Loyalty programmes in the South African airline industry
- Authors: Manunga, Ayanda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Customer loyalty programs -- South Africa , Customer clubs -- South Africa Airlines -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40911 , vital:36267
- Description: While there has been substantial research on Loyalty Programmes in the last two decades, little has been done in the South African Airline Industry. This study uses the Social exchange theory, Relationship marketing theory and Commitment-trust theory to provide an understanding of the factors, which influence loyalty programmes in the South African Airline Industry. The methodology used involved a self-administrated on-line questionnaire from the sample, which comprised of 1090 respondents. From the total respondents, 172 belonged to one or more Airline Loyalty Programmes. This study focused on the latter. An email containing a Universal Resource Link (URL) to the survey was sent to the Nelson Mandela University Business School‟s Marketing Department to distribute to current first-year MBA students, who also had to circulate the survey to at least ten other people. A proposed conceptual model was compiled and tested using exploratory factor analysis. The result of the study confirmed that the measurement instrument is in order and that attitude and behaviour are strong determinants of the loyalty programme. Communication, flexibility, general assessment, rewards personal, rewards tangible, rewards monetary and trust are factors that influence the loyalty programme, which are driven by the attitude of the participant in the programme. On the other hand, communication, flexibility, general assessment, rewards personalisation, purchase behaviour and trust are factors that influence the loyalty programme, which are driven by the behaviour of the participant in the programme. This study concludes with managerial recommendations that will enable managers to identify factors which influence loyalty programmes in the South African Airline Industry. This will enable managers to make informed decisions when formulating and implementing successful programmes. Some of the recommendations call for a review and repositioning of the value proposition for the existing loyalty programmes. It is also recommended that loyalty programmes are value-based in order to convert loyalty programme customers to loyal customers. In addition, majority of the loyalty programme customers call for loyalty programmes that offer programmes that non-expiry points with personalised service offering. The organisations that offer loyalty programmes in the Airline Industry also need to design clear communication strategies that will provide a holistic and targeted approach to customer engagement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Manunga, Ayanda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Customer loyalty programs -- South Africa , Customer clubs -- South Africa Airlines -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40911 , vital:36267
- Description: While there has been substantial research on Loyalty Programmes in the last two decades, little has been done in the South African Airline Industry. This study uses the Social exchange theory, Relationship marketing theory and Commitment-trust theory to provide an understanding of the factors, which influence loyalty programmes in the South African Airline Industry. The methodology used involved a self-administrated on-line questionnaire from the sample, which comprised of 1090 respondents. From the total respondents, 172 belonged to one or more Airline Loyalty Programmes. This study focused on the latter. An email containing a Universal Resource Link (URL) to the survey was sent to the Nelson Mandela University Business School‟s Marketing Department to distribute to current first-year MBA students, who also had to circulate the survey to at least ten other people. A proposed conceptual model was compiled and tested using exploratory factor analysis. The result of the study confirmed that the measurement instrument is in order and that attitude and behaviour are strong determinants of the loyalty programme. Communication, flexibility, general assessment, rewards personal, rewards tangible, rewards monetary and trust are factors that influence the loyalty programme, which are driven by the attitude of the participant in the programme. On the other hand, communication, flexibility, general assessment, rewards personalisation, purchase behaviour and trust are factors that influence the loyalty programme, which are driven by the behaviour of the participant in the programme. This study concludes with managerial recommendations that will enable managers to identify factors which influence loyalty programmes in the South African Airline Industry. This will enable managers to make informed decisions when formulating and implementing successful programmes. Some of the recommendations call for a review and repositioning of the value proposition for the existing loyalty programmes. It is also recommended that loyalty programmes are value-based in order to convert loyalty programme customers to loyal customers. In addition, majority of the loyalty programme customers call for loyalty programmes that offer programmes that non-expiry points with personalised service offering. The organisations that offer loyalty programmes in the Airline Industry also need to design clear communication strategies that will provide a holistic and targeted approach to customer engagement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Loyalty programmes in the South African health and beauty industry
- Authors: Snyman, Carl Petrus
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Customer loyalty programs -- South Africa , Customer clubs -- South Africa Beauty shops -- South Africa Cosmetics industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44056 , vital:37097
- Description: This treatise will investigate Loyalty Programmes within the South African Health and Beauty Industry. The most used Loyalty Programmes within South Africa fall into this industry, with Clicks being the most popular programme. The factors that influence success of these Loyalty Programmes is yet to be established. Previous work on customer loyalty has focused on generic factors influencing loyalty, but not on Loyalty Programmes in the Health and Beauty Industry. The review of the literature concentrates on defining customer loyalty and what factors contribute to the success of Loyalty Programmes. This study assessed the success of Loyalty Programmes within the South African Health and Beauty Industry. This study was done using exploratory factor analysis of Loyalty Programme measurement items that looked at attitudes and behaviours influencing customer loyalty. Factor analysis was done using data gathered from an online questionnaire. The sample of this study was selected at random using convenience and snowball sampling. A sample size of n = 603 is used in this study. Descriptive statistics were used to organise the data. Inferential statistics were used to project the findings onto the full population. The biggest contribution of this study was the presentation and statistical assessment of an exploratory factor analysis of factors influencing Loyalty Programmes in the Health and Beauty Industry. The study found that attitudes regarding general assessment, communication, personalisation, trust, flexibility and rewards are factors to consider in Health and Beauty Industry Loyalty Programmes. The study also found factors related to behaviours influencing general assessment, communication, purchase behaviour, flexibility, rewards and personalisation are factors to consider for Loyalty Programmes in the Health and Beauty Industry. The variables pertaining to demographics were found not to have a significant influence on the difference in the attitudes and behaviour of Loyalty Programme participants towards taking part in Loyalty Programmes. Loyalty Programme participation was not found to necessarily influence Loyalty Programmes. Apparent value was found to be an important factor in influencing purchase behaviour of Loyalty Programme participants. Trust towards Loyalty Programmes is not confirmed by Loyalty Programme participation. In order to maintain the credibility of the programme, Loyalty Programmes must gain participants’ trust. The study found no strong indication that Loyalty Programme communication at the moment increases repeat purchase behaviour indicating that communication strategies are not effective in the Health and Beauty Industry Loyalty Programmes. The personalisation approach is more focused on the personalisation of products than services. The ability of participants to use points/rewards on different platforms is important to Loyalty Programme participants. Non-reward value added services such as priority service and limited access to products are not a popular type of reward in the Health and Beauty Industry Loyalty Programmes. The study added to the body of knowledge on the statistical analysis approach to assess customer loyalty in the South African Health and Beauty Industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Snyman, Carl Petrus
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Customer loyalty programs -- South Africa , Customer clubs -- South Africa Beauty shops -- South Africa Cosmetics industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44056 , vital:37097
- Description: This treatise will investigate Loyalty Programmes within the South African Health and Beauty Industry. The most used Loyalty Programmes within South Africa fall into this industry, with Clicks being the most popular programme. The factors that influence success of these Loyalty Programmes is yet to be established. Previous work on customer loyalty has focused on generic factors influencing loyalty, but not on Loyalty Programmes in the Health and Beauty Industry. The review of the literature concentrates on defining customer loyalty and what factors contribute to the success of Loyalty Programmes. This study assessed the success of Loyalty Programmes within the South African Health and Beauty Industry. This study was done using exploratory factor analysis of Loyalty Programme measurement items that looked at attitudes and behaviours influencing customer loyalty. Factor analysis was done using data gathered from an online questionnaire. The sample of this study was selected at random using convenience and snowball sampling. A sample size of n = 603 is used in this study. Descriptive statistics were used to organise the data. Inferential statistics were used to project the findings onto the full population. The biggest contribution of this study was the presentation and statistical assessment of an exploratory factor analysis of factors influencing Loyalty Programmes in the Health and Beauty Industry. The study found that attitudes regarding general assessment, communication, personalisation, trust, flexibility and rewards are factors to consider in Health and Beauty Industry Loyalty Programmes. The study also found factors related to behaviours influencing general assessment, communication, purchase behaviour, flexibility, rewards and personalisation are factors to consider for Loyalty Programmes in the Health and Beauty Industry. The variables pertaining to demographics were found not to have a significant influence on the difference in the attitudes and behaviour of Loyalty Programme participants towards taking part in Loyalty Programmes. Loyalty Programme participation was not found to necessarily influence Loyalty Programmes. Apparent value was found to be an important factor in influencing purchase behaviour of Loyalty Programme participants. Trust towards Loyalty Programmes is not confirmed by Loyalty Programme participation. In order to maintain the credibility of the programme, Loyalty Programmes must gain participants’ trust. The study found no strong indication that Loyalty Programme communication at the moment increases repeat purchase behaviour indicating that communication strategies are not effective in the Health and Beauty Industry Loyalty Programmes. The personalisation approach is more focused on the personalisation of products than services. The ability of participants to use points/rewards on different platforms is important to Loyalty Programme participants. Non-reward value added services such as priority service and limited access to products are not a popular type of reward in the Health and Beauty Industry Loyalty Programmes. The study added to the body of knowledge on the statistical analysis approach to assess customer loyalty in the South African Health and Beauty Industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Loyalty programmes in the South African restaurant industry
- Authors: Raepsaet, Vincent
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Customer loyalty programs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43019 , vital:36733
- Description: Loyalty Programme is the term used most commonly used when referring to a structured and long-term marketing effort, designed to motivate the customers in a business's target market, to make frequent purchases and shun competitors. This behaviour is achieved by providing repeat customers with certain incentives as a reward for loyal buying behaviour. In today’s ultra-competitive global marketplace, competition is rife and customers are faced with a plethora of choices, offerings and more specifically, Loyalty Programmes. Businesses, in a bid to retain and even increase their customer base, spend millions on their Loyalty Programmes, seeking to encourage customer loyalty, but with varying and often disappointing results. This treatise endeavours to embrace and delve into customer loyalty and the design of these Loyalty Programmes, by looking at Loyalty Programmes in general and then, more specifically, at those within the Restaurant Industry, with the purpose of exploring the factors that Loyalty Programmes in the South African Restaurant Industry should include in order to improve their design and increase their effectiveness. Loyalty Programmes in this industry have not been adequately addressed, this despite the fierce competition which exists amongst restaurants and the relatively low barriers to entry for new competitors. An in-depth literature review was conducted. Attitudes and behaviours were identified as the two dimensions common to customer loyalty, with both, therefore, being examined. Pertinent theories, such as Social Exchange Theory, Equity Theory, Relationship Marketing Theory and Commitment-Trust Theory were explored. Additionally, the factors that influence customer loyalty in the Restaurant Industry in South Africa were explored, with the literature laying the foundation for the conceptual model that included proposed communication, flexibility, personalisation, purchase behaviour, method of participation, rewards and trust as being the factors which influence Loyalty Programmes. This treatise was part of a bigger study of Loyalty Programmes, undertaken using a survey (questionnaire) distributed via email, which received 1090 respondents. The sample size applicable to this treatise is n = 399. Data analysis included the use of descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as Exploratory Factor Analysis. The results of the analysis identified relevant factors in regard to the effectiveness of Loyalty Programmes to be those with attitudes related to communication, flexibility, general assessment, rewards and trust, as well as those with behaviours related to communication, flexibility, general assessment, personalisation, purchase behaviour, and rewards. The Pearson Product Model Correlations identified the strongest factor relationships to be Attitude – General and Behaviour – General (.739), as well as Attitude – Communication and Behaviour – Communication (.711). In light of these results, as part of the managerial recommendations made to help improve the design of Loyalty Programmes, the need to embrace and employ new and varied communication channels and strategies must be considered, as well as the responsiveness of said communication to customers. Further important results of the study encourage Loyalty Programmes (LPs) to be more personalised by taking customer demographics into consideration. LPs need to incorporate more transparency into how the personal information of customers will be used, flexibility in terms of the reward type, accrual and redemption needs to be embraced through the use of more modern, relevant and popular platforms such as those offered via technological means. In summary, a regular review of LPs is recommended to keep them current and applicable, with an emphasis being placed on personalisation, the expectations of customers and the method of participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Raepsaet, Vincent
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Customer loyalty programs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43019 , vital:36733
- Description: Loyalty Programme is the term used most commonly used when referring to a structured and long-term marketing effort, designed to motivate the customers in a business's target market, to make frequent purchases and shun competitors. This behaviour is achieved by providing repeat customers with certain incentives as a reward for loyal buying behaviour. In today’s ultra-competitive global marketplace, competition is rife and customers are faced with a plethora of choices, offerings and more specifically, Loyalty Programmes. Businesses, in a bid to retain and even increase their customer base, spend millions on their Loyalty Programmes, seeking to encourage customer loyalty, but with varying and often disappointing results. This treatise endeavours to embrace and delve into customer loyalty and the design of these Loyalty Programmes, by looking at Loyalty Programmes in general and then, more specifically, at those within the Restaurant Industry, with the purpose of exploring the factors that Loyalty Programmes in the South African Restaurant Industry should include in order to improve their design and increase their effectiveness. Loyalty Programmes in this industry have not been adequately addressed, this despite the fierce competition which exists amongst restaurants and the relatively low barriers to entry for new competitors. An in-depth literature review was conducted. Attitudes and behaviours were identified as the two dimensions common to customer loyalty, with both, therefore, being examined. Pertinent theories, such as Social Exchange Theory, Equity Theory, Relationship Marketing Theory and Commitment-Trust Theory were explored. Additionally, the factors that influence customer loyalty in the Restaurant Industry in South Africa were explored, with the literature laying the foundation for the conceptual model that included proposed communication, flexibility, personalisation, purchase behaviour, method of participation, rewards and trust as being the factors which influence Loyalty Programmes. This treatise was part of a bigger study of Loyalty Programmes, undertaken using a survey (questionnaire) distributed via email, which received 1090 respondents. The sample size applicable to this treatise is n = 399. Data analysis included the use of descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as Exploratory Factor Analysis. The results of the analysis identified relevant factors in regard to the effectiveness of Loyalty Programmes to be those with attitudes related to communication, flexibility, general assessment, rewards and trust, as well as those with behaviours related to communication, flexibility, general assessment, personalisation, purchase behaviour, and rewards. The Pearson Product Model Correlations identified the strongest factor relationships to be Attitude – General and Behaviour – General (.739), as well as Attitude – Communication and Behaviour – Communication (.711). In light of these results, as part of the managerial recommendations made to help improve the design of Loyalty Programmes, the need to embrace and employ new and varied communication channels and strategies must be considered, as well as the responsiveness of said communication to customers. Further important results of the study encourage Loyalty Programmes (LPs) to be more personalised by taking customer demographics into consideration. LPs need to incorporate more transparency into how the personal information of customers will be used, flexibility in terms of the reward type, accrual and redemption needs to be embraced through the use of more modern, relevant and popular platforms such as those offered via technological means. In summary, a regular review of LPs is recommended to keep them current and applicable, with an emphasis being placed on personalisation, the expectations of customers and the method of participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Maintaining a sustainable workforce in a South African information technology institution
- Authors: Pieterse, Darren
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Labor supply -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Sustainability -- South Africa Organizational change -- South Africa Diversity in the workplace -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43210 , vital:36760
- Description: Sustainability is a popular topic in most businesses today. Researchers show that, despite sustainability being a relevant business practice, there is no known research on the sustainability of workforces in the information technology (IT) industry in South Africa. This treatise is, therefore, the first known study investigating the importance of a sustainable workforce, and the implications of a workforce not being sustainable, in a South African IT institution. Secondary data was gathered and presented in the form of a literature review. Additionally, the ‘triple bottom line’ framework was discussed, together with the Stakeholder Theory, as they both relate to sustainability. The literature further discusses the seven determinants of sustainable workforces, namely; organisational culture, innovation, retention of skills, income and rewards, generational influences, sustainable workforces, and leadership. A qualitative study was conducted, by interviewing 11 participants. The research philosophy followed was interpretive and, considering the time constraints and limited resources, a cross-sectional time horizon was used. The participants of the study were employees from an IT institution in South Africa. The primary data gather was presented in the form of tables in order to present the distribution of answers, whilst a word cloud was used to highlight the common threads in answers from respondents. The treatise was concluded with managerial recommendations for IT institutions in SA to increase and manage the sustainability of their workforce. Some of the recommendations made included employers getting closer to their employees by being more engaging to determine their levels of happiness. Another recommendation made was that leaders in the organisation should be innovative, and create an innovative culture, understand why employees come to work, and practice sustainable leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Pieterse, Darren
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Labor supply -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Sustainability -- South Africa Organizational change -- South Africa Diversity in the workplace -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43210 , vital:36760
- Description: Sustainability is a popular topic in most businesses today. Researchers show that, despite sustainability being a relevant business practice, there is no known research on the sustainability of workforces in the information technology (IT) industry in South Africa. This treatise is, therefore, the first known study investigating the importance of a sustainable workforce, and the implications of a workforce not being sustainable, in a South African IT institution. Secondary data was gathered and presented in the form of a literature review. Additionally, the ‘triple bottom line’ framework was discussed, together with the Stakeholder Theory, as they both relate to sustainability. The literature further discusses the seven determinants of sustainable workforces, namely; organisational culture, innovation, retention of skills, income and rewards, generational influences, sustainable workforces, and leadership. A qualitative study was conducted, by interviewing 11 participants. The research philosophy followed was interpretive and, considering the time constraints and limited resources, a cross-sectional time horizon was used. The participants of the study were employees from an IT institution in South Africa. The primary data gather was presented in the form of tables in order to present the distribution of answers, whilst a word cloud was used to highlight the common threads in answers from respondents. The treatise was concluded with managerial recommendations for IT institutions in SA to increase and manage the sustainability of their workforce. Some of the recommendations made included employers getting closer to their employees by being more engaging to determine their levels of happiness. Another recommendation made was that leaders in the organisation should be innovative, and create an innovative culture, understand why employees come to work, and practice sustainable leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Management of business vision and mission in the rapidly changing macro-economic environment
- Authors: Maria Mahwehwe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Business enterprises -- Vision and mission
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44526 , vital:38133
- Description: The primary objective of the study is to gain an understanding of how organisations across different industries in Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area manage the effects of the everchanging macro-economic environment to maintain focus on the original vision. The study aims to create a framework that will assist managers in the management of vision and mission to ensure attainment of shareholders’ reason for creating the business. The study seeks to achieve its aim by investigating and testing the impact of the macro-economic environment on organisational vision and mission. The study uses a quantitative research approach to collect and analyse data. Convenience sampling method is employed for obtaining the sixty-one (61) respondents at middle and top management positions who contributed to this study. A closed-ended questionnaire in a Likert scale format is used to obtain the views of the respondents. Research results are extrapolated through statistical analyses methods. The empirical results indicate that 80.33% of the respondents agreed that strategic decisions are formulated in line with the organisational vision and that there is proper linkage of the vision, mission and business strategies. However, according to the respondents, the strategies do not consider the rapid changes in the macro-economic environment or prepared for the environment’s potential effects on the business. Only about half of the respondents agreed that there is employee involvement in vision and mission formulation and implementation. The results also indicate a need for improved communication between leadership and employees through various means of communication to enhance understanding and ownership. The main limitations of the study are that only sixty-one (61) out of the many leaders in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area contributed to this research. Leaders in other areas may respond differently to the questions asked. The time period of the research is very limited and therefore a longer period may give different results. The main recommendations of the study are that leaders anticipate environmental changes and plan for the potential changes. The rapidly changing macro-economic environment insists on continuous vision and mission consultation. Leaders should involve employees in vision and mission formulation and implementation to enhance buy-in and adoption. To achieve understanding and focus on the vision and mission, various means of communication with all stakeholders should be utilised for different types of people to achieve a shared vision.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Maria Mahwehwe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Business enterprises -- Vision and mission
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44526 , vital:38133
- Description: The primary objective of the study is to gain an understanding of how organisations across different industries in Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area manage the effects of the everchanging macro-economic environment to maintain focus on the original vision. The study aims to create a framework that will assist managers in the management of vision and mission to ensure attainment of shareholders’ reason for creating the business. The study seeks to achieve its aim by investigating and testing the impact of the macro-economic environment on organisational vision and mission. The study uses a quantitative research approach to collect and analyse data. Convenience sampling method is employed for obtaining the sixty-one (61) respondents at middle and top management positions who contributed to this study. A closed-ended questionnaire in a Likert scale format is used to obtain the views of the respondents. Research results are extrapolated through statistical analyses methods. The empirical results indicate that 80.33% of the respondents agreed that strategic decisions are formulated in line with the organisational vision and that there is proper linkage of the vision, mission and business strategies. However, according to the respondents, the strategies do not consider the rapid changes in the macro-economic environment or prepared for the environment’s potential effects on the business. Only about half of the respondents agreed that there is employee involvement in vision and mission formulation and implementation. The results also indicate a need for improved communication between leadership and employees through various means of communication to enhance understanding and ownership. The main limitations of the study are that only sixty-one (61) out of the many leaders in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area contributed to this research. Leaders in other areas may respond differently to the questions asked. The time period of the research is very limited and therefore a longer period may give different results. The main recommendations of the study are that leaders anticipate environmental changes and plan for the potential changes. The rapidly changing macro-economic environment insists on continuous vision and mission consultation. Leaders should involve employees in vision and mission formulation and implementation to enhance buy-in and adoption. To achieve understanding and focus on the vision and mission, various means of communication with all stakeholders should be utilised for different types of people to achieve a shared vision.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Management of peer education programmes for poverty alleviation in selected Graaff-Reinet schools
- Authors: Nqimfa, Nomalungelo Dorith
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Team learning approach in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Group work in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Peer teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42792 , vital:36692
- Description: Poverty in Graaff-Reinet is rife and inhibits successful learning among learners in that area. Poverty is not confined to any one racial group in South Africa; however, it is concentrated in rural areas. The researcher identified Graaff-Reinet as an area of study because it is a developing rural town, wherein social-economic development opportunities are arising especially at Camdeboo Local Municipality. This research examined the imbalances of the past, particularly in the South African education system that still creates learning challenges for learners from disadvantaged communities. These challenges include a high rate of school dropouts and failure; violence; substance abuse; teenage pregnancies; and unemployment. This study investigates peer education programmes implemented as an intervention strategy aimed at increasing learners’ academic achievements and supporting healthy behaviours. The aim of the research was to evaluate how the management of peer education programmes might help reduce poverty and meet the social and economic challenges facing Graaff-Reinet by promoting sustainable livelihoods. The research also focussed on how relevant stakeholders and the community could assist in the management of a peer education programme. The researcher used a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, as they were complementary and provided detailed data that led to a thorough analysis of the research topic. Thus, integrating qualitative and quantitative research meant that numerical data as well as theoretical data were gathered. This non-experimental research study included a variety of different methods that described the relationships between the variables included in the descriptive/historical research method, which described the characteristics of existing and past phenomena. Because of the restricted extent of the research, no empirical survey was conducted. The data were collected from relevant literature sources consisting of books, legislation documents and programmatic documents from the two schools of the study and the Camdeboo Local Municipality, using knowledgeable individuals in the field. The researcher analysed documents by using an inductive approach. Moreover, the researcher focused on all types of written material that could shed light on the management of peer education programmes in addressing social issues in schools in Graaff-Reinet. A number of theoretical criteria to deal with the research problems were identified from the available literature, from which conclusions were drawn and recommendations made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Nqimfa, Nomalungelo Dorith
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Team learning approach in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Group work in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Peer teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42792 , vital:36692
- Description: Poverty in Graaff-Reinet is rife and inhibits successful learning among learners in that area. Poverty is not confined to any one racial group in South Africa; however, it is concentrated in rural areas. The researcher identified Graaff-Reinet as an area of study because it is a developing rural town, wherein social-economic development opportunities are arising especially at Camdeboo Local Municipality. This research examined the imbalances of the past, particularly in the South African education system that still creates learning challenges for learners from disadvantaged communities. These challenges include a high rate of school dropouts and failure; violence; substance abuse; teenage pregnancies; and unemployment. This study investigates peer education programmes implemented as an intervention strategy aimed at increasing learners’ academic achievements and supporting healthy behaviours. The aim of the research was to evaluate how the management of peer education programmes might help reduce poverty and meet the social and economic challenges facing Graaff-Reinet by promoting sustainable livelihoods. The research also focussed on how relevant stakeholders and the community could assist in the management of a peer education programme. The researcher used a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, as they were complementary and provided detailed data that led to a thorough analysis of the research topic. Thus, integrating qualitative and quantitative research meant that numerical data as well as theoretical data were gathered. This non-experimental research study included a variety of different methods that described the relationships between the variables included in the descriptive/historical research method, which described the characteristics of existing and past phenomena. Because of the restricted extent of the research, no empirical survey was conducted. The data were collected from relevant literature sources consisting of books, legislation documents and programmatic documents from the two schools of the study and the Camdeboo Local Municipality, using knowledgeable individuals in the field. The researcher analysed documents by using an inductive approach. Moreover, the researcher focused on all types of written material that could shed light on the management of peer education programmes in addressing social issues in schools in Graaff-Reinet. A number of theoretical criteria to deal with the research problems were identified from the available literature, from which conclusions were drawn and recommendations made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Measuring the industry maturity of the South African export table grape industry
- Authors: De Bruyn, Corean
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Exports -- South Africa , Fruit trade -- South Africa Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39403 , vital:35243
- Description: Despite the fact that the South African export table grape industry is more than a century old, studies which focus on the development of the industry have not previously been conducted. The main aim of this study was to measure the phase of maturity of the South African export table grape industry. The industry life cycle model was a main focus point to measure the maturity of the South African export table grape industry and as such has been used to analyse the dynamics of the South African export table grape industry. An expansive literature study was conducted to identify as many variables as possible that serve as indicators of the phase of maturity. A measuring instrument, in the form of a questionnaire, was developed, based on these identified variables. A randomly selected sample of 214 export table grape producers completed the questionnaire. Five main export table grape regions are present in South Africa, namely, the Hex River Valley region, the Berg River region, the Olifants River region, the Orange River region and the Northern Province region. An exploratory factor analysis was used to disentangle and reduce the large number of variables. From the factor analysis, four distinct factors emerged, namely: Manufacturing and Distribution, Demand, Research and Development, and Buyer Segments. Cronbach’s coefficient alpha was employed to confirm the reliability and internal consistency of the measuring instrument. The mean scores and standard deviations were used to determine the strength of direction of each of the four variables, followed by a t-test to determine the differences in development between the five regions. Finally, the Pearson’s Product Moment Correlations were calculated for investigating the correlations between the variables used. The findings indicated that, among the five-export table grape regions in South Africa, Manufacturing and Distribution have evolved beyond the introductory phase, but that there is still considerable scope for growth in all the regions. Additionally, there are significant differences between the five regions, thereby indicating that the industry exhibits uneven development with some of the regions being further along the path of development. Demand delivered the second highest mean score and the smallest variation among the five regions. This indicates that export table grapes from South African producers have a loyal customer base. The mean score, however, still indicated that the industry as a whole is in the growth phase of development. Research and Development delivered the highest mean score, thereby signifying the industry’s commitment to research and development. This once again points to an industry being in the growth phase of development. The average mean score delivered by Buyer Segments indicates that the market has begun to fragment. This provides opportunities to create and exploit niche marks. This too conforms to the characteristics of the growth phase in the industry life cycle model. In essence, the current study provided useful information regarding the evolution of the South African export table grape industry. Moreover, a foundation has been laid for further research to be conducted in the industry life cycle of the South African export table grape industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: De Bruyn, Corean
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Exports -- South Africa , Fruit trade -- South Africa Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39403 , vital:35243
- Description: Despite the fact that the South African export table grape industry is more than a century old, studies which focus on the development of the industry have not previously been conducted. The main aim of this study was to measure the phase of maturity of the South African export table grape industry. The industry life cycle model was a main focus point to measure the maturity of the South African export table grape industry and as such has been used to analyse the dynamics of the South African export table grape industry. An expansive literature study was conducted to identify as many variables as possible that serve as indicators of the phase of maturity. A measuring instrument, in the form of a questionnaire, was developed, based on these identified variables. A randomly selected sample of 214 export table grape producers completed the questionnaire. Five main export table grape regions are present in South Africa, namely, the Hex River Valley region, the Berg River region, the Olifants River region, the Orange River region and the Northern Province region. An exploratory factor analysis was used to disentangle and reduce the large number of variables. From the factor analysis, four distinct factors emerged, namely: Manufacturing and Distribution, Demand, Research and Development, and Buyer Segments. Cronbach’s coefficient alpha was employed to confirm the reliability and internal consistency of the measuring instrument. The mean scores and standard deviations were used to determine the strength of direction of each of the four variables, followed by a t-test to determine the differences in development between the five regions. Finally, the Pearson’s Product Moment Correlations were calculated for investigating the correlations between the variables used. The findings indicated that, among the five-export table grape regions in South Africa, Manufacturing and Distribution have evolved beyond the introductory phase, but that there is still considerable scope for growth in all the regions. Additionally, there are significant differences between the five regions, thereby indicating that the industry exhibits uneven development with some of the regions being further along the path of development. Demand delivered the second highest mean score and the smallest variation among the five regions. This indicates that export table grapes from South African producers have a loyal customer base. The mean score, however, still indicated that the industry as a whole is in the growth phase of development. Research and Development delivered the highest mean score, thereby signifying the industry’s commitment to research and development. This once again points to an industry being in the growth phase of development. The average mean score delivered by Buyer Segments indicates that the market has begun to fragment. This provides opportunities to create and exploit niche marks. This too conforms to the characteristics of the growth phase in the industry life cycle model. In essence, the current study provided useful information regarding the evolution of the South African export table grape industry. Moreover, a foundation has been laid for further research to be conducted in the industry life cycle of the South African export table grape industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Noel Chabani Manganyi: a psychobiographical study
- Authors: Ngcobo, Qapela
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Developmental psychology , Psychology -- Biographical methods Self-actualization (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41829 , vital:36601
- Description: This is a psychobiographical study that focused on a historically significant and extraordinary individual over his entire lifespan with the aim of unearthing and reconstructing his life from a psychological perspective. Noel Chabani Manganyi was chosen for this study through purposive non-random sampling. He was identified based on his success in the discipline and profession of psychology, and his role as both activist and advocate during the period of Apartheid. To date, no psychobiographical study on Manganyi has been produced. As such, the aim of the study drew strongly from the theoretical work of Daniel Levinson, this study paid great attention to exploring the life events and experiences of Manganyi, and how these informed the attributes of his character. The research design used an exploratory-descriptive single case study. The data was collected using published material by the subject of the study, journal articles, newspaper articles, internet documents, and audio-visual material in the form of videos.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Ngcobo, Qapela
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Developmental psychology , Psychology -- Biographical methods Self-actualization (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41829 , vital:36601
- Description: This is a psychobiographical study that focused on a historically significant and extraordinary individual over his entire lifespan with the aim of unearthing and reconstructing his life from a psychological perspective. Noel Chabani Manganyi was chosen for this study through purposive non-random sampling. He was identified based on his success in the discipline and profession of psychology, and his role as both activist and advocate during the period of Apartheid. To date, no psychobiographical study on Manganyi has been produced. As such, the aim of the study drew strongly from the theoretical work of Daniel Levinson, this study paid great attention to exploring the life events and experiences of Manganyi, and how these informed the attributes of his character. The research design used an exploratory-descriptive single case study. The data was collected using published material by the subject of the study, journal articles, newspaper articles, internet documents, and audio-visual material in the form of videos.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Organisational learning, training and small medium and micro enterprise (SMME) performance in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Jaxa, Zoleka
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Organizational learning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Small business -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Small business -- Management Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Performance Business -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:35741
- Description: The growth and performance of an enterprise requires gaining a competitive edge through learning and evolving. Organisational learning is considered as a primary means for attaining the strategic renewal of an enterprise. In order to achieve this, organisations are required to explore and learn new ways while simultaneously using what is already learned. This research aims to assist SMEs in performing better and becoming sustainable by improving their agility within changing economic circumstance through the practical implementation of organisational learning strategies. The study aims to investigate how organisational learning contributes to the business performance success of SMEs in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. More specifically, the study investigates what roles individual/group/institutional learning and organisational memory play in the achievement of business performance success of SMEs in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. The empirical results were obtained from 71 SME owners with the aim of determining the extent of organisational learning in Nelson Mandela Bay SMEs. In other words, the study aimed to discover whether individual/group/institutional learning and organisational memory were the strongest determinants of business performance success. The findings of the study indicated that organisational learning in the form of group learning and organisational memory is an important determinant of business performance success. The study revealed that only group learning and organisational learning are significant determinants of business performance success, even though individual and institutional learning are also important. Furthermore, recommendations were made to SME owners to ensure that they practise organisational learning principles and foster mainly group learning and organisational memory in order to improve the business performance success of SMEs significantly in the Nelson Mandela Bay area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Jaxa, Zoleka
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Organizational learning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Small business -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Small business -- Management Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Performance Business -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:35741
- Description: The growth and performance of an enterprise requires gaining a competitive edge through learning and evolving. Organisational learning is considered as a primary means for attaining the strategic renewal of an enterprise. In order to achieve this, organisations are required to explore and learn new ways while simultaneously using what is already learned. This research aims to assist SMEs in performing better and becoming sustainable by improving their agility within changing economic circumstance through the practical implementation of organisational learning strategies. The study aims to investigate how organisational learning contributes to the business performance success of SMEs in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. More specifically, the study investigates what roles individual/group/institutional learning and organisational memory play in the achievement of business performance success of SMEs in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. The empirical results were obtained from 71 SME owners with the aim of determining the extent of organisational learning in Nelson Mandela Bay SMEs. In other words, the study aimed to discover whether individual/group/institutional learning and organisational memory were the strongest determinants of business performance success. The findings of the study indicated that organisational learning in the form of group learning and organisational memory is an important determinant of business performance success. The study revealed that only group learning and organisational learning are significant determinants of business performance success, even though individual and institutional learning are also important. Furthermore, recommendations were made to SME owners to ensure that they practise organisational learning principles and foster mainly group learning and organisational memory in order to improve the business performance success of SMEs significantly in the Nelson Mandela Bay area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Path-dependence and economic geography: a regional economic evolutionary study towards effective LED in marginalised towns
- Authors: Phillips, Burton Richard
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic geography -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Space in economics Regional economics Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43171 , vital:36754
- Description: Small Karoo towns in South Africa, in particular the Easter Cape province has endured marginalised recognition in the development of their local economy and its ability to adapt to social change. The latter has been intensified by shifts in agricultural production, land use, and changing state policy. These aspects are of particular interest to a semi-arid landscape. Agriculture, being the predominant trade, has been subject to various commodity market changes and the diminutive state of farms due to climate changes affecting agricultural estate for feeding and other basic purposes has increased. Parallel to the regressive reasons given, small-towns have been subject to a peculiar rise in population which exacted an increase in dependency on the region’s limited administrative capacity. Local economic development (LED) projects are, more often than not, transitory and contribute very little to the town’s sustainability. Underpinning poor development are challenges such as an inability to acquire necessary human capital as well as good public administration and a supporting private business stakeholder relationship. Literature on strategies for small-town development seldom addresses the unique circumstances interweaved with their own casual complexities. Thus, an evolutionary geography approach was proposed which considers the economy of an area as an evolutionary process that unfolds in space and time. It entails a comparative analysis of an economy’s past decisions (history) and geographical changes (spatial). Moreover, adding a significant contribution to the rationale of this study is the opportunity to explore the concept and reality of marginalisation in the former Baviaanskloof Local Municipality (BLM). The aim thereof, to ascertain whether geography (i.e., natural advantages) or histories (i.e., man-made advantages) are the main determinants for the spatial distribution of economic activity, and what place-dependent strategies are most suitable to deliver effective LED.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Phillips, Burton Richard
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic geography -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Space in economics Regional economics Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43171 , vital:36754
- Description: Small Karoo towns in South Africa, in particular the Easter Cape province has endured marginalised recognition in the development of their local economy and its ability to adapt to social change. The latter has been intensified by shifts in agricultural production, land use, and changing state policy. These aspects are of particular interest to a semi-arid landscape. Agriculture, being the predominant trade, has been subject to various commodity market changes and the diminutive state of farms due to climate changes affecting agricultural estate for feeding and other basic purposes has increased. Parallel to the regressive reasons given, small-towns have been subject to a peculiar rise in population which exacted an increase in dependency on the region’s limited administrative capacity. Local economic development (LED) projects are, more often than not, transitory and contribute very little to the town’s sustainability. Underpinning poor development are challenges such as an inability to acquire necessary human capital as well as good public administration and a supporting private business stakeholder relationship. Literature on strategies for small-town development seldom addresses the unique circumstances interweaved with their own casual complexities. Thus, an evolutionary geography approach was proposed which considers the economy of an area as an evolutionary process that unfolds in space and time. It entails a comparative analysis of an economy’s past decisions (history) and geographical changes (spatial). Moreover, adding a significant contribution to the rationale of this study is the opportunity to explore the concept and reality of marginalisation in the former Baviaanskloof Local Municipality (BLM). The aim thereof, to ascertain whether geography (i.e., natural advantages) or histories (i.e., man-made advantages) are the main determinants for the spatial distribution of economic activity, and what place-dependent strategies are most suitable to deliver effective LED.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Perceptions of corporate social responsibility initiatives in the banking industry
- Authors: Mjodo, Lunga
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Corporate social responsibility
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44571 , vital:38134
- Description: The South African banking industry is well developed and highly competitive. Banks offer homogenous products and services and are vulnerable to negative reputations. Banks can use corporate social responsibility (CSR) to respond to stakeholder needs and demands, achieve a competitive advantage, gain a positive reputation, achieve positive word of mouth referrals, and increase profitability. On the other hand, banks which neglect CSR, are faced with the threat of clients switching their buying behaviour to banks that profoundly invest in CSR. Therefore, CSR is a business obligation. Carroll (1991) conducted a landmark study and identified four elements of CSR; namely economic responsibilities, legal responsibilities, ethical responsibilities, and philanthropic responsibilities, ranging from the most important to the least important element. Currently, a plethora of studies have been conducted which utilise Carroll’s pyramid of CSR and have found that in different countries and different industries, the pyramid takes a different hierarchical order, while other studies identify the limitation of Carroll’s pyramid as being created from a developed country’s perspective. Therefore, it is not clear which CSR elements are likely to build positive customer responses more than others. The primary objective of this study is to ascertain whether the various elements of CSR influence bank clients’ perceptions of their respective banks. If affirmative, what is the hierarchical order of preference from the most important to the least important CSR element? To achieve this objective, a positivist research paradigm is adopted for the study, utilising a quantitative research design. The empirical results revealed that the various elements of CSR influence bank clients’ perceptions of their respective banks. Bank clients ranked the four elements of CSR from the most important to the least important in the following order: the economic responsibilities, the philanthropic responsibilities, the ethical responsibilities, and the legal responsibilities respectively. Likewise, this confirms the assertion by other researchers who argue that Carroll’s pyramid takes a different hierarchical order in different countries, and in different industries within the borders of a country. The results of the study can assist banks in South Africa to understand bank clients’ experiences, interests, motives, attitudes, and expectations of CSR. Consequently, this can effectively and efficiently help the banks in planning and developing their CSR interventions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mjodo, Lunga
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Corporate social responsibility
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44571 , vital:38134
- Description: The South African banking industry is well developed and highly competitive. Banks offer homogenous products and services and are vulnerable to negative reputations. Banks can use corporate social responsibility (CSR) to respond to stakeholder needs and demands, achieve a competitive advantage, gain a positive reputation, achieve positive word of mouth referrals, and increase profitability. On the other hand, banks which neglect CSR, are faced with the threat of clients switching their buying behaviour to banks that profoundly invest in CSR. Therefore, CSR is a business obligation. Carroll (1991) conducted a landmark study and identified four elements of CSR; namely economic responsibilities, legal responsibilities, ethical responsibilities, and philanthropic responsibilities, ranging from the most important to the least important element. Currently, a plethora of studies have been conducted which utilise Carroll’s pyramid of CSR and have found that in different countries and different industries, the pyramid takes a different hierarchical order, while other studies identify the limitation of Carroll’s pyramid as being created from a developed country’s perspective. Therefore, it is not clear which CSR elements are likely to build positive customer responses more than others. The primary objective of this study is to ascertain whether the various elements of CSR influence bank clients’ perceptions of their respective banks. If affirmative, what is the hierarchical order of preference from the most important to the least important CSR element? To achieve this objective, a positivist research paradigm is adopted for the study, utilising a quantitative research design. The empirical results revealed that the various elements of CSR influence bank clients’ perceptions of their respective banks. Bank clients ranked the four elements of CSR from the most important to the least important in the following order: the economic responsibilities, the philanthropic responsibilities, the ethical responsibilities, and the legal responsibilities respectively. Likewise, this confirms the assertion by other researchers who argue that Carroll’s pyramid takes a different hierarchical order in different countries, and in different industries within the borders of a country. The results of the study can assist banks in South Africa to understand bank clients’ experiences, interests, motives, attitudes, and expectations of CSR. Consequently, this can effectively and efficiently help the banks in planning and developing their CSR interventions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Perceptions of the labour - management relationship in the Botswana public service bargaining council
- Authors: Mokena, Kemoneilwe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Collective bargaining -- Botswana , Industrial relations -- Botswana Labor unions -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42052 , vital:36621
- Description: The primary objective of this study was to explore the interests, beliefs, attitudes and experiences of the parties to the PSBC in order to identify firstly, the significant paradigms shaping their behaviours and secondly, to evaluate the extent to which these paradigms facilitate or inhibit successful collective bargaining between the two parties as currently constituted in the PSBC. The secondary objective was to develop recommendations to the PSBC for improved relations between the parties. This study was a qualitative exploration of perceptions of labour-management relations in the Public Service Bargaining Council of Botswana. A phenomenological approach was adopted in this study to explore the parties’ perspectives, experiences of the labour-management relations from their description of the relationship. Data collection was done through interviews. An interview schedule with two sets of semi-structured questions, one for trade unions and another for public service management was used to guide data collection from participants. However, interviews were only done with the trade union party as the researcher could not interview management due the long process required for public service managers give interviews. The results of the study revealed a diverse and nuanced interrelation between politics, macroeconomic policy and culture impacting Labour-management relations in Botswana. Firstly, the results show two unique relationships affecting employment relations in the Botswana public service. The first relationship was between labour and state and the second between labour and management. The relationship between the state and labour is characterised by antagonism and subordination of labour to capital and the state in a bid to secure industrial peace and attract foreign direct investment. The labour-management relationship in the Botswana public service has been impacted or influenced the by managers who hold Paternalistic Unitarist employment views and the labour movement which exhibit a shift from pluralist to critical employment relations views. The 2011 public service strike was identified as an “anchoring event” which has transformed the labour -management relations in the Botswana public service from accommodation to antagonism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mokena, Kemoneilwe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Collective bargaining -- Botswana , Industrial relations -- Botswana Labor unions -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42052 , vital:36621
- Description: The primary objective of this study was to explore the interests, beliefs, attitudes and experiences of the parties to the PSBC in order to identify firstly, the significant paradigms shaping their behaviours and secondly, to evaluate the extent to which these paradigms facilitate or inhibit successful collective bargaining between the two parties as currently constituted in the PSBC. The secondary objective was to develop recommendations to the PSBC for improved relations between the parties. This study was a qualitative exploration of perceptions of labour-management relations in the Public Service Bargaining Council of Botswana. A phenomenological approach was adopted in this study to explore the parties’ perspectives, experiences of the labour-management relations from their description of the relationship. Data collection was done through interviews. An interview schedule with two sets of semi-structured questions, one for trade unions and another for public service management was used to guide data collection from participants. However, interviews were only done with the trade union party as the researcher could not interview management due the long process required for public service managers give interviews. The results of the study revealed a diverse and nuanced interrelation between politics, macroeconomic policy and culture impacting Labour-management relations in Botswana. Firstly, the results show two unique relationships affecting employment relations in the Botswana public service. The first relationship was between labour and state and the second between labour and management. The relationship between the state and labour is characterised by antagonism and subordination of labour to capital and the state in a bid to secure industrial peace and attract foreign direct investment. The labour-management relationship in the Botswana public service has been impacted or influenced the by managers who hold Paternalistic Unitarist employment views and the labour movement which exhibit a shift from pluralist to critical employment relations views. The 2011 public service strike was identified as an “anchoring event” which has transformed the labour -management relations in the Botswana public service from accommodation to antagonism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Perceptions of tourism in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality with special reference to the Red location in New Brighton
- Authors: Mfo, Ntomboxolo Siphokazi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Heritage tourism -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , New Brighton (Port Elizabeth, South Africa) Blacks -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Social life and customs Tourism -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41316 , vital:36443
- Description: Township tourism is a relatively growing sector of the tourism market; therefore, many large cities in developed and developing countries, such as Brazil, have adopted tourism-led approaches to township tourism. Township tourism now forms part of the South African local and regional economic development strategies of some of the major cities, such as Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. In turn, it is perceived as the fastest growing type of tourism in the world and can function as a powerful tool in township development and transformation. Township tourism has the potential to produce economic benefits, improve physical environment, inner-city image and the welfare of community members. The focus of the research was to study the perception of tourism in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality with special reference to the community of the Red Location in New Brighton. Additionally, this study explored to understand how tourism stakeholders (government, provincial government and local municipality), tourism development agencies, as well as the community of the Red Location, could use tourism as a tool for township development, local economic growth and to increase visitors to the Nelson Mandela Bay area. The research adopted a qualitative research method. The research builds on an extensive review of a broad range of secondary sources from different academic and institutional backgrounds to give a more objective and nuanced analysis. The qualitative literature that was used include, but is not limited to, academic articles, books, official reports from the various tourism organisations, publications from tourism authorities, news media, South African legislation and publications from government organisations. Based on this study, it was found that tourism has the capacity to rejuvenate the area and contribute to the local economic development, poverty reduction, as well as create the identity of a place, and serve as a part of the solution for township problems. The potential of tourism to stimulate township development strongly depends on the presence of tourism resources that can be developed into consumable products or visitor attraction as well as on the financial capacity of public and private partners to strengthen and increase visitor facilities, infrastructure and activities. The study employed a descriptive study to capture detailed and meaningful information from the literature search. The literature search gave the researcher an understanding of the research area, tourism policies and the role of the communities in tourism. This understanding improved the quality of the study. Furthermore, the literature provides township tourism precondition guidelines which may be followed to develop tourism in South Africa, especially in communities, such as the Red Location. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate the need to draft and adopt a township tourism strategy, one that is unique to the culture and community of the Red Location in New Brighton.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mfo, Ntomboxolo Siphokazi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Heritage tourism -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , New Brighton (Port Elizabeth, South Africa) Blacks -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Social life and customs Tourism -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41316 , vital:36443
- Description: Township tourism is a relatively growing sector of the tourism market; therefore, many large cities in developed and developing countries, such as Brazil, have adopted tourism-led approaches to township tourism. Township tourism now forms part of the South African local and regional economic development strategies of some of the major cities, such as Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. In turn, it is perceived as the fastest growing type of tourism in the world and can function as a powerful tool in township development and transformation. Township tourism has the potential to produce economic benefits, improve physical environment, inner-city image and the welfare of community members. The focus of the research was to study the perception of tourism in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality with special reference to the community of the Red Location in New Brighton. Additionally, this study explored to understand how tourism stakeholders (government, provincial government and local municipality), tourism development agencies, as well as the community of the Red Location, could use tourism as a tool for township development, local economic growth and to increase visitors to the Nelson Mandela Bay area. The research adopted a qualitative research method. The research builds on an extensive review of a broad range of secondary sources from different academic and institutional backgrounds to give a more objective and nuanced analysis. The qualitative literature that was used include, but is not limited to, academic articles, books, official reports from the various tourism organisations, publications from tourism authorities, news media, South African legislation and publications from government organisations. Based on this study, it was found that tourism has the capacity to rejuvenate the area and contribute to the local economic development, poverty reduction, as well as create the identity of a place, and serve as a part of the solution for township problems. The potential of tourism to stimulate township development strongly depends on the presence of tourism resources that can be developed into consumable products or visitor attraction as well as on the financial capacity of public and private partners to strengthen and increase visitor facilities, infrastructure and activities. The study employed a descriptive study to capture detailed and meaningful information from the literature search. The literature search gave the researcher an understanding of the research area, tourism policies and the role of the communities in tourism. This understanding improved the quality of the study. Furthermore, the literature provides township tourism precondition guidelines which may be followed to develop tourism in South Africa, especially in communities, such as the Red Location. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate the need to draft and adopt a township tourism strategy, one that is unique to the culture and community of the Red Location in New Brighton.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Personal branding through social networking
- Authors: Wait, John-Pierre
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42440 , vital:36660
- Description: This study explores people’s insights of personal branding by means of social networking. The continuously increasing competitive marketplace is creating a situation where people find it difficult to stand out from their peers. Personal branding affords the opportunity for people to be noticeable in competitive environments. This study used a qualitative research method employing two phases. The semi-structured personal interviews using a semi-structured interview schedule was conducted in the first phase, while the content analysis using criterion schedules analysing participants’ Facebook and LinkedIn social networks was done in phase two. The results of phase one of the study revealed that the majority of participants did not know what a personal brand was, but they believed they possessed a personal brand. Phase two of the study revealed that only a few participants had a coherently perceived personal brand and presented personal brands on both Facebook and LinkedIn. Phase two of the study also revealed that the majority of participants more prominently presented the skills necessary for the future work environment on Facebook rather than LinkedIn. In conclusion, the findings showed that most participants did not actively manage their personal brands across multiple social networking sites. They also did not effectively present the necessary skills for the future work environment on their social networking profiles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Wait, John-Pierre
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42440 , vital:36660
- Description: This study explores people’s insights of personal branding by means of social networking. The continuously increasing competitive marketplace is creating a situation where people find it difficult to stand out from their peers. Personal branding affords the opportunity for people to be noticeable in competitive environments. This study used a qualitative research method employing two phases. The semi-structured personal interviews using a semi-structured interview schedule was conducted in the first phase, while the content analysis using criterion schedules analysing participants’ Facebook and LinkedIn social networks was done in phase two. The results of phase one of the study revealed that the majority of participants did not know what a personal brand was, but they believed they possessed a personal brand. Phase two of the study revealed that only a few participants had a coherently perceived personal brand and presented personal brands on both Facebook and LinkedIn. Phase two of the study also revealed that the majority of participants more prominently presented the skills necessary for the future work environment on Facebook rather than LinkedIn. In conclusion, the findings showed that most participants did not actively manage their personal brands across multiple social networking sites. They also did not effectively present the necessary skills for the future work environment on their social networking profiles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Personal development preferences across generations and implications for organisations
- Authors: Berry, Simone Michelle
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Career development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36544 , vital:33964
- Description: Due to generational differences in organisations, it is sensible to determine the learning preferences of professional employees across generations so that organisations can provide learning opportunities that these employees will embrace. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the personal development preferences of professional employees from different generations within corporate organisations in Cape Town. The research intends to aid organisations that upskill their employees and to ensure they are utilising the most effective and efficient methods. To this effect, a survey with a self-administered questionnaire was provided to 59 professional employees across several generations utilising a Likert scale where the participants were able to rate the different developmental strategies based on their preferences. The results revealed that similarities existed between the generations in relation to their preferences; however, younger generations were more likely to be open to several personal development strategies, whereas older generations had a refined preference they have developed over the years. It is consequently recommended to organisations to customise their training methods to the different generational groups, based on their preferences and thereby to use this method to aid professional employees in understanding each other.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Berry, Simone Michelle
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Career development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36544 , vital:33964
- Description: Due to generational differences in organisations, it is sensible to determine the learning preferences of professional employees across generations so that organisations can provide learning opportunities that these employees will embrace. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the personal development preferences of professional employees from different generations within corporate organisations in Cape Town. The research intends to aid organisations that upskill their employees and to ensure they are utilising the most effective and efficient methods. To this effect, a survey with a self-administered questionnaire was provided to 59 professional employees across several generations utilising a Likert scale where the participants were able to rate the different developmental strategies based on their preferences. The results revealed that similarities existed between the generations in relation to their preferences; however, younger generations were more likely to be open to several personal development strategies, whereas older generations had a refined preference they have developed over the years. It is consequently recommended to organisations to customise their training methods to the different generational groups, based on their preferences and thereby to use this method to aid professional employees in understanding each other.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Possible futures of health technologies for South Africa towards 2035
- Authors: Patel, Naazlene
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Medical technology -- South Africa , Medical informatics -- South Africa Medicine -- Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43149 , vital:36748
- Description: The purpose of this treatise is to develop four alternative scenarios for Possible Futures of Health Technologies for South Africa towards 2035. A desired future in the form of a future vision will be presented as well as recommendations made to the relevant decision-making stakeholders for implementation. This study employs a futures studies methodology known as the Six Pillars used in mapping the present and future, further deepening and broadening the future through the development of scenarios, and lastly, transforming the future by tapering it down to the preferred vision. The four scenarios in this study are informed by current affairs, a qualitative study with industry experts as well as global views and research. The scenarios are as follows: ‘Health Technology Hub’, which is the ‘best case’ scenario, to which the country aspires; ‘Medicating Backwards’, the ‘worst case’ scenario, in which everything turns negative; ‘Frozen Revolution’, in which no change occurs, making it ‘business as usual’ and ‘Trans-humans’, the outlier future based on a disruptive or emerging issue. The way the world works is changing rapidly due to disruptive technologies. Demographic shifts such as the high birth rate in Africa will bring about opportunities for the economy. Health technologies, for this study, is regarded as the application of knowledge and skills in the form of devices, medicines, vaccines, procedures and systems as well as the convergence of digital technologies with health to improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery, solve health issues, offer personalised medicines and improve the quality of lives. Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing, robotics, nanotechnology are seen as the next disruptors. Healthcare in Africa is under pressure to transform, and future trends that stem from the Fourth Industrial Revolution will need to provide innovative, affordable, accessible, good quality, efficient and sustainable solutions. Along with these technologies comes the factors such as the fear of the impact on jobs, inequality, privacy, security and healthcare in South Africa. The outcomes of the extensive analysis of futures studies in this study provide credibility to the argument that current planning for the future of health technologies in South Africa needs intense modifications. The development of insightful plausible futures is essential to the planning process and is seen to be an effective strategic tool employed by businesses. It is the responsibility of private and public sectors to ascertain which path is preferred and what decisions need to be made to ensure that vision is realised and that SA progresses toward economic growth and sustainable development. The ‘Future Vision of Health Technologies in South Africa Towards 2035’ is attainable if all stakeholders agree to work collaboratively, communicate transparently, educate the people of the land, regulate appropriately, build trust, increase innovation, include communities and share the purpose.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Patel, Naazlene
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Medical technology -- South Africa , Medical informatics -- South Africa Medicine -- Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43149 , vital:36748
- Description: The purpose of this treatise is to develop four alternative scenarios for Possible Futures of Health Technologies for South Africa towards 2035. A desired future in the form of a future vision will be presented as well as recommendations made to the relevant decision-making stakeholders for implementation. This study employs a futures studies methodology known as the Six Pillars used in mapping the present and future, further deepening and broadening the future through the development of scenarios, and lastly, transforming the future by tapering it down to the preferred vision. The four scenarios in this study are informed by current affairs, a qualitative study with industry experts as well as global views and research. The scenarios are as follows: ‘Health Technology Hub’, which is the ‘best case’ scenario, to which the country aspires; ‘Medicating Backwards’, the ‘worst case’ scenario, in which everything turns negative; ‘Frozen Revolution’, in which no change occurs, making it ‘business as usual’ and ‘Trans-humans’, the outlier future based on a disruptive or emerging issue. The way the world works is changing rapidly due to disruptive technologies. Demographic shifts such as the high birth rate in Africa will bring about opportunities for the economy. Health technologies, for this study, is regarded as the application of knowledge and skills in the form of devices, medicines, vaccines, procedures and systems as well as the convergence of digital technologies with health to improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery, solve health issues, offer personalised medicines and improve the quality of lives. Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing, robotics, nanotechnology are seen as the next disruptors. Healthcare in Africa is under pressure to transform, and future trends that stem from the Fourth Industrial Revolution will need to provide innovative, affordable, accessible, good quality, efficient and sustainable solutions. Along with these technologies comes the factors such as the fear of the impact on jobs, inequality, privacy, security and healthcare in South Africa. The outcomes of the extensive analysis of futures studies in this study provide credibility to the argument that current planning for the future of health technologies in South Africa needs intense modifications. The development of insightful plausible futures is essential to the planning process and is seen to be an effective strategic tool employed by businesses. It is the responsibility of private and public sectors to ascertain which path is preferred and what decisions need to be made to ensure that vision is realised and that SA progresses toward economic growth and sustainable development. The ‘Future Vision of Health Technologies in South Africa Towards 2035’ is attainable if all stakeholders agree to work collaboratively, communicate transparently, educate the people of the land, regulate appropriately, build trust, increase innovation, include communities and share the purpose.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Possible futures of the atmospheric gases industry towards 2035
- Authors: Reddy, Kelly
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Gas industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43031 , vital:36730
- Description: Technological advancements in recent years have led to a disruptive phenomenon. In a world that is undergoing rapid change, it is important for the industry to understand that what they do today will determine if they will exist tomorrow. The fourth industrial revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, is gaining momentum with each passing day, and this will change every aspect of our lives. The world will see a transformation which will impact upon many industries and in some cases, replace them. The atmospheric gases industry needs to understand the impact the fourth industrial revolution will have on it and act or risk becoming obsolete. Futures studies is used in this study, to provide insight into the future of the atmospheric gases industry toward 2035. Futures studies is the study of the possible, probable and preferred futures and the worldviews and myths that underlie them. It seeks to use the future, how it is imagined, thought about and realised, to change the present. Work in futures studies aims to use the future before disruption takes place. It starts to predict and look at emerging issues to anticipate what could potentially happen. If this is not done, the business stays in a “business as usual” way of operating. This works only when the world is stable. When the world undergoes change such as technological, economic or geopolitical change, this disrupts organisations and gets them to start thinking about how they can survive. Through the understanding and application of the six pillars of futures studies which take one through the mapping of the present and future, anticipating the future, timing the future, deepening the future, creating alternatives to the present and finally, transforming the present, fresh insights are uncovered. These insights are used to provide strategic direction toward the preferred future for the atmospheric gases industry as well as providing an understanding of future emerging markets which the industry can capitalise on. Scenarios are developed to guide the industry to carry out what is required today, to create their preferred future. New ways of thinking about the future is needed for the industry to face the challenges and take hold of the opportunities that Industry 4.0 comes with.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Reddy, Kelly
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Gas industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43031 , vital:36730
- Description: Technological advancements in recent years have led to a disruptive phenomenon. In a world that is undergoing rapid change, it is important for the industry to understand that what they do today will determine if they will exist tomorrow. The fourth industrial revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, is gaining momentum with each passing day, and this will change every aspect of our lives. The world will see a transformation which will impact upon many industries and in some cases, replace them. The atmospheric gases industry needs to understand the impact the fourth industrial revolution will have on it and act or risk becoming obsolete. Futures studies is used in this study, to provide insight into the future of the atmospheric gases industry toward 2035. Futures studies is the study of the possible, probable and preferred futures and the worldviews and myths that underlie them. It seeks to use the future, how it is imagined, thought about and realised, to change the present. Work in futures studies aims to use the future before disruption takes place. It starts to predict and look at emerging issues to anticipate what could potentially happen. If this is not done, the business stays in a “business as usual” way of operating. This works only when the world is stable. When the world undergoes change such as technological, economic or geopolitical change, this disrupts organisations and gets them to start thinking about how they can survive. Through the understanding and application of the six pillars of futures studies which take one through the mapping of the present and future, anticipating the future, timing the future, deepening the future, creating alternatives to the present and finally, transforming the present, fresh insights are uncovered. These insights are used to provide strategic direction toward the preferred future for the atmospheric gases industry as well as providing an understanding of future emerging markets which the industry can capitalise on. Scenarios are developed to guide the industry to carry out what is required today, to create their preferred future. New ways of thinking about the future is needed for the industry to face the challenges and take hold of the opportunities that Industry 4.0 comes with.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Poverty alleviation through the implementation of local economic development in rural municipalities
- Authors: Gcaba, Fikile Cameron
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39763 , vital:35357
- Description: The main purpose of the investigation was to assess the implementation of local economic development (LED) in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality in the Eastern Cape. Local economic development has been seen as the best means of eradicating poverty in South Africa. The South African government is committed to working with communities to find ways of meeting their socio-economic needs and improve their quality of life. This investigation assessed the participation of rural communities in small business to improve their market-related activities. Communities should be able to identify their resources to promote a more competitive business environment. The study also considered whether rural communities are have been skilled enough to participate in the economic development of South Africa. In addition, the study assessed the understanding of the people who live in the vicinity of King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality of how business information is obtained and put into effect for economic development purposes. The research was conducted among the employees of King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality. They comprised: the local development directorate, ward councillors, municipal officials, and municipal managers. The South African government promotes LED as part of the concept of the Development State and gives financial support to rural communities through relevant institutions to improve economic development. Many of the participants were educated people with a sound knowledge of local economic development, as a means of poverty eradication. However, almost all participants found it difficult to put LED into practice. The communities are less empowered about the LED concept. Documents are written in English, despite the fact that South Africa has eleven official languages. In addition there are few professionals who are knowledgeable about the LED concept. As a result, LED programmes have been poorly implemented. There is little enthusiasm on the part of the LED directorate to strengthen the already established business association or partner with the business sector to promote active participation in the economy by local people. The Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs, which is supposed to pioneer LED, has been inactive. As a result there has been very little LED in the rural King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Poverty alleviation through the implementation of local economic development in rural municipalities
- Authors: Gcaba, Fikile Cameron
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39763 , vital:35357
- Description: The main purpose of the investigation was to assess the implementation of local economic development (LED) in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality in the Eastern Cape. Local economic development has been seen as the best means of eradicating poverty in South Africa. The South African government is committed to working with communities to find ways of meeting their socio-economic needs and improve their quality of life. This investigation assessed the participation of rural communities in small business to improve their market-related activities. Communities should be able to identify their resources to promote a more competitive business environment. The study also considered whether rural communities are have been skilled enough to participate in the economic development of South Africa. In addition, the study assessed the understanding of the people who live in the vicinity of King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality of how business information is obtained and put into effect for economic development purposes. The research was conducted among the employees of King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality. They comprised: the local development directorate, ward councillors, municipal officials, and municipal managers. The South African government promotes LED as part of the concept of the Development State and gives financial support to rural communities through relevant institutions to improve economic development. Many of the participants were educated people with a sound knowledge of local economic development, as a means of poverty eradication. However, almost all participants found it difficult to put LED into practice. The communities are less empowered about the LED concept. Documents are written in English, despite the fact that South Africa has eleven official languages. In addition there are few professionals who are knowledgeable about the LED concept. As a result, LED programmes have been poorly implemented. There is little enthusiasm on the part of the LED directorate to strengthen the already established business association or partner with the business sector to promote active participation in the economy by local people. The Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs, which is supposed to pioneer LED, has been inactive. As a result there has been very little LED in the rural King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Purchasing power parity in a newly industrialised country
- Authors: De Villiers, David James
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- Econometric models , Purchasing power parity -- Econometric models , Purchasing power
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39578 , vital:35292
- Description: A newly industrialised country (NIC) is a nation whose rapid industrial growth is delivering high levels of economic development. The ‘NIC’ term is however inappropriately applied: thus this study develops a fresh exposition of the concept. Argentina, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, and South Africa are identified as supposed present-day NICs. Regardless of the industrialisation strategy being pursued, NICs experience exchange rates misaligned in terms of equilibrium value. This can lead to an unpredictable exchange rate, and the failure of the empirical validation of the purchasing power parity (PPP) hypothesis. Theory suggests that there exist several frictions to price movements which manifest themselves as nonlinear adjustment processes. Common empirical methodologies for evaluating PPP are however inadequate in accounting for these phenomena. To close the gap between theory and empirical evidence, the Kapetanois-Shin-Snell unit root test, augmented with flexible Fourier functions with fractional frequencies (KSS-FFFFF), is conducted in order to empirically validate the PPP hypothesis when applied to NICs. This model is capable of capturing heterogeneous smooth transitions in regime switching, and approximating unknown structural breaks in the time series. The researcher developed a novel numerical method in the form of a binary search algorithm for selecting the optimal fractional frequency of the flexible Fourier functions. This procedure significantly reduces both the approximation error and the computational cost of flexible Fourier functions with fractional frequencies. The main result of the study is that all NIC’s real exchange rates are mean-reverting over the annual and monthly periods of 1960-2016 and 1970:1-2017:11. Therefore the traditional Casselian version of PPP holds true in each NIC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: De Villiers, David James
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- Econometric models , Purchasing power parity -- Econometric models , Purchasing power
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39578 , vital:35292
- Description: A newly industrialised country (NIC) is a nation whose rapid industrial growth is delivering high levels of economic development. The ‘NIC’ term is however inappropriately applied: thus this study develops a fresh exposition of the concept. Argentina, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, and South Africa are identified as supposed present-day NICs. Regardless of the industrialisation strategy being pursued, NICs experience exchange rates misaligned in terms of equilibrium value. This can lead to an unpredictable exchange rate, and the failure of the empirical validation of the purchasing power parity (PPP) hypothesis. Theory suggests that there exist several frictions to price movements which manifest themselves as nonlinear adjustment processes. Common empirical methodologies for evaluating PPP are however inadequate in accounting for these phenomena. To close the gap between theory and empirical evidence, the Kapetanois-Shin-Snell unit root test, augmented with flexible Fourier functions with fractional frequencies (KSS-FFFFF), is conducted in order to empirically validate the PPP hypothesis when applied to NICs. This model is capable of capturing heterogeneous smooth transitions in regime switching, and approximating unknown structural breaks in the time series. The researcher developed a novel numerical method in the form of a binary search algorithm for selecting the optimal fractional frequency of the flexible Fourier functions. This procedure significantly reduces both the approximation error and the computational cost of flexible Fourier functions with fractional frequencies. The main result of the study is that all NIC’s real exchange rates are mean-reverting over the annual and monthly periods of 1960-2016 and 1970:1-2017:11. Therefore the traditional Casselian version of PPP holds true in each NIC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Residents’ perspective of Nelson Mandela Bay as a sustainable city
- Authors: Calitz, Martin
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Sustainable urban development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Urban renewal -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality City planning -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37128 , vital:34120
- Description: Currently, environmental issues have firmly entrenched itself at the centre of the world stage with regard to all spheres of development activity. This has been exemplified by the number of global and national agendas and international conferences, which are being held concerning the environment. This began with the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992, which evolved into the current relentless environmental campaigns across the world from developed to developing nations. This was followed by the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), which was held in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002, which defined critical targets for sustainable development, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These campaigns have become critical in response to the alarming rate at which human activities are affecting the environment. Africa is experiencing one of the fastest rates of urbanisation in the world, with sub-Saharan Africa leading the way. In 2009, there were more than 395 million Africans living in urban areas, which equates to approximately 40% of the continent’s population. The African population number is estimated to triple to more than 1.2 billion people, with an expected 60% of all Africans to reside in urban areas by 2050. The United Nations Human Settlements’ Programme identified that this rapid growth presents two major challenges. First, providing African cities with the ability to better harness their productive potential and secondly, assisting African cities with the ability to better serve the increased demands for municipal services and decent housing. The unique situation that makes Africa different from other global urban migrations is the speed this urban migration process is following. 1994 marked a significant change for politics in South Africa. It provided the new administrative South African government the opportunity to position South Africa on a path towards becoming Africa’s first recognised sustainable country. In 1994, the South African government amended the constitutional objective to align local government with focusing on securing ecological sustainable development and making use of natural resources, while promoting justifiable economic and social development. In support of this constitutional objective, the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) No. 107 of 1998, established cooperative governance principles, institutional mechanisms and sustainable development tools needed to promote environmental sustainability
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Calitz, Martin
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Sustainable urban development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Urban renewal -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality City planning -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37128 , vital:34120
- Description: Currently, environmental issues have firmly entrenched itself at the centre of the world stage with regard to all spheres of development activity. This has been exemplified by the number of global and national agendas and international conferences, which are being held concerning the environment. This began with the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992, which evolved into the current relentless environmental campaigns across the world from developed to developing nations. This was followed by the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), which was held in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002, which defined critical targets for sustainable development, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These campaigns have become critical in response to the alarming rate at which human activities are affecting the environment. Africa is experiencing one of the fastest rates of urbanisation in the world, with sub-Saharan Africa leading the way. In 2009, there were more than 395 million Africans living in urban areas, which equates to approximately 40% of the continent’s population. The African population number is estimated to triple to more than 1.2 billion people, with an expected 60% of all Africans to reside in urban areas by 2050. The United Nations Human Settlements’ Programme identified that this rapid growth presents two major challenges. First, providing African cities with the ability to better harness their productive potential and secondly, assisting African cities with the ability to better serve the increased demands for municipal services and decent housing. The unique situation that makes Africa different from other global urban migrations is the speed this urban migration process is following. 1994 marked a significant change for politics in South Africa. It provided the new administrative South African government the opportunity to position South Africa on a path towards becoming Africa’s first recognised sustainable country. In 1994, the South African government amended the constitutional objective to align local government with focusing on securing ecological sustainable development and making use of natural resources, while promoting justifiable economic and social development. In support of this constitutional objective, the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) No. 107 of 1998, established cooperative governance principles, institutional mechanisms and sustainable development tools needed to promote environmental sustainability
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019