Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management (ETDs)

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

Browse

Subject: search.filters.subject.Gauteng

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Internal crisis communication strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Gauteng Provincial Treasury department
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Khumalo, Sindisiwe; Malindini, Kholiswa
    Never has there been a greater demand for internal communication than under COVID-19. It has spread uncertainty within organizations, reduced trust, and had a massive impact on individuals. This research examined the internal crisis communication strategies in the Gauteng Provincial Treasury (GPT) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, looking at identifying internal crisis communication strategies implemented by the Gauteng Provincial Treasury in response to the pandemic, how employees perceive existing strategies, and their preferred communication strategies during a crisis. The study employed an exploratory qualitative research methodology. To gain detailed insight into the internal crisis communication of the Gauteng Provincial Treasury, the researcher used semi-structured face-to-face interviews as a research instrument. First, the researcher interviewed a GPT communication manager to gain information on the internal crisis communication strategies utilized by the Department during the pandemic. The second set of interviews consisted of 12 employees of the GPT to examine their perceptions of the internal crisis communication strategies utilized by the Department and their views on how they would like to be communicated during a crisis (COVID-19 pandemic). The results revealed that the Gauteng Provincial Treasury implemented the Transparency strategy by providing employees with information about what had occurred and the steps taken; the department intended to lower the uncertainty brought on by the crisis and subsequently foster a sense of security among employees. However, failing to provide timely and consistent communication during the crisis negatively influenced employees’ perception of that communication
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Corruption and the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in Gauteng
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Chetty, Melanie; Venter, Rob
    In most countries SMEs are vital to economic advancement and sustainability of small businesses are critical to a nation`s socioeconomic stability; otherwise, the country faces stagnation in its economy. Corruption is a global challenge which threatens sustainable economic development and adherence to good governance creates an environment where corruption struggle to flourish. this study examine the impact of corruption on SMEs in Gauteng using a quantitative research methodology whereby 77 respondent were located in Gauteng.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Healthcare professionals’ experiences in private practice of point-of-care testing for diabetic patients in Gauteng
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Ghirdari, Sumesh; Zhuwao, Patrik
    This research reports experiences from healthcare professionals (HCPs) on point-of-care (POC) testing, for diabetic patients in private practice, at primary healthcare level in Gauteng, South Africa. While there are many benefits to POC testing in an emergency setting, it might not provide the same benefits at a primary care level. Studies have produced mixed results over many years in terms of cost-effectiveness and health outcomes in a primary care setting. Despite mixed conclusions as to whether POC testing is beneficial at a primary care level, some practitioners still utilise POC devices. POC testing at a primary care level has many potential benefits. This research reports insights through a qualitative study based on a phenomenological research design, from healthcare professionals (HCPs) that are currently using or have used POC devices in their private practice. The study was conducted using semi-structured interviews. The research highlighted the need for new business models, which may further emphasize the benefits of POC. The main themes uncovered were improved patient outcomes, reduced decision time, compliance, HCP satisfaction and practice efficiency. The research concluded that HCPs were experiencing various benefits from using POC testing. Moreover, it uncovered some benefits that were not highlighted in literature review, such as the reduced risk of contracting COVID-19 and the role of POC in a care-coordinated model. While POC testing has been in existence for many years, much more research needs to be done in private practice in Gauteng
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Anaysis of the public participation process in the gauteng etolls initiative
    (2021) De Freitas, Manuel Simão França
    This study analyses the public participation processes led by SANRAL (South African National Roads Agency Limited) within the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP). The public appeared to have been against this project from the beginning claiming that they were not properly consulted on this project. The term public is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary “as a group of people having common interests or characteristics”. The common interest in this study was the etolls initiative.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Exploring entrepreneurship education in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) for self- employment: a case study of interns in Gauteng
    (2021) Ditlopo, Elizabeth Janet
    This study focused on exploring the extent to which TVET Colleges’ entrepreneurship education programme prepares students for self- employment. The main aim of the study was to understand, in detail, the experiences of interns’ learning of the entrepreneurship education programme at given TVET Colleges in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. The specific questions that the study sought to answer were: what the experiences of interns from the two TVET Colleges are, in terms of how entrepreneurship education prepares them for setting up new businesses; what the important course components in the entrepreneurship programme are; what the challenges confronting interns in relation to their study of entrepreneurship education are; and what the strategies of improving entrepreneurship education programmes at TVET Colleges in South Africa, to boost self-employment, are. This study employed a qualitative approach using a case study method. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview technique. Participants were recruited using a non-probability sampling method known as purposive sampling. A total of 12 participants were recruited and they consented to participate in the study. The participants included 12 interns at two selected TVET Colleges in Gauteng, South Africa, studying the N6 NATED entrepreneurship education programme. All interviews were conducted in private rooms at the selected TVET Colleges following successful appointments with participants and their institutions. All interviews were audio-recorded, and the researcher drafted detailed field notes following each interview. Audiofiles were transcribed by the researcher, and transcripts were read and re-read to identify common patterns and emerging themes in relation to meanings as well as understandings in relation to the study of entrepreneurship education programme at TVET Colleges as provided by study participants. Data were analysed using a thematic content analysis method. Verbatim quotations were used to illuminate the key themes. The findings of this study suggested that interns’ experiences in relation to studying entrepreneurship education begins with an entrepreneurial intention and builds up to the acquiring of a knowledge base as well as relevant skills for eventually becoming business owners. Further, the study found that the teaching of entrepreneurship education at the specific TVET Colleges had vi a positive impact on its students. The study also revealed that there are important course components of the entrepreneurship programme – Financial Accounting; Business Management; Computer Literacy – which provide students with the relevant skills required to start and manage their own businesses in this highly technological era. Factors such as a lack of sufficient funding and government support for TVET Colleges, as well as the difficulty in understanding some course components of the entrepreneurship education programme, especially for science-oriented students, serve as barriers in achieving the objective of becoming self-employed in Gauteng, South Africa. Additionally, the study found there are ways to improve the entrepreneurship education programme at TVET Colleges including the adequate provision of funding as well as support from the government for the TVET Colleges; and the introduction of effective mentorship programmes for students and interns studying the entrepreneurship programme. In conclusion, this study argues that, in order to understand the experiences of interns studying the entrepreneurship education programme at TVET Colleges, which will bring about selfemployment within Gauteng, South Africa, the entrepreneurial approach and contextually-based factors need to be duly considered. The study suggests that there is a positive impact of studying the entrepreneurship education programme, especially in light of the need for self-employment in South Africa; however, issues varying from insufficient funding and government support, to difficulty in understanding required course components, need to be put in perspective. More so, the study suggests that there is need to focus on learning re-orientation, especially for sciencebased students, to ensure effective understanding of the relevant knowledge and skills for becoming self-employed.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Organisational internal factors and the innovativeness in SMEs in Gauteng, South Africa
    (2021) Mavimbela, Chuene
    This research study investigated the relationship between organisational internal factors and the SMEs’ innovativeness. The theoretical background to the study was adopted and grounded on the theory of corporate entrepreneurship. The study focused on SMEs’ owners and managers with firms operating in Gauteng, South Africa. The organisational internal factors that were investigated are management support, work discretion, rewards and reinforcement, time availability, and organisational boundaries. The study took a quantitative approach, implementing existing instruments and analysed a sample of 272 owner-managers. Multiple linear regression analysis was used as a core statistical technique to analyse the primary data and found a significant and positive relationship between management support to innovative ideas and the SMEs’ innovativeness. The results presented a significant and positive relationship between management support to execute innovative ideas and the SMEs’ innovativeness. The study highlighted a significant and positive relationship between time availability to handle the workload and the SMEs’ innovativeness. The study further highlighted a significant and positive relationship between time availability constraints on the job and the SMEs’ innovativeness. The study also found a positive but not significant relationship between the organisational antecedent of rewards/reinforcement and SMEs’ innovativeness. The study contributes to the research theory of corporate entrepreneurship by recognising the importance and influence of the organisational internal factors in the context of advancing the SMEs’ innovativeness in Gauteng. The study provides government, academic practitioners, and the SMEs owners with insights of organisational internal factors’ policies that can be implemented to facilitate and encourage employees’ innovativeness. The study is relevant to the SMEs’ owners who seek to remain entrepreneurial, competitive and contribute to economic growth.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Analysis of investment opportunities available to small businesses and investment clubs in Gauteng Province
    (2020) Tanzi, Yongama
    This study investigated the factors driving investments and investment behavior by Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) and Investment clubs in Gauteng, South Africa. The study is a qualitative study, using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with business owners and club members. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data collected. The findings reveal that there is high awareness of available investment opportunities by SMME’s and Investment clubs, but low rates of investment activity driven by fear, entrepreneurial behaviours, lack of financial literacy, coupled with a lack of trust in the economy and the banking system. The results also show that the property sector is the most preferred and well-known investment opportunity to most SMMEs. The need to encourage the development of better financial knowledge amongst black SMME and Investment club owners/members was also highlighted. It is recommended that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provide affordable investment training for SMMEs and registered investment club members. This will help them broaden their knowledge of recent and current investment philosophy.