3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/45
Browse
14 results
Search Results
Item The intention and impact of visibly rewarding learners in two Gauteng high schools(2020) Akabor, ShakiraIn order to explore the ways in which visibly rewarding learners (via badges, accolades, awards, honour board listings) for academic achievement is consistent with the aims and ideals of inclusive education, this critical realist study provides the perspectives of learners, parents, teachers and senior management at two Gauteng high schools. The study is primarily focused on exploring the possibility that the current competitive structure found in Gauteng high schools as manifested by visible rewards can be a barrier to inclusive education, particularly the participation and achievement of all learners. As such, it is both descriptive and explanatory. The study is set within a theoretical framework that includes Johnson and Johnson’s Social Interdependence Theory together with the Index for Inclusion (Booth & Ainscow, 2011) and Participation Framework (Florian, Black-Hawkins & Rouse, 2017). Drawing on constructs from psychology and sociology in the way the concept of inclusive education is explored, I have employed a mixed method approach. Quantitative learner and parent surveys allow for greater reach of maximum participants in the school. Qualitative focus group interviews with learners and semistructured interviews with teachers and senior management provide richness and depth from information-rich participants that are directly involved in the decisionmaking processes and procedures of visibly rewarding learners. In exploring the participation and achievement of all learners, the valuable perspectives of the learners and their parents provide a greater understanding of visible rewards.Item The relationship between human capital and the performance of the entrepreneur in the retail industry in Kinshasa(2014-08-05) Kongo, MichaelCould not copy AbstractItem Measuring the adoption of ICT levels and the perceived impact on performance within the SME manufacturing sector in South Africa(2014-08-05) Motsoeneng, LeratoThe establishment and growth of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in most economies have been attributed with a corresponding need and desire for these SMEs as catalysts for economic growth, unemployment reduction, etc. Various factors are also impacting on how SMEs can become competitive and one of these enablers is the adoption of ICT by SMEs to improve performance. The purpose of this research was to establish the perceived relationship between the adoption by SMEs of Information Communication Technology (ICT) usage in the manufacturing sector in South Africa and its perceived impact on firm performance. The intended objective was to assess whether the perception of ICT adoption usage within SME’s operating within a manufacturing sector will either have a positive or negative performance outcome. The research methodology adopted was a quantitative approach which was guided by a positivist paradigm. The population targeted were SMEs in the manufacturing sector in South Africa but deliberately excluded SME manufacturers involved in the production of computers, electronics, etc. A combination of an online survey and paper questionnaire was utilised to gather data. The adoption of ICT and the perceived impact on performance within SMEs in manufacturing in South Africa revealed some findings consistent with existing literature in terms of the overall accepted perception that ICT adoption has a perceived positive impact on firm performance, including but also not limited to market share, products and service innovation, etc. as measured in the research. A deeper analysis is required to understand why the respondents in the research did not overwhelmingly state that ICT adoption has a perceived positive impact on performance, market share, product and service innovation etc.Item Comparative performance of socially responsible and conventional portfolios in South Africa(2014-07-29) Bondera, ShingiriraiThere is a widespread view amongst private investors and public investment corporations that socially responsible investing leads to substandard returns relative to Conventional investing. Conventional portfolios are portfolios with sin stocks or lowly ranked stocks in terms of the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors whilst Socially responsible Investments (SRI) are portfolios with stocks regarded as socially desirable with high ESG rankings. We constructed two portfolios using the JSE stocks and the Bloomberg rankings in accordance with the ESG rankings guidelines. As an additional analysis, we also assessed the performances of the JSE socially responsible index, JSE TOP 40 and the FTSE JSE ALL SHARE. Using different performance measures such as the CAPM, Fama French, Carhart 4 factor model, Sharpe ratio, and Treynor ratio; we found interesting evidence contrary to the beliefs of many investors. No statistically significant difference in performance is found between our self-constructed portfolios, and the different indexes such as JSE SRI, JSE TOP 40 and the FTSE JSE indexes. We have separated beliefs from reality/ facts in this paper that socially conscious investors can perform well in South Africa.Item Student engagement in teacher education at the Kigali Institute of Education in Rwanda.(2013-10-07) Nizeyimana, GabrielQualitatively and quantitatively, this thesis investigates student engagement and success in post-secondary teacher education. The research is a case study conducted in Rwanda using the Classroom Survey of Student Engagement (CLASSE), interviews, and document analysis techniques. It aims at comparing two groups of teacher education students in terms of how different factors of student engagement affect their performance. The study provides a sound contribution in understanding how students with a professional background effectively engage and succeed in modules/courses of the teacher education programme that are shared with students without such background. The study claims that student teachers’ beliefs brought to teacher education play a vital role in determining the level of student engagement and performance in both professional and non-professional courses rather than their academic background. Findings indicate that these courses were taught and learnt in inappropriate teaching and learning environments. Despite unfavourable conditions, results also indicate that students with professional preparation prior to the post-secondary teacher education programme have positive beliefs about the career, interact with lecturers and peers more frequently, devote much time and effort on educationally purposeful activities, and participate more frequently in engaging activities than students who have just started teacher training. In addition, the study indicates that these factors of student engagement influence performance. The study also reveals that the former have developed their professional teacher identity which facilitates their social and academic integration and their intrinsic motivation to learning for the career while the latter are struggling learning for the profession in which they are not motivated and interested. Therefore, students with teacher identity perform significantly better than those who are new in teacher training even in non-professional courses in which they have fewer prerequisites.Item Entrepreneurial orientation and internationalisation of multinational enterprises : a focus on firm performance in emerging markets.(2012-10-17) De Haaff, Dean NicholasThis research offers an insightful view of Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), its relation to Internationalisation and Performance of Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) in three Emerging Markets; China, Malaysia and South Africa. 21 MNEs are reviewed, seven from each emerging market, over the research timeframe of 2005 to 2010. The issue at hand revolves around a thorough review of the internationalisation modes of the selected MNEs into various regions around the world and measuring their performance variables. The internationalisation modes were analysed against MNE EO, and the relation between their EO and their internationalisation. The method of the data collection utilised was mixed, obtaining all results from published MNE annual reports over the period of review and utilised both qualitative and quantitative data analysis in the research. Qualitative data was thematically analysed and coded for quantitative statistical analysis, whilst the financial data was statistically analysed accordingly. EO is highly interlinked with MNE internationalisation, as the very least on a construct level. EO strategies have shown support in correlating with MNE performance measures, but have differed between the emerging markets reviewed. It has shown that MNE focus with regard to EO strategy and internationalisation differs, with varying effects on their success. This is an area of academic research that has received very little, if any, review prior to this research. It offers bountiful opportunities to build on, and insightful findings that may be further reviewed.Item Differentials in Senior Certificate examination performance of schools in terms of pre-1994 education departments(2012-09-27) Mahlangu, Mfelasakhe JohnThe research analysed the performance differentials among schools with different pre-1994 history of administration and provisioning thus examining the changes in terms of equality of educational outcomes. The purpose of this research was to contribute to the further understanding of the effectiveness of post-1994 educational policy reforms in addressing educational inequalities of the past. The study found that not only were there statistically significant performance differentials between schools based on the pre-1994 education departments, these performance differentials remained significant throughout the period under study. The findings suggest that, overall, the performance differentials between schools that obtained in the pre-1994 era were continuing unabated. The study also found that there were significant performance differentials between schools within the former education departments and these were more significant in low performing former education departments. This suggested that schools within each of former education departments were not homogenous and more nuanced policy interventions were needed to ensure quality outcomes. The study recommends makes three main recommendations. These are - shift in methodological approach when dealing with education policy where a school as an institution at macro level will be a point of departure as opposed to macro-level approach where broad educational reforms are imposed on schools; education policies should be such that they mitigate the impact of socio-economic background on learner achievement and; that future research need to focus on more nuanced aspects on school effectiveness rather than lumping schools into large groups which may hide unique quality challenges that schools as institutions are facing.Item Accounting earnings quality and merger & acquisition performance in South Africa(2012-09-21) Govender, AvishkarThis paper examines the relationship between the quality of accountings earnings and long-run performance for South African acquirers in the context of market-to-book value classifications. Glamour acquirers show significant earnings momentum prior to acquisition; however this momentum is not sustainable. In the period after the acquisition glamour acquirers exhibit a decreasing earnings trend and it is found that South African value acquirers outperform value acquirer’s post-acquisition. This paper does not however identify the determinant of this phenomenon as the hypothesis that the pre-acquisition earnings momentum of glamour acquirers is in part bolstered by their aggressive investments is rejected.Item Environment structure and performance in Swaziland's smallholder cane grower organisations(2012-09-19) Pali-Shikhulu, JohnThe purpose of this study was to assess the operations of smallholder sugar cane grower organisations based in the Komati River Basin of Swaziland. These organisations were formed at the beginning of this millennium. Some ten years later some have performed very well while others are struggling, and yet others are on the verge of collapse. The situation for some of these became so bad that their sustainability in the business was challenged. This did not augur well for the Government of Swaziland that established the project to address the issues of food security and poverty alleviation. This study was conducted as a case study with five organisations forming the cases. Data were collected from three levels within each organisation using primary and secondary data sources. Findings revealed that organisations were alike in many aspects including history, governance, strategic and human resource management. This was not surprising because for all of them capacity building is provided by Swaziland Water and Agriculture Development Enterprise (SWADE), Swaziland Sugar Association (SSA), and Mhlume Sugar Mill. Organisational structures were bureaucratic with limited participation in decision-making by employees and strict adherence to procedures and specialisation. This led to the conclusion that a mechanistic organisation management system was in place. Environmental resources were favourable according to chairpersons and their views were that they have the self-confidence and commitment for entrepreneurial development. The study concluded that a new series of studies need to be undertaken to explore the many unique research areas that are unearthed. Studies could narrow the focus but as far as possible consider the whole population of organisations in the K1DDP (19). Organisations also need to consider improving management and networking to reduce transaction costs.