Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37875

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Start date: 2020End date: 2024

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 49
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    The role of trust and risk in the adoption of super apps in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Ndaba, Mpumelelo; Hughes, Mitchell
    A super app is an “all in one” mobile application that provides the user with core features and access to a wide range of third-party created “mini apps” that they can choose to activate. Typical functions within existing super apps include instant messaging, food ordering and delivery, ridesharing, appointment bookings, e-commerce and utility bill payments, among several other features. This all-in-one application has gained signi[icant success in Asia, with WeChat and Alipay in China being the most popular super apps in the world, collectively providing over one billion users with a variety of services without having to switch between different mobile applications. Because the super app is an emerging phenomenon, the factors in[luencing adoption are currently ill-understood. A preliminary review of the literature revealed that most existing studies on super apps were conducted in Asia, where numerous super apps are currently available. This gap in academic research presents an opportunity to explore super app adoption within the African context, speci[ically in South Africa. This study aims to determine how trust and risk in[luence the potential adoption of super apps in South Africa by utilising the trust- based consumer decision-making model by Kim, Ferrin, and Rao (2008) as the theoretical framework to examine the roles of trust, risk, and bene[it in this process. The study employed a quantitative research method, speci[ically using a survey questionnaire for data collection, and was conducted within the positivist paradigm. The [indings revealed a signi[icant positive correlation between trust and adoption intention, highlighting the crucial role of trustworthiness in the acceptance of novel technologies. Interestingly, contrary to common belief, the study also found a positive correlation between perceived risk and adoption intention, indicating that higher perceived risk does not necessarily deter users from adopting super apps. These unexpected results underscore the complexity of user decision-making in the adoption of emerging technologies and suggest a need for further investigation into the underlying dynamics driving adoption behaviour.
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    Ethical leadership and organisational commitment as key determining factors of strategic objectives: A case study of a municipality in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Shabangu, Sibusiso Mancoba
    Many organisations assert that ethical leadership is their only critical component. However, what is most important is its impact. Ethical leadership is achieved through ethical practices such as conforming and with-holding the rule of law. Different studies have found a positive and significant relationship between ethical leadership and organisational commitment. Many studies still need to study the mediator role of organisational commitment in the relationship between ethical leadership and achieving strategic objectives. The study investigates the impact of ethical leadership and organisational commitment in achieving strategic objectives at a certain municipality in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. Quantitative research methods adopted a survey and case study research designs to achieve this purpose. Data were collected from a convenience sampling of 217 participants. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse and test the seven hypotheses. Several statistical methods were utilised to test the hypotheses. All measurement scales achieved good reliability. Skewness and Kurtosis also confirmed the normal distribution of data. Confirmatory factor and path analysis confirmed the items' moderate/partial fit. Consistent with previous research, ethical leadership correlates with organisational commitment and achieving strategic objectives. However, the relationship between organisational commitment and achieving strategic objectives was negatively associated. The positive effect indicates that ethical leadership augments employee commitment and, as a result, leads to achieving strategic objectives, while the negative effect indicates that employee commitment alone does not contribute to the achievement of strategic objectives. Therefore, the study recommends that municipal managers design robust ethical leadership interventions and practices to enhance employee commitment to improve organisational performance. This can be done by establishing a dedicated ethics office, which will be responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring ethics strategy. The office will further implement Continuous Employee Engagement in Ethics and its impact on Employee Commitment (CE4C). This study will contribute to the existing literature on ethical leadership, organisational commitment and strategic objectives and further advance the knowledge in organisational behaviour and good governance. The study will further provide managerial insight.
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    Predictors of Willingness to Participate in E-waste Recycling in Johannesburg: A Case of Electronic and Electric Repair Firms
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Chinomona, Rudo Cynthia Christine
    This study examines the predictor variables of willingness to participate in e-waste recycling in Johannesburg. Nine hypotheses are posited and in order to empirically test them, a sample data set of 307 was collected from Gauteng Province of South Africa. The results indicate that The results of the study reveals that awareness of e-waste hazard, awareness of benefits of e- waste practices and awareness of e-waste policies each have a significant, direct and positive influence on knowledge of e-waste practices and attitude towards e-waste practices. Furthermore, the results revealed that knowledge on e-waste recycling practices and attitude towards e-waste recycling practices each have a direct positive influence on willingness to adopt e-waste recycling practices. Drawing from the study’s findings, managerial implications are discussed and limitations and future research directions are suggested. By and large, this study immensely contributes new knowledge to the existing body of e-waste recycling literature in South Africa - a context that is often most neglected by some researchers in developing countries.
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    Mobile banking apps curation: Assessing the factors that influence mobile banking’s continuous use amongst Millennials and Generation Z
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mashishi, Neo; Zulu, Melissa
    The proliferation of mobile banking platforms and the widespread use of intelligent devices like smartphones and tablets have caused a paradigm change in the banking industry in recent times. Millennials and Generation Z (Gen Z), dubbed the "digital natives," make up most of these service consumers. Millennials and Gen Z are increasingly using mobile banking apps, which has transformed how financial services are delivered. Nevertheless, despite being widely adopted, banks need help to ensure the continuous use of these apps to sustain a devoted and loyal consumer base while competing in the market. This study, therefore, investigates the factors influencing Millennials and Gen Z's continuous use of mobile banking applications. Five theoretical frameworks have been adopted to direct the research inquiry: Computers As A Social Actor (CASA), Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT-IS), Social Response Theory (SRT), Task Technology Fit (TTF), and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The study adopted these frameworks based on their theoretical and empirical applicability and ability to provide perspectives into the variables impacting Millennials and Gen Z's continuous use of mobile banking apps. The study employed SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) for the analysis of descriptive statistics. To validate the theoretical model and investigate the interactions between variables, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). PLS-SEM, Smart PLS software was used to assess the validity and reliability of the constructs as well as the strength and importance of the proposed paths in the structural model was made possible by the PLS-SEM methodology. This provided an overview of the dataset and made it possible to do a thorough analysis by outlining important features like means, frequencies, and standard deviations. The research used quota sampling for a sample size of 505 participants. The study's conclusions indicate that there is a substantial correlation among perceived anthropomorphism, expectation confirmation, service quality of mobile applications, mobile banking app satisfaction, technology fit, and consistent usage of mobile banking apps. The study’s goal is to advance our understanding of the field of banking and financial services marketing. The banking sector can apply the findings and insights to differentiate its offerings from its competitors and gain a competitive edge while potentially boosting profitability.
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    The use of Social Media and Marketing Analytics to improve Marketing Decision Making in Independent Apparel Retailers in Gauteng Townships
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Masia, Willie Shemane; Zulu, Melissa
    sis. The findings reveal that township-based independent retailers predominantly utilise Facebook and Instagram as their primary marketing channels. Social media platforms facilitate direct customer interaction, enabling retailers to attract and engage customers through inquiries, polls, product showcases, and customer service interactions, thereby nurturing new leads. This study aims to enrich the field of marketing management by elucidating the effective utilisation of social media and marketing analytics by independent retailers in township settings. The insights garnered hold potential value for policymakers in devising training policies that incorporate practical social media and marketing analytics tools, empowering township-based retailers to navigate the competitive landscape more adeptly.
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    Embracing technology to rejuvenate South African mining: a comparative case study analysis of a South African and an Australian mining firm
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Vink, Tarryn; Callaghan, Chris
    It is well recognised that the mining industry is the historic bedrock of the South African economy. However, since 2000 the industry has shown signs of decline that include, inter alia, a slowdown in growth along with productivity issues. Since South Africa (SA) lags behind its global competitors in terms of technological innovation and implementation; many leaders in the mining industry are of the view that the increased use of technology will arrest this decline and restore the mining industry to a stronger position in the South African economy. What is, however, not fully understood is the extent to which technological change is contextually path dependent. This meaning that technological change in an industry is restricted by past events which enhance its resistance to change. This results in a lack of knowledge regarding how best to manage technological change. This would include understanding the most suitable implementation methods for certain contexts. The intention of this dissertation is to explain why firms in the South African mining industry lag behind their global competitors in terms of technological adoption. It aims to understand how differing contextual factors influence mining firms’ behavior, that, in turn, has an industry- level effect. It aims to understand how firms should manage this technology properly to optimise its interaction with its environment. Additionally, it aims to understand which theoretical approach, in relation to technological change, mining firms should follow to properly navigate their technological trajectories in light of contextual imperatives. The unit of analysis in this methodology is at the firm level. It takes specific contextual factors into account to determine which method of implementation is more appropriate for new technological advancements. This was executed by conducting two methodology phases. Phase 1 of the methodology which consisted of a holistic comparative case study analysis of a South African and an Australian mining firm. This study phase analysed archival documents that tracked changes in the responses of these mining firms over time. This was conducted using information from their financial statements and company reports, with the aim of investigating how these matched the government and environmental contexts seen in policy and country related documents. Phase 2 of the methodology comprised a qualitative analysis that used individual interviews in an attempt to develop useful insights that contextualise and support the findings of Phase 1. Various theoretical predictions have been derived in the form of propositions. The theory thus inductively developed has been used to answer some how and iii why questions about the strategic responses of firms to contextual imperatives. The study therefore produced a holistic analysis illustrating how each firm engaged with its respective contexts and how this may have resulted in path dependant relationships regarding technological innovation. The research emphasises that the South African mining industry's lag in technological adoption compared to global competitors could be attributed to an imbalanced innovation focus and a restrictive business context. It suggests that firms should address their technological and contextual needs separately to effectively manage innovation. The findings also stress that incremental improvements alone, are unlikely to enable a catch-up up with global leaders. Instead, radical interventions are necessary to shift the current trajectory toward one that prioritises productivity to achieve social objectives, enabling a plausible catch up.
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    The role of trust and sustainability on customer-to-customer purchase behaviour of second-hand goods on Facebook Marketplace
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Buasha, Ngandu Robert; Issock, Paul Issock
    Customer-to-customer (C2C) social commerce (S-Commerce) is a growing trend where social networks such as Facebook are evolving beyond their traditional roles to facilitate online transactions, particularly for second-hand goods. A new phenomenon has been observed in S- Commerce which consists of the purchase of second-hand goods. However, the widespread adoption of C2C S-Commerce has been hindered by a lack of trust in the platform used to sell goods and in individual sellers. Several studies have investigated this phenomenon to uncover the antecedents of trust and purchase behaviour on S-Commerce platforms. Despite the growing interest in this field, prior research has overlooked certain dimensions of trust, considering it in most cases to be a single dimension. Therefore, there is a need to investigate trust through a multidimensional lens to understand how different dimensions of trust influence C2C purchase behaviour. Additionally, the role of sustainability of the purchase behaviour of second-hand goods on S-Commerce, specifically the Facebook marketplace has been less investigated. To address these gaps, the current study aims to investigate the role of trust and sustainability on customer-to-customer purchase behaviour of second-hand goods on the Facebook marketplace. To achieve this aim, this study proposes a model that integrates signalling, social network, and social presence theories, trust in both the seller and S-Commerce platform, and sustainable practices of consumers. Additionally, this study investigates the moderation effect of sustainability on the relationship between trust in the seller (TS), trust in the social commerce platform (TSCP), and purchase behaviour (PB), as well as the moderation of the type of goods sought in S-Commerce platform. The current study adopted a positivist philosophy using a quantitative method. A survey was conducted using online and paper-based questionnaires administered to 404 South African Facebook Marketplace users aged between s18 and 65. Data was collected through purposive sampling and analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM), multigroup and moderation analyses in the International Business Machines (IBM) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) version 29, providing a rigorous test of the proposed model. vii The findings of this study revealed interesting results that enrich the understanding of S- Commerce marketplace in South Africa. Firstly, the results revealed that trust in the seller and the sustainable practices of consumers are the two main direct antecedents of the purchase behaviour of second-hand goods on Facebook Marketplace in South Africa. Secondly, social media instrumental relationships, the social presence of interaction with the seller, and trust in S-Commerce platform influence trust in the seller. Thirdly, the social presence of interaction with the seller and the social presence of others are the main antecedents of trust in social commerce platforms. Trust in S-Commerce platform does not directly influence purchase behaviour on Facebook Marketplace. However, it does extend this trust to the seller, who influences the purchase behaviour of Facebook Marketplace buyers. Furthermore, the results of the moderation analysis reveal that consumers’ sustainable practices moderate the relationship between trust in the seller and the purchase behaviour of second- hand goods on Facebook Marketplace. Lastly, the results of the multigroup analysis indicated that the type of goods sought on S-Commerce platform influences the purchase behaviour of second-hand goods. An interesting insight observed was that consumers on Facebook Marketplace show a preference for durable goods over non-durable goods. They also emphasise the importance of the social presence of the web in building trust in the purchase process. These results contribute to the existing knowledge theoretically and practically, enriching the understanding of S-Commerce environment and the factors that influence the purchase behaviour of second-hand goods on Facebook Marketplace. This study provides significant theoretical contributions by integrating the signalling theory, the social network theory, and the social presence theory to examine their influence on purchase behaviour of second-hand goods on Facebook Marketplace. It further contributes to the literature by exploring trust as a multidimensional concept, examining trust in the seller and trust in the social commerce platform. Additionally, the current study investigates the actual purchase behaviour rather than the intentions, thereby shedding light on the customer purchase behaviour on S-commerce platforms such as Facebook Marketplace. Furthermore, this study reveals the moderation effect of sustainable practices on the relationships between trust in the seller and purchase behaviour, and the moderation of the type of second-hand goods on social commerce platforms. viii Moreover, this study provides several practical implications that can be found in section 6.3.2, including insights for sellers to enhance trust through communication and verification processes. It also provides recommendations for promoting sustainable practices among Facebook Marketplace users to stimulate the circular economy and contribute to environmental conservation efforts. Finally, the current study recommends that Facebook Marketplace administrators implement practical measures to enhance trust in the platform such as identity verification and seller ratings. The originality of this study lies in its unique integration of ST, SNT, and SPT to examine their combined impact on trust, an aspect not explored in previous research. It stands among a limited number of studies that have delved into actual purchase behaviour on S-Commerce, as opposed to focusing solely on purchase intentions. This research further contributes to the academic discourse by shedding light on the influence of sustainability on the purchase behaviour of second-hand goods on S-Commerce platforms. The study's originality is further underscored by its examination of the moderating effects of the types of products sought and the sustainable practices of consumers. This comprehensive approach provides a novel perspective in the field of S-Commerce research.
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    Factors determining the supply of micro insurance in the South African insurance market
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Chikumbu, Dudzai Christopher; Mushai, Albert
    Access to financial services by low-income households is an important tool for meeting the millennium development goals and development. Micro insurance is a crucial financial service designed to provide affordable and accessible insurance solutions to low-income populations often excluded from traditional insurance markets. However, there is a dearth in literature especially in the South African context, looking at micro insurance from a supply-side perspective. This study sought to explore the factors determining the supply of micro insurance in the South African insurance market. Through the use of a purposive sampling method, 25 business development and market executives from selected insurance service providers participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data and the inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Seven main themes emerged from the data. The study found that among other factors, the decision to supply or not to supply microinsurance in South Africa is mainly influenced by a combination of factors such as the distribution channels, pricing considerations, transaction costs, availability of historical data, and the regulatory framework. The study suggests strategies that leverage market insights, foster innovation, and advocate for supportive policies to expand access to affordable and sustainable microinsurance solutions for low-income populations. This would help in increasing the demand for, and supply of microinsurance in South Africa. The study concluded that while microinsurance holds promise as a tool for promoting financial inclusion in South Africa, its success depends on addressing regulatory framework challenges, the design of the products, balancing affordability and profitability, awareness issues and sustainability challenges. Through the application of a critical perspective and engaging stakeholders across sectors, policymakers, and civil society organisations, insurers can work together to unlock the full potential of microinsurance in improving the lives of low-income communities
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    Insights derived from information security behaviour of employees in the South African banking industry
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Dhladhla, Thembi; Moodley, Kebashnee
    An increase in malicious, accidental, and intentional information security incidents caused by employees necessitate further research to get insights on how to detect and prevent internal attacks (Ponemon, 2021). The South African banking industry employees either choose to comply or are non-compliant to the principles of the information security policy. It is imperative to understand what factors motivate bank employees to comply and what encourages them to be non-compliant. Additionally, the study sought to understand the impact of the information security behaviour of employees on the bank. To achieve this purpose, a quantitative method was utilised in the form of an online questionnaire which was distributed to 383 bank employees. 223 valid responses were analysed using the IBM SPSS tool. The data analysis was first done by using descriptive statistics. It was followed by conducting Cronbach’s alpha test of reliability or internal consistency of the scale items used. This informs how closely related the questions in the Likert scale is related as a group. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis was used to assess the interrelationship between the independent and dependent variables. The researcher coined a hybrid theoretical framework named the Composite Information Security Behaviour Framework (CISB) which consists of Protective Motivation Theory (PMT), Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), Deterrence Theory (DT), Reactance Theory (RT) and Techniques of Neutralisation (TN). The CISB framework was able to predict 52% of the information security behaviours of bank employees in contrast to using individual information security behaviour theories on their own to predict compliant and non-compliant security behaviour. Pearson correlation indicated that the Protective Motivation Theory (PMT) and Theory of Planned Behaviour were the information security theories that most influenced positively and significantly the compliant security behaviour of bank employees. This study contributes to the body of knowledge, it explored the information security relationship employees have with information security policies and found the influences on their chosen security behaviour be it compliance or non- compliance. The contribution is to the existing research literature on the underpinning theories which are Techniques of Neutralisation, Reactance Theory, Deterrence Theory, Theory of Planned Behaviour, and Protective Motivation Theory particularly in the South African banking industry. Subsequently, with an improved understanding of the information security behaviours, the bank can implement measures to support and assist their employees with understanding the impact of their information security behaviour and create a mutually beneficial information security ecosystem for the bank and its employees.
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    Effect of Technical Competencies of Women in Core Mining Activities on Team Operational Performance in South Africa
    (2023) Munilal, Suneshnee; Ndaba, Zanele
    The objective of this study was to establish the relationship between the technicalcompetencies of women in the core mining activities and team operationalperformance in the South African mining industry.A gold-mining company in South Africa was selected for this study and 15 interviewparticipants were chosen based on their discipline being a core mining activity.Thematic analysis was used to analyse the collected data and the common themeswere concluded.The findings of this study highlighted that the issue of inclusion of women in the coremining activities is not a matter of the technical competencies of women, but ratherthe lack of exposure of women in the technical environment, which disadvantageswomen from having the technical competencies required for team operationalperformance. Women have the technical competencies to thrive in the mining industryand the technical competencies of women are comparable to those of their malecounterparts.The lack of inclusion of women in the mining industry is also due to prehistoricmisconceptions of women in a technical environment, and this social exclusion ofwomen can be resolved by leaders in the mining industry making a deliberate effort togive recognition to women who are keen to succeed in the harsh mining industry.Women who have the technical competencies in the core mining activities should beselected for technical roles based on their identified technical competencies.The technical competencies required to thrive in any core mining activity are problem-solving skills, decision-making skills, delegation of tasks, listening and communicationand knowledge of risk and safety management, planning, task scheduling, peoplemanagement, and team collaboration and cohesion.It was found from this study that women are more risk averse than men and women-led teams in the mining industry have been found to have improved safety statistics