A framework for managing the impact of information communication technology on employee well-being
- Authors: Ackerman, Richard
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Work environment -- Psychological aspects , Work -- Technological innovations Employees -- Mental health Job stress Flextime
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21449 , vital:29523
- Description: Employees who work with Information Communication Technology (hereafter referred to as ICT) face a risk in a rise of portable work. This in turn provides a means for employees to be connected to work, even when at home. Flexible work solutions and ability to work any hour of the week creates non-standard work schedules, which in turn can lead to a condition of work-a-holism. In most cases, this phenomena is driven by the belief that being constantly available to work demonstrates a devotion to one’s career and employer. The higher demands placed on employees, are in most cases at the expense of employees’ health, work-life balance and overall well-being. The primary objective of this study is therefore to establish whether the use of ICT outside of normal working hours affects employee well-being, as measured in terms of work-life balance. The second objective of this study is to provide the Target Company within the automotive component supply industry located in Port Elizabeth, in the Republic of South Africa, with a framework for managing the impact of ICT on employee well-being. The research paper has been prompted by the Target Company having recently introduced flexible working solutions for its employees. Research on the topic of alternative forms of work schedules, has shown flexible working arrangements gives employees more choice and control over where, when and by how much they work. Flexibility allows employees to actively shape their working conditions which helps them solve the demands of integrating personal life and work commitments. Whether management should encourage or permit the use of ICT amongst its employees to extend beyond normal working hours however remains unclear. In order to answer the research questions, this study has applied a quantitative, positivistic and deductive research based methodology. The approach applied within this study included conducting an extensive literature review on the effects of ICT use after hours on employee well-being. Thereafter using literature as a foundation, a measuring instrument was constructed in the form of an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was emailed to respondents to collect primary data, in order to measure the dependent and independent variables in terms of the hypothesised relationships. Testing of the variables followed, in order to establish whether the use of ICT use after hours negatively impacts employee well-being as measured in terms of work-life balance and stress. Secondly, the study set out to establish whether flexible working conditions linked to ICT use after hours negatively impacts on employee work-life balance. Thirdly, the relationship between physiological aspects such as age, gender and ethnicity were interrogated to establish an employees’ ability to adapt to changing work conditions, brought about as a direct result of ICT. Lastly, this study set out to establish which ICT tool (email, cellular phone, smartphone or other) has the highest impact on employee wellness. The data collection process yielded a sample of 103 respondents in middle and senior management levels of the Target Company, with 97% being recipients of employer provided ICT tools. These respondents represented the employees who are most likely to be affected by the phenomena under investigation. The survey data was captured and analysed using descriptive statistical techniques. The interpretation revealed aspects which formed the basis for managerial recommendations in the form of a proposed framework to manage the impact of ICT on employee well-being. The findings of the study found that the use of ICT outside of normal working hours has a negative influence on employee well-being as measured in terms of work-life balance and stress. The literature review findings were confirmed as supporting the statement that flexible working conditions linked to ICT use after hours having a positive influence on employee work-life balance. A further finding of the study was the confirmation of physiological aspects affects an employees’ ability to adapt to changing working conditions, thereby having a negative influence on employee work-life balance. Lastly, to the question of which ICT tool has the biggest impact on well-being, it was found that differing ICT tools (email, cellular, smartphone, or other) do not have a negative influence on employee wellness. These findings formed the basis for the recommendations in the form of a framework which has been proposed to manage the impact of ICT on employee well-being. The most pertinent aspect of the framework includes the employer communicating a well-defined ICT usage policy, which clearly outlines a standard operating procedure in relation to ICT use to all its employees. The findings furthermore propose that the employer should take the time to explain and train its employees as to what is considered acceptable and non-acceptable use of ICT devices, especially in relation to after hour use and leave absences from work. To ensure employee well-being, employees should be encouraged to implement defined time blocks for when they are available for work and when they are not. This can be applied through the act of switching off their ICT devices, which constitutes a boundary work tactic as an action in order to prevent work-related interruptions in the private sphere. While the employer can take described measures, it should also be noted that there is responsibility on the part of the employee to ensure personal wellness, including regular exercise, relaxation, and taking appropriate breaks when necessary. Moreover, employees can apply work and life boundary management techniques through the selective use of devices. By not applying automatic work email updates on ICT devices such as smart phones is yet another boundary management technique which can be utilised by employees. There are a range of practical suggestions which are proposed as a method to minimize the risk of ICT use on employee well-being within this research document. The above proposals have only served to highlight a select few aspects. While it is acknowledged that there are important advantages associated with the development and use of ICT, it is equally important to allow employees to recharge their batteries in the form of appropriate downtime to regain perspective, thus allowing the organisation to maintain its competitive advantage, with the well-being of its employees taken to heart.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ackerman, Richard
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Work environment -- Psychological aspects , Work -- Technological innovations Employees -- Mental health Job stress Flextime
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21449 , vital:29523
- Description: Employees who work with Information Communication Technology (hereafter referred to as ICT) face a risk in a rise of portable work. This in turn provides a means for employees to be connected to work, even when at home. Flexible work solutions and ability to work any hour of the week creates non-standard work schedules, which in turn can lead to a condition of work-a-holism. In most cases, this phenomena is driven by the belief that being constantly available to work demonstrates a devotion to one’s career and employer. The higher demands placed on employees, are in most cases at the expense of employees’ health, work-life balance and overall well-being. The primary objective of this study is therefore to establish whether the use of ICT outside of normal working hours affects employee well-being, as measured in terms of work-life balance. The second objective of this study is to provide the Target Company within the automotive component supply industry located in Port Elizabeth, in the Republic of South Africa, with a framework for managing the impact of ICT on employee well-being. The research paper has been prompted by the Target Company having recently introduced flexible working solutions for its employees. Research on the topic of alternative forms of work schedules, has shown flexible working arrangements gives employees more choice and control over where, when and by how much they work. Flexibility allows employees to actively shape their working conditions which helps them solve the demands of integrating personal life and work commitments. Whether management should encourage or permit the use of ICT amongst its employees to extend beyond normal working hours however remains unclear. In order to answer the research questions, this study has applied a quantitative, positivistic and deductive research based methodology. The approach applied within this study included conducting an extensive literature review on the effects of ICT use after hours on employee well-being. Thereafter using literature as a foundation, a measuring instrument was constructed in the form of an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was emailed to respondents to collect primary data, in order to measure the dependent and independent variables in terms of the hypothesised relationships. Testing of the variables followed, in order to establish whether the use of ICT use after hours negatively impacts employee well-being as measured in terms of work-life balance and stress. Secondly, the study set out to establish whether flexible working conditions linked to ICT use after hours negatively impacts on employee work-life balance. Thirdly, the relationship between physiological aspects such as age, gender and ethnicity were interrogated to establish an employees’ ability to adapt to changing work conditions, brought about as a direct result of ICT. Lastly, this study set out to establish which ICT tool (email, cellular phone, smartphone or other) has the highest impact on employee wellness. The data collection process yielded a sample of 103 respondents in middle and senior management levels of the Target Company, with 97% being recipients of employer provided ICT tools. These respondents represented the employees who are most likely to be affected by the phenomena under investigation. The survey data was captured and analysed using descriptive statistical techniques. The interpretation revealed aspects which formed the basis for managerial recommendations in the form of a proposed framework to manage the impact of ICT on employee well-being. The findings of the study found that the use of ICT outside of normal working hours has a negative influence on employee well-being as measured in terms of work-life balance and stress. The literature review findings were confirmed as supporting the statement that flexible working conditions linked to ICT use after hours having a positive influence on employee work-life balance. A further finding of the study was the confirmation of physiological aspects affects an employees’ ability to adapt to changing working conditions, thereby having a negative influence on employee work-life balance. Lastly, to the question of which ICT tool has the biggest impact on well-being, it was found that differing ICT tools (email, cellular, smartphone, or other) do not have a negative influence on employee wellness. These findings formed the basis for the recommendations in the form of a framework which has been proposed to manage the impact of ICT on employee well-being. The most pertinent aspect of the framework includes the employer communicating a well-defined ICT usage policy, which clearly outlines a standard operating procedure in relation to ICT use to all its employees. The findings furthermore propose that the employer should take the time to explain and train its employees as to what is considered acceptable and non-acceptable use of ICT devices, especially in relation to after hour use and leave absences from work. To ensure employee well-being, employees should be encouraged to implement defined time blocks for when they are available for work and when they are not. This can be applied through the act of switching off their ICT devices, which constitutes a boundary work tactic as an action in order to prevent work-related interruptions in the private sphere. While the employer can take described measures, it should also be noted that there is responsibility on the part of the employee to ensure personal wellness, including regular exercise, relaxation, and taking appropriate breaks when necessary. Moreover, employees can apply work and life boundary management techniques through the selective use of devices. By not applying automatic work email updates on ICT devices such as smart phones is yet another boundary management technique which can be utilised by employees. There are a range of practical suggestions which are proposed as a method to minimize the risk of ICT use on employee well-being within this research document. The above proposals have only served to highlight a select few aspects. While it is acknowledged that there are important advantages associated with the development and use of ICT, it is equally important to allow employees to recharge their batteries in the form of appropriate downtime to regain perspective, thus allowing the organisation to maintain its competitive advantage, with the well-being of its employees taken to heart.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The scalability of small and medium enterprises in South Africa
- Authors: Augustyn, Wesley
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Management , Business planning -- South Africa Corporations -- South Africa -- Growth Success in business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21516 , vital:29532
- Description: It has long been recognised that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) account for an overwhelming part of businesses worldwide and that they contribute considerably to private sector Gross Domestic Product (GDP), growth and are the source for most new employment opportunities. It may therefore be postulated that scaling and growing SMEs are of notable importance to the economic wealth of the country and to this extent it eliminates economic stagnation. This treatise argues the significant impact that entrepreneurship exerts on the South African economy. This would allow the role players to identify the strategic interventions necessary to grow and scale SMEs. A literature review was conducted to develop insights on the factors that affect the scalability of SMEs. The aforementioned section expounds on the concept of SMEs. Secondly, the emergence of SMEs across developed and emerging economies is discussed by exploring the United States of America, Europe and the BRICS economies respectively. Thirdly, SMEs in the South African context are explored. Fourthly, the requirements and challenges of SMEs in the South African economy are highlighted. The primary data for this study were collected from the sample by means of an online questionnaire and through fieldworkers who were deployed to collect responses from the sample group. A representative sample of n = 295 responses were received. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data in a way to simplify the interpretation of the data. Inferential statistics were used to authenticate conclusions made from the data. The model was developed and identified the following factors as exerting influence on the scalability of SMEs: Access to Finance, Access to Markets and Access to Human Capital, Entrepreneurial Intention, Regulatory Framework, Business Support and Networks. The average mean values of the factors were then used to establish their position or ranking as determined from the responses received. All factors ranked above a mean value of 3 which indicates that SMEs have a neutral to positive opinion of the factors identified in the model. According to a one-tailed t-test from the sample of SMEs it was shown that two of the nine factors had a large effect size in the factors of Human Capital and Entrepreneurial Intention. The Scalability of SMEs’ model developed in this study specified the factors that influence the growth of SMEs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Augustyn, Wesley
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Management , Business planning -- South Africa Corporations -- South Africa -- Growth Success in business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21516 , vital:29532
- Description: It has long been recognised that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) account for an overwhelming part of businesses worldwide and that they contribute considerably to private sector Gross Domestic Product (GDP), growth and are the source for most new employment opportunities. It may therefore be postulated that scaling and growing SMEs are of notable importance to the economic wealth of the country and to this extent it eliminates economic stagnation. This treatise argues the significant impact that entrepreneurship exerts on the South African economy. This would allow the role players to identify the strategic interventions necessary to grow and scale SMEs. A literature review was conducted to develop insights on the factors that affect the scalability of SMEs. The aforementioned section expounds on the concept of SMEs. Secondly, the emergence of SMEs across developed and emerging economies is discussed by exploring the United States of America, Europe and the BRICS economies respectively. Thirdly, SMEs in the South African context are explored. Fourthly, the requirements and challenges of SMEs in the South African economy are highlighted. The primary data for this study were collected from the sample by means of an online questionnaire and through fieldworkers who were deployed to collect responses from the sample group. A representative sample of n = 295 responses were received. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data in a way to simplify the interpretation of the data. Inferential statistics were used to authenticate conclusions made from the data. The model was developed and identified the following factors as exerting influence on the scalability of SMEs: Access to Finance, Access to Markets and Access to Human Capital, Entrepreneurial Intention, Regulatory Framework, Business Support and Networks. The average mean values of the factors were then used to establish their position or ranking as determined from the responses received. All factors ranked above a mean value of 3 which indicates that SMEs have a neutral to positive opinion of the factors identified in the model. According to a one-tailed t-test from the sample of SMEs it was shown that two of the nine factors had a large effect size in the factors of Human Capital and Entrepreneurial Intention. The Scalability of SMEs’ model developed in this study specified the factors that influence the growth of SMEs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
An investigation of the leadership practices and organizational culture at a private Christian school
- Authors: Babu, Bithun
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Church schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leadership , Corporate culture
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62155 , vital:28133
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate the leadership practices and organizational culture at a private Christian school in the Eastern Cape. A preliminary review of leadership literature suggested that traces of servant leadership may be apparent at the organization. Thus servant leadership will form a key focus area for exploration in this study. An analysis of this nature can make one aware of the influence leadership has in shaping the organizational culture of an institution. This in turn can be used to inform the future thinking around leadership efforts with respect to culture formation within an organization. The issue was addressed by consulting various articles to view the issue from different perspectives. The school served as a vehicle to explore the tenets of leadership and organizational culture. The study will take the form of a descriptive quantitative study. It was concluded that leadership plays a significant role in establishing the culture at an organization. However, leadership is not the only factor that shapes the organizational culture of an institution. The beliefs and values of the organization also has a role in shaping the overall culture and identity of an organization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Babu, Bithun
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Church schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leadership , Corporate culture
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62155 , vital:28133
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate the leadership practices and organizational culture at a private Christian school in the Eastern Cape. A preliminary review of leadership literature suggested that traces of servant leadership may be apparent at the organization. Thus servant leadership will form a key focus area for exploration in this study. An analysis of this nature can make one aware of the influence leadership has in shaping the organizational culture of an institution. This in turn can be used to inform the future thinking around leadership efforts with respect to culture formation within an organization. The issue was addressed by consulting various articles to view the issue from different perspectives. The school served as a vehicle to explore the tenets of leadership and organizational culture. The study will take the form of a descriptive quantitative study. It was concluded that leadership plays a significant role in establishing the culture at an organization. However, leadership is not the only factor that shapes the organizational culture of an institution. The beliefs and values of the organization also has a role in shaping the overall culture and identity of an organization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The impact of the LRA amendments 2015 - section 198 on labour flexibility in the nelson Mandela Bay automotive component manufacturing industry
- Authors: Badenhorst, Petri
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employment agencies -- South Africa , Labor market -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23360 , vital:30535
- Description: For many years businesses have been capitalising on the benefits that employees employed on a temporary basis through temporary employment services (labour brokers) has had to offer in terms of labour flexibility. Following the passing of the amended Labour Relations Act of South Africa in early 2015, much attention has been given to section 198 as this section aims to further regulate the use temporary employment. The main objective of this paper consists in studying the impact that the recent amendments to section 198 of the Labour Relations Act have had on labour flexibility in the Nelson Mandela Bay automotive component manufacturing industry. The paper examines how businesses have historically benefitted from the use of temporary labour, how these benefits are slowly being removed, and how businesses are responding to mitigate the risks associated with this legislative change whilst becoming compliant. As the topic being researched is still very recent, with certain legal aspects remaining to be fully tested in the courts, it is hoped that that this study will provide sufficient information to assist all the stakeholders of businesses to make more informative decisions in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Badenhorst, Petri
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employment agencies -- South Africa , Labor market -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23360 , vital:30535
- Description: For many years businesses have been capitalising on the benefits that employees employed on a temporary basis through temporary employment services (labour brokers) has had to offer in terms of labour flexibility. Following the passing of the amended Labour Relations Act of South Africa in early 2015, much attention has been given to section 198 as this section aims to further regulate the use temporary employment. The main objective of this paper consists in studying the impact that the recent amendments to section 198 of the Labour Relations Act have had on labour flexibility in the Nelson Mandela Bay automotive component manufacturing industry. The paper examines how businesses have historically benefitted from the use of temporary labour, how these benefits are slowly being removed, and how businesses are responding to mitigate the risks associated with this legislative change whilst becoming compliant. As the topic being researched is still very recent, with certain legal aspects remaining to be fully tested in the courts, it is hoped that that this study will provide sufficient information to assist all the stakeholders of businesses to make more informative decisions in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
How the roles of CEO's differ in response to different circumstances and in the context of succession: Anglo American-a case study
- Authors: Ball, Leslie
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Organizational change , Strategic planning , Executive succession , Anglo American Corporation of South Africa, ltd.
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60799 , vital:27832
- Description: A review of the literature revealed that firms are inherently influenced by leadership in the upper echelons of the organization. The seminal paper of Hambrick and Mason (1984) has sparked much interest in the realm of organizational leadership. Studies involving organizational leadership have concentrated on leadership styles, the manner in which leadership takes place, leadership succession and organizational performance in an attempt to understand the dynamics of the senior leadership of organizations. Research has also explored how changes in the top management of firms has impacted its performance. This research has primarily been concerned with how a firm is impacted, once succession takes place, and has focused on financial performance, change in strategy and stockholder reaction (Shen & Cannella, 2002; Barron, Chulkov & Waddell, 2011; Friedman & Singh, 1989). Although their predisposition will largely influence the manner in which the incoming CEO acts, the literature has largely neglected the role the incoming CEO must fulfil, and how he/she steers the company, once appointed. In response, the following aim was developed to address this gap: To describe how the roles of two CEO's of the same company differed, during different time periods. The CEO assumes various strategic leadership roles, which they carry out in the context of their new environment once succession has taken place. From the literature, six strategic leadership roles were identified, which formed the foundation of this study. These were strategy formulation, strategy implementation, developing organizational culture, emphasizing ethical practices, managing the firm's resource portfolio and establishing balanced controls. The study set out to comparatively analyze two CEO's of the same firm during different periods. Both CEO's were investigated from the perspective of strategic leadership roles, allowing a comparison of their behaviour. The study analyses and describes these roles, and how they differed between the CEO's, in reaction to differing situational factors and in the context of succession. The study employed a deductive qualitative case study research design. This allowed the researcher to examine the complex phenomenon which have previously been studied at a more superficial level using quantitative methods (Baxter & Jack, 2008; Parrino, 1997; Jooste & Fourie, 2009). A qualitative methodological approach allowed the researcher to examine the topic through a lens which takes into account human variables and processes (Baxter & Jack, 2008). Data was sampled using purposive and convenience sampling while applying the critical incident technique. Data was collected through information sources such as news articles, press releases, annual reports, online interviews, news websites and other documents. Thematical analysis was used during the analysis phase of the study and allowed for patterns and links to be drawn between the collected data. The succession from one CEO to the next served as the comparative element of the study, which allowed for a contrasting of how both CEO's carried out their strategic leadership roles by adapting to their environment, and how they guided the strategic trajectory of the company. The study also took into account what both CEO's were confronted with at the start of their tenure and how this influenced how they carried out their leadership roles. It was found that Cynthia Carroll exercised her roles in a manner which addressed ethical and stakeholder engagement issues within the business. This was translated directly into how she guided the trajectory of the company. Upon appointment, Mark Cutifani exercised his roles in a manner which addressed the organizational performance and financial well-being of the company. This translated directly into how he shaped Anglo's trajectory in an attempt to better its financial performance. Given how they exercised their strategic roles in the company, each CEO influenced Anglo American's direction in a different way, which in turn, influenced the performance of the organization. It was shown that Cynthia Carroll improved the stakeholder engagement, communication and safety within the company, demonstrating behaviour that emphasized the importance of the ethics of the company. When the business had been carrying out its ethical practices effectively, but underperforming financially, Cutifani demonstrated the roles which would be geared toward resurrecting the organizational performance of the organization. Recommendations are made for further research including applying the same research method to investigate how these roles are carried out in companies which operate in a broad spectrum of industries.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ball, Leslie
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Organizational change , Strategic planning , Executive succession , Anglo American Corporation of South Africa, ltd.
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60799 , vital:27832
- Description: A review of the literature revealed that firms are inherently influenced by leadership in the upper echelons of the organization. The seminal paper of Hambrick and Mason (1984) has sparked much interest in the realm of organizational leadership. Studies involving organizational leadership have concentrated on leadership styles, the manner in which leadership takes place, leadership succession and organizational performance in an attempt to understand the dynamics of the senior leadership of organizations. Research has also explored how changes in the top management of firms has impacted its performance. This research has primarily been concerned with how a firm is impacted, once succession takes place, and has focused on financial performance, change in strategy and stockholder reaction (Shen & Cannella, 2002; Barron, Chulkov & Waddell, 2011; Friedman & Singh, 1989). Although their predisposition will largely influence the manner in which the incoming CEO acts, the literature has largely neglected the role the incoming CEO must fulfil, and how he/she steers the company, once appointed. In response, the following aim was developed to address this gap: To describe how the roles of two CEO's of the same company differed, during different time periods. The CEO assumes various strategic leadership roles, which they carry out in the context of their new environment once succession has taken place. From the literature, six strategic leadership roles were identified, which formed the foundation of this study. These were strategy formulation, strategy implementation, developing organizational culture, emphasizing ethical practices, managing the firm's resource portfolio and establishing balanced controls. The study set out to comparatively analyze two CEO's of the same firm during different periods. Both CEO's were investigated from the perspective of strategic leadership roles, allowing a comparison of their behaviour. The study analyses and describes these roles, and how they differed between the CEO's, in reaction to differing situational factors and in the context of succession. The study employed a deductive qualitative case study research design. This allowed the researcher to examine the complex phenomenon which have previously been studied at a more superficial level using quantitative methods (Baxter & Jack, 2008; Parrino, 1997; Jooste & Fourie, 2009). A qualitative methodological approach allowed the researcher to examine the topic through a lens which takes into account human variables and processes (Baxter & Jack, 2008). Data was sampled using purposive and convenience sampling while applying the critical incident technique. Data was collected through information sources such as news articles, press releases, annual reports, online interviews, news websites and other documents. Thematical analysis was used during the analysis phase of the study and allowed for patterns and links to be drawn between the collected data. The succession from one CEO to the next served as the comparative element of the study, which allowed for a contrasting of how both CEO's carried out their strategic leadership roles by adapting to their environment, and how they guided the strategic trajectory of the company. The study also took into account what both CEO's were confronted with at the start of their tenure and how this influenced how they carried out their leadership roles. It was found that Cynthia Carroll exercised her roles in a manner which addressed ethical and stakeholder engagement issues within the business. This was translated directly into how she guided the trajectory of the company. Upon appointment, Mark Cutifani exercised his roles in a manner which addressed the organizational performance and financial well-being of the company. This translated directly into how he shaped Anglo's trajectory in an attempt to better its financial performance. Given how they exercised their strategic roles in the company, each CEO influenced Anglo American's direction in a different way, which in turn, influenced the performance of the organization. It was shown that Cynthia Carroll improved the stakeholder engagement, communication and safety within the company, demonstrating behaviour that emphasized the importance of the ethics of the company. When the business had been carrying out its ethical practices effectively, but underperforming financially, Cutifani demonstrated the roles which would be geared toward resurrecting the organizational performance of the organization. Recommendations are made for further research including applying the same research method to investigate how these roles are carried out in companies which operate in a broad spectrum of industries.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The determinants of waste separation behaviour in Uitenhage, South Africa
- Authors: Basson, Anna-Marie
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Recycling industry -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa -- Environmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23658 , vital:30593
- Description: The value of waste as a resource, diverting waste from landfills and the need for a circular economy, was emphasised at the South African and European Colloquium on recycling hosted by PETCO, the polyethylene terephthalate company (Godfrey, 2013, p. 17). In South Africa, the recycling industry is seen as a means to provide income and skills development, and to create sustainable livelihoods. Yet, the country remains deeply entrenched in landfilling (Godfrey, 2013, p. 19). According to Zhang, Huang, Yin and Gong (2015, p. 9475) “understanding the factors that affect residents’ waste separation behaviours helps in constructing effective environmental campaigns for the community”. The focus of a waste management system should be to motivate and convince the consumer to dispose of their waste in a sustainable manner. The waste separation decision is complex and can be explained by the theory of planned behaviour and theory of reasoned action (Nguyen, Nguyen, Lobo & Dao, 2017, p. 2). The aim of this study is to identify and evaluate the factors that influence the waste separation behaviour of households in the Uitenhage area. In order to achieve this aim, secondary research (literature review) and primary research (empirical study) were conducted. The study has shown that if the residents are presented with free containers and have access to a collection service which facilitates the flow of the recyclables from the point of consumption to the point of sustainable disposal and conversion, it could motivate them to separate the waste. The only variable that was found significant in relation to household waste separation behaviour was motivation. The respondents are motivated to separate their household waste; yet, they do not separate it. The frequency distribution analysis reported that the sample was not experienced waste separators, where less than half of the sample was engaged in some waste separation activities. Yet, the respondents had a positive attitude towards the importance of waste separation and disagreed that waste separation is inconvenient. The majority of the respondents agreed that they have control over their behaviour and that the decision to separate their waste is within their control, but yet they do not separate their waste. The respondents agreed that they have the knowledge of what and how to separate waste, however, disagreed that they know where to take their separated waste. Interestingly, the respondents agreed that waste separation is The determinants of waste separation behaviour in Uitenhage, South Africa part of their moral norms; yet, they do not consider family and friends, including the municipality, to exert social pressure on them to separate their household waste. It is recommended that the municipality investigates the requirements for implementing a waste management scheme which provides containers for free and collects separated waste from households. Entrepreneurs can also play a pivotal role in bridging the gap in the waste management supply chain by establishing buy-back centres and sustainable recycling depots to facilitate the collection of separated waste for recycling. These collection services, buy-back centres and recycling depots present business opportunities and job creation potential, which will drive the economic growth in the Nelson Mandela Bay area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Basson, Anna-Marie
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Recycling industry -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa -- Environmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23658 , vital:30593
- Description: The value of waste as a resource, diverting waste from landfills and the need for a circular economy, was emphasised at the South African and European Colloquium on recycling hosted by PETCO, the polyethylene terephthalate company (Godfrey, 2013, p. 17). In South Africa, the recycling industry is seen as a means to provide income and skills development, and to create sustainable livelihoods. Yet, the country remains deeply entrenched in landfilling (Godfrey, 2013, p. 19). According to Zhang, Huang, Yin and Gong (2015, p. 9475) “understanding the factors that affect residents’ waste separation behaviours helps in constructing effective environmental campaigns for the community”. The focus of a waste management system should be to motivate and convince the consumer to dispose of their waste in a sustainable manner. The waste separation decision is complex and can be explained by the theory of planned behaviour and theory of reasoned action (Nguyen, Nguyen, Lobo & Dao, 2017, p. 2). The aim of this study is to identify and evaluate the factors that influence the waste separation behaviour of households in the Uitenhage area. In order to achieve this aim, secondary research (literature review) and primary research (empirical study) were conducted. The study has shown that if the residents are presented with free containers and have access to a collection service which facilitates the flow of the recyclables from the point of consumption to the point of sustainable disposal and conversion, it could motivate them to separate the waste. The only variable that was found significant in relation to household waste separation behaviour was motivation. The respondents are motivated to separate their household waste; yet, they do not separate it. The frequency distribution analysis reported that the sample was not experienced waste separators, where less than half of the sample was engaged in some waste separation activities. Yet, the respondents had a positive attitude towards the importance of waste separation and disagreed that waste separation is inconvenient. The majority of the respondents agreed that they have control over their behaviour and that the decision to separate their waste is within their control, but yet they do not separate their waste. The respondents agreed that they have the knowledge of what and how to separate waste, however, disagreed that they know where to take their separated waste. Interestingly, the respondents agreed that waste separation is The determinants of waste separation behaviour in Uitenhage, South Africa part of their moral norms; yet, they do not consider family and friends, including the municipality, to exert social pressure on them to separate their household waste. It is recommended that the municipality investigates the requirements for implementing a waste management scheme which provides containers for free and collects separated waste from households. Entrepreneurs can also play a pivotal role in bridging the gap in the waste management supply chain by establishing buy-back centres and sustainable recycling depots to facilitate the collection of separated waste for recycling. These collection services, buy-back centres and recycling depots present business opportunities and job creation potential, which will drive the economic growth in the Nelson Mandela Bay area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Factors affecting female students studying engineering at a higher education institution
- Authors: Boshoff, Hildegarde
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Women in engineering -- South Africa , Women -- Education (Graduate) -- South Africa Sex discrimination in education -- South Africa South Africa -- Education (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21746 , vital:29745
- Description: Engineering is of vital importance for humankind. Engineering combines the fields of mathematics and science, including engineering science and technology, in order to solve problems in the real world and in order to improve the society and economies of countries. It includes the ability to implement ideas in a cost effective and practical manner. Some of these solutions may include sustainability, needs of society, necessary risks and protection of the environment. Engineers develop ideas by using production of technology in order to improve the living of humankind. This includes designing and manufacturing different products based on customer needs and expectations. Although a field in engineering is largely a male-dominated career, women are becoming more interested in this career, compared to a few years ago. The problem remains that female students are still in the minority compared to their male counterparts studying engineering. Therefore, universities need to find solutions to attract female students towards engineering. There are various reasons why female students choose to study engineering, which include different influences, encouragements and their perception towards the Faculty and the academic staff. Thus, the purpose of the research study is to identify the reasons for both genders, currently studying engineering at Nelson Mandela University, formally known as Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), why they chose to study engineering, what influenced their studies, their encouragements or discouragements and overall perception and experience while studying engineering. The main focus will be on female students. This research study was an exploratory, mixed method study, which contains literature studies, surveys and cross-sectional studies. A literature study was compiled by using secondary sources in order to identify the importance of engineering internationally and within South Africa, women in the workplace and female students studying towards engineering. The empirical study, which consisted of a survey, was compiled and distributed to all Nelson Mandela University undergraduate students studying towards an engineering qualification. Respondents were asked various questions regarding pre-studies and their perceptions and experiences during their studies. This includes their experience with the academic staff and the Faculty of Engineering in general. For the analysis of the data, both Descriptive and Inferential Statistical methods were used. Some of the findings from the research study include that both genders develop an interest for engineering at a young age (between ages 13 – 18). Therefore, an interest is developed during high school level. Both genders choose to study engineering for the same reasons. The interest for choosing a career for both genders was triggered by a qualified engineer’s influence. During high school, female students take part in science, mathematics and engineering programmes and participate in competitions or contests. Both gender’s science, mathematics and engineering abilities increased since they started their studies at a higher education institution. From the findings, both genders indicated that they have a high level of interest in engineering, they are satisfied with their choice of engineering field and they are committed to complete their engineering qualification. Both genders are confident that they will find employment in engineering that pays well. Female students believe that they are better at problem solving activities, they are more committed to their studies, they work better with other people and they are more confident in their engineering abilities compared to the male counterparts. The findings also include that during their studies, both genders receive encouragement from various factors, but the significant source of encouragement for both genders are their mothers and employment opportunities. Whereas the most significant source of discouragement for both genders are their grades or academic performance and the amount of time required for engineering. Both genders receive equal quality in lecturing throughout their studies and the academic staff do not treat female students different from male students. It is also significant that female students receive support from the Faculty of Engineering. Female students will definitely encourage other females to study towards a field in engineering and find the academic staff approachable. Academic staff does give regular feedback to students regarding their academic performance. Therefore both genders know at all-time their academic performance and therefore will be able to improve their results. There are not enough female lecturers within the Engineering Department. Female lecturers serve as role models for female students. Therefore, the University’s management team needs to investigate this matter. The research study concluded with recommendations and considerations, contribution towards the body of knowledge, future research and the limitations of the study. Furthermore, the study offers an understanding of engineering students at Nelson Mandela University, which includes their current overall experience during their studies. The treatise will therefore assist the readers and especially Nelson Mandela University to attract and retain female students by addressing their challenges they experience during their studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Boshoff, Hildegarde
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Women in engineering -- South Africa , Women -- Education (Graduate) -- South Africa Sex discrimination in education -- South Africa South Africa -- Education (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21746 , vital:29745
- Description: Engineering is of vital importance for humankind. Engineering combines the fields of mathematics and science, including engineering science and technology, in order to solve problems in the real world and in order to improve the society and economies of countries. It includes the ability to implement ideas in a cost effective and practical manner. Some of these solutions may include sustainability, needs of society, necessary risks and protection of the environment. Engineers develop ideas by using production of technology in order to improve the living of humankind. This includes designing and manufacturing different products based on customer needs and expectations. Although a field in engineering is largely a male-dominated career, women are becoming more interested in this career, compared to a few years ago. The problem remains that female students are still in the minority compared to their male counterparts studying engineering. Therefore, universities need to find solutions to attract female students towards engineering. There are various reasons why female students choose to study engineering, which include different influences, encouragements and their perception towards the Faculty and the academic staff. Thus, the purpose of the research study is to identify the reasons for both genders, currently studying engineering at Nelson Mandela University, formally known as Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), why they chose to study engineering, what influenced their studies, their encouragements or discouragements and overall perception and experience while studying engineering. The main focus will be on female students. This research study was an exploratory, mixed method study, which contains literature studies, surveys and cross-sectional studies. A literature study was compiled by using secondary sources in order to identify the importance of engineering internationally and within South Africa, women in the workplace and female students studying towards engineering. The empirical study, which consisted of a survey, was compiled and distributed to all Nelson Mandela University undergraduate students studying towards an engineering qualification. Respondents were asked various questions regarding pre-studies and their perceptions and experiences during their studies. This includes their experience with the academic staff and the Faculty of Engineering in general. For the analysis of the data, both Descriptive and Inferential Statistical methods were used. Some of the findings from the research study include that both genders develop an interest for engineering at a young age (between ages 13 – 18). Therefore, an interest is developed during high school level. Both genders choose to study engineering for the same reasons. The interest for choosing a career for both genders was triggered by a qualified engineer’s influence. During high school, female students take part in science, mathematics and engineering programmes and participate in competitions or contests. Both gender’s science, mathematics and engineering abilities increased since they started their studies at a higher education institution. From the findings, both genders indicated that they have a high level of interest in engineering, they are satisfied with their choice of engineering field and they are committed to complete their engineering qualification. Both genders are confident that they will find employment in engineering that pays well. Female students believe that they are better at problem solving activities, they are more committed to their studies, they work better with other people and they are more confident in their engineering abilities compared to the male counterparts. The findings also include that during their studies, both genders receive encouragement from various factors, but the significant source of encouragement for both genders are their mothers and employment opportunities. Whereas the most significant source of discouragement for both genders are their grades or academic performance and the amount of time required for engineering. Both genders receive equal quality in lecturing throughout their studies and the academic staff do not treat female students different from male students. It is also significant that female students receive support from the Faculty of Engineering. Female students will definitely encourage other females to study towards a field in engineering and find the academic staff approachable. Academic staff does give regular feedback to students regarding their academic performance. Therefore both genders know at all-time their academic performance and therefore will be able to improve their results. There are not enough female lecturers within the Engineering Department. Female lecturers serve as role models for female students. Therefore, the University’s management team needs to investigate this matter. The research study concluded with recommendations and considerations, contribution towards the body of knowledge, future research and the limitations of the study. Furthermore, the study offers an understanding of engineering students at Nelson Mandela University, which includes their current overall experience during their studies. The treatise will therefore assist the readers and especially Nelson Mandela University to attract and retain female students by addressing their challenges they experience during their studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The development of a world-class operator framework for the Eastern Cape automotive component industry
- Authors: Boshoff, Waldo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Lean manufacturing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Manufacturing processes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21757 , vital:29760
- Description: This treatise evaluates the environment in which a world-class operator within the Eastern Cape automotive component industry is expected to work, and the skills and knowledge the operator requires to function effectively. Using both qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey four basic domains of skills and knowledge were identified: manufacturing principles, shop floor skills, shop floor knowledge and generic skills. Based on these results, a framework of required content to be included in the training and developing of a world class operator for the Eastern Cape automotive component industry is developed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Boshoff, Waldo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Lean manufacturing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Manufacturing processes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21757 , vital:29760
- Description: This treatise evaluates the environment in which a world-class operator within the Eastern Cape automotive component industry is expected to work, and the skills and knowledge the operator requires to function effectively. Using both qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey four basic domains of skills and knowledge were identified: manufacturing principles, shop floor skills, shop floor knowledge and generic skills. Based on these results, a framework of required content to be included in the training and developing of a world class operator for the Eastern Cape automotive component industry is developed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The external factors used to define the perceived success of software projects
- Authors: Coetzee, Jehan Pieter
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Project management , Management information systems Customer relations -- Management -- Data processing Business information services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21722 , vital:29741
- Description: The purpose of this quantitative research was to improve the way success of software projects is measured. This was done by identifying and exploring external factors that serve as success criteria. It is postulated that by understanding these factors, organisations will be able to focus their resource efforts on the most prevalent factors that they can use to judge software project success. This will ensure project success and ultimately create a competitive advantage for the organisation. The research started off with a structured literature review. This was followed by a research design based on a quantitative questionnaire presenting embedded units of analysis. The results provided a useful insight into the factors that are used to define the success of software projects. The outcome of the study is in the form of a model which highlights the following variables applied to define software project success: system quality, information quality, user satisfaction, net benefits and the traditional variables of time, budget and specification.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Coetzee, Jehan Pieter
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Project management , Management information systems Customer relations -- Management -- Data processing Business information services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21722 , vital:29741
- Description: The purpose of this quantitative research was to improve the way success of software projects is measured. This was done by identifying and exploring external factors that serve as success criteria. It is postulated that by understanding these factors, organisations will be able to focus their resource efforts on the most prevalent factors that they can use to judge software project success. This will ensure project success and ultimately create a competitive advantage for the organisation. The research started off with a structured literature review. This was followed by a research design based on a quantitative questionnaire presenting embedded units of analysis. The results provided a useful insight into the factors that are used to define the success of software projects. The outcome of the study is in the form of a model which highlights the following variables applied to define software project success: system quality, information quality, user satisfaction, net benefits and the traditional variables of time, budget and specification.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A critical analysis of the service quality dimensions of a mobile telecommunication service provider
- Authors: Crous, Pierre
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Customer relations -- Management , Consumer satisfaction Telecommunication -- Customer services Cell phone services industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21571 , vital:29582
- Description: In the current age, companies are redesigning the way they perform daily operations based on the principles of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Industry 4.0 will lead to the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing and mobilisation into the daily operations of companies across various industries which stay connected to guidance software by means of 3G or 4G SIM cards. This increasing demand for mobilisation and communication technologies has encouraged more interest from investors to invest in the Mobile Telecommunication Industry (MTI). The aforementioned leads to heightened competition among Mobile Telecommunication Service Providers (MTSP), already competing in a fiercely contested market. For service providers to guarantee success in such a highly competitive market, companies should endeavour to provide superior quality and customer-centric services to retain and attract customers. Service providers that provide their customers with quality experiences gain a competitive advantage over rival firms and enjoy increased financial returns. Thus, companies measure their service quality (SQ) continuously to understand what consumers need and want as well as to ascertain how customers perceive the quality of service provision of the organisation. Therefore, this research study introduces and discusses various SQ measurement instruments and dimensions that may be relevant for a MTSP to consider when measuring SQ. This study further provides a broad overview of the latest techniques and best practices that popular service providers have applied globally, to enhance their SQ measurement In order to facilitate the SQ measurement process, researchers have designed different instruments, tailored for measuring SQ in various particular industries, by identifying and incorporating relevant industry-specific SQ dimensions. This enables the measurement of the customer perceived performance of each individual dimension for a particular service provided in a specific industry. In order to initiate a SQ measurement project, companies employ a variety of techniques to collect data. In this research study, the SQ data collection technique and resultant data set of a South African Mobile Telecommunication Service Provider (SAMTSP) were analysed to evaluate present service quality processes and provide guidelines to a SAMTSP on improved processes to implement to determine its service quality levels. Eight independent variables were identified from the quantitative data in the service quality data set provided by a SAMTSP for the purposes of this study. The dependent variable was identified as Performance which served as the unit of measurement for the independent variables. The qualitative data analysis applied to the qualitative data in the provided data set, revealed three Attitudes (key patterns) namely Positive, Neutral and Negative. Moreover, 14 themes were extracted from these Attitudes and which provide deeper insight into customer sentiments with regards to the overall performance of a SAMTSP. The results indicated that the SAMTSP may not have targeted the necessary SQ dimensions. It was also found that the data collection technique employed by the SAMTSP to create the SQ data set had certain limitations that might have negatively impacted upon the relevance and quality of the SQ data collected. The findings further suggest that the MTSP could follow a better SQ measurement process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A critical analysis of the service quality dimensions of a mobile telecommunication service provider
- Authors: Crous, Pierre
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Customer relations -- Management , Consumer satisfaction Telecommunication -- Customer services Cell phone services industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21571 , vital:29582
- Description: In the current age, companies are redesigning the way they perform daily operations based on the principles of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Industry 4.0 will lead to the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing and mobilisation into the daily operations of companies across various industries which stay connected to guidance software by means of 3G or 4G SIM cards. This increasing demand for mobilisation and communication technologies has encouraged more interest from investors to invest in the Mobile Telecommunication Industry (MTI). The aforementioned leads to heightened competition among Mobile Telecommunication Service Providers (MTSP), already competing in a fiercely contested market. For service providers to guarantee success in such a highly competitive market, companies should endeavour to provide superior quality and customer-centric services to retain and attract customers. Service providers that provide their customers with quality experiences gain a competitive advantage over rival firms and enjoy increased financial returns. Thus, companies measure their service quality (SQ) continuously to understand what consumers need and want as well as to ascertain how customers perceive the quality of service provision of the organisation. Therefore, this research study introduces and discusses various SQ measurement instruments and dimensions that may be relevant for a MTSP to consider when measuring SQ. This study further provides a broad overview of the latest techniques and best practices that popular service providers have applied globally, to enhance their SQ measurement In order to facilitate the SQ measurement process, researchers have designed different instruments, tailored for measuring SQ in various particular industries, by identifying and incorporating relevant industry-specific SQ dimensions. This enables the measurement of the customer perceived performance of each individual dimension for a particular service provided in a specific industry. In order to initiate a SQ measurement project, companies employ a variety of techniques to collect data. In this research study, the SQ data collection technique and resultant data set of a South African Mobile Telecommunication Service Provider (SAMTSP) were analysed to evaluate present service quality processes and provide guidelines to a SAMTSP on improved processes to implement to determine its service quality levels. Eight independent variables were identified from the quantitative data in the service quality data set provided by a SAMTSP for the purposes of this study. The dependent variable was identified as Performance which served as the unit of measurement for the independent variables. The qualitative data analysis applied to the qualitative data in the provided data set, revealed three Attitudes (key patterns) namely Positive, Neutral and Negative. Moreover, 14 themes were extracted from these Attitudes and which provide deeper insight into customer sentiments with regards to the overall performance of a SAMTSP. The results indicated that the SAMTSP may not have targeted the necessary SQ dimensions. It was also found that the data collection technique employed by the SAMTSP to create the SQ data set had certain limitations that might have negatively impacted upon the relevance and quality of the SQ data collected. The findings further suggest that the MTSP could follow a better SQ measurement process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Schooling and institution quality linked to earnings in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Cuthbert, Carol
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Wages -- Effect of education on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Higher -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Equality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62166 , vital:28134
- Description: Return to investment for tertiary education is not equal for all. Human Capital Theory imposes a linear pathway between education and earnings, that fails to recognise other sources of capital, ignores social returns and does not explain why socio-economic variables influence employability and earnings. Those returns, rather than simply incrementally delivering returns for additional years of education, are however heterogeneous across students, with field of study, gender and population group influencing earnings; and schooling type and university attended filtering whether one finds a job. This study utilises data from Rhodes University and the University of Fort Hare, illustrating the extreme positions within the South African education landscape, employing a Heckman selection to predict the returns on education. The regression is found to be partially successful in predicting a graduate’s ability to find a job, in the first instance, and thereafter their returns. It is crucial to analyse the heterogeneity of socio-economic parameters to understand aspects of the economy, and develop education policies to take advantage of this understanding, especially against the backdrop of the student protests being experienced in the country and the funding models proposed. Access to tertiary education, through policy inducement, such as the recent increase of the grant limit from R122 000 to R350 000, requires disaggregated returns to education to be investigated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Cuthbert, Carol
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Wages -- Effect of education on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Higher -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Equality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62166 , vital:28134
- Description: Return to investment for tertiary education is not equal for all. Human Capital Theory imposes a linear pathway between education and earnings, that fails to recognise other sources of capital, ignores social returns and does not explain why socio-economic variables influence employability and earnings. Those returns, rather than simply incrementally delivering returns for additional years of education, are however heterogeneous across students, with field of study, gender and population group influencing earnings; and schooling type and university attended filtering whether one finds a job. This study utilises data from Rhodes University and the University of Fort Hare, illustrating the extreme positions within the South African education landscape, employing a Heckman selection to predict the returns on education. The regression is found to be partially successful in predicting a graduate’s ability to find a job, in the first instance, and thereafter their returns. It is crucial to analyse the heterogeneity of socio-economic parameters to understand aspects of the economy, and develop education policies to take advantage of this understanding, especially against the backdrop of the student protests being experienced in the country and the funding models proposed. Access to tertiary education, through policy inducement, such as the recent increase of the grant limit from R122 000 to R350 000, requires disaggregated returns to education to be investigated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
An institutional framework for expanding into Africa: a focus on global multinational companies
- Authors: Dipha, Lazola
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: International business enterprises -- Management , Globalization -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/29984 , vital:30804
- Description: Global multinational companies (MNCs) continue to face unique challenges in expanding into African emerging markets (AEMs). The biggest contributor to this is their lack of understanding and unwillingness to embrace the exceptional dynamics that exist in these countries, which has resulted in the majority of them defaulting to execute their own country’s domestic market strategies, resulting in failure to realise sustainable businesses. A misaligned and inappropriate strategy will fail dismally in terms of long-term sustainability of businesses. Urban & Hwindingwi (2016) took a diverse view in evaluating emerging markets, which will also be implemented in this study. They argued that “[they] see these features of emerging markets as symptoms of underlying market structures that share common, important and persistent differences from those in developed economies. Emerging markets reflect those transactional arenas where buyers and sellers are not easily or efficiently able to come together. The institutional voids make a market ‘emerging’ and are a prime source of the higher transaction costs and operating challenges in these markets”. “Market structures are the products of idiosyncratic historical, political, legal, economic and cultural forces within any country. All emerging markets feature insti-tutional voids, however, although the particular combination and severity of these voids varies from market to market”. In the previous years, corporate leaders and investors globally have pinned their hopes on the African growing story of promise becoming a reality. With a youthful, urbanising inhabitants, plentiful natural resources and a rising middle class; it looks like the continent has the correct components required for long-standing growth, possibly outshining the so-called tiger economies of East-Asia a generation ago. According to the McKinsey Global Institute titled Lions on the Move 2010 report; they forecasted consumer spending within the continent to grow by 40% and move GDPs by $1 trillion between 2008 to 2020. However, there are plenty multinationals that have become disheartened in their pursuit of operating in Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Dipha, Lazola
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: International business enterprises -- Management , Globalization -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/29984 , vital:30804
- Description: Global multinational companies (MNCs) continue to face unique challenges in expanding into African emerging markets (AEMs). The biggest contributor to this is their lack of understanding and unwillingness to embrace the exceptional dynamics that exist in these countries, which has resulted in the majority of them defaulting to execute their own country’s domestic market strategies, resulting in failure to realise sustainable businesses. A misaligned and inappropriate strategy will fail dismally in terms of long-term sustainability of businesses. Urban & Hwindingwi (2016) took a diverse view in evaluating emerging markets, which will also be implemented in this study. They argued that “[they] see these features of emerging markets as symptoms of underlying market structures that share common, important and persistent differences from those in developed economies. Emerging markets reflect those transactional arenas where buyers and sellers are not easily or efficiently able to come together. The institutional voids make a market ‘emerging’ and are a prime source of the higher transaction costs and operating challenges in these markets”. “Market structures are the products of idiosyncratic historical, political, legal, economic and cultural forces within any country. All emerging markets feature insti-tutional voids, however, although the particular combination and severity of these voids varies from market to market”. In the previous years, corporate leaders and investors globally have pinned their hopes on the African growing story of promise becoming a reality. With a youthful, urbanising inhabitants, plentiful natural resources and a rising middle class; it looks like the continent has the correct components required for long-standing growth, possibly outshining the so-called tiger economies of East-Asia a generation ago. According to the McKinsey Global Institute titled Lions on the Move 2010 report; they forecasted consumer spending within the continent to grow by 40% and move GDPs by $1 trillion between 2008 to 2020. However, there are plenty multinationals that have become disheartened in their pursuit of operating in Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A survey of organizational culture and organizational performance in a manufacturing company
- Authors: Dom, Veliswa Virginia
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Corporate culture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organizational behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Factories -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Analysis of variance , Shift systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Competing Values Framework (CVF)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61861 , vital:28069
- Description: The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between organizational culture and organizational performance in a manufacturing company. This company supplies metal products to the motor vehicle manufacturing industry, where the quality and quantity of parts produced is of paramount importance, since the buyers of these products are quality conscious. The organization has three production shifts that rotate each week. Anecdotal observations are that irrespective of the time that a shift operates over the course of the month, the different shifts tend to perform at different levels in terms of quality and quantity of output. This study therefore sought to investigate if these differences between shifts are statistically significant, and if so, whether these shifts also have differences in organizational culture. Components of organizational culture include values, norms, beliefs, attitudes, principles and expectations that give the organization a unique personality and differentiate it from other organizations. While the literature indicates that qualitative or quantitative approaches can be used in organizational culture research, this research adopted the quantitative approach, making use of the Competing Values Framework (CVF). The CVF is a four-category organizational culture typology established by Cameron and Quinn (2006). The framework is based on two dimensions: stability or flexibility of the organization, and external or internal focus. In this research, the CVF was used as a measurement tool to evaluate organizational culture. In order to determine differences in organizational culture between shifts, a survey was undertaken (N=138) which measured employee perceptions pertaining to the existing organizational culture of each of the three production shifts at the company. Secondly, differences in performance between the shifts were examined by using the performance data for a three-month period for each shift in terms of quantity and quality. This data was obtained from the management of the production process at the company. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA to analyse the differences between the shifts. The findings indicated that the dominant existing organizational culture at the company under investigation is a clan culture. Furthermore, there is a statistically significant difference between the cultures of all the three shifts at the manufacturing company. The results also indicated that there is a statistically significant difference in the quantity and quality of production between the three shifts. In conclusion, the research indicated there are differences in culture and in performance, but given the nature of the data, it was not possible to statistically analyse the relationship between shift culture and performance. However, it is conceivable that cultural differences between shifts may be contributing to performance differences. With regards to further research, it is recommended that this research be extended to other branches of the manufacturing company in other regions, in order to determine whether there are any significant differences in culture and performance between these branches and their shifts. Research could also be extended to other South African organizations to create a sufficiently large sample of shift and/or business units, so as to be able to do statistical analysis of the relationship between culture and performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Dom, Veliswa Virginia
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Corporate culture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organizational behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Factories -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Analysis of variance , Shift systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Competing Values Framework (CVF)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61861 , vital:28069
- Description: The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between organizational culture and organizational performance in a manufacturing company. This company supplies metal products to the motor vehicle manufacturing industry, where the quality and quantity of parts produced is of paramount importance, since the buyers of these products are quality conscious. The organization has three production shifts that rotate each week. Anecdotal observations are that irrespective of the time that a shift operates over the course of the month, the different shifts tend to perform at different levels in terms of quality and quantity of output. This study therefore sought to investigate if these differences between shifts are statistically significant, and if so, whether these shifts also have differences in organizational culture. Components of organizational culture include values, norms, beliefs, attitudes, principles and expectations that give the organization a unique personality and differentiate it from other organizations. While the literature indicates that qualitative or quantitative approaches can be used in organizational culture research, this research adopted the quantitative approach, making use of the Competing Values Framework (CVF). The CVF is a four-category organizational culture typology established by Cameron and Quinn (2006). The framework is based on two dimensions: stability or flexibility of the organization, and external or internal focus. In this research, the CVF was used as a measurement tool to evaluate organizational culture. In order to determine differences in organizational culture between shifts, a survey was undertaken (N=138) which measured employee perceptions pertaining to the existing organizational culture of each of the three production shifts at the company. Secondly, differences in performance between the shifts were examined by using the performance data for a three-month period for each shift in terms of quantity and quality. This data was obtained from the management of the production process at the company. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA to analyse the differences between the shifts. The findings indicated that the dominant existing organizational culture at the company under investigation is a clan culture. Furthermore, there is a statistically significant difference between the cultures of all the three shifts at the manufacturing company. The results also indicated that there is a statistically significant difference in the quantity and quality of production between the three shifts. In conclusion, the research indicated there are differences in culture and in performance, but given the nature of the data, it was not possible to statistically analyse the relationship between shift culture and performance. However, it is conceivable that cultural differences between shifts may be contributing to performance differences. With regards to further research, it is recommended that this research be extended to other branches of the manufacturing company in other regions, in order to determine whether there are any significant differences in culture and performance between these branches and their shifts. Research could also be extended to other South African organizations to create a sufficiently large sample of shift and/or business units, so as to be able to do statistical analysis of the relationship between culture and performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The impact of performance and reward on employee engagement
- Dwane, Ithembekil’Inkosi Den-Boy
- Authors: Dwane, Ithembekil’Inkosi Den-Boy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Employee motivation Employees -- Attitudes Management -- Employee participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/29940 , vital:30797
- Description: In today’s increasing competitive environment employees look for organisations that best meet their expectations. Few barriers prevent mobility of employees between companies, therefore employees may easily change from one organisation to another should they feel that they are not fully challenged and engaged. In a global environment where maintaining competitive advantage is of paramount importance, it is essential to develop effective retention strategies. In order to retain employees companies must try to offer an engaging environment to employees in order to satisfy these expectations in a different way from their competitors with a compelling value and attempts to increase performance and engagement amongst their employees. Nonetheless, employers are more aware now of the importance of an engaged workforce as a way of gaining competitive advantage in these challenging times, where employee attrition is high. Therefore retaining skilled and talented employees has become one of the major challenges faced by all sectors in South Africa, especially the financial sector as a whole. In order to alleviate this challenge companies have developed a robust performance management system and reward initiatives that enhance engagement. This study aimed to explore the impact of performance and reward on employee engagement, and to contribute to the human resource management science literature. The study also aimed to make recommendations on the management factors that determine these variables. The literature review explored traditional and emerging concepts, importance of employee engagement, types and characteristics of engaged II employees. The researcher further elaborated on the literature by including engagement factors, barriers and models. The second chapter of the literature then covered the concept of performance (individual and team) in detail and the concept of reward (extrinsic and intrinsic). From the literature review a performance, reward and engagement questionnaire was designed to find empirical responses to these challenges. The study adopted a quantitative approach (N = 275) testing the relationship of performance and reward (extrinsic and intrinsic) on the dependent variable, employee engagement. The study also entailed a cross sectional design approach. Minitab version 18 was used to conduct the statistical analysis. The findings support a strong correlation between the performance and employee engagement. The findings also indicate that there is a strong correlation between reward (extrinsic and intrinsic) and employee engagement across all employees. From the research findings there is also a strong correlation between the performance and employee engagement. The findings also indicate that there is a strong correlation between reward (extrinsic and intrinsic) and employee engagement across all employees that formed part of this research. The main findings also include some insights for organisations to consider and recommendations for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Dwane, Ithembekil’Inkosi Den-Boy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Employee motivation Employees -- Attitudes Management -- Employee participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/29940 , vital:30797
- Description: In today’s increasing competitive environment employees look for organisations that best meet their expectations. Few barriers prevent mobility of employees between companies, therefore employees may easily change from one organisation to another should they feel that they are not fully challenged and engaged. In a global environment where maintaining competitive advantage is of paramount importance, it is essential to develop effective retention strategies. In order to retain employees companies must try to offer an engaging environment to employees in order to satisfy these expectations in a different way from their competitors with a compelling value and attempts to increase performance and engagement amongst their employees. Nonetheless, employers are more aware now of the importance of an engaged workforce as a way of gaining competitive advantage in these challenging times, where employee attrition is high. Therefore retaining skilled and talented employees has become one of the major challenges faced by all sectors in South Africa, especially the financial sector as a whole. In order to alleviate this challenge companies have developed a robust performance management system and reward initiatives that enhance engagement. This study aimed to explore the impact of performance and reward on employee engagement, and to contribute to the human resource management science literature. The study also aimed to make recommendations on the management factors that determine these variables. The literature review explored traditional and emerging concepts, importance of employee engagement, types and characteristics of engaged II employees. The researcher further elaborated on the literature by including engagement factors, barriers and models. The second chapter of the literature then covered the concept of performance (individual and team) in detail and the concept of reward (extrinsic and intrinsic). From the literature review a performance, reward and engagement questionnaire was designed to find empirical responses to these challenges. The study adopted a quantitative approach (N = 275) testing the relationship of performance and reward (extrinsic and intrinsic) on the dependent variable, employee engagement. The study also entailed a cross sectional design approach. Minitab version 18 was used to conduct the statistical analysis. The findings support a strong correlation between the performance and employee engagement. The findings also indicate that there is a strong correlation between reward (extrinsic and intrinsic) and employee engagement across all employees. From the research findings there is also a strong correlation between the performance and employee engagement. The findings also indicate that there is a strong correlation between reward (extrinsic and intrinsic) and employee engagement across all employees that formed part of this research. The main findings also include some insights for organisations to consider and recommendations for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Characteristics and key-success factors of future sought-after retirement villages in George, South Africa
- Authors: Earle, Isak Sameul
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Retirement communities -- South Africa -- George , Retirees -- Housing -- South Africa -- George Retirement -- South Africa -- George -- Planning Retirees -- South Africa -- George -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22038 , vital:29815
- Description: This study is about obtaining information about international and national trends and features of sought-after retirement villages by means of a literature review (secondary research) as well as by means of a survey amongst estate agents and retirees currently residing in George (primary research). The primary research objective was to develop a Retirement Village Features Model (a set of features, development guidelines, conditions and requirements) for a sought-after retirement village in George, derived from scientific knowledge, resultant from findings and conclusions from primary and secondary research conducted by the researcher. The literature review revealed that worldwide, the population continues to get older and that the number of retirees requiring retirement homes is growing and supply is not keeping pace with the ever-growing demand. It also revealed 16 characteristics of retirement villages that were used as a basis for designing the questionnaire namely the expectation and the importance of: living amongst peers for social interaction, safety and security facilities, an easy-care lifestyle, economic investment security, recreational leisure facilities, beautiful designed buildings and homes, location, privacy, effective management of the development, well nurtured gardens, paved pedestrian walkways, wheelchair friendly designs, low maintenance housing designs, offering facilities for successful ageing, green energy design houses and facilities and the importance of not selling to potential buyers under the age of 50. Although the expectation of each of the 16 characteristics of a sought-after retirement village was high for most participants, the level of importance of each characteristic varied quite a lot. This might be a good indication that participants would like to have all the characteristics present in the development but are sceptical about costs that might be incurred to the homeowner having those characteristics present in the village. The participants in the study also indicated various desired characteristics of a future sought after retirement village that forms part of the Model which conforms to literature findings. These include: emergency assistance button in houses and emergency response services, a clubhouse with catering and braai facilities, WI-FI services in all areas, a pet-friendly environment with park for domestic animals and access to Frail Care and Assisted Living facilities. Participants in the survey also indicated their preference for housing in future sought-after retirement villages namely; 52.17% preferred a two bedroom privately owned home, 33.04% preferred a three bedroom privately owned house, 7.83% preferred renting a one or two-bedroom house and 6.96% prefer a one bedroom privately owned house. 71.31% of participants who responded regarded assisted living services and frail care services and facilities as very important or of utmost importance. This paper was aimed at capturing the essence of how retirees feel about their homes and lifestyle environments. By incorporating the findings and recommendations contained in this study into their development plans for future retirement villages, development companies will have a competitive advantage over their rivals in this industry. It is recommended that future research regarding retirement villages should include other regions in South Africa to improve the model. It is also recommended that further research can be done on how expected facilities in retirement villages can become self- sufficient and subsequently alleviating the maintenance costs for homeowners and hence rendering more value to the homeowner.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Earle, Isak Sameul
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Retirement communities -- South Africa -- George , Retirees -- Housing -- South Africa -- George Retirement -- South Africa -- George -- Planning Retirees -- South Africa -- George -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22038 , vital:29815
- Description: This study is about obtaining information about international and national trends and features of sought-after retirement villages by means of a literature review (secondary research) as well as by means of a survey amongst estate agents and retirees currently residing in George (primary research). The primary research objective was to develop a Retirement Village Features Model (a set of features, development guidelines, conditions and requirements) for a sought-after retirement village in George, derived from scientific knowledge, resultant from findings and conclusions from primary and secondary research conducted by the researcher. The literature review revealed that worldwide, the population continues to get older and that the number of retirees requiring retirement homes is growing and supply is not keeping pace with the ever-growing demand. It also revealed 16 characteristics of retirement villages that were used as a basis for designing the questionnaire namely the expectation and the importance of: living amongst peers for social interaction, safety and security facilities, an easy-care lifestyle, economic investment security, recreational leisure facilities, beautiful designed buildings and homes, location, privacy, effective management of the development, well nurtured gardens, paved pedestrian walkways, wheelchair friendly designs, low maintenance housing designs, offering facilities for successful ageing, green energy design houses and facilities and the importance of not selling to potential buyers under the age of 50. Although the expectation of each of the 16 characteristics of a sought-after retirement village was high for most participants, the level of importance of each characteristic varied quite a lot. This might be a good indication that participants would like to have all the characteristics present in the development but are sceptical about costs that might be incurred to the homeowner having those characteristics present in the village. The participants in the study also indicated various desired characteristics of a future sought after retirement village that forms part of the Model which conforms to literature findings. These include: emergency assistance button in houses and emergency response services, a clubhouse with catering and braai facilities, WI-FI services in all areas, a pet-friendly environment with park for domestic animals and access to Frail Care and Assisted Living facilities. Participants in the survey also indicated their preference for housing in future sought-after retirement villages namely; 52.17% preferred a two bedroom privately owned home, 33.04% preferred a three bedroom privately owned house, 7.83% preferred renting a one or two-bedroom house and 6.96% prefer a one bedroom privately owned house. 71.31% of participants who responded regarded assisted living services and frail care services and facilities as very important or of utmost importance. This paper was aimed at capturing the essence of how retirees feel about their homes and lifestyle environments. By incorporating the findings and recommendations contained in this study into their development plans for future retirement villages, development companies will have a competitive advantage over their rivals in this industry. It is recommended that future research regarding retirement villages should include other regions in South Africa to improve the model. It is also recommended that further research can be done on how expected facilities in retirement villages can become self- sufficient and subsequently alleviating the maintenance costs for homeowners and hence rendering more value to the homeowner.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Factors that influence business success in the Schauderville, Korsten and Gelvandale township areas of the Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Fisher, Theo Andre
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Success in business -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Small business -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Management Economic development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21938 , vital:29803
- Description: Presently, all South African businesses, including South African township small businesses, are required to be agile, innovative and highly adaptive in order to survive in a tough retail-trading environment. The reasons for having to adapt their strategies are due to the poor economic conditions and political uncertainty that South Africans are currently experiencing. Businesses owners are facing various challenges and have to mitigate and even eliminate numerous negative influences that potentially impede the growth and the sustainability of their businesses. The purpose for undertaking this research study was to establish a deeper understanding of township small businesses that operate in the township setting in South Africa. Many residents of the Schauderville, Korsten and Gelvandale townships areas in the Nelson Mandela Bay are unemployed. Some unemployed residents and those who were retrenched due to the tough South African economic environment started their own businesses, with the expectation of earning a sustainable income. However, the majority of these businesses were not able to establish themselves successfully. The question addressed in this study was therefore: what factors influence the success of small businesses in the Schauderville, Korsten and Gelvandale townships situated of the Nelson Mandela Bay? Thereafter, the researcher recommended strategies that the township small business owners should implement to improve their chances of operating more successful businesses. The selected factors that could negatively impact township small business success are mentioned below. The influencing factors that were discussed are: Competition; The formal and informal education levels of business owners and the township communities; The unemployment rate of township dwellers; Crime; and the disposable income levels of township communities. The research findings indicate that the majority of the township small businesses are influenced by the mentioned factors, especially crime. This conclusion was made after a sample of 50 respondents had completed structured interview questionnaires and after the results of the questionnaires had been analysed. This research study targeted township small business owners who operate in the Schauderville, Korsten and Gelvandale townships of the Nelson Mandela Bay. The researcher’s intention was to assist the township small business owners with strategies to mitigate the influences that competition (from locally owned township small businesses, foreign shopkeepers and township shopping malls), formal and informal education levels, unemployment, crime and disposable income levels of township communities have on their small businesses. In conclusion, the results of the research study show that the small business owners, together with government, should implement the recommendations that were made by the researcher in order to improve the success rate of their township small businesses. More vibrant and successful township small businesses will ultimately lead to better job opportunities and eventually to a flourishing South African economy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Fisher, Theo Andre
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Success in business -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Small business -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Management Economic development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21938 , vital:29803
- Description: Presently, all South African businesses, including South African township small businesses, are required to be agile, innovative and highly adaptive in order to survive in a tough retail-trading environment. The reasons for having to adapt their strategies are due to the poor economic conditions and political uncertainty that South Africans are currently experiencing. Businesses owners are facing various challenges and have to mitigate and even eliminate numerous negative influences that potentially impede the growth and the sustainability of their businesses. The purpose for undertaking this research study was to establish a deeper understanding of township small businesses that operate in the township setting in South Africa. Many residents of the Schauderville, Korsten and Gelvandale townships areas in the Nelson Mandela Bay are unemployed. Some unemployed residents and those who were retrenched due to the tough South African economic environment started their own businesses, with the expectation of earning a sustainable income. However, the majority of these businesses were not able to establish themselves successfully. The question addressed in this study was therefore: what factors influence the success of small businesses in the Schauderville, Korsten and Gelvandale townships situated of the Nelson Mandela Bay? Thereafter, the researcher recommended strategies that the township small business owners should implement to improve their chances of operating more successful businesses. The selected factors that could negatively impact township small business success are mentioned below. The influencing factors that were discussed are: Competition; The formal and informal education levels of business owners and the township communities; The unemployment rate of township dwellers; Crime; and the disposable income levels of township communities. The research findings indicate that the majority of the township small businesses are influenced by the mentioned factors, especially crime. This conclusion was made after a sample of 50 respondents had completed structured interview questionnaires and after the results of the questionnaires had been analysed. This research study targeted township small business owners who operate in the Schauderville, Korsten and Gelvandale townships of the Nelson Mandela Bay. The researcher’s intention was to assist the township small business owners with strategies to mitigate the influences that competition (from locally owned township small businesses, foreign shopkeepers and township shopping malls), formal and informal education levels, unemployment, crime and disposable income levels of township communities have on their small businesses. In conclusion, the results of the research study show that the small business owners, together with government, should implement the recommendations that were made by the researcher in order to improve the success rate of their township small businesses. More vibrant and successful township small businesses will ultimately lead to better job opportunities and eventually to a flourishing South African economy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between personal branding and career success: a study of female managers in South Africa
- Foli, Edem Nompumelelo Akoswa
- Authors: Foli, Edem Nompumelelo Akoswa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa -- Management , Success in business -- Women -- South Africa Career development -- Women -- South Africa Women executives -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21907 , vital:29800
- Description: The research objective of this study was to determine the relationship between personal branding and career success of female managers in South Africa. Personal branding is a technique used by individuals to enhance their careers. Women are still struggling to be recognised as equals to men in the workplace and do not hold as many key decision-making positions as their male counterparts. Women can use personal branding as a tool to help them progress faster in the workplace and enhance their career success. A questionnaire survey based on a conceptual framework – which consisted of the personal branding tactics of self-promotion, ingratiation, exemplification, intimidation, supplication and career success – was used to conduct this study. The research questions were: (1) Do female managers in South Africa think that personal branding is important; (2) What personal branding tactics for career success do female managers in South Africa use; (3) Do female managers think that online personal branding is important; and (4) How many female managers brand themselves online. The research questions were answered using descriptive statistics, one-sample tests, Analysis of Variance, and multiple linear aggression analysis. The research had 105 respondents and showed that female managers who participated in the study perceived personal branding as important; the results were statistically significant. The study also showed that the female managers were engaging in self-promotion as a way of advancing their career success. The majority of the female managers were also branding themselves online through media such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, websites and blogs. The main limitation of this study was that the non-probability sampling technique was used and this meant that the findings could not be generalised to the entire female manager population in South Africa. Suggestions for further research include collaborating with a women’s organisation with access to a database of female managers in South Africa and conducting the same research from the perspective of how others view female managers’ personal branding tactics and career successes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Foli, Edem Nompumelelo Akoswa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa -- Management , Success in business -- Women -- South Africa Career development -- Women -- South Africa Women executives -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21907 , vital:29800
- Description: The research objective of this study was to determine the relationship between personal branding and career success of female managers in South Africa. Personal branding is a technique used by individuals to enhance their careers. Women are still struggling to be recognised as equals to men in the workplace and do not hold as many key decision-making positions as their male counterparts. Women can use personal branding as a tool to help them progress faster in the workplace and enhance their career success. A questionnaire survey based on a conceptual framework – which consisted of the personal branding tactics of self-promotion, ingratiation, exemplification, intimidation, supplication and career success – was used to conduct this study. The research questions were: (1) Do female managers in South Africa think that personal branding is important; (2) What personal branding tactics for career success do female managers in South Africa use; (3) Do female managers think that online personal branding is important; and (4) How many female managers brand themselves online. The research questions were answered using descriptive statistics, one-sample tests, Analysis of Variance, and multiple linear aggression analysis. The research had 105 respondents and showed that female managers who participated in the study perceived personal branding as important; the results were statistically significant. The study also showed that the female managers were engaging in self-promotion as a way of advancing their career success. The majority of the female managers were also branding themselves online through media such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, websites and blogs. The main limitation of this study was that the non-probability sampling technique was used and this meant that the findings could not be generalised to the entire female manager population in South Africa. Suggestions for further research include collaborating with a women’s organisation with access to a database of female managers in South Africa and conducting the same research from the perspective of how others view female managers’ personal branding tactics and career successes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A risk based engineering maintenance and spare parts planning model for a generic pharmaceutical company in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Fourie, Gerhard Claris
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Engineering maintenance Engineering repairs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/29838 , vital:30784
- Description: The Pharmaceutical Industry is facing substantial challenges due to the continuous evolving world of technologies, global competitiveness, price regulation, environmental and safety requirements. In this environment asset maintenance evolved and became increasingly important in business over the last couple of decades. Traditionally industry favoured a reactive maintenance strategy but over the years changed to proactive maintenance strategy due to the advancement of technology and skills of maintenance personnel. With increasing automation and mechanisation, production processes are becoming highly complex and the cost associated with asset maintenance has increased consistently over the decades. Studies have shown that about 15-70% of production costs can be attributed to asset maintenance and one-third of maintenance costs are wasted due to inefficiencies in planning. Furthermore, the selection of an effective maintenance strategy is a challenge due to maintenance output that is difficult to measure and quantify. This treatise will investigate the application of a risk based strategy on asset maintenance planning and spare part management of a pharmaceutical company and compare it to best practices. The theory of risk analysis was reviewed and risk analysis pertaining to maintenance planning and spare part management in the Pharmaceutical industry explored. Questionnaires were sent to selected engineering and relevant departments in order to analyse the challenges and good practices in the company relating to spare part management and maintenance planning. A risk based model for the pharmaceutical company was developed after the information gathered in the research. The recommendations were made in a practical approach by presenting the solution in the form of a flow chart. This model will enable the Maintenance Managers, Inventory Managers and Maintenance Planners to identify critical equipment, optimise maintenance schedules and plan spare parts purchasing more accurately.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Fourie, Gerhard Claris
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Engineering maintenance Engineering repairs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/29838 , vital:30784
- Description: The Pharmaceutical Industry is facing substantial challenges due to the continuous evolving world of technologies, global competitiveness, price regulation, environmental and safety requirements. In this environment asset maintenance evolved and became increasingly important in business over the last couple of decades. Traditionally industry favoured a reactive maintenance strategy but over the years changed to proactive maintenance strategy due to the advancement of technology and skills of maintenance personnel. With increasing automation and mechanisation, production processes are becoming highly complex and the cost associated with asset maintenance has increased consistently over the decades. Studies have shown that about 15-70% of production costs can be attributed to asset maintenance and one-third of maintenance costs are wasted due to inefficiencies in planning. Furthermore, the selection of an effective maintenance strategy is a challenge due to maintenance output that is difficult to measure and quantify. This treatise will investigate the application of a risk based strategy on asset maintenance planning and spare part management of a pharmaceutical company and compare it to best practices. The theory of risk analysis was reviewed and risk analysis pertaining to maintenance planning and spare part management in the Pharmaceutical industry explored. Questionnaires were sent to selected engineering and relevant departments in order to analyse the challenges and good practices in the company relating to spare part management and maintenance planning. A risk based model for the pharmaceutical company was developed after the information gathered in the research. The recommendations were made in a practical approach by presenting the solution in the form of a flow chart. This model will enable the Maintenance Managers, Inventory Managers and Maintenance Planners to identify critical equipment, optimise maintenance schedules and plan spare parts purchasing more accurately.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
An investigation into the effectiveness of financial management systems in the public service: a case study of the department of health, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Galada, Unathi Luthando
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Financial management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Performance -- Measurement -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30227 , vital:30904
- Description: The aim of this study is to investigate the effective and efficient of the financial management systems and its translation into good governance in the Department of Health in order to meet all the compliance requirements as contained in legislations. Financial management is a critical element for good governance. It requires a great deal of attention with parallel internal systems and control that support it for optimal performance. To that, the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act 1 of 1999) and National Treasury Regulations require all government departments to ensure accountability on resource allocated yet able to measure value for money in relation to the delivery of goods and services. The Eastern Cape is one of five provinces with at least 60% of its population living in rural parts serviced by small towns. There is a total of 72 small towns in the province. The province has a legacy of endemic rural poverty and is characterized by the historical neglect of rural areas. The Eastern Cape still has many people moving to other provinces and to the two main cities of East London and Port Elizabeth, in search of employment. (ECSECC, 2006). The compliance to all key financial management legislation and policies has been a constant challenge faced by the Department of Health and the province, which has been largely caused by high levels of corruption, poor financial management systems, poor management tools, poor internal resource controls and maladministration practices (Auditor General Report, 2013/14). As a result, several incidents of dissatisfaction by members of the communities has been on the public domain, calling for government to deliver on quality health services throughout the province. The Public Finance Management Act, Act No. 1 of 1999, with regards to government’s utilisation of financial resources outlines the following objectives: Modernise the system of financial management in the public sector; Enable public sector managers to manage, but at the same time be held more accountable; Ensure the timely provision of quality information; and Eliminate the waste and corruption in the use of public assets. The Auditor General, as the supreme audit institution of the Republic, must, in terms of section 4(1) of the Public Audit Act (Act No. 25 of 2004), audit and report on the accounts, financial statements and financial statement of all government entities. Based on the 2014/15 Consolidated General Report issued by the Auditor General, various government entities were found not to have complied with the legislation relating to the payment of suppliers. The Constitution Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) makes a provision that all the three government spheres to be developmental-oriented in nature with clear accountability and transparency lines towards service delivery. On the same note , The Public Finance Management Act of 1999 (PFMA) is meant “To regulate financial management in the national government and provincial governments; to ensure that all revenue, expenditure, assets and liabilities of those governments are managed efficiently and effectively; to provide for the responsibilities of persons entrusted with financial management in those governments; and to provide for matters connected therewith”. Based on these legislations, the department of health is not isolated from the responsibility as it forms part of the provincial government, which is the provincial sphere. With the above introductory contentions from different authors and researchers, this study will provide more detail on the policy documents namely; PFMA so to establish the nature and extent to which effective and efficient Financial Management System has improved good governance in the Department of Health, Eastern Cape Province.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Galada, Unathi Luthando
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Financial management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Performance -- Measurement -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30227 , vital:30904
- Description: The aim of this study is to investigate the effective and efficient of the financial management systems and its translation into good governance in the Department of Health in order to meet all the compliance requirements as contained in legislations. Financial management is a critical element for good governance. It requires a great deal of attention with parallel internal systems and control that support it for optimal performance. To that, the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act 1 of 1999) and National Treasury Regulations require all government departments to ensure accountability on resource allocated yet able to measure value for money in relation to the delivery of goods and services. The Eastern Cape is one of five provinces with at least 60% of its population living in rural parts serviced by small towns. There is a total of 72 small towns in the province. The province has a legacy of endemic rural poverty and is characterized by the historical neglect of rural areas. The Eastern Cape still has many people moving to other provinces and to the two main cities of East London and Port Elizabeth, in search of employment. (ECSECC, 2006). The compliance to all key financial management legislation and policies has been a constant challenge faced by the Department of Health and the province, which has been largely caused by high levels of corruption, poor financial management systems, poor management tools, poor internal resource controls and maladministration practices (Auditor General Report, 2013/14). As a result, several incidents of dissatisfaction by members of the communities has been on the public domain, calling for government to deliver on quality health services throughout the province. The Public Finance Management Act, Act No. 1 of 1999, with regards to government’s utilisation of financial resources outlines the following objectives: Modernise the system of financial management in the public sector; Enable public sector managers to manage, but at the same time be held more accountable; Ensure the timely provision of quality information; and Eliminate the waste and corruption in the use of public assets. The Auditor General, as the supreme audit institution of the Republic, must, in terms of section 4(1) of the Public Audit Act (Act No. 25 of 2004), audit and report on the accounts, financial statements and financial statement of all government entities. Based on the 2014/15 Consolidated General Report issued by the Auditor General, various government entities were found not to have complied with the legislation relating to the payment of suppliers. The Constitution Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) makes a provision that all the three government spheres to be developmental-oriented in nature with clear accountability and transparency lines towards service delivery. On the same note , The Public Finance Management Act of 1999 (PFMA) is meant “To regulate financial management in the national government and provincial governments; to ensure that all revenue, expenditure, assets and liabilities of those governments are managed efficiently and effectively; to provide for the responsibilities of persons entrusted with financial management in those governments; and to provide for matters connected therewith”. Based on these legislations, the department of health is not isolated from the responsibility as it forms part of the provincial government, which is the provincial sphere. With the above introductory contentions from different authors and researchers, this study will provide more detail on the policy documents namely; PFMA so to establish the nature and extent to which effective and efficient Financial Management System has improved good governance in the Department of Health, Eastern Cape Province.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Happiness levels in South Africa
- Authors: Georgiou, Michael
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Happiness -- South Africa , Well-being Social capital (Sociology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30161 , vital:30849
- Description: One of the fundamental aspects of human life is the attempt to achieve happiness. Traditionally, happiness has been expressed within two specific spheres of understanding, these being the hedonic view and the eudemonic view. The former is the pursuit of wellbeing through pleasure, enjoyment and comfort, whereas the latter focuses on the pursuit of personal development, developing the best in oneself and keeping in line with one’s highest held principles. Such examples may include acting to the best of one’s abilities, expressing kindness, gratitude and the fulfilment of one’s potential. The philosophical tradition has now been incorporated into contemporary psychology for the development of the science of wellbeing. Recently, the term Happiness or what was commonly referred to as subjective well-being, has surged into the spotlight of positive psychology researchers worldwide, as it has shown to influence individuals and thereby organisations and society as well. There is evidence that indicates that an increase or decrease in individual happiness can have a positive influence on the lives of individuals, the way society operates and how economic structures perform. Many countries therefore are beginning to look at the measurement of happiness in an attempt to capitalise on the advantages this brings to their societies, economic activity and performance, and the improvement in the quality of the lives of its citizens. These countries are attempting to include the elements required to increase subjective well-being within the economic policies of the countries. This study aims at evaluating the Happiness Levels of South Africans and also aims at providing a basis for the current levels of happiness in the country, identify challenges that need to be addressed, and to provide a platform for further research where required. The primary data was collected through an online questionnaire, utilising the QuestionPro system supplied by the University. There were 840 valid respondents who completed the questionnaire in full. The questionnaire was developed utilising the happiness literature and previous questionnaires that have been developed in similar studies. A proposed conceptual model was developed and then tested utilising exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. A new model was iv developed which can be used to determine the happiness levels of South Africans. The study concluded with recommendations that governments, leaders, organisations and individuals in society can implement to increase the overall happiness of South Africans and to move the country forward in a positive and meaningful way so that we can all enjoy higher levels of happiness, prosperity and social capital. The results of this study further indicate that South Africans are generally happy and that optimism, workplace networks and work-life balance are important to their happiness. South African citizens generally have little faith in the government, the South African court system, the police services and the South African education system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Georgiou, Michael
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Happiness -- South Africa , Well-being Social capital (Sociology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30161 , vital:30849
- Description: One of the fundamental aspects of human life is the attempt to achieve happiness. Traditionally, happiness has been expressed within two specific spheres of understanding, these being the hedonic view and the eudemonic view. The former is the pursuit of wellbeing through pleasure, enjoyment and comfort, whereas the latter focuses on the pursuit of personal development, developing the best in oneself and keeping in line with one’s highest held principles. Such examples may include acting to the best of one’s abilities, expressing kindness, gratitude and the fulfilment of one’s potential. The philosophical tradition has now been incorporated into contemporary psychology for the development of the science of wellbeing. Recently, the term Happiness or what was commonly referred to as subjective well-being, has surged into the spotlight of positive psychology researchers worldwide, as it has shown to influence individuals and thereby organisations and society as well. There is evidence that indicates that an increase or decrease in individual happiness can have a positive influence on the lives of individuals, the way society operates and how economic structures perform. Many countries therefore are beginning to look at the measurement of happiness in an attempt to capitalise on the advantages this brings to their societies, economic activity and performance, and the improvement in the quality of the lives of its citizens. These countries are attempting to include the elements required to increase subjective well-being within the economic policies of the countries. This study aims at evaluating the Happiness Levels of South Africans and also aims at providing a basis for the current levels of happiness in the country, identify challenges that need to be addressed, and to provide a platform for further research where required. The primary data was collected through an online questionnaire, utilising the QuestionPro system supplied by the University. There were 840 valid respondents who completed the questionnaire in full. The questionnaire was developed utilising the happiness literature and previous questionnaires that have been developed in similar studies. A proposed conceptual model was developed and then tested utilising exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. A new model was iv developed which can be used to determine the happiness levels of South Africans. The study concluded with recommendations that governments, leaders, organisations and individuals in society can implement to increase the overall happiness of South Africans and to move the country forward in a positive and meaningful way so that we can all enjoy higher levels of happiness, prosperity and social capital. The results of this study further indicate that South Africans are generally happy and that optimism, workplace networks and work-life balance are important to their happiness. South African citizens generally have little faith in the government, the South African court system, the police services and the South African education system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018