Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters/MBA)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37942

Browse

Subject: search.filters.subject.Corporate Social Responsibility

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Assessing the Contribution of Mining Companies to the Development of Entrepreneurs
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Mathoma, Khuthalani Curtis
    This MBA thesis entitled “Assessing the Contribution of Mining Companies to the Development of Entrepreneurs” investigates the current state of entrepreneurship in South Africa, concentrating on the mining sector. The study analysed the extent to which mining companies have invested in entrepreneurship development in the areas where they operate, and the challenges that they face in promoting entrepreneurship in South Africa. A qualitative research approach and a case study design were employed, with data collected through face-to-face interviews with CSR and Enterprise and Supply Development representatives from gold and coal mining companies in Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces, as well as beneficiaries and participants of the mining companies' CSR and Enterprise and Supplier Development programs. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The study found that entrepreneurship in South Africa faces numerous challenges, including lack of access to finance, inadequate business skills, limited market opportunities, and regulatory challenges. However, mining companies have made significant investments in entrepreneurship development in the areas where they operate through corporate social responsibility initiatives and enterprise and supplier development programs. Mining companies provide financial and non-financial support for entrepreneurship development, including funding programs, loans, mentorship, and training programs. The study also found that mining companies face several challenges in promoting entrepreneurship in South Africa, among them is the absence of a culture of entrepreneurship in mining communities, limited access to finance and resources, and regulatory challenges. Despite these challenges, iv beneficiaries, and participants of mining companies' CSR and ESD initiatives generally perceived the programs as supportive of the development of their entrepreneurial ventures. Finally, the study recommended strategies that mining companies can adopt to enhance their contribution to the development of entrepreneurship in the country. Overall, this study offers insightful information about the function of mining companies in promoting entrepreneurship and highlights the importance of their continued investment in entrepreneurship development in South Africa.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The role of mining companies in achieving the united nations social development goals in Madagascar by 2030
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Babila, Ndasi Moses
    The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) constitute the pillars of policies formulated by the UN member states in 2015 to combat poverty and other forms of deprivation, in order to achieve peace and prosperity for all people and the planet by the year 2030 (the so-called UN Agenda 2030). This research is an exploratory study that undertakes a synthesis of the implementation of the UN SDG policies and the economic contributions made by mining companies to local communities in Madagascar, through their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), in order to achieve the UN Agenda 2030. Four of the 17 UN SGDs were selected to assess Madagascar’s level of achievement of the UN SGDs. The UN SGDs selected include one, end poverty in all its forms everywhere; two ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages; three Quality education and four, Industry innovation and infrastructure. The Purposive Sampling technique was used to select the Benenitra and Ranobe districts of the Atsimo Andrefana Region as areas of study due to the advantage of prior knowledge of the areas and accessibility. These areas are reflective of artisanal, small and industrial scale mining operations in Madagascar. 22 participants were interviewed to get their perception on Madagascar’s level of achievement of the UN SGDs, and the contribution of mining companies towards this and their livelihood. while mining companies are somewhat engaged, and to some extent, committed in CSR, and showing interest in developing the local communities where they operate, the government of Madagascar is lagging behind with the implementation of appropriate social protection systems to achieve the UN SDGs by 2030. 2 It is envisaged that this research would contribute to the scientific and societal discourse on mining and CSR, particular with regards to the contribution of mining companies to the economy of developing and emerging countries towards achieving the UN Agenda 2030
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Digitalisation of corporate firms in South Africa: a catalyst in shared value creation with rural communities
    (2020) Jonas, Nomakhosazana
    Introduction: The markets that corporations have historically drawn their profits from are increasingly becoming saturated, compelling firms to explore new competitive strategies and look for new markets. Rural communities present a potential new market for corporate firms. The opportunity exists to leverage the enabling potential of digital technology in creating shared value. The study aim was to explore the influence of digitalisation of corporate firms on fast tracking shared value creation with rural communities Method: A qualitative examination of commonalities in the perceptions and experiences of key influencers in large corporates in South Africa was undertaken. Using the phenomenological method, thirteen interviews with Board members and C-suite executives in corporate firms in South Africa were conducted. A thematic analysis was done using the Nvivo12 qualitative software. Findings: Shareholders need to shift the profit maximisation paradigm to one embracing inclusive societal progress as well as profits. This requires including social impact as a measurable output and key performance indicator. Data showed that Corporate Social Investment (CSI) should be more economically driven and a key focus of all managers across all business operations and not the sole responsibility of one department or individual. Additionally, digitalisation should be a priority in the agenda of the CEO due to its ongoing transformational impact on business models, processes, budgets and customer experience. Lastly skills such as emotional Intelligence and problem-solving skills are crucial in environments transformed by digitalisation and should receive the same attention as technical skills. Corporations need to first evolve the paradigm of rural communities to understanding and embracing technology before digitalisation can be used to enable Creating Shared Value (CSV). Conclusion: Key to unlocking the catalytic potential for digitalisation is a transformation of the paradigm where profit maximisation and complete ownership of the consumer are prioritised. This mindset stands in the way of collaborative strategies required to create CSV with rural communities. Further research is needed to explore rural communities ‘understanding of the enabling potential of technology and how it can be used to enable CSV.