Showing items 141 - 160 of 2114

Your selections:

Health promotional levy: a commercial perspective

  • Authors: Ncapayi, Sakhumzi
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Public health -- Taxation -- South Africa , Sugar -- Taxation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54213 , vital:46362
  • Description: The gazetting of the Health Promotion Levy (HPL) and its subsequent implementation had diverse effects and reactions from different stakeholders in South Africa. This study sought to understand the implications of the HPL for the industry by exploring the perceptions of SSB consumers. As such, the purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of the HPL on changing consumer preferences. The study also sought to explore the impact of the HPL on the way that companies have aligned their marketing strategies in line with the HPL to accommodate the response of the market in terms of taste and price sensitivity. An overview of the previous published work globally is analysed critically with the different sugar taxes imposed in other countries with regard to their impact on the various economies . Global discussions on the topic of the sugar tax are shared and conceptualising the sugar tax and sugar as a product. A quantitative research paradigm, also known as a positivistic research paradigm, was considered appropriate for the study that aimed to effectively test and evaluate the conceptual hypotheses and constructs that relate to the HPL. The objective was achieved by conducting an online cross-sectional survey. The survey instrument was a questionnaire that was randomly distributed to 385 SSB consumers in all nine provinces of South Africa using convenience random sampling. The data collected were analysed using the software IBM SPSS Statistics 25. The data reduction technique Exploratory Factor analysis (EFA) was then used to find the factor loadings that best produced correlations between the observed variables. The variables comprised of 5 – point Likert scale that ranged from strongly disagree (1), disagree (2), neutral (3), agree (4) to strongly agree (5). A scree plot was used for factor extraction and confirmed with parallel analysis, and four factors emerged. The factors were extracted using the oblique rotation principal – Promax with 100 iterations for convergence. Consumer perceptions in South Africa are critical to improving the implementation of the HPL and creating a healthier society. Government and management need to lead by example in promoting a healthy lifestyle through marketing activities (product promotions) and in the pricing of products, as obesity is a reality for everyone in the country and needs to be managed. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

Inbound tourist experience in south africa

  • Authors: Twumasi, Gabriel Kwadwo
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Tourism -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54641 , vital:46877
  • Description: The tourism industry contributes significantly to the economic growth of South Africa. Although international tourism is noted for a great contribution to customer experience beyond their borders, few studies exist in respect of tourist experience in South Africa. An individual experience to a tourism destination impact on his/her satisfaction and behavioural intentions. Tourist experience has been identified as a possible strategy for building and improving the relationship between tourism businesses and their clients in order to improve customer retention and recommending and revisiting of destination. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to identify, investigate and empirically test the factors influencing customer (inbound tourists) experience in South Africa. The study also seeks to determine how these experiences influence customer satisfaction, recommendation of the destination and the likelihood of a return visit. Tourist experience is of performance value to tourism businesses as these businesses need to identify the factors they should focus on to increase the value of products and services they are delivering to their customers. A quantitative methodology was chosen for this study and data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The study population included all inbound tourist who had visited South Africa between the years 2018 and 2020. The research design consisted of causal and descriptive research. The study followed a quantitative research method to obtain the set objectives of the study. A measuring instrument in the form of a structured questionnaire was designed from secondary sources to source for the needed data. A web-based online questionnaire and convenience sampling technique was chosen to identify inbound tourist to South Africa. Of the 320 inbound tourists to South Africa reached and completed the questionnaire, 319 were included in the analysis. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in the data analysis. The main empirical results of the study found that statistically significant relationships exist between the independent variables: Quality accommodation, Tidiness of attractions, Ancillary services, Safety of destination, Convenience retention, Quality of attractions, Transport and the dependent variables, Customer satisfaction and Recommending and revisiting of destination. The outcome of the results of the structural equation modelling revealed an acceptable model fit of the study. The results suggest that customer satisfaction, recommending and revisiting of destination are of strategic importance in promoting tourism destinations for inbound tourists. It is imperative to provide memorable experiences to tourist. Tourism destinations must always provide an excellent service in order to enhance efficient competitive services to their customers. Furthermore, it is recommended that tourism business provide products and services that will cater for the needs of inbound tourists based on the specific factors influencing customer satisfaction and the recommendation and revisiting of destinations. This study makes a significant contribution to the body of knowledge and practitioners as it has established the factors influencing inbound tourists’ experience and, how these factors influence customer satisfaction, recommending and revisiting of international tourists to South Africa. Furthermore, the study presents recommendations and practical strategies that could help tourism businesses improve inbound tourists’ experiences in South Africa. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

Inflation, credit markets and economic growth: the case of BRICS Countries

  • Authors: Barayi, Bavuyile
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Economic development -- BRIC countries , Inflation (Finance) -- BRIC countries
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53700 , vital:45714
  • Description: The empirical study investigates the relationship between inflation, credit markets and economic growth in the context of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) countries. The BRICS group consists of five emerging market economies and was first coined by Jim O’Neil of Goldman Sachs in 2001 whereby initially the bloc consisted of only Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa joined the BRICS group in 2010. The BRICS bloc was deemed to be the top fast-growing economies that showed great potential for growth. Consequent to the 2008 global financial crisis, there has been a large change in economic thinking as policy-makers have struggled to overcome the economic misfortunes caused by the crisis. Amongst the emerging countries, the BRICS countries have in effect, established a New Development Bank to play the role of the credit facilitator the BRICS countries and other emerging countries as well. This BRICS New Development Bank was established in 2014 and already has identified and funded some projects within the BRICS countries. Moreover, the main objective of this bank is to provide credit to be utilised for infrastructure, climate change measures, as well as to ensure sustainable development. Against this backdrop, the current study investigates the role played by credit and the extent of development in credit markets on enhancing growth in the BRICS countries, particularly looking at the levels of inflation that are conducive to credit market development. The study notes that in order for credit expansion to be successful, the credit received by a country must reflect positively on a country’s economic growth. In other words, with more credit coming into a country, the expected result is that there will also be a rise in economic growth. Furthermore, seeing that inflation erodes the value of money, this credit or these funds that a country receives may not have the expected influence on growth. Therefore, the study finds it imperative to investigate the levels at which inflation allows for credit expansion to promote growth in a country. Furthermore, central banks play an important role in credit markets via the interest rate channel and the study examines the role of monetary policy in credit markets of each of the BRICS countries by looking at the inflation targeting regime as well as the absence thereof within these countries. Moreover, BRICS central banks share more or less the same goal of maintaining price stability and low inflation through various monetary policy tools. Therefore, achieving this objective will allow a central bank to gain both investor and consumer confidence which plays a role in a country’s investment rates. Moreover, inflation that is not controlled results in uncertainty which makes investors hesitant and unwilling to embark on investments. Ha, Ivanova, Ohnsorge and Unsal (2019) associate a developed financial sector with low inflation, stating that stable inflation rates eliminate uncertainty and avoids the erosion of the value of money. The current study used an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to examine the linear co-integration and Non-linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) for the non-linear empirical analysis of the relationship between inflation, credit markets and economic growth in BRICS countries. The non-linearity of this relationship is important to study as there has been many debates on the nature of the inflation-growth relationships with some studies implying that it is positive, some say it is a negative relationship and some say it is non-linear. The annual data time series is extracted from the World Bank Indicators and the Penn State database covering the period 1960-2019. The main variables used in the study are Inflation (CPI), Credit (Domestic Credit to Private Sector) and Economic growth (GDP). The study conducted various regressions including the total of five linear regressions which were run individually for each country, the non-linear regressions consisted of three regressions for each country which were on 1) Only Inflation partitioned, (2) Only Credit partitioned and (3) both Inflation and Credit were partitioned. The partitioning of the variables is made possible by the NARDL model which allows variables to be partially decomposed into negative and positive sums to identify thresholds of variables which have various effects on other variables. The overall findings of the study suggest that although inflation exerts various effects on growth, according to this study’s results, it does not have a significant impact on credit for all the countries except for China whereby credit in general is conducive to economic growth and Brazil where growth is enhanced when credit is declining. The study revealed that generally, inflation exerts a negative impact on growth, therefore, authorities must focus on keeping inflation rates low particularly for Russia, India and South Africa as Brazil’s results suggest that rising inflation is conducive to its economic growth in the long run. According to the findings of this study, credit does not have the significant impact on growth even under different inflation thresholds. Furthermore, this does not imply that the credit channel is a futile tool for authorities, the relationship between inflation, credit and growth particularly with the hypothesis that inflation enhances credit market development and therefore growth, is not significant. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development & Tourism, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

Inflation, exchange rate and unemployment nexuses in South Africa: lessons from the Inflation Targeting Framework

  • Authors: Taderera, Christie Simbarashe
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa , Inflation (Finance) -- South Africa , South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54752 , vital:47656
  • Description: Unemployment, inflation and exchange rate are key macroeconomic indicators and determinants of the development of a nation, but their relationship remain ambiguous. From the last quarter of 1994 to the same period in 2019, unemployment in South Africa increased from 20 percent to 29.1 percent while over the same period, inflation fell from 15 percent to 4.5 percent. Exchange rate at the same time has increased from 3.55Rand: 1USD to 14.45Rand: 1USD (World Bank Data, 2020). With the adoption of inflation targeting framework as a way of stabilising the general price level which has a trickle effect on unemployment, South Africa has a relatively high unemployment rate of 29.1 percent. This study investigates the relationship between unemployment, inflation and exchange rate in South Africa from 2009 Quarter 1 to 2020 Quarter 1. Furthermore, the study examines the relationship between employment, inflation and exchange rate from 1970 to 2019. Lastly the study investigates the inflation threshold from 1970 to 2019. The study employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model and shows that there is no short run and long run relationship between unemployment, inflation and exchange rate. There was however a short run and long run relationship between employment, inflation, exchange rate. In a long run analysis, there is a positive relationship between employment and economic growth for both in the short run and long run. Using the conditional least squares method, an inflation threshold of 5% was found to maximise employment in South Africa vindicating the inflation target of 3-5 percent. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that policy measures that increase government expenditure and economic growth be made. Thus, policy makers should increase government expenditure, either by running budget deficits or by collecting more revenue to finance its expenditures so as to increase employment or decrease unemployment without incurring the risk of crowding out. Additionally, from the inflation threshold examination, the current interest rate manipulation by raising or lowering the rate must be used to ensure inflation is kept below 5 per cent. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

Investigating the consumer decision-making process and determinants of choice for prepaid services from mobile network service providers

  • Authors: Ajayi, Ella
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Mobile communication systems , Consumer behavior
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53688 , vital:45713
  • Description: The mobile telecommunications industry has been a fundamental and an important enabler in the advancement of the South African economy, with mobile network providers investing billions of rands in mobile infrastructure and facilitating a functional and progressive global marketplace (ICASA Annual Performance Plan, 2020/21). South Africa’s telecommunications system is one of the most sophisticated in the emerging markets, and according to Gillwald, Mothobi, and Rademan (2018, p.6), various indices including the ICT Development Index corroborate this view. The deployment of wireless communications networks in the country has had immeasurable social benefits for many consumers. The most rural areas of the country are now able to experience the convenience and ubiquity that comes with having access to mobile network technology. Though mobile network provision is making progress in terms of bridging the digital divide, inhibitors exist within the mobile competitive landscape that prevent consumers from exploring the full benefits of the advanced technologies at their disposal. According to Chinembiri (2020, p.6), mobile data costs remain high and out of reach for the average South African consumer, despite the recent requisite data price reduction by the dominant mobile network service providers. The prepaid segment is dominated by customers who either carry multiple SIM cards or switch between mobile network operators. The adoption by ICASA of the Mobile Number Portability (MNP), the process through which customers switch between mobile operators and keep their mobile number (Yadav, Dabhade, & Dabhade, 2013, p.1), resulted in significant reduction in switching costs thus perpetuating the migration of subscribers between mobile network providers. According to Olufemi and Strydom (2018, p. 52), the fiercest competition experienced by South African mobile providers is in the prepaid market. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

Possible futures for South Africa’s transition to a low carbon economy towards 2050

  • Authors: Myeki, Pumla Qamisa
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Environmental economics -- South Africa , Carbon dioxide mitigation -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54969 , vital:48523
  • Description: South Africa together with the rest of the world have been caught up in a new policy wave of developing policies that support the move towards sustainable, low-carbon and climate-resilient economies underpinned by the desire to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as per declared Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). However, South Africa’s economic development model is still characterised by a coal-based energy structure, which imposes a significant stress on its natural resources and environment, due to vast quantities of GHG emissions into the atmosphere. Currently, in South Africa there is no sign of any coherent plan for achieving the socio-technological change that the transition to a low carbon economy vision implies. The existing policies, strategies and plans are not yet fully aligned with the low carbon transition agenda as they were developed prior to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement call. There has been minimal or no noticeable change in South Africa’s carbon-dependence, which may further lead to market failure effects. The existing policy and regulatory framework for low carbon economy (LCE) transition is perceived complimentary; but is defined by short-term, overarching and vague policies that lack forward thinking far-sighted element of framing the desired future. To tackle the short-termism of South African LCE policy, the study commissioned a mixed-method, futures research approach in order to facilitate a kind of forward thinking required for integrated manoeuvres and long-term vision of different alternating choices with a cognisance of their respective repercussions. The primary research objective of this study was to develop and illustrate possible scenarios for South Africa’s low-carbon economy transition futures over the next 30 years, taking into consideration numerous uncertainties about the future structure of South Africa’s economy, costs of the transition as well as potential technological breakthroughs that could emerge. This objective was achieved with the ultimate description of possible futures - Ses’fikile, Stimela, Inqanawa and Siyaya phambili, and the identification of Ses’fikile as the desired future state; as outlined by the Integrated Vision for South Africa’s transition to an inclusive, competitive, climate-resilient and low carbon economy future. Further, the secondary objectives outlined in Chapter 1 and 2 of this research study were realised through an all-encompassing literature review, political economy and political, economic, social, technological, environmental, legal (PESTEL) analysis, the Real-Time Delphi exercise as well as scenario planning methodology. This research study extracts intuitions from academic, policy planning and futures research in order to discover the prevailing frontiers in the progression of both the theoretical and real-world requirements considered as essential for fundamental economic transformation to a low-carbon future. Extensive contribution of this study included; -  Closing the literature gaps that exist in terms of gaining a deeper understanding into insights on the potential drivers, impacts and global trends in the low-carbon economy transition space.  Pushing forward a narrative within and between the economic development, policy decision-making and environment about how to visualise and plan for a decarbonized future economy for South Africa.  Futures research approach afforded this research study an opportunity to engage with the uncertainties of the low-carbon economy future, while engaging with emerging issues, trends and weak signals that are transforming South Africa’s social horizons.  Policy decision-makers were afforded a chance to improve their policy making while addressing the dynamic nature of implications of the current economic development trajectories, alternative future possibilities as well as transitioning to a preferred low-carbon future. In conclusion, contributions made by low-carbon experts who participated in this study provided bigger picture insights for policy decision makers and can provide timely interventions while deliberating about South Africa’s low-carbon future. Finally, conclusions drawn and recommendations made would assist in the stimulation of discussions for further policy research. Key concepts: Low carbon economy, decarbonisation, futures research, climate-resilient, scenario planning, Real-Time Delphi. , Thesis (DBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

Student entrepreneurship support at South African universities

  • Authors: Ismail, Riyaad
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Entrepreneurship -- South Africa , Business education -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53935 , vital:46043
  • Description: South Africa as a country experiences some of the highest levels of unemployment in the world. High levels of unemployment are especially evident among the youth and graduating students. Entrepreneurship in general, including student entrepreneurship, is seen as a solution to these high levels of unemployment because of its positive impact on job creation, economic growth, and the adoption of new technologies and innovation capabilities. However, as student start-up numbers remain stagnant in South Africa, the effectiveness of university-based student entrepreneurship support is questioned. Furthermore, despite the significance of student entrepreneurship and the support provided to them by universities, research on the subject is limited, especially in a developing country context. Against this background, the primary objective of the current study was to assess the state of university-based student entrepreneurship support at South African public universities. Based on the literature and underpinned by organisational theory, a university-based entrepreneurship ecosystem (U-BEE) framework was conceptualised. This framework, together with Good, Knockaert, Soppe and Wright’s (2018) organisational design elements, namely purpose, activities, structure, and people, was used to guide the empirical investigation. The current study adopted an interpretivist philosophical stance and is situated in an interpretive research paradigm. An abductive approach to theory development was used and given that the purpose of the study was exploratory, a multi-method qualitative research method was chosen. In addition to a desk research, a multiple-case study research strategy was used, and the study was cross-sectional in nature. Deductive codes and thematic analysis, following the steps of Braun and Clark (2020), were used to analyse the data. The findings of this study were presented in terms of cross-case issues, rather than being case specific to ensure anonymity. Based on the desk research, the total number of student entrepreneurship support activities offered by each university were calculated and the 26 public universities in South Africa were then ranked from most active to least active in terms of offering these activities. Although actual rankings could not be given, the findings show that the most active universities are much older and also larger in terms of faculty, staff and student numbers, than the least active universities are, suggesting that those ranked at the top have been doing so for much longer, effectively giving them more time to have established such support structures and to obtain the necessary to do so. The findings also suggest that several of the least active universities are historically disadvantaged institutions, which could also influence the nature and extent of support being offered to their student entrepreneurs. Based on this ranking the four most active and the four least active universities in terms of student entrepreneurship support were identified, and these eight universities served as the cases on which further investigation was undertaken. The findings of this study highlight the challenges experienced by student entrepreneurs during the establishment of their student ventures, as well as those challenges that they are currently experiencing. Challenges during establishment worth noting include the lack of a network, finance, and information on how to start a business; the inability to access the market; and a lack of legal assistance and encouragement from people around them. Moreover, challenges currently being experienced by student entrepreneurs were identified as working long hours, followed by a lack of collateral and a lack of legal assistance. The findings relating to each of the elements within the conceptualised U-BEE highlight the need for entrepreneurship to be a strategic priority at South African public universities, accompanied by top management buy-in to increase awareness and encourage entrepreneurship among staff, students and other stakeholders. Moreover, the findings call attention to the importance of having a team led by a student entrepreneurship champion whose primary role is to facilitate and coordinate activities relating to student entrepreneurship. Through entrepreneurship being prioritised by universities, having top management buy-in, and a student entrepreneurship champion being appointed, the required resources, support and infrastructure could follow, most notably an entrepreneurship policy, financial support, and an entrepreneurship centre (a central hub for entrepreneurship related activities). As these support structures are established and resources made available, more frequent collaborations among internal entrepreneurship stakeholders themselves could be experienced, as well those with external partnerships. Increased collaborations could in turn lead to improved communication, greater coordination and increased awareness among all existing entrepreneurship stakeholders as well as future student entrepreneurs. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

Sustainable strategies for improved implementation of South Africa's marine living resource legislation

  • Authors: Tembo, Danai
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Marine resources conservation -- law and legislation -- South Africa , Fishery law and legislation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54729 , vital:47531
  • Description: South Africa's marine and coastal resources are rich, diverse national assets that represent an important interface of human activity, socio-economic influence, and ecological diversity. The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) has rich fishing grounds that support an industry that makes significant contributions to the economy, providing hundreds of thousands of jobs. Use of this resource-rich ocean space has increased over time. The challenge for South Africa is finding a balance between protecting the ocean space while simultaneously encouraging research, investment, and use of the ocean resources to contribute to economic upliftment and job creation. The South African government's recognition of the vast potential in coastal ecosystems is evident in the introduction of programmes such as Operation Phakisa and the comprehensive legislation. Legislation such as the Marine Living Resources Act (Act No. 18 of 1998) aims to ensure the sustainable utilisation of marine living resources in a manner that is beneficial to all citizens. South Africa's marine living resource legislation is good, reflecting the main principles of fisheries management that are encouraged by the international legal order. However, implementation of the legislation continues to be a challenge; one that extends beyond marine living resource legislation. Although this challenge is acknowledged by the government, little work has been done to understand why they continue to fall short in terms of implementation. Understanding that the implementation of statutes involves various actors, the study sought to understand implementation failures related to marine living resource legislation by explaining the behaviours of actors involved in implementation. A conceptual framework was developed that identified a variety of influencing factors, drawing on elements from different theories. Guided by the framework, document analysis, and key-informant interviews were the means through which the behaviours of actors were investigated and explained. Findings showed that the behaviours of actors were directly and indirectly influenced to varying degrees, by the tractability of the problem, the formal conditions of the law, enforcement, capacity, power relations, and political salience. These behaviours were in turn found to have a strong influence on the status of marine living resources, identified as the implementation outcome. In recognising the behaviours contributing to implementation failures, recommendations were made for improved implementation efforts going forward. Acting to correct these failures will be critical to ensuring South Africa does not continue its current trajectory of marine living resource depletion. Resources that not only make significant contributions to the country's economy but constitute the livelihoods of a significant portion of the country's population. , Thesis (DPHIL) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

Team-related factors influencing intra-team knowledge sharing in knowledge-intensive businesses

  • Authors: Van Greunen, Conrad
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Knowledge management , Organizational behavior
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54630 , vital:46873
  • Description: In today’s knowledge-driven economy, knowledge is regarded as possibly the most important factor of production next to labour, land and capital. Knowledge is the lifeblood of a business and therefore crucial for its survival in today’s constantly changing and competitive economic environment. In fact, effective knowledge management holds many benefits for an organisation, such as increased productivity and enhanced business performance. Knowledge management is therefore key to ensure business success. In the knowledge management process, knowledge-sharing is typically recognised as the most important activity. Knowledge that is not shared, in particular tacit knowledge residing in the minds of individuals and accrued over time, loses its value. Notably, team knowledge-sharing is of utmost importance in that it enables a team to resolve practical issues more successfully, given that knowledge is shared among team members that hold various kinds of specialised and unique expertise. Organisations increasingly organise their specialised knowledge-intensive work around projects that consist of allocated members who cooperate on a regular basis to accomplish specific goals before a set deadline. However, without knowledge-sharing among team members, the diverse knowledge of various members cannot be optimally utilised to the benefit of the team and the organisation. Although it is well documented that knowledge-sharing among team members, in particular knowledge-intensive teams, may hold various advantages for teams and organisations in terms of their performance and competitive advantage, researchers also acknowledge that individuals are sometimes reluctant to share their knowledge. Moreover, there is a lack of empirical research on the team-related factors influencing intra-team knowledge-sharing, and a subsequent lack of guidance in terms of encouraging intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour. Notably, the lack of current systematic, integrated research, that pay particular attention to the team-related factors influencing the knowledge-sharing behaviour within a team is problematic. This lack of research calls for further empirical research to better understand the teamrelated factors influencing intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour in knowledgeintensive teams. As such, the main research objective of this study was to identify and empirically examine selected team-related factors influencing the intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour of individual members participating in knowledgeintensive teams in knowledge-intensive businesses. Based on an extensive literature review, the following team-related factors influencing knowledge-sharing in a team context were identified and hypothesised to have a relationship with the dependent variable Intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour. These factors, which also served as the independent variables in this study, are: Team development competition, Team hyper-competition, Team psychological safety, Perceived surface-level diversity, Perceived deep-level diversity, Team identification, Metacognitive cultural intelligence, Cognitive cultural intelligence, Motivational cultural intelligence, Behavioural cultural intelligence, Affective team commitment, Continuance team commitment and Normative team commitment. Following the construction of the proposed hypothesised model, the researcher proceeded to develop a research design that would be suitable to address the research questions. For the purpose of this study, a positivist research philosophy and deductive approach to theory building were adopted, which is in line with the quantitative nature of this study. In addition, a survey research strategy was used and the study was cross-sectional in nature. The measuring instrument, which was in the form of a self-administered online questionnaire, was subjected to a pilot study. Minor adjustments were made to the questionnaire before an electronic link to the final version, accompanied by a cover letter, was e-mailed to 8 496 potential respondents. These potential respondents, who were identified using a convenience sampling technique, were likely to participate in knowledge-intensive teams and be representative of the population. A total of 384 usable responses were received. Following the data collection, the data were analysed to examine the proposed relationships as depicted in the hypothesised model. To address possible multicollinearity concerns associated with different variables that belong to a shared category, such variables were first combined into a single hierarchical variable. Thereafter, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed on each factor that confirmed the factor structures by using various goodness-of-fit indices. Subsequent to the CFAs, the validity and reliability of the measuring instrument was assessed. The reliability of the measuring instrument was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, while the assessment of validity involved calculations of the average variance extracted (AVE) estimates and squared correlations between constructs. Based on the results of the reliability and validity assessments, the hypothesised model was revised accordingly. The revised model included Team development competition, Team psychological safety, Cultural intelligence, Team commitment and Perceived deep-level diversity as the independent variables influencing Intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour. Descriptive statistics and correlation results were presented on the constructs in the revised hypothesised model, while a structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis was the main statistical technique used to test the significance of the relationships between the dependent and the independent variables. The relationships between selected demographic variables and Intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour were assessed by means of general linear modelling (GLM), a subset of SEM. In light of these analyses, it was concluded that Team psychological safety, Team development competition, Cultural intelligence and Age have a significant influence on Intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour and could thus be seen as predictors or determinants thereof. Of all the significant relationships identified in this study, Team psychological safety had the strongest effect on Intra-team knowledge-sharing behaviour. One should, however, not lose sight of the impact that competition and cultural intelligence could have on the knowledge-sharing behaviour of individual members participating in knowledge-intensive teams. This study contributes to the body of knowledge-sharing research in general, but also to knowledge-sharing behaviour in a team context in particular. Besides the theoretical contributions, this study makes several practical recommendations to knowledgeintensive businesses on how to manage the team-related factors influencing the Intrateam knowledge-sharing behaviour of individual members participating in knowledgeintensive teams. These recommendations could possibly enhance the competitive advantage of knowledge-intensive businesses. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

The challenges and survival strategies for SMME’s in Nelson Mandela Metro during Covid19

  • Authors: Faltein, Nelisa
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53733 , vital:45721
  • Description: Throughout history entrepreneurship has played an integral part in society. It improves standard of living, develops new markets, and puts ideas into effect while fostering economic growth and job creation. Over the recent years, the countries around the world have experienced unprecedented economic meltdowns. Economic events and prospects in industrialised countries like Europe, Asia, and America have a direct and immediate impact on developing countries, particularly Africa. Positive economic growth of Africa's key trading partners has a direct impact on the continent's economy. Africa's key trading partners' negative economic growth has unfavourable effects for the continent's economy. This was recently further exposed and exacerbated by the novel Corona virus pandemic. The worldwide economic crises have resulted in global financial melt downs, volatile exchange rates, fluctuating steel prices, soaring labour costs, and more importantly competitiveness in markets. In South Africa this has contributed to very high rates of youth unemployment, stagnant economic growth, volatile socio-economic environment, and high failure of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) amongst other factors. South African SMMEs have been identified as key role players and drivers for job creation; the industry already absorbs most of the employed population. They are a potential mechanism for creation of new and sustainable employment opportunities. Furthermore, they contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country yet experience a high failure rate. A successful enterprise has a massive social impact and economic contribution in a country. It is therefore indisputable that the field of entrepreneurship has received immense academic interest. The current Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous socio-economic environment necessitates strategies that are aimed at the growth, innovativeness, adaptability, and agility of entrepreneurs and SMMEs. This will enable them to reach their full potential and effectively deliver on job creation and economic growth. The purpose of this research treatise is to develop a development framework for SMMEs and entrepreneurs in the Nelson Mandela Metro. This was achieved by applying academic insights and an extensive literature review on personality traits of entrepreneurs, the internal and external environment, and their contribution to the success of entrepreneurial ventures, which has led to the development of research propositions. The study is quantitative research on 45 SMMEs from the Nelson Mandela Metro. It contributes positively to the academic field of entrepreneurship, SMMEs and to the existing academic body of knowledge with a positive contribution on entrepreneurial traits, business development, strategy formulation and strategy implementation. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

The contribution of urban agriculture to food sovereignty and household food security in Lingelihle

  • Authors: Buso, Lelethu
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food sovereignty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Urban agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53834 , vital:46005
  • Description: Most urban households in South Africa are food insecure even though poor households spend 60–80% of their income on food. Most of these households are low-income households who depend on social grants and whose main source of food are markets. This research assessed the contribution of urban agriculture to food sovereignty and household food security in Lingelihle Township, Cradock, in the Chris Hani district, South Africa. The research data were collected both from households that practise farming in Lingelihle Township and those that do not. The study used Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods such as observation, transect walks, resource mapping, food consumption diaries, focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews to collect data. The research findings revealed that urban agriculture has the potential to contribute to achieving food sovereignty and household food security. The comparison between households that farm and households that do not farm proved that households that farm are more food secure and have more disposable income than households that do not farm. The study offers recommendations on how urban agriculture can be supported to contribute to household food security and food sovereignty. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

The effect of technological innovation on employment: the case of manufacturing sector in South Africa

  • Authors: Matjiwa, Keaobaka Onicca
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Manufacturing industries -- Technological innovations -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54058 , vital:46209
  • Description: The role of technological innovation in the growth of an economy and the production of goods and services motivated this research. Technology is expected to boost production and relieve workers of the stress of doing repetitive tasks. It can also have a long-term impact on economic activity by increasing manufacturing efficiency and lowering production costs, which can be translated into lower prices for the goods and services demanded. The main objective of the study is to examine the relationship between technological innovation and employment, using a case study of the manufacturing sector in South Africa, making use of the Tobit regression model estimation technique. Annual secondary time series data spanning the period of 1970 to 2019 was employed. Earlier studies conducted in South Africa measured the relationship between employment in the manufacturing sector and technological innovation using different methodologies, including estimating procedures, model specifications and time frames. In this study the Tobit model estimation technique is utilised. The Tobit model results showed that there is a negative and significant relationship between variables used as proxies for technological innovation and employment in the manufacturing sector. That means an increase in technological innovation by 1 point will decrease employment in the manufacturing sector in South Africa by 0.52 points. Furthermore, the results reveals that there is relationship among control variables under the study. Based on the findings, the study therefore recommends that the government and policy makers formulate and adjust economic development policies that will produce the needed economic growth to secure employment in the midst of technological advancements in the manufacturing sector, through SETAs, TVETs and other Higher education institutions by interacting with the industry to develop curriculum and offer qualifications that enhance skills complementary to technological use, such as robotics, servicing of technology, software engineering, big data analytics and so forth. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

The effectiveness of the Land Redistribution programme on women’s quality of life: A case of Buffalo City Municipality, Eastern Cape: a case of buffalo City Municipality, Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Qayiso, Okuhle
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Women's rights -- South Africa -- Buffalo City
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54277 , vital:46392
  • Description: The land question is a highly contentious issue in post-apartheid South Africa. Land is considered as a valuable resource for sustaining the livelihoods of people yet it remains one of the most sought after and contested resource in Africa owing to her colonial past. Black South Africans were also immensely subjected to land dispossession during the colonization by the Dutch and later the British and forced land removals during the apartheid era. Although this historical context from a lens of “race" is important to note here given how it shaped the South African geography of land ownership, there is nonetheless another dimension; that of gender. The main assertion driving this study is that due to a number of contextual factors (such as women's cultural status, economic inequality and poverty), land ownership between women and men is highly unequal whereby the former owns less and is mostly marginalized from land rights. This study thus looks at the extent to which land redistribution improves the quality of life for women in Buffalo City. The land redistribution program is part of the land reform policy which is a post-apartheid design and implemented for the purpose of redressing historical land dispossession and create redistributive land equality and tenure. This study employed a qualitative approach to ‘explore’ the experiences of women who are the beneficiaries of the land redistribution program as well as the perspectives of key informants who are the officials of the Rural Development and Reform Department. The thesis used an exploratory research design which was suitable for the understanding and unpacking of women's experiences with the land redistribution program. A major finding of this study is that the women who benefited from the land redistribution program have successfully progressed from small scale subsistence farming to large scale commercial farming, significantly improving their livelihoods. Nonetheless, the lack of financial capital is a critical challenge as the land redistribution program gives access to farms that need maintenance and renewal with financial grants that are barely enough for starting up. This study therefore argues that access to land should be accompanied by access to financial resources and capacity building to empower beneficiaries to use the land and other resources effectively and efficiently. It is recommended herein that the department should give beneficiaries full ownership of the land allocated to them as opposed to the thirty- year leasehold. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

The evaluation of the Joint Action Project (JAP) waste intervention in Gqeberha township

  • Authors: Nqunqa, Likhona Nonopha
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Evaluation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54266 , vital:46387
  • Description: Successful development projects are not only grounded in proper planning and implementation but also in evaluation. Numerous development projects are implemented successfully but lack evaluation. This study evaluates the Joint Action Project (JAP) waste intervention that took place in Gqeberha Township in February 2020. The intervention was designed and implemented by a group of student volunteers from Nelson Mandela University (NMU), Port Elizabeth (PE) College and Wismar University. This was a collaborative project between Development Studies, Human Settlements Development, Electrical Engineering, Communication and Design as well as Architecture students who worked together to construct a workspace for a male informal waste picker residing in Gqeberha township. The study adopted a qualitative research approach and data was collected through interviews and field observation. Although the findings of this study revealed that there were some challenges encountered by the beneficiary and the JAP team during the project implementation, the benefits of the intervention exceeded these challenges. These benefits include the improvement of the beneficiary’s livelihood and waste picking business, improvement of health and improvement of the environment surrounding the intervention site , Thesis (MADS) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

The impact of exchange rates on trade balances in SADC countries

  • Authors: Nyahokwe, Olivia
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- Africa, Southern
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54980 , vital:48575
  • Description: This study aims to determine the impact of exchange rates on trade balances in SADC countries. Further, the study also aims to determine the existence of the J-curve phenomena in SADC countries. To achieve the objectives of the study, a panel GMM model and quantile regressions were used as a method of data analysis on data covering the period of 1993 to 2018. Panel GMM model and quantile regression were used to determine the relationships between the real exchange rate (XR), world income (WGDP), as well as gross domestic product (GDP), and trade balance (TB) of SADC countries. The SADC countries used in this study are South Africa, Mauritius, Lesotho, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, DRC, Madagascar, Namibia, and Botswana. To provide a conceptual framework for the study, a comprehensive theoretical and empirical literature review was undertaken. Within the framework of the theoretical literature review, Magee’s (1973) J-curve phenomena were tested for its relevance and application within SADC countries. Given the main highlights of the empirical literature review, this J-curve phenomenon as well as the impact of trade balances in SADC countries, has not been addressed optimally. The main focus of previous studies in this area within SADC countries has fallen short of explaining the nature and causality of J-curve phenomena. It is in this respect that this study contributes to the regional and international trade discourse. The main findings from the quantile regression analysis in this study suggest that no evidence of "J-curve" in the case of Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, and Madagascar. South Africa shows a delayed J curve. Lesotho an inverted J-curve, whilst DRC and Botswana show a sharp V-shape. Contrary to the "J-curve" phenomenon, as explained by the classical textbooks, the findings of the study suggest that the depreciation of Namibia, Mozambique, Angola, Malawi, and Madagascar’s exchange rates produce no J-curve phenomenon, indicating that there is no room for improving these countries’ trade balances through a currency devaluation process. Yet for countries such as South Africa, DRC, Botswana, and Mauritius the findings suggest that the depreciation of these countries’ exchange rates improves the trade balances. Concerning GMM results, the exchange rate and gross domestic product in SADC countries had a positive relationship with the trade balances in SADC countries. Further, the exchange rates also show evidence of a positive relationship with trade balances. On the contrary, the world income (represented as world GDP) has a negative relationship with trade balances in SADC countries. This implies that, as SADC currencies strengthen, the trade balance worsens. This finding presents a serious open macroeconomic challenge in SADC countries, in that the trade balances worsen irrespective of the strengths of the currencies; hence the trade balances in SADC countries have remained negative for prolonged periods. Furthermore, the world economic growth does not necessarily improve the SADC countries' trade balances either, as shown by a negative relation between world income and trade balances in SADC countries. This finding concerning world GDP, suggests that SADC countries lack export diversification and are trapped in primary product exports which, at times, are subjected to low prices. Given the above findings, it is clear that SADC countries will continue to suffer from negative trade balances, which in turn will continue to stifle their growth. To address the continued and persistent trade balances in SADC countries, policymakers should focus on an integrated open macroeconomic strategy. Such a strategy should pay special attention to improving technical skills, research, and development, quality of exports, export diversification, infrastructure; maintain the use of flexible exchange rate regimes, raise the level of productivity; substitute imports of capital equipment and support domestic industries. Furthermore, it is recommended that SADC countries focus on attracting and retaining foreign direct investments. This macroeconomic strategy should not be approached in isolation but as an integrated policy framework. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

The Impact of in-store promotions on consumer buying behaviour

  • Authors: Van Niekerk, Ruan
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Consumer behavior , Sales promotion
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54377 , vital:46486
  • Description: The purpose of this treatise is to identify the impact of in-store promotions on consumer buying behavior. Through utilizing real-world data, the study used a qualitative analysis by gathering input from people who are activity involved with in-store promotions. In-store promotions have been suspected to directly impact consumer buying behavior; however, there is no real proof of this. Furthermore, the theory suggests that in-store promotions should impact consumer buying behavior, but there could be a difference between what theory states against what is actually happening. Therefore, this study will be taking opinions and views from those working with in-store promotions and put it to the test against the theory. The aim is to determine whether in-store promotions is a viable source of marketing and if it can ultimately affect the consumers buying behavior. The treatise will also help the reader to understand the theory behind consumer behavior and what it entails. Interviews were conducted with store managers across South Africa to get more accurate data. By interviewing store managers from various regions, geographical skewness of data was prevented from occurring. This study further assists marketing professionals to have a more accurate understanding of what to expect when conducting in-store promotions. Marketing professionals will also be able to better predict the outcome such activities on the final purchasing decision of consumers. , Thesis (MAB) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

The impact of Labour-business relations in South Africa: factors that affect Labour business relations in the manufacturing industry

  • Authors: Madlingozi, Azola
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Industrial relations -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54014 , vital:46178
  • Description: Industries play a significant role in a country’s economic growth stability and development. In analysing an industry, one could liken it to a big oil machine that requires all its parts to work in unison to achieve a single goal. In most cases, the biggest issue that causes conflicts or for the industry not to run smoothly is the relationship between labour and business. Some of these conflicts could be caused by the historic background of a country, lack of trust between both parties, the income difference between management and labour, and last, the lack of proper communication between both parties. This study aims to assess the role of the Labour Relation Act (LRA) of the South African manufacturing industry to educate and improve the future business sphere on how to engage labour in decision-making strategies and investigate relevant management strategies that could be employed to affect the labour-business relation positively in South Africa (SA). The importance of this study is crucial to the SA economy since SA is still a developing country. Good labour-business relations imply good industry productions, which, therefore, will promote investor confidence in SA for sustainable growth in the SA economy. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

The impact of public-private partnerships on Zambia's economic growth and economic development

  • Authors: Banda, Zondwayo
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Public-private sector cooperation -- Economic aspects -- Zambia , Capital investments -- Zambia
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53711 , vital:45717
  • Description: The current globalisation is pressuring both developed and developing nations to fast-track change and development with the intention of improving the living standards of the people. With limited financial resources and razor-thin budgets, national governments now turn to private sector to collaborate in financing infrastructure that is critical for economic and social growth. Despite the increase in public-private partnership (PPP) investments in Zambia, there have not been any formal assessments of the PPPs to evaluate their impact on Zambia’s economic growth and economic development. This research evaluates the impact of PPPs on Zambia’s economic growth (proxied by gross domestic product [GDP]) and economic development (proxied by unemployment, household consumption and Gini coefficient). The research adopts the auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) model as the time series approach to investigating the relationship between PPPs and gross domestic product (GDP) as well as the economic development. The ARDL model was also used for evaluating the impact of PPPs on Zambia’s GDP and economic development for the 18 years from 2000 to 2017. Thirty-two self-administered questionnaires (SAQs) were received and seven interviews were conducted with key research informants. The key research informants for both the SAQs and interviews were purposively selected to provide insights into the impact of PPPs on Zambia’s GDP and economic development. The ARDL model results have established that there is a stable and long-run relationship between PPPs and Zambia’s economic growth. Similarly, insights obtained from SAQs and interviews show that PPPs are not only important in Zambia but are related to economic growth. Therefore, Zambia should continue harnessing and promoting viable PPPs to enhance its economic growth. This also entails that private sector should continue providing financial resources and expertise to spur Zambia’s economic activities. Through the use of F-statistics, the ARDL model results reveal that PPPs are cointegrated with household consumption, unemployment and the Gini coefficient. As such the ARDL model results confirm the existence of a stable and long-run relationship between PPPs and economic development. The insights obtained from SAQs and interviews highlight that PPPs in Zambia are important. Furthermore, the insights from the key informants suggest that there is a relationship between PPPs and economic development. Hence, Zambia’s continued harnessing of PPP investments is pivotal in its quest to improve the living standards of ordinary people. Using long-run coefficients, the ARDL model results demonstrate that PPPs impact Zambia’s GDP positively. PPPs have spurred economic activities through the creation of businesses. Similarly, the insights from key informants demonstrate that PPPs relate positively to GDP. The overall results suggest that PPPs impact GDP positively. As PPPs impact GDP positively, the government of the Republic of Zambia should continue harnessing the PPP investments as a pro-poor model that bolsters economic activities and fosters economic growth. The harnessing of PPP investments means that the Zambian government, through its Finance Ministry, should scale up investments in PPPs and widen the scope of sectors for PPP investments so as to achieve inclusive and faster economic growth. The ARDL model results show that PPPs affect economic development positively through increases in household consumption and reductions in unemployment rates. However, the data on the Gini coefficient reveal that PPPs have a negative impact on economic development, as PPPs contributed to the rise in the Gini coefficient for the period under review. The key informants’ insights reveal that PPPs affect economic development positively by increasing household consumption and reducing the unemployment rate and the Gini coefficient. The mixed results on the Gini coefficient data representing income inequalities could be attributed to low-quality jobs and poor employment conditions created through PPP projects. Overall, the study’s results show that PPPs have a positive impact on economic development, as they have created businesses and employment thereby contributing to the increase in household consumption. Consequently, the Zambian government should continue engaging the private sector in PPP projects. The government should also scale up PPP investments and widen their scope to include other sectors of the economy as PPP present a viable option for the continued spurring of economic activities, the creation of employment and improvements in household consumption. The research results suggest that PPPs play an important role in improving economic growth and economic development thereby supporting the original intention of the PPP strategy for both developed and developing countries. The research strongly recommends the scaling up of investments in PPPs to contribute to the reduction or eradication of poverty in Zambia – and in other developing countries in Africa. The scaling up of PPP investments has implications that require attention from policy makers. There is a need for the development and dissemination of PPP policy guidelines to improve the design, development and implementation of PPPs in Zambia. The scaling up of investments in PPPs also requires changes to be made to the current PPP Act to widen the scope of PPP investments so as to include additional economic sectors to increase GDP, improve household consumption, create new jobs and reduce the Gini coefficient in Zambia. As PPP processes are complex, increased investments in PPPs will require further training of the PPP department’s staff, the contracting authorities and the private sector to improve their regulatory and technical capacity in the design, development and implementation of PPP projects. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

The influence of COVID-19 on online shopping behaviour in South Africa

  • Authors: Shati, Joseph
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Teleshopping -- South Africa , Consumer behavior --South Africa , COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- -- South Africa -- Influence
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54330 , vital:46429
  • Description: The traditional brick-and-mortar stores have had to endure competition in the recent past from the arrival of various shopping channels, particularly the online shopping. Despite the competition enhanced by a proliferation of technology, brick-and-mortar is still the preferred shopping channel. This is largely due to the shopping behaviour, which is generally stable and slow to change unless it is distorted by a catastrophic event. The advent of the corona virus pandemic has seen nations imposing restrictions on gatherings and encouraging moving to online platforms for both social and business interactions as a way to curb transmission of the deadly virus. This major life event has the potential to distort traditional shopping behaviour. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate whether the pandemic has had an influence on online shopping in South Africa. The research aims to examine the different shopping channels and factors that lure customers to those channels paying particular attention to online shopping during the pandemic. Communication, technology, product variety, payment method, delivery, shopping behaviour, COVID-19 and demographics were identified during a literature review as independent factors that influence online shopping. A positivism paradigm, which informed the selection of a quantitative method, was adopted for this research in order to achieve the study’s research objectives. An online questionnaire was designed to collect data and was distributed by the university’s first-year MBA students. The collected data were analysed with the assistance of the university’s statistician. The ethics approval for the study was obtained from the Nelson Mandela University’s Ethics Committee, reference number H21-BES-BS-003. The study draws from the Technology Acceptance Model, Theory of Planned Behaviour and Diffusion of Innovation theories to gain a better understanding on the acceptance of technologies’ influence on online shopping. The study identified that the biographic variables, namely age, income, education, gender and employment status have an influence on online shopping. The relationship between the different independent factors and online shopping was tested using the Exploratory Factor Analysis, Pearson correlations and Chi2 Tests. The factors Payment method, Shopping behaviour, Current impact of COVID-19, Acceptance of technologies and Product variety were found to have a significant influence on online shopping.Based on the research findings, the study formulated recommendations for online businesses in South Africa. The research findings will allow businesses to promptly implement strategies that meet the consumers’ needs and gain competitive advantage. Based on the findings, businesses are urged to improve security on payment methods, leverage technology to offer improved customer experience and primarily market to the 18-39 years employed cohort. These recommendations will assist businesses to retain these online shopping customers post the pandemic. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12

The relationship between digitisation, customer service and customer loyalty in the South African banking industry

  • Authors: Reddy, Denzil
  • Date: 2021-12
  • Subjects: Banks and banking -- Information technology -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- Digitization -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54319 , vital:46426
  • Description: Digitisation has forced modernisation across many industries over the last decade; it has created a world of trade without boundaries, seamless integration with technology, improving business and quality of life in general. The banking industry in South Africa has been impacted by the rapid emergence of financial technology (Fintech) companies who are challenging the status quo of traditional banking. Their fundamental difference from traditional banks is their ability to create a solution for problems in the market at rapid speed; they use digitisation as their core foundation when developing products to satisfy consumer needs. They are introducing banking capabilities faster and more efficiently than traditional banks, creating a new breed of client needs. Customers want a more robust, seamless, and quicker client experience from traditional banks, which are being offered via Fintechs. The objectives of this study were to identify what impact does digitisation have on customer service and customer loyalty in the South African banking environment, it aimed to establish what role digitisation embodies in a face to face customer service environment, whilst exploring if there is a need for physical banker engagement to reduce attrition and build loyalty. To achieve the objectives, data was collected via electronic surveys, which was distributed to 250 participants in which 103 completed surveys was received. Participants were South African adults who owned a bank account. Quantitative methodology was used given the population size of South African banked individuals. The overall conclusion is that digitisation directly affects customer service and customer loyalty, decisions are made factoring in digitisation when considering a bank as a service provider. Whilst it has a direct influence, and affects the overall decision-making process by consumers, good customer service, irrespective of the delivery channel, is still critical and fundamentally the key driver when opting to use a bank. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2021-12
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Contact