Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management (ETDs)
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Item How Diversity and Inclusion May Transform South African Commercial Property Organisations at Top Management Level(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2017-08) Motshegare, Reabetswe Regina; Levy, DeborahThe purpose of this report is to outline contemporary transformation frameworks that emphasise diversity and inclusion and how the latter may likely transform Growthpoint Properties South Africa (Growthpoint S.A). The main focus of the consultancy report is to compare and contrast traditional transformation methodologies and contemporary diversity and inclusion methodologies as strategies to assist Growthpoint S.A transform its senior and executive management. The propositions are that; an effective transformation strategy for Growthpoint S.A is one that focuses on identification; inclusion; attraction; diversification and retention of key talent at senior levels. Furthermore, that once diversity and inclusion interventions are implemented, there will be transformation at senior and executive levels. Out of 15 executives in the management team, six representatives were interviewed. The limitations highlight that the majority of participants are South African and may have certain biased perceptions about the topic as opposed to the rest of the participants, who are foreign nationals. The methodology focuses on a thematic analysis and four themes namely: leadership; corporate culture; strategies and communication are identified. Following in-depth discussions, six recommendations are provided. These include 360-degree feedback; diversity and inclusion workshops; introduction of a diversity and inclusion forum; KPI’s that measure diversity and inclusion targets; workplace enhancement programmes that focus on diverse candidates and lastly, robust succession plans. The role of the researcher as a professional Human Resource Business Partner ensured that any work dealt with is approached ethically, and the researcher’s ability to do this ensured quality, reliability, validity and effectiveness of the research.Item Dynamic capabilities in strategy formation and knowledge conversion in Zimbabwean organisations(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Kagondo, Brian Victor Tinashe; Carmichael, TeresaThis qualitative research study adopts a Strategy-As-Practice approach to theorise organisational strategy formation and knowledge conversion processes. Using the theoretical lenses of Contingency Theory and Institution-, Resource- and Knowledge- based views, the study explores the dynamics of the interactions between organisation systems and people activities in strategy formation. The research context is Zimbabwe, a developing country with high literacy levels but has traditionally been marred by poor institutions and high levels of regulation. The research adopted a generic qualitative research design with triangulated interviews, documents, and a review of records. Data was collected from 13 participants using semi-structured interviews. The participants were senior management and employee representatives who were purposively selected from large organisations from each agriculture and tourism sector, two industry institutions, and one consultant from each sector. This was supplemented with data from documents, records, and minutes of strategy meetings and organisational processes. The findings suggested that: a) While the strategy formation process is formalised, structured and well recorded, the praxis is instead to follow the expectations of tradition and of stakeholders, which produces aesthetically compliant blueprints which are archived; b) Organisations abide by tenets of Contingency Theory in their wish to establish the best fit between internal and external environments. However, they tend to achieve the fit through random and often chaotic systems that feed off the tacit capabilities of individuals or views of managers in positions of power and authority; c) While managers enlist strategy consultants, ‘politically correct’ institutions and specialist technical advisors in sensing the environment, it is the firm owners that direct the seizing and configuration decisions and determine the ideal culture and strategies; d) Tacit knowledge among shop-floor employees is a key but poorly tapped intelligence source, as management elects to preserve the privilege of strategising. Brian V T Kagondo, Stud No. 1316671, PhD Thesis - WBS Page | iii The study concluded that due to an overriding desire for perceived political and procedural correctness, there is fractured and inconsistent understanding and interpretation of the strategy formation processes and strategic outcomes. Strategy- making in Zimbabwe is not absolutely defined and, therefore, is positioned between deliberate and emergent. Organisations navigate the context through turbid harnessing of internal social dynamics, individuals’ tacit knowledge and a broader range of stakeholders. The study makes two theoretical contributions. In the Knowledge-Based View, the study proposes a review of the assumptions to include that tacit knowledge in its pure form is intrinsic and unshareable. Therefore, individuals may only transfer and share those skills they have conscious control of and voluntarily wish to impart to others. To the Institution Based View, the study proposes; the isolation and recognition of the owners or founders of organisations as a distinct Institution that falls in a realm between the external and the internal environments of the organisations. These founders or owners (and sometimes through their representatives, the Board of Directors) are not just advisors but are actually definers of the organisation's culture, mission and broader goals. Management are therefore mere implementers of the institutionalised practices. This challenges the traditional theory, definition and role of management to imply that they are not deciders, planners, organisers and controllers but are simply administrators.Item Bypassing the union: An Employer's Right to Negotiate Directly with Striking Employees(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2016-08) Nkosi, Thulani Gift; Mahomed, ShahedaSouth African labour law influenced by the Constitution and notions of equity and fairness has undergone a total change and will, without doubt, continue to change to meet the ever changing nature of employment it seeks to regulate. It is after all in the nature of all laws to change with the society they seek to regulate and our labour law is no exception. Recently, focus has shifted to the institution of collective bargaining and the questions posed are whether our labour laws as they currently stand are capable of adequately regulating the process of collective bargaining in such a way that the main objective of collective bargaining which is to bring about industrial peace is promoted and maintained at all times. These questions are posed on the back of the unprecedented spates of prolonged violent strikes that have resulted in the destruction of property and loss of life as well as unimaginable financial losses not only for the employers affected but also for the economy as a whole. These unprecedented prolonged violent strikes have caused employers to engage in bargaining conduct that could erode the participation of trade unions from the collective bargaining process which bargaining conduct takes the form of employers bypassing trade unions and negotiating with striking employees directly. But do employers have a right to bypass trade unions in this way? This paper investigates this question against the background of the case of Amcu v Lonmin where the Labour Court on application by a trade union had to decide whether to grant an urgent interdict restraining employers from negotiating directly with striking employees. The employers considering themselves to be acting within their rights opposed the application. The Labour Court unfortunately dismissed the application on technical grounds relating to the lack of urgency without considering or deciding this question. This paper accordingly picks up the debate; considers the historical evolution of collective bargaining in our labour law including the voluntarist argument that is said to be embodied by the Labour Relations Act (LRA), and concludes that when all things considered employers in fact do not have a right to bypass trade unions. If employers had this right certain provisions of the LRA that guarantee trade union participation would be rendered nugatory and the whole collective bargaining process would become unworkable. The LRA envisions that once parties have voluntarily embarked on collective bargaining they bargain in good faith and do not bypass each other.Item Financial inclusion in South Africa: An analysis of the financial sector regulatory framework and proposals for reform(2018-09) Duma, Amanda; Kawadza, HerbertAbstract Not Available.Item External Factors Influencing the Sustainability of Social Entrepreneurial Ventures in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2020) Govender, Ramona; Murimbika, McEdwardSocial entrepreneurship is increasingly seen as a solution in addressing some of the social ills in the world. However, in order for the social enterprises to be more effective there is a need for them to be sustainable, particularly in terms of financial sustainability. Social enterprises that are financially sustainable are usually better able to create social value. The study sought to investigate the contributing factors towards social enterprise (SE) venture sustainability in South Africa using Cape Town as a case study. In doing so, quantitative research was conducted, with data being collected from the sampled social enterprises using an online survey. In this research it was found that, while government assistance was important, it was not significant in determining a social enterprise’s performance. The research also found that high social innovation improves a social enterprise’s access to philanthropic venture capital. In this regard, high social innovation was also seen to have a positive effect on social enterprise performance. The research thus concludes that social innovation is an important contributor to the sustainability of a social enterprise. The study offers updated information and adds to the theory on social enterprises in South Africa which is useful to prospective social entrepreneurs seeking to structure such organizations. In addition to this, the new knowledge and new insights will help government and civil society policy makers to formulate policies that can encourage social entrepreneurship in the country, especially with regards to funding. The study also offers useful insights on social innovation and emphasises its importance within the social enterprise context.Item The Political Economy of Energy Regulation in the Coal Mining Industry of Emalahleni(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-06) Selebi, Elton Jimmy; Matshabaphala, ManamelaThis study explores the perspectives on the political economy of energy regulation in the coal mining industry of Emalahleni. It seeks to discuss whether there are adequate steps within the political and economic sphere that regulates the efficient supply of electricity. The goals of this study are to ascertain the extent of regulation and policy formulation in the coal mining business in Emalahleni, South Africa; examine the reasons for decision-makers’ inaction in promoting a sustainable energy transition in Emalahleni, South Africa, and to identify political channels and platforms that can garner public and/or political support to speed the region's transition to sustainable energy. This research draws upon theoretical discussions centred on the following: The Agency Theory, Classical Political Economy, Keynesian Economics, and the Political Theory of Governance. Informed by an interpretivist paradigm, the qualitative research approach will be employed to explore the political economy of energy regulation within the study area. A non-probability sampling approach through the use of judgemental sampling was used to select the research participants, and the research method utilised interviews through the distribution of a questionnaire. A sample size of 20 comprised individuals from mining organisations in Emalahleni, Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Officials, CGS, Petroleum Agency SA, COSATU, and the Department of Trade Industry and Competition. The study noted that the political system has an impact on the energy and coal regulation markets at Emalahleni. It is recommended that an efficient energy resource policy and local governance are required to address the challenges of increased energy demand and pollution in South Africa.Item Sustainability Financing and Investment in Integrated Waste Management: Implications for the Circular Economy in Ghana(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Agyapong, Daniel; Tweneboah,GeorgeThe transition to a circular economy has been a major global developmental agenda, as reflected in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030). In line with this, Ghana has adopted the practice of integrating circularity into its development objectives to promote sustainability, particularly in the waste management sector, which has gained attention for its potential in efficient resource mobilization and access to secondary raw materials. However, despite policymakers integrating sustainability into the development framework, financing and investments in circular economy activities remain underexplored. Adequate financing and investments can transform waste streams into profitable projects and useful goods, such as recycling waste into secondary raw resources for further processing, recovering valuable resources like energy and precious metals, or converting waste into fuel or electricity through biological or thermal treatment. The study examined sustainability financing and investment and implications for sustainable development in Ghana. The overarching aim of the thesis is to investigate the factors influencing circular economy financing and investment, the impact of such financing on circular economy practices, and the broader implications for the waste management sector in Ghana. The study is structured into three self-contained empirical chapters, each addressing specific objectives through distinct analyses. Chapter Three examined the determinants of circular economy financing and investment supply, emphasizing the moderating role of the financial environment. Chapter Four assessed the effect of circular economy finance and investment supply on the adoption of circular economy practices in the waste management sector. Chapter Five examined the implications of circular economy practices on the performance of firms in the integrated waste sector.Item Enablers and barriers to effective strategy implementation in a South African financial institution(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Zikalala, ZaneleStrategy implementation forms part of the broader concept and critical aspect of strategic management which is practiced across many organisations in South Africa. However, it has been found through the abundance of literature that most organisations put more emphasis, focus on strategy formulation, and neglect strategy implementation. The number of existing strategy formulation frameworks supports this view, while scholars have not reached a consensus on the most effective frameworks for strategy implementation. Based on the high failure rate on strategy implementation, ranging between 60% and 90%, this exploratory study will seek to understand factors impacting effective strategy implementation in a South African context for a financial institution. Qualitative research was undertaken to further explore this study, wherein data was collected through an electronic survey from employees within the financial institution who specifically work in the Strategy Enablement Office. The data analysis yielded findings that identified five key factors impacting strategy implementation: leadership and culture, strategy implementation, employee understanding, regular feedback, and organisational performance. Out of these factors, the findings indicated that regular feedback and employee understanding were considered significantly important to strategy implementation. Leadership and culture and organisational performance had a positive impact but were not significant, according to the data collected for a specific financial institution. The study confirmed the importance of strategy implementation and the key factors that lie under it; however, the study also revealed that the organisation will need to put more effort into senior leadership involvement and provide regular feedback to employees during strategy implementation. Therefore, some recommendations put forward are to ensure senior leadership’s greater involvement during strategy implementation and to be provided with training interventions in this regard to mitigate the risk of nonchalant behaviour by senior management during the implementation phase. The study contributes to helping teams working in strategy enablement across the organisation, to gain insights on which factors to focus on and which ones are potential blind spots during strategy implementation to improve organisational performance.Item Digital transformation strategies in the South African banking sector(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Sibeko, Simphiwe Annita; Godspower-Akpomiemie, EuphemiaThe emergence of digital solutions has created unexpected players in the banking sector as the market slowly grows to defy boundaries. New entrants in the market are challenging the traditional players who have dominated the South African banking sector by introducing digital solutions and low-cost operating models. To compete in this rapidly changing and evolving market, traditional banks should prioritise digital transformation. To drive innovation and long-term solutions, organisations should seek change and transformation. The concept of digitally transforming corporate, operational, and functional strategies of an organisation underpins the focus of this research article. The fundamental objective of this research is to enhance comprehension of the current advancements in the discipline of digital transformation strategies. This study aimed to contribute to not only the assessment of strategy maturity and effectiveness, but to provide context to the South African banking sector. The objectives were achieved through qualitative comparative analysis of audited integrated annual reports and surveys on customer experience to calculate Net Promoter Scores in the industry. Analysis was conducted by applying a conceptual framework constructed by leveraging existing theories in literature, to identify and scrutinise the relationship between digital transformation strategy designs, learning and growth initiatives, and customer experience on the overall performance and market leadership. The framework provided structured analysis and standardised data to test strategy effectiveness between the four sample banks. Overall, the study argues the need of standardised attributes pertaining to digital transformation strategy design and initiatives, which will drive accurate reporting on strategy maturity. Data reported is decentralised as there are not governing frameworks to align reporting. Aligning key attributes will provide decision makers with better insights and equip incumbents to respond less tactically to the evolving world of banking.Item The Impact of Enterprise and Supplier Development Programmes on the Growth of SMMEs in Gauteng, South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Ramokgopa, Lebogang; Mlothswa, SamukeleWhile various studies have investigated the challenges that Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) face and many of them outline the support that is required by SMMEs, there have been limited studies that look into the effectiveness of government support interventions that are implemented through the public and private sectors. The effectiveness of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Commission (B-BBEE) and Enterprise and Supply Development (ESD) support programmes and their impact on SMME growth have not been extensively interrogated through research. This knowledge is particularly important to investigate because SMMEs play a significant role in improving economic growth and reducing unemployment and equality levels. As such, this study sought to assess the impact of B-BBEE ESD programme support on the growth of SMMEs. The study employed qualitative methods and thematic analysis was used to analyse data. The sample size included 10 beneficiaries of B-BBEE ESD in Gauteng province, obtaining their views on participation experience. The findings suggest that ESD initiatives assist SMMEs in both financial and nonfinancial ways. However, participants usually believed that the benefits were limited and that partnerships may provide more value. Further, findings from the study highlighted the presence of constraints that impede ESD's capacity to provide an optimal service offering to SMMEs, resulting in restricted visibility for small enterprises. Some internal and external difficulties in delivering services to SMMEs were outlined based on the experience of beneficiaries. As such, it was recommended that enterprise and supplier development programs should avoid attempting to be all things to all people. The emphasis should be on an area in which they excel and on providing that service to SMMEs. This allows them to impart their specialized knowledge to small enterprises. To be effective, this focus should be sector or industry specific