3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/45
Browse
4 results
Search Results
Item A focus on human capital in commercial and social entrepreneurship(2019) Chauke, Matthews J.Orientation: Critical reading on the aspects of human capital literature receives limited contributions to truly comprehend their effect on entrepreneurship activity, especially in a developing country, like South Africa. Although human capital theory is a key theme in entrepreneurship research, it has been acknowledged that the domain requires more attention to fully understand it. Research purpose: The purpose of this study is to establish the influence of human capital across various occupational preferences. Motivation for the study: Many from individual level to firm level in developing countries do not understand the effect of human capital aspects on entrepreneurship activity. Research design, approach and method: The empirical analysis of the study is cross-sectional, based on the data from the primary survey. Correlation and regression analysis was used for hypothesis testing. Main findings: The results indicated that human capital aspects have no significant relationship with entrepreneurial activity. Implication of the study: This empirical study extends the current knowledge on the effect of human capital aspects on entrepreneurship activities in a unique, culturally diverse country. like South Africa.Item Social capital and the process of social innovation: a case study of technology-based social enterprises in South Africa(2017) Matsimela, RebotileThe research is based on a study of South African social enterprises that are leveraging technological innovations to deliver social, environmental and economical solutions in an efficient and sustainable manner. Previous studies have shown that social capital is crucial for the success of any innovation. However, most of the research has focused on the influence of social capital on innovations by commercial enterprises and for economic development. Therefore, the study seeks to fill this gap by exploring how social capital influences the process of social innovation of technology- based social enterprises. This it achieves by investigating the dimensions of social capital as well as the stages in the process of social innovation. In effect, the study demonstrates the connection between the concepts of social capital and social innovation. A qualitative case study approach was undertaken with the founders of four South African technology- based social enterprises from Tongaat, KwaZulu Natal, Muizenberg, Western Cape, Braamfontein, Johannesburg and Stellenbosch, Cape Town. The empirical data was collected through face-to-face and telephonic in-depth interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. The data was then analysed using an inductive process. The findings of the study revealed that all the technology-based social enterprises are innovative. However, it was unclear how two of the innovations enhanced society’s capacity to act. Even though it was not deliberate, it was found that all the social enterprises followed each stage of the process of social innovation in a linear fashion. In regards to the relationship between social capital and the innovation process, structural social capital was found to be the most important dimension for generating ideas. As the innovation progressed to the development, prototyping and piloting stage the structural and relational social capital dimensions became played a more significant role. Furthermore, the relational and cognitive social capital dimensions were found to be more essential for scaling and evolving innovations, in comparison to the structural social capital dimension. The importance of this study is that it highlights the importance for new technology-based social enterprises to create social networks. The success of technology-based social innovation depends on the participation of different actors in the social innovation process.Item Role of state-owned development finance institutions in fostering environmental compliance by small-scale miners in South Africa(2017) Manzi, BrightonSouth Africa’s SDFIs have potential to play a critical role in fostering environmental compliance in the mining industry. Their role is particularly important in the small-scale and junior mining sector which is usually shunned by private finance institutions because of high environmental credit risk. Equipped with knowledge and experience of working with clients across different sectors and their potential leadership role in technology transfer, SDFIs can leverage their position in acting as trusted third party environmental regulation enforcers. Financial institutions have long been criticised for showing little interest in environmental impacts of their clients while concentrating on profit maximisation. This study sought to investigate the response by financial institutions to this criticism through evaluating the role of SDFIs in fostering environmental compliance by small-scale and junior mining companies which are generally viewed as having a poor environmental compliance record. Through the twin qualitative research methods of interviews and document analysis, the role of three state-owned development finance institutions in fostering environmental regulation compliance by small-scale mining enterprises in South Africa was evaluated. The study revealed that SDFIs explicitly and implicitly provide a wide range of products and services which help small-scale and junior miners in complying with environmental regulations. The study also found that, while SDFIs are beginning to adopt market-based mechanisms to encourage environmental compliance, they still heavily rely on command and control mechanisms as a way of mitigating environmentally related risks arising from financing mining companies.Item Challenges faced by construction companies in Gauteng in implementing the revised BEE codes(2017) Koaho, TholwanaIn October 2013, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) revised the 2009 construction codes. From the revision, Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) is now measured using five (5) elements instead of seven (7), as was the case with the previous BEE codes. KPMG states that on average, construction companies will drop 2 BEE levels as a result of the revised BEE codes. This study is aimed to examine how Grade 9 Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) rated construction companies with registered offices in Gauteng implement the revised BEE codes1, and the challenges which they face in implementing the revised BEE codes. The study followed a qualitative research methodology approach, semi structured interview were used to collect the necessary data from the various companies. Individuals responsible for implementing BEE from Grade 9 CIDB rated construction companies in Gauteng were interviewed. Of the 21 companies which were interviewed, companies implemented BEE by increasing in spent on enterprise and supplier development and skills development. The biggest challenges that the companies faced was increasing/introducing black ownership within the company and employing previously disadvantaged individuals into management positions. The results of the research would guide the CIDB in drafting further revisions of the BEE codes as to curb construction companies from dropping their BEE levels due to BEE legislation.