Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management (ETDs)
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Item The implementation and adoption of information and communication technologies for remote learning within South African private schools(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Lekoto, Ntlabo Samuel; Sibanda, TendariaThe COVID-19 pandemic has tremendously impacted the global economy including lockdown regulations which resulted in school closure across the world. Due to this, schools had to consider the alternative to provide primary education in-person. As a result of the pandemic, this study aims to investigate the implementation and adoption of information and communication technologies for remote learning within South African private schools. A qualitative research methodology was utilised in this study. This approach was used in an effort to gather the thoughts, opinions and experiences of the participant to deduce insightful findings through a case study research design. A purposive sampling was adopted with empirical information gained through interviews. The analysis of the data was conducted through a qualitative thematic analysis in an effort to generate common themes which can be grouped together. The study helps to bridge the gap of understanding the challenges which policy makers need to address to swiftly implement a successful integration of technology pedagogy. The findings of the study indicated there was lack of detailed policy during the implementation of remote learning during the pandemic. The importance of upskilling teachers not only technically, but also with the ability to understand the pedagogical approaches of integrating technology within a teaching and learning environment was also evident. Furthermore, the findings highlighted the technical, social and psychological challenges which may impact learners, teachers and parents during remote learning. The findings also indicated lack of social interaction as a concern during remote learning which can result in social anxiety for the learners. The results of the study indicated that policy makers need to develop a detailed policy which address some of the common problems relating to remote learning. Innovative ways on how to develop digital pedagogy were also highlighted as a result of the studyItem The impact of remote working post COVID-19 in the construction industry of South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Singo, Ramano VictorThis study investigates the impact of COVID-19 on the South African construction industry, focusing on remote working. It was identified that the COVID-19 pandemic crisis was an ideal case study for this study since it has wide-ranging impacts and implications for the construction industry of South Africa. This thesis examines the impact of remote working on the construction industry. Construction differs greatly from other industries in that most project participants must be on site. In light of this unforeseen situation, understanding how the construction industry handles it is crucial (Gamil, 2020). Coronavirus Disease, COVID-19 had a catastrophic and long lasting economic impact on many industries in South Africa and the world at large (Ogunnusi et al., 2020). A global calamity, COVID-19, left all economic sectors paralysed, including construction. COVID- 19, declared a pandemic in March 2020, has devastated world economies. The prevalence of the disease has grown exponentially since the first case was reported in January 2020. The first death occurred on 29th February 2020, leading to dramatic actions on the part of individuals and governments (Angelucci et al.,2020). During this time, stores and restaurants were closed, as were schools and non-essential businesses. The pandemic brought the world to a complete halt, with impacts extending to sectors such as construction (Alsharef et al., 2021). One of South Africa's most crucial industries for economic development is construction. Although this sector is mostly unorganized and human-driven, many people work here. In 2017, Statistics South Africa reported that the construction industry contributed about 4% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provided more than 1.4 million jobs (Statistics South Africa, 2017). The construction industry faced multiple challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, most construction sites were closed due to Coronavirus infection. (Dlamini,2012) points out that the construction industry contributes to economic growth in direct and indirect ways. Every country benefits from the construction sector's power to empower its economy and developmentItem The impact of human resource practices on employee productivity during the COVID-19 pandemic in the South African construction industry(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Makanza, Patience; Mati, JacobThe study examined the impact of human resource practices on employee productivity in the South African construction industry during the Covid-19 pandemic. Specifically, the study investigated four human resource practices - training, employee wellness, compensation, and employee engagement - to determine their impact on productivity, with the Covid-19 pandemic as the intermediary variable. The study found that training had a positive impact on productivity, indicating that regular training opportunities should be provided to employees to enhance productivity. However, no conclusive evidence was found to support the hypothesis that training improved productivity during the pandemic. The study further revealed that compensation was strongly linked to productivity, but participants were indifferent about the impact of changes in compensation during the pandemic. The empirical evidence showed that although superiors offered support to their subordinates, participants were neutral about the link between employee wellness and productivity. Although it was discovered that employee involvement has a beneficial effect on productivity, participants were unable to affirm if it enhanced their performances during the epidemic as also reiterated by Ramakrishnan and Yogarajah (2021) The results of the study have important repercussions for the South African construction sector, notably during the Covid-19 epidemic as also stated by Amoah and Simpeh, (2021).Construction businesses should follow the study's advice and pay attention to employee wellness, as it has a significant impact on productivity. Furthermore, companies should consider increasing compensation packages to improve productivity, and they should promote employee engagement as it positively impacts productivity. Overall, this study highlights the importance of human resource practices in improving employee productivity during the Covid-19 pandemic in the South African construction industry. The recommendations presented in this study are crucial for construction companies in South Africa as they provide a basis for optimising employee productivity during challenging times. This study contributes to the existing literature on the impact of human resource practices on employee productivity during the Covid-19 pandemic vi and calls for further research in this area to enhance the understanding of the best practices in human resource management during such crises.Item The legal position of excessive pricing in south africa pre, during and post the Covid-19 pandemic(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-02) Pillay, IanThe Competition Amendment Act 18 of 2018 (the Amendment Act) and the COVID-19 pandemic each had a significant impact on the legal position of excessive pricing in South Africa. Prior to the Amendment Act excessive pricing was prohibited in terms of the Competition Act 89 of 1998. However, the Amendment Act introduced a reverse onus requiring a dominant firm to refute the prima facie case against it by showing that prices charged are reasonable. It also introduced a broader and more discretionary benchmark in determining whether prices are excessive. The disruption of the competition conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a different assessment in establishing market power in excessive pricing cases. Coincidentally, the first excessive pricing cases to be adjudicated under the Amendment Act occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The overlapping of these two events resulted in an important distinction between excessive pricing cases under conditions of normal and effective competition, versus excessive pricing cases under conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it became clear that context is relevant when interpreting the excessive pricing provisions of the Amendment Act. The aim of this research report is two-fold. First it aims to identify the legal position of excessive pricing in South Africa pre, during and post the COVID-19 pandemic. By doing so the report explains how the legal position of excessive pricing has changed. The report also highlights the difference between excessive pricing under normal and effective competition conditions, verses excessive pricing under conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondly it aims to determine whether the Amendment Act, particularly sections 8(2) and (3), adequately address the shortfalls in excessive pricing. Section 8(2) requires a prima facie case to be proved and introduces a reverse onus, and section 8(3) introduces a broader benchmark in determining whether prices are excessive.Item The technical efficiency of country responses to the COVID-19 pandemic(niversity of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-02) Desjardins, Armand; Booysen, FrederikThe COVID-19 pandemic saw the most comprehensive implementation in history of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions by governments around the world. A better understanding of how efficient these interventions are, especially given their high economic costs to society is pivotal in designing similar policy for future outbreaks of this nature. This research estimates the technical efficiency of country responses to the COVID-19 pandemic using a Stochastic Frontier Analysis model and panel dataset combining indicators from the Our World in Data (OWID), Google Movement Index and World Bank Economic Indicators databases. The SFA regression also corrects for endogeneity in the input variables, as policy stringency tends to be influenced by the number of cases in each country. To do so, the OWID stringency index is used as an instrumental variable for each of the policy inputs to correct for the endogenous relationship between the input and output variables. The study found that the correction of technical efficiency estimates for endogeneity using the xtsfkk routine in Stata was an appropriate estimation strategy. The exogenously and endogenously estimated efficiency scores furthermore differed statistically significantly, with exogenously estimated scores representing overestimates of technical efficiency. Vaccination policies proved to be the most technically efficient channel of prevention followed by stay-at-home restrictions. A second stage OLS regression was used to estimate the effects of selected drivers on the technical efficiency scores computed in the Stage 1 SFA model. Health expenditure as a % of GDP, hospital beds per 1,000 population, and physicians per 1,000 population were all positively related to technical efficiency. Countries with reactive and flexible policy approaches, able to increase policy intensity levels based on COVID-19 waves, were found to obtain higher technical efficiency scores than wealthy countries. Improvements in the level of detail on the drivers of technical efficiency and the adoption of machine learning techniques to estimate efficiency scores are recommended to extend research in this area past its current scopeItem Is there tension between the enforcement of patent rights and promotion of competition policy in South Africa?(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Sham-Guild, Julia; Marumoagae, ClementThis research report examines the intersection between competition law and patent law. In particular, it examines the abuse of patent rights by dominant players that hinder access to life- changing products. It evaluates the potential tension between protecting patent rights and promoting competition, which raises concerns about equitable access to lifesaving products. Vertical and horizontal prohibited practices, including patent pools, cross-licensing agreements, and pay-for-delay settlements are also discussed, in terms of both encouraging co- operative opportunities benefitting society while also posing the risk of creating platforms for collusion that could lead to price fixing and market allocation for competing patented products. The focus for the South African competition authorities has been on addressing abuse of dominance by patent holders, particularly regarding excessive pricing and equitable access to patented life-saving medicines and vaccines. This research report examines the case law onexcessive pricing and dominant firms' refusal to license patents patented medications, resulting in Competition Commission investigations. This report also addresses equitable access to life- saving medicine, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, including South Africa's request to the World Trade Organisation for a TRIPS waiver for patented COVID-19 vaccines. The research report concludes that while there is tension between these areas of law, competition plays a vital role in promoting fair pricing of, and equitable access to, life-saving patentsItem The role of geographic proximity in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Mzobe, Nozipho; Mukim, MeghaThe purpose of this paper is to explore the role of geographic proximity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study investigates the extent to which the performance of firms has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role played by economic geography factors in mitigating or exacerbating the impact. To do this, I build upon the conceptual frameworks from the existing literature and introduce a model to help explain performance as driven by specific firm characteristics. The study draws data from the World Bank Group’s Enterprise Survey (ES). The dataset used for analysis comprises of 1097 South African firms of which 329 are from the Gauteng province. The study finds that firm size, sector, and market demand have a significant impact on the performance of private sector enterprises during the COVID- 19 pandemic. The results of the empirical analysis are inconclusive with regards to the effects of location and export collaboration in determining firm success.Item Analysis of tax relief measures as a result of the covid-19 pandemic in south africa, compared with the tax measures of other members of the brics group(University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Selemela, Elsie; Ram, Asheer J.The purpose of this report is to analyse tax relief measures that were taken as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak in South Africa, evaluate the approach taken and compare it with other countries in the BRICS international organisation. The COVID-19 pandemic caused numerous company closures and employment losses (IMF, 2020). Governments worldwide had to intervene to support their citizens and keep businesses afloat (IMF, 2020). In order to maintain widespread access to essential goods and services, taxation is crucial (IMF, 2020). The dire effect on economic activities around the world influenced tax laws (IMF, 2020). It fell to tax administrators to ease the tax burden on taxpayers as they were facing hardships (OECD [Organisation for Economic Co operations and Development], 2020). The International Monetary Fund (IMF) states that the design of tax systems can help stabilise economies when faced with crisis (IMF, 2020). The South African government implemented tax relief measures because of COVID-19, although taxpayers are still experiencing the detrimental effects of COVID-19. It is the government’s wish to offer additional help to businesses and individuals who are still facing these hardships and also assist in rebuilding businesses (SARS, 2021). This report will look at tax measures that were taken by South Africa in comparison to those that were taken by Brazil, Russia, India and China to determine the usefulness of these measures in dealing with the effects of COVID-19 on taxes. Some measures were introduced for a short time and therefore are no longer applicable, but it is important to consider them in this report because they might have long-term effects on taxes. The findings of this analysis indicate which measures were used, when they were implemented, and how taxes in the BRICS countries changed while adjusting to COVID-19. It was found that tax policies put in place in South Africa were unjustified since they decreased tax collection without any measures in place to boost it (IMF, 2020). Examining what other BRICS nations were doing to increase tax collection during the COVID-19 outbreak can help identify areas for improvement.Item Impact of COVID-19 on digital transformation(2021) Mabuza, JabulileThe COVID-19 pandemic has been commonly referred to as a ‘black swan event’; it has changed the world as we knew it, from how we live, learn, work and socialise. It is believed that the pandemic has fast-tracked the adoption of technology in many organisations to ensure business continuity and business sustainability; broadly said, the pandemic has fast-tracked digital transformation (DT) in different organisations. This paper aims to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on DT in organisations in South Africa by focusing on the changes in IT capabilities in the DT framework. The research design is qualitative; the data collection was through semi-structured interviews with information communication technology (ICT) leaders representing different organisations in South Africa. The data was analysed using the thematic-analysis process to formulate initial codes, initial themes and final themes emerging from the study. The results from the study show that, in terms of ICT in the organisation, the pandemic had a direct and positive impact on ICT strategy and ICT operations. In terms of IT capability transformation, the pandemic resulted in the optimisation and expansion of existing IT capabilities in the organisation and the building of new IT capabilities to meet emerging business needs. In terms of the focus of activities during the pandemic, there seems to be a split in organisations between the primary focus being on ‘digital IT’ or ‘traditional IT’. Overall, the findings of the study show that the pandemic had a positive and significant impact on DT in organisations. However, a definitive conclusion on this would require expanding the scope of the research to all the components of a comprehensive DT framework. This study is significant because it is one of the first studies to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on organisations, on ICT in the organisation, on IT capability transformation and, to a greater extent, DT. The findings from the study show that in response to the pandemic, there is a need for agility in organisations; for organisations to execute on their existing strategy; the future-proofing of IT capabilities; the adoption of a hybrid working model; and for organisations to take risks and embrace new ideas.Item Impact of COVID-19 on digital transformation(2021) Mabuza, JabulileThe COVID-19 pandemic has been commonly referred to as a ‘black swan event’; it has changed the world as we knew it, from how we live, learn, work and socialise. It is believed that the pandemic has fast-tracked the adoption of technology in many organisations to ensure business continuity and business sustainability; broadly said, the pandemic has fast-tracked digital transformation (DT) in different organisations. This paper aims to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on DT in organisations in South Africa by focusing on the changes in IT capabilities in the DT framework. The research design is qualitative; the data collection was through semi-structured interviews with information communication technology (ICT) leaders representing different organisations in South Africa. The data was analysed using the thematic-analysis process to formulate initial codes, initial themes and final themes emerging from the study. The results from the study show that, in terms of ICT in the organisation, the pandemic had a direct and positive impact on ICT strategy and ICT operations. In terms of IT capability transformation, the pandemic resulted in the optimisation and expansion of existing IT capabilities in the organisation and the building of new IT capabilities to meet emerging business needs. In terms of the focus of activities during the pandemic, there seems to be a split in organisations between the primary focus being on ‘digital IT’ or ‘traditional IT’. Overall, the findings of the study show that the pandemic had a positive and significant impact on DT in organisations. However, a definitive conclusion on this would require expanding the scope of the research to all the components of a comprehensive DT framework. This study is significant because it is one of the first studies to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on organisations, on ICT in the organisation, on IT capability transformation and, to a greater extent, DT. The findings from the study show that in response to the pandemic, there is a need for agility in organisations; for organisations to execute on their existing strategy; the future-proofing of IT capabilities; the adoption of a hybrid working model; and for organisations to take risks and embrace new ideas