The impact of talent management on profitability at Business Connexion
- Authors: Mbulawa, Xolani
- Date: 2013-11
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53337 , vital:45139
- Description: Human resource is seen as one of the key organisational factors for business success. The latest focus in the business arena has been how talent can be optimised to improve business success. When one reflects and looks back from the 1940s to the 1980s, it is clear that HR was not seen as a business unit that could impact profitability. It is clear in the literature that from the 1900s HR has evolved to being a business partner and a catalyst to improving financial performance within organisations. This has predominately been driven by HR ensuring the attraction and retention of high potential employees who can contribute to profits. The study’s focal point is whether talent management components impact profitability. The selected talent management components for this study are namely talent strategy, talent recruitment, talent development, performance management, talent retention, and succession planning. A strong belief exist that poor implementation of talent management components impedes on companies reaching optimum profit levels. It is for this reason that this study will argue the importance of talent management components as a strategic obligation in the current competitive war for talent. Business reality demands that companies should ensure having current and future talent needs addressed if they want to stay competitive. The war for talent has led to companies fighting for high potential talent, not only through remuneration packages ,but taking into account other talent management components that encompasses aspects such as work-life balance, better performance management linked to rewards and incentives , challenging work, succession planning etc. The researcher took a view to have this study done within BCX who is an employer of the researcher. The hypothesis utilised is the application of talent management components as an approach and process to facilitate profitability within BCX. Research shows that most companies are taking talent management very serious and are fully aware of its impact to productivity and profitability. Businesses in the service industry identified that implementing talent management processes and approaches is vital to competitive edge and profitability. However many companies are still struggling to reach the real understanding of what it meant by talent management. The research data indicates that most respondents are fully aware of the importance of these components. However at BCX, either they are unaware, uncertain on some of the talent components within the company and are unsure of the existence of these components and their impact to profitability. The literature reviewed in chapter two deliberates talent management components assessed in the questionnaire as imperative in contributing to profitability. Business Connexion does not implement these components to the extent of success. However some of the components are well implemented and managed such as performance management. Managers at Business Connexion to some extent have conflicting views of how the company is implementing these components and on their impact to profitability. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMMU Business School, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2013-11
Employee Value Proposition (EVP) and employee engagement in a leading South African car rental company
- Authors: Mtati, Yanela
- Date: 2014-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53330 , vital:45134
- Description: The car rental industry in South Africa is a highly competitive sector. The industry’s players are constantly faced with the challenge of finding ways in which to enhance their competitiveness. One of the most important challenges for organisations operating in this industry is to deliver the best service to their customers, hence ensuring they retain customer loyalty, growth and securing future profitability. While a number of competitors may rely on various competitive strategies such as lower prices, it could become increasingly challenging for others to adopt similar approaches without comprising profitability. To overcome this challenge, together with Barloworld, Avis has implemented various employment engagement strategies with the aim of attracting, empowering, and retaining an engaged workforce. Research has shown that employees provide organisations with sustainable competitive advantage. More specifically, it has shown that engaged employees outperform disengaged employees. The differentiating factor for organisations in the pursuit of competitive advantage would therefore be an engaged workforce. In order to remain competitive, Avis realised that their employees area source of competitive advantage. In the year 2013, Avis packaged and introduced EVP as a human resources strategy towards winning an engaged workforce. Some of the objectives for taking on this strategy were to increase job satisfaction and motivation amongst employees and thus result in higher job performance. The main purpose of this study was to measure the impact that the introduction of EVP had on employee engagement at Avis. Introducing a structured EVP plan within this organisation was aimed to increase employee engagement and thus, this study aimed to measure the impact of this intervention. A literature review was conducted to expand on the various definitions of EVP, employee engagement and the elements that influence and impact these variables. This research revealed that engaged employees make positive contributions to key business outcomes such as financial performance, productivity and customer satisfaction. An empirical study was conducted by means of a survey with a questionnaire as data collecting tool. The purpose of the structured questionnaire was to validate the findings obtained from the theoretical overview and to assess employees’ perceptions of the EVP elements, engagement factors and the impact of engagement on the organisational success. The population comprised of 142employeesand 65% a response rate was obtained. The key findings of the study indicated that in general employees are engaged and committed to the vision of the organisation. It also indicated that the introduction of EVP improved the manner in which employees’ viewed their leaders and created a leadership culture that was conducive to the success of the organisation. Furthermore, the study validated the existence of a strong positive relationship between EVP, employee motivation, leadership culture, employee retention, compensation and employee engagement. This study provided direction and feedback in the organisation’s attempt to improve engagement levels and ultimately in the pursuit of competitive advantage. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMMU Business School, 2014.
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- Date Issued: 2014-12
Perceptions regarding corporate citizenship behaviour in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Muzvidziwa, Itai
- Date: 2015-03
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53396 , vital:45144
- Description: Corporate Citizenship (CC) has risen as a conspicuous term in the literature dealing with the social role of business. Citizenship‟s focal point is the rights and responsibilities of all members of the community. CC can be defined as the extent to which organisations undertake the compulsory economic, legal, ethical, and discretionary responsibilities imposed on them by their stakeholders. CC recognises organisations as legal persons with certain rights and responsibilities as members of a community. The upsurge in undertaking acts of social responsibility illustrates that CC tends to be a strategic measurement that investors use to consciously align ethical concerns with publicly held organisations. In Zimbabwe, some organisations have made some progress towards CC - yet a long journey lies ahead in promoting CC by both the private sector and the Government of Zimbabwe. Against this background, the following research question was addressed in this study: What are the perceptions regarding CC behaviour in Zimbabwe? This study has been motivated by the knowledge gap on CC as a dynamic and contextual response to internal and external environmental pressures and the shift in community expectations concerning the roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of businesses in Zimbabwe. The main objective of this study was to investigate perceptions regarding corporate citizenship behaviour in Zimbabwe. A hypothetical model shows various factors that may influence perceptions regarding CC behaviour in Zimbabwe. Three independent variables (internal factors, external factors and personal factors) were identified as variables that may influence perceptions regarding CC behaviour. The mediating variable (perceptions regarding CC behaviour) was also identified as a variable that have potential to affect the dependent variables (organisational performance, competitiveness, image and sustainability). Furthermore, seven null-hypotheses were developed to test the relationship between the independent, mediating and dependent variables. All these variables were clearly defined and operationalised with various items obtained from measuring instruments used in other similar studies. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2015-03
Perceptions and attitudes towards leadership styles and staff morale in Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury
- Authors: Tsheqane-Sonn, Nandipa
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Leadership --South Africa --Eastern Cape , Employee morale -- South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50731 , vital:42398
- Description: The Eastern Cape Provincial Government is comprised of 14 departments, including the Provincial Legislature, and ten (10) public entities. The legislative mandate of Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury (ECPT) is delegated by National Treasury to ensure transparency, accountability and sound financial controls in the management of public finances in accordance with the Constitution, PFMA and Treasury Regulations. The focus of the study is to investigate the perceived leadership style that exists at ECPT. Data was collected by means of a survey questionnaire which consisted of closed questions and distributed to a sample of employees at ECPT who hold positions for senior managers, middle managers and other employees outside these categories, such as administrative assistants. The following leadership styles were examined: Autocratic leadership style, Democratic leadership style, Laissez-faire leadership style and Transformational leadership style. The leadership styles were considered as dependent variables, including Intention to resign, while staff motivation was considered to be the dependent variable. Leadership is described as the social process of persuading people to work towards an institutional goal happily, enthusiastically and persistently. The results of the study revealed autocratic leadership was perceived as the most dominant style that exists at ECPT. Recommendations are made to management to pay attention to the autocratic leadership style as this style has been proven by researchers to have a negative effect on employee motivation. Motivation is described as the force within us that stimulates, directs and sustains our behaviour. The research study further explored the perceptions of employees on motivation. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory was explored as part of the motivation theories. Results based on this theory revealed that the Physiological needs of staff at ECPT are not met. These needs include biological needs such as water, food and air. Chapter 2 of the Constitution of South Africa states that everyone has the right to have access to sufficient food and water. In light of the constitutional requirements on human rights and legislative environment that ECPT operates in, it is recommended that management ensures employees have access to clean water and basic sanitation and accommodation, particularly in the working environment. McClelland’s needs ix theory revealed that staff at ECPT have a high need for achievement, moderate need for power and a low need for affiliation as respondents remained neutral on whether their needs for affiliation were met. It is recommended that management adopts initiatives such as team building, meeting teams regularly to communicate departmental strategies and to involve staff in decision-making and policy updates. The study confirms that when employees are motivated, they go the extra mile in fulfilling responsibilities and by ensuring that staff morale is considered and boosted, ECPT stands to benefit from a motivated workforce that will lead the department in excelling on its mandate of ensuring that the lives of the people of Eastern Cape are improved. It further adjudicates that the appropriate style of leadership is needed that will augment staff morale. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences , Business School, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-12
Rural enterprise development as a means to poverty alleviation
- Authors: Bodley, David Cyril
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49759 , vital:41797
- Description: South Africa’s disappointing economic performance over the last decade has resulted in a socio-economic crisis, with unemployment and inequality rates being of the highest rates anywhere in the world. Furthermore, unemployment is concentrated among the young, unskilled, and previously disadvantaged population posing a considerable threat to South Africa’s new democracy. Internationally, a method to absorb job seekers into the economy is to make small business the engine-room of economic growth and development. Consequently, the South African Government has identified in its National Development Plan the establishment of small businesses as a priority, including the development of small businesses in rural and marginalised communities. As rural communities in South Africa experience systemic problems such as the lack of infrastructure, financial capital, skills and potential markets, establishing enterprises in rural settings is often more complex than those more advanced parts of the economy elsewhere where fewer constraints exist. This makes the task of establishing and growing rural entities particularly challenging, suggesting bespoke policy and support is required. This study analyses the literature to gain an understanding of economic development theory and how this intersects with and informs small enterprise development policy. It then looks at South Africa’s strategy and policy framework pertaining to enterprise development. Specifically, the literature examines the role of rural enterprise development to establish whether this enables people to move out of poverty or further entraps people in poverty. The study collates data from a rural and marginalised community through observation and interview techniques. Firstly, multiple in-depth interviews were conducted with nineteen entrepreneurs in a rural community to collect data on business opportunities and explore the type of support entrepreneurs would require from government. Secondly, a focus group interview was conducted with entrepreneurs that had ii experienced institutional support to understand how well current policy and programmes support rural enterprise development. The primary data was analysed in conjunction with the literature on economic theory and enterprise development using the technique of triangulation to avoid logic leaps and formation of false assumptions. The insights and findings from the analysis reinforced certain facts within the body of knowledge pertaining to enterprise development, but there were also some interesting new insights that emanate from the data. South Africa has been able to introduce a wide range of policy initiatives and has multiple programmes and strategies to support small enterprise development. It has achieved firm success and impetus as well as experiencing certain failures. The study clearly highlights both and makes recommendations to improve policy promoting rural enterprise development as a means to alleviate poverty. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-12
The contribution of financial development to economic growth in BRICS countries
- Authors: Ruzive, Tafadzwa Mutsvedu
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Economic development -- BRIC countries , BRIC countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Doctorate's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57501 , vital:58028
- Description: Finance is a driver of growth, but only up to a certain extent. The debate about the influence of financial development on economic growth has been ongoing for more than a century. Since Schumpeter (1912) wrote about the happenings on Lombard Street, right up to the economists of today, there is growing interest in how financial development affects economic activity and hence economic growth. With economic growth gaining prominence in respect of development discourse, an inquiry into the finance-growth nexus has grown rapidly. The latest advances of the finance-growth nexus show a positive relationship between financial development and economic growth. However, in the face of recent financial crises and recessions, the validity of this conclusion has been put into doubt. In this regard, little research has been done globally pertaining to the limits of finance as a driver of growth globally, and within BRICS economies in particular. This research investigates the limits of the influence of financial development on economic growth in BRICS countries. Utilising indices of financial development in Panel Smooth Transition Regressions (PSTR), thresholds to the influence of finance on economic growth are identified for the stock market, the banking sector and financial inclusion initiatives undertaken in BRICS countries. The study found that economic growth is negatively related to stock market development at both low and high levels of stock market development; banking sector development is positively related to economic growth and total factor productivity at both low and high levels of banking sector development. Financial inclusion is positively related to economic growth at low levels of its development. This relationship becomes negative as financial inclusion initiatives grow larger. In a nutshell, stock market development should be pursued as a secondary economic growth policy, banking sector development should be spearheaded as a primary growth strategy. Financial Inclusion should be pursued as a primary growth driver until it reaches a point where it begins to detract from growth. The thresholds and speeds of transitions between low and high levels of financial development indicators should be considered as financial development targets and sequencing inputs for regional financial policy development in BRICS countries. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-12
A multiple case study exploration into community members’ ecopsychological responses to environmental degradation in South Africa
- Authors: Barnwell, Garret
- Date: 2021-03
- Subjects: Environmental psychology -- South Africa , Environmental degradation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54892 , vital:48377
- Description: The psychological impact of environmental degradation in South Africa and its impact on communities’ relationships to the natural world is an understudied area. This study’s main aim was to explore community members’ reactions and responses to different forms of environmental degradation in South Africa by analysing two case studies: Rustenburg in the North West province and Limpopo province’s Vhembe District. The qualitative case studies relied on emplaced individual and focus group interviews. The findings from this study are presented in this doctoral thesis by publication. The first case study of Rustenburg in the North West’s platinum mining belt was selected due to the extractive industry’s historical impact on the natural environment, which is interlinked with the identity and heritage of host mining communities who could be considered land and environmental defenders. Two publications have been published on this case study. The first article, Critical reflections from South Africa: Using the Power Threat Meaning Framework to place climate-related distress in its socio-political context, was published in the British Psychology Society’s Clinical Psychology Forum Special Issue: Psychology and the Climate and Environmental Crisis in August 2020 and provides a critical reflection on psychological distress in Rustenburg, and questions whether popular terms used, such as “climate anxieties”, are useful for communities confronted by ecological crises. The paper concludes that there is danger in the dehistoricisation and medicalisation of distress that is rooted in climate, land and environmental injustices. The paper sets the scene for papers to follow that examine the interrelationship between place attachments and psychological responses to environmental degradation associated with slow violence. The second article, ’Nothing green can grow without being on the land’: Mine-affected communities’ psychological experiences of ecological degradation and resistance in Rustenburg, South Africa, was published in Community Psychology in Global Perspective Special Issue: Communities reclaiming power and social justice in the face of climate change and presents a broad overview of psychological responses to ecological degradation associated with environmental injustices. The paper suggests that psychological distress is attributed to environmental injustices. Furthermore, the process of place severing – the psychological threats, harms and disruptions to place-based dialogues – contributes to distress experienced in extractive settings. The two articles in this case study concluded by demonstrating how community resistance plays a part in addressing cumulative ecological harms and restoring the ancestral relationship with place. The second case study in the Vhembe District was selected due to the community’s psycho-spiritual connection to the sacred sites in the area and the histories of environmental degradation in the area. Article three, ‘Mupo is life’: Intergenerational community identity and safeguarding of sacred natural sites is in press in the journal Ecopsychology. The paper found that place plays a role in shaping and transferring intergenerational community identities. Furthermore, Zwifho shape worldviews about Mupo, i.e. all of existence, that underpin land and environmental defenders’ responses to environmental degradation and place severing. The fourth article, “Restoring roots”: Lived experiences of place severing and dialogical resurgence associated with deforestation and land dispossession in Limpopo province, South Africa, is under review by AWRY: Journal of Critical Psychology. The article demonstrates that place severing is rooted in histories of colonialism and that distress is related to losses and cumulative ecological harm. Furthermore, the article shows how decolonial dialogical resurgence responds to the mechanisms that drive place severing. The fifth and final publication, Grounding community psychology in ecopsychosocial accompaniment, is a chapter that explores opportunities for community psychologists to accompany others, specifically in relationship with people who have experienced displacement and environmental justice struggles. Collectively, these four articles and book chapter present the first publications of a larger research study that spans two South African case studies and that should yield several more publications. These publications draw on critical psychologies, including decolonial theory, liberation psychology, critical community psychology and radical ecopsychology. Within this thesis, the journal articles and book chapter are consolidated by an overarching discussion chapter that situates these five publications within the context of existing literature, and describes how existing theory and methodology have been advanced. The study demonstrates the interconnectedness between histories of colonialism, land injustices and environmental degradation that contribute to intergenerational psychological distress. Grassroots community organising groups play a critical role in addressing the resulting cumulative environmental harms through place-based resistance and dialogical resurgence. Moreover, the study suggests that critical psychologies have important roles to play in supporting land and environmental justice struggles through critical research, evaluations and assessments, and litigation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-03
A baseline study of land tenure rights and livelihoods in the Amatole District in the context of proposed shale gas development
- Authors: Mmtsila, Mkhuseli
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52969 , vital:44869
- Description: Shale Gas Exploration (SGE) is one among various means that are seen as a solution to the energy crisis of the 21st century. In many first world countries, especially in America, Shale Gas Exploration (SGE) has been one of the energy sources that has been utilised along with other energy sources like coal as a means of moving towards a cleaner and more sustainable renewable energy source to reduce carbon emissions as it burns cleaner than coal. Shale Gas Development (SGD) is now gaining momentum around the world, including in the African continent and in particular, South Africa, which has shown potential for exploration. The recently discovered shale gas deposits in the Karoo region have drawn significant attention across the entire central region of the interior, including the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, a region often neglected in the discussion surrounding SGD as it falls within the far eastern corner of the existing areas under application for exploration. In the District, as in the Province as a whole, this has brought discussions around potential for development for the area and the country at large. Since the discovery of shale gas extracts in the Karoo, there has also been a heated debate in looking at Shale Gas Development (SGD) as one of the alternatives to coal within the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to be a part of a mixed resource plan for the country. The heated debate is based on anticipated environmental short run effects together with long-run impacts in comparison with the economic benefits that could bring about economic growth and development in the Eastern Cape and South Africa at large. The concerns around Shale Gas Development (SGD) make it difficult to exploit the resource due to scepticism of residents of the Amathole District Municipality, environmental organisations, NGOs and civil society, including land tenure rights as there is an unresolved land question in South Africa. The debate around the land question in South Africa is based on redressing the socio-economic imbalances that were caused by the historical land dispossessions and the apartheid system that disallowed the indigenous black majority land rights. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Department of Development Studies, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
A behaviour of South Africa’s economy towards inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) from BRICs economies
- Authors: Dingela, Siyasanga
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa , Investments, Foreign -- Developing countries , South Africa -- Economic conditions , BRIC countries -- Foreign economic relations
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51141 , vital:43212
- Description: This study investigated a behaviour of South Africa’s economy towards inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) from Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRICs) economies, during the period 1997 to 2016. The BRICs bloc was coined in 2001 by then chairperson of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Jim O’Neil. According to Goldman Sach (2001), the BRICs group was collectively expected to overtake the major economic powers over the span of a few decades. Their growth is expected to shape a new economic order and replace the currently dominant advanced economies. South Africa joined the BRICs bloc in 2010 as the jeweler of the world and as a gateway to Africa. It joined the BRICs group at the time when economic growth was at a sluggish rate, and the savings and investment were at the lowest rate. The country had a high unemployment rate, high levels of poverty and income inequality. On the other hand, the BRICs economies had limited intra-BRICs flows amongst themselves. It is against this background that this study investigated the long run impact of BRICs FDI inflows on South Africa’s economic growth, and the causality relationship between South Africa’s economic growth and BRICs FDI inflows. This study contributes to the body of knowledge of economics in South Africa and the literature on foreign direct investment and economic growth in South Africa. The study employed two cointegration methods to investigate the behaviour of South Africa’s economy towards inflows of foreign direct investment from BRICs economies. These are fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS). For granger causality, the study employed Stacked and Dumistrescu Hurlin tests. All the models used time series annual data from 1997 to 2016. The Unit root test results confirmed that the variables were stationary at first difference using panel Im, Pesaran, Shin (IPS) and Levin, Lin, Chu (LLC). The research employs four regressions, first, Economic growth and foreign direct investment (i.e. private sector, banking sector and both sectors), human capital, physical capital, household consumption, government expenditure, exports, and arable land; Second, Employment and foreign direct investment, human capital, physical capital, household consumption, government expenditure, exports, and arable land; third, Economic complexity and foreign direct investment, human capital, physical capital, household consumption, government expenditure, exports, and arable land; finally, Unemployment and foreign direct investment, human capital, physical capital, household consumption, government expenditure, exports, and arable land. The cointegration results for private FDI and economic growth, employment, economic complexity, and unemployment. The results show only economic complexity has significant effect on foreign direct investment and other variables show insignificant results. However, this effect is smaller compared to other growth determinants which are included in the regressions. The cointegration results for bank FDI. These results show more similarities with private FDI results and few differences. However, this effect is smaller compared to other growth determinants included in the regressions. These growth determinants, however, show a positive effect of human capital and household consumption on economic growth which is expected. Other interesting results are exports being positively related with economic growth and unemployment but negative with employment and insignificant with economic complexity. Another one is government spending negatively influence economic growth, employment and positively influence unemployment. But insignificant for economic complexity. Total FDI results and other variables. These results are also similar to private and bank FDI results discussed above. Economic complexity shows significant effect with foreign direct investment, yet other variables are insignificant. . Further results show human capital positively related with economic growth, which is expected. However, physical capital and household consumption negatively affects growth. Another one exports show positive influence on economic growth but negatively related with employment. Yet, insignificant with economic complexity and unemployment. Other results government spending shows negative influence with employment but insignificant with economic growth, economic complexity and unemployment. The results for nonlinearity between the variables under review. The results that employment and economic complexity are nonlinear with foreign direct investment and no nonlinearity between unemployment, economic growth and foreign direct investment. For employment, low levels of foreign direct investment (LFDI_private) adversely affects employment but at higher levels (FDI_private_SQ) is insignificant. For economic complexity, low levels of foreign direct investment are insignificant for economic complexity but at higher levels there is a positive effect of squared foreign direct investment on economic complexity. Further results show that economic growth and employment are nonlinear with human capital, physical capital, household consumption and exports. Physical capital and household consumption adversely affect economic growth, yet positively affects employment. Human capital positively affects economic growth, employment, and unemployment. Exports positively affect economic growth, but negatively affect employment. Further results show nonlinearity between employment and government expenditure. Government expenditure adversely affects employment. Also, economic growth and unemployment show nonlinearity with arable land. Arable land adversely affects economic growth but positively affects unemployment. Nonlinear results for economic growth and economic complexity with foreign direct investment but no nonlinearity in other remaining variables. For economic growth, low levels of foreign direct investment there is a positive effect of foreign direct investment on economic growth, however, at higher levels foreign direct investment are insignificant. For economic complexity, low levels of foreign direct investment are insignificant, yet, higher levels of foreign direct investment there is a positive influence of foreign direct investment on economic complexity. Further results show economic growth and employment that are nonlinear with human capital, physical capital, and household consumption. Human capital positively affects both economic growth and employment. Physical capital and household consumption are adversely affecting economic growth, yet positively affects employment. Further results show nonlinearity between economic growth and government expenditure. Government expenditure adversely affects employment. More results, employment, and unemployment show nonlinearity results with exports. Exports adversely affect employment but positively affects unemployment. Results show economic growth and unemployment that are nonlinear with arable land. Arable land adversely affects economic growth, but positively affect unemployment. Nonlinear results for economic complexity only and other variables show no nonlinearity in the regressions. For economic complexity, low levels of foreign direct investment are insignificant, but at higher levels of foreign direct investment there is positive effect of foreign direct investment on economic complexity. More results show economic growth and employment that are nonlinear with human capital, physical capital, household consumption and exports. Human capital and exports positively affect economic growth, employment, and unemployment. Whereas, physical capital and household consumption adversely affects economic growth and unemployment, yet positively affects employment. Further results show nonlinearity between employment and government expenditure. Government spending adversely affects employment. Further results show nonlinearity between economic growth and unemployment with arable land. Arable land positively affects unemployment, yet adversely affects economic growth. The following section discusses granger causality results. This study also employed granger causality tests. The causality results between economic growth, employment, economic complexity, unemployment, and private foreign direct investment. The causality results show that there is granger causality between economic growth and economic complexity with private foreign direct investment. Whereas, between bank foreign direct investment and other variables there is no granger causality. However, between total foreign direct investment and economic growth and employment there is granger causality. There are a number of policy recommendations that can be drawn from the study. The study results in overall revealed that BRICs (private and bank) FDI inflows had a positive impact on South Africa’s economic growth between 1997 and 2016. The study results suggest that the policy makers should focus the attention on lobbying foreign direct investment from BRICs economies, since this study shows positive impact and relationship between South Africa’s economic growth and BRICs FDI inflows. The BRICs economies should focus on enhancing investment partnership, preventing protectionism, and promoting intra-BRICS flows. In addition, South Africa should eliminate barriers affecting business with BRICs countries. Policy makers should promote the building of new companies (for example Greenfield Investment) so that the economy of South Africa could grow and create employment. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Economics, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
A causal analysis to investigate low production efficiency in the tyre manufacturing industry in South Africa
- Authors: Bruinders, Bramwill Bertram
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Industrial efficiency , Production management , Lean manufacturing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50977 , vital:43177
- Description: The evolution of tyre manufacturing in South Africa went back to the early 1930s and matured technologically, becoming automated in the 1960s. The tyre industry in South Africa is worth approximately R30bn per annum and is one of the major supporting industries for domestic vehicle manufacturers. The local industry manufactures only 11 million tyres but can manufacture 18 million tyres per annum. The tyre industry thus plays a crucial role in South Africa’s economic development. Consumers are opting to buy cheaper imported tyres even though tyres are essential purchases. Therefore, the major tyre manufacturers must compete against an estimated 200 importers of various brands, most from China and Japan. The excess local capacity and increasing volume of imports put the local tyre manufacturers under severe pressure to grow their market share, reduce operational cost and achieve economies of scale. The study’s general objective was to conduct a root cause analysis of South African tyre manufacturers’ underlying issues resulting in low production efficiencies. This study used critical manufacturing principles such as traceability, knowledge of lean principles, lean implementation challenges, Total Quality Management, organisational buy-in, waste and rework and maintenance planning that constitute tools of lean practices. These principles provided an opportunity to adopt efficient manufacturing practices in tyre manufacturing companies and help organisations identify improvement areas. A questionnaire was developed and distributed electronically to 93 respondents employed in the tyre manufacturing industry in South Africa. The study addressed product traceability, investigated the quality measures in place, and examined the influence of the workforce’s attitude and morale on productivity, and determined management’s influence on decision-making. The key findings indicated that traceability, lean implementation challenges and organisational buy-in played a significant role in improving production efficiency. Recommendations were made to management to ensure that they lead by example and enhance these key constructs to foster their growth. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business Administration , 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
A comparative analysis of the taxation of lease transactions in South Africa, Australia, and Nigeria
- Authors: Galada, Khayalethu
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Tax accounting -- South Africa , Tax accounting -- Australia , Tax accounting -- Nigeria , Taxation -- South Africa Taxation -- Australia Taxation -- Nigeria Accounting
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51428 , vital:43274
- Description: This treatise compared the tax treatment of lease transactions in South Africa, Australia, and Nigeria from both the lessor and lessee perspective. The analysis revealed that there are similarities and differences in the tax treatment of lease transactions between South Africa, Australia, and Nigeria. In particular, one major difference was that unlike Nigeria, South Africa and Australia have not aligned the income tax treatment of lease transactions with the accounting treatment of lease transactions in terms of IFRS 16. Consequently, the research concludes that certain parts of the tax treatment of lease transactions in South Africa may be deemed to be inadequate as a result of the misalignment between the income tax and accounting treatment of lease transactions and the inconsistency between the income tax and VAT treatment of lease transactions. This research proposes that the South African income tax treatment of lease transactions be revised by aligning the income tax treatment of lease transactions with the accounting treatment of lease transactions for simplicity purposes, and that the inconsistency between the income tax treatment and the value-added tax of lease transactions be eliminated. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Accounting, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
A framework for an integrated transport system towards improving public transport efficiency in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Dlepu, Anele Lunga
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Intelligent transportation systems , Transportation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Transportation -- Planning
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51165 , vital:43214
- Description: The main objective of this study was to develop a framework for an Integrated Transport System towards improving public transport efficiency in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The study was conducted against a background of a noticeably disjointed transport system in the BCMM. Among several others, the key attributing factors include rapid urban expansion, urbanization and sharp rise in the volume of traffic. The preliminary chapter of this study presented objectives which sought to address the economic and social costs associated with the disintegrated transport system. This study has been divided into seven chapters, with three of them comprising of literature review. The first chapter gives a background about the South African public transport system, covering transport regulations and legislation including an overview of the public transport system in the BCMM. The second chapter provided an overview of the transport system in South Africa, including the profile and comparison with other countries. In the third chapter, literature on transport integration has been explored, touching on the nodes and corridor development concepts, together with the integrated transit systems. Importantly, the literature analysis section discusses challenges inhibiting transport integration and the effective strategies for improving integration efforts. For the research methodology the interpretivist paradigm has been followed, necessitating the adoption of a qualitative research approach. This research used the qualitative data collection method, together with thematic analysis. Primary Data was collected by means of an unstructured questionnaire distributed to respondents electronically and the views captured in this study were from respondents in the Traffic Department, Traffic Police Department, the Local Municipality and Taxi Associations. The research leads to the findings that there is a need for a review of the urban transport policy, the reconstruction of urban roads and an investment in appropriate transport integration technology. This study also articulates that the urban sprawl in Buffalo City Metro is a serious cause for concern with regard to transport management. It further recommends that there must be a better coordination between the various transport management departments. Finally a recommendation is made that mini-bus taxis be done away with, as means of transport. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business Administration, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
A framework for public infrastructure financing in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Kapesa, Tonderai
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Finance, Public -- Accounting -- Standards , Accounting -- Standards , Finance -- Zimbabwe , Infrastructure (Economics) -- Zimbabwe -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51688 , vital:43363
- Description: The Government of Zimbabwe is operating using the mantra: ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’. The notion of opening for business requires robust supporting economic infrastructure for enhanced productivity, in the form of reliable supply of electricity, accessible road/railway transport networks and availability of contemporary Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure. The aim of the study was to develop a framework for making financing decisions for public infrastructure in Zimbabwe. The objectives of the study are to: determine the main sources of public infrastructure financing in Zimbabwe; establish innovative finance’s capacity to close the public infrastructure financing gap in Zimbabwe; assess the role played by public-sector accounting in attracting appropriate and efficient mechanisms to finance public infrastructure in Zimbabwe; and ultimately to develop and recommend a framework for selecting suitable and efficient mechanisms to finance public infrastructure in Zimbabwe. According to literature reviewed, public infrastructure is broadly financed by public sector entities using their own resources (internally financed) or through private sector investments and innovative financing instruments (externally financed). When infrastructure is internally financed, the study is theoretically guided by the Public Goods Theory and the Theory of Public Finance and Public Policy. When externally financed, the Risk Return and Pecking Order theories are important. There are many instruments used to finance public infrastructure and one project may be financed using one or more instruments. Therefore, considerations are given to the need for a framework that helps improve the efficiency of the financing decision. The study was designed as a multiple case study that focused on four sectors of economic infrastructure, that is, transport, energy (electricity), ICT as well as water and sanitation. The research used synchronous mixed methods to achieve the objectives of the study. Qualitative research methods addressed the following objectives: a) to determine the main sources of public infrastructure financing in Zimbabwe; b) to establish innovative finance’s capacity to close the public infrastructure financing gap in Zimbabwe; and c) to assess the role played by public-sector accounting in attracting appropriate and efficient mechanisms to finance public infrastructure in Zimbabwe. Whilst to develop and recommend a framework for selecting suitable and efficient mechanisms to finance public infrastructure in Zimbabwe the study combined qualitative and quantitative research methods. Qualitative data was collected through interviews conducted with officials and staff from government ministries, government departments, as well as parastatal enterprises dealing with the four infrastructure types. The same respondents were asked to complete a survey questionnaire used to address part of the objective that developed a framework for public infrastructure financing. Interview data were triangulated using secondary data extracted from reports and financial statements. Some of the secondary data was collected from the World Bank’s development indicators online repository. Qualitative data analysis was done using RQDA, an open-source computer-aided data analysis software. Findings from the study revealed that the main sources of finance for public infrastructure in Zimbabwe are the government through budget appropriations, and concessionary loans from the China Export-Import Bank. There was also finance obtained from multilateral financial institutions such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the African Export-Import Bank. The study revealed that there is currently very limited use of innovative financing instruments such as PPPs in financing public infrastructure in Zimbabwe, despite the country having legislation to support such financing arrangements. The innovations in financing observed in the study entail the use of conventional financing mechanisms in unconventional ways. However, there is scope for improving the financing of public infrastructure using innovative financing mechanisms and significantly mitigate the financing gap. Public sector accountants in Zimbabwe are mainly active in financial reporting, although the financial statements for most ministries, government departments and parastatal enterprises had qualified audit opinions from the Auditor General’s office. Public sector accountants are not active in financial management and cost and management accounting responsibilities. As a result, public sector accountants are not adding value to public money through offering advisory services in the efficient investment of public money, as well as financing public infrastructure assets using the most efficient financing mechanism. There is no uniformly applied framework when making financing decisions for public infrastructure in Zimbabwe. Therefore, a framework was developed and is recommended for use by this study. The developed framework entails eight steps that are interrelated and interconnected. Use of the proposed framework requires availability of data about infrastructure projects that have been done in the past. The study recommends that Zimbabwe should ensure a robust framework for protecting private sector investments, which can be achieved by ensuring policy consistency; creating and implementing a legal framework that protects private capital; and having economically viable infrastructure sectors, that are liberalised to allow private sector participation. The Government of Zimbabwe must take deliberate actions that ensure variety of financing options at the disposal of the public sector to lower costs of financing public infrastructure. It is also important to fully operationalise the legislation and policies designed to facilitate the participation of the private sector in financing public sector projects. Such operationalisation entails a decentralisation of the regulations and policies to the provincial and municipal levels. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Accounting, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
A framework for the successful management of the service suppliers in the public sector in South Africa
- Authors: Fudu, Anele George
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Management , Business logistics , Government business enterprises -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51411 , vital:43272
- Description: The Public sector outsources the service to the private service suppliers through tendering and the awarding of contracts to the successful service providers. There is a lot of money budgeted and spent on service providers; therefore, there is a great need to manage the service providers successfully, in order to deliver a reliable service to the community; and to reduce the cost thereof. The study focused on the successful management of the service suppliers, in order to deliver contract deliverables. Poor performance of the service providers might well lead to schedule overruns, contract over-expenditure and contract cancellations. Inadequate performance management causes service suppliers not to perform at their optimum level. The study aimed to contribute to the development of the framework for performance management of the service suppliers in the public sector in South Africa. The primary objectives of the study were to investigate and develop a framework for managing and enhancing the performance of the service suppliers in the public sector. More specifically, the study investigated the influence of scope of work, a contract strategy, performance management, risk management and change management. The study sought to formulate a structured and practical approach on how to manage service suppliers to the public sector. The study will seek to understand what influences the success for the win-win approach in the Public Sector and Services Suppliers – so that both parties can see themselves as partners in the delivery of the services. The sample consists of 70 employees across all the public sector in South Africa, which consists of national government, provincial municipalities, district municipalities, local government and State-owned companies. The study targeted those respondents involved in the management of the service suppliers to the public study. The empirical results show that the management of the service providers’ performance in the public sector is critical to the service delivery and the management of the final cost. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business Administration, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
A framework to integrate social entrepreneurship into development planning in South Africa
- Authors: Nwauche, Sokeibelemaye
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52982 , vital:44881
- Description: The thesis presents a framework to integrate social entrepreneurship (SE) into development planning in South Africa. Even though there is no consensus on a universally accepted definition of the term, there is concurrence that SE brings about social change that can influence the overall development of the community. In South Africa, SE is thus conceived of as one of the mechanisms for addressing the wicked and persistent socio-economic challenges that face the country. Social entrepreneurship occurs in areas such as education, health, skills development, youth programmes, rehabilitation, safety, food security, poverty, job creation, human rights activism, environmental issues, arts and culture, among others. However, it remains unclear how SE is integrated into the development planning and implementation processes. Questions of integrating SE into development planning are asked within the context of South Africa as a democratic developmental state that intervenes in the development process. It emphasises the mobilization of and engagement with all sectors towards the achievement of its development objectives as articulated in the national development plan (NDP). Also, government recognizes organizations in the social enterprise sector (such as NPOs and NPCs) as stakeholders and development partners who deliver relevant services towards the achievement of these development objectives. However, there is a lack of framework to mobilize and integrate the social enterprise sector and SE into the development planning process. Social entrepreneurship, therefore, tends to occur in insolation from other development programmes. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
A framework to measure employee engagement at Stefanutti Stocks RPM Business Unit
- Authors: Maher, Theresa
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53315 , vital:45142
- Description: Work gratification and expectancies are of the utmost importance to the skilled workforce in the South African construction industry. The price paid for a demotivated workforce in this industry is very high and it leads to friction in the workplace, displeasing work outcomes and time delays. Furthermore it leads to increased incidences of theft,absenteeism and outputs that arebelow standard in terms of productivityand thequality of the work.In order to motivate the workforce in the construction industry,a day-by-day, step-by-step,hands-on approachmust be used. The aforesaid aids site managers to manage effectively and this in turn leads to an increase in production by way of enhanced productivity. Research shows that a correlationbetweenmotivation, excelling at work, improved productivity and fulfilment and expectancyexist. The reason why individuals act in a specific manner and choose not to act in a certain way can be directly linked totheirmotivation and engagement.As a member ofthe construction industry in South Africa, Stefanutti Stocks isseen as one of the leading construction groups. Employing more than 12 000 workers it has the ability to provide a wide variety of different scale projects for a host of clients in varied markets. The division concentrated on in this study is the Roads, Pipelines and Mining Services (RPM)Business Unit. The MD of the RPM Business Unit when starting at the company a few years ago came to the conclusion that in order for the RPM Business Unit to function optimally certain business inconsistencies regarding employee engagement needed to be addressed. Based on this he decided to use a consulting firm, AIM,to establish what the exact concernswere and what interventions wererequired to deal with them. ivInterventions facilitatedby AIM includedManagement Training Programmes and Workshops as well as one-on-one coaching sessions with selected individuals.The methodology used in this study was to measurethe current level of employee engagement subsequent toengagement interventionsconcludedby AIM.The approach used was the use of surveys distributed through AIM in conjunction with the RPM Business Unit’sHR Department. The surveys were distributed via Survey Monkey Software owned by the RPM Business Unit of Stefanutti Stocks. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMMU Business School, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
A model for smart factories in the consumer health sector
- Authors: Nherera, Bruce
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52959 , vital:44879
- Description: The manufacturing sector, globally, is facing significant challenges due to current societal, economic, environmental, and technological developments. To overcome the challenges into the future, manufacturing organisations will need new capabilities to manage their end to end supply chains to make sure that it is responsive and agile. The Smart factories, as an element of Industry 4.0, drive efficient operations while at the same time ensure that employees are safe, and operations are environmentally sustainable. The ability to be flexible, to be reconfigured and to be connected to customers allows Smart factories to mass customise their customers’ orders and maintain the same efficiencies when compared to mass production operations. Technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) in Smart factories must be employed to further drive efficiencies, agility and ease of production by giving operations the capability to respond in real time to problems with machines and customer requests. Smart factory technology allows operational sustainability through the efficient use of resources. The Smart factory revolution is significantly changing the relationship between humans and machines. Based on the literature review conducted, a theoretical model was constructed which was tested at a Consumer Health Organisation to identify the relationship between the dependent and independent factors. The independent factors, specified in the model were job security, organisation culture, training and skills, trust, costs and resources, parent company and standards. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
A model for smart ports in developing countries
- Authors: Mcetywa, Kwazelela
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Harbors --Design and construction , Harbors-- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56012 , vital:54632
- Description: South African Ports have made a commendable effort in improving productivity through technology and they compete reasonably well with ports in other developing countries. However, sufficient research about the factors that affect the adoption of smart ports and associated benefits have not been adequately explored in South Africa and in other developing countries. The consequence is that ports are faced with high levels of inefficiency, deteriorating logistical performance, poor port productivity, high transport costs and truck congestion. Therefore, the study focuses on determining and evaluating factors that affect the adoption of the smart port’s concept in developing countries in order to improve port productivity and efficiency. A proposed conceptual Smart Port model was developed based on an in-depth review of literature on smart ports, covering both national and international research. The study follows a quantitative research approach and is based on positivism. The sampling frame of the study was limited to 1,350 employees and managers in South African ports. The data was collected from South African port’s employees via an email survey, using an embedded questionnaire. The data collected from a total number of 197 participants were analysed statistically. The confirmed model for smart ports in developing countries shows statistically and practically that a smart port is dependent on operations technology, environmental management, energy consumption, safety and security, integration, infrastructure and equipment and a skilled workforce. One of the key study learnings from the study is that ports should adopt the smart port targeted initiatives in order to transition into smart ports. The developed Smart Port model can be used as a broad guideline to inform ports in South Africa and in other developing countries about the fundamental elements of an ideal port in order to improve their efficiency, competitiveness and to stimulate their growth and profitability. The study is viewed as a success in that it provides the port industry in both developed and developing countries with a deliberate and clearly defined Smart Port model structure, which did not exist before. A follow-on longitudinal study to determine the impact of the changing technologies on the smart ports is recommended among others as a future research opportunity. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
A systematic review of research into working capital management in South Africa
- Authors: Watson, Storm Brandon
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52995 , vital:44906
- Description: This study is set out to apply mixed methods approach to a systematic review of research into working capital management in South Africa. Research into working capital management has primarily focused on the effect it has on a business’s profitability, liquidity and performance. There is, however, limited research on the topic working capital management in South Africa and, as such, the primary objective of this study is to review research outputs on working capital management in South Africa. The purpose is to identify research gaps in the current body of knowledge by means of the development of a recommendation’s framework. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
An analysis of the employability of civil engineering graduate technicians
- Authors: Ikudayisi, Akinola Mayowa
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Job hunting , Career development , Labor market
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51578 , vital:43312
- Description: In South Africa, a severe shortage of professional engineers exists compared to the international benchmark of an average population per engineer. This shortage is one of the major causes of poor service and utility delivery at the municipal level. In addition, there is an insufficient number of competent engineers available for ongoing projects. Hence, there is a critical shortage of experienced, engineering professionals, particularly mid-career engineers to be responsible for production works. As a result, Universities of Technology (UoT) were tasked and authorised to train engineering professionals. From research, it was discovered that most of the Civil Engineering Graduate Technicians (CEGT) failed to acquire and develop relevant and essential industry skills during their engineering programme. This makes it difficult for them to be employed in the engineering workplaces. The departments of civil engineering in some South African universities have not evaluated the quality of the education of their CEGT and their employability to work in the engineering industry. This research therefore aims to measure the employability and quality of education of Civil Engineering Graduate Technicians from some South African universities by investigating the experiences of civil engineering alumni and employers of graduates in the engineering industry. This is to determine if the graduate technicians are provided and equipped with relevant industry competencies and skills set to meet the industry’s expectation. An online survey which contains 89 closed-ended questions was designed to allow alumni and their employers assess the standard of education of graduates and industry competence acquired during their engineering programmes. The Universal Resource Link (URL) to the online questionnaire was sent to a sample of 600 respondents using a web-based survey approach. Only seventeen percent of the targeted population completed the survey and that makes 102 respondents in this study. A conceptual model that measures the employability of Civil Engineering Graduate Technicians was also developed. The data gathered was statistically analysed. Varying descriptive and inferential statistics were explored, such as frequency distributions, central measure, dispersion measure, the Cronbach alpha coefficient test, one-sample t-tests, Cohen’s d, Pearson’s product moment correlation, ANOVA, MANOVA, ranking indices and lastly, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). The EFA was employed to ensure the construct validity of the instrument and to identify items which should be removed. Each of these statistics cumulatively performs an empirical evaluation of the Civil Engineering Graduate Technician employability model. From the result of the data analysis, the hypothesised model identified the following factors as having an influence on the employability of Civil Engineering Graduate Technicians: Knowledge Gained, Academic Staff Teaching, Engineering Design Ability, Individual and Teamwork Ability, Participation of each Student, Infrastructure Provided, Problem Solving Skills, Professional and Technical Communication Skills, Workplace Practices, Encouragement in School and Essentiality of Creativity and Innovation. These eleven independent factors from Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient were all found to possess good internal reliability. They all exert a significant positive effect on employability. Additionally, managerial recommendations, limitations to the study and a call for future research were discussed. If these recommendations are implemented, UoTs and employers in the civil engineering industry should be successful in producing work-ready civil engineering technicians. Having these recommendations implemented is fundamental to creating innovative and skilled technicians and engineers in the engineering industry, who can adapt to market changes. Of the competencies assessed, “Individual and Teamwork ability” received the highest and “Infrastructure provided” the lowest rating. Overall, the results indicate that employers are reasonably satisfied with the competencies of Civil Engineering Graduate Technicians but point to the need for the strengthening of “Engineering design ability”, “Professional and technical communication skills” and “Infrastructure provided” competencies within the curriculum of the Diploma programme. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business Administration, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04