Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management (ETDs)

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    Leadership styles and performance of teams in underground South African coal mines
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Smith, Corne; Stacey, Anthony
    The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between leadership styles and team performance in underground South African coal mines. The mining industry, particularly in South Africa, is critical to the country's economic development, therefore excellent team performance is essential to guaranteeing safety, productivity, and long-term prosperity. To collect thorough data, the study adopted a rigorous literature review combined with a quantitative survey issued to underground mining supervisors. The study investigated the various leadership styles used in different mining situations and examined their impact on team performance measures using this method. The study investigated the effectiveness of various leadership styles in building team overall performance by identifying prevalent leadership styles such as situational and transformational leadership styles. The quantitative survey analysed team performance using key variables such as productivity rates. The obtained data was then statistically analysed to uncover relationships between leadership styles and team performance outcomes. The findings of this study have important implications for both the mining industry and leadership theory. This study helps mining businesses adopt more targeted and meaningful leadership development programs by providing insights into the most effective leadership styles and productivity improvement for developing high- performing teams. Furthermore, the study added to a broader understanding of leadership practices in challenging and high-risk contexts, giving insight into the complex relationship between leadership styles and team success. Finally, this study shed light on the relationship between leadership styles and team performance in the particular environment of South African underground coal mines. It provided practical ideas for optimizing leadership methods to improve team performance, and overall productivity in this essential industry through its methodology and analysis
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    The Impact of employment benefits on employee performance and productivity in the South African mining industry
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Shiluvana, Theron Fana; Appiah, Erasmus
    This research study considers themes such as housing allowances, health care benefits, retirement plans and other non-cash incentives, to learn more about how employees feel about their benefits and how these perceptions affect their work performance and productivity.It is anticipated that the findings of this research will contribute valuable insights to both academia and industry practitioners by shedding light on the intricate dynamics between employment benefits, employee motivation and organisational productivity in the South African mining context. Moreover, the study aims to offer actionable recommendations that mining companies can implement to optimize their benefit packages in order to enhance employees’ satisfaction, engagement and, ultimately,performance and productivity
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    The impact of digital wearables on safety in the South African mining industry
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Bapela, Nthabiseng; Rangasamy, Logan
    The mining industry is currently at a turning point and is encountering several challenges, including the need to improve efficiency, reduce costs, limit its impact on the natural environment and improve safety. In order for mining organisations to stay globally competitive they need to adjust to the new norms of efficient mining at a low cost. The greater the depth of mining the more dangerous mining activity become (Zulu et al., 2021, pp. 184-200). The research was influenced by the need to improve safety through the use of digital technology to collect active data. The concept of digital wearables allows for the collection of a vast amounts of data in real-time which can be used to reveal unknown reoccurrence’s due to certain behaviour or conditions which results in incidents that could have been avoided. Data analytics can be used to design models to easily predict and eliminate a peak in operational scenarios based on the employee groups and mediate prior an incident occurs (Deloitte, 2019). The primary objective of this study is to determine how digital wearables can be utilised to indicate impending hazards by providing data that mines can use to improve safety. There is a need to develop models that are aligned with technological improvements directed at improving safety in mining operations. A quantitative research method was adopted in the research as it describes the investigation and use of numerical data by means of specialised statistical techniques (Oberiri, 2017, pp. 40-47). The method used to conduct the study was a questionnaire in the form of a survey based on a Likert-type scale. Due to a low survey response there were 51 actual respondents and 40 respondents derived from the cleaned data to the survey which included mine management employees, middle management and junior level working on the site. The influence on the dependent variable was populated into the SPSS model to test if the data is a good fit. The data was exported to SPSS and used to run different tests on the sample (Lee, n.d., pp.143-178). Key drivers from the sample data results were identified as the low information efficiency flow currently whereby majority if respondents agree that impeding hazards and injuries can be reduced by way of training to improve human interaction with technology and availability of real time data. The results suggest that technology can play a role in enhancing safety standards in mines. Technology will improve information efficiency but organisations lack “holistic and proactive approaches” in balancing the adoption of technology and industrial social sustainability (Mangaroo-Pillay et al., n.d., pp. 1-12)
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    Sustainable business model innovation and ESG performance in the South African mining industry
    (University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Nhlanhla, Khulekani; Mzyece, Mjumo
    The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) performance on sustainable business model innovation in the South African mining industry. The study is conducted with the aim to understand which of the ESG factors are most influential in driving sustainable business model innovation and how they either support or hinder innovation. Due to its extractive nature, and natural resources and reserves mostly being located in countries of the global south (emerging economies) like South Africa, the mining industry has been known to have high impacts on the environment and society (Krause & Drusche, 2021). The industry therefore has a profound role to play in sustainable development and addressing social and environmental challenges (Krause & Drusche, 2021). The nature and direction of the relationship between ESG and sustainable business models has been researched to a certain extent in industries like finance, but the studies are skewed towards regions such as Europe and generalised to other regions like Africa. In a study by Spoz et al., (2021), the authors claim that the study analysed the results from an international context (Asia, America, Africa, and Europe), but only make mention of Europe and Asia, with an emphasis on Europe in their study. Of the three ESG factors (environment, social and corporate governance), the study showed that there’s a moderately strong relationship for a positive impact between social factors and sustainable business models (SBMs) in Europe (Spoz et al., 2021). In a similar study conducted by Ritala et al., (2018) on United States companies listed in the S&P (Standard and Poor’s) 500 index, the researchers found that a significant number of firms adopted environmentally oriented sustainable business models (SMB) more frequently than those oriented toward society. Available literature does not sufficiently make a link between environmental, social and governance performance and sustainable business model innovation applied in the mining industries of emerging economies like South Africa. Neglecting the link ii between ESG performance and sustainable business model innovation in regions like South Africa and its mining industry poses risks of environment degradation, regulatory setbacks, and missed economic opportunities (Quayson, et al., 2023). This research has examined how ESG performance supports or thwarts sustainable business model innovation in the South African mining industry. Through the collection of data using two approaches, semi-structured interviews, and the examination of publicly available company documentation such annual ESG and sustainability reports, this study found that in the South African mining industry, the governance factor was most influential in decisions regarding innovation and sustainable business model innovation. Within the governance factor, elements such as policy and regulation stood out as elements that drove the governance factor. This came from inefficiencies caused by uncertainty in regulation and policy which in turn cause delays in issuing of licenses and permits for innovations or innovative projects needed by the mining industry. Sustainable development and business model innovation require a systematic approach emphasizing an equal level of importance on all the three factors: social, environmental, and governance within the ESG framework. Active adaptive management can be used to implement proactive monitoring, experimentation, and iterative implementation of actions in pursuit of improved ESG performance that has a positive impact on sustainable business model innovation.
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    Exploring the inhibitors of digital transformation in the South African Mining Industry
    (2022) Mistry, Kamal
    While there is strong evidence for the drivers of technological disruption in the South African mining industry, understanding the industry's ability to transform digitally, including the adoption levels of digital technologies, becomes key in progressing its digital maturity. This qualitative research inquiry explores the concepts of digital transformation and digital maturity, its application to the South African mining industry, and identifies and explores the inhibitors of digital transformation based on relevant digital maturity and digital adoption models. The research study population is focused on the South African mining industry, which includes various stakeholders. The sampling frame of this research study centres on three key stakeholder groups: mine owners/operators, the mining workforce, and mining contractors, all of whom have a direct influence and impact on the digital maturity and transformation of the South African mining industry at large. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews are used for data collection due to their flexibility in allowing in-depth analysis. This research is based on the perspectives of 15 individuals that are interviewed based on their skills, experience, knowledge, and exposure to digital transformation within the South African mining industry. The unified model of digital maturity has been proven relevant and appropriate for organisations within the South African mining industry in pursuit of an increased level of digital maturity. The study acknowledges the current digital maturity, identifies an aspirational or to-be digital maturity, examines the resultant gaps between the two states of digital maturity, and proposes critical areas of improvement. The significance of this research is to identify and investigate the challenges and complexities involved in developing, implementing, and maintaining digital transformation programs in the South African mining industry, and incidentally, provide critical insights to accelerate the transformation process and increase the industry’s overall digital maturity thereby enabling safe, sustainable, and competitive mining that could reposition South Africa as a world leader in mining once again.
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    Assessing digital transformation within a South African mining firm
    (2019) Benzane, Mahene Patrice
    South Africa is still one of the top global producers of various mineral commodities, including gold, coal, platinum, palladium, manganese, titanium, and uranium. The mining industry contributes about 8% to the GDP of South Africa, and it used to be a dominant sector in the past. This industry is known to be a labour-intensive sector with little application of the digital technologies which many industries that were born after the boom of mining in South Africa are currently using. The recent example is the increasing depth of gold which tends to require technology interventions to access these resources where it is not feasible for physical humankind intervention, and this shows the need to transform the mines digitally. The effects of various digital technologies in the mining industry due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) phenomenon means that mining organisations can mine smarter, improve safety, reduce cost, develop new insights from their current operation, and contribute towards the sustainable economic and social development of the country. However, the required level of digital maturity, the applicable digital transformation model in terms of what to digitally transform within the mining value chain, as well as understanding the mechanism required to drive maximum adoption and successful implementation of these digital technologies across all levels of the organisation remains unclear and challenging. In a quest to address these, a qualitative research strategy was selected as a means of getting to understand what needs to be digitally transformed in the mining value chain, this would then help identify an applicable Digital Transformation Framework for a mining firm willing to embark on this transformation journey. This qualitative approach is further used in the research to unpack the effective ways to engage various stakeholders within the organisation to help enable successful implementation and adoption of these digital technology initiatives. To do this, a single case study method was utilised and Company X was identified as an ideal mining company in which to conduct the study. Company X has embarked on a digital transformation journey which they run through an internal initiative called Digital@Comapany X, and they have been making a buzz across the South African mining industry as the pioneers in adopting and embracing digitisation in mining, hence they were selected for this study. Based on the reviewed literature, the research made several propositions. One of the propositions indicated that the digital transformation of the internal processes within the mining value chain is the key area of focus for a South African mining firm. The key findings from this case showed that 100% of the interviewed executives, junior managers, middle managers, and senior managers believe that the introduction of the digital technologies within Company X will lead to worker enablement through digitised processes that will eventually improve decision making by using the power of visualised data. Therefore, according to the first proposition made, it is evident from the research that digitalisation of the internal process within the mining value chain is an important area of focus. In summary, the findings showed the following areas as what the digital transformation initiative aims to transform: Digital Capability, Human Resources, Worker Enablement, Culture, Customer Experience, Process Digitisation, Unified Data, and Performance Management. 50% of the executives indicated the importance of customer experience in their digital transformation journey. 65 % of the respondents indicated the importance of unified data by having integrated operations centres, whereas 36% mentioned performance management as the key area of focus, and only 14% of the respondents mentioned IT infrastructure to enhance digital capability as another focus area for the internal digital transformation journey. According to the reviewed literature, it was further proposed that the Digital Piano framework is the most appropriate or relevant transformation model to be used by Company X, and can be further tested by mining firms intending to embark on a digital transformation journey. The aim was to test this proposition by comparing what to transform in practice according to Digital@Company X roadmap to what other various theoretical and conceptual frameworks focus on in terms of the digital transformation process. The findings were not entirely in agreement with the proposition made. Based on what is currently done at Company X, the combination of these following frameworks in the context of the mining firm proves to be more appropriate than using a specific model: Digital Piano framework, Digital Orchestra Framework, Six Keys to Success Framework, Digital Enterprise Integrative Management Framework, Digital Transformation Framework, by Corver and Elkhuizen, The Digital Reinvention Framework, and the Digital Innovation Strategy Framework. Therefore, choosing a single framework from the literature to apply to the mine as a relevant digital transformation strategy may have a dire digital transformation process or journey that leads to poor implementation, lack of adoption and wastage of resources with no realisation of intended digital benefits if it does not holistically cover various aspects of the mine or organisation as a whole. The researcher named the combination of these frameworks an Integrated Digital Transformation Framework for Mining (IDTFM). The last proposition made in this research was that to embark on the digital transformation journey in the mining sector in the 4IR era requires the co-operation and participation of all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation and adoption of digital technology initiatives. According to the findings, the following themes in terms of what may or may not lead to success emerged: Poor Change Management, Unclear Vision, Value Realisation, Stakeholder Involvement, and Ease of Use and Adoption. According to the findings gathered from the 14 respondents, it is evident that there is a clear understanding of what could lead to the failure of digital technology interventions within Company X. Respondents further echoed the importance of change management, vision, stakeholder engagement, the value brought by these technologies as well as the importance of Ease of use to drive adoption. The managers have a strong interest in the practicality of any IT system implemented to drive productivity and efficiency, and the ease of use of the system is an important factor for them as key stakeholders that need to drive these initiatives at the operations. 80% of all the respondents emphasised on the ease of use. 57% indicated the importance of stakeholder involvement, and further findings showed the significance of good change management is one of the driving factors for successful implementation and adoption. In addition to these findings, one of the two executives interviewed highlighted the importance of everyone understanding the vision of the company. Therefore, the third proposition is validated through the research findings and literature that any lack of effective stakeholder engagement when pursuing a digital transformation roadmap or efforts within a mining firm will lead to a lack of adoption and ineffective implementation. To link some of the findings to the literature, the Diffusion of Innovations Theory developed by E.M. Rogers in 1962, states that Innovation, communication channels, time, and social system are the four key components of the diffusion of innovations, and when promoting innovation to a target population, it is important to understand the characteristics of the target population that will help or hinder the adoption of the innovation. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) theoretical framework helps explain the usage of technology within a specific context, and the usage could either be the ease of use or the usefulness of that specific technology as perceived by the users (Venkatesh and Bala, 2008). Therefore, based on the 80% of the respondents believing that the ease of use of these technologies and the perceived usefulness in terms of practical application will lead to easier adoption indicates that TAM is accurate in the case of Company X. Therefore, the research further recommends the use and applications of these theories when embarking on the digital transformation journey of a mine. Further to these findings, the Diffusion of Innovations Theory has been used successfully in many industries including communication, agriculture, public health, criminal justice, social work, and marketing, therefore it can also be applied in a case of a mining firm to ensure adoption of innovations brought in the form of digital technology implementations. TAM is also applicable in the context of a mining firm and must be utilised. With the support of literature and the findings of the research, It is further recommended that the leadership team in a mining firm must create and follow an integrated digital transformation compass (Westerman, Bonnet & McAfee, 2014).