Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters/MBA)

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

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    The role of data analytics in formulating a business model in the South African metals manufacturing sector
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2020) Maimela, Kelebogile; Munkuli, Bongani
    Technological advancements are a contributing factor to the success of any business, especially with globalisation mandating flexibility within businesses. The survival of the metals manufacturing companies is dependent on many variables, but the focus will be placed on the role of data analytics in business models. A quantitative approach was used to collect the data utilising Qualtrics software and data were recorded on Excel before being coded and then loaded onto the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software system. All employees in the metals manufacturing companies in South Africa made up the population for this study. The results revealed a relationship between data analytics and business insight involved in developing a business model. In the absence of data, the level of success in decision making is compromised. Over 80 percent of respondents emphasised the importance of data required in making decisions. The ability to make informed decisions gives companies a competitive edge, but a dynamic capability is evidenced through people’s experience in data analysis. The data collected were analysed using quantitative data analysis tools such as chi-squared tests and Cramer’s phi tests, which indicated that data play a pivotal role in developing business models
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    Exploring the mindsets and behaviours necessary for cultivating data-driven decision making within an organisation
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Jacobs, Jef Andreas; Ngubane, Samukelo; Wotela, Kambidima
    The advancement of data storage and processing technologies and the exponential growth in data generated by online activity and smart devices has stimulated a desire by organisations to be more data-driven in their decision making. Adopting a data-driven approach to decision making is associated with improved organisation performance and innovation. However, most organisations are struggling to realise these benefits because crafting clear data use strategies and cultivating a culture of data-driven decision making appears to be more challenging than investing in relevant technologies or implementing organisational processes. Given this situation, the purpose of this study is to investigate the mindsets and associated behaviours of leaders and their teams who are successfully leveraging data to improve market competitiveness or impact. Using a qualitative research strategy and semi-structured interview processes with six experienced professionals, this research paper identifies six mindsets and associated behaviours that senior decision makers should adopt to help overcome the common people related challenges that hinder effective data-driven decision making in organisations. Prime examples include senior leaders as data advocates who communicate and reflect of data-driven decisions and leaders who encourage quick experimentation with an openness to failure. Based on these findings the study recommends that senior decision makers, working in organisations that have invested in data related technologies and skills, acknowledge that their attitudes and behaviours have a direct impact on how successful any data strategy and investment will be. These influential leaders or managers need to understand and believe in the data- driven decision making process and they need to ensure the implementation of key activities that ensure informed actions are eventually taken on the back of data collected. Research in this field mostly predominantly discusses issues related to numerical techniques, technological innovations and studies around impact. This study contributesto the current body of knowledge by investigating leadership and managerial aspects of data use or Big Data in organisational decision making