Investigating various product derivatives for a sustainable aquaculture feed supply chain in South Africa
- Authors: Adam, Yusuf
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Derivatives product , sustainable aquaculture , Supply Chain management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59531 , vital:62150
- Description: Contemporary aquaculture produces more seafood for growing global nutrition requirements than capture fisheries stocks, but aquaculture practices do have adverse environmental impacts. This research investigated more sustainable marine ecosystem management practices through alternative aquaculture feed ingredients and production systems that mimic natural marine food chains. The aim was to find an alternative feed model to make the industry more sustainable. Content analysis was used to let secondary research complement the empirical research to investigate the perceptions about various product derivatives for a more sustainable aquaculture feed supply chain. The survey entailed distributing 228 questionnaires and only 55 diverse stakeholders responded. By reviewing their perceptions of natural marine organisms and manufactured agricultural ingredients, the call for sustainably produced aquaculture feed could inform future sustainable supply chain management and marine ecosystem stewardship. , Thesis (DBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Applied Accounting, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Adam, Yusuf
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Derivatives product , sustainable aquaculture , Supply Chain management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59531 , vital:62150
- Description: Contemporary aquaculture produces more seafood for growing global nutrition requirements than capture fisheries stocks, but aquaculture practices do have adverse environmental impacts. This research investigated more sustainable marine ecosystem management practices through alternative aquaculture feed ingredients and production systems that mimic natural marine food chains. The aim was to find an alternative feed model to make the industry more sustainable. Content analysis was used to let secondary research complement the empirical research to investigate the perceptions about various product derivatives for a more sustainable aquaculture feed supply chain. The survey entailed distributing 228 questionnaires and only 55 diverse stakeholders responded. By reviewing their perceptions of natural marine organisms and manufactured agricultural ingredients, the call for sustainably produced aquaculture feed could inform future sustainable supply chain management and marine ecosystem stewardship. , Thesis (DBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Applied Accounting, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
Catatonia a manifestation of serious mental Illness: prevalence, presentation, management, and outcomes in a mental health unit
- Authors: Zingela, Zukiswa
- Date: 2022-07
- Subjects: Mental Health , Catatonia , Psychomotor disorders
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60400 , vital:64706
- Description: Catatonia is a psychomotor abnormality that may be caused by severe physical or mental illness or by substances. It has a wide-ranging prevalence from less than 10% to just over 60%, worldwide. This thesis investigated multiple aspects of catatonia in an acute mental health unit setting. Critical aspects examined include the psychological experience of catatonia and assessment, prevalence, presentation, management, and treatment outcomes of catatonia. The research design was a prospective descriptive triangulation study that used a mixed quantitative and qualitative approach. The theoretical framework applied in this thesis was a positivist paradigm approach to explore the quantitative data collected, with application of deductive reasoning, supported by statistical analysis to detect correlations between catatonia and demographic and clinical data. The research explored the experience of a person with catatonia from the beginning to the end of the catatonic episode, inclusive of neglected areas such as the patient’s psychological and experiences. Sources of information included participant reports, clinical notes, and assessments conducted using screening tools for catatonia. Key knowledge gaps on catatonia were identified as target areas for this thesis. These are the prevalence of catatonia in a South African setting; the use of assessment tools like the Bush Francis Catatonia Screening Instrument (BFCSI), the Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS), and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (5th Edition; DSM-5) in this setting; interventions for catatonia; treatment outcomes; and the subjective experiences of catatonia, as described by patients. To date, there have been five publications produced from this thesis. The first paper was on the protocol for the research and was published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Open and presented the literature review, research design, and methodology for the planned Abstract ii research on catatonia (which has ultimately been presented in this current thesis). This paper also identified the aforementioned critical knowledge gaps. The second paper was published in the Biomedicine Central (BMC) International Journal of Mental Health Systems. This paper described a 6-month prevalence rate of catatonia of 11.9%, and concluded that the BFCSI and BFCRS had the highest inter-rater reliability (IRR) and pick-up rate when screening for catatonia, while the DMS-5 had low IRR, and the lowest correlation with the BFCSI and BFCRS. The 12-month prevalence rate was found to be 18.3% and was described in the third paper which was published in the PLOS One Psychiatry. Both lorazepam and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were found to be the most widely used treatment at the study site, with good response rates and outcomes. The results were published in the 4th paper in SAGE Open. The fifth paper was on the subjective and psychological experience and published in the BMC Psychology journal. It described the psychological and subjective experience of catatonia as narrated by participants which is characterised by intense experiences of fear, anxiety, and sadness that manifested as extreme withdrawal, combined with obedience or submission. This research has yielded new knowledge with potential applications at a regional, national, and global level. New knowledge yielded includes the need for screening of patients for catatonia across all acute settings, the need for training of both medical and nursing personnel in the assessment of catatonia, the effectiveness of screening and assessment tools, effective interventions for catatonia and outcomes. The descriptions of catatonia at an emotional, cognitive, and behavioural level also highlight the need to develop psychological strategies and targeted psychological interventions to complement the current management strategies. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-07
- Authors: Zingela, Zukiswa
- Date: 2022-07
- Subjects: Mental Health , Catatonia , Psychomotor disorders
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60400 , vital:64706
- Description: Catatonia is a psychomotor abnormality that may be caused by severe physical or mental illness or by substances. It has a wide-ranging prevalence from less than 10% to just over 60%, worldwide. This thesis investigated multiple aspects of catatonia in an acute mental health unit setting. Critical aspects examined include the psychological experience of catatonia and assessment, prevalence, presentation, management, and treatment outcomes of catatonia. The research design was a prospective descriptive triangulation study that used a mixed quantitative and qualitative approach. The theoretical framework applied in this thesis was a positivist paradigm approach to explore the quantitative data collected, with application of deductive reasoning, supported by statistical analysis to detect correlations between catatonia and demographic and clinical data. The research explored the experience of a person with catatonia from the beginning to the end of the catatonic episode, inclusive of neglected areas such as the patient’s psychological and experiences. Sources of information included participant reports, clinical notes, and assessments conducted using screening tools for catatonia. Key knowledge gaps on catatonia were identified as target areas for this thesis. These are the prevalence of catatonia in a South African setting; the use of assessment tools like the Bush Francis Catatonia Screening Instrument (BFCSI), the Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS), and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (5th Edition; DSM-5) in this setting; interventions for catatonia; treatment outcomes; and the subjective experiences of catatonia, as described by patients. To date, there have been five publications produced from this thesis. The first paper was on the protocol for the research and was published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Open and presented the literature review, research design, and methodology for the planned Abstract ii research on catatonia (which has ultimately been presented in this current thesis). This paper also identified the aforementioned critical knowledge gaps. The second paper was published in the Biomedicine Central (BMC) International Journal of Mental Health Systems. This paper described a 6-month prevalence rate of catatonia of 11.9%, and concluded that the BFCSI and BFCRS had the highest inter-rater reliability (IRR) and pick-up rate when screening for catatonia, while the DMS-5 had low IRR, and the lowest correlation with the BFCSI and BFCRS. The 12-month prevalence rate was found to be 18.3% and was described in the third paper which was published in the PLOS One Psychiatry. Both lorazepam and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were found to be the most widely used treatment at the study site, with good response rates and outcomes. The results were published in the 4th paper in SAGE Open. The fifth paper was on the subjective and psychological experience and published in the BMC Psychology journal. It described the psychological and subjective experience of catatonia as narrated by participants which is characterised by intense experiences of fear, anxiety, and sadness that manifested as extreme withdrawal, combined with obedience or submission. This research has yielded new knowledge with potential applications at a regional, national, and global level. New knowledge yielded includes the need for screening of patients for catatonia across all acute settings, the need for training of both medical and nursing personnel in the assessment of catatonia, the effectiveness of screening and assessment tools, effective interventions for catatonia and outcomes. The descriptions of catatonia at an emotional, cognitive, and behavioural level also highlight the need to develop psychological strategies and targeted psychological interventions to complement the current management strategies. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-07
Academic resilience of engineering students: a case study
- Authors: Mapaling, Curwyn
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Resilience (Personality trait) , Engineering students
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60775 , vital:67337
- Description: Extensive research has been done and much knowledge exists about academic resilience among youth in school contexts, but there is a lack of data and literature on academic resilience at university level. This knowledge gap is especially critical in disciplines such as engineering, where student dropout rates have historically been high. In 2017, a redesigned engineering degree qualification, the Bachelor of Engineering Technology, was introduced at South African universities. This case study explored the academic resilience of the first cohort of final-year Bachelor of Engineering Technology students at Nelson Mandela University. Mixed methods and multiple theories were employed, which allowed for the generation of rich data for this exploratory case study. In the quantitative phase, 66 students from Industrial, Civil, Electrical, Marine and Mechanical Engineering courses participated by completing a series of standardised psychometric measurement tools. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was conducted on the quantitative data collected from the measurement items. In the qualitative phase, 13 engineering students, 6 engineering lecturers and 6 support staff members were interviewed individually, to explore their perceptions and experiences of academic resilience. Qualitative data generated through the semi-structured interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings suggested that staff and students perceive academic resilience differently. It also seems that staff wellbeing impacts the academic resilience of students, and the relationship between staff wellness and student academic resilience is suggested as a next step for research on the topic of academic resilience at university level, especially among courses with high drop-out rates like engineering. Although not generalisable, it appears that a variety of extracurricular support structures and initiatives and strong relationships between the higher education sector and engineering industries can contribute significantly to students' academic resilience. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, School of Post Graduate Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Mapaling, Curwyn
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Resilience (Personality trait) , Engineering students
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60775 , vital:67337
- Description: Extensive research has been done and much knowledge exists about academic resilience among youth in school contexts, but there is a lack of data and literature on academic resilience at university level. This knowledge gap is especially critical in disciplines such as engineering, where student dropout rates have historically been high. In 2017, a redesigned engineering degree qualification, the Bachelor of Engineering Technology, was introduced at South African universities. This case study explored the academic resilience of the first cohort of final-year Bachelor of Engineering Technology students at Nelson Mandela University. Mixed methods and multiple theories were employed, which allowed for the generation of rich data for this exploratory case study. In the quantitative phase, 66 students from Industrial, Civil, Electrical, Marine and Mechanical Engineering courses participated by completing a series of standardised psychometric measurement tools. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was conducted on the quantitative data collected from the measurement items. In the qualitative phase, 13 engineering students, 6 engineering lecturers and 6 support staff members were interviewed individually, to explore their perceptions and experiences of academic resilience. Qualitative data generated through the semi-structured interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings suggested that staff and students perceive academic resilience differently. It also seems that staff wellbeing impacts the academic resilience of students, and the relationship between staff wellness and student academic resilience is suggested as a next step for research on the topic of academic resilience at university level, especially among courses with high drop-out rates like engineering. Although not generalisable, it appears that a variety of extracurricular support structures and initiatives and strong relationships between the higher education sector and engineering industries can contribute significantly to students' academic resilience. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, School of Post Graduate Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Enhancement of domestic solar photovoltaic unit productivity through the use of a cost effective tracking system
- Authors: Cawood, John Henry
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Photovoltaic power systems , Tracking (Engineering)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59215 , vital:60313
- Description: The majority of new and existing small photovoltaic (PV) installations in South Africa are fixed-panel systems, largely due to the cost of photovoltaic panel components having reduced steadily in recent years where an increased requirement is met with a larger number of panels, whilst tracking system costs remain prohibitively expensive. Fixed installations realise only a part of their energy potential as they are truly effective for only short periods of the day. The aim of this study is to investigate and build on the current technology of PV tracking systems with the aim of specifying a simple control and actuation system which performs the tracking function. The eventual purpose of this thesis is to reliably produce more energy from solar photovoltaic installations than similar installations using fixed panels. This would be achieved by the use of an effective and affordable tracking system which yields acceptable accuracy and reliability and opens the potential for the system to be further developed for other purposes. These alternative uses could be the control of sunlight into green buildings, control of dampers for building ventilation and cooling and Trombe wall air control. This study has investigated the potential of several passive and active methods to actuate a sun tracking system. A useful closed loop system, which uses low pressure hydraulics, was developed and tested. The prototype is detailed in the drawings, Appendix D. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Cawood, John Henry
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Photovoltaic power systems , Tracking (Engineering)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59215 , vital:60313
- Description: The majority of new and existing small photovoltaic (PV) installations in South Africa are fixed-panel systems, largely due to the cost of photovoltaic panel components having reduced steadily in recent years where an increased requirement is met with a larger number of panels, whilst tracking system costs remain prohibitively expensive. Fixed installations realise only a part of their energy potential as they are truly effective for only short periods of the day. The aim of this study is to investigate and build on the current technology of PV tracking systems with the aim of specifying a simple control and actuation system which performs the tracking function. The eventual purpose of this thesis is to reliably produce more energy from solar photovoltaic installations than similar installations using fixed panels. This would be achieved by the use of an effective and affordable tracking system which yields acceptable accuracy and reliability and opens the potential for the system to be further developed for other purposes. These alternative uses could be the control of sunlight into green buildings, control of dampers for building ventilation and cooling and Trombe wall air control. This study has investigated the potential of several passive and active methods to actuate a sun tracking system. A useful closed loop system, which uses low pressure hydraulics, was developed and tested. The prototype is detailed in the drawings, Appendix D. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
An integrated training and client service guidance framework for professional Accountants of SMES
- Authors: Beck, Tracy Geraldine
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Training , Accountants -- Professional ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59467 , vital:62120
- Description: Small and medium-sized accounting practices (SMPs) are vital to the accounting profession and represent most accounting practices globally. It is commonly assumed that SMPs employ the majority of professional accountants within the accounting field whose clients are typically small and medium-sized business entities (SMEs). SMEs account for most of the businesses around the world and play an important role in the development of economies as well as job creation. In a rapidly changing business environment, SMEs require a wider range of services and support from their professional accountants, thus, the needs and expectations of SMEs are constantly changing. Given the important contribution SMEs make to economic development, job creation, growth and innovation to communities globally, the success and survival rates of these businesses are of the utmost importance. Professional accountants of SMEs need to possess the relevant knowledge, skills, competencies and practical experience to provide professional business advisory services (non-accounting services) to create more value for the SME client. Research suggests that the SMEs decision to outsource business advisory services from their professional accountants is influenced by the relationship between the professional accountant and SME including the manner in which traditional compliance accounting services are provided (client services). In response, the objective of this study was to propose a graphical and narrative integrated training and client service framework to guide SME professional accountants. The framework provides guidance in respect of the knowledge, skills, competencies and practical experience a modern-day professional accountant should obtain during the various phases of learning and training whilst pursuing a career as a professional accountant. The framework further enhances the understanding of the traditional accounting services, client services and non-accounting services SME clients desire from their professional accountants as well as the role of professional accountants in providing or obtaining such services to ensure that the expectations of the client are met and, more importantly, contribute to the success of the SME. ABSTRACT vi An interpretivist research paradigm and a qualitative methodological approach were deemed most suitable for the current study. The interpretivist research paradigm approach enabled the researcher to understand the phenomena being studied by sharing the participants’ experiences in their own words thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the desires, services, skills and competencies they required or provided. The research population consisted of two population groups, firstly, professional accountants, accountants or bookkeepers who were either owners or were employed at SMPs and, secondly, SME owner-managers or the persons responsible for the accounting function employed at the SME. The research instrument used to guide the key-informant interviews in this research were two semi-structured interview schedules, one for each identified population group, which were divided into sections based on the themes and sub-themes. Based on key findings, the study proposes an integrated training and client service framework to guide SME professional accountants. The framework includes seven components, namely, formal higher education accounting programmes, workplace training, professional accountant, traditional accounting and client services, trust relationships, non-accounting services as well as networks of experts and other professionals. An important recommendation of the study is that professional accountants must effectively communicate and market their services to current as well as prospective SME clients to ensure that clients are aware of the potential services which can be provided or obtained from a trusted expert. The professional accountant could thus be regarded as a one-stop professional practice. The survival of the accounting profession in a constantly changing business environment is dependent on how the profession adapts to change including technological advancements. Professional accountants need to be able to provide value-added and specialist services to their SME clients as well as enhance the current quality level of client services. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economics Science, School of Applied Accounting, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Beck, Tracy Geraldine
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Training , Accountants -- Professional ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59467 , vital:62120
- Description: Small and medium-sized accounting practices (SMPs) are vital to the accounting profession and represent most accounting practices globally. It is commonly assumed that SMPs employ the majority of professional accountants within the accounting field whose clients are typically small and medium-sized business entities (SMEs). SMEs account for most of the businesses around the world and play an important role in the development of economies as well as job creation. In a rapidly changing business environment, SMEs require a wider range of services and support from their professional accountants, thus, the needs and expectations of SMEs are constantly changing. Given the important contribution SMEs make to economic development, job creation, growth and innovation to communities globally, the success and survival rates of these businesses are of the utmost importance. Professional accountants of SMEs need to possess the relevant knowledge, skills, competencies and practical experience to provide professional business advisory services (non-accounting services) to create more value for the SME client. Research suggests that the SMEs decision to outsource business advisory services from their professional accountants is influenced by the relationship between the professional accountant and SME including the manner in which traditional compliance accounting services are provided (client services). In response, the objective of this study was to propose a graphical and narrative integrated training and client service framework to guide SME professional accountants. The framework provides guidance in respect of the knowledge, skills, competencies and practical experience a modern-day professional accountant should obtain during the various phases of learning and training whilst pursuing a career as a professional accountant. The framework further enhances the understanding of the traditional accounting services, client services and non-accounting services SME clients desire from their professional accountants as well as the role of professional accountants in providing or obtaining such services to ensure that the expectations of the client are met and, more importantly, contribute to the success of the SME. ABSTRACT vi An interpretivist research paradigm and a qualitative methodological approach were deemed most suitable for the current study. The interpretivist research paradigm approach enabled the researcher to understand the phenomena being studied by sharing the participants’ experiences in their own words thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the desires, services, skills and competencies they required or provided. The research population consisted of two population groups, firstly, professional accountants, accountants or bookkeepers who were either owners or were employed at SMPs and, secondly, SME owner-managers or the persons responsible for the accounting function employed at the SME. The research instrument used to guide the key-informant interviews in this research were two semi-structured interview schedules, one for each identified population group, which were divided into sections based on the themes and sub-themes. Based on key findings, the study proposes an integrated training and client service framework to guide SME professional accountants. The framework includes seven components, namely, formal higher education accounting programmes, workplace training, professional accountant, traditional accounting and client services, trust relationships, non-accounting services as well as networks of experts and other professionals. An important recommendation of the study is that professional accountants must effectively communicate and market their services to current as well as prospective SME clients to ensure that clients are aware of the potential services which can be provided or obtained from a trusted expert. The professional accountant could thus be regarded as a one-stop professional practice. The survival of the accounting profession in a constantly changing business environment is dependent on how the profession adapts to change including technological advancements. Professional accountants need to be able to provide value-added and specialist services to their SME clients as well as enhance the current quality level of client services. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economics Science, School of Applied Accounting, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
Wage differentials by sector and gender in Botswana
- Authors: Motswapong, Masedi
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Wage differentials -- Botswana , Wage Decomposition
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62128 , vital:71998
- Description: The study examines wage differentials in the public and private sectors and gender wage gaps within these sectors in Botswana. Raw data from three nationally representative surveys collected is used. These surveys include the 2005/06 Labour force, the 2015/16 Multi-Topic Household and the 2019 Quarterly Multi-Topic. To address the set objectives, the study utilises the quantile regression model and decomposition methods proposed by Firpo, Fortin and Lemieux (2009) and further used the reweighted RIF-OLS OaxacaBlinder decomposition method proposed by Rios-Avila (2020). Results from three surveys demonstrate evidence of wage inequalities in Botswana. Findings revealed that the wage differential in the public and private sectors has weakened over the years, though it is still a significant concern. The public-private sector wage gap decreased from 72% in 2005/06 to 56% in 2019. However, a different trend is observed in the gender wage differentials, where the gap gradually increased over time. Gender wage gaps in the public sector were 4% in 2005/06; in 2015/16, the gap increased to 27% and 49% in 2019. On the other hand, in the private sector, the average wages were 7.34 and 6.98 for males and females in 2005/06, respectively, implying a wage gap of 35%. This trend holds for the other two samples. The gender wage gap in 2015/16 fell to 23% and increased to 28% in 2019. Results from the quantile regression estimates show that returns to education differ in both the sectoral and gender sections. Further, for males and females, returns for education tend to rise as the education level increases. Returns for education for the private sector are higher than for the public sector. For gender wage differences, education returns for females are higher than for males at all levels, supporting findings that females are more educated on average than males. For decomposition results, findings show that observed characteristics, such as education levels, negatively affect wages at the lower levels and positively at other parts of the distribution in the sectoral wage section. For the gender wage gap section, results show that workers’ characteristics had mixed contributions to the wage gap; it narrows the gap at the lower levels and widens it at higher levels of the wage distribution. Further, results suggest the presence of labour market discrimination and evidence of the “sticky-floor” viii effect in both sectors. Additionally, findings from the reweighting RIF-Oaxaca estimates show that the public-private sector wage gap takes an inverted U-shaped distribution in different levels of the wage distribution. Similarly, composition effects positively affect the gap at lower levels, whereas wage structure effects affect the wage gap at the highest distribution level. Overall, the study’s findings have some significant policy recommendations. The study has indicated that the country has no policy to reduce or eliminate wage differentials in the labour market. Hence, Botswana policymakers need to formulate policies to eliminate wage inequalities. Furthermore, it is recommended that the government should continue investing in human capital development. Education is vital in bridging the wage gap within the labour market. Additionally, there is a need to promote tolerance within society and promote ways of appreciating women’s work. It is also recommended that males be encouraged to work in jobs where women are overrepresented. The study's findings contribute to the ongoing wage inequality debate, and it is hoped that the study will benefit policymakers in Botswana. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Motswapong, Masedi
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Wage differentials -- Botswana , Wage Decomposition
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62128 , vital:71998
- Description: The study examines wage differentials in the public and private sectors and gender wage gaps within these sectors in Botswana. Raw data from three nationally representative surveys collected is used. These surveys include the 2005/06 Labour force, the 2015/16 Multi-Topic Household and the 2019 Quarterly Multi-Topic. To address the set objectives, the study utilises the quantile regression model and decomposition methods proposed by Firpo, Fortin and Lemieux (2009) and further used the reweighted RIF-OLS OaxacaBlinder decomposition method proposed by Rios-Avila (2020). Results from three surveys demonstrate evidence of wage inequalities in Botswana. Findings revealed that the wage differential in the public and private sectors has weakened over the years, though it is still a significant concern. The public-private sector wage gap decreased from 72% in 2005/06 to 56% in 2019. However, a different trend is observed in the gender wage differentials, where the gap gradually increased over time. Gender wage gaps in the public sector were 4% in 2005/06; in 2015/16, the gap increased to 27% and 49% in 2019. On the other hand, in the private sector, the average wages were 7.34 and 6.98 for males and females in 2005/06, respectively, implying a wage gap of 35%. This trend holds for the other two samples. The gender wage gap in 2015/16 fell to 23% and increased to 28% in 2019. Results from the quantile regression estimates show that returns to education differ in both the sectoral and gender sections. Further, for males and females, returns for education tend to rise as the education level increases. Returns for education for the private sector are higher than for the public sector. For gender wage differences, education returns for females are higher than for males at all levels, supporting findings that females are more educated on average than males. For decomposition results, findings show that observed characteristics, such as education levels, negatively affect wages at the lower levels and positively at other parts of the distribution in the sectoral wage section. For the gender wage gap section, results show that workers’ characteristics had mixed contributions to the wage gap; it narrows the gap at the lower levels and widens it at higher levels of the wage distribution. Further, results suggest the presence of labour market discrimination and evidence of the “sticky-floor” viii effect in both sectors. Additionally, findings from the reweighting RIF-Oaxaca estimates show that the public-private sector wage gap takes an inverted U-shaped distribution in different levels of the wage distribution. Similarly, composition effects positively affect the gap at lower levels, whereas wage structure effects affect the wage gap at the highest distribution level. Overall, the study’s findings have some significant policy recommendations. The study has indicated that the country has no policy to reduce or eliminate wage differentials in the labour market. Hence, Botswana policymakers need to formulate policies to eliminate wage inequalities. Furthermore, it is recommended that the government should continue investing in human capital development. Education is vital in bridging the wage gap within the labour market. Additionally, there is a need to promote tolerance within society and promote ways of appreciating women’s work. It is also recommended that males be encouraged to work in jobs where women are overrepresented. The study's findings contribute to the ongoing wage inequality debate, and it is hoped that the study will benefit policymakers in Botswana. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04