Electronic Theses and Dissertations (PhDs)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37943
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Item The Cognitive Process of Entrepreneurs Seeking Access to External Finance to Drive SMME Growth(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Rathogwa, Kediboni Belinda; Msimango- Galawe, JabulileSmall, micro and medium enterprises (SMME) need access to external finance to grow. Entrepreneurs’ financing decisions play an important role in enabling SMME access to external finance. Existing research does not adequately capture the complexity and dynamics involved when entrepreneurs make decisions. This study explored the cognitive process of entrepreneurs seeking external finance through which entrepreneurs’ financing decisions promote or limit SMME access to external finance. The study collected qualitative data through 14 in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs who operated businesses in South Africa. The data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to generate themes. Based on its findings, the study proposes a model of entrepreneurs’ process of choosing a course of action (MEPCCA). In addition, the study proposes an integrated model of the cognitive process of entrepreneurs seeking external finance to drive SMME growth (MCPESEF). The proposed MCPESEF provides a temporal account of the complex and dynamic process of seeking external finance. The study proffers that growth aspirations promote entrepreneurs applying for external finance by increasing its desirability, which positively influences their intention to apply. In contrast, the study proposes that discouragement limits entrepreneurs applying for external finance through its negative influence on entrepreneurs’ intention to apply. Further research is required to test the effect of perceived desirability and feasibility on entrepreneurs’ intention to apply for external finance. An in-depth understanding of the cognitive process of entrepreneurs seeking external finance supports efforts to improve SMME access to the external finance needed to drive growth.Item Interconnectedness of Global Competitiveness, Logistic Performance, and Global Value Chain in Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Oppong, Priscilla Boafowaa; Tweneboah, GeorgeThe distribution of production units across countries has long been a component of international trade as nations import products for production and subsequent exports. This has been necessary because of technological progress, plunges in transportation costs, and enhanced liberalisation policies relating to trade, economics, and the financial system. This has led to the emergence of the global value chain (GVC) as a standard component of 21st-century trade, constituting over 70% of all international trade. This has garnered benefits for participating countries, which are prepared and disadvantages for those that lack competitive advantage. The latter has been attributed to poor logistics performance and non-competitiveness, two crucial elements that countries need to get right and at high levels in order to upgrade the GVC and reap the benefits of international trade in this era of liberalisation. Unfortunately, this describes many of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This has important implications for countries in SSA striving to attain many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their large market size for raw materials as well as being one of the most open regions in the world. The scenario also describes an important relationship between global competitiveness and logistic performance that feeds into the level of global value chain participation by countries and the economic benefits from international trade. For the SSA region, where economic development is much needed to boost economic welfare, this complex relationship has become increasingly crucial for government and policy-makers. However, the extant literature is largely silent on this direction of research. The purpose of this thesis is to provide an empirical examination of the interrelationship among global competitiveness, logistic performance, and global value chain participation in Africa. Interconnectedness of GCI, LPI, and GVC in SSA ii First, the relationship between global value chain participation and competitive competitiveness in SSA countries is investigated in light of how the relationship produces economic prosperity. In so doing, the role of logistic performance in the GVC space is examined as either a moderator or a mediator. The study spanned 2007, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018 for 25 SSA countries for which data1 is available for logistic performance and competitiveness. The results confirm the important influence of logistic efficiency in the global value chain for the African participants. However, the study has thrown more light on the differences in the mediating roles logistic performance plays depending on whether global competitiveness or global value chain participation is the driving motive for improving national income earnings. The lack of clarity on the specificity of the mediating role of the logistics performance index (LPI) in the bridge between gross domestic product (GDP) and global competitiveness index (GCI) should be taken seriously. This points to the difficulty in the policy space as to what to focus on in the complex global market. This is especially true for African countries as they are positive and delicate because of their inclination towards upstream participation. More clarity is needed on this front while chasing the clearer role of logistic performance in the link between GDP and GVC. Second, due to the importance of competitiveness in improving logistic performance and subsequently leading to greater participation in the GVC, the interaction among the pillars of GCI and the dimensions of LPI are examined for deeper insights on how they explain GVCs participation in Africa. The GCI and its 12 pillars, namely institutions, infrastructure, the macroeconomic environment, health and primary education, higher education and training, goods 1 The same data and period is used for all the empirical studies in this thesis. Interconnectedness of GCI, LPI, and GVC in SSA iii market efficiency, labour market efficiency, financial market development, technological readiness, market size, business sophistication, and innovation, and LPI and its six dimensions, namely; customs, infrastructure, ease of arranging shipments, quality of logistics services, timeliness, and tracking and tracing are interacted using the Tree-Augmented Naïve Bayes Network (TAN-BN), Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), and Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA) to ascertain causal effects, correlations, and the relative importance of the pillars of GCI to logistics performance. The results reveal a significant positive relationship between most of the Pillars of GCI. Also, technological readiness is found to be the only Pillar of GCI that has a significant direct positive relationship with logistics performance. Conversely, higher education and training has a significant indirect relationship with logistics performance. Findings from this study imply that concentration on what drives logistics performance alone may hinder policy decisions due to the existence of linkages among the Pillars. It is recommended that governments in SSA invest extensively in technology and higher education and training to enjoin improvement in logistics performance while observing other pillars of GCI with caution. Third, considering the complex nature of the GVC and the driving force of competitiveness, the causal effect of GCI and its pillars on the various indicators of GVC is scrutinised. This is motivated by the fact that the ability of countries to maximise the benefits of GVC requires intentionality on the part of policy-makers to develop structures that facilitate and enhance the ability to participate at all levels of GVCs while recognising the complexity of the system. The network approach of Epskamp (2018) is employed to reveal the impact of competitiveness pillars on the indicators of GVCs participation in Africa as a complex network of a non-linear causal Interconnectedness of GCI, LPI, and GVC in SSA iv relationship. Both the GCI and its pillars and the GVC and its indicators, namely domestic valued- added (DVA) in exports, foreign valued-added (FVA) in exports, indirect domestic valued-added (DVX) in exports, and value-added (VA) are considered as networks which require no latent variables for interaction. The results indicate that in the complex network of the 12 pillars of GCI and four indicators of GVC, there is a dichotomy of clusters for the constructs (i.e. GVC and GCI). An interesting revelation is that there are negative causal relationships between some GCI pillars, notably, with market size. Further, there are other pillars which also have a negative influence on the indicators of GVC. These findings are disturbing, to say the least, but they are also telling of the need for governments to intensify their activist duties in order to improve competitiveness, especially those that enhance efficacy and productivity. To a large extent, those are also factors, except for market size, that benefits can flow through to GDP and economic growth and development. The results from all three empirical studies have one thing in common. That is, African countries can upgrade the GVC and international trade by improving their competitiveness and logistic efficiency to enjoy the benefits that accrue towards economic prosperity. They also point to the dominant position of market size, which can be leveraged to empower the continent in the international trade market place. Government and policy-makers are encouraged to intensify their roles as activists to foster a conducive operating environment for traders and all players in the GVC in their countriesItem Financial inclusion, institutional quality, and poverty reduction in Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Nsiah, Anthony Yaw; Tweneboah, GeorgeFinancial inclusion is seen as an enabler to growth in an economy, as such enhance poverty reduction, especially in developing regions like Africa. Poverty levels in Africa are still very high, especially with the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, despite efforts of governments and development partners to address it. The extant literature has provided some information regarding the financial inclusion and poverty reduction nexus in the continent and elsewhere. However, the exact threshold level of inclusion at which poverty could be altered has not been thoroughly explored. Also, the critical role institutions play in transferring the benefits of financial services to households and firms towards poverty reduction has not been extensively interrogated. This thesis therefore consists of three separate empirical studies which all intend to fill the knowledge gap, using advanced econometric methodologies. For the first essay, we examined the determinants of financial inclusion in Africa, considering demand, supply as well as infrastructure side factors. Despite the importance of financial inclusion, many factors play a role in one’s decision to get involved in the financial sector. Using the GMM technique, the study revealed that GNI per capita (demand-side factor), Domestic credit to private sector (Supply-side factor) and institution quality (infrastructure-side factor) were significantly identified to be determinants of financial inclusion in Africa. It was further revealed that GNI per capita, Money supply and Institutional quality contribute to the minimization of barriers to financial inclusion. The second essay sought to estimate the threshold level at which financial inclusion, aided by strong institutions, will lead to poverty reduction in Africa. Financial inclusion has been identified as an important concept in fighting poverty due to its ability to increase income level of households. Using the Hansen’s threshold estimation method, the study found double threshold values at which financial inclusion would increase household consumption expenditure, leading to poverty reduction. The study also established a certain threshold level beyond which, financial barriers will have a negative iv impact on consumption which has the tendency to scare households from participating in the financial sector. The results further indicated that dependency ratio, gross national income, interest rate, inflation, education, and government expenditure contribute significantly to reducing barriers to reduce poverty. Institutional quality was also found to significantly moderate the financial inclusion and poverty reduction relationship. The last but not the least essay investigated the nature of the relationship between financial inclusion, financial stability, and poverty reduction in Africa. Financial inclusion plays an important role in enhancing stability of the financial system. It has however been argued that some level of financial inclusion has the tendency to destabilize the financial system, thwarting poverty reduction efforts. Using the panel Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) model, the study found that financial inclusion is positively related to financial stability in both short and long-run, with education, GNI per capita and domestic credit to private sector positively related to financial stability and trade openness negatively related to same, in the long-run. The study further established that financial stability is positively related to consumption as such leads to poverty reduction with trade openness, government expenditure, GNI per capita, education, domestic credit to private sector and institutional quality been positively related to household consumption, as such its effects lead to poverty reduction. This indicates that financial stability plays a complementary role in the financial inclusion drive to fight poverty in Africa. It is recommended that development partners, central banks and governments in the region should consciously implement policies that are aimed at promoting financial inclusion through the strengthening of institution, due to its ability to end poverty as well as take pragmatic measures to minimize barriers to financial inclusion. Despite the financial inclusion drive, regulations must not be taking for granted in order not to compromise stability of the financial system for the joint benefit in the fight against poverty as well as ensure financial stabilityItem The ripple effect of demographics on the entrepreneurial behaviour-performance relationship in the South African tech sector(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Ngcobo, Makhosazana Nomcebo; Murimbika, McEdwardSouth Africa’s enduring inequality, stemming from the lingering effects of apartheid laws, disproportionately impacts entrepreneurs across various demographic dimensions, specifically race and age. This study adopts an intersectionality lens to examine how these demographic variables influence entrepreneur means, particularly the reliance on intangible resources, and consequently their impact on the entrepreneur behaviour - firm performance nexus within the South African tech sector. Despite some progress, this area of research remains relatively underexplored, necessitating this study to bridge the existing knowledge gap. Upholding the utmost confidentiality and anonymity of respondents, in accordance with the approved protocol (H21/10/34) sanctioned by the ethics committee at Wits Business School, the research meticulously explores how demographic variables influence entrepreneur means and the subsequent impact on firm performance. The main objectives of this study are as follows: 1. To investigate the relationship between effectual entrepreneur behaviour and firm performance among technology founders. 2. To examine the relationship between effectual entrepreneur behaviour and firm performance through entrepreneur means (intangible resources). 3. To examine the mediating effect of entrepreneur means in the relationship between effectual entrepreneur behaviour and firm performance, with a specific focus on how this mediating effect might be moderated by race and age. 4. To establish and validate a measurement model for entrepreneur means (intangible resources). iii In this quantitative study, a cohort of 159 technology firm founders in South Africa, each with a minimal operational tenure of three years, participated in this study through self-administered online structured questionnaires. To unravel the intricate relationships within the data, the analysis utilised Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) complemented by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) alongside SPSS Amos. The findings shed light on the intricate interplay between effectual entrepreneur behaviour, entrepreneur means, and firm performance, supporting several hypotheses (H). First, a positive correlation was established between effectual entrepreneur behaviour and entrepreneur means, and firm performance, supporting several hypotheses (H). A significant positive association between effectual entrepreneur behaviour and firm performance validated H1, underscoring the critical role of intangible resources in driving firm performance. However, the study’s examination of the mediating effect of entrepreneur means on the relationship between effectual entrepreneur behaviour and firm performance yielded only partial support. While the mediation was observed to be positive, its strength was moderate, suggesting the presence of unexplored variables beyond the scope of this study, influencing firm performance and providing partial support for H2. Regarding H3, the combined influence of race and age did not directly affect reliance on entrepreneur means, but it significantly affected firm performance. Nonetheless, the interaction among race, age, and entrepreneur means demonstrated the potential for a negative influence on firm performance. Lastly, a positive correlation was established between effectual entrepreneur behaviour and entrepreneur means, affirming H4. iv In conclusion, while this study highlighted the crucial role of effectual entrepreneur behaviour and intangible resources for technology founders, it also suggests the presence of unexamined variables that may exert significant influence on firm performance within South Africa’s highly unequal landscape. Despite the influence of race and age on firm performance, their combined impact with entrepreneur means was not as pronounced as anticipated. Further research is warranted to identify and understand these additional factors, thus enriching our understanding of entrepreneur means, behaviour, and firm performance within South Africa’s unequal landscape.Item The relevance of entrepreneurial self-efficacy, social networking, and the institutional environment on immigrant entrepreneurship in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Moti, Mahad; Urban, BorisSouth Africa has high rates of criminal activity and widespread corruption, which debilitates entrepreneurial activity, performance, and operations for many entrepreneurs. One of the causes of these issues is the restrictive nature of the regulatory environment. However, many immigrants are able to overcome these challenges, using their entrepreneurial self-efficacy and social networking capabilities. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy has been found to influence entrepreneurial intention, behaviour, motivation, and performance; furthermore, entrepreneurial self-efficacy is the targeted outcome of entrepreneurial education and training. Social capital is an advantage to immigrant entrepreneurs in the acquisition of capital resources, and their networks provide access to further opportunities. This study aimed to determine if an ethnic immigrant minority, Pakistani immigrant entrepreneurs, is able to operationalise their entrepreneurial self- efficacy and social networks to improve the performance of their ventures, despite all the regulatory challenges that they face in South Africa. This study employed a quantitative research method, using quantifiable variables to measure relationships. Immigrant entrepreneurs have capabilities, experience, and knowledge, all of which are useful, according to the resource-based theory, for conducting business internationally. These were measured in terms of entrepreneurial performance with a specific focus on growth and innovation. The results showed that the self-confidence of Pakistani immigrant entrepreneurs had a significant influence on their growth and innovation, whereas their social networks had a negative impact on their entrepreneurial performance. Furthermore, contrary to Western studies, which suggested that regulatory environments had an impact on business growth, it was found that South Africa's negative regulatory environment had no effect on the performance of Pakistani immigrant entrepreneurs.Item The nexus between the digital divide and social cohesion and their socio-economic drivers in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Magida, Ayanda; Armstrong, BrianThe study aimed to achieve two objectives. Firstly, it sought to investigate the correlation between the digital divide and social cohesion in South Africa. Secondly, it aimed to evaluate the socio-economic factors contributing to the digital divide and attaining social cohesion. The study used ecological systems theory as the primary theory to underpin its research. Social categorisation and resource appropriation theories were employed as secondary theories to enhance understanding of social cohesion and the digital divide, respectively. A concurrent mixed-method design incorporating quantitative and qualitative methods was utilised to gather comprehensive data. The quantitative data was acquired through online and paper-based surveys, while in-depth interviews were conducted to obtain qualitative data. Using the Qualtrics data collection platform, the online survey was distributed through various channels and platforms, including social media, using convenience sampling. Fieldwork in three semi-urban areas in Gauteng was conducted to carry out the paper-based survey. A total of n=1140 surveys were completed, and after data cleaning, n=857 respondents were included in the final analysis using SPSS. The quantitative data collected from the survey was analysed using descriptive statistics, structural equation modelling, and regressions. Meanwhile, the qualitative phase involved purposively selecting twelve participants for an interview, with the transcripts being analysed using thematic analysis and NVivo. Eight themes were identified through a hybrid data analysis approach combining inductive and deductive approaches. Results from the quantitative phase indicate a correlation between social cohesion and the digital divide. Socio-economic factors such as age, geographic location, and population group drive social cohesion. Similarly, age, education level, and gender influence internet access: socio-economic factors, population group, geographic location, education level, and economic activity impact internet usage. Lastly, the advantages of being online are influenced by socio-economic factors such as age, education level, and economic activity. Nine themes emerged from the qualitative analysis through an inductive and deductive approach. Participants expressed shared definitions and understandings of the digital divide and identified iii its drivers, which encompassed infrastructure, affordability, electricity, and literacy levels. Regarding social cohesion, the participants expressed that the notion of a "rainbow nation" is a myth, and socio-political factors act as barriers to achieving social cohesion. The research indicates that the digital divide significantly impacts social cohesion in South Africa. However, it is important to recognise that social cohesion and the digital divide are complex issues influenced by various factors, such as socio- economic status, race, culture, and historical context. Therefore, exploring and addressing other obstacles that prevent the country from achieving social cohesion and bridging the digital divide is vital. The report has significantly contributed to several empirical, methodological, and practical areas. The study has provided valuable insights into the digital divide, social cohesion, and socio-economic drivers, contributing to our understanding of these complex issues. The research has enriched our understanding of the digital divide and social cohesion by adopting a comprehensive approach that captures a range of perspectives and provides nuanced insights. Additionally, using both quantitative and qualitative data has enhanced the validity and rigour of the findings. Ultimately, the study's practical contributions are especially noteworthy given that social cohesion is a crucial pillar of South Africa's democratic project. Understanding the factors that hinder its attainment is essential, and this research sheds light on micro and macro factors contributing to achieving social cohesion.Item Examining antecedents, mediators and moderators of consumer behavioural outcomes of mobile banking(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Khoza, Fhatani; Saruchera, FannyOver the last two decades, the majority of research on mobile banking has concentrated extensively on understanding the factors influencing the adoption of this platform, indicating persistent behavioural stability even in mature markets. Recognising the limited scholarly attention given to the post-adoption phase within the context of mobile banking, the study adopts a comprehensive approach by integrating both attitudinal and behavioural drivers to comprehend the dynamics of usage, customer satisfaction levels, and resulting behavioural outcomes. The research methodology consists of two main phases. Firstly, a conceptual framework was synthesised, drawing from the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, the innovation diffusion theory, the DeLone and McLean model of information systems success, and constructs derived from existing literature. This framework delineates the antecedents, mediators, and moderators of the proposed behavioural outcomes. Secondly, the research blueprint was implemented using a systematic approach. Adhering to a post-positivist research paradigm and deductive approach, a descriptive research design was operationalised. The survey method, employing paper-based self-administered questionnaires, was used to collect cross-sectional primary data. The target population was comprised of individual bank customers aged 18 and older in Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa. Purposive sampling was employed due to the absence of a banking population sampling frame. Data collected from a final sample of 453 participants underwent descriptive statistical analysis and was further subjected to partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), to test the proposed hypotheses. Empirical results validated the theoretical framework, confirming that quality dimensions, compatibility, performance expectancy, social influence, system use, and customer satisfaction are antecedents of mobile banking behavioural outcomes (loyalty, continuity, word of mouth). System use and customer satisfaction were identified as mediators, while perceived trust emerged as a moderator. This study transcends mere empirical model validation, illuminating the pivotal role of customer satisfaction in shaping behavioural outcomes. It highlights a refined understanding by unveiling the intricate impact of service and system quality as precursors to both usage and satisfaction, while revealing the dominance of information quality’s antecedent role. As such, practitioners are urged to adopt strategic initiatives prioritising information quality and elevating customer satisfaction to unlock the full potential of mobile banking platforms. This would lead to enriched overall customer experiences and better organisational value propositions.Item Dynamic capabilities in strategy formation and knowledge conversion in Zimbabwean organisations(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Iroha, Brian Victor Tinashe; Hoven, Chris van der; Carmichael, TeresaThis qualitative research study adopts a Strategy-As-Practice approach to theorise organisational strategy formation and knowledge conversion processes. Using the theoretical lenses of Contingency Theory and Institution-, Resource- and Knowledge- based views, the study explores the dynamics of the interactions between organisation systems and people activities in strategy formation. The research context is Zimbabwe, a developing country with high literacy levels but has traditionally been marred by poor institutions and high levels of regulation. The research adopted a generic qualitative research design with triangulated interviews, documents, and a review of records. Data was collected from 13 participants using semi-structured interviews. The participants were senior management and employee representatives who were purposively selected from large organisations from each agriculture and tourism sector, two industry institutions, and one consultant from each sector. This was supplemented with data from documents, records, and minutes of strategy meetings and organisational processes. The findings suggested that: a) While the strategy formation process is formalised, structured and well recorded, the praxis is instead to follow the expectations of tradition and of stakeholders, which produces aesthetically compliant blueprints which are archived; b) Organisations abide by tenets of Contingency Theory in their wish to establish the best fit between internal and external environments. However, they tend to achieve the fit through random and often chaotic systems that feed off the tacit capabilities of individuals or views of managers in positions of power and authority; c) While managers enlist strategy consultants, ‘politically correct’ institutions and specialist technical advisors in sensing the environment, it is the firm owners that direct the seizing and configuration decisions and determine the ideal culture and strategies; d) Tacit knowledge among shop-floor employees is a key but poorly tapped intelligence source, as management elects to preserve the privilege of strategising. Brian V T Kagondo, Stud No. 1316671, PhD Thesis - WBS Page | iii The study concluded that due to an overriding desire for perceived political and procedural correctness, there is fractured and inconsistent understanding and interpretation of the strategy formation processes and strategic outcomes. Strategy- making in Zimbabwe is not absolutely defined and, therefore, is positioned between deliberate and emergent. Organisations navigate the context through turbid harnessing of internal social dynamics, individuals’ tacit knowledge and a broader range of stakeholders. The study makes two theoretical contributions. In the Knowledge-Based View, the study proposes a review of the assumptions to include that tacit knowledge in its pure form is intrinsic and unshareable. Therefore, individuals may only transfer and share those skills they have conscious control of and voluntarily wish to impart to others. To the Institution Based View, the study proposes; the isolation and recognition of the owners or founders of organisations as a distinct Institution that falls in a realm between the external and the internal environments of the organisations. These founders or owners (and sometimes through their representatives, the Board of Directors) are not just advisors but are actually definers of the organisation's culture, mission and broader goals. Management are therefore mere implementers of the institutionalised practices. This challenges the traditional theory, definition and role of management to imply that they are not deciders, planners, organisers and controllers but are simply administrators.Item The Impact of Technology Innovation on Higher Education Institutions. A case study of a private and public Universities in Johannesburg(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Iroha, George; Horne, ReneeTechnology has demonstrated its disruptive potential in business and human activities, particularly in the service industry, as well as improving education and knowledge. Regardless of the growth of technology innovation in different industries, its impact on educational industry is often overlooked unnoticed, specifically in light of the current Industry 4.0 based technology innovation. The revolution of technology over the years has created possibilities for improving the teaching and learning method which were entirely lacking before the third industrial revolution. In contrast to many innovation research, including that of the fourth industrial revolution, which has concentrated primarily on computers and manufacturing, just a few studies have examined how technology innovation is revolutionising the service industry, particularly the education industry. The aim of this study focused on the impact of technology innovation on higher education institution in South Africa. First it investigated the effect of technology innovation on learning using the flipped classroom model. Secondly it analysed the impact of technology innovation on learning using the Moodle learning method. Thirdly it examined the influence of technology innovation on students’ attitude. Fourthly it assessed the effect of technology innovation on students’ satisfaction. Then lastly it examined if demographic factors (such as age and gender) have a moderating effect on the relationship between technology innovation and student satisfaction. This study found a positive significant relationship between technology innovation and Moodle learning method of learning. Also, there is a positive significant relationship between technology innovation and students’ attitude. There is also a positive significant relationship between technology innovation and students’ satisfaction. However, the study shows no significant positive relationship between technology innovation and flipped classroom method of learning. Lastly, the study also found no significant positive relationship between technology innovation and students’ satisfaction when demographic factors (age and gender) is a moderating variable. These findings will assist both government and educators in tertiary institution to develop a theoretical framework with the use of technology innovation tools to better prepare students for the fourth industrial revolution which will foster sustainable development drive for the future of education. The study adopted the positivist paradigm, and followed a quantitative approach in gathering data. The study made use of the survey research method and the data were analysed using regression analysis with SPSS statistical tool.Item Diversity Management in the Ghanaian Health Sector: A Case Study of the NHIA(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Inweregbu, Cynthia Ngozi; Maier, ChristophDiversity management has become a critical tool in ensuring efficiency and productivity in organisations and societies. Research has recognized several conceptualisations of diversity and provided direction for effective and better ways of implementing diversity management at an organisational and national level. However, it has been contended that emphasis on conceptualising diversity management has mainly been within the context of the western perspective. Diversity management is an emerging aspect of management, which embodies on disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and human resource. The concept of diversity management has assumed global dimension and a context specific approach is required to make it effective. In this regard, it has been established by scholars to be a potent management tool in the globalised world. This call for an approach which suits the African and for that matter the Ghanaian context. To this effect, this research explores the concept, policies, and challenges of diversity management from Ghanaian perspective to assist in fashioning out a context specific strategy to diversity management. A qualitative methodology (case study approach) was employed to answer the research questions and realise the objectives. In line with the tenets of the chosen methodology, which requires data absoluteness, the interviewees and focus group members were selected through purposively sampling. There were thirty-four in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions conducted at the NHIA head office and regional office. Coding and thematic analysis were employed to identify the conceptualisation of diversity, policies in place for diversity management and challenges encountered in relation to diversity management at the NHIA. The results suggests that diversity can be described as differences in ethnic background, political affiliation, gender, religious belief, languages, and age. Further, the result points to the fact that an individual cannot be only identified by one characteristic but several of them. ii Additionally, this study identified couple of areas that needs attention to ensure an effective diversity management at the NHIA. The work environment in NHIA is very diverse and drives the complexity therein. The socio-cultural, religious, and political differences are very entrenched and require an effective diversity framework that ensures the presence of critical elements such as appreciation of uniqueness and the sense of belonging. Subsequently, a model was developed from the findings of the study to highlight the critical elements driving the dynamics of diversity management in NHIA. Additionally, the identified elements serve as tools which can be employed to allay the challenges encountered in ensuring effective management of diversity in NHIA and similar environments. Future studies may be conducted to validate the framework developed in this study and establish generalisabilty in the health industry and in other public organisations. A comparative case study research focusing on a private and public sector could also enrich the framework