Mobile phone banking : a comparative analysis of e-service quality and customer loyalty
- Authors: Chigori, Darlington Tawanda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Electronic commerce Customer loyalty Consumer satisfaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:39077
- Description: Mobile phone banking optimisation around the world is becoming more significant. Banks are investing heavily to improve service quality of both mobile phone banking applications and Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) banking in a bid to retain existing customers and win new ones. The majority of studies focusing on mobile phone banking have related to adoption and the validation of theories and factors affecting mobile phone banking. This study focused on contrasting the two categories of mobile phone banking, specifically mobile banking applications and USSD banking. This comparison is drawn in terms of e-service quality of these modes of banking and their resultant effects on customer loyalty. To validate and determine the nature of the relationships in the proposed model, the study examined e-service quality in terms of efficiency, fulfilment, privacy and systems availability as well as the overall influence of service quality on customer loyalty with respect to the two types of mobile banking. The positivistic paradigm was employed and thus, due to the scope of data and nature of the study, the quantitative approach was considered as the most appropriate approach. Previously used reliable and valid scales were adapted through a self-administered survey questionnaire. The results from a total number of 218 students at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) were analysed through Pearson correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis and Smart Partial Least Squares structural equation models (PLS-SEM). Based on the findings, various recommendations and implications were suggested to banks, practitioners and academics. The findings indicated that fulfilment, privacy and efficiency were all significantly related to overall service quality and customer loyalty. Systems availability was not significantly related to overall service quality and customer loyalty. The findings showed that privacy, fulfilment and efficiency are critical to both mobile banking applications (MB App) and USSD/cellphone banking.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Modelling the causality between FDI and Zimbabwe’s economic growth
- Authors: Mashamhanda, Tendai
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions -- 1965-1980 , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions -- 1980-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/50260 , vital:25970
- Description: The study investigates the causal nexus between economic growth and FDI in Zimbabwe for the period spanning 1976 to 2011. The bounds testing approach to cointegration and Granger causality methodology was applied and results suggest a bi-directional causal relationship between FDI and economic growth in the long run. However, the causal effect from economic growth to FDI was weak. Domestic investment, human capital and trade openness were also found to be crucial determinants of economic growth in Zimbabwe. Implementing policies that promote inflow of FDI into Zimbabwe are recommended.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Perceptions and experiences of small and medium enterprise owners towards the implementation of broad-based-black-economic-empowerment
- Authors: Pike, Angela Patricia
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa Employee empowerment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15705 , vital:40510
- Description: The South African economy has been faced with numerous challenges within the twenty-first century such as poverty, unemployment and crime. Broad-Based-Black- Economic-Empowerment (BBBEE) has become an emerging obstacle for not only Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa(SA), but it is currently one of the principle issues on the South African government’s agenda. It has been identified that the core issue surrounding BBBEE SMEs is being BBBEE compliant. Therefore, this qualitative research study investigated the perceptions and experiences of SME owners towards the implementation of BBBEE. This investigation was executed within the East London area in which a total of 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The results illustrated that although BBBEE was not favoured amongst SMEs in East London, they were still implementing BBBEE into their businesses in order to gain tender work and enjoy financial improvement. Becoming BBBEE compliant presented certain administrative challenges such as the large amount of documentation, the timely process of becoming BBBEE compliant and the cost of BBBEE compliance. However, although challenges existed, SMEs had implemented strategies in order to overcome such challenges and were seeking guidance from BBBEE agencies. The final outlook of BBBEE was that it be restructured in such a manner that it included all races of SA in order to contribute towards social justice and equality. This study, therefore, had a considerable contribution on a methodological, theoretical and practical level. Furthermore, the implications of the study were explored.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Personality and self-esteem as predictors of employability among final year students at a previously disadvantaged South African University
- Authors: Muzerengwa, Cedric
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Unemployment -- Psychological aspects Personality and occupation Self-esteem in young adults
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4594 , vital:28464
- Description: Orientation: The high unemployment level in South Africa has caused even graduates to be unemployed and yet they hold university degrees. This has increased pressure on the job seeking students to develop factors that influence employability, hence the study seeks to identify whether personality and self-esteem act as predictors of employability among final year university students. Research purpose: The objectives of this investigation were to examine whether personality, as is typically found in personality type research tool such as the, (Myers Briggs personality indicator) and self-esteem positively predict employability among final year university students. Secondly, to determine the personality types that significantly predict employability among final year university students. The last objective was to determine whether self-esteem significantly predicts employability among final year university students. Motivation for the study: This investigation is particularly important because it looks at the non-academic attributes that make job-seeking students able to attain a job and also sustain that job. The 21st century workplace is ever changing, and students are required to build proactive personalities that help them increase their employability level and stand a higher chance of getting employed. Research design, approach and method: A quantitative survey research design was used and a questionnaire was self-administered to a stratified simple random sample consisting of 238 Management and Commerce final year students at the university of Fort Hare. The study used quantitative approach and a positivism paradigm. To measure personality, TIPI scale was used and had 10 items. Employability was measured using the student self-perceived employability scale and self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Main findings: The results of this study showed a similarity with others obtained in prior studies. The results drawn from the statistical analysis of this study showed that there is a significant relationship between personality types such as perceiving, extraversion and feeling with employability among final year management and commerce students at the university of Fort Hare. However, the results showed that there is no positive relationship that exists between self-esteem and employability among final year job-seeking students. Practical implications: The research findings provided evidence that personality had a positive relationship with employability in an academic context. This makes it clear that student career exploration process can only be successful when special attention is given to developing individual’s human capital skills and proactive personalities. Institutions of higher learning should take advantage of some career experts in their countries and in their universities to provide students with employability lessons and guidelines. Contribution: The most important contribution of this study is that it helps to extend knowledge and understanding on the issues concerning the relationship between personality, self-esteem and employability in an academic setting. The research magnified the frame of information in the area personality in relation to employability in academic contexts. It makes available more literature that looks into these two variables (personality and self-esteem) in an African context.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Psychological capital as a moderator on the relationship between work-life balance and turnover intentions amongst selected bank employees in the Amathole district, Eastern Cape province
- Authors: Nyahwema, Cloudious
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Employee competitive behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Human capital -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13556 , vital:39679
- Description: Globalisation has facilitated high mobility among 21st century employees allowing brain circulation to occur. However, high employee mobility also means organisations are losing employees to competitors some of which are global business moguls with better resources leaving emerging businesses at a disadvantage. Lately, the South African banking sector has also been affected with high employee turnover requiring the need for investigation. For these reasons, the main objective of the study was to investigate whether psychological capital significantly moderates the relationship between work-life balance and turnover intentions among selected bank employees in Amathole district, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study also examined if there is a positive and significant relationship between psychological capital and work-life balance among selected bank employees. In addition, the study sought to examine if there is a positive and significant relationship between psychological capital and turnover intention among selected bank employees. The study followed a quantitative research approach. Therefore, survey questionnaires were used as means of data collection and data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Research results indicated that psychological capital significantly moderates the relationship between work-life balance and turnover intentions among selected bank employees. A significantly positive relationship between psychological capital (PsyCap) and work-life balance among selected bank employees was found. The results also revealed that there is no significant relationship between psychological capital and turnover intentions among selected bank employees.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Recreational resource management in Nelson Mandela Bay: a choice experiment application
- Authors: Ntshangase, Sindiswa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Beaches -- Recreational use -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Recreational surveys -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Recreation areas -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19608 , vital:28904
- Description: This dissertation represents one of the limited South African studies that attempts to estimate the recreational value of the identified set of bathing beaches within the local municipal area of the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB). More formally, this research presents the findings of selected stated preference study used for the monetary measurement of the benefits of the improvements to the NMB bathing coastlines. Using the choice experiment method, this dissertation examines the beach users’ preferences for beach management at various beaches in NMB. The choice experiment analysis was designed to elicit individuals’ willingness to pay for the selected changes. The results are used to assess the relative importance of each beach characteristic identified. The survey is implemented on the users of beaches in NMB. The beach characteristics or attributes by focus group discussions were namely (1) bathing water quality (2) public safety by means of visible policing (3) the presence of dog mess on beaches and (4) availability of lifeguards on duty. The monetary attribute selected by focus groups as most appropriate was an additional environmental water charge. The five attributes had varying levels, one corresponding to the current scenario (status quo) and the other levels to the marginal change. These attributes and their levels were combined to generate different management options, each associated with a 'monetary price'. Respondents were asked to choose their preferred alternative within the choice sets, each consisting of three management options where one alternative was the status quo. The estimation strategy consisted of estimating a conditional logit model. Results revealed that people are willing to pay to (1) keep the water quality at the excellent current level (2) for improvements in public safety through visible policing (3) the continued of the presence of dogs on beaches and (4) for an increase in the number of lifesavers on the bathing beaches. The findings of the analysis are used to inform the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBM) on the improvements most preferred by beach users in the context of beach management.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Revenue, trade and welfare effects of the COMESA FTA on the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Authors: Ndungo, Lusenge Patrick
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Revenue -- Congo (Democratic Republic) -- Econometric models , Welfare economics Congo (Democratic Republic) -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14256 , vital:27493
- Description: The present research attempts to assess the likely revenue, trade and welfare implications of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The study adopts a partial equilibrium model based on the World Integrated Trade Solution 2010 database and the Software for Market Analysis and Restrictions on Trade (WITS-SMART) as the methodological approach. The findings of the research reveal that the COMESA FTA will be beneficial to the DRC in terms of an increase in exports of US$371.57 million and consumer welfare gain amounting to US$28.49 million. Moreover, The WITS-SMART simulation results indicate that around US$322.10 million of trade will be created in the DRC as a result of the COMESA FTA. Notwithstanding the fact that trade creation will have a positive effect on welfare, as the Congolese consumers would benefit from lower prices, some local industries in the DRC may be threaten of closure due to the lack of competitiveness. In addition, the simultation results show that the country will experience a huge fiscal revenue loss amounting to US$107.01 million due to the implementation of zero per cent tarrif rate on imports duty from the COMESA trading partners. Finally, the simultation results indicate that an equivalent value of US$49.47 million of trade will be diverted from more efficient and low cost non-member states to high cost suppliers from the COMESA region. In light of these results, the research recommends that the DRC’s government needs to come up with a strategic plan in order to protect the national industry that would be negatively affected by the trade-creation effect. In order to mitigate the expected revenue loss, the implementation of the COMESA FTA in the DRC should be accompanied by fiscal reforms to improve the tax-collection system from sales or value-added taxes (VAT) and domestic excise. Regarding the trade-diversion effect, the inefficient producers from the COMESA region could be displaced through building new capacities in short, medium and long term based on comparative advantage in order to address supply constraints in these sectors affected by trade diversion.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Selected marketing and branding practices among small and medium-sized family business in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Richardson, Bianca
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Marketing , Marketing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19960 , vital:29012
- Description: Based on the importance of small and medium-sized family businesses, with regard to their economic contributions, as well as the fact that their high failure rates limit their ability to positively contribute to the economic growth of South Africa, this study focused on selected marketing and branding practices of South African family SMEs, and whether these practices influence their financial performance and ultimately their survival. Against this background, the primary objective of this study was to investigate selected marketing and branding practices adopted by family SMEs in the Eastern Cape. An overview of the literature was provided whereby the nature and importance of SMEs, and more specifically family SMEs, were described. The various challenges SMEs face were explored, with marketing and branding being identified as one of the main challenges that contributes to the high failure rate of family SMEs. In addition to the marketing challenges faced by non-family SMEs, family SMEs face extra marketing hurdles, given the overlapping subsystem of family and business. However, despite these challenges, family SMEs are able to make use of their familial aspect by marketing and branding the business as family-owned. A positivistic research paradigm and quantitative research methodology was adopted for this study, using a descriptive research approach. The primary data collection procedures involved selecting the population, the sample, sampling techniques, and sample size. For the purpose of this study, the population consisted of all family SME owners operating within the borders of the Eastern Cape province. From the population, a sample was selected using both judgemental and convenience sampling. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed, which resulted in 325 usable questionnaires, giving an effective response rate of 65.00 per cent. Given the cross-sectional nature of this study, a survey research method using a structured, selfadministered questionnaire was used to collect the primary data. The scales used to measure the factors under investigation were developed based on previous research. In order to assess the validity of the ordinal scales, tests for unidimensionality were undertaken. Only factor loadings exceeding the 0.5 cut-off point were considered significant. Not all the items loaded as expected. Only five of the original six items intended to measure the dependent variable Perceived financial performance loaded onto this factor. The researcher, together with two experts in the field of marketing and family businesses, deemed the items for the dichotomous questions to show evidence of content validity. The reliability of the ordinal scales was assessed by calculating Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, whereby coefficients greater than 0.7 were deemed a scale to be reliable. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of greater than 0.7 were returned for all the factors measured using ordinal scales, except one factor namely Customer service differentiation. This factor was not considered for any further statistical analyses. The reliability of the dichotomous questions was assessed using the Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 (K-R 20). For the purpose of this study, Kuder-Richardson values greater than 0.5 deemed the dichotomous questions to be reliable. Kuder-Richardson values of greater than 0.5 were reported for the dichotomous items relating to Branding of the family name, but not for Marketing function. However, given that the questions were used for descriptive purposes only, the items measuring Marketing function were used for statistical analysis. The independent variables returned mean scores of between 3.220 and 3.773, with the majority of respondents feeling neutral or agreeing with the statements measuring these factors. The dependent variable Perceived financial performance returned the highest mean score of all the factors with the majority of respondents agreeing with the statements measuring this factor. The dichotomous questions relating to the Marketing function indicated that majority of respondents did not have a written marketing strategy or a separate department that deals with marketing for their family business. The dichotomous questions relating to Branding of the family name revealed that in most instances the family name (surname) does not appear in the name, brand, logo or advertising material of the family business. Most of the independent variables (Promotion of family business, Family business image and Stakeholder perception) reported significant and positive relationships with each other. The independent variable Perceived financial performance reported significantly positive relationships with two independent variables, namely Product differentiation and Family business image. The multiple regression analyses undertaken revealed that only one of the independent variables, namely Product differentiation, had a significant positive influence on the dependaet variable Perceived financial performance. This study found that the independent variables Promotion of family business and Family business image did not have a significant influence on the dependent variable Perceived financial performance. The results of the two single regression analyses revealed that a significant positive linear relationship exists between Stakeholder perception and Promotion of family business, as well as between Stakeholder perception and Family business image. The findings of the analysis of variance found that Number of employees was the only demographic variable that exerted a significant influence on Product differentiation. The results also indicated that Age of respondent, Generation ownership and Nature of family business had an influence on Promotion of family business. However, the post-hoc Scheffé test revealed that only Generation ownership had a significant influence on Promotion of family business. The analysis of variance also found that the demographic variables Age of respondent, Generation ownership and Number of employees exerted a significant influence on Family business image; however, the post-hoc Scheffé found that only Generation ownership had a significant influence on Family business image. Based on the findings of this study, numerous recommendations were proposed to assist the owners of family SMEs to ultimately improve their business’s financial performance by adopting appropriate marketing and branding practices. The findings of this study showed that by adopting a Product differentiation competitive orientation, family SME owners can enhance their financial performance. It is hoped that the findings of this study will provide family SME owners with practical suggestions on how to use a product differentiation competitive orientation to ultimately increase their longevity, and that the suggestions for future research will inspire future researchers to continue investigating the unique marketing and branding practices of family SMEs.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Taxation of non-residents in South Africa with specific reference to withholding taxes
- Authors: Van der Merwe, de Vos Wouter
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Double taxation -- South Africa Intergovernmental tax relations , Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Income tax -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21296 , vital:29473
- Description: This treatise tests the effectiveness of withholding taxes imposed by the South African tax authorities with respect to amounts paid from a South African source to a non-resident in respect of interest, royalties and foreign entertainers and sportspersons. The first research objective discusses the alignment of the meaning of words and phrases in both the domestic law of South Africa and Double Tax Agreements (DTA.) The second issue outlines whether the DTA supports the domestic law through the waiving of tax claims in favour of the country of source. In last instance the attribution of income is discussed. The interpretation attached to the words for the purpose of levying normal tax, serves as the methodology for identifying inconsistencies with the levying of withholding tax. The wider scope of withholding taxes with respect to the meaning of ‘interest’, ‘royalties’ as well as ‘foreign entertainer and sportsperson’ misaligns with the corresponding meaning of it in the DTA. This creates the risk that amounts paid to non-residents will either not be subjected to withholding tax in the source state or that the income will be taxable in the resident state as a result of the application of other articles of the DTA. DTA’s concluded between South Africa and other countries are based on the OECD Model Tax Convention. These DTA’s tend to favour the residence state with respect to the waiving of tax claims. The source state’s right to collect withholding tax on income from royalties and interest is prevented if the foreign person is physically present in South Africa for more than 183 days and if the interest/royalty payment is effectively connected with a permanent establishment in South Africa. The domestic law and DTA are misaligned with respect to the attribution of interest and royalty income since the recipient of the income for the purpose of the domestic law is not necessarily the beneficial owner of the debt claim or intellectual property. It can therefore be recommended that South Africa must renegotiate DTA’s to favour taxation in the source state. Withholding tax provisions must also be redrafted to align them with the DTA meaning.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The causal link between exports and economic growth in South Africa
- Authors: Tetani, Siphosethu
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa Exports -- South Africa , South Africa -- Commerce
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20603 , vital:29355
- Description: Rapid economic growth has always been one of the goals of the South African government after 1994. Despite the contradicting views of the theorists, the country considered the global market as one of the gateways to accelerated economic growth. In the early 1990s South Africa opened up to foreign markets by removing trade barriers. However, the results of such actions were not entirely as expected. Different economists suggest other barriers that may be the reason behind lower levels of national output. This study examined the causal relationship between exports and economic growth in South Africa using annual data from 1970 to 2014. However, in order to achieve the main objective of this study, it was necessary to include other variables in the model as suggested by both theoretical and empirical literature. The choice of these variables was informed by an extensive review of literature on both exports and economic growth. The VECM and Granger Wild test has been utilised to capture the short run and long run dynamics of the model. The results from those tests do not approve of the Export-Led growth hypothesis and did not approve any sort relationship between exports and GDP in the short run. In the long run however, using the VECM, the study proved that exports have a positive impact on GDP. The results further suggested a negative long run relationship between consumption and economic growth. Furthermore; the results suggested that government expenditure can be detrimental to the economy in the long run. With regards to private investments, the results of this study suggest a positive relationship between investments and economic growth. Therefore, if South African government seeks to increase economic growth it needs to dedicate a considerable amount of resources in promoting local markets to expand South African exports, cut on government expenditure and attracting investment into the county.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The deductibility of damages and associated legal expenses for the purposes of determining taxable income in South Africa
- Authors: Madovi, Ezekiel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Damages -- Taxation -- South Africa , South Africa. Income Tax Act, 1962
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4344 , vital:20650
- Description: The deduction of damages and the associated legal costs must satisfy the requirements of the preamble to section 11 and section 11(a) of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962, read with section 23(g) (referred to as the general deduction formula). This research examined under what circumstances a payer of damages and the associated legal costs would be able to claim a deduction from taxable income. This research also considered whether or not the issue of fault is a relevant consideration in determining whether a deduction should be allowed. In some cases the courts appear to have disallowed a deduction if the expenditure or loss was incurred as a result of a negligent or unlawful act. In other instances the courts have allowed the deduction of damages despite the expenditure or loss having been incurred as a result of a negligent or unlawful act. The research concludes that negligence is not a relevant consideration in the deduction of damages and the associated legal costs. In order to secure a claim for damages the taxpayer must prove that the expenditure was incurred in the production of income and it was expended for the purposes of trade. Associated legal costs are only deductible if the damages satisfy the requirements of section 11(c).
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- Date Issued: 2017
The determinants of credit default swap spreads in emerging market economies
- Authors: Matakane, Lwazi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Bank loans -- BRIC countries , Risk management -- BRIC countries , Swaps (Finance) -- BRIC countries , BRIC countries -- Economic conditions , Rating agencies (Finance)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7142 , vital:21221
- Description: Emerging markets have become a destination for international portfolio flows as a result of global financial integration. This has allowed exogenous factors like sentiment and developed country monetary policy to affect developing countries capital markets and macroeconomic fundamentals. This study analyses the impact of investor sentiment alongside US monetary policy, country specific risks, inflation and domestic stock returns on the BRICS credit default spreads. To investigate this relationship, the study uses panel data and a fixed effects model. The results of the panel regressions suggest that all variables had an impact on the variation of BRICS credit default spreads however the crisis may have distorted the relationship among the variables. Sovereign ratings had an inverse relationship depicting a rise in ratings decreasing the credit default premium. This was in line with a priori expectations. Domestic company earnings also had an inverse relationship with BRCIS credit default premia, the magnitude of which is dependent on the value of the index. This is to say the higher the index, the more significant the effect on the BRICS default premium. US monetary policy was significant and in line with expectations of a linear relationship between emerging market credit default spreads when controlling for the crisis. In the crisis period however, results depicted an inverse relationship going against a priori expectations. The inflation variable was found to have a greater impact on CDS spreads during the crisis period, while the VIX index had a linear relationship with the default premia albeit the impact was not highly significant. The study concludes that the financial crisis was an important event that affected the relationship of these variables with BRICS country default spreads and had read through to market participant’s behaviour at the time.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The effect of monetary policy on inflation and unemployment in Kenya
- Authors: Top, Wuor Chuol Both
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Monetary policy -- Kenya -- Econometric models , Unemployment -- Effect of inflation on -- Kenya Inflation (Finance) -- Kenya Unemployment -- Kenya Kenya -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21329 , vital:29478
- Description: Since the establishment of the Central Bank of Kenya in 1966, monetary policymakers have been changing their policy instruments over the years in an attempt to bring inflation and unemployment rates to the desirable level. This study investigates the effect of monetary policy on inflation and unemployment in Kenya over the period 1991 to 2016. This study employs the Johansen co-integration and vector error correction technique so as to identify the long-run and short-run dynamics among the variables. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller test and Phillips-Perron test for stationarity in the time series is applied. The findings of this study suggest that both short-run and long-run relationships exist among the variables, namely inflation rate, unemployment rate, money supply, real interest rate and exchange rate. The main findings of this study show that monetary policy has a significant effect on inflation in the long-run, while it has little tangible effect on unemployment in the long-run. Among the three monetary policy instruments used in this study, money supply is shown to have the most influential effect on the level of inflation in Kenya. The two monetary policy instruments, real interest rate and exchange rate, have been proved to have little influence on unemployment. This study recommends that the optimum approach for monetary policymakers to adopt towards controlling inflation in Kenya is to implement a monetarytargeting framework ‘...where money supply is controlled...’ in order to affect prices in the economy. Concerning unemployment, this study recommends that the monetary policymakers formulate a policy that encourages investors to lend or invest their money at a rate which increases employment or reduces unemployment. This study also recommends that the best approach the CBK/monetary policymakers could adopt to reduce unemployment in Kenya would be to implement a policy that encourages depreciation in the Kenya shillings.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The effect of pula devaluation on non-mining export sector in Botswana
- Authors: Makhale, Lebone Matshelanoka
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Devaluation of currency -- Botswana Inflation (Finance) -- Botswana , Foreign exchange rates -- Botswana Developing countries -- Commerce
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18080 , vital:28574
- Description: This dissertation investigates the effects of exchange rate devaluation on non-mining exports in Botswana over the period 1984-2012 and the exchange rate pass-through effect to consumer prices. The economy of Botswana is significantly dependent on mineral exports, particularly the diamond. The dominance and over-reliance on diamond exports in the economy has led to low levels of economic diversification. Bank of Botswana has over the years devalued the pula, in attempt to stimulate growth of non-mining export industries and to enhance non-mining export competitiveness. However, raising export competitiveness this way may be inflationary and have no significant effect on non-mining exports. The study investigates the existence of cointegration between real effective exchange rate and the non-mining exports using the Johansen method of cointegration. The vector error correction model is used, to examine the short-run dynamics of the model. The results suggest that a positive long-run relationship exists between real effective exchange rate and Botswana’s non-mining exports. The results of the exchange rate pass-through suggest that nominal exchange rate has a short term relationship with consumer prices in Botswana. However this relationship does not hold over the long run.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The effect of strategic leadership on competitive advantage & innovation performance : a case of small business in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Maziti, Lindah
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Small business -- Technological innovations Small business -- Management Competition
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8619 , vital:33200
- Description: Orientation: The manner in which Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) perform is important for the sustainability of the enterprise. The role of strategic leadership on competitive advantage and innovation performance are investigated within this. Research purpose: To determine whether strategic leadership has an effect on competitive advantage and innovation performance in SMMEs. Secondly, to determine if innovation performance has an effect on competitive advantage. Motivation for the study: Contradictory views still exist on the concept of strategic leadership and its effect on competitive advantage and innovation performance and the effect of innovation performance on competitive advantage in SMMEs. This study contributes to these views within the South African SMME context. Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used and a questionnaire self-administered to a sample of 275 SMMEs in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality drawn through simple random sampling from a population 950 SMMEs available from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) database. Main findings: The result showed that strategic leadership have a positive effect on competitive advantage and innovation performance in SMMEs. Furthermore, the results showed that there is a positive effect of innovation performance on competitive advantage in SMMEs. Practical implications: More is needed to develop strategic leadership. This can be done through leadership training and development, support from government of leaders of SMMEs and finally, a leader can take personal efforts to acquire competencies that allow them to make better decisions in managing the small business. Contribution: The study advances theory on leadership by showing its role on competitive advantage and innovation performance.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The effects of changing western worldviews on morals and ethics in economics: a protestant perspective
- Authors: Appalraju, Nerusha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economics -- Moral and ethical aspects , Neoclassical school of economics , Capitalism -- Religious aspects -- Protestant churches , Feminist economics , Economics -- Religious aspects , Environmental economics -- Moral and ethical aspects , Smith, Adam, 1723-1790 , Weber, Max, 1864-1920
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/32480 , vital:24050
- Description: The World Economics Association held an online conference in 2012 where they published many papers on ethics in economics. The topic of ethics in economics became more serious and popular following the 2008 financial crisis. However the case for a professional code of ethics in economics is difficult to introduce and implement due to the multidisciplinary approach of the discipline. Therefore authors such as Dow (2012), De Martino (2012), Freeman (2012) and Earl (2012) urged economists to start thinking about ethics in economics from a pluralistic view. This thesis studied the effects of changing Western worldviews on morals and ethics in economics from a Protestant perspective. Numerous authoritative sources were considered and used to create a discussion and analysis of how diverse Western worldviews impact on the type of economics which is prescribed and practiced. It was found that different Western worldviews create various standards of understanding and evaluation, which result in varying opinions on what constitutes as morally or ethically acceptable within the discipline of economics.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The entrepreneurial orientation and performance of African immigrant-owned small businesses in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Akah Ndang, William
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13868 , vital:27315
- Description: Given the rapid inflow of African immigrant entrepreneurs into South Africa, as well as the lack of understanding and research attention given to African immigrant entrepreneurial orientation, the failure rate of their businesses in South Africa is very high. The purpose of this study is to contribute to more effective and robust African immigrant entrepreneurship in South Africa by investigating the impact of African immigrant entrepreneurial orientation on business performance. With this purpose in mind, the primary objective of this study is to establish the level of entrepreneurial orientation of African immigrant-owned small businesses in the Eastern Cape Province, and to determine the influence of this orientation on business performance. This study sets out to pull together previous findings and theories on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation, and business performance, to find support for the theories on the determinants of entrepreneurial orientation in the literature, and to combine these findings into a simple model. An overview of small businesses was first conducted, in which the nature of small businesses and African immigrant-owned small businesses was taken into consideration, as well as the role small businesses play within the economy and the different challenges small businesses face. The dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation were discussed. These included Innovativeness, Pro-activeness, Risk-taking, Competitive aggressiveness, and Autonomy. Business performance was discussed and was measured in terms of financial and non-financial measures. The resource based view was also discussed and human, social, and financial capitals were taken into consideration. A proposed theoretical framework was established to show the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and business performance of African immigrant-owned small businesses and this was later tested by developing a hypothesis. A structured questionnaire was developed and data was collected through these self-administered questionnaires. They were made available to the respondents by a means of the snowball technique and data was collected from 218 respondents. Each construct was defined and operationalised. This was done by using themes from previous studies, as well as self developed themes. Cronbach‟s alpha coefficients were used to confirm reliability and validity of the measuring instruments. Completed questionnaires were subject to different statistical tests. A descriptive analysis was carried out, as well as an exploratory factor analysis, multiple regression and an analysis of variance. The findings of this study showed that Innovativeness has a negative relationship to Business performance whilst Competitive aggressiveness, Proactiveness, Risk-taking, and Autonomy have a significant positive relationship to Business performance. Furthermore, the findings established that Financial capital has a significant relationship to Competitive aggressiveness, Innovativeness, and Proactiveness, whilst there is no relationship to Risk-taking and Autonomy. In addition, it was established that there is a significant relationship between Human capital and Competitive aggressiveness, Proactiveness, and Autonomy, whilst there is no relationship to Innovativeness and Risk-taking. Moreover, the study also showed that a relationship exists between some selected demographic variables of the African immigrant-owned small business and entrepreneurial orientation, as measured by Innovativeness (H1a), Pro-activeness (H1b), Risk-taking (H1c), Competitive aggressiveness (H1d) and Autonomy (H1e). An exception was the demographic variable, the Level of education, which was not found to be as stipulated in the hypothesis. In the context of this study, it was found that 62% of change in African immigrant-owned small business performance is affected by entrepreneurial orientation while other factors accounted for the remaining 38%. Management should revisit its entrepreneurial orientation capabilities and determine whether these are delivering values. This will require a review of policies and procedures in addition to benchmarking these activities to identify whether the business is committing an unwarranted and misplaced amount of resources to a given entrepreneurial orientation activity. Blind pursuit of the uniform implementation of an entrepreneurial dimension is not an effective way for African immigrant-owned small businesses to create an advantage.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The illegal diamond trade in South Africa and its tax consequences
- Authors: Kumm-Schmidt, Megan
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Diamond industry and trade -- South Africa , Diamond industry and trade -- Corrupt practices -- South Africa , Diamond industry and trade -- South Africa -- Taxation , Conflict diamonds -- South Africa , Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Tax evasion -- South Africa , South Africa. Income Tax Act, 1962 , South Africa. Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 , South Africa. Tax Administration Act, 2011 , South Africa. ǂt Value-Added Tax Act, 1991 , Kimberley Process Certification Scheme
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4389 , vital:20656
- Description: The object of the research was to discuss the taxability of the illegal diamond trade in South Africa and to identify the consequences of not declaring income obtained from the illegal diamond trade to the South African Revenue Services. The research was conducted by means of a critical analysis of documentary data with specific reference to the Income Tax Act, the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Act, the Tax Administration Act and relevant case law. The Income Tax Act and the Value-Added Tax Act were referred to in relation to the tax consequences of the illegal diamond trade and the Tax Administration Act was used to determine the consequences of not declaring income to the South African Revenue Services. It was established that amounts received from the sale of illegal diamonds are to be included in the taxpayer's gross income, whilst in relation to income received from diamond theft it was not as clear. The MP Finance Group case held that the nature of the receipt and the way in which the transaction occurred in each individual situation will be the deciding factor as to whether or not the stolen diamonds will be taxable in the hands of the thief. The buying and selling of "blood" or stolen diamonds can amount to a trade. As there have been no definitive case decisions in South Africa, it remains unclear whether expenses relating to an illegal trade are deductible. Assuming that expenses relating to an illegal trade are deductible, the provisions of section 11(a) will apply to expenses incurred as a result of dealing in illegal diamonds and it was concluded that qualifying expenses will be deductible. A taxpayer buying and selling "blood" or stolen diamonds is required to register for VAT if sales exceed the threshold and would be required to account for VAT on these transactions. If the taxpayer does not declare the income for income tax purposes or register for and pay VAT to the South African Revenue Services from either the sale of illegal diamonds or the theft of diamonds, this will amount to tax evasion and the dealer will be subject to penalties and even imprisonment
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- Date Issued: 2017
The impact of a shopping centre on adjacent property prices: a Nelson Mandela Bay case study
- Authors: Kgari, Emolemo Nkomeng
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Housing -- Prices -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Real property -- Prices -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Real estate investment -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17636 , vital:28420
- Description: A great deal of research has been carried out on residential property values and numerous factors have been identified as having an effect on residential property values. The physical characteristics of properties of properties are the primary factors that determine the market value of residential property. However, factors concerning location are also thought to influence the value of residential properties. These locational factors include, among others, accessibility to highways, airports, schools, parks and public transportation centres. This study examines the effect of another locational factor, namely proximity to a newly built shopping centre. Shopping centres have been increasing in numbers throughout South Africa over the past few decades. These shopping centres are usually situated in close proximity to residential properties. As such, shopping centres that are in close proximity to residential properties can influence property prices. This study makes use of the hedonic price model to assess the price impact of the newly constructed Baywest Mall on the residential properties in the western suburbs of Nelson Mandela, namely Sherwood, Rowallan Park and Kunune Park. On 21 March 2012, the construction of the Baywest Mall was officially announced. This announcement created an area of interest as to whether its construction and completion would have an impact on the prices of residential properties situated in close proximity to the mall. The study period for this study was from 2004 – 2015. This time period is thought to be sufficient to assess the effect of the Baywest Shopping Mall on the residential property prices before and after the announcement of the construction of the mall. As the study period ranged from 2004 – 2015 it was necessary to adjust the sales prices over the years to constant 2015 prices. As such, the ABSA house price index was used in order to eliminate any inflationary effects on the property values over the study period. The results of the study revealed that the newly built Baywest Mall has a statistically significant positive effect on properties in close proximity to the shopping mall. This result enhances the scientific understanding of the effect of commercial land uses, such as, shopping centres, on the value of adjacent residential properties.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The impact of economic growth on the matric pass rate in South Africa
- Authors: Thobakgale, Khutso Oupa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa Business and education -- South Africa , Education -- Economic aspects -- South Africa High school graduates -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20790 , vital:29394
- Description: The study provides an econometric analysis of the impact of economic growth on the matric pass rate in South Africa. The model used provincial pass rates from the year 2008 to 2013 as well as the economic growth rates of each province from the same period. A panel data random effects model was used to run the model and produce the results. An extensive literature review was conducted to analyse the pass rate in the Eastern Cape which has been the lowest in South Africa for some years. The results of the model suggest that economic growth in the different provinces has a positive effect on the matric pass rate except for the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The model also produced a low R2 indicating that economic growth does not sufficiently explain the matric pass rate in the different provinces and other factors which were not included in the model are important.
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- Date Issued: 2017