Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management (ETDs)

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    Evaluation of the civilian intelligence service oversight model: A South African perspective
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Radebe, Osiel Bongani; Van Nieuwkerk, Antoni
    Intelligence serves as a cornerstone of state security, fulfilling a vital role in the protection of national interests and guarding against threats. Despite its secretive nature, intelligence operations and mandates are entrusted with significant statutory powers across nations to uphold state security. To ensure the rule of law and the protection of citizens' civil rights, robust governance frameworks are imperative. This research seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of South Africa's civilian intelligence oversight system post-1994. Central to this evaluation are the regulatory and institutional arrangements governing intelligence services and officials. Drawing upon governance principles encompassing oversight, transparency, accountability, and democratic control; the study also explores institutional norms and standards. Furthermore, it explores the potential impact of aligning societal and constitutional values with regulatory and oversight mechanisms. Research results indicate weaknesses in the existing civilian intelligence oversight model. This highlights inadequacies in holding intelligence services and officials accountable. Consequently, the research advocates for reforming the civilian intelligence oversight system. Emphasis must be placed on reviewing legal frameworks, oversight institutions and mechanisms, and procedural measures to enhance transparency and accountability. Rather than a complete overhaul, the research recommends targeted improvements to existing mechanisms. Moreover, the study underscores the need for better integration of societal and constitutional values into intelligence oversight arrangements. Aligning these values with regulatory frameworks is essential to ensuring coherence and efficacy in governance practices.
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    Social Media Dialogues on Immigration Policy: The Case of Operation Dudula
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mmotong, Thabiso
    In the democratic context of South Africa, where public engagement mechanisms are limited, there exists a risk of citizen disenfranchisement and internal conflicts. This study advocates for participatory governance and harnesses the power of social media to actively involve citizens and stakeholders in shaping immigration policies. Recognizing the transformative potential of online platforms, the goal is twofold: to critique existing inadequacies and contribute to more inclusive and responsive governance models. By bridging the gap between policymakers and the public, this endeavour aims to foster informed and harmonious discourse on immigration policy. The paper specifically examines Operation Dudula, a grassroots movement that has garnered attention for its immigration-focused stance. Through qualitative research methods, the study sheds light on societal perspectives regarding immigration policy in South Africa. The analysis focuses on publicly shared Twitter posts, including those associated with the hashtag #OperationDudula and content from the official Operation Dudula account. This study provides a window into the intricate landscape of South African immigration policy, revealing a dynamic discourse that unfolds across social media platforms. It spotlights the pivotal role of citizen engagement in shaping immigration policy. Participants demonstrate a collective commitment to grappling with the complexities inherent in immigration. The research advocates for proactive measures, emphasizing the need for transparent and inclusive communication practices. By actively engaging with diverse perspectives on social media, we can foster an environment conducive to informed dialogue. Furthermore, the study champions initiatives focused on citizen education and empowerment, aiming to facilitate meaningful participation in the formulation of immigration policies.
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    Policy challenges affecting the electric vehicle manufacturing sector in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mateko, Freeman Munisi
    The evolution of technology has brought many changes to the automotive sector on a global scale. Different economies in the Global South and Global North are making strides to adopt modern technology, such as electric vehicles, which are more efficient than internal combustion engine vehicles. Electric vehicles have zero emission levels and this is crucial for supporting climate change action. Economies that have adopted electric vehicles succeeded due to robust policies and financial incentives for car manufacturers, among other factors. The aim of this research was to explore the extent to which the policy environment facilitates for increased adoption and manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs) in South Africa. This research is in line with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports SDG 7 by encouraging the use of electric vehicles for cleaner energy, as well as SDG 9 by advocating for automotive sector innovation and infrastructural development. Furthermore, the emphasis on lowering emissions coincides with SDGs 11 and 13 by promoting sustainable urban environments and climate action. In terms of the research methodology, the study was based on qualitative research techniques. Interviews and literature review were used for data collection. Six policy documents were analyzed in this study. The target population for the study were the stakeholders in the South African car manufacturing sector. Purposive sampling was used to select a total of ten participants for the study. Data was analyzed through content and thematic analysis techniques. The results of primary study demonstrated how ambiguous South Africa's current electric vehicle policy environment is. Additionally, it was determined that some factors must be considered to guarantee a seamless switch to electromobility. Developing and executing electric vehicle policies, maintaining a steady supply of energy, lowering import taxes on EV parts, skill development, providing purchase subsidies, and providing production and technological incentives are a few of these elements. In terms of policy recommendations, it was suggested that there is need for timeous implementation of electric vehicles policy, producing battery electric vehicles, promoting research and development on electric vehicles and there is need for increased government support towards car manufacturers in South Africa.
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    Regulating the moto-taxi informal transport industry in Nacala-Porto Municipality, Mozambique
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Caximo, Caximo Paulino Nuno; Abrahams, Caryn
    In developing countries, the recent growth of urban population has brought along several challenges to the already limited provision of essential public services. Along with heavier traffic, pollution, and limited access to essential public services, youth unemployment continued to grow and access to urban transport deteriorated. At the same time, the inability by governments to respond to these challenges, has created an opportunity for the emergence of innovative solutions, such as the moto-taxi, which provided affordable transport and created employment opportunities for youth, yet flourishing as an informal industry. Nacala-Porto is among the cities that faced this movement. This research aimed to critically analyse the process that the government of Nacala-Porto, a municipality in northern Mozambique, has followed to regularise the emergence of informal moto-taxi industry, given its accompanying two-folded reality: of a solution to a concrete public provision gap, that brings along, important concerns. The study was designed as qualitative research, with a focus on exploring the beliefs and perceptions of key actors in this informal industry, and enriching the body of knowledge on the subject, which is currently not well documented for that municipality. Building on the rich literature on the subject borrowed from other developing countries, the study has shown that this informality has been seen as contributing to filling the gap in provision of public transport services in the municipality, and thus, important steps have been taken to regularise the sector. Actual steps taken by the municipality, included (i) adjusting the existing policies and regulations (in the form of the municipal stance), to accommodate the novel form of transportation; (ii) capacity building of the moto-taxi drivers, to understand the requirements built into the revised stance; (iii) supporting the creation of a formal structure for the sector, in the form of moto-taxi driver association, despites not having taken-off; and (iv) establishing law enforcement mechanisms through the municipal police, although recognized as being weak. Despites the important steps taken, policy gaps prevail, especially on establishing comprehensive standards for the operators in the sector, but more importantly, on law enforcement, which leads the sector to continue to operate far from the goal of ensuring access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all.
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    Adult acceptance factors to corporate mobile learning: A case from the retail sector in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Reddy, Lovinthrie
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    The Impact of Digital Leadership on Digital Maturity: A South African Case Study
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Jaffer, Aasma; Sethibe, Tebogo
    In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital transformation, the role of digital leadership in driving organizational maturity has become increasingly crucial. This study investigates the impact of digital leadership on digital maturity within the South African fintech sector, aiming to provide insights into the mechanisms through which leadership practices influence digital maturity at a factor level. This was broken down into two key areas: identifying the most critical indicators of digital maturity and investigating the impact of digital leadership on five factors of digital maturity based on the digital maturity model used. Drawing upon a conceptual framework rooted in the literature on digital leadership and digital maturity, the study utilises an established digital maturity instrument, the Unified Digital Maturity Model by Armstrong & Lee (2021). The research employed a quantitative approach, utilizing a sample of 150 employees from various fintech companies in South Africa. Data was collected through a structured survey instrument, and statistical analysis, including regression analysis, was conducted to examine the relationship between digital leadership behaviours and organizational digital maturity levels. The findings reveal significant positive correlations between digital leadership and all five factors of digital maturity studied, namely Customer Orientation & Engagement, Digital Product Innovation, Workforce Enablement & Performance, Core Processes Digitisation and New Value Streams & Business Models. The study identifies the top three most critical digital maturity constructs as Organisational Culture, Workforce Enablement & Performance, Customer Orientation and at indicator level, found eight critical variables. These results underscore the importance of cultivating digital leadership capabilities to foster high digital maturity and in turn, streamline digital transformation in the South African fintech context. The study concludes by highlighting the imperative for organizations to prioritize investments in digital leadership development as a strategic imperative for navigating the digital landscape effectively.
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    Digital innovation and disruptive potential by FinTech companies in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Freund, Amelia; Omotoso, Pelayo
    FinTech companies are seen bring innovation to the financial services industry that provide an enhanced customer experience and improves financial inclusion. A contradiction exists between academic and business literature around the potential impact of the FinTech revolution on the industry and banks as incumbents in the financial services industry. This paper aims to clarify this by assessing the degree of potential disruption that domestic new-entrant FinTech companies in the payments sub-sector have on incumbent banks in South Africa, so that both parties could make informed decisions that benefit the industry and its customers. This qualitative study examines the drivers of potential disruption and the decisions made by both FinTech new-entrants and banks to develop a synthesis for a likely future scenario relating to potential changes in dominance within the financial services industry. It further analyses the advantages and challenges of each party in the context of a potential partnership and examines management views to determine alignment with the drivers of disruption. This cross-sectional study employs document analysis to examine 42 new-entrant FinTech companies in the payments sub-sector and 5 banks, in addition to the thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews 15 semi- structured interviews conducted. It was found that domestic new-entrant FinTech companies are not likely to disrupt banks (to the point where FinTech companies become more dominant) in the payments sub-sector in South Africa due to the influence of banks in the industry and the proactive response from banks to potential disruptions. Banks should, however, take notice of developments and more seriously consider solutions in the cross-border remittance and blockchain spaces. Managers may have slight differences in their opinions, but overall, they are aligned with the factors driving disruption and the influence of FinTech companies on the financial services sector. This alignment enables them to make strategic decisions effectively without significant misconceptions. The study discovered a potential mutually beneficial link between FinTech companies and banks that indicate partnerships between them might enhance their services to customers and enhance their overall competitive standing in the market
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    Exploring the role of social media influencers and brand ambassadors in influencing purchase intention
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Da Fonseca, Helen; Saini , Yvonne
    This study investigates the comparative influence of social media influencers and celebrity brand ambassadors on purchase intention within the South African cosmetics industry, specifically targeting millennial and Generation Z consumers. Grounded in the Source Credibility Model, the research examines how credibility, trustworthiness, and expertise shape consumer decision-making. Social Media Influencer-Driven Purchase Intention (SIPI) and Brand Ambassador-Driven Purchase Intention (BAPI) were introduced as higher-order constructs to evaluate and compare which type of endorser has a stronger influence on overall purchase intention. A Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) methodology was used to analyse survey data collected from 130 respondents. The findings indicate that both Social Media Influencer-Driven Purchase Intention (SIPI) and Brand Ambassador-Driven Purchase Intention (BAPI) influence consumer purchase intention, with celebrity brand ambassadors exerting a more substantial effect due to their higher perceived credibility and expertise. Celebrity brand ambassadors were shown to play a pivotal role in enhancing consumer trust and confidence, making them more effective in driving purchase behaviour compared to social media influencers. These insights offer strategic guidance for marketers and brands looking to refine their influencer marketing strategies to better resonate with the evolving preferences of millennial and Generation Z consumers in the South African market.
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    Predictors of Willingness to Participate in E-waste Recycling in Johannesburg: A Case of Electronic and Electric Repair Firms
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Chinomona, Rudo Cynthia Christine
    This study examines the predictor variables of willingness to participate in e-waste recycling in Johannesburg. Nine hypotheses are posited and in order to empirically test them, a sample data set of 307 was collected from Gauteng Province of South Africa. The results indicate that The results of the study reveals that awareness of e-waste hazard, awareness of benefits of e- waste practices and awareness of e-waste policies each have a significant, direct and positive influence on knowledge of e-waste practices and attitude towards e-waste practices. Furthermore, the results revealed that knowledge on e-waste recycling practices and attitude towards e-waste recycling practices each have a direct positive influence on willingness to adopt e-waste recycling practices. Drawing from the study’s findings, managerial implications are discussed and limitations and future research directions are suggested. By and large, this study immensely contributes new knowledge to the existing body of e-waste recycling literature in South Africa - a context that is often most neglected by some researchers in developing countries.
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    Effects of Investor Treatment on FDI Inflow: Developed v Developing States
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Carides, Telis
    It has been widely accepted that investor treatments afforded by states alone do not have a significant impact on FDI inflow. Rather, FDI inflow has been shown to be dependant on numerous other factors. This has however been traditionally examined against the backdrop of an ever-more globalised world, whereas more recent years have seen an uncharacteristic slowdown in globalisation, and indeed has ushered in a post-pandemic anti-globalisation trend. During this period, FDI in developed and developing states has faired very differently. Specifically, FDI into developing states has proven significantly more resilient compared to their developed counterparts, and indeed has overtaken developed states in net FDI inflow for the first time. Can this resilience be attributed to divergent approaches in investor treatments? This enquiry was undertaken by examining representative proxy states from the pool of developed and developing nations. After carefully electing said proxy states from both ends of the FDI inflow spectrum, I analysed whether, and to what extent they provided the most considered investor treatments; MST/FET, NT, MFN, pre-establishment protection and protection against expropriation. Notably, although the USA generally provides for these protections and is at the top of the FDI spectrum, Angola remained at the bottom of the spectrum whilst providing similar, and indeed broader protection in the case of NT and MFN. Furthermore, the Netherlands is the only state lower than Anglo during the examined period, yet it, save for pre-establishment protection, offered similar treatment. The study in casu was unable to establish that differences in investor treatments had any bearing on FDI inflows, and could not account for the converse performance of developed and developing states during the anti-globalisation period.