Browsing by Author "Callaghan, Chris"

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Embracing technology to rejuvenate South African mining: a comparative case study analysis of a South African and an Australian mining firm
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Vink, Tarryn; Callaghan, Chris
It is well recognised that the mining industry is the historic bedrock of the South African economy. However, since 2000 the industry has shown signs of decline that include, inter alia, a slowdown in growth along with productivity issues. Since South Africa (SA) lags behind its global competitors in terms of technological innovation and implementation; many leaders in the mining industry are of the view that the increased use of technology will arrest this decline and restore the mining industry to a stronger position in the South African economy. What is, however, not fully understood is the extent to which technological change is contextually path dependent. This meaning that technological change in an industry is restricted by past events which enhance its resistance to change. This results in a lack of knowledge regarding how best to manage technological change. This would include understanding the most suitable implementation methods for certain contexts. The intention of this dissertation is to explain why firms in the South African mining industry lag behind their global competitors in terms of technological adoption. It aims to understand how differing contextual factors influence mining firms’ behavior, that, in turn, has an industry- level effect. It aims to understand how firms should manage this technology properly to optimise its interaction with its environment. Additionally, it aims to understand which theoretical approach, in relation to technological change, mining firms should follow to properly navigate their technological trajectories in light of contextual imperatives. The unit of analysis in this methodology is at the firm level. It takes specific contextual factors into account to determine which method of implementation is more appropriate for new technological advancements. This was executed by conducting two methodology phases. Phase 1 of the methodology which consisted of a holistic comparative case study analysis of a South African and an Australian mining firm. This study phase analysed archival documents that tracked changes in the responses of these mining firms over time. This was conducted using information from their financial statements and company reports, with the aim of investigating how these matched the government and environmental contexts seen in policy and country related documents. Phase 2 of the methodology comprised a qualitative analysis that used individual interviews in an attempt to develop useful insights that contextualise and support the findings of Phase 1. Various theoretical predictions have been derived in the form of propositions. The theory thus inductively developed has been used to answer some how and iii why questions about the strategic responses of firms to contextual imperatives. The study therefore produced a holistic analysis illustrating how each firm engaged with its respective contexts and how this may have resulted in path dependant relationships regarding technological innovation. The research emphasises that the South African mining industry's lag in technological adoption compared to global competitors could be attributed to an imbalanced innovation focus and a restrictive business context. It suggests that firms should address their technological and contextual needs separately to effectively manage innovation. The findings also stress that incremental improvements alone, are unlikely to enable a catch-up up with global leaders. Instead, radical interventions are necessary to shift the current trajectory toward one that prioritises productivity to achieve social objectives, enabling a plausible catch up.
Growth effects of human capital and innovation in small and medium sized South African firms before and after the Covid-19 pandemic
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Maingehama, Francisca Nyasha; Callaghan, Chris
This thesis examines the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new challenges, which makes this research relevant for contemporary issues in firm growth. The problem addressed in this study was the need to understand how various factors, such as human capital, innovation, entrepreneurial orientation and motivation, affect SME growth. Previous research has focused mainly on organisational-level determinants without considering how these factors interact in a post-COVID-19 context. This gap is particularly relevant in South Africa, where SMEs face high failure rates despite efforts to support entrepreneurship. The study filled this gap by exploring the specific growth dynamics of SMEs in this contemporary and challenging context. Several key research questions guided the study and aimed to achieve two main objectives. The study used a two-phase methodology. First (Phase 1), it systematically reviewed the literature to synthesise knowledge on human capital, innovation, and firm growth before the COVID-19 pandemic. The systematic literature review analysed 206 articles published between 2000 and 2020 using descriptive statistics, bibliometric analysis, and content analysis to synthesise pre-pandemic research. Secondly (Phase 2), it developed and tested a theoretical model to understand the relationship between human capital, innovation, entrepreneurial orientation, motivation and SME growth in South Africa post- pandemic. In this phase, primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire with 497 responses from small firm owner-managers and analysed using Smart PLS (version 3.2.9). This research adopted a positivist philosophy, focussing on empirical patterns and causal relationships. Key findings indicated that innovation mediates the relationships between entrepreneurial orientation, human capital, and the growth of SMEs. Human capital has a direct impact on firm growth in the post-pandemic context. At the same time, motivation significantly mediated the link between entrepreneurial orientation and growth, though its effect on the human capital-growth relationship was less pronounced. This study advances knowledge by providing a detailed analysis of SME growth determinants in a post-pandemic context, offering a customised theoretical model for South African SMEs. This study also has practical implications, providing insight for SMEs and policymakers to enhance innovation capabilities and adapt strategies to post-pandemic challenges. Future research could explore the long-term ii impacts of COVID-19 on firm growth, the role of additional contextual variables, and comparative studies in different regions or sectors.
Organisational culture, innovation, and environmental performance in South African iso 14001 certified organisations
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022-06) Nokaneng, Tshepo Isaiah; Callaghan, Chris
This study investigates the link between organisational culture, innovation, and organisational environmental performance, with a focus on South African ISO 14001-certified organisations. The study uses Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory and the competing values framework to make predictions and collects empirical data from 400 SABS-certified organisations using PLS-SEM. The findings are of interest to academics, organisations, and researchers and have potential for future studies to build upon. The study found that human resource management (HRM) policies are more effective in cultures that prioritise collectivism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, and developmental and rational culture. Labour relations also predict innovation and organisational environmental performance (OEP). The Schwartz individual values (SIV) model shows that age predicts openness to change, and the industrial sector predicts intrinsic satisfaction factors, conservation, and self enhancement values. Position predicts intrinsic satisfaction, conservation and self-enhancement values, openness to change, self-transcendence, and extrinsic satisfaction. Organisational tenure negatively predicts conservation and self- enhancement values, openness to change, self-transcendence values, and intrinsic and extrinsic satisfaction. The industrial sector positively predicts individual environmental performance. These findings can aid policymakers, managers students, researchers, and practitioners in enhancing innovation, OEP, individual environmental performance (IndEP) and contributing to sustainability management literature using Hofstede cultural dimensions theory (CDT), competing values framework (CVF), Schwartz's values and motivational factors. This study provides evidence of the effects of cultural dimensions on OEP and identifies mediating or moderating factors. The findings offer knowledge to improve OEP, inform policymakers, and add value to managers, students, researchers, and practitioners. The study aids in implementing and improving environmental management systems, thus enhancing OEP. It also provides insights into using Schwartz's values and motivational factors that could enhance IndEP and contribute to the sustainability management literature