Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters/MBA)

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Has files: YesSubject: search.filters.subject.Corporate Governance

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    Enhancing Corporate Governance Systems through Adoption of Blockchain Technology in Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Nyembe, Sanele; Totowa, Jacques
    Instances of corporate fraud, exemplified by cases such as Enron in the USA,Steinhoff in Germany/South Africa, and Tongaat Hullett in South Africa, have becomeprevalent worldwide, inflicting severe repercussions on diverse stakeholders. Despitethe widespread occurrence of such frauds, they often evade early detection, resultingin substantial financial losses and erosion of shareholder value. Effective corporategovernance systems are intended to serve as the ultimate surveillance mechanism tofilter out various forms of corporate fraud.Technological advancements, particularly blockchain, hold promise for enhancingcorporate governance effectiveness. Blockchain, a digital ledger technology thatrecords transactions in immutable blocks, offers potential benefits in detecting andpreventing fraud. Importantly, blockchain technology is envisioned not as areplacement but as a complementary addition to existing corporate governancesystems to enhance their efficacy.The objective of this research was to analyse the potential impact of blockchain onSMMEs in South Africa through an online survey targeting professionals with varyingexpertise. The results of the survey, encompassing 214 respondents from diverseprofessional backgrounds including accountants, ethics committee members, boardmembers, and blockchain technology experts, revealed a consensus on the positiveimpact of blockchain integration with corporate governance pillars in curbing corporatefraud within SMMEs. The Likert scale results indicated an average score of 4.09 outof 5, suggesting a predominantly positive perception of blockchain's efficacy inaddressing corporate fraud in SMMEs. The results revealed that technologicalintervention, acting as a mediating factor between current corporate governancepractices and the capacity for early fraud detection, would yield positive outcomes. Asillustrated through the conceptual framework
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    The Nexus between Ethical Culture and Corporate Governance in a South African Bank
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mashego, Morwesi; Totowa, Jacques
    Over the years, several regulations and laws have been enacted in attempt to advance the effectiveness of corporate governance. Effective corporate governance is important as it can protect against poor management and support the growth of organisations. However, the amount of corporate misconduct that has been reported has proven regulatory and legislative mechanisms to be insufficient in deterring misconduct. Scholars have suggested that future research should suggest ways in which the effectiveness of corporate governance can be advanced in organizations. The repercussions of corporate misconduct are that there are cost implications that have to be borne by organisations and possibly even the economy in cases of entities that are identified as systematically important financial institutions, such as banks. It is, therefore, important to investigate the nexus that lies between corporate governance and ethical culture to determine their impact when applied in organisations. The research approach employed is the qualitative research methodology. A thematic comparative analysis was conducted from the integrated annual reports of Organisation X. Integrated annual reports from year 2018 to 2019 were studied in relation to the practice of corporate governance and ethical culture. In order to obtain insight on Organisation X’s commitment to ethical culture, 13 semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals employed by Organisation X. As this study investigated the relationship between corporate governance and ethical culture in a South African banking institution, it reveals valuable insights regarding the various relationships that underlie the practices of corporate governance and ethical culture in organisations
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    The importance of corporate governance in the financial sector: a comparative analysis between Botswana and South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Isaacs, Pulafela Floyd
    Corporate Governance is key to the integrity of financial markets and by extension the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) flows. It is a result of the split between owners and managers of businesses due to clashes in the interests of the parties. This is called the ‘agency’ problem. Problems and mechanisms of governance are different across countries, with governance issues in more developed countries finding their expression in wide shareholder bases while developing economies have smaller and more concentrated structures. Corporates have collapsed in the past due to poor Corporate Governance practices. Examples include Enron, WorldCom, Steinhoff and African Bank Investments Limited (ABIL). The study was motivated by recent reports of corporate governance scandals in Botswana including in relation to board composition, the integrity of financial information and related party transactions. The study is qualitative and seeks to compare corporate governance practices between financial services companies listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), as well as the level of compliance with recommended practices. A review of literature was carried out in the study where theoretical frameworks including the agency, stakeholder, stewardship, and resource dependence theories were explored. The study examined empirical frameworks, discussing Corporate Governance developments in Botswana (local), South Africa (regional) and the United Kingdom (global). Secondary data sources were used to collect data, specifically integrated reports. After analysing the data collected, recommendations were made based on the findings. These include improvements in solvency disclosures, material matters disclosure, materiality determination process disclosure, approval of integrated reports by the board, and disclosure requirements around succession planning. A further recommendation is to institutionalise Corporate Governance and make it part of the listing requirements
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    Internal audit mechanism enabling Lesotho revenue authority leadership to achieve corporate goals
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Mothebe, Lekata; Wotela, Kmbidima; Gobind, Jenika
    Purpose: The main purpose of the study is to examine how internal audit contributes to the achievement of corporate goals or objectives. The extent to which internal audit is independent is likely to determine the objectivity and quality of the audit reports this function issues. The research further investigates the relationship between internal audit and the leadership of the organisation. Methodology: The researcher used qualitative methodology to conduct this explanatory research. Semi-structured questions were developed, and interviews held with purposively selected participants to understand their views regarding the internal audit. Qualitative methodology does not require too many participants to make findings and conclusions, and therefore a sample of 15 people was selected for the interviews. However, only 12 participated. Findings: Internal audit is a tool or mechanism that leadership uses to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of processes across all departments. The work of the internal audit function becomes more valuable when it is engaged as strategic partner of the organisation. Presence of reliable risk management processes, strong control environment and good governance is a result of effective leadership.
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    Combined Assurance and its Role in Organisational Performance: A Case Study on Risk Professionals’ Perspective in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Kekana, Lebogang Nkhokhola; Sieff, Grant
    South Africa has been in the spotlight for its poor governance practices even though various laws, regulations, and frameworks are in place to guide how business should be conducted. Oversights committees, especially the board of directors are tasked with the governance of risk and achievement of organisational goals. Combined assurance is used as one of the tools to promote efficient risk management and mitigate against poor control environment and governance processes. Regardless of legislation and governance frameworks providing direction and tasking the three lines of defense with clear assurance responsibilities, the South African public and private sectors are in shambles. This study aimed to understand combined assurance and its role on organisational performance from the second line of defense perspective. The impact of combined assurance on organisational performance, as well as the influence of combined assurance drivers and the three lines of defence on organisational performance has been assessed in this study. The research project followed a quantitative research design. Data was collected through a structured survey questionnaire using Qualtrics. The survey questionnaire was distributed to risk professionals within South African boundaries in both the public and private sector via e-mail.44 participants (37%) of the targeted 120 risk professional have responded to the survey. The study found that the alternative hypothesis being that effective combined assurance seems to contribute positively to organisational performance is accepted. In addition, the study found that the alternative hypothesis being that the drivers of combined assurance seem to be associated with positive organisational performance is accepted. The study further revealed that the alternative hypothesis being that effective three lines of defense contributes positively to organisational performance. The study contributed to the body of knowledge by providing the perspective of the second line of defence on combined assurance and how it impacts organisational performance
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    Combined Assurance and its Role in Organisational Performance: A Case Study on Risk Professionals’ Perspective in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Kekana, Lebogang Nkhokhola; Sieff, Grant
    South Africa has been in the spotlight for its poor governance practices even though various laws, regulations, and frameworks are in place to guide how business should be conducted. Oversights committees, especially the board of directors are tasked with the governance of risk and achievement of organisational goals. Combined assurance is used as one of the tools to promote efficient risk management and mitigate against poor control environment and governance processes. Regardless of legislation and governance frameworks providing direction and tasking the three lines of defense with clear assurance responsibilities, the South African public and private sectors are in shambles. This study aimed to understand combined assurance and its role on organisational performance from the second line of defense perspective. The impact of combined assurance on organisational performance, as well as the influence of combined assurance drivers and the three lines of defence on organisational performance has been assessed in this study. The research project followed a quantitative research design. Data was collected through a structured survey questionnaire using Qualtrics. The survey questionnaire was distributed to risk professionals within South African boundaries in both the public and private sector via e-mail.44 participants (37%) of the targeted 120 risk professional have responded to the survey. The study found that the alternative hypothesis being that effective combined assurance seems to contribute positively to organisational performance is accepted. In addition, the study found that the alternative hypothesis being that the drivers of combined assurance seem to be associated with positive organisational performance is accepted. The study further revealed that the alternative hypothesis being that effective three lines of defense contributes positively to organisational performance. The study contributed to the body of knowledge by providing the perspective of the second line of defence on combined assurance and how it impacts organisational performance.