3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Transnational knowledge transfer: the context of cross-border and local firms in private real estate collaborations in Sub-Saharan Africa(2022) Ndlovu, PrideForeign firms have traditionally been utilized by governments in host countries to execute complex projects and were coerced by legislative requirements in public sector to partner with local firms to transfer knowledge. Traditionally, these joint ventures have been unsuccessful in transferring knowledge to local partners. But still international joint ventures continue to be used in the private sector as an entry strategy to new markets, without any legislative requirement coercing partners to form a joint venture. The study aims to investigate these private sector joint ventures forming a transnational knowledge network and evaluate the strategies they use to interact within the network and how they work on differences to create new knowledge used to achieve project goals. An integrated theoretical framework comprising of embeddedness theory, social capital theory, knowledge creation theory and the model of transnational public sector knowledge networks was adopted, and this model was further tested for its relevance and applicability in private real estate sector. The qualitative research methodology was used with multiple case studies of local firms and cross-border firms in a transnational joint venture in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Data was collected through semi structured interviews, comprised of 11 cases, each using a purposive sampling of cross-border firm (SA firms) and a snowball sampling of local partner (spread out across the rest of SSA), making a total of 22 participants that were interviewed in the study. Documentary analysis of related documents for the transnational joint venture was perused. The data collected was analyzed using thematic qualitative data analysis techniques. The findings revealed that in order to reduce the differences that parties come to the network embedded in, continuous adapting, learning, transferring, integrating and innovation are continuously utilized by partakers as the five main generic principles or practices in a transnational knowledge network to create new knowledge, bridge differences and meet project goals. The study also revealed that the knowledge difference between local and cross-border partakers in private real estate was not severe and local firms had professional skill but lacked exposure and experience in executing a high-quality real estate asset that did not exist in their home country before. The study further identified the emergence of Welfare as a unique distance that exists in the context of SSA and this finding expands the transnational knowledge transfer model adding the tenth distance to it. This finding contributes to the literature and accentuates the significance of exploring the context of emerging countries.Item The investment of time and professional skill at risk in the Built Environment in South Africa: an exploratory study(2015-04-30) Ndlovu, PrideFor a long period of time, most built private sector clients in South Africa have been procuring the services of built professional consultants at risk. The concept of working at risk is also referred to as speculative work. It is not known and clear when the practice started or how it originated in South Africa but the practice takes place and appears to becoming increasing prevalent. This study is an exploratory study that investigates the concept of working at risk in detail and establishes the relationship between non-remuneration, motivation and performance when working at risk. The study was motivated by the fact that limited academic research has been done locally on the early phase of project delivery, which is considered a key stage of a project. Attention is generally drawn to the implementation phase and conclusions are drawn from this stage which could possibly impact on the early phase of the project. This study examines the general understanding of the concept by respondents and determines the relationship between payment, time and performance. Largely the academic research conducted on the implementation stage shows that the non-remuneration or non-payment of contractors affects their performance and existence. Similarities in general can be drawn from this. However, this study does not explore this approach as initial academic data on the subject is not readily available. The study is an exploratory study that collects qualitative data from experienced professionals that undertake risk work for their clients. Interviews conducted with the professionals produced valuable qualitative data on the concept and key findings were drawn from this input. The greater understanding of the practice can lead to a better understanding between parties, regulation of the practise, support for smaller firms and assist in building the economy of South Africa. The findings reveal that there is a common understanding of the concept and the non-payment of professionals over long periods whilst undertaking risk work does affect motivation levels and impedes performance, thereby supporting the findings of the literature.