Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters/MBA)

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    The implementation and adoption of information and communication technologies for remote learning within South African private schools
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Lekoto, Ntlabo Samuel; Sibanda, Tendaria
    The COVID-19 pandemic has tremendously impacted the global economy including lockdown regulations which resulted in school closure across the world. Due to this, schools had to consider the alternative to provide primary education in-person. As a result of the pandemic, this study aims to investigate the implementation and adoption of information and communication technologies for remote learning within South African private schools. A qualitative research methodology was utilised in this study. This approach was used in an effort to gather the thoughts, opinions and experiences of the participant to deduce insightful findings through a case study research design. A purposive sampling was adopted with empirical information gained through interviews. The analysis of the data was conducted through a qualitative thematic analysis in an effort to generate common themes which can be grouped together. The study helps to bridge the gap of understanding the challenges which policy makers need to address to swiftly implement a successful integration of technology pedagogy. The findings of the study indicated there was lack of detailed policy during the implementation of remote learning during the pandemic. The importance of upskilling teachers not only technically, but also with the ability to understand the pedagogical approaches of integrating technology within a teaching and learning environment was also evident. Furthermore, the findings highlighted the technical, social and psychological challenges which may impact learners, teachers and parents during remote learning. The findings also indicated lack of social interaction as a concern during remote learning which can result in social anxiety for the learners. The results of the study indicated that policy makers need to develop a detailed policy which address some of the common problems relating to remote learning. Innovative ways on how to develop digital pedagogy were also highlighted as a result of the study
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    The impact of remote working post COVID-19 in the construction industry of South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Singo, Ramano Victor
    This study investigates the impact of COVID-19 on the South African construction industry, focusing on remote working. It was identified that the COVID-19 pandemic crisis was an ideal case study for this study since it has wide-ranging impacts and implications for the construction industry of South Africa. This thesis examines the impact of remote working on the construction industry. Construction differs greatly from other industries in that most project participants must be on site. In light of this unforeseen situation, understanding how the construction industry handles it is crucial (Gamil, 2020). Coronavirus Disease, COVID-19 had a catastrophic and long lasting economic impact on many industries in South Africa and the world at large (Ogunnusi et al., 2020). A global calamity, COVID-19, left all economic sectors paralysed, including construction. COVID- 19, declared a pandemic in March 2020, has devastated world economies. The prevalence of the disease has grown exponentially since the first case was reported in January 2020. The first death occurred on 29th February 2020, leading to dramatic actions on the part of individuals and governments (Angelucci et al.,2020). During this time, stores and restaurants were closed, as were schools and non-essential businesses. The pandemic brought the world to a complete halt, with impacts extending to sectors such as construction (Alsharef et al., 2021). One of South Africa's most crucial industries for economic development is construction. Although this sector is mostly unorganized and human-driven, many people work here. In 2017, Statistics South Africa reported that the construction industry contributed about 4% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provided more than 1.4 million jobs (Statistics South Africa, 2017). The construction industry faced multiple challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, most construction sites were closed due to Coronavirus infection. (Dlamini,2012) points out that the construction industry contributes to economic growth in direct and indirect ways. Every country benefits from the construction sector's power to empower its economy and development
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    The impact of human resource practices on employee productivity during the COVID-19 pandemic in the South African construction industry
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Makanza, Patience; Mati, Jacob
    The study examined the impact of human resource practices on employee productivity in the South African construction industry during the Covid-19 pandemic. Specifically, the study investigated four human resource practices - training, employee wellness, compensation, and employee engagement - to determine their impact on productivity, with the Covid-19 pandemic as the intermediary variable. The study found that training had a positive impact on productivity, indicating that regular training opportunities should be provided to employees to enhance productivity. However, no conclusive evidence was found to support the hypothesis that training improved productivity during the pandemic. The study further revealed that compensation was strongly linked to productivity, but participants were indifferent about the impact of changes in compensation during the pandemic. The empirical evidence showed that although superiors offered support to their subordinates, participants were neutral about the link between employee wellness and productivity. Although it was discovered that employee involvement has a beneficial effect on productivity, participants were unable to affirm if it enhanced their performances during the epidemic as also reiterated by Ramakrishnan and Yogarajah (2021) The results of the study have important repercussions for the South African construction sector, notably during the Covid-19 epidemic as also stated by Amoah and Simpeh, (2021).Construction businesses should follow the study's advice and pay attention to employee wellness, as it has a significant impact on productivity. Furthermore, companies should consider increasing compensation packages to improve productivity, and they should promote employee engagement as it positively impacts productivity. Overall, this study highlights the importance of human resource practices in improving employee productivity during the Covid-19 pandemic in the South African construction industry. The recommendations presented in this study are crucial for construction companies in South Africa as they provide a basis for optimising employee productivity during challenging times. This study contributes to the existing literature on the impact of human resource practices on employee productivity during the Covid-19 pandemic vi and calls for further research in this area to enhance the understanding of the best practices in human resource management during such crises.
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    Impact of COVID-19 on digital transformation
    (2021) Mabuza, Jabulile
    The COVID-19 pandemic has been commonly referred to as a ‘black swan event’; it has changed the world as we knew it, from how we live, learn, work and socialise. It is believed that the pandemic has fast-tracked the adoption of technology in many organisations to ensure business continuity and business sustainability; broadly said, the pandemic has fast-tracked digital transformation (DT) in different organisations. This paper aims to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on DT in organisations in South Africa by focusing on the changes in IT capabilities in the DT framework. The research design is qualitative; the data collection was through semi-structured interviews with information communication technology (ICT) leaders representing different organisations in South Africa. The data was analysed using the thematic-analysis process to formulate initial codes, initial themes and final themes emerging from the study. The results from the study show that, in terms of ICT in the organisation, the pandemic had a direct and positive impact on ICT strategy and ICT operations. In terms of IT capability transformation, the pandemic resulted in the optimisation and expansion of existing IT capabilities in the organisation and the building of new IT capabilities to meet emerging business needs. In terms of the focus of activities during the pandemic, there seems to be a split in organisations between the primary focus being on ‘digital IT’ or ‘traditional IT’. Overall, the findings of the study show that the pandemic had a positive and significant impact on DT in organisations. However, a definitive conclusion on this would require expanding the scope of the research to all the components of a comprehensive DT framework. This study is significant because it is one of the first studies to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on organisations, on ICT in the organisation, on IT capability transformation and, to a greater extent, DT. The findings from the study show that in response to the pandemic, there is a need for agility in organisations; for organisations to execute on their existing strategy; the future-proofing of IT capabilities; the adoption of a hybrid working model; and for organisations to take risks and embrace new ideas.
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    Impact of COVID-19 on digital transformation
    (2021) Mabuza, Jabulile
    The COVID-19 pandemic has been commonly referred to as a ‘black swan event’; it has changed the world as we knew it, from how we live, learn, work and socialise. It is believed that the pandemic has fast-tracked the adoption of technology in many organisations to ensure business continuity and business sustainability; broadly said, the pandemic has fast-tracked digital transformation (DT) in different organisations. This paper aims to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on DT in organisations in South Africa by focusing on the changes in IT capabilities in the DT framework. The research design is qualitative; the data collection was through semi-structured interviews with information communication technology (ICT) leaders representing different organisations in South Africa. The data was analysed using the thematic-analysis process to formulate initial codes, initial themes and final themes emerging from the study. The results from the study show that, in terms of ICT in the organisation, the pandemic had a direct and positive impact on ICT strategy and ICT operations. In terms of IT capability transformation, the pandemic resulted in the optimisation and expansion of existing IT capabilities in the organisation and the building of new IT capabilities to meet emerging business needs. In terms of the focus of activities during the pandemic, there seems to be a split in organisations between the primary focus being on ‘digital IT’ or ‘traditional IT’. Overall, the findings of the study show that the pandemic had a positive and significant impact on DT in organisations. However, a definitive conclusion on this would require expanding the scope of the research to all the components of a comprehensive DT framework. This study is significant because it is one of the first studies to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on organisations, on ICT in the organisation, on IT capability transformation and, to a greater extent, DT. The findings from the study show that in response to the pandemic, there is a need for agility in organisations; for organisations to execute on their existing strategy; the future-proofing of IT capabilities; the adoption of a hybrid working model; and for organisations to take risks and embrace new ideas