Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters/MBA)

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

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Subject: search.filters.subject.SDG-8: Decent work and economic growth

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 955
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    Adult acceptance factors to corporate mobile learning: A case from the retail sector in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Reddy, Lovinthrie
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    Currency Volatilities of BRICS Countries: The Impact of Commodity Prices, Interest Rates and Geopolitical Risks
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Luo, Heng; Odei-Mensah, Jones
    Currency volatility in emerging markets is an interesting topic for managers, investors, and regulators. This study investigated the currency volatility of the five BRICS nations, examined the risk sources of the BRICS currencies and observed the connectedness of their currency risks, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war and current interest rate hikes, using data spanning between September 2011 and September 2023. The ARDL model was the main econometrics approach applied for identifying the long run and short run currency volatility determinants. In addition, Quantile Regression was adopted to observe the currency markets’ tail behaviours. The research has three major findings. Firstly, the research confirmed that interest risk, commodity risks, geopolitical risk, and economic policy uncertainty are the risk sources of BRICS nations’ currencies, especially when volatilities are at high levels. Additionally, the research provided support for spillover of the commodity market, the USA’s geopolitical risks and economic policy risks to the BRICS’ currency markets, and the volatility spillover across BRICS currency markets. Finally, the study revealed the shock evolution trend of Chinese RMB, with accelerating impacts of US geopolitical risk, US and home economic policy risk, and oil price exposure on RMB’s volatility. Overall, the heterogeneity of BRICS nations’ currency markets responding to external shocks, and the asymmetry of the connectedness of BRICS currency markets, were important implications of the research. The findings are crucial for investors and policy makers
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    The Impact of Digital Leadership on Digital Maturity: A South African Case Study
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Jaffer, Aasma; Sethibe, Tebogo
    In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital transformation, the role of digital leadership in driving organizational maturity has become increasingly crucial. This study investigates the impact of digital leadership on digital maturity within the South African fintech sector, aiming to provide insights into the mechanisms through which leadership practices influence digital maturity at a factor level. This was broken down into two key areas: identifying the most critical indicators of digital maturity and investigating the impact of digital leadership on five factors of digital maturity based on the digital maturity model used. Drawing upon a conceptual framework rooted in the literature on digital leadership and digital maturity, the study utilises an established digital maturity instrument, the Unified Digital Maturity Model by Armstrong & Lee (2021). The research employed a quantitative approach, utilizing a sample of 150 employees from various fintech companies in South Africa. Data was collected through a structured survey instrument, and statistical analysis, including regression analysis, was conducted to examine the relationship between digital leadership behaviours and organizational digital maturity levels. The findings reveal significant positive correlations between digital leadership and all five factors of digital maturity studied, namely Customer Orientation & Engagement, Digital Product Innovation, Workforce Enablement & Performance, Core Processes Digitisation and New Value Streams & Business Models. The study identifies the top three most critical digital maturity constructs as Organisational Culture, Workforce Enablement & Performance, Customer Orientation and at indicator level, found eight critical variables. These results underscore the importance of cultivating digital leadership capabilities to foster high digital maturity and in turn, streamline digital transformation in the South African fintech context. The study concludes by highlighting the imperative for organizations to prioritize investments in digital leadership development as a strategic imperative for navigating the digital landscape effectively.
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    Digital innovation and disruptive potential by FinTech companies in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Freund, Amelia; Omotoso, Pelayo
    FinTech companies are seen bring innovation to the financial services industry that provide an enhanced customer experience and improves financial inclusion. A contradiction exists between academic and business literature around the potential impact of the FinTech revolution on the industry and banks as incumbents in the financial services industry. This paper aims to clarify this by assessing the degree of potential disruption that domestic new-entrant FinTech companies in the payments sub-sector have on incumbent banks in South Africa, so that both parties could make informed decisions that benefit the industry and its customers. This qualitative study examines the drivers of potential disruption and the decisions made by both FinTech new-entrants and banks to develop a synthesis for a likely future scenario relating to potential changes in dominance within the financial services industry. It further analyses the advantages and challenges of each party in the context of a potential partnership and examines management views to determine alignment with the drivers of disruption. This cross-sectional study employs document analysis to examine 42 new-entrant FinTech companies in the payments sub-sector and 5 banks, in addition to the thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews 15 semi- structured interviews conducted. It was found that domestic new-entrant FinTech companies are not likely to disrupt banks (to the point where FinTech companies become more dominant) in the payments sub-sector in South Africa due to the influence of banks in the industry and the proactive response from banks to potential disruptions. Banks should, however, take notice of developments and more seriously consider solutions in the cross-border remittance and blockchain spaces. Managers may have slight differences in their opinions, but overall, they are aligned with the factors driving disruption and the influence of FinTech companies on the financial services sector. This alignment enables them to make strategic decisions effectively without significant misconceptions. The study discovered a potential mutually beneficial link between FinTech companies and banks that indicate partnerships between them might enhance their services to customers and enhance their overall competitive standing in the market
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    Exploring the role of social media influencers and brand ambassadors in influencing purchase intention
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Da Fonseca, Helen; Saini , Yvonne
    This study investigates the comparative influence of social media influencers and celebrity brand ambassadors on purchase intention within the South African cosmetics industry, specifically targeting millennial and Generation Z consumers. Grounded in the Source Credibility Model, the research examines how credibility, trustworthiness, and expertise shape consumer decision-making. Social Media Influencer-Driven Purchase Intention (SIPI) and Brand Ambassador-Driven Purchase Intention (BAPI) were introduced as higher-order constructs to evaluate and compare which type of endorser has a stronger influence on overall purchase intention. A Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) methodology was used to analyse survey data collected from 130 respondents. The findings indicate that both Social Media Influencer-Driven Purchase Intention (SIPI) and Brand Ambassador-Driven Purchase Intention (BAPI) influence consumer purchase intention, with celebrity brand ambassadors exerting a more substantial effect due to their higher perceived credibility and expertise. Celebrity brand ambassadors were shown to play a pivotal role in enhancing consumer trust and confidence, making them more effective in driving purchase behaviour compared to social media influencers. These insights offer strategic guidance for marketers and brands looking to refine their influencer marketing strategies to better resonate with the evolving preferences of millennial and Generation Z consumers in the South African market.
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    The Balance Sheet Effects of Exchange Rate Fluctuations in Emerging Markets
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Asad, Bhushra Zamir; Malakani, Christopher
    The main objective of the research is to check the effect of GDP growth, beside baseline model for investment (including only previous investment, output growth and real interest rate), while in Tobin Q equation investment model including (change in real interest rate, equity value, exchange rate depreciation and lag term of investment growth on growth of real investment has been investigated) as Q ratio has been consider valid porky for Investment opportunities. The results have been obtained in scenario of eight Emerging Markets Chile, Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Mexico, Poland, South Africa and South Korean in order to check which estimation is more robust, and which model best forecast actual growth with respect to investment in selected emerging markets. Dynamic models have been used and in all countries except Chile, the significant influence of real GDP growth on real investment growth has been found in both models. Moreover, in scenario of South Korea, the influence of Real interest Rate has also been found. The practical implication and future direction of the study has also been discussed in detail
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    How Diversity and Inclusion May Transform South African Commercial Property Organisations at Top Management Level
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2017-08) Motshegare, Reabetswe Regina; Levy, Deborah
    The purpose of this report is to outline contemporary transformation frameworks that emphasise diversity and inclusion and how the latter may likely transform Growthpoint Properties South Africa (Growthpoint S.A). The main focus of the consultancy report is to compare and contrast traditional transformation methodologies and contemporary diversity and inclusion methodologies as strategies to assist Growthpoint S.A transform its senior and executive management. The propositions are that; an effective transformation strategy for Growthpoint S.A is one that focuses on identification; inclusion; attraction; diversification and retention of key talent at senior levels. Furthermore, that once diversity and inclusion interventions are implemented, there will be transformation at senior and executive levels. Out of 15 executives in the management team, six representatives were interviewed. The limitations highlight that the majority of participants are South African and may have certain biased perceptions about the topic as opposed to the rest of the participants, who are foreign nationals. The methodology focuses on a thematic analysis and four themes namely: leadership; corporate culture; strategies and communication are identified. Following in-depth discussions, six recommendations are provided. These include 360-degree feedback; diversity and inclusion workshops; introduction of a diversity and inclusion forum; KPI’s that measure diversity and inclusion targets; workplace enhancement programmes that focus on diverse candidates and lastly, robust succession plans. The role of the researcher as a professional Human Resource Business Partner ensured that any work dealt with is approached ethically, and the researcher’s ability to do this ensured quality, reliability, validity and effectiveness of the research.
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    External Factors Influencing the Sustainability of Social Entrepreneurial Ventures in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2020) Govender, Ramona; Murimbika, McEdward
    Social entrepreneurship is increasingly seen as a solution in addressing some of the social ills in the world. However, in order for the social enterprises to be more effective there is a need for them to be sustainable, particularly in terms of financial sustainability. Social enterprises that are financially sustainable are usually better able to create social value. The study sought to investigate the contributing factors towards social enterprise (SE) venture sustainability in South Africa using Cape Town as a case study. In doing so, quantitative research was conducted, with data being collected from the sampled social enterprises using an online survey. In this research it was found that, while government assistance was important, it was not significant in determining a social enterprise’s performance. The research also found that high social innovation improves a social enterprise’s access to philanthropic venture capital. In this regard, high social innovation was also seen to have a positive effect on social enterprise performance. The research thus concludes that social innovation is an important contributor to the sustainability of a social enterprise. The study offers updated information and adds to the theory on social enterprises in South Africa which is useful to prospective social entrepreneurs seeking to structure such organizations. In addition to this, the new knowledge and new insights will help government and civil society policy makers to formulate policies that can encourage social entrepreneurship in the country, especially with regards to funding. The study also offers useful insights on social innovation and emphasises its importance within the social enterprise context.
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    Enablers and barriers to effective strategy implementation in a South African financial institution
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Zikalala, Zanele
    Strategy implementation forms part of the broader concept and critical aspect of strategic management which is practiced across many organisations in South Africa. However, it has been found through the abundance of literature that most organisations put more emphasis, focus on strategy formulation, and neglect strategy implementation. The number of existing strategy formulation frameworks supports this view, while scholars have not reached a consensus on the most effective frameworks for strategy implementation. Based on the high failure rate on strategy implementation, ranging between 60% and 90%, this exploratory study will seek to understand factors impacting effective strategy implementation in a South African context for a financial institution. Qualitative research was undertaken to further explore this study, wherein data was collected through an electronic survey from employees within the financial institution who specifically work in the Strategy Enablement Office. The data analysis yielded findings that identified five key factors impacting strategy implementation: leadership and culture, strategy implementation, employee understanding, regular feedback, and organisational performance. Out of these factors, the findings indicated that regular feedback and employee understanding were considered significantly important to strategy implementation. Leadership and culture and organisational performance had a positive impact but were not significant, according to the data collected for a specific financial institution. The study confirmed the importance of strategy implementation and the key factors that lie under it; however, the study also revealed that the organisation will need to put more effort into senior leadership involvement and provide regular feedback to employees during strategy implementation. Therefore, some recommendations put forward are to ensure senior leadership’s greater involvement during strategy implementation and to be provided with training interventions in this regard to mitigate the risk of nonchalant behaviour by senior management during the implementation phase. The study contributes to helping teams working in strategy enablement across the organisation, to gain insights on which factors to focus on and which ones are potential blind spots during strategy implementation to improve organisational performance.
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    Expanding and Enhancing Medical Testing Laboratories in rural areas of South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Tshavhungwe, Tshifhiwa; Murimbika, McEdward
    This venture aims to establish medical laboratories in underserved rural areas of Vhembe district in Limpopo, South Africa in order to address the critical need for enhanced healthcare services in rural areas of South Africa. With a population of 1,653,077, Vhembe has about eight private labs in semi-urban areas, along with public hospital laboratories. The venture proposal is driven by the recognition of significant challenges faced by rural communities, including limited access to diagnostic testing facilities and prolonged turnaround times for test results. Limited access to laboratories impacts healthcare outcomes significantly (CDC, 2018). Healthcare laboratories aim to address this gap by providing advanced diagnostic services. The proximity of our labs to rural communities improves Turnaround Time (TAT) significantly, a crucial performance indicator for laboratories (Cassim et al., 2020). Local laboratories minimise reliance on external facilities, reducing transportation costs and logistical challenges as well as the need for sample referral which in turn improves TAT. This improves healthcare accessibility and streamlines diagnostic services (Coetzee et al., 2022)