Wits Business School (ETDs)
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Item Consumer perceptions of the transition from coal to renewable energy in South Africa: Consumer perception toward the transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy technology for electricity generation in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Sebothoma, Captain; Hildebrandt, Diane; Bruce, YoungThe South African government has announced investments in renewable energy technology initiatives to address the electricity supply gap created by loadshedding and inefficiencies at Eskom, the country's power utility. However, a few studies on public acceptance on renewable energy technology have been undertaken in many countries, including one conducted in Nigeria by Rosemary Nike Wojuola, which found that the public always has some opposing thoughts on the deployment of such technologies. The purpose of the study was to understand the consumer's perceptions on the transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy technology for electricity generation in South Africa, and it will assist to improve policies that encourage consumers to embrace and learn about electricity generated by renewable energy sources. The “technology acceptance model’ and ‘theory of reasoned action” are used to evaluate the beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions concerning renewable energy technology in relation to sustainable behaviour. A quantitative approach (survey) was employed in this study to investigate South African electricity consumers' awareness of sustainable development (including knowledge, beliefs, perceptions, and attitudes). Statistical software (IBM SPSS Statistics version 28) was used to conduct inferential and descriptive statistical analysis on the collected data, allowing the researcher to derive predictions (or "inferences") from the data. The majority of participants, according to the data, had high levels of education (at least a graduate degree), which means that the sample does not represent the South African population as a whole. Based on the study findings, participant’s generally have an average level of knowledge regarding renewable energy technology, with females scoring lower than males. The results of a regression study between attitude calculated and behavioural intention of the consumers to adopt renewable energy technology were F=15.378 and p=0.001. This means that the research model fit the data and there was a positive association between the two variables (attitude calculated and behavioural intention). Lack of information, affordability, and unknown benefits of renewable energy technologies were the main barriers to participants' willingness to install renewables in their homes. Additionally, the study revealed that consumers depend on the government to speed up the development of renewable vi energy technologies for the production of electricity; however, there is evidence that the current administration is failing to maintain the existing fossil fuel infrastructure to ensure that the public has access to reliable electricity. The findings also show that the consumer's perception or attitude toward renewable energy technology is influenced by the perceived usefulness and ease of use, as well as the participants knowledge and beliefs about the technology. Thus, there is a need for renewable energy technology education that is sufficient to foster a favourable impression of renewable energy technologies among the general public. To foster a sustainable culture driven by the adoption of renewable energy technology for electricity generation across the country, sustainability should also be covered in education programs at all educational levelsItem Evaluating the impact of outsourcing ICT operations at Road Accident Fund(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Chonco, Siphephelo Francis; Munkuli, BonganiThe Road Accident Fund (RAF) receives a high number of claims as a result of major road accidents. This required RAF to change its business model to meet consumer demand (claimants) and to enhance the internal processes. This is done through outsourcing services from highly specialized entities. According to Hati̇Poğlu (2015), outsourcing has evolved as a strategic option for attaining organizational goals through cost management and to sustain and maintain competitive advantage. The organization is forced to outsource various service to acquired insufficient skills and knowledge within the company. However, at the end of outsourced services contract, RAF usually remain without the knowledge and skills required to continue with service maintenance. This study aims to evaluate the impact of outsourcing ICT operations and to evaluate skills sharing between employees during outsourcing. Based on a review of the literature in the benefits of skills transfer during outsourcing, structured interviews were conducted to ICT specialist and junior managers. Participant were selected based on experience of outsourcingand ICT qualification. The analysis of the responses demonstrated that consultants were not willing to share information and, service providers dispatched unskilled consultant. The analysis further indicated that there was lack of management support, inadequate infrastructure to store knowledge and lack of policy enforcement from the management. The results indicate that management does not enforce or develop policies for knowledge sharing during outsourcing. On this basis, it is recommended that the organization must improve good relationship with the service provider and must ensure that there are policies in place which will easily enable knowledge sharing. Further research is needed to develop a model that will monitor a successful knowledge sharing processes. The study is limited to one organisation, and it followed a single case study research strategy. Thus, the findings might have been influenced by the unique characteristics of the organisation, even though the study was based on solid theories. Caution must be taken not to generalise the findings to other organisations with different characteristics