Wits Business School (ETDs)

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Decentralisation in Cameroon and the Anglophones’ Struggle for Autonomy
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Epongo, Emmanuel Makia; Van Nieuwkerk, Anthoni
In Cameroon, decentralisation was introduced in 1996 to promote development, democracy and good governance at the local level. However, decentralisation exacerbated conflicts between the Anglophone minority and the Francophone-majority government, resulting in a civil war in 2017. Therefore, this research explores how the implementation of decentralisation in the two Anglophone regions exacerbated conflicts between the Anglophone minority and the Francophone-majority government. Despite the growing literature on decentralisation and conflicts, very little research has been conducted on conflicts arising from former independent colonial territories that reunited under a federal system and later evolved to a decentralised unitary system, a shortcoming addressed by this research. This study used qualitative methodology and a case study design. The research was conducted at the Kumba and Bamenda city councils in the Southwest and Northwest regions, respectively. Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling techniques for semi-structured interviews. Data from interviews, observation and archival documents were merged and analysed through thematic analysis. The findings suggest that decentralisation in the Anglophone regions is more of deconcentration than devolution. Understanding how decentralisation increased intrastate conflict between the Anglophone minority and the Francophone-majority government could have a broader significance for researchers, governments and policymakers seeking to mitigate conflicts, particularly in Africa, with diverse societies prone to intrastate conflicts
Enhanced motor vehicle security in South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Luthuli, Sabatha; Ahwireng-Obeng, Asabea
This study was aimed at investigating enhanced motor vehicle security in South Africa. there has been an increase in car theft in South Africa as a result of dwindling motor vehicle security in the country. Therefore, it was important to investigate enhanced motor vehicle security solutions and how this gap in motor vehicle security can be filled by new investors. The study objectives were as follows to explore the views of potential motor vehicle security customers in South Africa, and to demonstrate business opportunity through a survey of potential motor vehicle security customers in South Africa. The quantitative research method was applied in order to achieve the research objectives of this study. The quantitative data used in this study was collected by means of an online questionnaire and there were 55 research respondents who are potential motor vehicle security customers in Gauteng, South Africa. The data collected was analysed using SPSS Statistics 28. According to the study, potential vehicle security customers in South Africa need additional security and with their current vehicle security. In addition, potential vehicle security customers in South Africa will buy a steering lock because they are concerned about security. Further, potential vehicle security customers in South Africa believe that this concept product is the best to protect their vehicle and they have a strong appeal for the product. The results also showed that some potential vehicle security customers in South Africa are willing to spend up to R1000 on vehicle security because are somewhat concerned about their parked cars that are left unattended for a long time. Furthermore, the results showed that potential vehicle security customers in South Africa are willing to purchase this concept product as a gift for someone. Based on this study, the government should encourage investment in motor vehicles and property security in the country, and investors should explore various innovative methods of providing motor vehicle security to potential customers. In addition, the government should encourage comprehensive insurance coverage for potential motor vehicle customers and should reinforce public security to reduce the current security risk for potential motor vehicle customers
Factors influencing the adoption of Green Technology by individual consumers in South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Jainarain, Rowenta
The effects of climate change are becoming more evident, across the world. It is imperative that humans act as a collective and start immediately, to change their modes and means of operating activities that add to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. The United Nations (UN) developed the 17 Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs), to be achieved by the year 2030, with SDG 13, Climate Action, being one of them. Apart from companies and industries adding to greenhouse gas emissions, a substantial amount of greenhouse gases are directly and indirectly attributed to the individual consumers’ activity. SDG 17 then comes into play, being, “Partnerships for goals”, whereby this study focuses on the part that individual consumers’ have in the case against climate change. Consumers use electricity in their everyday lives and electricity generation is usually from fossil fuel powered stations, which significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. An alternative would be for consumers, to adopt green technology, in the form of renewable energy, such as solar panels and solar water heaters. This study took a quantitative approach, to assess the factors that influence the adoption of green technology in South Africa. Primary data was collected from 102 respondents via a survey questionnaire, with 87 valid responses after data cleaning. Factor analysis was employed to ascertain the factors that influenced adoption. Multiple regression was used to test the hypotheses developed from the literature survey as well as to determine which factor influenced adoption most. The theory of planned behaviour was the model and framework against which, intention to adopt green technology was tested. The literature survey study found that awareness, self efficacy, ease of access, belief of benefits, cost perception, risk perception, environmental concern, aesthetics and social norms have an impact on intention to adopt. The regression analysis in the study found that awareness, belief of benefits and cost perception had an influence on the intention to adopt green technology and that awareness was the most influential factor. There is very little literature on factors that influence adoption in the South African context, hence this study aims to fill that gap and assist governments, sustainable development organisations and societies, with practical recommendations to influence vi the uptake of green technology in the form of renewable energy in South Africa as well as recommendations for future research
Influence of external funders on social enterprise business models: a causation-effectuation exploratory study
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Njenge, Yandisa Lusapho; Myres, Kerrin; Terri Carmichael
Social entrepreneurship research is a growing research field, growth that can also be seen in the practice of social entrepreneurship. Dominant literature in the field focuses on the definition of social entrepreneurship and the traits of the social entrepreneur and does not look deeply at social entrepreneurship practices and interactions with other institutions. To address these shortcomings in research, this study systematically analyses the dominant definitions of social entrepreneurship and proposes an all-encompassing definition. The study also focuses on the interaction between social enterprises and external funders, exploring how social enterprises implement business models and the influence that external funders have on the business model implementation. A qualitative study was used to answer the research questions by exploring the business model implementation in ten case studies. A total of 26 respondents were interviewed as founding social entrepreneurs, internal staff members or external funders. The study relied on theoretical propositions from the literature review to analyse the data inductively and this process resulted in within-case themes. Further analysis of the within-case themes resulted in five cross-case themes. What was of interest was how operating in a resource-constrained environment impacts business model implementation. The ten case studies interviewed displayed structured or causal mechanisms in implementing their business models, which differs from the view that social entrepreneurs are effectual in behaviour. A theoretical framework with five propositions is put forward by this study. The theoretical framework propositions are: Social enterprises operate in resource-constrained environments and rely on external funding from inception. Social enterprises in resource-constrained environments approach external funders that do not expect a financial return. Social enterprises in resource-constrained environments implement business model dimensions that will lead to the achievement of the social mission. Externally funded social enterprises implement their business models in a causal manner. External funders not expecting financial returns apply limited influence on the business models of the social enterprises they fund. In accordance with the findings of this study, some suggestions for future research are put forward.
Motivations for Individual Giving among Ghanaians
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Owusu-Ansah, Matilda; Moyoi, Bhekinkosi
The primary objective of this thesis was to investigate the motivations for individual giving of money, gifts and time to other individuals and organisations among Ghanaians. Previous studies in Europe, America, Asia and South Africa show that individuals are the main source of immediate and long-term support to other individuals and organisations. However, research into the factors that motivate different giving types to individuals and organisations among Ghanaians is almost non-existent. Therefore, this study investigated extrinsic and intrinsic motivations influencing giving decisions by Ghanaians. Specifically, the thesis considered the demographic and psychographic factors influencing individual giving. The demographic factors include personal and socio-economic characteristics, and the psychographics includes behavioural and attitudinal factors that influence giving. The study identified gender, age and household size as the significant demographic factors, while financial constraints, egoism, giving back, social norms, religion, social justice, trust, and emotions are the significant behavioural and attitudinal factors influencingGhanaian giving. The research obtained primary data by surveying a diverse sample population of 720 respondents and conducting semi-structured interviews with 21 Ghanaians. The binary logistic regression model applied to measure the predictive ability of the demographic and psychographic factors on the three related behaviours of giving money, giving gift items, and volunteering suggests that the significant demographics influencing giving, among Ghanaians are gender, age, household size, number of children, education, ethnicity, religion and marital status. While the significant psychographics influencing giving behaviours are financial constraints, egoism, giving back, social norms, social justice, trust, and emotions.This study adopted the motivational domains of the Self Determination Theory and suggested that the motivation to give is a transition and overlaps from not being able or willing to give, through socially reward-seeking and punishment-avoiding actions to genuine concern for others’ welfare. The main contribution of this study to theory and knowledge is the adaptation and application of the Self Determination Theory in the Ghanaian context and identifying the different variables that influence the giving decision among Ghanaians. In addition, the identified factors are useful to organisations and groups that seek to motivate individual giving and involvement in community, group or national philanthropic and charity activities
The digital transformation of the democratic election process: benefits and challenges
(2023) Scheepers, Hendrick
Information Communication Technology (ICT) has been recognised as a key enabler for the transformation of government service delivery objectives. The adoption of technological innovation by government institutions ultimately leads to significant improvements in the lives of broader society. There are compelling deliberations for and against the digital transformation of electoral process. Electronic-voting (e-voting) has been successfully adopted in counties like Brazil and India however research also illustrate Ireland and Netherland has subsequently cancelled e-voting initiates. This study explores the acceptance of technology by utilizing the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). This study amplify the UTAUT model by adding two additional constructs trust in technology (TT) and security expectancy (SE). The study secondary emphasis was to ascertain the correlation between predictor variables and behavioural intent (BI) to adopt e-voting .The outcome established there exist a significant coefficient path between the independent and dependent variable for effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI), security expectancy (SE), and trust in technology (TT). The outcomes for performance expectancy (PE) does not illustrate significant coefficient correlation. A quantitative research approach was undertaken by using a cross-sectional research design. A fully structured closed questionnaire was developed from existing literature and distributed to participants via the internet. The information was collected from 140 participants which were further calculated by means of regression techniques, which supported this study research hypotheses. The study further recommends future research take into consideration the influence of the digital divide on the adoption of e-voting in the South Africa context. Establish a task team that is led by industry leaders who have successfully led transformation processes. This could be achieved through the creation of information-sharing sessions with broader society about the challenges and opportunities that the digital transformation process presents. Voter education drives could also offer experiential campaigns that illustrate the iii C2 General benefits of e-voting and how society can benefit from the transformation process.
The role of mining companies in achieving the united nations social development goals in Madagascar by 2030
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Babila, Ndasi Moses
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) constitute the pillars of policies formulated by the UN member states in 2015 to combat poverty and other forms of deprivation, in order to achieve peace and prosperity for all people and the planet by the year 2030 (the so-called UN Agenda 2030). This research is an exploratory study that undertakes a synthesis of the implementation of the UN SDG policies and the economic contributions made by mining companies to local communities in Madagascar, through their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), in order to achieve the UN Agenda 2030. Four of the 17 UN SGDs were selected to assess Madagascar’s level of achievement of the UN SGDs. The UN SGDs selected include one, end poverty in all its forms everywhere; two ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages; three Quality education and four, Industry innovation and infrastructure. The Purposive Sampling technique was used to select the Benenitra and Ranobe districts of the Atsimo Andrefana Region as areas of study due to the advantage of prior knowledge of the areas and accessibility. These areas are reflective of artisanal, small and industrial scale mining operations in Madagascar. 22 participants were interviewed to get their perception on Madagascar’s level of achievement of the UN SGDs, and the contribution of mining companies towards this and their livelihood. while mining companies are somewhat engaged, and to some extent, committed in CSR, and showing interest in developing the local communities where they operate, the government of Madagascar is lagging behind with the implementation of appropriate social protection systems to achieve the UN SDGs by 2030. 2 It is envisaged that this research would contribute to the scientific and societal discourse on mining and CSR, particular with regards to the contribution of mining companies to the economy of developing and emerging countries towards achieving the UN Agenda 2030

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