmental issues such as poverty and unemployment have been ubiquitous due to the manner with which crime has an effect on development. ICT companies are continuously providing solutions to crime-related challenges. The emergence of new technologies, such as CCTV surveillance cameras, drones and facial recognition software have been proven to be a solution to combating crime in some developing countries in Africa. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the challenges of electronic surveillance in combating crime and addressing developmental issues in Port Elizabeth. The study found out that the developmental issues faced by communities in Port Elizabeth include unemployment, poverty, a high crime rate, substance abuse, and a lack of resources. In addition, the study concluded that, the lack of education and skills development, gangsterism, unemployment and poverty were amongst the main causes of crime in Port Elizabeth. The study also revealed that, the SAPS does not have enough electronic surveillance devices such as CCTV cameras installed in high crime areas, thus, recommendations were made on how electronic surveillance can be used to combat crime and address developmental issues
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020