Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters/MBA)

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

Browse

Subject: search.filters.subject.Performance

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Intrapreneurship as an enabler to improve performance in the video entertainment industry: A Pay-Tv African Context
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Ngwenya, Sibongile; Urban, Boris
    This research study investigated the relationship between intrapreneurship and two internal factors within an organisation organisational that lead to improved business performance. The organisational internal factors that were investigated are management support and organisational culture. The theoretical background to the study was adopted and grounded on the theory of corporate entrepreneurship, while the study focuses on Pay-Tv within the African context for a giant media player MultiChoice Group. The study was based on a quantitative approach, implementing existing instruments and analysing a sample of two hundred and seventy-one (271) employees. The results presented a significant and positive relationship exists between the organisational culture and intrapreneurship and A positive relationship exists between management support and intrapreneurship. This study contributes to the research theory of corporate entrepreneurship by recognizing the influence and importance of the organisational internal factors in improving business performance within the Pay-Tv industry. The study Industry players, industry employees, and academic practitioners Intrapreneurship principles a practice that can be implemented to facilitate and encourage the adoption of intrapreneurship to drive overall improved business performance. The study is relevant to the industry players who seek to remain entrepreneurial, and competitive and contribute to the industry’s sustainability into the future
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Financial Risk in Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions for Southern African Development Community Banks
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Makhura, Sedise; Totowa, Jacques
    This study investigates the effect of cross-border mergers and acquisitions on financial risk and bank performance in the Southern African Development (SADC) region, where economic uncertainties are prevalent. Focusing on credit, market, and liquidity risks, the analysis draws on data across 14 bank cross-border mergers and acquisitions between 2002 and 2018. The fixed effects model used in this study revealed statistically significant relationships between performance, measured as the principal component variable of return on equity (ROE) and return on earning assets (ROEA); and specific financial risk factors, particularly non- performing loans to total loans as the credit risk proxy and net loans to total assets as the liquidity risk proxy. Firm size also demonstrated a significant relationship to performance. Although the aggregate financial risk variable did not present any statistically significant impact on performance, liquidity risk emerged as the decisive factor in determining bank performance. An increased loan-to-asset ratio was associated with deteriorated bank performance, highlighting the importance of managing liquidity risk effectively. These findings suggest that banks in the SADC region involved in cross-border mergers should reassess their risk management strategies and prioritise liquidity and credit risk management to improve performance and ensure operational sustainability in the SADC region.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The effect of coal price volatility on the performance of South African coal mining firms
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Gininda, Nhlakanipho Blessing; Odei- Mensah, Jones
    This study examines the impact of coal price volatility on the performance of South African coal mining firms, focussing on interdependence and spillover effects within the industry. Utilizing quantitative models and econometric methodologies, the research reveals substantial directional spillover effects among South African coal firms, highlighting their interconnectedness. Through pair-wise directional spillover connectivity and rolling window analyses, significant patterns in coal price volatility and its impact on firm performance are identified. These findings offer valuable insights for enhancing risk management techniques, guiding investment decisions, and shaping policy actions to support resilience and sustainability in the South African coal industry. Furthermore, this research deepens the understanding of coal market dynamics, providing practical suggestions for industry stakeholders to address challenges from coal price volatility and improve their competitive position in the global energy sector. By addressing the unique dynamics of interconnections among South African coal enterprises, this study fills a gap in the existing literature, as these interdependence and spillover effects have not been extensively explored in previous research. It advances the understanding in the field by detailing the transmission mechanisms and interdependencies within the region, contributing to the broader knowledge on spillover effects in commodity markets, and offering crucial implications for stakeholders.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Hybrid work model plan for non-frontline employees in South Africa’s oil industry
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Serache, Tsholofelo
    The study explored experience and perceptions of the hybrid work model plan and its impact on employee productivity and performance, company performance, and collaboration in the South African oil industry. The study focused on oil industry employees who were non-front line workers in South Africa. The research explored both high and low perceptions in order to capture how the employees really felt about the hybrid work model plan's (HWMP)impact on employee and company performance. Literature found that some other flexibility models and hybrid models contributed to employee happiness, where employees were able to manage family dynamics as well as be productive, while other literature also detailed that the hybrid work model was not effective in driving collaboration and networking amongst employees. The research study also gives suggestions and recommendations on how many days employees prefer to be in the office to drive both productivity, performance, and collaboration while managing family dynamics in between and ultimately being happyemployees
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Organizational culture and performance in South Africa BASF Chemetall Pty Ltd
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Phuluwa, Fhatuwani; Sieff, Grant
    The purpose of this study was to look into the relationship between organisational cultures andperformance within the South African operations of the BASF division BASF Chemetall. The goal ofthe study and the manner in which the data was gathered make it both qualitative and quantitative. AllSouth African employees of BASF Chemetall made up the study's statistical population. Employeeswere requested to respond to survey questions for this reason. One instrument for gathering data is thequestionnaire. The Gomez questionnaire et al. (2005) was employed to assess the correlation betweenorganisational performance and culture. The Yang (2004) et al. questionnaire is used to assessorganisational performance and culture. To determine the validity of data collection, the questionnairewas presented to 112 employees including managers of various departments. The validity ofquestionnaire was nearly 100%. The reliability of the questionnaire was conducted on organizationalculture and organizational performance, respectively. The results showed that there is a positiverelationship between organizational culture and organizational performance
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The alignment of sub-cultures and performance within different operational units
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Lemekoana, Anna; Stacey, Anthony
    This study investigates the alignment of subculture with performance in different units that forms an operation within a firm. Subcultures form when there is alteration in organizational structures, mainly due to outsourcing of specialized skills in the form of contractors. According to McLaughlin (2021), subculture emerges because of physical separation, departmental skill specialization, functional specialty, tenure, and identity. These subcultures can either promote or impede the performance of sub-units within a single operation and ultimately affect the overall performance of the operation. The objective of this study is to assess the existing subcultures in different operational units of New Vaal surface plant; explore the relationship between subculture and performance, and lastly to determine the ideal culture that supports good performance. The research design is quantitative in nature. A survey instrument was used to assess the existing cultures in the seven sub-units that collectively forms New Vaal surface plant operation. The survey questionnaires were mainly informed by the literature, but some were adopted from the OCAI (organizational culture assessment instrument) model which is highly recommended for cultural assessment (Cameron & Quinn, 1999). The SPSS programme was used to undertake the statistical analysis in this study. The result of this study shows that hierarchy is the most dominant culture that exists in 4 of the 7 subunits that forms New Vaal surface plant. Market culture is the second dominant existing in two of the seven subunits while clan culture was found to be dominant in only one of the seven subunits. Although adhocracy culture was found to be existing in some of the subunits, it was not dominant. Looking at the relationship between performance and the existing dominant cultures, it was found that, a) a positive but weak relationship between clan culture and organizational performance exist; b) there is no relationship between adhocracy culture and organizational performance, c) there is a positive and negative relationship between hierarchy culture and organizational performance, and d) there is no relationship between market culture and organizational performance.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Factors affecting individual job performance of software developers in Gauteng, South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Brink, Eugene; Penman, Neale
    Orientation The orientation of the study lies towards the human resources and managerial fields and focuses on the work performance of individual software developers within the Gauteng area of South Africa. The study attempts to address the question: “Which factors are important in contributing to the individual work performance of a software developer, and how important are each of these factors?”. Research Purpose The purpose of the research is to identify and quantify the magnitude and statistical significance of factors that affect the individual job performance of software developers. Motivation for the study There is a gap in existing academic literature on individual job performance for software developers. The motivation for the study is to contribute to this gap in knowledge. Results from the study could likely assist in reshaping human resource development and recruitment practises in the software development field. Research approach/design and method Software developers were surveyed and scored against a set criterion for performance. Factors that have been noted in literature to influence individual job performance, as well as factors stemming from informal conversation with those in the industry were measured at an individual level. A correlation and a stepwise exploratory regression analysis were used to identify and quantify factors influencing job performance of the individual software developer. Main findings Individual Performance was found to be a multilinear and complicated variable to quantify. Instead, the variable was broken up into task performance and contextual performance with total performance some superposition of both variables. Self-Esteem, Achievement Motivation and Work-Life Balance were noted as the most important personal factors in determining task performance. Self-Esteem and Job Satisfaction were considered the most important factors in determining contextual performance. Notably, quality of education, formal or informal, had no correlation to performance. Practical/managerial implications Self-Esteem was a high-quality predictor of both task and contextual performance. For this reason, further study at corporate level is strongly suggested to find ways of improving or fostering this personal attribute to maximise software developer performance. A similar argument can be made for Achievement Motivation and Job Satisfaction. Overall, the study highlighted and provided empirical evidence supporting fostering and maintaining good emotional health within the workplace. In turn, this will lead to higher individual job performance scores. The results also challenge the widespread practise of only appointing and recruiting degreed candidates for junior software developer roles, as there is no supporting evidence to suggest higher educated individuals have higher task or contextual performance scores
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Establishing mathematics teaching and training institutes in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2020) Mashile, Mahlogonolo; Oba, Pius
    This business venture proposal presents an idea that seeks to scale up an existing entrepreneurial idea that provides mathematics tutoring services and proposes the establishment of mathematics teaching and training institutes in South Africa. The business falls under the private tutor industry, which has a growing market size and an opportunity for the business to gain a significant share. The services offered will be mathematics teaching to high school students and training to both existing and new mathematics teachers (those who are entering the field of education). The project initially reviews literature to gain deep knowledge and understanding of the challenges experienced in the mathematics education of South Africa, and to acquire enabling data for managing a business of this nature. This enables us to design a business that will yield considerable profits and be sustained. South Africa produces poor mathematics results annually, which is very concerning for multiple stakeholders that depend on good performance in the subject. The government has used several strategies aimed at improving mathematics results in South Africa, but there has not been any improvement realised. This is very concerning for a country whose future depends on the success in technical subjects like mathematics. Studies conducted on mathematics performance indicated that South African students and teachers perform very poorly when compared to their peers in other countries (McCarthy & Oliphant, 2013). This project used the qualitative research method to gather data from the field to assist in understanding the market, its appetite and opportunities available. Data was collected from three provinces in South Africa: Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng. The results showed a low pass rate in mathematics, particularly in lower quintile schools, which constitute the highest number of schools and students in the country. Lower quintile areas are an untapped market because most mathematics tutoring services are based in big cities where the affordability is higher. The business will have partnerships with organisations that have corporate social responsibility to serve this market, while also serving the high- income market that pays tuition fees. The results from the survey conducted indicated an acknowledged gap in mathematics teaching. Most respondents noted that their students perform poorly in the subject, which they attributed to lack of student commitment and lack of workshops addressing challenging topics, among others. Over 92% of the respondents recommended consistent training for mathematics teachers. Several marketing strategies will be employed to introduce the mathematics services to our target market, grow the market share and increase the brand awareness. These include advertising on social media platforms, billboards and promotions. The business plans to establish institutions in Gauteng and Mpumalanga in the initial stages, and work towards increasing enrolments year on year. The business is expected to make a net profit of R2.6 million in year one, R5.8 million in year two and R7.5 million in year three. The business will be expanding into other provinces after the initial three years and work towards establishing mathematics, science and technology institutions in the future
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Influence of Organisational Capability and Knowledge Sharing on Performance at Eskom Distribution
    (University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mampuru, Thabo Mothobi; Kekwaletswe, Yar M.
    This research report is about how organisational capability and knowledge sharing influence performance in a South African power utility organisation, namely Eskom Distribution division. Organisational capability in this report means the ability and capacity to do maintenance on the existing infrastructure, network, and equipment to have a sustainable and consistent electricity distribution. Electrical system maintenance has gained attention from both researchers and practitioners over the past few years due to, among other things, constant load shedding that affects the social and economic aspects of South Africa. To this point improving electrical system reliability and reducing maintenance costs are top priorities of a power utility, notably Eskom Distribution (ED). Knowledge sharing is the transferring of the know-what and the know-how of doing maintenance, from one person to the next; that is, the research problem is that transferring of experience, skills, and information among employees is still a key issue at the Power Utility. The purpose of the study was, thus, to explore and describe organisational capabilities and knowledge-sharing enablers and challenges, using Resource- based theory (RBT) and Social-exchange theory (SET) as theoretical lenses. Improved performance is inferred to be when there is less downtime, less failure of equipment due to good maintenance and restoration time of electrical supply, achieved without compromising the safety of personnel and equipment. The study was conducted following an interpretive research philosophy and a case study was employed as a research strategy to get an in-depth understanding of ways that could be used to improve organisational performance. Semi- structured interviews were conducted with managers, engineers, technicians, and artisans as study participants. In the present study, one way to improve performance is the understanding of resources and behaviour, especially how maintenance strategies are formulated and how knowledge sharing could happen among employees to subsequently enhance and effect performance. The study found that managers play a key role in designing organisational capability and that they should affect knowledge sharing through various internal processes. The outcome and the contribution of iii the study is a conceptualised framework that may help improve performance through an enhanced knowledge sharing and organisational capability, in the context of the Power Utility, Eskom distribution division