The personal financial management attitudes and practices of South African rugby players
- Authors: Acker, Enrico
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Rugby football players -- South Africa -- Finance, Personal Finance, Personal -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11363 , vital:26915
- Description: When rugby became professional in 1995, both the game and the social and financial position of the players changed (Basson, 2003). Players started to train full-time and earned annual salaries (Goldman& Johns, 2009). Due to the transition from amateur to professional status, rugby players needed to make adequate personal financial management decisions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the personal financial management attitudes and practices of South African rugby players. Previous research about personal financial management largely focussed on the general public, and did not focus on South African rugby players. Rugby is a professional sport where players earn money from a young age. It is expected of rugby players to make adequate personal financial decisions from as early as 19 years old. The literature review provided an overview of personal financial management and a discussion on the various components that should be included in personal financial management. A framework for this study was developed. The framework used these components as the base for the personal financial attitudes and practices and how it relates to the demographics of the respondents. Three hypotheses were also formulated based on the literature overview and framework. The objectives of this study were achieved by adopting a quantitative research methodology. A convenience sample of 132 rugby players was drawn for this study. Rugby players from NMMU Madibaz, Eastern Province Rugby Union (EP), South Western Districts Rugby Union (SWD) and Sharks Rugby Union participated in this study. The results of the empirical survey showed that respondents have positive attitudes towards the importance of budgeting, retirement planning, risk management, debt management and investment and the importance of employing a financial planner. On the other hand the personal financial management practices of the respondents in this study can be described as weak. From the results of the empirical survey it is clear that the respondents have weak practices towards the majority of the personal financial management practices. Only one of the three hypotheses was accepted namely that there is a relationship between the demographics of rugby players and their personal financial practices. There is no relationship between personal financial management attitudes and personal financial management practices of South African rugby players and that there is also no relationship between demographic variables and personal financial management attitudes of South African rugby players. This study has provided insight into the personal financial management attitudes and practices of South African rugby players. Valuable information was obtained that could help to address the personal financial management needs of rugby players.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The taxability of rewards from suppliers
- Authors: Akoonjie, Ahmed Hassen
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Taxation -- South Africa Industrial procurement -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11253 , vital:26902
- Description: Successful business in today’s competitive climate thrives on building relationships with one’s suppliers, clientele and employees. Businesses, as a form of strategic engagement, extend their appreciation and recognition to these key role players with rewards (or incentives) such as prizes, holidays and free goods and/or services. This treatise examines the taxation implications of such rewards and determines that the market value thereof should be taxed in the hands of their recipients. This study also investigates possible indicators (or points of reference) to establish such market value and suggests alternate values that may be ascribed thereto for inclusion in the recipient’s gross income. Where the rewards are passed onwards by the recipient to its employees, fringe benefit consequences are occasioned and this study observes that the market value thereof should be taxed in the employees’ hands. The study goes on further to consider the position of the supplier (or provider) of the rewards and finds that the supplier is entitled to a deduction of the cost of the rewards it has provided to its clients or customers. This study also reflects upon the penal implications of not including the market value of rewards in gross income and notes that such non-inclusion constitutes a fiscal loss and is subject to an understatement penalty. Key recommendations on how such omission may be addressed by the tax authorities are also presented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Valuing preferences for freshwater inflows into selected Western and Southern Cape estuaries
- Authors: Akoto, William
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Estuarine ecology -- South Africa , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa , Estuaries -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8992 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/915 , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa , Estuaries -- South Africa
- Description: An estuary is the last stage of a river. It is where the river meets the sea. Estuaries are one of the most significant features of the South African coastline. In recent years, South Africa has witnessed an increase in the demand for freshwater for both industrial and domestic purposes. At the same time, there has been a gradual deterioration of river systems and their catchments. To add to this, there has been a gradual reduction in the amount of recorded rainfall, which is the primary source of freshwater for rivers. This has resulted in decreased freshwater inflow into estuaries, a situation which poses a serious threat to the biological functioning of these estuaries and the services rendered to its recreational users. A deterioration of estuary services reduces the yield for subsistence households and their appeal for recration. This study uses the contingent valuation method as its primary methodology to elicit users' willingness-to-pay to reduce the negative impacts of reduced freshwater inflow into selected western and southern Cape estuaries. Eight estuaries were selected for this study; the Breede, Duiwenhoks, Great Berg, Kleinemond West, Mhlathuze, Swartvlei and Olifants estuaries. The contingent valuation (CV) method is widely used for studies of this nature because of its ability to capture active, passive and non-use values. The CV method involves directly asking people how much they would be willing to pay for specific environmental services. In this case, users were asked what they would be willing to pay to sustain freshwater inflows into selected estuaries in order to prevent the negative impacts of reduced inflows. The travel cost method (TCM) was uesed to generate an alternative comparative set of values for the purposes of convergence testing. This is because convergence testing is highly desirable as a validity test for CV estimates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Factors influencing consumer decision-making process in the private health institutions
- Authors: Akponah, Voke Blessing
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Consumer behavior Decision making , Public-private sector cooperation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50033 , vital:41993
- Description: The development that has taken place in the health care sector includes all factors that have brought changes in the consumer decision-making process regarding the private health institutions. In Nigeria, the development is evident in the delivery of the health care services. This indicates that the private health institutions deliver quality health care service by using efficient and quality medical equipment. However, there is a growing awareness among clients to perform an extensive search before the purchase of health care service and the increased expectation from health care quality by clients and their family. The change in consumer behaviour has caused a shift in the consumer decision-making process due to the availability of several sources of information and various health institutions they can choose from. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influence the consumer decision-making process that can enhance customer satisfaction and reduce cognitive dissonance. In this study the behaviour of consumers is related to how they make decisions along several stages before they make a purchase and in a health care setting the decision-making process refers to the process that clients pass through in making choices on alternative health institutions. The quantitative research method was adopted in this study in describing, analysing and interpreting data. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect primary data from 450 respondents in Lagos state, Nigeria. The primary data was statistically analysed using five stages, namely, exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach‟s alpha reliability testing, descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis. The empirical results of this study indicates that service encounter experience, personal income and support sources are significantly related to the decision-making process. The decision-making process also has significant positive relationship with both customer satisfaction and cognitive dissonance. This indicates that influential factors that have been identified through the empirical results enlighten researchers and the private health institutions on issues that influence the clients‟ decisions to utilise private health institutions. The well-being and satisfaction of clients will be enhanced if the private health institutions can craft effective strategies that will enable clients to gain easy access and utilise health care services. This study emphasised that access to and utilisation of health care services in the private health institutions can be granted to clients through personal income and support sources from family members and private health institutions. Futhermore, health insurance coverage is an effective way that will help clients overcome the financial constraints and restricted access to and utilisation of private health institutions. The study further reveals that the well-being and satisfaction of clients will be enhanced if private health institutions improve access to quality health care. Failure to improve the overall quality and performances of the health care services in the private health institutions can lead to clients‟ cognitive dissonance. Both private and public health institutions should play a major role in providing the necessary facilities that can assist the clients in their decision-making process regarding their health care needs. This will enable the health care institutions‟ staff to understand what clients value and need and, therefore, how well to satisfy them and reduce cognitive dissonance. Easy access and utilisation of the private health institutions as well as satisfaction in quality health care delivery will create better health outcomes for the workforce and citizens of a country and this will improve economic development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Financial literacy and behaviour among the black community in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Antoni, Xolile Lucas
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Finance, Personal , Investments -- Psychological aspects , Investments -- Decision making
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9315 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020027
- Description: South Africa has a poor savings culture. This means that South Africans do not save enough income for a later stage resulting in a relative large number of South African consumers living in debt and using more credit than what they have saved. Almost half of the South African consumers were in debt during the year 2010 and had a negative credit record. Thus consumers in South Africa are not living only in poor conditions but are also open to exploitation by the informal economy. Lenders in the informal economy are known as ‘loan sharks’ because they charge consumers interest rates of between 40 and 60 percent. This is because low income consumers have less access to savings products and credit facilities from the formal economy. These factors are more prevalent among the black consumers, as they use informal credit providers. The sources of credit for black consumers in the informal market are social networks such as friends and family. Furthermore, black consumers have low levels of knowledge regarding issues such as bad debts. Black consumers are also more likely to experience financial problems than other racial groups. This means that black consumers may need to improve their levels of financial knowledge, financial skills and adopt positive financial attitudes to manage their financial problems without obtaining more debt. Thus, financial education may be the way of ensuring that black consumers improve their financial decision-making ability and their financial behaviour. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between financial literacy, financial inclusion and financial behaviour among the black community in Nelson Mandela Bay. To achieve the purpose of this study, a literature review was conducted on financial literacy, financial education, financial inclusion and financial behaviour. This was followed by an empirical investigation to establish the relationships between financial literacy, financial inclusion and financial behaviour. In this study, a quantitative research approach was adopted as necessitated by the purpose of this study and also to be able to collect a vast amount of perceptions from the black community. The sample of this study consisted of low to middle income black consumers living in Nelson Mandela Bay.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Trends and volatility in residential property prices in South Africa
- Authors: Anyikwa, Izunna Chima
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Housing -- Prices -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9012 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018221
- Description: This study sought to empirically investigate trends and volatility in residential property prices in South Africa using quarterly data over the period 1980Q1 to 2011Q4. The empirical analysis uses a range of unit root and stationarity tests as well as a number of ARCH-family of models. The results from the trend analysis suggest that the behaviour of house prices in South Africa follows a random walk process. The randomness in the behaviour of house prices could be attributed to permanent effect of shock. Investigation into the dynamic behaviour of the house prices supports the existence of conditional volatility that is time-varying and highly persistent. Moreover, volatility is found to be asymmetric in news suggesting evidence of anti-leverage effects. These findings have important portfolio implications especially, considering the fact that large-scale losses are possible if house prices exhibit the type of persistent in behaviour as captured in this study. Also, the existence of asymmetric effects in volatility suggests that more caution needs to be placed on news arrival as they may have significant impacts on the house price behaviour. Accordingly, this study suggests the need for residential property market to be treated like other asset markets with regards to risk.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Analysis of calendar effects and market anomalies on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange
- Authors: Atsin, Achiapo Jessica Lisette
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Stock exchanges -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Stocks -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9028 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020372
- Description: This study sought to empirically investigate the existence of calendar effects and market anomalies on the JSE using monthly and daily closing prices of the ALSI, Top 40, Mid Cap and Small Cap index; as well as, daily closing prices on the Value, Growth and Dividend Plus index during the sample period 2002 – 2013. The anomalies analysed are the January effect, the weekend effect, the size effect, the value effect, and the dividend yield effect. The empirical analysis uses a number of MSAR with a different number of regimes and lag orders. The results from the investigation of the January effect show the non-existence of the January effect and the value effect on the JSE during the periods 2002 – 2013 and 2004 – 2013, respectively. However, the weekend effect was found significant in the Mid Cap and the Small Cap index, and the size effect was also found significant during the same period 2002 - 2013. Finally the results from a Granger causality test concluded that there is a relationship between the returns on the Dividend Plus index and the ALSI, effectively proving the existence of the dividend yield effect on the JSE between 2006 and 2013. Additionally, the anomalies found imply the opportunity for investors to make returns above buy-and-hold.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Development finance in small and medium enterprises in Matjhabeng Municipality
- Authors: Babalola, Oluwanifesimi Omolade
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Finance , Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9187 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020215
- Description: It has been generally accepted within the developed and developing countries of the world that SMES contributes significantly to employment creation as the world population increases and that it also contributes to the economic growth of the areas they are situated in. Finance is the blood (life) of any business, for a business to be successful it needs steady successful access to funds and post financial support which leads to actualization of ideas, leads to investment and expansion, improves access to market amongst others. This is why the impact of development finance can never be over emphasized. The aims of the study are: To understand the extent to which small and medium businesses are supported through the availability of financial assistance in Matjabeng Municipality. To establish the survival rates of businesses that has been funded and or supported and whether they are or not sustainable. In achieving the aims and objectives of the research, the researcher looked at development funds both from the supply side and the demand side. The supply side which involved semi structured interviews with consultants of government parastatals (the FDC and DETEA) who are involved in financing Small Medium Enterprises in Matjhabeng municipality. The demand side involved administering of questionnaires to Entrepreneurs in the municipality who are registered with the Local Economic Department (LED), which led to the acceptance of the hypothesis of the research that development finance actually helps in the growth of small medium enterprises but in conjunction with post financial support such as bookkeeping, accounting, monitoring and evaluation. The researcher also discovered some findings amongst others which includes: The most effective ways entrepreneurs heard about funding in the municipality are through the media and word of mouth. Most of the entrepreneurs that received some type of funding are startups. More entrepreneurs that had access to funds also got some post financial business support. Financial assistance to entrepreneurs yielded improvements after respondents received financial assistance, the range of goods offered was improved and more jobs were created, entrepreneurs were able to obtain better business premises either by renting or buying and entrepreneurs had access to better equipment. Some of the recommendations of this study includes; The municipal government should help small and medium enterprises in the municipality by linking them to new markets. Effective monitoring and evaluation systems should be put in place by development funders and non-financial support services. Entrepreneurial skills development should be provided by the public and private agencies by organizing workshops for aspiring entrepreneurs in order to expose them to business opportunities that are sustainable and viable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Organisational commitment in the automotive industry : a comparative study of employment contracts
- Authors: Bailey, Peter John
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Organizational commitment , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Automobile industry and trade -- Management , Management -- Employee participation -- South Africa , Labor contracts -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9299 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014664
- Description: Organisations face many obstacles in maintaining high quality standards and enhancing their competitive positions. It is not just the external factors, such as market fluctuations, but also internal obstacles, that have an effect on the competitiveness of organisations. Most of the internal factors are the result of poor management practices such as insufficient employee development paths, lack of mentorship programmes or job insecurity which results in the poor performance and commitment levels of employees. However employees are more willing to provide efficient and effective practices if they are committed to the organisation. A committed workforce can be created through many practices. Some of these practices include, creating an environment where employees feel as though they are part of the organisation and that their actions directly influence the success of the organisation (Kingston 2007); building long lasting and fair relationships between staff and supervisors (Manetje 2009:50); providing partial organisational ownership for employees through employee share ownership schemes (Employee share ownership plan guidelines 2007:3); creating an organisation structure which binds employees and groups together and removes bureaucratic practices (Brooks 2009:190) and creating management styles that encourage employee involvement (Manetje 2009:51) Unfavourable conditions within the economy are not making it any easier for organisations to become more competitive. Organisations have had to downsize, restructure and transform in order to cut costs as the demands for goods and services slowed down. However, these practices have resulted in an insecure work environment for employees and have posed complex challenges for management. (Coetzee 2005). Employment contracts have therefore become popular tools for managing economic downturns. Organisations opt for more temporary staff so as to easily reduce headcount when costs need to be lowered. Employment contracts give organisations the advantage of flexibility which is a key area for success in turbulent business environments (Krausz, Bizman & Braslavsky 2001:302). Previous research on temporary contracts has revealed lower commitment levels of staff than other types of contracts such as permanent and fixed-term contracts (Guest 2004:12). Therefore, there needs to be a balance between various employment contracts; a balance which brings out the best in organisational performance. The different types of employment contracts are also important tools to use to enhance commitment within the organisation. For that reason, it is essential to understand the linkage between the types of contracts and organisational commitment and whether certain contracts result in higher levels of organisational commitment. The primary objective of the study is to identify factors which influence organisational commitment as well as to investigate whether organisational commitment and the different types of employment contracts can increase employee motivation and job involvement within the automotive industry environment. Given the primary objective of the study, a quantitative research paradigm was followed in testing the relevant hypotheses. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire was conducted to gather empirical data from the respondents employed within the automotive industry. The target population of the study was the employees within the automotive industry (Volkswagen of South Africa). A convenience sampling technique was used to distribute the questionnaires and the researcher made use of both manual hand-outs and an online system called the Survey Monkey to gather the data. The sample was restricted to 260 respondents. The main findings of this study revealed that the dimensions, workplace culture, job security, career development and personality were statistically significant and had a positive influence on organisational commitment. Workplace culture proved to be the most significant positive influence on organisational commitment. Thus, if an organisation adjusts this dimension to better suit the employees, the result could be an enhanced level of employee commitment. On the other hand, management style and mentoring were found to be the least important in influencing organisational commitment in the automotive industry. Furthermore, the results illustrated a significant positive relationship between organisational commitment and the dependent variables, employee motivation and job involvement. The study also identified the link between employment contracts and organisational commitment, job involvement and employee motivation. However, a statistically significant relationship only existed between employment contracts and job involvement. Thus the different types of contracts have an effect on the level of employee involvement within an organisation. The implications of the findings are that organisations within the automotive industry should focus on areas that have a substantially greater impact on organisational commitment. These areas include workplace culture, job security, personality and career development. Organisations thus need to find methods or processes which facilitate the development of these areas. In order for organisations to move from good to great, a workforce that is committed to the goals and objectives is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Savings behaviour in selected poor townships of the Kouga municipal district
- Authors: Baxter, Chad
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Saving and investment -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9009 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014540
- Description: This study considers the nature of savings behaviour amongst low income earners residing in the township areas of Kouga Municipal District. It reflects on the popularity and persistence of informal savings and credit associations, also known as stokvels, in these communities in the face of an increase in the availability of formal savings products. This study argues that despite financial deepening taking place within the South African economy, the popularity and widespread usage of stokvels can largely be attributed to the lack of appropraite formal products available for low income earners. This study does not conclude that the usage of informal savings products results in increased savings behaviours amongst this group, but it does conclude that they provide a suitable mechanism in which savings can take place.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An economic analysis of concentrator photovoltaic technology use in South Africa: a case study
- Authors: Beukes, Justin
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Renewable energy resources , Power resources -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9017 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018636
- Description: South Africa relies heavily on fossil fuels, particularly coal, to generate electricity and it is a well known fact that the use of fossil fuels contributes to climate change, as it produces greenhouse gases (GHGs). In fact, internationally South Africa is the 17th highest emitter of GHGs (Congressional Research Service (CRS), 2008). Coupled with the environmental consequences of fossil fuel use, South Africa has a further responsibility of addressing the inherited backlog of electricity provision to the rural, and previously disadvantaged communities. In an attempt to address these two problems, the government issued the White Paper on Renewable Energy. In this paper, renewable energy alternatives are proposed to replace a portion of traditional electricity generating methods. Concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) energy generation is one such renewable option available to government. CPV uses optic elements (such as lenses) to concentrate sunlight onto solar cells. Owing to the light being concentrated, the cells in CPV use less semiconductor material, which makes them more efficient in comparison to conventional photovoltaic (PV) cells. CPV is a technology that operates well in regions with high solar radiation. As such, South Africa is particularly well suited for this technology, with average solar radiation levels ranging from 4.5 to 6.5 05 ℎ/. CPV is also well suited for off-grid application, which addresses electricity demand in remote rural areas. This study is an economic project analysis of the installation, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of CPV technology in a rural area in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The study area chosen for this purpose is the Tyefu settlement in the Eastern Cape. Tyefu was deemed ideal for this type of analysis due to four characteristics. Firstly, Tyefu is a remote rural settlement at the end of the national grid. Secondly, the community is very poor and previously disadvantaged. Thirdly, many households are without Eskom generated electricity. Lastly, the study area is located in an area with ideal irradiance levels for CPV. Two methods of economic project analysis are applied to this case study, namely a costbenefit analysis (CBA) and a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA). Additionally, two types of CBA are performed, namely a private CBA and a social CBA. The private CBA evaluates the Tyefu electrification project from a private investor's perspective and the social CBA evaluates the project from society's point of view. The CEAs carried out compare the costeffectiveness of the traditional PV technology to that of CPV in terms of private and social costs. The private costs and benefits of the CPV project were identified and valued in terms of market prices. Then, this cost benefit profile was used to calculate net benefits which in turn were discounted to present values using a private discount rate of 6.42 percent. Three decision making criteria were generated, namely the net present value (NPV), the internal rate of return (IRR) and the benefit cost ratio (BCR). Sensitivity analysis was carried out by varying the private discount rate and the bidding price. The social costs and benefits of the CPV project were identified and valued in terms of shadow prices. This cost benefit profile was used to calculate net benefits. The net benefits were discounted to present values using a composite social discount rate equal to 5.97 percent. The same decision making criteria used in the private CBA were used in the social CBA and a sensitivity analysis was completed by varying the social discount rate. In terms of the private CEA, the costs were identified and valued in terms of market prices. All costs were brought to present values using the private discount rate of 6.42 percent. In terms of the social CEA, the costs were identified and valued in terms of shadow prices. All costs were brought to present values using the social discount rate of 5.97 percent. The cost-effectiveness (CE) ratios calculated have identical denominators since the annual output for both technologies are identical - both CPV and PV systems deliver 30 300 kWh per annum. This output is based on the demand of the given case study. The private CBA showed unfavourable results. The private CBA has a NPV of R2 046 629.01, the IRR is undefined (this is due to no sign change being present in the cost benefit profile), and has a BCR of 0.365. However, the social CBA yielded positive results, with a NPV of R125 616.64, an IRR of 8 percent (which exceeds the social discount rate of 5.97 percent), and a BCR of 1.045. The CEA showed that the CPV is more cost-effective than the traditional PV both in terms of private and social costs. The private CE ratio of CPV is R4.23/kWh compared to PV's CE ratio of R4.39/kWh. Similarly, the social CE ratio of CPV is R3.51/kWh compared to PV's CE ratio of R3.69/kWh. CPV rollout appears to be socially efficient on a small scale according to the social CBA. Consequently, the CPV project is not seen as desirable in terms of the private CBA as the benefit (income received per kWh) in the private analysis is too small to outweigh the costs of implementing and running a CPV plant in Tyefu. On the other hand, a redeeming factor is that CPV may be feasible privately, for large scale applications. A major reason for the CPV project not being appealing to private investors is that the maximum bidding price of R2.85/kWh (as at August 2011) is not high enough for private investors to undertake the CPV project. The sensitivity analysis of the bidding price showed that the bidding price of R2.85/kWh needs to be increased in the range of 250 percent (R7.13/kWh) and 300 percent (R8.55/kWh) for a great enough incentive to exist for private investors. It is thus recommended that policymakers take this into consideration when formulating policy. In terms of the social CBA, it is recommended that government undertake CPV projects of this kind, as it will be a socially desirable allocation of resources. If government were to pursue these types of projects, it is recommended that CPV be implemented as it is more cost effective than PV.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Factors influencing effective electronic word-of-mouth marketing
- Authors: Bhana, Lauren
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Word-of-mouth advertising Internet marketing , Telemarketing Electronic commerce
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14631 , vital:27806
- Description: Marketing serves to satisfy customer needs and wants while building strong customer relationships in an effort to gain value from customers in return. On understanding that customer satisfaction is needed for a business to survive and grow, the important role marketing plays within a business is emphasised as it contributes to overall business performance. Building relationships also emphasises the importance of communication within marketing. Traditional person-to-person word-of-mouth communication has always played a role in marketing a product or service. The evolution of technology over recent years has enabled electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM), which is frequently carried out and has proven to be another effective marketing tool. Due to the fundamental role that marketing plays within a business and the frequent use of electronic word-of-mouth as a marketing tool it is important that business owners and marketers are aware of the factors influencing the effectiveness of it. This study explores eWOM from a marketing perspective, through investigating the factors that contribute towards the effectiveness of eWOM as a marketing tool. Therefore the primary objective of the study was to investigate the factors influencing effective eWOM marketing. A quantitative research approach was followed to empirically test the hypotheses and determine whether relationships exist between the four independent variables (factors influencing eWOM) and the dependent variable (effective eWOM marketing). A self-administered, five-point Likert-scale style structured questionnaire was used to obtain the data. The sample for this study comprised of 360 consumer respondents within the Nelson Mandela Metropole. An exploratory factor analysis extracted four valid constructs namely feedback, trustworthiness, social status and networking as the factors influencing effective eWOM marketing. Cronbach’s alphas confirmed the reliability of all extracted constructs. Most correlation results indicated moderate associations between the variables. However, effective eWOM marketing proved to have a strong correlation with social status. The results of the multiple regressions for the factors influencing effective eWOM marketing identified three statistically significant relationships between feedback, social status, networking and effective eWOM marketing. MANOVAS confirmed eleven statistically significant relationships of which only three were of practical significance. Practical significant relationships exist between ethnic affiliation, current position, years working experience and social status. In addition to identifying the three specific factors influencing effective eWOM marketing, namely online feedback, the need to obtain social status and the desire to engage in online networking, this study has made several contributions, specifically to eWOM marketing. This study has recommended specific online marketing strategies to increase effective eWOM for online feedback, for individuals to obtain social status and to engage in online networking. The hypothesised model developed from the study, illustrating the three factors that influence effective eWOM marketing for South African consumers, can now be used by other researchers in other countries as a framework for further testing or for businesses/marketing organisations to obtain information on the attributes to pay attention to increase the effectiveness of their eWOM marketing. The role that demographics such as ethnic affiliation, position in the business and years working experience play in satisfying the need of individuals to obtain social status in an online setting via eWOM marketing, were also confirmed. Furthermore, this study has provided practical advice to businesses/marketing organisations on how to utilise this knowledge to their advantage when wishing to stimulate eWOM conversations about their products and services. The findings of the research will also assist businesses/marketing organisations to initiate eWOM engagement and communicate more effectively with consumers online to obtain information on how to improve on and change existing products/services or the need for new product/service offerings to retain customers, ensure continuous consumer satisfaction and increase business turnover.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The role of emotional awareness in the retirement transition
- Authors: Black, Beverley Mary
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Retirement -- Psychological aspects , Aging -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5645 , vital:20947
- Description: This study examines the role of emotional awareness in the retirement transition. Retirement is viewed as one of the transitions in later life and has psychological consequences. It is an objective development and social-psychological transformation that is related to physical and psychological well-being. Research has shown that emotional awareness can have an impact on the retirement transition. A correlational research survey design was used for this study to determine and establish the role of emotional awareness, preparation and emotional responses in the retirement transition. Using a five-point Likert Scale, respondents were asked to score their responses to twenty-eight items. The questionnaire was distributed to retirees on the data bases of two financial companies that manage retirement funds. The SurveyMonkey application was used to distribute the survey to one financial company’s data base, and email was used for the other. Statistics such as means, relationships between factors, Cronbach’s Alpha, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The findings of this study demonstrate inconclusive evidence of emotional awareness in retirement. In addition to this, there were no significant findings regarding preparation for retirement or emotional response to retirement which indicates a neutral attitude to preparation and retirement, on average. There is a need for further future studies that include a more balanced sample representation of men and women, a comparative study based on different cultures to determine if differences exist in the experience of emotions in the retirement transition, and a field study in retirement homes and villages to corroborate the findings of this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
A critical assessment of team building as a tourism offering in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Blumel, Astrid
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tourism -- Marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6225 , vital:21057
- Description: This study researched team building as a tourism offering. Team building has particular potential to benefit tourism in the Western Region of the Eastern Cape. Team building has grown in popularity and is offered by several tourism operators in the Western Region of the Eastern Cape. Team building can be practiced throughout the year by the use of numerous indoor and outdoor activities thereby attracting participants and tourists. The activity involves a wide range of tourism-related services and facilities which shows its potential value as tourism resource. The research methodology for this study aimed to identify the link between team building and tourism. Additionally, the study draws attention to team buildings possible socio-economic value which is added to a tourism business’s offering range and its effect on the host destination. A survey was conducted among a randomly selected target population representing role-players involved in team building and tourism activities, for which a questionnaire was developed by adapting the SERVPERF model. This enabled the researcher to identify the team building participants’ level of satisfaction with the team building operator, activity and host destination. Emerging from the gained insight into the dynamics between team building offerings and tourism businesses, recommendations have been formulated as to the relevance of team building for a tourism businesses’ offering range and the impact on the host destination. The research study identified numerous beneficial spin-off effects for the Western Region of the Eastern Cape driven from team building activities. These benefits were an increase in awareness of the destination, improved image of the Western Region of the Eastern Cape, and tourist engagement in other tourism offerings during their stay at the destination, among others.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Work/family conflict across various life and career stages
- Authors: Bostock, Natalie Jean
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Work and family , Work environment , Well-being
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9413 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020157
- Description: This study examines Work Family Conflict including Work Interferes with Family (WIF) conflict, Family Interferes with Work (FIW) conflict, role overload, role interference and the impact of children across various life and career stages. Much of the research in this area focuses on the differences in the way the genders experience Work Family Conflict. Research has shown that various life and career stages can have a marked impact on this type of conflict and this study aims to determine how individuals in the various life and career stages experience this conflict. A correlational research design was used for this study. Using a five point likert scale, participants were asked to score their responses to seventeen items. The instrument was based on Duxbury and Mills Measure of Work Family Conflict (1990) (in Handbook of Quality-of-Life Research: An Ethical Perspective by Sirgy, 2001) with the inclusion of two additional items due to their high face validity. The questionnaire was distributed to human resources managers in organisations, friends, family members and colleagues and friends, family members and colleagues of theirs. Most of the responses were scored using a pencil and paper technique and the remainder was distributed using a Surveymonkey application on social media platforms like Facebook and Linkedin. The overall sample size of respondents was 175. The raw data was entered on an excel spreadsheet and analysed using Statistica version 12 and Microsoft Excel applications with VBA macros developed by a consultant for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Unit for Statistical Consultation. . Statistics such as means, Cronbach alpha’s, relationships between factors, descriptive statistics, MANOVA and Chi-squared tests were used to analyse the data. The results of this study demonstrate the need for organisations to take heed of the various challenges that individuals face in both the workplace and home environment and the different ways in which these are experienced across various life and career stages. This will enable them to design specific interventions to mitigate the effects of Work Family Conflict and improve employee’s level of performance.
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- Date Issued: 2014
Motivation and complexity : an exploration of a complexity approach in employee motivation with specific focus on a Lacanian model of desire
- Authors: Botha, Anton Ivan
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Employee motivation , Employee morale , Incentive awards
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9400 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1232 , Employee motivation , Employee morale , Incentive awards
- Description: Since employee motivation contributes to overall organisational success, reliable motivation theory should inform management and reward practices. Yet, motivation theory is currently in a state of paralysis, with no constructive theorising taking place. Analysis of its methodological presuppositions reveals that it relies on out-dated binary thinking, prioritising, e.g. either a ‘machine-like’ (body driven) or ‘god-like’ (rationally driven) understanding of humanity. In this study it is argued that the revival of motivation theory requires a paradigmatic shift towards a complexity methodology because human motivation was found to be a complex system and must be theorised accordingly. It was found that McAdams’ theory of personality which brought together personality traits, conditioning, and motives could form the basis of a complex theory of motivation. On this basis, a complex model was developed which incorporated elements of existing motivational theories. This model proposed that drives, which motivate behaviour, are a combination of instincts, needs, and desires, mediated by personality traits, rational processing, and conditioning. All of these interconnected elements, as well as biological and environmental conditions, have an impact on, and are influenced by one another. For the purposes of understanding employee motivation the element of desire was isolated as a potential means to value segment employees. A Lacanian theory was utilised to elaborate on the element of desire. This theory postulated that individuals tend to display a dominance is one of nine kinds and modes of desire. An instrument was developed to test the applicability of the Lacanian model. It was developed in five phases which included three pilot studies and two samplings. A total of 591 respondents participated in the empirical research study with 428 in the first sample and 70 in the second; the remaining 93 made up the pilot studies. Unlike the initial version of the instrument used in the first sample (n=428) the data obtained by the last version (n=70) revealed that the instrument held some form of reliability and validity. Once analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics the data supported the view that individuals tended to display dominance in a kind and mode of desire as per the Lacanian model, and sufficient variance existed to preliminarily conclude that this model could be used as a means to value segment employees. Recommendations were as follows: (1) that complexity methodology should inform future motivation theorising, (2) that the proposed complexity models be further empirically tested, (3) that an adequately complex, flexible rewards system be considered, (4) that both managers and employees make use of the developed instrument to aid them in the selection of rewards that will lead to increased satisfaction.
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- Date Issued: 2010
The taxation of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) in South Africa
- Authors: Breetzke, Michael
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Real estate investment trusts -- South Africa , Real estate investment trusts -- Taxation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8963 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020001
- Description: Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT’s) provide certain benefits for investors as opposed to them directly investing in property. Many countries worldwide have already established tax systems for REIT’s which give natural persons and companies the benefit of not outlaying substantial capital, and provide certain tax dispensations to them. The concept of a REIT is new to South Africa. The vehicles that have been used by investors in the past to invest indirectly in property have been Property Unit Trusts (PUTs) and Property Loan Stock Companies (PLS). These different types of entities have had different taxation rules applied to them, as they differed in legal entity, i.e. a trust versus a company. The different types of entity were historically a deterrent to foreign investors who preferred to invest in countries that had the REIT structure and certain tax dispensations. The National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) decided to collaborate in this matter so as to encourage foreign property investment, and launched with effect from 1 April 2013, a new REIT tax dispensation for investors in property portfolios. The REIT created a unified regime in South Africa. All portfolios wanting to call themselves REITs had to qualify under certain requirements, and then they would be eligible for the new section 25BB tax dispensation. The South African REIT market is relatively new when compared to the Australian REIT market, which is the second largest in the world. The Australian REIT market has been around for approximately forty three years more than the South African REIT market. The Australian REIT regime is analysed in terms of how REITs are taxed in that country. The final chapter provides a comparison between the South African and Australian REIT regimes. The major differences are identified as to how each country taxes the REITs and the respective shareholders, and from these a few proposals are made which could improve the South African REIT regime in order for it to stand up to worldwide scrutiny.
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- Date Issued: 2014
The influence of employees's perceptions of organisational ethics and perceived relative self-ethicality on their levels of organisational identification and overall well-being
- Authors: Breytenbach, Nadia
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Corporate culture , Well-being , Work ethic , Self-realization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9411 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020072
- Description: This study investigated whether an employees’ perception of the ethical culture in the organisation and their perception of their own ethicality influenced their level of organisational identification and additionally, whether this relationship between perceived ethical culture and organisational identification had an influence on workplace wellbeing. The aim of this research study was to measure employees’ perceptions of organisational ethics, their relative self-ethicality, organisational identification, and wellbeing, in order to develop a model pertaining to the relationship between these three constructs. Research showed that employees’ perceptions of the ethical culture in their organisation can influence how they identify with that particular organisation. Research also indicated that the differences between perceived organisational ethicality and relative self-ethicality exist. Additionally, research showed the influence of perceived ethical culture and relative self-ethicality has indicated a relationship between organisational identification and wellbeing respectively. However, to date and to the researcher’s knowledge there has been no investigation of the relationship between these four constructs. This research study was quantitative in nature in which a questionnaire was utilised as a research method. A sample of 111 respondent from three organisations in the automation industry in the Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth was utilised for this research study. The main findings indicated that an alternative model resulted to be a good fit through structural equation modelling. The results illustrated that organisational ethicality has an influence on how employees identify with their organisations and how this relationship influences wellbeing. Therefore, it is worthwhile to invest in an ethical organisational culture for the sustainability of the organisation and its employees’ livelihoods. This study contributes to the literature based on perceived ethical culture, organisational identification, and workplace wellbeing. Additionally, the study provides readers with a model on how these concepts influence each other.
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- Date Issued: 2014
South African VAT implications in respect of supplies by non residents to residents
- Authors: Burger, Bianca
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Electronic commerce -- Taxation -- Law and legislation , Business enterprises -- Taxation -- Law and legislation , Value-added tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8962 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019977
- Description: Paragraph 7(1) of the VAT Act provides for the charging of VAT at 14 percent on the supply of goods or services by a vendor in the course or furtherance of an ‘enterprise’, the importation into South Africa of goods by any person or the supply of ‘imported services’. The term ‘enterprise’ has been interpreted to require an on-going activity and therefore once off sales should be excluded. The sale must relate to enterprise activities, thereby excluding private sales. Furthermore the enterprise activities are required to be carried out in the Republic or partly in the Republic. Establishing whether the enterprise activities are carried out in the Republic remains a contentious issue as the VAT Act does not specify the minimum required business activities to meet this criterion. ‘Imported services’ excludes services imported for the purposes of making taxable supplies and the liability of accounting for VAT on ‘imported services’ lies with the recipient of the imported service. Supplies (imported services) which are chargeable in terms of s 7(1)(a) and supplies, which if made in the Republic, are exempt from VAT or zero rated. ‘Imported services’ definition requires services to be consumed in South Africa. Services offered outside South Africa therefore generally do not qualify as imported services even the South African entity benefits from such services, for example a training course attended in a foreign country. Technological developments in the field of e-commerce globally have required countries to examine VAT laws relating to e-commerce. Extensive research has been done by the OECD on this topic, with reports issued on recommendations of how e-commerce should be taxed. Most guidance issued by the OECD on taxing e-commerce relates to indirect electronic commerce, which refers to goods or services where ordering, payment and delivery occur on line. Distinction is drawn between taxation of business-to-business transactions and business-to-consumer transactions. The OECD suggests that the ‘reverse-charge’ or self-assessment method should be applied to the taxing of B2B transactions resulting in minimal compliance and administrative costs. It is further recommended that for B2C transactions place of consumption should be defined as the recipient’s usual jurisdiction of residence and that non-resident suppliers should be required to register and pay VAT in the jurisdiction of the consumer, as this would result in the most effective tax collection method. ‘Enterprise’ includes electronic services from a foreign supplier where the recipient is a resident of South Africa or where the payment originated from a South African bank account. The Minister’s regulation, which came into effect on 1 June 2014, includes the following items in the definition of electronic services: educational services, games, online auction services, miscellaneous services and subscription services. The South African VAT legislation draws no distinction between B2B and B2C supplies of electronic services. The reasoning behind this was to avoid situations in which private customers could pose as business customers in order to avoid the levying of tax. A review of the services currently included in the Minister’s regulation on electronic services indicate that services that would relate to B2B supplies have mostly been excluded from the regulation. Effectively the South African VAT legislation manages to indirectly exclude B2B supplies from the definition of electronic services and therefore achieves the objective of minimising the administrative burden on B2B supplies.
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- Date Issued: 2014
The deductibility of losses incurred by a taxpayer as a result of senior employee theft, fraud or embezzlement
- Authors: Bux, Fardeen
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Customs administration -- Officials and employees , Employee theft -- South Africa , Customs inspection -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8964 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020608
- Description: SARS has issued a draft interpretation note dealing with the deductibility of expenditure and losses arising from embezzlement and theft by employees noting that it is not prepared to accept, as a general proposition, that embezzlement and theft by senior managers have become a risk which is inseparable from business. There is however another view that is in direct contradiction with SARS. An analysis of global fraud surveys reveal that senior employee fraud is on the increase. In South Africa, criminal cases against senior employees in the private and public sector indicate that their behaviour can lead to an expectation of theft, fraud or embezzlement at that level of employees. The tests developed by the courts for the deduction of expenditure or losses in terms of the general deduction formula require that such expenditure or loss be attached to the performance of a business operation bona fide performed for the purpose of earning income and will be deductible whether such expenditure or losses are necessary for its performance or attached to it by chance. It is submitted that the increase in fraud and behaviour of senior employees noted in the criminal courts have resulted in a change in the economic environment supporting the contention that theft, fraud or embezzlement are an inherent risk to business in South Africa. In addition, global precedence supports the view that senior employee defalcations are deductible but only to the extent that the perpetrator is not in a proprietor or shareholder role. SARS therefore appears to be turning a blind eye to the risk of theft, fraud or embezzlement by senior employees but there is sufficient evidence to support a taxpayer wishing to claim a deduction for such loss. In light of international precedence, National Treasury should enact legislation allowing a deduction or alternatively, SARS should align its view with such precedence.
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- Date Issued: 2013