The role of microfinance in women empowerment in Gqeberha, South Africa
- Authors: Munyoro, Ruvimbonashe Doreen
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Microfinance -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Empowerment -- Women , Women executives , Businesswomen
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65274 , vital:74085
- Description: This research studied the role of microfinance in women empowerment in Gqeberha, in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Various development strategies and approaches have been devised across the world, aimed at empowering women and eradicating poverty, particularly in developing countries. One of these development strategies is microfinance. Microfinance has provided financial assistance through loans to people, unable to access formal financial banks. Empowering women to participate fully in their economies is not only essential to building economies but to achieving the internationally agreed goals for development, human rights and sustainability. The inclusion of women empowerment and poverty alleviation in the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals demonstrates the importance of poverty alleviation (SDG1) and women empowerment (SDG5) in the development of economies across the world. This qualitative research study collected data, using semi-structured questionnaires and interviews with 30 beneficiaries of MFIs and three MFI managers in Gqeberha. The sampling method used were non-probability purposive sampling, and the data were analysed through content analysis and descriptive statistics. The results suggest that microfinance through micro-loans and micro-business loans has had a positive role in the empowerment of women through the ease of access to finance through small loans. However, a gap exists in the market for long-term loans which could aid with starting small businesses and give the beneficiary more financial independence, improving their livelihood. It is recommended that MFIs across Gqeberha offer loans in the form of start-up capital and financial advice or education. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-04
The role of mentoring in the advancement of female leadership in corporate organisations
- Authors: Mhlanga, Siyavuya Marcia
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Leadership in women -- South Africa , Women executives , Mentoring in business
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65762 , vital:74235
- Description: Richard Branson reportedly said that “if you ask any successful business person, at some point along the road, they will always have had a great mentor”. The lack of representation of females at senior and executive levels is slowly transforming, yet not at the required rate. The study was conducted to evaluate the role of mentoring in the advancement of female leadership in corporate organisations. The research method that was followed was a qualitative and explanatory inductive approach to interview participants and observe their experiences and opinions with regard to the role of mentoring in the advancement of women through the following themes: job satisfaction, organisational culture, organisational development mentoring and the barriers and challenges that affect women. The focus area includes women in current senior level positions who have aspirations to advance into more senior or executive levels. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants and due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected the globe, a small group of well-respected individuals was selected according to their credibility. The key observations reflected within the study that the themes which were dominant included the following: 1)inequality, 2) lack of support and the importance of a sponsor/coach and 3) barriersand challenges (the “glass ceiling” and “boys club”) that still exist. The findings of the study will equip the role players within corporate organisations and associated bodies to ensure mentoring is used and encouraged for adoption among all organisations, implement mentorship strategies and apply the ADAPT mentoring model. Furthermore, the findings will serve to bring relevant insights and recommendations to promote more women in senior, executive and board-level positions. The implications of the findings suggest that mentoring is an enabler of advancement leverage for female leadership into senior and executive levels. The limitations of the study were the effects of COVID-19 and the subsequent countrywide lockdown, where constraints of meeting in person, availability of time, network and data constraints availed themselves. The researcher was unbale to ascertain long-term effects of the role of mentoring in advancing female leadership, but rather encourages its main benefits and is positive of the influence it may hold to set a precedent. The study established that the ability to create spaces of empowering women in corporates builds strong, economically viable corporates that promote mentoring to advance female representation. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-12
Exploring of a succession planning framework for women in the South African aviation industry
- Authors: Hoffman, Confidence Lydia
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Women executives , Women in development , Women -- Employment , Sex role in the work environment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8272 , vital:26318
- Description: Women globally are seen as key contributors to the economic development and ‘bottom-line’ of businesses, but their presence and representation is still lacking in senior positions and the boardroom. Although after 20 years of democracy, the South African government has made significant progress towards empowering women in all spheres of business, inequalities and imbalances remain huge stumbling blocks. Embracing diversity and advocating gender equality makes business sense; this includes developing women as leaders through effectively implementing succession planning. Research shows that most companies have a succession plan document in place, but whether it is correctly implemented and effective remains to be investigated. A company’s leadership and human resources management together need to create a robust succession planning framework which aligns the vision of the company and talent management. The purpose of this research study was to determine the perceived success of succession planning for women in businesses in South Africa. The study’s primary objective was to develop and explore a succession planning framework for women in the South African Aviation Industry. A detailed literature review was conducted on women in business, leadership and succession planning. A qualitative case study approach was used as the most appropriate research methodology for this study to test whether the six propositions developed by the researcher applied to this single case or not. A questionnaire was developed to be used as a guide when interviewing the female respondents. The results were analysed and based on the findings, recommendations were made for further research. The main finding of this research was that the selected company lacks the correct implementation of the succession planning process. A possible solution to this issue would be the recruitment of a succession planning coordinator who has strong knowledge of the company’s policies, procedures and culture to establish strategies to roll out the succession planning programme.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The role of Muslim women in family businesses
- Authors: Salie, Najmiea
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises , Women executives , Businesswomen
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8859 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020171
- Description: The primary research objective of this treatise is to determine the role of Muslim women in family businesses. Muslim women actively participate in various private and public sectors of the economy as well as in family businesses. The literature review discusses the family business and its definitions and portrayed the advantages and disadvantages of family businesses. Furthermore, the research explored women in family business and investigated common reasons for joining the family business as well as conflict and success planning experienced by the women in the family business. Thereafter, the literature review discussed the Muslim women in family businesses and highlighted the background of the history of Muslim women in Islam. The Muslim women and their rights in Islam were presented followed by the rules of hijab. An overview of Muslim women in the history of Islam of the past and in the current economy was completed. The literature review then discussed the Muslim women in business and concluded with the Muslim women and their role in family businesses. The research methodology and research design literature lead to a qualitative research strategy being adopted to determine the role of Muslim women in family businesses. A questionnaire was designed and participants from the local Muslim business community who live in Port Elizabeth were approached to participate in the research treatise. The participants were initially contacted telephonically followed by an interview session where the questionnaire was used as a guide to the interview. The main purpose of the structured questionnaire was to determine sufficient data for adequate analysis of the research problem. The data were analysed and recommendations were made to address the primary research objective. The findings presented highlighted the role of Muslim women in family businesses. During the research further opportunities for research were presented, particularly to determine the impact of the Muslim daughter in family business is recommended for future research.
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- Date Issued: 2012