The impact of South African business on employment relations in Mozambique: a case study of Banco Austral, a subsidiary of ABSA
- Mtyingizana, Beata Nontlahla
- Authors: Mtyingizana, Beata Nontlahla
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Industrial sociology -- Mozambique , Industrial relations -- Mozambique , Industrial relations -- Cross-cultural studies , Industrial sociology -- Political aspects , Personnel management -- Mozambique , Personnel management -- Political aspects , ABSA Bank , Banco Austral
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60267 , vital:27760
- Description: This thesis examines the impact of South African business on employment relations in Mozambique. The study specifically focuses on a case study of Banco Austral, a subsidiary of the Amalgamated Banks of South Africa (ABSA), to provide a richer and deeper analysis of employment practices. The study examines the extent to which the expansion of South African businesses in Mozambique has influenced the development of employment relations there. It examines whether the employment relations that exist at Banco Austral are a direct result of the influence of its parent firm, ABSA. It assesses whether the prevailing managerial practices at Banco Austral are distinctly local and a product of Mozambican history or whether the employer and employee relations that exist in that bank are an outcome of some form of hybridised host country and parent firm practices. The study is contextualised within the period of transition that both countries underwent. In the South African context, the end of apartheid promised political stability, democracy and racial harmony. It facilitated South Africa’s reinsertion into the international economy and enabled its investors to embark on large-scale penetration of potential markets. It also opened up opportunities for investors to take advantage of the new global order in the rest of Africa and particularly in Mozambique. Similarly, in Mozambique, the transition to capitalism and to liberal democracy in 1994 marked a clear shift of policy from an authoritarian one-party state characterised by a planned socialist economy. In embracing a liberal market economy, Mozambique facilitated a transference of ownership of major state assets to the private sector and opened itself to the private sector’s market-driven business practices and managerial cultures. The study found that the impact of these historical developments on the evolution of employment relations at Banco Austral has been contradictory. ABSA’s ownership of Banco Austral opened as many opportunities as it closed them. On the one hand, it marked an opportunity for the growth and development of the ABSA brand across Mozambique. It presented opportunities for the integration of the Mozambican workforce into the larger ABSA Group and thereby enabling the transference of innovative managerial practices, world class human resources management techniques and advanced banking technology from ABSA and into Banco Austral. ABSA’s acquisition of Banco Austral also opened prospects for the development of skills for the workforce, enhanced the chances of job mobility as well as opened opportunities for Banco Austral workers to take advantage of the newly created jobs. On the other hand, however, the managerial practices and the human resource management techniques transferred from ABSA was reported by Banco Austral workers to be far from innovative. Instead, they resembled traits of past practices characteristic of Mozambique’s colonial workplace regime and South Africa’s apartheid workplace regime. This tilted the balance of power in favour of managers who arbitrarily exercised their authority in ways similar to that of the Portuguese managers in colonial Mozambique and that of the production councils during the post-independence socialist period. Access to senior positions and training opportunities continued to be allocated along national and racial lines. Many Mozambican workers were said to be ABSA-unfit and could not be trained in critical areas to improve their relevance in the larger ABSA Group. Despite these findings however, this study shows that Banco Austral workers were not helpless actors in the employment relationship. Rather, they remained agents of change in their own right, endowed with varying degrees of power, which they used to minimise the impact of arbitrary management practices and influence the direction of the employment relationship to advance their interests. The argument of this thesis is advanced by locating the study within Pierre Bourdieu’s theoretical triad of capital, field and habitus. Bourdieu’s theoretical triad is used as important analytical tools for understanding how ABSA-specific practices evolved and continued to shape the conduct and thoughts of its managers and workers alike. This study also makes special contribution to Marxism by revisiting Marx’s conception of the labour process to expose a number of analytical dilemmas when Marx is applied to bank labour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mtyingizana, Beata Nontlahla
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Industrial sociology -- Mozambique , Industrial relations -- Mozambique , Industrial relations -- Cross-cultural studies , Industrial sociology -- Political aspects , Personnel management -- Mozambique , Personnel management -- Political aspects , ABSA Bank , Banco Austral
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60267 , vital:27760
- Description: This thesis examines the impact of South African business on employment relations in Mozambique. The study specifically focuses on a case study of Banco Austral, a subsidiary of the Amalgamated Banks of South Africa (ABSA), to provide a richer and deeper analysis of employment practices. The study examines the extent to which the expansion of South African businesses in Mozambique has influenced the development of employment relations there. It examines whether the employment relations that exist at Banco Austral are a direct result of the influence of its parent firm, ABSA. It assesses whether the prevailing managerial practices at Banco Austral are distinctly local and a product of Mozambican history or whether the employer and employee relations that exist in that bank are an outcome of some form of hybridised host country and parent firm practices. The study is contextualised within the period of transition that both countries underwent. In the South African context, the end of apartheid promised political stability, democracy and racial harmony. It facilitated South Africa’s reinsertion into the international economy and enabled its investors to embark on large-scale penetration of potential markets. It also opened up opportunities for investors to take advantage of the new global order in the rest of Africa and particularly in Mozambique. Similarly, in Mozambique, the transition to capitalism and to liberal democracy in 1994 marked a clear shift of policy from an authoritarian one-party state characterised by a planned socialist economy. In embracing a liberal market economy, Mozambique facilitated a transference of ownership of major state assets to the private sector and opened itself to the private sector’s market-driven business practices and managerial cultures. The study found that the impact of these historical developments on the evolution of employment relations at Banco Austral has been contradictory. ABSA’s ownership of Banco Austral opened as many opportunities as it closed them. On the one hand, it marked an opportunity for the growth and development of the ABSA brand across Mozambique. It presented opportunities for the integration of the Mozambican workforce into the larger ABSA Group and thereby enabling the transference of innovative managerial practices, world class human resources management techniques and advanced banking technology from ABSA and into Banco Austral. ABSA’s acquisition of Banco Austral also opened prospects for the development of skills for the workforce, enhanced the chances of job mobility as well as opened opportunities for Banco Austral workers to take advantage of the newly created jobs. On the other hand, however, the managerial practices and the human resource management techniques transferred from ABSA was reported by Banco Austral workers to be far from innovative. Instead, they resembled traits of past practices characteristic of Mozambique’s colonial workplace regime and South Africa’s apartheid workplace regime. This tilted the balance of power in favour of managers who arbitrarily exercised their authority in ways similar to that of the Portuguese managers in colonial Mozambique and that of the production councils during the post-independence socialist period. Access to senior positions and training opportunities continued to be allocated along national and racial lines. Many Mozambican workers were said to be ABSA-unfit and could not be trained in critical areas to improve their relevance in the larger ABSA Group. Despite these findings however, this study shows that Banco Austral workers were not helpless actors in the employment relationship. Rather, they remained agents of change in their own right, endowed with varying degrees of power, which they used to minimise the impact of arbitrary management practices and influence the direction of the employment relationship to advance their interests. The argument of this thesis is advanced by locating the study within Pierre Bourdieu’s theoretical triad of capital, field and habitus. Bourdieu’s theoretical triad is used as important analytical tools for understanding how ABSA-specific practices evolved and continued to shape the conduct and thoughts of its managers and workers alike. This study also makes special contribution to Marxism by revisiting Marx’s conception of the labour process to expose a number of analytical dilemmas when Marx is applied to bank labour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The impact of technology on job redesign
- Authors: Merchant, Amelia Sarwal
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Work design , Job analysis Job enrichment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32006 , vital:31908
- Description: The primary objective of this study was to establish the impact of cognitive technology on job redesign. The study was prompted by the uncertainty on employee job security and satisfaction introduced by leaps in technological development. The study adopted a qualitative approach and targeted business, human resources and IT executives to provide insights on the adoption of cognitive technology and its impact on employees and business profitability. Data were collected through in-depth interviews guided by semi-structured interview guides. Content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings indicate that cognitive technology creates new jobs that require employees to have more advanced skills; challenges employees and companies to collaborate in order to transition to higher levels of efficiency and productivity; and enables employees to advance their careers. Cognitive technology also enables companies to seek improved strategies for job redesign and staff retention. The findings also indicate that employees can be anxious and fearful about job security; companies may lack the capacity or resources to support employees to upskill; and employees may seek alternative employment opportunities. When introducing cognitive technology and conducting the inevitable job redesign the following recommendations were made: Companies should develop change management programs to assure that all employees are on board; Develop a clear roadmap for the roll-out of activities associated with cognitive technology and job redesign; and establish support structures and resources to assist staff to acquire new skills to transition from old to new roles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Merchant, Amelia Sarwal
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Work design , Job analysis Job enrichment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32006 , vital:31908
- Description: The primary objective of this study was to establish the impact of cognitive technology on job redesign. The study was prompted by the uncertainty on employee job security and satisfaction introduced by leaps in technological development. The study adopted a qualitative approach and targeted business, human resources and IT executives to provide insights on the adoption of cognitive technology and its impact on employees and business profitability. Data were collected through in-depth interviews guided by semi-structured interview guides. Content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings indicate that cognitive technology creates new jobs that require employees to have more advanced skills; challenges employees and companies to collaborate in order to transition to higher levels of efficiency and productivity; and enables employees to advance their careers. Cognitive technology also enables companies to seek improved strategies for job redesign and staff retention. The findings also indicate that employees can be anxious and fearful about job security; companies may lack the capacity or resources to support employees to upskill; and employees may seek alternative employment opportunities. When introducing cognitive technology and conducting the inevitable job redesign the following recommendations were made: Companies should develop change management programs to assure that all employees are on board; Develop a clear roadmap for the roll-out of activities associated with cognitive technology and job redesign; and establish support structures and resources to assist staff to acquire new skills to transition from old to new roles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The impact of the construction regulations 2014 on a water utility’s projects’ health and safety performance in South Africa
- Authors: Malindi, Rajandree Mandy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Safety regulations -- South Africa , Construction industry -- Standards -- South Africa Construction industry -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31655 , vital:31645
- Description: The construction industry plays a major role in South Africa’s economic development. Since promulgation of the Construction Regulations, the expectation is that project stakeholders are placing more emphasis on H&S to contribute to project success. The study aimed to assess the impact of the involvement of clients and other project stakeholders on the overall project H&S performance on projects undertaken by a large water utility. The scope was limited to the organisation’s engineering and operations division and its internal project stakeholders, namely the designers, quantity surveyors, project managers, and construction H&S professionals. Local literature pointed out that poor construction H&S performance is attributable to a lack of management commitment, inadequate supervision, inadequate or lack of H&S training, lack of worker involvement, personal risk appreciation and work pressures (cidb, 2009: 37). International literature indicated that the total CoA exceeds the cost of H&S (cidb, 2009: 9). Quantitative methods were utilised in two phases to gather and analyse data. In Phase 1, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to a target population, and in Phase 2, data was obtained from existing records of historic and completed project files for projects undertaken by the water utility. A total of 67 responses were used to analyse data. All stakeholders somehow contributed to H&S however, most respondents regarded CHS professionals, contractors and PMs as the primary stakeholders. The study found that stakeholders perceived H&S to be influenced during the later rather than the initial stages of projects and that H&S actions were significantly undertaken during stage 5. The frequency of H&S actions varied with each stakeholder dependent on the stage in which they were involved in. Recommendations were for H&S to be integrated in the initial stages of projects and for a follow up research to be conducted to investigate if there are improvements during the six project stages after full implementation of the Construction Regulations 2014. This requirement will force industry to comply and most importantly to drive joint efforts by the various stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Malindi, Rajandree Mandy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Safety regulations -- South Africa , Construction industry -- Standards -- South Africa Construction industry -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31655 , vital:31645
- Description: The construction industry plays a major role in South Africa’s economic development. Since promulgation of the Construction Regulations, the expectation is that project stakeholders are placing more emphasis on H&S to contribute to project success. The study aimed to assess the impact of the involvement of clients and other project stakeholders on the overall project H&S performance on projects undertaken by a large water utility. The scope was limited to the organisation’s engineering and operations division and its internal project stakeholders, namely the designers, quantity surveyors, project managers, and construction H&S professionals. Local literature pointed out that poor construction H&S performance is attributable to a lack of management commitment, inadequate supervision, inadequate or lack of H&S training, lack of worker involvement, personal risk appreciation and work pressures (cidb, 2009: 37). International literature indicated that the total CoA exceeds the cost of H&S (cidb, 2009: 9). Quantitative methods were utilised in two phases to gather and analyse data. In Phase 1, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to a target population, and in Phase 2, data was obtained from existing records of historic and completed project files for projects undertaken by the water utility. A total of 67 responses were used to analyse data. All stakeholders somehow contributed to H&S however, most respondents regarded CHS professionals, contractors and PMs as the primary stakeholders. The study found that stakeholders perceived H&S to be influenced during the later rather than the initial stages of projects and that H&S actions were significantly undertaken during stage 5. The frequency of H&S actions varied with each stakeholder dependent on the stage in which they were involved in. Recommendations were for H&S to be integrated in the initial stages of projects and for a follow up research to be conducted to investigate if there are improvements during the six project stages after full implementation of the Construction Regulations 2014. This requirement will force industry to comply and most importantly to drive joint efforts by the various stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The impact of the cultural and creative industries on the economic growth and development of small cities and towns - guidelines for creating a regional cultural policy
- Authors: Ndhlovu, Raymond
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Cultural industries -- South Africa , Cultural industries -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Cultural policy , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa. Department of Arts and Culture , Standard Bank National Arts Festival
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61524 , vital:28032
- Description: The arts and cultural sector has come under even more financial strain than it previously was, as it has to compete with other sectors of the economy for the very limited public funding that is available. It is in this context that the economic impact, and the role, of the arts and cultural sector towards advancing economic growth and development, needs be examined. This thesis investigates the potential for the positive impact of the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) on growth and development of small cities and towns. Furthermore, it also provides guidelines for the development of regional cultural policy in small cities and towns. The CCIs have also been touted as a catalyst for economic growth and economic development, hence the global rise in their interest. For example, the CCIs have been used to redevelop and revive urban areas that have been rundown. CCIs, however, tend to develop in clusters, and additionally, they cluster around large cities. However, the lack of reliance of some CCIs on long supply chains or high-technology inputs may make them suitable candidates for investment in small cities and towns. Additionally, the link that small cities and towns have with rural and isolated areas makes them potential engines for driving growth, development, as well as employment creation for these areas, given their decline as a result of the transition from the traditional agricultural economy, to the knowledge economy. As CCIs have the propensity to drive government’s macroeconomic objectives such as efficiency, equity, economic growth and job creation, it is necessary to develop cultural policy that regards this. The tendency of CCIs to cluster and develop around large cities inevitably means that very little research into cultural policy directed towards regions without large cities and towns has been done. By the same token, very little research has also been conducted on how to craft cultural policy for such areas. In order then, for cultural policy for regions without large cities and towns to be developed, it is necessary to investigate, and provide, guidelines on, how to develop cultural policy for such regions. As a case study, the Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) in the Eastern Cape was chosen. The SBDM has no large cities and towns, but the District Municipality has identified the CCIs as a potential growth sector, and is in the process of developing a regional cultural policy. The area also includes Grahamstown, which not only hosts the National Arts Festival, which is the largest arts event of its type in Africa, but is also piloting the “Creative City” project in South Africa. An audit and mapping study was conducted on the CCIs in the SBDM; this was based on a national mapping study commissioned by the Department of Arts and Culture. Further internet searches, as well as consultations with the provincial and regional Department of Arts of Culture, coupled with snowball sampling, also aided in the identification of CCIs, and consequently, the “creative hotspots” within the SBDM. Two random samples of stakeholders were chosen; the CCI owners and practitioners, as well as key stakeholders such as government officials, and interviews conducted with both groups, in order to get a first-hand perspective on the operations, activities, challenges, and opportunities that are faced by the CCIs. The study found that there were at least 441 CCIs in the SBDM, with two local municipalities (Dr. Beyers Naude and Makana) hosting the largest share of these (145 and 113 CCIs in each local municipality respectively), which indicates some support for the ‘clustering’ theory. It was also found that the local municipalities that had the largest number of CCIs also experienced better socio-economic welfare. Furthermore, based on the UNESCO Framework for Cultural Statistics (FCS) domains, the Visual Arts and Crafts; Information, Books and Press; and, Cultural Heritage domains were the largest domains represented in the SBDM. It was concluded that cultural policy that is developed, ought to take advantage of, and build on, these existing clusters, as well as the domains that are most prevalent in the region. To demonstrate the impact of cultural festivals on growth and development, a socio-economic impact study was undertaken at the 2016 National Arts Festival (NAF) in Grahamstown. Face to interviews, as well as self-completion questionnaires were used, with respondents at different venues, attending a variety of shows, and across a range of demographics, being interviewed, in order to get a representative sample of Festival attendees. It was found that the economic impact of the 2016 NAF on the city of Grahamstown was R94.4 million. Over and above the economic value of the NAF, it was also found that there were nonmarket benefits (social and intrinsic values) of the NAF, that included audience development, education of the arts and culture, social cohesion, and community development. The inability to directly track and measure social and intrinsic values proved to be a challenge. The study concluded that in order for successful cultural policy to be developed in regions without large cities and towns, it is first necessary to carry out a study to identify what resources are present, and where they are. Locating resources enables cluster identification - as clusters encourage comparative and competitive advantage, it is worthwhile to invest in areas where there are clusters. Therefore, in the allocation of scarce public funds, cultural policy needs to guide investment in to areas where established clusters indicate existing comparative advantage. In terms of equity and transformation, it is also necessary to evaluate labour markets and ownership patterns when developing cultural policy. Beyond the analysis of physical and human resources, the study also found that a crucial step towards developing successful cultural policy is identification of opportunities and challenges faced by the practitioners themselves; the policy ought to capitalise on the opportunities, whilst attempting to correct the challenges faced. Also of importance is aligning the proposed policy and its objectives with regional, provincial and national aims and objectives. Finally, it is important to include a monitoring and evaluation tool that will evaluate the performance of the policy against its stated aims and objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ndhlovu, Raymond
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Cultural industries -- South Africa , Cultural industries -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Cultural policy , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa. Department of Arts and Culture , Standard Bank National Arts Festival
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61524 , vital:28032
- Description: The arts and cultural sector has come under even more financial strain than it previously was, as it has to compete with other sectors of the economy for the very limited public funding that is available. It is in this context that the economic impact, and the role, of the arts and cultural sector towards advancing economic growth and development, needs be examined. This thesis investigates the potential for the positive impact of the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) on growth and development of small cities and towns. Furthermore, it also provides guidelines for the development of regional cultural policy in small cities and towns. The CCIs have also been touted as a catalyst for economic growth and economic development, hence the global rise in their interest. For example, the CCIs have been used to redevelop and revive urban areas that have been rundown. CCIs, however, tend to develop in clusters, and additionally, they cluster around large cities. However, the lack of reliance of some CCIs on long supply chains or high-technology inputs may make them suitable candidates for investment in small cities and towns. Additionally, the link that small cities and towns have with rural and isolated areas makes them potential engines for driving growth, development, as well as employment creation for these areas, given their decline as a result of the transition from the traditional agricultural economy, to the knowledge economy. As CCIs have the propensity to drive government’s macroeconomic objectives such as efficiency, equity, economic growth and job creation, it is necessary to develop cultural policy that regards this. The tendency of CCIs to cluster and develop around large cities inevitably means that very little research into cultural policy directed towards regions without large cities and towns has been done. By the same token, very little research has also been conducted on how to craft cultural policy for such areas. In order then, for cultural policy for regions without large cities and towns to be developed, it is necessary to investigate, and provide, guidelines on, how to develop cultural policy for such regions. As a case study, the Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) in the Eastern Cape was chosen. The SBDM has no large cities and towns, but the District Municipality has identified the CCIs as a potential growth sector, and is in the process of developing a regional cultural policy. The area also includes Grahamstown, which not only hosts the National Arts Festival, which is the largest arts event of its type in Africa, but is also piloting the “Creative City” project in South Africa. An audit and mapping study was conducted on the CCIs in the SBDM; this was based on a national mapping study commissioned by the Department of Arts and Culture. Further internet searches, as well as consultations with the provincial and regional Department of Arts of Culture, coupled with snowball sampling, also aided in the identification of CCIs, and consequently, the “creative hotspots” within the SBDM. Two random samples of stakeholders were chosen; the CCI owners and practitioners, as well as key stakeholders such as government officials, and interviews conducted with both groups, in order to get a first-hand perspective on the operations, activities, challenges, and opportunities that are faced by the CCIs. The study found that there were at least 441 CCIs in the SBDM, with two local municipalities (Dr. Beyers Naude and Makana) hosting the largest share of these (145 and 113 CCIs in each local municipality respectively), which indicates some support for the ‘clustering’ theory. It was also found that the local municipalities that had the largest number of CCIs also experienced better socio-economic welfare. Furthermore, based on the UNESCO Framework for Cultural Statistics (FCS) domains, the Visual Arts and Crafts; Information, Books and Press; and, Cultural Heritage domains were the largest domains represented in the SBDM. It was concluded that cultural policy that is developed, ought to take advantage of, and build on, these existing clusters, as well as the domains that are most prevalent in the region. To demonstrate the impact of cultural festivals on growth and development, a socio-economic impact study was undertaken at the 2016 National Arts Festival (NAF) in Grahamstown. Face to interviews, as well as self-completion questionnaires were used, with respondents at different venues, attending a variety of shows, and across a range of demographics, being interviewed, in order to get a representative sample of Festival attendees. It was found that the economic impact of the 2016 NAF on the city of Grahamstown was R94.4 million. Over and above the economic value of the NAF, it was also found that there were nonmarket benefits (social and intrinsic values) of the NAF, that included audience development, education of the arts and culture, social cohesion, and community development. The inability to directly track and measure social and intrinsic values proved to be a challenge. The study concluded that in order for successful cultural policy to be developed in regions without large cities and towns, it is first necessary to carry out a study to identify what resources are present, and where they are. Locating resources enables cluster identification - as clusters encourage comparative and competitive advantage, it is worthwhile to invest in areas where there are clusters. Therefore, in the allocation of scarce public funds, cultural policy needs to guide investment in to areas where established clusters indicate existing comparative advantage. In terms of equity and transformation, it is also necessary to evaluate labour markets and ownership patterns when developing cultural policy. Beyond the analysis of physical and human resources, the study also found that a crucial step towards developing successful cultural policy is identification of opportunities and challenges faced by the practitioners themselves; the policy ought to capitalise on the opportunities, whilst attempting to correct the challenges faced. Also of importance is aligning the proposed policy and its objectives with regional, provincial and national aims and objectives. Finally, it is important to include a monitoring and evaluation tool that will evaluate the performance of the policy against its stated aims and objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The impact of the ISO 9001:2015 on organisational change in South African organisations
- Authors: Pearson, Dean Warren
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Organizational change -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa Organizational behavior -- South Africa Leadership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34476 , vital:33384
- Description: In order for organisations to grow and maintain their competitive advantage, change has become the norm. Quality management systems are increasingly being deployed as a means to maintain this advantage, and enhance the quality of product and service offerings. The implementation of the latest publication of ISO9001:2015 requires organisations to have a more holistic overview and understanding of leadership requirements, planning as well as the organisational context they operate in. A positivistic research paradigm, with a quantitative, explorative and deductive approach was used to conduct the study. The study explored the requirements of change in organisations implementing the latest publication of ISO9001:2015 within the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area. It aimed at exploring the relationship between selected demographic variables, and the variables of the study. Lastly, the relationship between organisational context, planning and leadership (independent variables) and organisational change (dependent variable) were explored. The sample comprised of 81 organisations that were based in the Eastern Cape having their quality management systems based on the ISO9001 structure. A structured questionnaire with a Cronbach‘s alpha of more than 0.8 was used to collect data and distributed to lower, middle and upper level managers within these selected organisations. The empirical results indicated that the variables under study were prevalent in the organisations currently ISO9001 certified and in the process of implementing the latest version of the standard. However, the sizes of the studied organisations were found to present the most noteworthy differences, highlighting the current and future requirements for successful organisational change. Recommendations related to the findings were made for managers, as well as for research, and industry. Ethical principles were maintained throughout the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Pearson, Dean Warren
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Organizational change -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa Organizational behavior -- South Africa Leadership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34476 , vital:33384
- Description: In order for organisations to grow and maintain their competitive advantage, change has become the norm. Quality management systems are increasingly being deployed as a means to maintain this advantage, and enhance the quality of product and service offerings. The implementation of the latest publication of ISO9001:2015 requires organisations to have a more holistic overview and understanding of leadership requirements, planning as well as the organisational context they operate in. A positivistic research paradigm, with a quantitative, explorative and deductive approach was used to conduct the study. The study explored the requirements of change in organisations implementing the latest publication of ISO9001:2015 within the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area. It aimed at exploring the relationship between selected demographic variables, and the variables of the study. Lastly, the relationship between organisational context, planning and leadership (independent variables) and organisational change (dependent variable) were explored. The sample comprised of 81 organisations that were based in the Eastern Cape having their quality management systems based on the ISO9001 structure. A structured questionnaire with a Cronbach‘s alpha of more than 0.8 was used to collect data and distributed to lower, middle and upper level managers within these selected organisations. The empirical results indicated that the variables under study were prevalent in the organisations currently ISO9001 certified and in the process of implementing the latest version of the standard. However, the sizes of the studied organisations were found to present the most noteworthy differences, highlighting the current and future requirements for successful organisational change. Recommendations related to the findings were made for managers, as well as for research, and industry. Ethical principles were maintained throughout the study.
- 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
The impact, on fibre quality, of changing from conventional cotton to genetically modified cotton
- Authors: van Rensburg, Joané Jansen
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Cotton -- Genetic engineering , Cotton -- Quality Cotton
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30408 , vital:30940
- Description: This study was aimed at investigating the impact, on cotton fibre quality, of changing from conventional (non-GM) to genetically modified (GM) cotton, in both South Africa and the United States of America (USA). The cotton quality data, pre- and post-GM, generated by Cotton SA and the USDA, respectively, using the HVI systems, were accessed for 25 years in South Africa, and 27 years in the U.S. The key cotton quality parameters evaluated were staple length, micronaire and strength. These quality parameters had been measured on the Uster® HVI system by the various classing facilities in South Africa and the USA, on each bale of cotton produced within the specific country. The data for South Africa covered the period from 1992 (six years before the introduction of GM cotton) to 2016, composing at least 90% GM cotton since 2007. Data for the USA covered the period from 1990 (five years before the introduction of GM cotton) to 2016, composing at least 90% GM cotton since 2010. The data accessed and compiled, from the respective databases of two different countries, had to be electronically captured, regrouped (according to standards provided by the USDA) and thereafter analysed. It was found that the introduction and phasing in of GM cotton in both South Africa and the USA had a beneficial impact on the overall quality (FQI) of cotton produced in these countries. These positive trends in FQI were mainly caused by an increase in staple length for both countries, due to the beneficial impact that the introduction and phasing in of GM cotton had on staple length. Certain of the fibre parameters, notably micronaire, tended to fluctuate from year to year, quite unrelated to the introduction and phasing in of GM cotton, this being ascribed to fluctuating climatic conditions, and the parameter’s extreme sensitivity to such conditions. Over the period covered, cotton fibre, strength, showed a different trend for each country, remaining largely constant in South Africa, while increasing in the USA, this being unrelated to the introduction of GM cotton per sé.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: van Rensburg, Joané Jansen
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Cotton -- Genetic engineering , Cotton -- Quality Cotton
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30408 , vital:30940
- Description: This study was aimed at investigating the impact, on cotton fibre quality, of changing from conventional (non-GM) to genetically modified (GM) cotton, in both South Africa and the United States of America (USA). The cotton quality data, pre- and post-GM, generated by Cotton SA and the USDA, respectively, using the HVI systems, were accessed for 25 years in South Africa, and 27 years in the U.S. The key cotton quality parameters evaluated were staple length, micronaire and strength. These quality parameters had been measured on the Uster® HVI system by the various classing facilities in South Africa and the USA, on each bale of cotton produced within the specific country. The data for South Africa covered the period from 1992 (six years before the introduction of GM cotton) to 2016, composing at least 90% GM cotton since 2007. Data for the USA covered the period from 1990 (five years before the introduction of GM cotton) to 2016, composing at least 90% GM cotton since 2010. The data accessed and compiled, from the respective databases of two different countries, had to be electronically captured, regrouped (according to standards provided by the USDA) and thereafter analysed. It was found that the introduction and phasing in of GM cotton in both South Africa and the USA had a beneficial impact on the overall quality (FQI) of cotton produced in these countries. These positive trends in FQI were mainly caused by an increase in staple length for both countries, due to the beneficial impact that the introduction and phasing in of GM cotton had on staple length. Certain of the fibre parameters, notably micronaire, tended to fluctuate from year to year, quite unrelated to the introduction and phasing in of GM cotton, this being ascribed to fluctuating climatic conditions, and the parameter’s extreme sensitivity to such conditions. Over the period covered, cotton fibre, strength, showed a different trend for each country, remaining largely constant in South Africa, while increasing in the USA, this being unrelated to the introduction of GM cotton per sé.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The implementation of a push-pull programme for the control of Eldana saccharina (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in sugarcane in the coastal regions of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
- Authors: Mulcahy, Megan Marie
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pyralidae -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Pests -- Integrated control , Sugarcane -- Diseases and pests -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Stem borers -- Effect of habitat modification on -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Insect-plant relationships -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63290 , vital:28390
- Description: Eldana saccharina, an indigenous lepidopteran stemborer, is considered the most damaging pest of sugarcane in South Africa. Researchers have advocated the use of an area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) programme as a means of improving the control of this pest. A push-pull strategy was developed as a component of this AW-IPM approach. The push-pull strategy in sugarcane is a habitat management method of pest control that uses plants that are both repellent (Melinis Minutiflora) and attractive (Cyperus dives, Cyperus papyrus and Bt-maize) to E. saccharina. Previous research into push-pull has shown that this strategy is an effective tool for the control of E. saccharina. Push-pull has been implemented successfully in the Midlands North sugarcane growing region of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. Despite the proven efficacy of push-pull, very little push-pull research has been conducted in the coastal sugarcane growing regions of KZN, and adoption of this technology has been poor in these regions. Therefore, the aim of this research was to facilitate the implementation of push-pull for the management of E. saccharina in sugarcane in the coastal regions of KZN. This was done by focussing on on-farm field trials and farmer participatory research. On-farm push-pull field trials were conducted on five model farms in the North and South Coast sugarcane growing regions of KZN. High levels of E. saccharina were recorded during this study. The push-pull treatment sites showed a significant reduction of E. saccharina damage on four of the five farms used in the study. Mean percentage of stalks damaged decreased by up to 50 % in the presence of the repellent grass species, M. minutiflora. The number of E. saccharina found per 100 stalks also decreased significantly at these farms. The farm which did not show a significant reduction in E. saccharina populations or damage had low numbers of this pest in the sugarcane throughout the experiment. This demonstrates that push-pull is more effective in areas that have high levels of E. saccharina. Stem borer surveys in wetlands on sugarcane farms revealed that high numbers of E. saccharina were found within the pull plants, C. papyrus and C. dives, in comparison to the push-pull sites. This verifies that the pull plants do work efficiently to attract E. saccharina away from sugarcane. Additionally, eight parasitoids emerged from E. saccharina larvae collected in wetland sedges. The beneficial roles that push-pull plants play in attracting and maintaining natural enemies in the agroecosystem are discussed, and these findings further demonstrate the important ecosystem, and pest management services that wetlands provide on sugarcane farms. The success of the push-pull trials in this study show that this technology can be an effective tool for controlling E. saccharina in the coastal sugarcane growing regions. The timing of the planting of push-pull plants was shown to play a role in the efficacy of this technology. The study also confirmed that push-pull should be used as a component of AW-IPM in conjunction with good crop management practices. Surveys were undertaken to determine large-scale sugarcane growers' (LSGs) knowledge and perceptions of E. saccharina and other pests. Research regarding the farmers' perceptions of push- pull was also conducted to better understand the drivers and barriers to adoption of push-pull, and other new technologies. The surveys found that large-scale farmers in the coastal regions suffer from high infestations of E. saccharina. As such there is scope for the introduction of new pest management practices such as push-pull in this area. Farmers also demonstrated a good basic knowledge of E. saccharina and IPM. However, LSGs had a poor understanding of push-pull and how it works, as well as the plants that make up the push-pull system that is being implemented against E. saccharina in South Africa. A dearth in practical knowledge regarding the implementation of push-pull was seen as a major barrier to the adoption of this strategy, as was financial instability, farmer attitudes and poor institutional support. Farmers recommended collaboration amongst stakeholders, improved education, proof of the efficacy of push-pull and incentives as tools to improve the implementation of this strategy in the coastal sugarcane growing regions of KZN. Farmers preferred direct contact with extension personnel and experiential learning opportunities when acquiring information about push- pull and other new pest management practices. If opportunities for push-pull education are increased through direct contact with extension personnel, and through on-farm demonstrations, and if inputs are provided in the form of push-pull plants, it is likely that push-pull will succeed amongst coastal LSGs, especially since farmers had an overall positive attitude towards the technology. Surveys amongst small-scale sugarcane growers (SSGs) showed that sugarcane is important in the lives of these farmers. The SSGs perceive pests to be a major constraint to their farming systems, and they identified E. saccharina as a major pest of sugarcane. The farmers also demonstrated good knowledge of sugarcane pests and vegetable pests. However, SSGs lacked knowledge regarding pest management practices and beneficial insects. Extension and advisory services should to continue concentrating on pest management practices to educate SSGs on the variety and application of pest control strategies. SSGs were found to employ complex, diverse and integrated agricultural systems that are well-suited to the implementation of IPM technologies such as push-pull. Since insect pests act were found to be a major constraint to SSG sugarcane production, push-pull was deemed a feasible pest management strategy for coastal farmers and its implementation by SSGs should be further explored. SSGs in this study were also concerned about vegetable pests, therefore if push-pull can be adapted to help protect additional crops, adoption of this technology by small-scale growers will improve.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mulcahy, Megan Marie
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pyralidae -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Pests -- Integrated control , Sugarcane -- Diseases and pests -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Stem borers -- Effect of habitat modification on -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Insect-plant relationships -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63290 , vital:28390
- Description: Eldana saccharina, an indigenous lepidopteran stemborer, is considered the most damaging pest of sugarcane in South Africa. Researchers have advocated the use of an area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) programme as a means of improving the control of this pest. A push-pull strategy was developed as a component of this AW-IPM approach. The push-pull strategy in sugarcane is a habitat management method of pest control that uses plants that are both repellent (Melinis Minutiflora) and attractive (Cyperus dives, Cyperus papyrus and Bt-maize) to E. saccharina. Previous research into push-pull has shown that this strategy is an effective tool for the control of E. saccharina. Push-pull has been implemented successfully in the Midlands North sugarcane growing region of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. Despite the proven efficacy of push-pull, very little push-pull research has been conducted in the coastal sugarcane growing regions of KZN, and adoption of this technology has been poor in these regions. Therefore, the aim of this research was to facilitate the implementation of push-pull for the management of E. saccharina in sugarcane in the coastal regions of KZN. This was done by focussing on on-farm field trials and farmer participatory research. On-farm push-pull field trials were conducted on five model farms in the North and South Coast sugarcane growing regions of KZN. High levels of E. saccharina were recorded during this study. The push-pull treatment sites showed a significant reduction of E. saccharina damage on four of the five farms used in the study. Mean percentage of stalks damaged decreased by up to 50 % in the presence of the repellent grass species, M. minutiflora. The number of E. saccharina found per 100 stalks also decreased significantly at these farms. The farm which did not show a significant reduction in E. saccharina populations or damage had low numbers of this pest in the sugarcane throughout the experiment. This demonstrates that push-pull is more effective in areas that have high levels of E. saccharina. Stem borer surveys in wetlands on sugarcane farms revealed that high numbers of E. saccharina were found within the pull plants, C. papyrus and C. dives, in comparison to the push-pull sites. This verifies that the pull plants do work efficiently to attract E. saccharina away from sugarcane. Additionally, eight parasitoids emerged from E. saccharina larvae collected in wetland sedges. The beneficial roles that push-pull plants play in attracting and maintaining natural enemies in the agroecosystem are discussed, and these findings further demonstrate the important ecosystem, and pest management services that wetlands provide on sugarcane farms. The success of the push-pull trials in this study show that this technology can be an effective tool for controlling E. saccharina in the coastal sugarcane growing regions. The timing of the planting of push-pull plants was shown to play a role in the efficacy of this technology. The study also confirmed that push-pull should be used as a component of AW-IPM in conjunction with good crop management practices. Surveys were undertaken to determine large-scale sugarcane growers' (LSGs) knowledge and perceptions of E. saccharina and other pests. Research regarding the farmers' perceptions of push- pull was also conducted to better understand the drivers and barriers to adoption of push-pull, and other new technologies. The surveys found that large-scale farmers in the coastal regions suffer from high infestations of E. saccharina. As such there is scope for the introduction of new pest management practices such as push-pull in this area. Farmers also demonstrated a good basic knowledge of E. saccharina and IPM. However, LSGs had a poor understanding of push-pull and how it works, as well as the plants that make up the push-pull system that is being implemented against E. saccharina in South Africa. A dearth in practical knowledge regarding the implementation of push-pull was seen as a major barrier to the adoption of this strategy, as was financial instability, farmer attitudes and poor institutional support. Farmers recommended collaboration amongst stakeholders, improved education, proof of the efficacy of push-pull and incentives as tools to improve the implementation of this strategy in the coastal sugarcane growing regions of KZN. Farmers preferred direct contact with extension personnel and experiential learning opportunities when acquiring information about push- pull and other new pest management practices. If opportunities for push-pull education are increased through direct contact with extension personnel, and through on-farm demonstrations, and if inputs are provided in the form of push-pull plants, it is likely that push-pull will succeed amongst coastal LSGs, especially since farmers had an overall positive attitude towards the technology. Surveys amongst small-scale sugarcane growers (SSGs) showed that sugarcane is important in the lives of these farmers. The SSGs perceive pests to be a major constraint to their farming systems, and they identified E. saccharina as a major pest of sugarcane. The farmers also demonstrated good knowledge of sugarcane pests and vegetable pests. However, SSGs lacked knowledge regarding pest management practices and beneficial insects. Extension and advisory services should to continue concentrating on pest management practices to educate SSGs on the variety and application of pest control strategies. SSGs were found to employ complex, diverse and integrated agricultural systems that are well-suited to the implementation of IPM technologies such as push-pull. Since insect pests act were found to be a major constraint to SSG sugarcane production, push-pull was deemed a feasible pest management strategy for coastal farmers and its implementation by SSGs should be further explored. SSGs in this study were also concerned about vegetable pests, therefore if push-pull can be adapted to help protect additional crops, adoption of this technology by small-scale growers will improve.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and poverty reduction in Zimbabwe : the role of Official Development Assistance (ODA)
- Authors: Chivanga, Shylet Yvonne
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Economic development projects--Zimbabwe Sustainable development--Zimbabwe Poverty--Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Development Studies
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15605 , vital:40483
- Description: This study sought to analyse the role of official development assistance (ODA) from international developmental partnerships in reducing poverty in accordance with the aims of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Zimbabwe. A qualitative research methodology was used and interview guides were developed in order to put open-ended questions to the participants in one-on-one face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions. The data which was collected was subjected to thematic analysis. Among the findings which emerged was that the implementation of interventions to meet MDGs and reduce poverty in Zimbabwe had been hindered by both internal and external factors. Internal factors included corruption, underinvestment in industry, an untaxed underground economy, and political instability, the inconsistent implementation of policies, a weak judiciary, and excessive dependence upon ODA. Conversely, external factors included ODA which failed to enable the root causes of poverty to be tackled, attempting to remedy the symptoms of poverty rather than the real causes, the misuse of hegemonic economic and political power by foreign developmental partners, the inequitable distribution of ODA, ODA which entailed conditionalities, and soured relations with foreign donors. From the findings it was concluded that the most effective means of reducing poverty effectively in Zimbabwe lay in investing in developing internal sources of revenue. ODA should be used only to supplement interventions to reduce poverty in a sustainable manner and promote inclusive economic growth in the interests of equity. In order to generate the ODA which is needed to begin the process of economic recovery, Zimbabwe needs to re-engage with foreign developmental partners in a manner which ensures that partnerships are mutually beneficial. The injustices of the past should not be used to account for the failure to meet the MDGs and the deepening poverty in Zimbabwe, as they are not the consequences of the white minority rule of the past, but rather of present-day political ineptitude. Consequently, it is imperative that Zimbabwe should concentrate its efforts on developing the means to raise revenue for development and limit its dependence upon ODA. Holding onto the past by blaming the targeted sanctions, white minority rule, and colonialism will not enable the poverty in which many Zimbabweans in the post-independence era are mired to be meaningfully reduced through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which have superceded the MDGs to be achieved by 2030.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Chivanga, Shylet Yvonne
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Economic development projects--Zimbabwe Sustainable development--Zimbabwe Poverty--Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Development Studies
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15605 , vital:40483
- Description: This study sought to analyse the role of official development assistance (ODA) from international developmental partnerships in reducing poverty in accordance with the aims of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Zimbabwe. A qualitative research methodology was used and interview guides were developed in order to put open-ended questions to the participants in one-on-one face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions. The data which was collected was subjected to thematic analysis. Among the findings which emerged was that the implementation of interventions to meet MDGs and reduce poverty in Zimbabwe had been hindered by both internal and external factors. Internal factors included corruption, underinvestment in industry, an untaxed underground economy, and political instability, the inconsistent implementation of policies, a weak judiciary, and excessive dependence upon ODA. Conversely, external factors included ODA which failed to enable the root causes of poverty to be tackled, attempting to remedy the symptoms of poverty rather than the real causes, the misuse of hegemonic economic and political power by foreign developmental partners, the inequitable distribution of ODA, ODA which entailed conditionalities, and soured relations with foreign donors. From the findings it was concluded that the most effective means of reducing poverty effectively in Zimbabwe lay in investing in developing internal sources of revenue. ODA should be used only to supplement interventions to reduce poverty in a sustainable manner and promote inclusive economic growth in the interests of equity. In order to generate the ODA which is needed to begin the process of economic recovery, Zimbabwe needs to re-engage with foreign developmental partners in a manner which ensures that partnerships are mutually beneficial. The injustices of the past should not be used to account for the failure to meet the MDGs and the deepening poverty in Zimbabwe, as they are not the consequences of the white minority rule of the past, but rather of present-day political ineptitude. Consequently, it is imperative that Zimbabwe should concentrate its efforts on developing the means to raise revenue for development and limit its dependence upon ODA. Holding onto the past by blaming the targeted sanctions, white minority rule, and colonialism will not enable the poverty in which many Zimbabweans in the post-independence era are mired to be meaningfully reduced through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which have superceded the MDGs to be achieved by 2030.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The implications of landfill closure for waste reclaimers in rural local municipalities : the case of Fort Beaufort landfill, Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, Eastern Cape South Africa
- Authors: Ntongana, Kwasa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Refuse and refuse disposal Sanitary landfills Waste disposal sites -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6027 , vital:29482
- Description: Poverty and unemployment in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape is forcing thousands of vulnerable people into waste picking. There is growing recognition that waste re-claimers contribute to the local economy, to public health and to environmental sustainability. However, they often face low social status, tragic living and working conditions, and little support from local governments. The waste reclaimers of the Raymond Mhlaba Municipal area are unemployed, experiencing a poorer quality of life and feeling even more socially and economically excluded from the rest of society because of the “limitations” on landfill salvaging currently. Moreover, they have developed feelings of resentment and anger that have resulted in defiant acts of trespassing and theft. This social development study highlights the implications of landfill closure for waste salvagers in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. Landfilling has been the main method for municipal waste disposal in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. To combat the effects of uncontrolled release of landfill gases, the uncontrolled release of leachate that may affect water quality many landfills in the Eastern Cape are being considered for close down and for rehabilitation. To consider as well is the socio-economic backlog and anticipated population growth in the province, which means that landfill salvaging will continue to be an important source of revenue for the poor and homeless. This research used observation, semi-structured one-on-one interviewing, focus group interviewing and questionnaires as well as conducted a review of waste management policy-related documents and secondary data analysis in this qualitative research to analyse the social and the economic impacts. The research found that waste reclaimers in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality area disagreed with the closure of the Fort Beaufort landfill because of what the researcher assumed to be a lack of general environmental awareness and because of their vulnerability to poverty. Research findings also highlight that waste reclamation can be considered as a viable option to minimize waste at landfills and waste reclaimers have shown an increasing interest and commitment to being trained formally to continue reclamation work. This study has suggested disadvantages in rural landfill closure, without feasible alternatives. Focus must move away from extending waste collection and closing down landfills and instead improve final disposal and initiating minimisation- recycling programs as part of their strategies through the formation of waste cooperatives. This research suggests formalizing and controlling waste recovery to cater for the immediate and most basic needs of the poor. The recommendations will hopefully influence thinking about waste management policy planning and implementation in general, and be of service to furthering Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality achieve goals of sustainable employment creation and poverty alleviation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ntongana, Kwasa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Refuse and refuse disposal Sanitary landfills Waste disposal sites -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6027 , vital:29482
- Description: Poverty and unemployment in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape is forcing thousands of vulnerable people into waste picking. There is growing recognition that waste re-claimers contribute to the local economy, to public health and to environmental sustainability. However, they often face low social status, tragic living and working conditions, and little support from local governments. The waste reclaimers of the Raymond Mhlaba Municipal area are unemployed, experiencing a poorer quality of life and feeling even more socially and economically excluded from the rest of society because of the “limitations” on landfill salvaging currently. Moreover, they have developed feelings of resentment and anger that have resulted in defiant acts of trespassing and theft. This social development study highlights the implications of landfill closure for waste salvagers in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. Landfilling has been the main method for municipal waste disposal in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. To combat the effects of uncontrolled release of landfill gases, the uncontrolled release of leachate that may affect water quality many landfills in the Eastern Cape are being considered for close down and for rehabilitation. To consider as well is the socio-economic backlog and anticipated population growth in the province, which means that landfill salvaging will continue to be an important source of revenue for the poor and homeless. This research used observation, semi-structured one-on-one interviewing, focus group interviewing and questionnaires as well as conducted a review of waste management policy-related documents and secondary data analysis in this qualitative research to analyse the social and the economic impacts. The research found that waste reclaimers in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality area disagreed with the closure of the Fort Beaufort landfill because of what the researcher assumed to be a lack of general environmental awareness and because of their vulnerability to poverty. Research findings also highlight that waste reclamation can be considered as a viable option to minimize waste at landfills and waste reclaimers have shown an increasing interest and commitment to being trained formally to continue reclamation work. This study has suggested disadvantages in rural landfill closure, without feasible alternatives. Focus must move away from extending waste collection and closing down landfills and instead improve final disposal and initiating minimisation- recycling programs as part of their strategies through the formation of waste cooperatives. This research suggests formalizing and controlling waste recovery to cater for the immediate and most basic needs of the poor. The recommendations will hopefully influence thinking about waste management policy planning and implementation in general, and be of service to furthering Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality achieve goals of sustainable employment creation and poverty alleviation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The implications of utilising small, medium and micro sized enterprises on construction projects
- Authors: Kampman, Juan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa , Construction industry -- Management Construction industry -- Economic aspects Construction industry -- Cost effectiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30698 , vital:31031
- Description: The National Development Plan envisages that eleven million jobs will be created in South Africa by small and medium enterprises (SME) by 2030. This vehicle aims to generate employment opportunities, redistribute income and contribute to poverty alleviation. This research highlights the main hurdles associated with the appointment of small, medium and micro-enterprise (SMME) contractors while providing recommendations geared towards the development of a sustainable industry. This study focuses on the cost, quality, programme, and health and safety implications of utilising SMMEs on construction projects. The study is seen from the perspective of the client’s representatives on construction projects and it focuses on South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) projects in the Eastern Cape. The respondents answered a structured web-based questionnaire which included open and closed questions. The research determined that in order to provide the best quality work, at the best price, on time, and in a safe manner, SMMEs who are employed on construction projects should be experienced or should be trained and mentored, or both. To ensure that SMMEs function at the required level with regard to the cost of their service, the quality of work, construction duration, and health and safety, it is fundamental to train and mentor the SMMEs. In order to assist SMMEs, they should be supported by providing construction material, the required tools, and personal protective equipment at the start of a project. It was proposed that SMME guidelines be drafted in order to standardise implementation methodologies which can be applied throughout the construction industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kampman, Juan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa , Construction industry -- Management Construction industry -- Economic aspects Construction industry -- Cost effectiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30698 , vital:31031
- Description: The National Development Plan envisages that eleven million jobs will be created in South Africa by small and medium enterprises (SME) by 2030. This vehicle aims to generate employment opportunities, redistribute income and contribute to poverty alleviation. This research highlights the main hurdles associated with the appointment of small, medium and micro-enterprise (SMME) contractors while providing recommendations geared towards the development of a sustainable industry. This study focuses on the cost, quality, programme, and health and safety implications of utilising SMMEs on construction projects. The study is seen from the perspective of the client’s representatives on construction projects and it focuses on South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) projects in the Eastern Cape. The respondents answered a structured web-based questionnaire which included open and closed questions. The research determined that in order to provide the best quality work, at the best price, on time, and in a safe manner, SMMEs who are employed on construction projects should be experienced or should be trained and mentored, or both. To ensure that SMMEs function at the required level with regard to the cost of their service, the quality of work, construction duration, and health and safety, it is fundamental to train and mentor the SMMEs. In order to assist SMMEs, they should be supported by providing construction material, the required tools, and personal protective equipment at the start of a project. It was proposed that SMME guidelines be drafted in order to standardise implementation methodologies which can be applied throughout the construction industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The influence of construction project managers’ experience on project performance: the case of Nelson Mandela Bay infrastructure projects
- Authors: Parazee, Viahn
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Management Public works -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Management Project Management -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Construction industry -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34510 , vital:33387
- Description: When you start out in the engineering industry especially in the public sector, one seldom has the mentorship required to equip you with the skills to succeed in successfully implementing projects. It has furthermore been observed that there is a major difference between project management competencies and merely having a qualification in the same field as the project’s core business. The role of Construction Project Managers is especially unique within public sector projects as these projects often involve multiple stakeholders whose opinions can strongly influence the project(Jalocha et al., 2014). This has been the case within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality where labour and community unrest often result in project stoppages and delays which ultimately lead to project failure. Stakeholder engagement, an inherently social competence, is a key component of Project Management Competence and falls outside the curriculum of most technical qualifications in the built environment. Project Management failure within the public sector has become rife and the research findings of this study should be helpful in assisting the local government in attaining higher project success rates. A qualitative research approach was adopted for this study making use of a descriptive research design, yielding qualitative data which was summarised by the researcher through statistical analyses. The data were obtained through questionnaires distributed to the various Clients, Consultants and Contractors within the NMBM via email. The questionnaires were furthermore only distributed to government parastatals within the construction industry in the NMBM, Consultants and Contractors who have completed or are working on projects for these parastatals within the public sector. Key findings from the research note a positive relationship between competency and project success; that there is not enough mentorship received by Construction Project Managers in the built environment sectors; that there is a positive relationship between mentorship received and project success and that there is a significant difference in the number of professionally registered personnel in the Consulting Sector compared to that of the Public-Sector. It furthermore indicated that there was a positive correlation between supervisors being professionally registered and their junior Construction Project Managers achieving project success from the research findings, recommendations were made to aid the increase in project success rates and decrease project management failure within the NMBM. For this to be achieved, the following areas need to be addressed: Assigning of projects to Construction Project Managers, Mentorship provided to Construction Project Managers and ultimately their Project Management Competence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Parazee, Viahn
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Management Public works -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Management Project Management -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Construction industry -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34510 , vital:33387
- Description: When you start out in the engineering industry especially in the public sector, one seldom has the mentorship required to equip you with the skills to succeed in successfully implementing projects. It has furthermore been observed that there is a major difference between project management competencies and merely having a qualification in the same field as the project’s core business. The role of Construction Project Managers is especially unique within public sector projects as these projects often involve multiple stakeholders whose opinions can strongly influence the project(Jalocha et al., 2014). This has been the case within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality where labour and community unrest often result in project stoppages and delays which ultimately lead to project failure. Stakeholder engagement, an inherently social competence, is a key component of Project Management Competence and falls outside the curriculum of most technical qualifications in the built environment. Project Management failure within the public sector has become rife and the research findings of this study should be helpful in assisting the local government in attaining higher project success rates. A qualitative research approach was adopted for this study making use of a descriptive research design, yielding qualitative data which was summarised by the researcher through statistical analyses. The data were obtained through questionnaires distributed to the various Clients, Consultants and Contractors within the NMBM via email. The questionnaires were furthermore only distributed to government parastatals within the construction industry in the NMBM, Consultants and Contractors who have completed or are working on projects for these parastatals within the public sector. Key findings from the research note a positive relationship between competency and project success; that there is not enough mentorship received by Construction Project Managers in the built environment sectors; that there is a positive relationship between mentorship received and project success and that there is a significant difference in the number of professionally registered personnel in the Consulting Sector compared to that of the Public-Sector. It furthermore indicated that there was a positive correlation between supervisors being professionally registered and their junior Construction Project Managers achieving project success from the research findings, recommendations were made to aid the increase in project success rates and decrease project management failure within the NMBM. For this to be achieved, the following areas need to be addressed: Assigning of projects to Construction Project Managers, Mentorship provided to Construction Project Managers and ultimately their Project Management Competence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The influence of landscape dis-connectivity on the structure and function of the Krom River, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: McNamara, Shaun
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Wetland ecology -- South Africa -- Kromme River (Eastern Cape) , Alluvial fans -- South Africa -- Kromme River (Eastern Cape) , Sedimentation and deposition -- South Africa -- Kromme River (Eastern Cape) , Fluvial geomorphology -- South Africa -- Kromme River (Eastern Cape) , Soil erosion -- South Africa -- Kromme River (Eastern Cape)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63198 , vital:28380
- Description: Given that a broad valley and low longitudinal slope are important pre-requisites for wetland formation in dryland environments, it has been proposed that cut-and-fill cycles are largely responsible for the geomorphic evolution of the Krom River valley-bottom wetlands. Research to support this suggestion has focused extensively on the role of phases of incision. As a result, little is known about where sediment mobilised during phases of incision is being deposited (filling phase). This study aimed to address this question to add to the understanding of how cut-and-fill cycles influence the structure and functioning of the Krom River and its wetlands. This was achieved through a reach-scale appraisal of the degree of longitudinal connectivity of the Krom River. The reach used for this appraisal contained an incised section along which the river channel exists as a large gully, and a section immediately downstream of the gully terminus where the Krom River is un-gullied, and flow is diffuse across most of the width of the valley floor. Quantification of the masses of sediment eroded and deposited within the selected reach of the Krom River during a single recent (2012) flood event revealed that the degree of longitudinal connectivity in the Krom River is generally low. During the flood, much of the sediment mobilised by the cutting of the Krom River channel was deposited immediately downstream of the gully terminus, forming a large floodout feature. Particle size analyses of core samples taken along the floodout feature showed that the coarsest fraction of previously mobilised sediment was deposited at the head of the floodout, while finer sediment fractions were deposited progressively further downstream. Field surveys revealed that the pattern of deposition within the floodout feature led to localised steepening of the studied reach of the Krom River downstream of the gully terminus. Surveys of the recently eroded gully revealed that following incision, the eroded stream bed had a lower longitudinal gradient than both the pre-erosional land surface and the regional slope of the Krom River. The results of this study suggest that floodout formation downstream of gullies may promote the transgression of geomorphic thresholds for erosion, such that the development of floodout features leads to likely initiation of new cutting phases in novel locations along the course of the Krom River. They further suggest that the Krom River is capable of intrinsic longitudinal self-recovery through ongoing cut-and-fill cycles. Finally, it would appear that the current cutting phases responsible for the “destruction” of wetlands within the system are part of a cycle that will lead to prolonged geomorphic stability, such that the system is made more suitable for the long-term re-establishment of wetlands.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: McNamara, Shaun
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Wetland ecology -- South Africa -- Kromme River (Eastern Cape) , Alluvial fans -- South Africa -- Kromme River (Eastern Cape) , Sedimentation and deposition -- South Africa -- Kromme River (Eastern Cape) , Fluvial geomorphology -- South Africa -- Kromme River (Eastern Cape) , Soil erosion -- South Africa -- Kromme River (Eastern Cape)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63198 , vital:28380
- Description: Given that a broad valley and low longitudinal slope are important pre-requisites for wetland formation in dryland environments, it has been proposed that cut-and-fill cycles are largely responsible for the geomorphic evolution of the Krom River valley-bottom wetlands. Research to support this suggestion has focused extensively on the role of phases of incision. As a result, little is known about where sediment mobilised during phases of incision is being deposited (filling phase). This study aimed to address this question to add to the understanding of how cut-and-fill cycles influence the structure and functioning of the Krom River and its wetlands. This was achieved through a reach-scale appraisal of the degree of longitudinal connectivity of the Krom River. The reach used for this appraisal contained an incised section along which the river channel exists as a large gully, and a section immediately downstream of the gully terminus where the Krom River is un-gullied, and flow is diffuse across most of the width of the valley floor. Quantification of the masses of sediment eroded and deposited within the selected reach of the Krom River during a single recent (2012) flood event revealed that the degree of longitudinal connectivity in the Krom River is generally low. During the flood, much of the sediment mobilised by the cutting of the Krom River channel was deposited immediately downstream of the gully terminus, forming a large floodout feature. Particle size analyses of core samples taken along the floodout feature showed that the coarsest fraction of previously mobilised sediment was deposited at the head of the floodout, while finer sediment fractions were deposited progressively further downstream. Field surveys revealed that the pattern of deposition within the floodout feature led to localised steepening of the studied reach of the Krom River downstream of the gully terminus. Surveys of the recently eroded gully revealed that following incision, the eroded stream bed had a lower longitudinal gradient than both the pre-erosional land surface and the regional slope of the Krom River. The results of this study suggest that floodout formation downstream of gullies may promote the transgression of geomorphic thresholds for erosion, such that the development of floodout features leads to likely initiation of new cutting phases in novel locations along the course of the Krom River. They further suggest that the Krom River is capable of intrinsic longitudinal self-recovery through ongoing cut-and-fill cycles. Finally, it would appear that the current cutting phases responsible for the “destruction” of wetlands within the system are part of a cycle that will lead to prolonged geomorphic stability, such that the system is made more suitable for the long-term re-establishment of wetlands.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The influence of legislation and regulations on strategy in public entities
- Authors: Govender, Kasavan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Government business enterprises -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Government corporations -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Industrial development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22178 , vital:29866
- Description: While citizens require products and services to meet their needs, government goes about designing systems and processes to meet that need through the setting of goals and objectives. Many methods are adopted for that to happen. However, one of the ways that this occurs is through legislation and regulations and the formation of public entities. On the other hand, strategy is needed to devise techniques and plans to meet needs, goals and aspirations of government in the most efficient manner. At face value it would seem that the enactment of certain legislation and regulations seems to make the need for strategy obsolete especially since there is proliferation of national, provincial and local strategies that only need implementation. The purpose of this research is to determine the influence of legislation and regulations on strategy in public entities focusing on the Eastern Cape Province and using the Eastern Cape Development Corporation as a case study. The study focused on the assessment of the relationship between the public entities and the shareholder through the use of legislation and regulations. The context for the research is prefixed on creating an understanding of the public administrative system and especially the components of the New Public Management approach that deal with the principal-agent and public choice theory. The study assessed the public administrative system and its relationships in order to locate the use of legislation and regulations and public entities to deliver products and services to citizens. Likewise the concept of strategy was examined from three perspectives namely that strategy is about goal consciousness, strategy involves leadership and strategy is multifaceted in its nature. In order to undertake the study a document review was conducted on the legislation and regulations, semi-structured interviews were held with the principal or shareholder and a questionnaire was administered to executives and senior managers in public entities in the Eastern Cape Province. The findings revealed that there is a relationship between legislation and regulations and strategy on the one hand and on the other strategy appears to be ineffective due to a lack of planning, key role players’ involvement in the process, leadership, inflexible compliance and restrictive conditions. The research further found that strategy involves implementation of legislation and regulations which support the rise of the regulatory state. The study proposes a normative model that is built around defining the nature of strategy and predetermining the definition of roles in the system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Govender, Kasavan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Government business enterprises -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Government corporations -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Industrial development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22178 , vital:29866
- Description: While citizens require products and services to meet their needs, government goes about designing systems and processes to meet that need through the setting of goals and objectives. Many methods are adopted for that to happen. However, one of the ways that this occurs is through legislation and regulations and the formation of public entities. On the other hand, strategy is needed to devise techniques and plans to meet needs, goals and aspirations of government in the most efficient manner. At face value it would seem that the enactment of certain legislation and regulations seems to make the need for strategy obsolete especially since there is proliferation of national, provincial and local strategies that only need implementation. The purpose of this research is to determine the influence of legislation and regulations on strategy in public entities focusing on the Eastern Cape Province and using the Eastern Cape Development Corporation as a case study. The study focused on the assessment of the relationship between the public entities and the shareholder through the use of legislation and regulations. The context for the research is prefixed on creating an understanding of the public administrative system and especially the components of the New Public Management approach that deal with the principal-agent and public choice theory. The study assessed the public administrative system and its relationships in order to locate the use of legislation and regulations and public entities to deliver products and services to citizens. Likewise the concept of strategy was examined from three perspectives namely that strategy is about goal consciousness, strategy involves leadership and strategy is multifaceted in its nature. In order to undertake the study a document review was conducted on the legislation and regulations, semi-structured interviews were held with the principal or shareholder and a questionnaire was administered to executives and senior managers in public entities in the Eastern Cape Province. The findings revealed that there is a relationship between legislation and regulations and strategy on the one hand and on the other strategy appears to be ineffective due to a lack of planning, key role players’ involvement in the process, leadership, inflexible compliance and restrictive conditions. The research further found that strategy involves implementation of legislation and regulations which support the rise of the regulatory state. The study proposes a normative model that is built around defining the nature of strategy and predetermining the definition of roles in the system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The influence of microfinance lending on economic growth in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Matema, Travy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Microfinance -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31819 , vital:31848
- Description: Given the importance of the potential of microfinance lending as a means of addressing poverty alleviation and fostering economic growth especially in developing countries, this study evaluates the influence of MFI lending on economic growth in Zimbabwe. Hence this study will provide empirical evidence as to whether MFI lending has an influence on economic growth in Zimbabwe. The study employed the Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Model using quarterly data from 2000- 2016. The stationary tests revealed that the dependent variable was I(1) and the independent variables had mixed stationarity properties l(0) and l(1). The ARDL Bounds Co-integration test showed that there is co-integration between microfinance and economic growth. The findings of the Error Correction Model indicated that microfinance positively influences economic growth. Furthermore, by investing in microfinance lending the economy will be positively influenced within a year’s time. This study provides justification for the pursual of capitalising on microfinance lending as well as for Developmental Institutions and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to prioritise funding for microfinance lending.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Matema, Travy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Microfinance -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31819 , vital:31848
- Description: Given the importance of the potential of microfinance lending as a means of addressing poverty alleviation and fostering economic growth especially in developing countries, this study evaluates the influence of MFI lending on economic growth in Zimbabwe. Hence this study will provide empirical evidence as to whether MFI lending has an influence on economic growth in Zimbabwe. The study employed the Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Model using quarterly data from 2000- 2016. The stationary tests revealed that the dependent variable was I(1) and the independent variables had mixed stationarity properties l(0) and l(1). The ARDL Bounds Co-integration test showed that there is co-integration between microfinance and economic growth. The findings of the Error Correction Model indicated that microfinance positively influences economic growth. Furthermore, by investing in microfinance lending the economy will be positively influenced within a year’s time. This study provides justification for the pursual of capitalising on microfinance lending as well as for Developmental Institutions and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to prioritise funding for microfinance lending.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The influence of single parenting on the self-esteem and sexual behaviour of adolescent males in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Magqamfana, Simnikiwe H
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Parenting -- Psychological aspects Self-esteem in children Youth -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Psychology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10284 , vital:35388
- Description: The study aimed at investigating the influence of single parenting on the self-esteem and the sexual behaviour of adolescent males, with the aim to find out whether a relationship exists between single parenting, self-esteem and sexual behaviour or not by following a quantitative research method. Data was collected by means of self-administered questionnaire. The sample was made up of 226 adolescent males whom are high school learners and who aged between 12 and 21 from four schools around Raymond Mhlaba Municipality, Eastern Cape Province. For data analysis, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18 was used and it included descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. All statistical procedures were performed at 0.05 level of significance with 95 percent Confidence Interval. The study found that adolescent males from single parent households have positive selfesteem and responsibly sexual behaviours. In the study, the alternative hypothesis which stated that there is a positive correlation between single parenting and the adolescent males’ negative self-esteem was repudiated. On the other hand, the nullhypothesis which stated that there is no positive correlation between single parenting and adolescent males’ negative self-esteem and sexual behaviour was confirmed in the this study. Lastly, recommendations for the parents were made which include a good parent-child relationship that will create a safe space for effective communication and sex education which will likely prevent early sex debut. The importance of African families was underscored in this study, as such, it is deemed necessary then to build on this protective factor that could be helpful during adversities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Magqamfana, Simnikiwe H
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Parenting -- Psychological aspects Self-esteem in children Youth -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Psychology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10284 , vital:35388
- Description: The study aimed at investigating the influence of single parenting on the self-esteem and the sexual behaviour of adolescent males, with the aim to find out whether a relationship exists between single parenting, self-esteem and sexual behaviour or not by following a quantitative research method. Data was collected by means of self-administered questionnaire. The sample was made up of 226 adolescent males whom are high school learners and who aged between 12 and 21 from four schools around Raymond Mhlaba Municipality, Eastern Cape Province. For data analysis, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18 was used and it included descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. All statistical procedures were performed at 0.05 level of significance with 95 percent Confidence Interval. The study found that adolescent males from single parent households have positive selfesteem and responsibly sexual behaviours. In the study, the alternative hypothesis which stated that there is a positive correlation between single parenting and the adolescent males’ negative self-esteem was repudiated. On the other hand, the nullhypothesis which stated that there is no positive correlation between single parenting and adolescent males’ negative self-esteem and sexual behaviour was confirmed in the this study. Lastly, recommendations for the parents were made which include a good parent-child relationship that will create a safe space for effective communication and sex education which will likely prevent early sex debut. The importance of African families was underscored in this study, as such, it is deemed necessary then to build on this protective factor that could be helpful during adversities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The influence of technology factors on turnover intentions amongst a sample of government employees in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Mahlasela, Samkelisiwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Work -- Technological innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13535 , vital:39677
- Description: Orientation: Technology affects organisations both positively and negatively and in some instances technology factors can result in turnover intentions for certain employees of organisations. Research purpose: The main objective of the study was to investigate how technology-based job autonomy, technology-based job overload and technologybased job monitoring impact turnover intentions of employees. Motivation of the study: Exploring and understanding the relationship between technology factors and turnover intention amongst government employees to determine whether these factors affect government as much as they affect the private sector. Research design, approach and method: This research used a quantitative research approach. It drew a convenience sample of 182 employees (N= 182) from the South African Government. Main findings: The three main findings of the study were: Technology-based job autonomy was positively related to turnover intention. Technology-based job overload was found to be positively related to turnover intention. Finally, technology-based monitoring was found to be positively related to turnover intention. Practical/managerial implications: If organisations do not address the issue of monitoring and overload they are likely to experience many turnover intentions amongst the employees. Furthermore, the organisations with less autonomy are likely to lose their employees which means they will lose the resources that have been serving the organisation for a long time. This will also contribute to the organisation losing many funds as they would constantly have to train new employees. Contribution/value-add: The research adds value to the knowledge about the effects of technology factors on turnover intention by pointing out the reasons that lead to turnover intention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mahlasela, Samkelisiwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Work -- Technological innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13535 , vital:39677
- Description: Orientation: Technology affects organisations both positively and negatively and in some instances technology factors can result in turnover intentions for certain employees of organisations. Research purpose: The main objective of the study was to investigate how technology-based job autonomy, technology-based job overload and technologybased job monitoring impact turnover intentions of employees. Motivation of the study: Exploring and understanding the relationship between technology factors and turnover intention amongst government employees to determine whether these factors affect government as much as they affect the private sector. Research design, approach and method: This research used a quantitative research approach. It drew a convenience sample of 182 employees (N= 182) from the South African Government. Main findings: The three main findings of the study were: Technology-based job autonomy was positively related to turnover intention. Technology-based job overload was found to be positively related to turnover intention. Finally, technology-based monitoring was found to be positively related to turnover intention. Practical/managerial implications: If organisations do not address the issue of monitoring and overload they are likely to experience many turnover intentions amongst the employees. Furthermore, the organisations with less autonomy are likely to lose their employees which means they will lose the resources that have been serving the organisation for a long time. This will also contribute to the organisation losing many funds as they would constantly have to train new employees. Contribution/value-add: The research adds value to the knowledge about the effects of technology factors on turnover intention by pointing out the reasons that lead to turnover intention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The influence of the state IT agency’s current performance-based rewards on employee motivation
- Authors: Lucwaba, Pamela Xolewa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employee motivation , Incentive awards Employees -- Rating of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22574 , vital:30008
- Description: Organisational success originates from employees’ willingness to use their abilities and skills so that an organisation continues to achieve its strategic objectives and thus remains competitive. The organisation’s task is to encourage and nourish these motivated employee inputs by putting effective rewards in place (Markova and Ford, 2011, p. 813.). In view of this, the purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the State IT Agency’s official performance-based rewards and to establish whether these rewards enhance employee motivation. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study targeted all 86 employees occupying non-managerial positions (Job level A1 – D1) at the State IT Agency – Eastern Cape. The study thus included the entire population. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Collected data was analysed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the study were presented in frequency tables, cross-tabulations, histogram and line charts. The study revealed that intrinsically motivated employees are also motivated by financial and non-financial rewards. The research also showed that a statistically significant relationship exists between the number of years in the current position and employee motivation. This study’s results further revealed low levels of employee motivation as well as job dissatisfaction amongst the employees, dissatisfaction with the rewards provided by the organisation and that the State IT Agency is not providing employees with motivational factors perceived by employees as motivational. The study thus concluded that when the State IT Agency rewards outstanding employee performance with a performance-based bonus and a salary increase such employees’ motivation levels should be enhanced. It was recommended that the State IT Agency should design a total rewards strategy for the purpose of maximising the impact of various rewards on employee motivation. The State IT Agency should also focus on eliminating factors leading to employee dissatisfaction before implementing the proposed total rewards strategy because dissatisfied employees cannot be motivated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Lucwaba, Pamela Xolewa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employee motivation , Incentive awards Employees -- Rating of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22574 , vital:30008
- Description: Organisational success originates from employees’ willingness to use their abilities and skills so that an organisation continues to achieve its strategic objectives and thus remains competitive. The organisation’s task is to encourage and nourish these motivated employee inputs by putting effective rewards in place (Markova and Ford, 2011, p. 813.). In view of this, the purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the State IT Agency’s official performance-based rewards and to establish whether these rewards enhance employee motivation. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study targeted all 86 employees occupying non-managerial positions (Job level A1 – D1) at the State IT Agency – Eastern Cape. The study thus included the entire population. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Collected data was analysed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the study were presented in frequency tables, cross-tabulations, histogram and line charts. The study revealed that intrinsically motivated employees are also motivated by financial and non-financial rewards. The research also showed that a statistically significant relationship exists between the number of years in the current position and employee motivation. This study’s results further revealed low levels of employee motivation as well as job dissatisfaction amongst the employees, dissatisfaction with the rewards provided by the organisation and that the State IT Agency is not providing employees with motivational factors perceived by employees as motivational. The study thus concluded that when the State IT Agency rewards outstanding employee performance with a performance-based bonus and a salary increase such employees’ motivation levels should be enhanced. It was recommended that the State IT Agency should design a total rewards strategy for the purpose of maximising the impact of various rewards on employee motivation. The State IT Agency should also focus on eliminating factors leading to employee dissatisfaction before implementing the proposed total rewards strategy because dissatisfied employees cannot be motivated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The influence of transformational and transcendental leadership on the engagement and job performance of employees in SMME’s
- Authors: Govender, Roxanne
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Performance -- Management Job satisfaction -- South Africa --Port Elizabeth Leadership -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22167 , vital:29865
- Description: The purpose of this study was to assess the level of transformational and transcendental leadership adopted by SMME owners, and to investigate the subsequent influence on the engagement and job performance of employees working in SMME’s in Port Elizabeth. These small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME’s) were selected as they play a fundamental role in South Africa’s economy. These organisations drive innovation, facilitate job creation and foster economic growth. However, these SMME’s are facing an increased failure rate which has an impact on continuity for the foreseeable future. A significant reason for the increased failure rate has been identified as poor leadership practice which significantly influences the engagement and job performance of employees in SMME’s. To address and solve this problem, the research design and methodology followed a quantitative approach. A quantitative approach was deemed to be the most appropriate when the objectives and nature of the study were revised. The population was identified to be all employees working for the small, medium and micro-sized enterprises conducting business in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape Province. The sample for this study was selected using judgement and convenience sampling as it was inexpensive and respondents were more available which enabled a larger sample size quicker (Wegner, 2016, p.161). A cross-sectional study then supplemented these sampling methods. Lastly, an empirical study was conducted to test the hypotheses formulated in Figure 1.1. The findings from the empirical study indicated that transformational leadership significantly influenced engagement and trancendental leadership significantly influenced job performance. The findings also indicated that the demographic variables in the study had no influence on the level of transformational and transcendental leadership that SMME owners and management exhibit in the workplace. The majority of respondents agreed that a high level of transformational and transcendental leadership was currently being exhibited by SMME owners and management. Recommendations were made in an effort to improve the current levels of transformational and transcendental leadership of SMME owners and management. There would be a subsequent impact on the engagement and job performance of employees. When employees are satisfied, there is a greater sense of responsibility and integrity which results in greater job performance. There is also a positive ripple effect on the performance of the organisation. This paints a positive picture for South Africa’s economy and SMME continuity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Govender, Roxanne
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Performance -- Management Job satisfaction -- South Africa --Port Elizabeth Leadership -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22167 , vital:29865
- Description: The purpose of this study was to assess the level of transformational and transcendental leadership adopted by SMME owners, and to investigate the subsequent influence on the engagement and job performance of employees working in SMME’s in Port Elizabeth. These small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME’s) were selected as they play a fundamental role in South Africa’s economy. These organisations drive innovation, facilitate job creation and foster economic growth. However, these SMME’s are facing an increased failure rate which has an impact on continuity for the foreseeable future. A significant reason for the increased failure rate has been identified as poor leadership practice which significantly influences the engagement and job performance of employees in SMME’s. To address and solve this problem, the research design and methodology followed a quantitative approach. A quantitative approach was deemed to be the most appropriate when the objectives and nature of the study were revised. The population was identified to be all employees working for the small, medium and micro-sized enterprises conducting business in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape Province. The sample for this study was selected using judgement and convenience sampling as it was inexpensive and respondents were more available which enabled a larger sample size quicker (Wegner, 2016, p.161). A cross-sectional study then supplemented these sampling methods. Lastly, an empirical study was conducted to test the hypotheses formulated in Figure 1.1. The findings from the empirical study indicated that transformational leadership significantly influenced engagement and trancendental leadership significantly influenced job performance. The findings also indicated that the demographic variables in the study had no influence on the level of transformational and transcendental leadership that SMME owners and management exhibit in the workplace. The majority of respondents agreed that a high level of transformational and transcendental leadership was currently being exhibited by SMME owners and management. Recommendations were made in an effort to improve the current levels of transformational and transcendental leadership of SMME owners and management. There would be a subsequent impact on the engagement and job performance of employees. When employees are satisfied, there is a greater sense of responsibility and integrity which results in greater job performance. There is also a positive ripple effect on the performance of the organisation. This paints a positive picture for South Africa’s economy and SMME continuity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The intention of third party logistics service providers to adopt environmentally sustainable practices
- Authors: Jappie, Abdul-Gasiep
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Business logistics -- South Africa , Physical distribution of goods -- South Africa -- Management Industrial procurement -- Environmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30605 , vital:30975
- Description: With the increase in global trade, an escalation of industry competition, greater customer expectations and increasingly larger and more complex supply chains, third-party logistics (3PL) providers play an increasingly important role in international trade. Driven by globalisation and the advances in information technology, 3PL services have experienced unprecedented growth around the world. Given its prominence in global trade, 3PL service providers have, since the late 1980’s, attracted increased scholarly attention and as such, many practitioners regard 3PL providers as integral to external parties that may be consulted for any and all matters related to logistics service, and that are often engaged in the strategic coordination of businesses supply chain activities. Although the body of literature concerned with environmental issues in disciplines such as production and marketing have grown, similar literature involving logistics has been scarce, but expanding. Notwithstanding this growing literature, more research on environmental issues within the logistics industry is required, since the logistics service industry may have a greater negative environmental impact than other service sectors. Despite extensive scientific literature on the outsourcing of logistics functions and 3PL strategy, comparatively fewer studies on environmental sustainability exist in the 3PL industry. It is against this background that the main research question to be addressed in this study is which factors influence the intentions of 3PL service providers to adopt environmentally sustainable practices. A quantitative research methodology was adopted in this study to empirically test the proposed hypothetical model. By means of non-probability sampling, namely convenience sampling, a total of 122 3PL service providers were targeted within Nelson Mandela Bay during the empirical study. This was done by means of a survey using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and frequency distributions were utilised to summarise the data collected from the sample. To test the hypothesised relationships in the theoretical model, multiple regression analyses were used. The influence of three internal factors (management support, organisational culture and availability of resources) three external factors (competitive pressure, customer pressure and government influences) on the intention of 3PL service providers to adopt environmentally sustainable practices xii were assessed. The findings of this analysis showed that management and organisational support, customer pressures and government influences and have a significant influence on the intention to adopt environmentally sustainable practices for these businesses. The findings of this study have contributed to the body of knowledge regarding the intentions of 3PL service providers to adopt environmentally sustainable practices. The study used a sound and well-developed research design and methodology which have been justified and applied. This can be utilised by other similar studies to conduct empirical research in the field of adopting sustainable business practices. The measuring instrument and hypothetical model developed can also be used by organisations in other industries to investigate intentions to adopt sustainable practices. This study also provided useful and very practical guidelines to 3PL service providers as to ensure effective adoption of sustainable business practices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Jappie, Abdul-Gasiep
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Business logistics -- South Africa , Physical distribution of goods -- South Africa -- Management Industrial procurement -- Environmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30605 , vital:30975
- Description: With the increase in global trade, an escalation of industry competition, greater customer expectations and increasingly larger and more complex supply chains, third-party logistics (3PL) providers play an increasingly important role in international trade. Driven by globalisation and the advances in information technology, 3PL services have experienced unprecedented growth around the world. Given its prominence in global trade, 3PL service providers have, since the late 1980’s, attracted increased scholarly attention and as such, many practitioners regard 3PL providers as integral to external parties that may be consulted for any and all matters related to logistics service, and that are often engaged in the strategic coordination of businesses supply chain activities. Although the body of literature concerned with environmental issues in disciplines such as production and marketing have grown, similar literature involving logistics has been scarce, but expanding. Notwithstanding this growing literature, more research on environmental issues within the logistics industry is required, since the logistics service industry may have a greater negative environmental impact than other service sectors. Despite extensive scientific literature on the outsourcing of logistics functions and 3PL strategy, comparatively fewer studies on environmental sustainability exist in the 3PL industry. It is against this background that the main research question to be addressed in this study is which factors influence the intentions of 3PL service providers to adopt environmentally sustainable practices. A quantitative research methodology was adopted in this study to empirically test the proposed hypothetical model. By means of non-probability sampling, namely convenience sampling, a total of 122 3PL service providers were targeted within Nelson Mandela Bay during the empirical study. This was done by means of a survey using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and frequency distributions were utilised to summarise the data collected from the sample. To test the hypothesised relationships in the theoretical model, multiple regression analyses were used. The influence of three internal factors (management support, organisational culture and availability of resources) three external factors (competitive pressure, customer pressure and government influences) on the intention of 3PL service providers to adopt environmentally sustainable practices xii were assessed. The findings of this analysis showed that management and organisational support, customer pressures and government influences and have a significant influence on the intention to adopt environmentally sustainable practices for these businesses. The findings of this study have contributed to the body of knowledge regarding the intentions of 3PL service providers to adopt environmentally sustainable practices. The study used a sound and well-developed research design and methodology which have been justified and applied. This can be utilised by other similar studies to conduct empirical research in the field of adopting sustainable business practices. The measuring instrument and hypothetical model developed can also be used by organisations in other industries to investigate intentions to adopt sustainable practices. This study also provided useful and very practical guidelines to 3PL service providers as to ensure effective adoption of sustainable business practices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018