Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37781

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End date: 2019Subject: search.filters.subject.South Africa

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    Identifying obstacles to the growth of new SMEs: A Factor Analysis Approach
    (Identifying obstacles to the growth of new SMEs: A Factor Analysis Approach, 2019) Mphahlele, Dorothy B.; Merino, Andres
    It is widely acknowledged that Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are key drivers of economic growth and job creation in developing countries. It has also been established that new SMEs face common problems that arise as they grow and develop. These challenges stem from internal as well as external factors that can have an adverse impact on their survival and growth. The objective of this study was to identify the internal and external obstacles to the growth of SMEs. A questionnaire was used to collect data on factors affecting the growth of SMEs. The results of the questionnaire were analysed using Factor Analysis. Eight different factors were identified. These factors were further analysed to determine their impact on SMEs. The ranking of the factors in order of importance was as follows: lack of access to finance, overregulation, the economic environment, high competition, lack of internal resources, high input costs, lack of experience of the entrepreneur and poor service delivery. The report examines possible ways of mitigating the adverse factors identified and makes a series of recommendations to increase the likelihood of the survival of SMEs in the South African context.
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    A critical analysis of the rationale for the introduction and implementation of sugar tax
    (2019) Parker, Shuaib Ahmed
    In the 2016 Budget Speech, the then Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, announced a decision to introduce a Health Promotion Levy (‘sugar tax’) on sugar-sweetened beverages (‘SSBs’). Sugar tax came into effect on 1 April 2018 in South Africa. In its Policy Paper released by the National Treasury in July 2016, titled “Taxation of Sugar Sweetened Beverages” (‘Policy Paper’), the National Treasury outlined the proposed sugar tax. It argued that the primary objective of the introduction of sugar tax was to reduce excessive sugar intake and curb the growing problem of obesity. Obesity and other non-communicable diseases (‘NCDs’) have significantly escalated over the past 30 years and has become a growing concern in South Africa. This has resulted in South Africa being ranked the most obese country in sub-Saharan Africa. The impact of SSBs on obesity and other NCDs has received widespread attention on the international stage and by the World Health Organisation (‘WHO’). This is evident from the fact that South Africa is not the first country in recent years to introduce a form of sugar tax which has been gaining traction as popular intervention to combat the growing concern of NCDs. The argument arises as to whether the tax is actually intended to meet its desired health benefits or simply increase revenue for the fiscus. This research will examine whether the implementation of sugar tax will contribute to its intended health objectives envisaged. In order to achieve this, a study will need to be undertaken with countries which have successfully introduced sugar tax including, Mexico, Norway, Denmark, the United Arab Emirates, Chile and United Kingdom. Lastly, this study will also explore the success of the implementation of sugar tax and the impact it has had on the fiscus of these countries.
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    An assessment of the quality of South African and Indian listed companies’ financial reporting
    (2019) Haarburger, Carla Peta
    Orientation: The accounting profession has been put in the spotlight as a result of the high amount of public failures and corporate collapses. The importance of high-quality financial reporting has been demonstrated not only by the past corporate failures, but also due to the scarce level of capital that is available to be allocated within capital markets. Research aim: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the quality of financial reporting in South Africa and India. Motivation for the study: This study contributed to the existing body of literature on financial statements. The focus of this study was on two of the emerging markets of the BRICS nations, South Africa and India. The members of the BRICS are suspected to be some of the strongest economies of the future; therefore, it is imperative that research is conducted in the context of these developing markets. This research analysed financial statement quality, which extends beyond the pure financial aspect of financial reporting since there is a demand for research that is focused on the qualitative aspects of financial reporting as opposed to solely quantitated financial figures. Research approach and method: This research followed a quantitative approach. The approach employed a 21-index scorecard to score the application of the qualitative characteristics in the financial statements of 50 entities from the JSE and BSE. The entities were selected based on the highest market capitalisation entities for the 2017-year end. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Main findings: The main finding of this study was that the application of the qualitative characteristics in South African companies was high. The application of the qualitative characteristics in India is not as high when compared with South Africa in most aspects; however, timeliness was a characteristic where India outperformed South Africa. Applications: This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge on financial statements. This research was also a contribution and an investment into the developing markets, as both South Africa and India are emerging markets. This study also unlocked opportunities for further research that can be conducted in relation to this topic such as the motives behind Indian listed entities not preparing integrated reports as well as a study which analyses the link between financial statement quality and audit quality. Contributions: This study contributes to the academic literature on financial statements. It also contributes towards the research into developing economies and it unlocks opportunities for future research.
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    The implementation of Section 139(1) of the Constitution in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality
    (2017) Kampi, Zoliswa
    The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM) is situated in the North West Province, South Africa. It has persistently been placed under provincial administration (s139 (1) of the Constitution) and continuously resisted the interventions including taking legal actions against the North West Provincial Executive. The objectives of the research study were to explore and provide insights into the factors that informed and impacted the planning and implementation of s139(1) interventions in the NMMDM, and to explain how these factors either promoted or undermined the success of these interventions. From the literature review undertaken, the researcher drew critical themes and concepts that underpin the research study. The leadership and governance theories provided the theoretical perspectives and the principal-agent theory underscored the conceptual framework. In line with the exploratory nature of the research study, the qualitative research method was preferred and the NMMDM was adopted as a single case study to get a deeper understanding of the intricacies involved in the planning and implementation of s139(1) interventions. The researcher obtained the primary data through semi-structured interviews with the municipal leadership and used document analysis to gather secondary data. The research findings revealed the richness and complexity of the local government discourses. Through analysing the results of these discourses, a number of critical aspects that informed and impacted these interventions in the NMMDM emerged. These aspects range from the nature of to the quality of support provided to the NMMDM prior to the interventions. These include the communication of the directives and notices to assume responsibility, details given on the rationale for the interventions, political dynamics and their influence on reactions to the interventions, capacity of the province to plan and implement the interventions, and perceptions of the impacts of the interventions. Nevertheless, it is not the intention of the research study to generalise the findings but to present them as they manifested in the NMMDM.