Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)

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Assessing the readiness to adopt technologies of the fourth industrial revolution as a means to improve knowledge management practices in academic institutions
(University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Ankonkwa, Judith B.; Moodley, Althea
Today's world is being transformed by technological advances in the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). In the education sector, the technological personalities of the academic staff associated with the acceptance of 4IR technologies play a crucial role in learning and teaching. This study assessed the readiness of academic staff to adopt the technologies of the 4IR to improve Knowledge Management (KM) practices. The study used the technology readiness and acceptance model (TRAM). This framework combines two models, the Technologies Readiness Index (TRI) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). TRI has four factors, optimism, innovativeness, discomfort, and insecurity. In the TAM model, the intention to use new technology is affected by two constructs, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. This study adopted a mixed method. The research was conducted at the University of the Witwatersrand South Africa in the school of Commerce, Law and Management (CLM). One hundred thirteen questionnaires (113) were sent to academic staff in CLM; only 90 questionnaires were completed, and one was discarded. The remaining 89 questionnaires represented a 78,7% response rate. The questionnaire had two sections, a section with closed-ended questions designed to collect quantitative data and a section with open-ended questions devised to collect qualitative data. Seven hypotheses were developed and tested following the research objectives of the study. These hypotheses were analyzed using multiple regression analysis and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) via IBM SPSS statistics version 28. Thematic analysis was also used to assess qualitative data. The study's findings revealed that only optimism significantly affected the perceived usefulness of 4IR technologies. Furthermore, only innovativeness significantly positively affected the perceived ease of use of 4IR technologies. In addition, the results showed no significant effect between perceived ease of use and the intention to use 4IR technologies. Finally, the findings indicated that perceived usefulness and ease of use are instrumental in determining the academic staff's intention to use 4IR technologies. CLM WITS 2023 Abstract iii Today’s world is being transformed by the advance of technologies of the fourth industrial revolution(4IR). In the education sector, the technological personalities of academic staff associated to the acceptance of 4IR technologies plays a crucial role in the way learning and teaching is done
Digital Transformation in a South African retail organization
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Nnzeru, Tshisevhe; Sackstein, Suzanne
Digital Transformation is at the heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and much of the research claims that an organization’s success is increasingly dependent on their ability to exploit DT with the e-Commerce industry being significant globally. While South Africa’s digital transformation is materially behind developed nations, retailers are gearing up for growth by digitally transforming their operations, not only to compete but remain relevant. Therefore, this research seeks to understand the successful implementation of Digital Transformation in a South African retail context. The Technology, Organization and Environment Framework was selected as the theoretical framework to guide the research design and interpret findings. The research question for the study is What does successful DT implementation in a SA retail organization entail? To answer this research question, an interpretivist qualitative, case study research design was employed. Data from a retailer undergoing Digital Transformation was collected through ten semi-structured interviews using an Interview guide and analyzed using Content analysis method. Findings reveal that Digital Transformation is not about Technology, it is organizational transformation encompassing transformational leadership, strategy development and implementation aligned with overall business strategy, technology as an enabler for transformation, empowerment of the workforce with digital skills and a conducive digital culture characterized by learning, change, innovation and adaptability. Findings also indicate that the added complexities of legacy environments cannot be underestimated for traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. In essence, DT is about people embracing change – not technology. As limited research has been conducted and published regarding the South African retail DT context, these findings contribute to the limited existing knowledge base with empirical findings, specifically, contributing important knowledge on what specific aspects need to be considered and accounted for when conducting DT and proved TOE Framework to be useful for understanding large digital disruption. For practitioners this research contributes a holistic approach to implementing DT beyond technology which includes transformational leadership, Digital Transformation Strategy development and alignment with overall business strategy, empowering people with digital skills and a digitally enabled culture with digital technology as an enabler for Digital Transformation. Furthermore, to be successful with Digital Transformation, it becomes essential for organizations to manage the added complexities of legacy environments and lastly, for entrenched workforces to realize that Digital Transformation is a necessity for business survival and adapt.
Factors Influencing Artificial Intelligence Adoption in South African Organisations: A Technology, Organisation, Environment (TOE) Framework
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Hoosen, Kaneez Fathima; Cohen, Jason
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the formation of machines that mimic human intelligence and encompasses various technologies. AI technology is changing the landscape for South African organisations and how they operate. Using current literature and other online reports by auditing firms, the study aimed to identify a suite of AI technologies used by South African organisations. Technologies such as robotic process automation, image and speech recognition, machine learning and chatbots were defined. In addition, this research paper investigated the factors influencing AI technology adoption by South African organisations. The technology, organisation and environment factors of the TOE framework were examined to understand adoption decisions. It was important to close this gap as lack of understanding of how factors influence AI decisions, and an undefined suite of AI technologies could impact adoption decisions. A cross sectional relational research design was chosen for the study. A survey instrument was used and administered through a web-survey to 252 IT decision makers or IT leaders from South African organisations who served as key informants for their organisations. Responses were received from 55 organisations. Reliability and validity tests were used to evaluate the consistency and reliability of the data and to evaluate whether measures correctly represent the variables that they intend to measure. Correlation analysis, stepwise and multiple regression were used to test the hypotheses of the conceptual model. It was found that of the suite of AI technologies, robotics process automation followed by machine learning and image recognition had the highest levels of adoption. Results showed that data availability and top management support were supported as the most significant technology, organization, environment (TOE) factors influencing AI technology adoption in South African organisations. It was found that perceived technology benefits, IT infrastructure, resource capability and normative pressure were also strongly correlated to AI technology adoption. Financial resources and competitive pressure were not supported as determinants. Artificial intelligence is receiving much attention in both practice and research. This study addresses the gap in the current body of knowledge on AI adoption in South Africa by making use of the TOE framework to study adoption of artificial intelligence technologies in organisations. Useful insights are provided to South African organisations so that they can benchmark their adoption against other industry players and manage their response to those factors most significant for AI adoption
Factors influencing cyber insurance adoption in South Africa industry
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2020) Mbatha, Nkosinathi Sphiwe
Organisations are benefiting from the use of emerging digital technologies for improved efficiencies. These technologies are vulnerable to cyber-attacks resulting in breaches on organisational assets. Cyber-attacks necessitates boards and top management to strategically rethink their cybersecurity approaches to managing cyber risks. The purpose of the study was to explore the factors influencing cyber insurance adoption in the South African industry. The study adapted Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) theoretical framework to investigate cyber insurance adoption relevant to the South African context. The review of literature focused on the cybersecurity, cyber risk management, and cyber insurance phenomenon to understand the global and developing world landscape. The research design followed the systemic collection of qualitative data through semi-structured interview questions on the purposefully selected sample of professionals in the public and private sectors of the South African industry. The analysis and interpretation through categorisation of patterns of data collected enabled presentation and discussion of emerging themes resulting in findings. The key findings relate to effective cybersecurity awareness, organisational approach to managing cyber risks, as well as the nature of industry and compliance with legislation. The study established that the combination of effective cybersecurity awareness, the relationship between the strategic organisational approach to cybersecurity and top management support towards cyber risk management as well as compliance with legislation are the factors influencing cyber insurance adoption in the South African industry. In order to meet the research objectives, various conclusions were made. The study concluded that effective cybersecurity awareness must be viewed as a strategic imperative to enable organisations to operate securely. The study also concluded that organisations must proactively approach cybersecurity strategically thereby ensuring effective top management buy-in. The study concluded that the POPI Act is the primary driver of cyber insurance adoption in the South African industry.
Investigating factors that influence online purchase behaviour using Augmented and Virtual reality in the South African furniture industry
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Mankhili, Mulalo Lusan; Zulu, Melissa
In South Africa, the furniture industry plays a significant role in the country's economy, contributing to Growth Domestic Product (GDP) and employment rates. As the trend of online shopping continues to gain popularity, integrating augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies into the retail sector has become increasingly important. Research has demonstrated that these technologies can offer a competitive edge to brands operating in the furniture sector. Consequently, this study aims to explore the factors influencing the adoption of AR and VR in the South African furniture industry. According to a report from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTIC), the South African furniture industry has experienced a decline in recent years, with consumers shifting towards purchasing furniture online through e-commerce platforms. Given the growing significance of e-commerce, it is imperative for businesses to understand the determinants of consumers' online purchasing behaviour to enhance their online sales performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the utilisation of AR and VR technologies can impact online purchase behaviour by dissecting the various factors influencing AR and VR adoption. To achieve this, the study has incorporated three theoretical frameworks: the Stimulus Organism Response theory (S-O-R), the Uses and Gratification theory (UGT), and the Flow theory. The research has identified several constructs derived from these theories to examine the interrelationships and influences among hedonic and utilitarian benefits, decision comfort, spatial presence, perceived intrusiveness, personal privacy concerns, mental imagery, perceived social presence, brand attitude, VR adoption, online purchase intention, and purchase behaviour. Data was collected from 400 South African online furniture customers, and the study utilised the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to analyse the relationships betweenthese variables. The study formulated eleven hypotheses, of which nine were supported. The findings revealed that hedonic and utilitarian benefits, decision comfort, spatial presence, mental imagery, perceived social presence, brand attitude, and VR adoption have an influence on online purchase behaviour. However, perceived intrusiveness and personal privacy concerns had no influence on online purchase intentions when using AR apps. This suggests that consumers' concerns about intrusiveness and privacy may not significantly affect their purchase intentions when interacting with AR technology. Additionally, the research highlights the roles of brand attitude and VR adoption as mediators between mental imagery and online behaviour and between iii perceived social presence and online purchasing behaviour. These findings offer valuable insights for businesses seeking to refine their online sales strategies and have the potential to contribute to the growth and development of the South African furniture industry
The Application of Robotics in Deep Level Mining in South Africa and its Influence on Health and Safety
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Gaokgorwe, Tebogo; Gobind, Jenika
Application of robotics in mining operations particularly in deep mining is considered to be challenging when factoring the impact of health and safety in day to day operations. Majority of the employees in South Africa’s mining industry have low training levels, unskilled work content as well as large figures of underground employees labouring for survival at lower-end cost curves and excessive exposure to deprived underground conditions. The rising demand for mineral products is compelling mining companies to go deeper in mines even where such increase in the depth results in higher costs, risks, and a further decline in the conditions of working. This paper examines the current application of robotics in deep level mining, discusses the challenges in robotics adoption and their influence in health and safety. Trusting on the qualitative content analysis methodology the study adopted to interview participants and collect data from the mining journals for sampling and data collection. The findings suggest that although deep-level mines have embraced an increase in robotics and extensive methods due to global competition and the need for better access to mineral reserves trends in productivity in the gold mining industry remains unchanged for a long period and mining labour remains impacted by slow technological advancement. Inadequate application of robotics and developed control policies and measures for dealing with occurring mining disasters are some of the key challenges with the robotics adoption. The application of robotics will allow all safety experts to plan for exploration, extraction, optimisation of operations and worker monitoring as well as protection. The limitations of the study is that there are few current publications peer reviewed articles and the prevailing literature is old for the current research. The study concludes that there is a gradual advancement of technical capacities in deep-level mining. The main technical challenges to the application of robotics is the availability, reliability as well as fail-safe operations of robotics. Lastly robotics will improve exploration, mapping of mining operations as well as worker equipment. The study recommends future studies on comprehensive approaches to the socio-economic effect of robotics mechanisation and application in deep-level mining

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

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