Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)

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Browsing Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters) by SDG "SDG-9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure"

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    Barriers to digital transformation in a South African water utility
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Paima, Veshal
    This study offers a qualitative examination of the barriers hindering a leading South African water utility, referred to here as Organisation X, from fully embracing digital transformation. The qualitative case study scrutinises the utility's attempts at digitalising its processes for better efficiency and the significant barriers that disrupt the realisation of its digital initiatives. Through interviews, this study captures the perspective of these challenges from individuals deeply engaged in the digital transformation journey. The findings shed light on the intricate barriers that Organisation X faces, encompassing organisational culture, the integration of new digital tools with existing systems, governance, leadership, impacts on the value chain, and the overarching capacity for innovation. The conceptual framework of this study delves into the relationship between the organisation's strategy and its business model, focusing on how digital transformation can drive value creation by refining business operations. By investigating these factors, the study seeks to deeply understand the barriers that Organisation X faces in its quest to effectively implement digital strategies and advance its digital maturity. Furthermore, by evaluating the operational strategies of Organisation X, the research pinpoints congruencies, and disparities with its digital ambitions
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    The impact of digitalisation on the employment rate in the South African financial services industry
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Mokhabuki, Makoma Tiny; Lee, Gregory
    This study aims to determine the impact of digitalisation on the employment rate in South Africa, with specific reference to the financial services industry. Many revolutions have been seen globally, from the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras to Agricultural Revolutions and the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. Technological changes and a significant movement in employment and unemployment have occurred with these revolutions. The study seeks to determine how technological advancements through digitalisation have impacted the employment rate in the South African financial services industry. A survey questionnaire was used to invite views from people employed in the financial services industry. The purpose of the survey was to determine perceptions regarding the introduction of technologies within the working environment and their impact on employee movements. The questionnaire also invited views on whether further introductions of technologies would create efficiencies and if this would impact their team sizes. An analysis was made using Qualtrics and SPSS on the data received. The findings indicate that introductions to technology’s impact on employment are complex as it depends on various variables such as the type of skills which the employees possess and those which are required by the employer. Firstly, introductions in technology can cause structural unemployment, which is, in essence, only temporary. The introduction of technology causes unemployment in those occupational levels whereby the work is repetitive and can therefore be automated. In contrast, introducing technology causes employment in jobs requiring cognitive and abstract thinking and, therefore, cannot be automated. Within the financial services industry in South Africa, it was found that more employees in skilled positions were retrenched or transferred due to technology introductions. However, this was reduced by increased recruitment in professional positions requiring more technical skills and cognitive thinking. It was concluded that the advancement of technology should not be rolled out at a pace that would lead to a net unemployment rate; however, it should be rolled out efficiently, resulting in more employment in cognitive tasks