Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/3922

For queries relating to content and technical issues, please contact IR specialists via this email address : openscholarship.library@wits.ac.za, Tel: 011 717 4652 or 011 717 1954

Browse

Has files: YesSubject: search.filters.subject.Telecommunications

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Mobile broadband switching barriers in South Africa
    (2012-12-04) Morony, Stephen James
    This research was conducted to understand why consumers would not switch mobile broadband providers in a market place with increasing competition across all components of a telecommunications company, from international bandwidth to radio access network. This study makes use of in-depth interviews to investigate consumers’ views of switching barriers as they see them. The ability to obtain information in the consumers’ own words adds to the credibility of this research. The study makes use of the typology developed by Burnham as a framework for the analysis of switching barriers in mobile broadband. It is concluded that the typology is for the most part acceptable for classifying and understanding the barriers faced by consumers when attempting to switch providers. The key findings of this research are: consumers are cautious of switching service providers; they are hindered in doing so; the lack of differentiation by existing firms inhibits customers from switching; the current processes employed by firms further inhibit the potential for a customer to adopt their product.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Converged Information and Communication Technology Marketing Strategies Targeting South African Small and Medium Enterprises
    (2012-11-14) Sarjoo, Kaveer
    The telecommunication industry is reaching maturity in South Africa. Communication service providers need to find growth in a market that is fast becoming saturated. The purpose of this research is to investigate mass customisation as a marketing strategy for telecommunication network operators introducing converged information and communication solutions to the South African Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) market. The findings are expected to guide network operators in understanding the business models and strategies that would improve growth in the SME market. A mixed method research approach was taken to investigate the supply-demand relationship between the SME market and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) suppliers respectively. Data was collected via a quantitative study, where a sample of 72 SMEs indicated what they demand from their ICT supplier. In parallel, data was collected via a qualitative study, where a sample of ten ICT industry experts indicated what the proposed strategic response is to meet the demand of the SMEs. From the quantitative analysis, it was found that SMEs demand mass customisation of ICT services to the extent where the additional services around the standard product is demanded to be customised. From the qualitative analysis, it was concluded that the strategic response of the ICT supplier to meet this demand for mass customisation is by implementing an ICT convergence strategy. The key message is that all stakeholders in the ICT industry, including the customers, suppliers, regulator and third party suppliers, need to collaborate with each other to ensure that the economic value of such collaboration stimulates growth in the ICT industry and the economy of the country.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Evaluation of Information Technology Investment in Telecommunications Billing Systems in South Africa
    (2012-10-04) Kunver, Sudhir Dinesh
    Managers in firms across the country are faced with the challenge of making key decisions regarding the justification and/or approval of IT investment on hardware and software assets, along with the associated professional services and operational support services. The appraisal of IT investments are of increasing importance to managers as economic and competitive pressures force companies to focus on cost reduction. The purpose of this research is to assess current industry practices regarding the evaluation of Information Technology (IT) investments in South Africa, specifically investments in Telecommunications Billing Systems. The organisation and industry along with the characteristics of the particular information technology being considered affects the nature of the investment evaluation criteria adopted, the evaluation techniques used and the method used for post-implementation evaluation. The sample for the research consisted of stakeholders of the Evaluation of Investments in Telecommunications Billing Systems at key network operators in South Africa, specifically stakeholders who are responsible for influencing decision-making regarding Billing Systems and those who are responsible for architecting Billing Solutions for operators at vendors. This study has shown that, while industry acknowledges the importance of Billing Systems to operators, and believes in the need for investment evaluation of billing systems, the extent of adoption of available investment evaluation techniques has been restricted, due to awareness and perceived complexity of these techniques. Based on the interviews, the study has seen that although industry has adapted its existing evaluation techniques and criteria, it seeks improved methods for evaluating intangible benefits of IT investments. The study also found that the evaluation during and after implementation is not a common practice in the industry, with resource constraints and a lack of emphasis on the importance of these evaluations being the major reasons.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Factors Influencing Foreign Direct Investment of South African Telecommunications Firms in Sub- Saharan Africa
    (2012-01-23) Stephan, Henry
    The study investigates the main factors considered by South African telecommunications firms when making a decision to undertake Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This encompasses the reasons for investing, the methods of entry into the identified market and the factors influencing their decision to perform Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). By using this study as a reference and guide South African telecommunications firms, which are considering investing in SSA, will be able to make informed decisions whether to perform FDI in a country or not. Secondly, it will also provide a potential host country in SSA with a view of those factors that, if improved and made more attractive, would create interest from as well as attract FDI from South African telecommunications firms. A survey questionnaire was developed and sent to participants identified in telecommunication firms. These companies together represent more than 70% of the revenue generated by telecommunications firms, in SSA. Their inputs were collated and the results were used to compile this study. The research revealed that market size, regulatory environment and government policy were the three most important factors influencing the decision to perform FDI. The golden thread which emerged as a strategy was to build relationships with government and influence them through negotiation, training (knowledge building) and being sensitive to the needs of the people of the country. Joint Venture (JV), with a majority shareholding, is the preferred entry channel and the main reason is that the investing companies then have management control and can dictate policy and direction. The main reasons for deciding to enter into a country in SSA are for market growth and profit growth due to saturation in the existing market, as well as for diversification of risk. South African telecommunications firms wishing to enter into SSA must be prepared for an unstable and uncertain policy environment and understand that the cost of starting a new venture in SSA is high. These risk factors can be overcome by ensuring that the correct management teams are in place, and that they understand the SSA environment and are prepared to build relationships with Government
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    ADSL Uptake and Regulatory Intervention in South
    (2011-06-10) Ruplal, Praneel Haricharan
    ADSL is an important broadband technology for South Africa that has the ability to have a significant positive impact on the socio-economic environment of the country. As ADSL uses existing network infrastructure, it also maximises on an operator’s investment. These benefits of ADSL have not been fully realised in South Africa because of a comparatively poor uptake of the service due to several reasons. The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine whether regulatory intervention was required to increase the uptake of ADSL in South Africa. Some of the main findings of this research are that regulatory intervention is required to stimulate the uptake of ADSL by introducing measures such as local loop unbundling and by introducing greater competition in the broadband environment in general.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Implementation of the Balanced Scorecard in a telecommunications company in South Africa
    (2011-04-15) Hewson, David-John Charles
    This research is a qualitative case study on a South African mobile telecommunications company which had used the Balanced Scorecard as a mechanism to implement the new strategy of the company. This new strategy was as a result of the appointment of a new chief executive officer. In order to build and implement the strategy, one of the top international consulting firms was hired by the CEO. The consulting firm advised the CEO that the Balanced Scorecard would facilitate the implementation of the strategy and it would improve the performance of the employees and the company performance for the shareholders. The Balanced Scorecard architect from a consulting firm and 14 employees from the mobile telecommunications company were interviewed. The interview with the architect focused on the process of building the scorecard and the views of the ‗architect‘ on the implementation of the Balanced Scorecard at the company. The other interviews aimed to answer two questions; namely how the Balanced Scorecard facilitated the implementation of the strategy in the company and the factors that helped or hindered the implementation of the Balanced Scorecard in the company. The research presents how the Balanced Scorecard had not successfully facilitated the implementation of the company strategy as the Balanced Scorecard had not been effectively implemented. The respondents felt that the Balanced Scorecard had the potential to implement the company strategy and that it would be highly beneficial if it was implemented correctly. This report highlights some fundamental problems that resulted in the improper implementation of the Balanced Scorecard and how these can be avoided in future implementations of the Balanced Scorecard in an organisation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Viability of Under-Serviced Area
    (2011-04-13) HAO, LI
    In 2001, Under-Serviced Area Licence (USAL) policy was introduced in South Africa. The basic objective and requirement of USAL policy is that all Private Telecom Operators (PTOs) should increase telecommunication penetration rate in their areas of operation by building and developing their own telecommunication network and providing acess for those who do not have access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). In South Africa, while government has spent a lot of money and time to implement USAL policy, it does not appear that the first group of USALs have been successful. The purpose of this research is to analyse the factors affecting the USAL policy, and to suggest possible ways that both private and public sectors can undertake to improve the effectiveness of USAL policy as well as the viability of USAL policy in South Africa. A qualitative research approach was used and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. Eight persons from policy-making level, USAL business, and academic institutions were interviewed. Besides semi-structured interviews, a literature review was used to obtain secondary data in order to address possible gaps and the limitations of the interviews. The research reveals the following key findings: (i) the lack of capability to implement USAL; (ii) inadequate financial and infrastructural support from the state; (iii) a lack of co-ordination among stakeholders in the public sector, private sector, policy-makers, analysts and USAL business owners; and (iv) lack of co-operation within the private sector. The research also makes recommendations to strengthen USAL policy and suggests possible further research.