Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters/MBA)

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

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Digitisation

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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    The implementation of digital transformation in the South African retail industry
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Nkosi, Mathandi; Magida, Ayanda
    Many organisations across all industries are pressured to re-think and re-imagine theirorganisational structures, processes and business models in light of the digital era. Thisincrease has disrupted organisations, as technology is changing how organisationsoperate, and most are pressed to move from their original business models. Thistransformation of business models, processes and business outcomes enabled by anorganisation’s ability to apply new digital technologies to transform their current businessmodels and processes is referred to as Digital Transformation. Organisations withsuccessful DT implementation have recorded benefits in interacting with their customers.It also results in streamlined business processes and the creation of new business models.This study explored the current understanding, implementation drivers, and challenges ofDT implementation within the SA retail sector, focusing on those in leadership positionsand DT SMEs to gain insight into the current status quo and identify any misalignmentswithin the sector. This exploratory study examines the implementation of DigitalTransformation (DT) in the South African retail sector. Semi-structured interviews wereused to conduct this study to explore the participants’ experiences and knowledge; thestudy participants were individuals who were in leadership positions or were DT subjectmatter experts.Some of the key research findings from the study established the understating of DT inthe retail sector when participants defined DT as inclined towards process changes,process improvements, and transformation of the organisation. E-commerce emerged asa key DT trend within the retail sector
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    The effectiveness of technological advancements on project execution in the South African financial services sector
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Rantao, Samuel; Mupfawa , Shungu; Wotela, Nkambidima
    Background: The digital age is filled with emerging digital technologies that are evolving at a rapid pace. The wide scope of digital technologies streams such as ‘artificial intelligence’ (AI), ‘automation’, ‘big data’, ‘cloud computing' and the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) have created opportunities and challenges to all involved in banking to embrace digital transformation. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness of technological advancements on project execution in the South African financial services sector. The main emphasis for banks to remain relevant and gain a competitive advantage in this digital age, they would need to transform digitally by adopting appropriate emerging technologies and transition their backend processes and operations. The study further explores the mitigation of the problem statements through a management consulting start-up as a possible solution. Method: The research method was in the form of a quantitative research design, which involved 267 online surveys with banking professionals working within IT such as Chief Digital Officers, Head of Departments, and Project teams. The literature review indicated that digital transformation was reshaping the structure of the banking sector, and the role of IT project execution in the digital age. This has emphasised the need for banking professionals to stay abreast with the fourth industrial revolution developments and trends, and to prepare for imminent changes as the digital age requires new skills and competencies. Results: The findings from this study indicated that the issues pertaining to digital transformation are multifaceted and go beyond the incumbents in the financial services banking sector as they affect companies operating in other industries across SA. The findings from this study are expected to contribute to the extant literature in the field of digital transformation and competencies required by banking professionals. Conclusion: The fourth industrial revolution has introduced significant new technologies in all areas of business, and the banking sector is no different. The emergence of technologies has impacted the way projects need to be executed, in terms of speed, efficiencies and processes. All of this requires new mindsets with advanced skills which need to be quickly attained and practiced at the highest levels to make the most of the technologies
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    Platform Business Models in the South African Banking Environment
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Phiri, Soneni
    Traditional businesses are known to be linear in nature. However, this linear nature has been disrupted as the advent of technology and in particular the Internet has given rise to digitization and eCommerce. Businesses, like man, by nature are evolving. The 21st century has seen the birth of a new and fast- evolving business model, known as the platform business. Various explanations have been forwarded in an effort to define the very nature of the platform business model. This study aims to address the definition of this model within a South African business framework, with a particular emphasis on the banking sector. Data was collected through qualitative research, by means of face-to-face interviews with predetermined questions posed to a select population of business executives from across various industries. The key findings were that within the business environment there is an understanding of the nature of a platform business. However, its definitions are varied and will evolve with its growth and usage. Furthermore, this study addresses the key distinctions between eCommerce and platform businesses, concluding with a bias towards adopting the platform business model within the banking sector
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    Exploring the inhibitors of digital transformation in the South African Mining Industry
    (2022) Mistry, Kamal
    While there is strong evidence for the drivers of technological disruption in the South African mining industry, understanding the industry's ability to transform digitally, including the adoption levels of digital technologies, becomes key in progressing its digital maturity. This qualitative research inquiry explores the concepts of digital transformation and digital maturity, its application to the South African mining industry, and identifies and explores the inhibitors of digital transformation based on relevant digital maturity and digital adoption models. The research study population is focused on the South African mining industry, which includes various stakeholders. The sampling frame of this research study centres on three key stakeholder groups: mine owners/operators, the mining workforce, and mining contractors, all of whom have a direct influence and impact on the digital maturity and transformation of the South African mining industry at large. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews are used for data collection due to their flexibility in allowing in-depth analysis. This research is based on the perspectives of 15 individuals that are interviewed based on their skills, experience, knowledge, and exposure to digital transformation within the South African mining industry. The unified model of digital maturity has been proven relevant and appropriate for organisations within the South African mining industry in pursuit of an increased level of digital maturity. The study acknowledges the current digital maturity, identifies an aspirational or to-be digital maturity, examines the resultant gaps between the two states of digital maturity, and proposes critical areas of improvement. The significance of this research is to identify and investigate the challenges and complexities involved in developing, implementing, and maintaining digital transformation programs in the South African mining industry, and incidentally, provide critical insights to accelerate the transformation process and increase the industry’s overall digital maturity thereby enabling safe, sustainable, and competitive mining that could reposition South Africa as a world leader in mining once again.
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    Digital transformation in University schools: a case study of a South African Business School
    (2021) Cajee, Yasira
    The concepts of digitisation, digitalisation, digital transformation and digital maturity are both revolutionising and fundamentally evolving the way in which organisations operate. Digital technologies and automation are rapidly introducing changes into customers’ lifestyles, interactions, engagements and requirements with business and organisations globally. Digital transformation is a continuous journey and is impacting different industries in different ways. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the state of digital transformation at Wits Business School (WBS), a South African business school in the higher education sector. The study followed a triangulated qualitative research design, which included multiple data sources in the form of 15 digital semi-structured in-depth interviews with senior and non-senior stakeholders across Wits University currently involved in digital businessrelated initiatives; 160 online qualitative questionnaires from student respondents across WBS; 14 Wits University policy documents; and observational data linked to digitally related projects and initiatives. The data was analysed through a thematic network approach. The research findings pointed to a large gap between WBS’s current digital maturity state and the desired digitally transformed state. The findings indicated that WBS lacks stable leadership to create a digital vision and strategy for digital transformation, which are currently lacking. Cultural transformation is urgently required, coupled with incentives for adopting new digital skills and capabilities into the workforce. Positively, the findings revealed a high level of digital focus across all areas of the value chain both in WBS and Wits University. Six areas were identified as the main factors hindering digital transformation: Leadership, Governance, Strategy and Vision, Culture, Business Models and Platforms, and Technological Resources and Capabilities. The research recommends bold, agile and transformative leadership; a clearly articulated digital vision and strategy; improved digital skills with a digitally inculcated cultural mind-set; and a revised organisational structure that incorporates crossfunctional teams from different areas of the value chain coupled with integrated technological architecture and platforms, supported through digitalised governance policies and appropriate data analytics.
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    Digital transformation in university schools: a case study of a South African Business School
    (2021) Cajee, Yasira
    The concepts of digitisation, digitalisation, digital transformation and digital maturity are both revolutionising and fundamentally evolving the way in which organisations operate. Digital technologies and automation are rapidly introducing changes into customers’ lifestyles, interactions, engagements and requirements with business and organisations globally. Digital transformation is a continuous journey and is impacting different industries in different ways. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the state of digital transformation at Wits Business School (WBS), a South African business school in the higher education sector. The study followed a triangulated qualitative research design, which included multiple data sources in the form of 15 digital semi-structured in-depth interviews with senior and non-senior stakeholders across Wits University currently involved in digital business-related initiatives; 160 online qualitative questionnaires from student respondents across WBS; 14 Wits University policy documents; and observational data linked to digitally related projects and initiatives. The data was analysed through a thematic network approach. The research findings pointed to a large gap between WBS’s current digital maturity state and the desired digitally transformed state. The findings indicated that WBS lacks stable leadership to create a digital vision and strategy for digital transformation, which are currently lacking. Cultural transformation is urgently required, coupled with incentives for adopting new digital skills and capabilities into the workforce. Positively, the findings revealed a high level of digital focus across all areas of the value chain both in WBS and Wits University. Six areas were identified as the main factors hindering digital transformation: Leadership, Governance, Strategy and Vision, Culture, Business Models and Platforms, and Technological Resources and Capabilities. The research recommends bold, agile and transformative leadership; a clearly articulated digital vision and strategy; improved digital skills with a digitally inculcated cultural mind-set; and a revised organisational structure that incorporates cross-functional teams from different areas of the value chain coupled with integrated technological architecture and platforms, supported through digitalised governance policies and appropriate data analytics
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    An evaluation of the inhibitions caused by legacy systems on digital transformation in a South African retail bank
    (2020) Mantyi, Lukhanyiso
    This research report investigates the inhibitions imposed by legacy systems on digital transformation strategies. The study focuses on the traditional retail bank, as these institutions contain traditional core systems that are complex to maintain and to replace. Moreover, the legacy can also be seen in business models that have previously been successful and are being disrupted by digital technology. The existing theory uncovers that transforming organisations ought to develop enabling capabilities to support digital transformation. It specifies that implementing new technology is not sufficient to successfully implement the strategies and gain a competitive advantage. The challenge that traditional banks are faced with is the navigation of archaic systems whilst driving innovation. Qualitative research in the form of semi-structured interviews with senior management was conducted. The population of the study comprises all employees of the Retail division of Bank X, South Africa. The sample was selected based on seniority as well as exposure to digital strategy formulation and implementation in the bank. The study found that there are gaps in the understanding of digital transformation within the bank. This disconnect permeates the implementation of the strategy and creates silos in execution. It was also found that the digital transformation strategy needs to be supported by skilled personnel, an enabling culture, a sound operating model, and modernisation mechanisms to deal with the current system architecture. These capabilities are on varying levels of maturity in the bank and have a direct impact on the implementation of the digital transformation strategy. A number of challenges were highlighted in the study relative to the research questions. To address the emerging challenges, six recommendations were made, namely defining digital transformation in the context of the organisation, clarification on the leadership of digital agenda, upskilling of the employees with digital skills, development of an architectural strategy that supports the digital strategy and investing in decision support tools to derive value from the data assets.