Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management (ETDs)

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37778

For queries relating to content and technical issues, please contact IR specialists via this email address : openscholarship.library@wits.ac.za, Tel: 011 717 4652 or 011 717 1954

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 17

Incorporating sustainability into development plans in selected African cities
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Gaegane, Lesego; Stacey, Anthony
Cities have the task of delivering critical services to residents with limited financial resources while challenged by the effects of climate change. African cities are vulnerable to floods, and water and energy insecurity due to insufficient capacity and poor infrastructure for stormwater drainage. Furthermore, environmental sustainability projects cannot be successfully implemented by cities unless they are systematically integrated into their operations and management. According to recent reports, two-thirds of the cities in sub-Saharan Africa are categorized as "at extreme risk" of experiencing the impacts of climate change. This poses a serious threat to crucial local infrastructure and systems required for development. Mitigation and adaptation to climate change cannot be addressed through a single economic sector as it has impacts across the board on all aspects of social and economic development. In addition, development without consideration of environmental sustainability can sometimes increase climate change vulnerability. Hence there is a need to mainstream environmental sustainability into all development policies, programmes, and plans. This research study evaluated the way in which selected African cities had incorporated environmental sustainability into their development plans and evaluated their success and challenges. The research study employed a qualitative approach that entailed thematic content analysis and used the OECD mainstreaming framework to assess the extent of integration of environmental sustainability considerations into development plans. To assess the level of integration of environmental sustainability into the development plans for the selected cities, five categories were used. These five categories were based on the literature review and the OECD mainstreaming framework. The categories were: 1) address environmental concerns through projects and programmes in the development plan; 2) allocate resources to environmental sustainability projects, either through the municipal budget or external funding; 3) implement environmental sustainability projects and programmes; 4) inform and influence decision- makers through awareness-raising, stakeholder engagement, and meetings; and 5) monitor and evaluate the impact of implemented projects and programmes. The research findings show that a number of the selected African cities have been more successful than others in incorporating some dimensions required for mainstreaming ii iii environmental sustainability into their development plans. Additionally, the findings suggest that there are impediments to incorporating environmental sustainability into development plans, but when the identified enablers are present, this incorporation can be more effective and successful. Overall, the research findings indicate that some dimensions required for environmental sustainability mainstreaming are weakly included while others are effectively incorporated into development plans by the selected cities.
Adoption of digital dual supply networks by SMES in the Capricorn district of Limpopo Province in South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Sefala, Maite
This research investigates the adoption of digital tools, specifically Digital Dual-Supply Networks (DDSN), by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operating within the Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province in South Africa. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, SMEs face increasing pressure to integrate innovative technologies into their business operations. The study aims to understand the current state of digital tool adoption, the factors influencing adoption decisions, and the impact of DDSNs on the overall performance, sustainability, and growth of SMEs in the region. Thus, four parental concepts, namely, digital dual-supply network, sustainability, growth, and performance of the SMEs are investigated to establish an impact they could have on the SMEs in Limpopo province, South Africa. This study will follow a qualitative research design and data will be collected through interviews to gain comprehensive insights into the dynamics of digital tool adoption within the SME sector. The research will explore the challenges hindering adoption, identify successful cases, and analyse the strategic considerations that influence the decision-making process of SMEs when integrating DDSNs. Moreover, the study will also explore the context of the dual-channel digital supply chain network and its importance in the sustainability of the SMES as well as analysing the concepts of collaboration and digital transformation of Capricorn district SMEs within the ever-changing and market trends and demands. Digital Dual-Supply Networks (DDSNs) represent a paradigm shift in supply chain management, leveraging advanced digital technologies to create more agile and resilient networks. This research not only advances theoretical knowledge in the field but also offers practical implications for businesses contemplating or currently undergoing digital transformation through the adoption of DDSNs. The resulting framework aims to guide organizations in optimizing their supply chain processes, fostering innovation, and adapting to the dynamic landscape of the digital era. The findings of this research will contribute to the existing body of knowledge on technology adoption in SMEs, providing valuable insights for policymakers, business owners, and researchers interested in fostering digital transformation within the Capricorn District and similar regions. Ultimately, the study aims to offer practical recommendations to enhance the adoption of DDSNs among SMEs, promoting their sustainable growth and competitiveness in the ever-evolving digital business landscape. Keywords: SMEs; digitalization, collaboration, dual dual-channel digital supply chain network, sustainability, growth
Integrated electronic human resource management systems for front- line employees and mine safety performance
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Nyelisani Clement , Mufamadi
The South African mining industry heavily relies on manual labour, resulting insignificant risks to lives and production. Competency gaps, human behaviour, andviolations are major contributors to frequent accidents. Despite the implementation ofhuman resource management (HRM) systems, safety and productivity challengespersist, with base metals productivity declining annually by 0.3% from 2013 to 2017.Investing in competencies can enhance overall firm performance, as individualimprovements lead to better team and organizational performance.This study examined the impact of integrated electronic HRM (e-HRM) systems onsafety performance in mining. It explored the relationship between e-HRM practices,employee roles, and mine safety. The research utilized SPSS and PLS-SEM tools tovalidate and analyze data, testing eight hypotheses within a theoretical framework thatincluded performance management, HRM systems, and technological development.The findings showed that ability, opportunity, and motivation significantly and positivelyinfluence e-HRM practices, which in turn enhance employee roles, mine safetyperformance, and sustainable e-HRM systems.Sustainable e-HRM systems were identified as mediators that enhance e-HRMpractices and mine safety performance. However, the study could not substantiate theeffects of employee level, firm age, and industry experience on safety performance.Limitations included the cross-sectional study design and the omission of factors likeleadership and organizational culture. Despite these limitations, the study concludedthat sustainable e-HRM systems improve business success by integratingsustainability plans, ethical data management, and effective technology use, fosteringemployee autonomy and safety.The study suggests further longitudinal and qualitative research to evaluate the long-term sustainability of e-HRM improvements and their impact on safety performance.Comparative studies could also explore different system types and cultural variations,while investigating e-HRM's role in crisis management to reveal strategies fororganizational resilience
When Less Is More – Tiny Housing As “Adequate” Housing
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Kruger, Petronell; Pieterse, Marius
The modern housing landscape is in flux with three key phenomena impacting the “adequacy”– the legal standard by which housing provision is measured – of housing policy, in South Africa, and worldwide. First, the “classic” housing crisis persists: high levels of homelessness, housing backlogs, and challenges related to government housing subsidies and service delivery continue. Second, there is international recognition of the impact of climate change on housing, the consequent need for climate-resilient housing, and reduced climate footprints of housing construction, maintenance and ownership. Third, physical housing size is increasing, despite the number of household members and available space for housing decreasing. This thesis considers these phenomena and contemplates the role of housing size within the evolving legal standard of “adequacy”, especially where size was often linked to the promotion of the right to health in light of communicable disease outbreaks. The thesis explores how tiny housing movements and different global norms on housing size can challenge conventional standards of housing adequacy. It considers that smaller dwellings are more affordable, less resource-intensive and, within the correct policy context, can lead to easier access to housing. The study lens of tiny housing is chosen due to its popularity throughout different income groups, based on growing concerns about consumerism, sustainability and communitarianism (albeit through a westernised lens). Accordingly, it allows for a discussion on the role of housing down-sizing without necessarily invoking a sense of “racing to the bottom”. To achieve the research aim, the following research questions are posed and answered in turn: What is “adequate” as a standard to measure housing? Does size matter for the standard of adequacy, and if so, how? Can tiny houses, as a representation of very small housing types, be deemed adequate? If tiny housing can meet the adequacy standard, how should the law facilitate the self-realisation of tiny housing, or, alternatively, as a viable form of public housing? The thesis comprises six chapters. The first chapter introduces the above-mentioned phenomena and study lens. The second chapter examines the legal and social barriers and facilitators for tiny housing in both private and public contexts through a comparative study of selected jurisdictions, chosen to represent different social, cultural and geographic contexts in which housing size requirements developed. The jurisdictions were also selected based on data accessibility and availability. The third chapter is a content analysis of theoretical aspects of adequacy in international and South African housing and human rights law. The fourth chapter is a critical analysis of building regulations and planning laws in South Africa, tracing their history and assessing their current form, with a focus on how they structure the self-realisation of access to tiny housing as adequate housing. The fifth chapter considers government public housing programs, policy approaches to housing size and its trade-offs with other adequacy factors in enabling access to tiny housing for people without the means to self-realise the right to adequate housing. Chapter six presents the answers to the research questions as explored through the various chapters and presents the overall findings of the study
Good corporate governance in state-owned entities: challenges and compliance
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mokuena, Medi Moira; Kawadza, Herbet
This research explores the state of good corporate governance in state-owned entities. It does so by locating good corporate governance in the state-owned entities’ operating environment. This research raises the failure of the executive managers, the non-executive directors, and the executive authorities to appreciate this powerful tool as a key to the success of the state-owned entities. The state-owned entities are significant participants in South Africa's economy. The number of state-owned entities, the size of some, and their role in the country's economy make good corporate governance imperative. The nonchalant approach of the state-owned entities management to this phenomenon is concerning because its effect on the economy and the delivery of services to the people has far-reaching negative consequences. In most instances, unethical executive managers and non-executive directors consider it inconvenient and a nuisance. The competitiveness of the economy, success and sustainability of the state-owned entities is unachievable without good corporate governance. The accounting authorities must know and understand the purpose of state-owned entities and the relevance of good corporate governance. They must own it, embrace it and oversee its effectuation throughout the organisation without fail. Once adopted, good corporate governance binds the accounting authorities, the executive managers, and all the employees in the state-owned entities, including the executive officers. There are laws and other guidelines in place to modulate good corporate governance. The overarching law is the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. These could be better. However, if properly implemented and not manipulated for nefarious reasons to the detriment of the state-owned entities, the government will realise its goals, and the public will benefit. Bad corporate governance opens the door for corruption, bribery, fraud, financial mismanagement, and money laundering. This problem is common in Southern Africa. For instance, Botswana and Namibia also have good corporate governance challenges in their state-owned entities. Their good corporate governance is premised on the King Codes and international instruments. Hence, good corporate governance must be applied in the management of state-owned entities. The quality of management and execution in state-owned entities determine their failure or success. With the help of the private sector enablers, theirprospect of success is limited
The effects of coronavirus on SMEs business performance, technology adaptation, financial innovation, and sustainability
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Kolobe, Benjamin; Maisela, Sikhumbuzo
Businesses have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in significant economic hardship. An analysis of COVID-19's impact on Small Medium Sized enterprises (SMEs) shows that these businesses' and their employees' financial outcomes are probably going to get worse before getting better. The main issue is that small and medium-sized business owners have restricted access to capital and innovative strategies, which has made it challenging for them to deal with the tight constraints. As a result, many SMEs have had to adopt innovative financial and technological strategies to promote sustainability and prevent closure (Puddister & Small, 2020). This study examines the impact on business performance, technology adaptation, financial innovation, sustainability, and lockdown restrictions of SMEs during the pandemic. An online questionnaire with 30 closed-ended questions was administered to entrepreneurs in the retail sector across Gauteng. The following inquiries are addressed in the study: What impact has the coronavirus had on SMEs' ability to do business? How has technology adoption improved small and medium- sized enterprises' performance during the coronavirus lockdowns? Is there a chance that financial innovation may sustain SMEs throughout the pandemic? Has the coronavirus epidemic affected SMEs' ability to survive? Using non-parametric tests, the researcher examined the correlations between the independent and dependent variables for each of the four hypotheses using IBM SPSS. The associations between the variables were examined using inferential statistics such as Spearman's rho correlation function, multinominal logistic regression, generalized linear model, and ordinal linear regression. All four of the hypothesis' correlations were determined to be significant. This study suggests that fostering financial inclusion, promoting technology adoption through training and grants, and encouraging innovative financial approaches can empower SMEs to navigate pandemic challenges and build resilience. Proactive policy interventions and support systems tailored to SMEs are crucial to mitigating the pandemic's economic consequences and promoting long-term sustainability
Effects of donor funding on the HIV/TB programme outcomes in South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Sokhela, Cleopatra Zinhle; Saruchera, Fanny
There has been decreasing donor funding for the past years, especially in developing countries. With the global economic crisis fuelled by the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been mounting pressure on governments and NGOs to sustain healthcare services and the HIV/TB programme implementation. Despite the efforts made in curbing HIV and TB in South Africa, the country is still struggling to meet its planned HIV and TB programme outcomes. The purpose of this study was to establish the factors that influence donor funding for HIV/TB programmes in South Africa and understand how NGOs utilise donor funds to achieve HIV/TB programme objectives. The study intended to determine the factors that influence donor funding for HIV/TB programme in South Africa; to establish how NGOs utilise donor funds to achieve HIV/TB programme objectives in South Africa; to establish strategies to sustain South African NGOs beyond donor funding, and to propose HIV/TB programme implementation strategies for NGOs in South Africa. The study was guided by the donor and recipient models intended to establish the relationship between donor interest, political interest, NGO funding, and HIV/TB programme outcomes and establish if NGOs sustainability is influenced by decreased donor funding. A quantitative and deductive study was conducted using an online survey. Data was collected from 308 respondents drawn from 30 donor-funded organisations across South Africa. The study's key findings revealed that donors give generously for the HIV/TB programme with no expected returns. Poor HIV/TB programme implementation by NGOs and lack of social impact affects future international funding opportunities. The study further established a positive relationship between recipient needs, NGO funding, and HIV/TB programme outcomes. The paper also concludes that NGO sustainability is not affected by declining donor funding, but a strong positive relationship between NGO leadership capacity and NGO sustainability was identified. A significant portion of respondents indicated that sustainability planning, government co-funding, diversified revenue-generating strategies, meaningful stakeholders' engagement and NGOs leadership capacity development were essential to ensure better HIV/TB programme outcomes and NGOs' sustainability beyond donor funding. In order to enhance the sustainability of donor-funded organisations and programme outputs, the study recommended the need for donors to review regulation governing donated funds utilisation; developing sustainability plan at the beginning of the funding cycle, NGOs to review their business models and NGO leadership capacity development on resource mobilisation and financial management. Future studies could focus on South African NGOs providing HIV/TB services readiness to transition from donor funding and evaluating the most effective revenue-generating strategies that NGOs can implement in South Africa
The sustainability of cooperatives in KwaZulu-Natal
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Mthembu, Richard Themba; Pillay, Pundy
The current study focused on the sustainability of black owned cooperatives in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The study setting was constitutive of both rural and peri-urban Durban. It uses a qualitative research design and an interpretivist paradigm to elicit and make sense of participants’ views regarding the challenges and opportunities inherent in cooperative enterprises located within KwaZulu-Natal. The study adopted a multi-method data collection approach and uses in-depth interviews and document analysis to illuminate the topic. Using the two qualitative methods constitutes data triangulation. In terms of the in-depth interviews, participants were purposively selected and snowball sampling techniques were used to lead the researcher to the next participant. A total of 16 interviews were conducted with both male and female participants involved in agricultural cooperatives such as vegetable production, poultry and piggery. Interview data were complimented with that extracted of relevant literature through document analysis of government policies and white papers drawn from government archival materials particularly from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Agriculture (DOA). Overall, data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings from the study bring to the fore three broad themes which are Black Economic Empowerment, contributing factors to the failure of cooperatives, and factors hindering co-operative sustainability
Entrepreneurial orientation and value sustenance of a South African firm during the Covid-19 pandemic
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Carim, Shakira; Murimbika, Edward
This study's overall theoretical issues related to the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation adopted by organisations to survive the COVID-19 pandemic economically. As the world was economically thrown into upheaval and crisis, many organisations faced bankruptcy and stopped trading. The motivation of this study was to understand measures adopted by organisations by applying the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation to survive the COVID-19 crisis and whether it proved fruitful. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) that relate to innovation, proactiveness, risk-taking and autonomy had impacted and helped sustain firm value, measured through business financial performance, business retention, and moderated by financial reprieve received, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted in an emerging market context and focused on organisations operating within a South African context. The focus was placed on those industries that were negatively impacted by the crisis. In an organisational setting, a quantitative empirical study was conducted based on responses of 133 participants. Service, retail, and manufacturing enterprises were included in the sample, of which the retail and manufacturing enterprises housed dedicated IT departments. Through electronically distributed questionnaires, their organisational employees were invited to participate in the study. Regression analysis was used to support the hypotheses and literature read using the SPSS v27 tool. It was established that 72% of the responses were received from the manufacturing sector, 20% from the service sector, 5% from the IT sector, and 3% from the retail sector. The main results and findings of the study are summarised below
Investigating Criteria and Indicators to Assess the Sustainability of Renewable Energy Supply in South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Tshisela, Zizo; Mapitsa, Caitlin
Historically, according to Gunnarsdottir, Davidsdottir, Worrell and Sigurgeirsdottir (2020), energy was perceived narrowly in terms of pollution and air quality. Things have progressed, and energy is now regarded as a critical enabler of social and economic growth and sustainable development. As a result of the more progressive understanding of energy, energy problems are no longer seen in isolation but rather in combination with other growth challenges. In their energy for sustainability guidelines and methodologies of 2007, International Energy Agency (IEA, 2007) describes energy as a means to an end, which highlights four areas; a) a clean and safe environment, b) sustainable economy, quality of life, and people’s health. IEA (2007) further indicates there is no good or bad energy source (renewable and non-renewable). Therefore, the benefit is derived from the energy source being able to deliver the end product. The wider interpretation of energy and its cross-cutting influence emphasises its significance and multidimensionality (Gunnarsdottir et al., 2020). Depending on how energy from coal is processed, transported, and used, it could contribute to environmental degradation, climate change, and human health (IEA, 2007; Petinrin & Shaaban, 2015; Khan, 2020). Burning fossil fuels has been found to induce urban air emissions, regional acidification, and the possibility of climate change (IEA, 2007). According to Mathu (2014), the fossil fuels list includes “coal, natural gas, and fuel oil.” Coal emits the most emissions (Mathu, 2014). A sustainable energy sector allows the country and the entire world to participate in economic and social activities by balancing production and energy use with no or negligible effects on the environment (Wang, Jing, Zhang & Zhao, 2009; Oke, Ibrahim & Bokana, 2021). Many countries worldwide have embraced Renewable Energy as an alternative to fossil fuels (Armin Razmjoo, Sumper, and Davarpanah, 2020). Holt and Pengelly (2008) define Renewable Energy as “energy sources that are continually replenished by nature like the sun, the wind, water, the earth’s heat, and plants. Renewable Energy technologies turn these fuels into usable forms of energy, most often electricity, but also heat, chemicals, or mechanical power.” Renewable Energy options such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and ocean energy are sustainable options because they are available, non-replenishable, and proper for use (Armin Razmjoo et al., 2020). Renewable Energy is also considered clean and essential for sustainable development (Manso & Behmiri, 2013; Vanegas Cantarero 2020).

Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management (ETDs)

Browse

Filters

Settings

Sort By

Results per page

Search Results