4. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - Faculties submissions
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Item Financial inclusion in South Africa: An analysis of the financial sector regulatory framework and proposals for reform(2018-09) Duma, Amanda; Kawadza, HerbertAbstract Not Available.Item Perceptions of Employee Assistance Practitioners of South Africa on the factors that influence professional ethics in Employee Assistance Programmes(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Ncube, Likwa; Dlamini, BusisiweThe workplace faces various challenges that impact employee functioning and the general mood of the work environment. Employment Assistance Programmes (EAPs), as a workplace response to the human and environmental challenges, have played an important contribution in the South African workplace since 1980. Benefits of using EAPs in the workplace include improved productivity, staff retention, reduced absenteeism and many other economic and social benefits. Professional ethics of EAP vendors in South Africa lack standardisation. Working from a person-in environment (P-I-E) perspective, this qualitative study explored factors that influence professional ethics with sixteen (16) EAP practitioners identified through a non-probability purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were administered. EAP practitioners were drawn from different work backgrounds and qualifications in Gauteng province, in South Africa. Data was analysed using a thematic analysis approach. The results showed that EAP is making a significant contribution to the South African corporate and government workforce and the workplace. There are several socio-economic benefits linked to having an EAP in the workplace. However, an unlegislated EAP practice, unaccredited EAP programmes and unlicensed EAP practitioners threaten the credibility of the EAP professional ethics and the effectiveness of the interventions. This study recommends that to standardise EAP practice and intervention outcomes, EAP practitioners must be licensed by one professional body. Employee Assistance Professionals Association of South Africa (EAPA- SA) is suggested as a viable option with credible standards and ethics documents that meet international EAP best practice guidelines.Item External Factors Influencing the Sustainability of Social Entrepreneurial Ventures in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2020) Govender, Ramona; Murimbika, McEdwardSocial entrepreneurship is increasingly seen as a solution in addressing some of the social ills in the world. However, in order for the social enterprises to be more effective there is a need for them to be sustainable, particularly in terms of financial sustainability. Social enterprises that are financially sustainable are usually better able to create social value. The study sought to investigate the contributing factors towards social enterprise (SE) venture sustainability in South Africa using Cape Town as a case study. In doing so, quantitative research was conducted, with data being collected from the sampled social enterprises using an online survey. In this research it was found that, while government assistance was important, it was not significant in determining a social enterprise’s performance. The research also found that high social innovation improves a social enterprise’s access to philanthropic venture capital. In this regard, high social innovation was also seen to have a positive effect on social enterprise performance. The research thus concludes that social innovation is an important contributor to the sustainability of a social enterprise. The study offers updated information and adds to the theory on social enterprises in South Africa which is useful to prospective social entrepreneurs seeking to structure such organizations. In addition to this, the new knowledge and new insights will help government and civil society policy makers to formulate policies that can encourage social entrepreneurship in the country, especially with regards to funding. The study also offers useful insights on social innovation and emphasises its importance within the social enterprise context.Item The Impact of Enterprise and Supplier Development Programmes on the Growth of SMMEs in Gauteng, South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Ramokgopa, Lebogang; Mlothswa, SamukeleWhile various studies have investigated the challenges that Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) face and many of them outline the support that is required by SMMEs, there have been limited studies that look into the effectiveness of government support interventions that are implemented through the public and private sectors. The effectiveness of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Commission (B-BBEE) and Enterprise and Supply Development (ESD) support programmes and their impact on SMME growth have not been extensively interrogated through research. This knowledge is particularly important to investigate because SMMEs play a significant role in improving economic growth and reducing unemployment and equality levels. As such, this study sought to assess the impact of B-BBEE ESD programme support on the growth of SMMEs. The study employed qualitative methods and thematic analysis was used to analyse data. The sample size included 10 beneficiaries of B-BBEE ESD in Gauteng province, obtaining their views on participation experience. The findings suggest that ESD initiatives assist SMMEs in both financial and nonfinancial ways. However, participants usually believed that the benefits were limited and that partnerships may provide more value. Further, findings from the study highlighted the presence of constraints that impede ESD's capacity to provide an optimal service offering to SMMEs, resulting in restricted visibility for small enterprises. Some internal and external difficulties in delivering services to SMMEs were outlined based on the experience of beneficiaries. As such, it was recommended that enterprise and supplier development programs should avoid attempting to be all things to all people. The emphasis should be on an area in which they excel and on providing that service to SMMEs. This allows them to impart their specialized knowledge to small enterprises. To be effective, this focus should be sector or industry specificItem The impact of digital ecosystems on customer loyalty in South African life insurance companies: A customer’s perspective(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Muthama, Georginah M.; Nyamajiwa, Michael T.The concept of life insurance has been in existence for thousands of years, with a business model that has remained relatively the same. Persistency or customer retention in South African life insurance companies is an ongoing concern. Advancement in technology has provided new opportunities to life insurance companies, such as online sales, improvement in service offering, and the increase in brand awareness. The literature indicates that digital ecosystems offer a new value proposition for life insurance companies to create loyal customers. This study was motivated by the high number of policy cancellations, unmet premiums and lapsed policies experienced across the insurance industry in South Africa. The study proposed that customer loyalty can be increased with the implementation of digital ecosystems, specifically in terms of the value propositions related to ease of doing business, loyalty programs and digital platforms. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the value proposition provided by digital ecosystems can create loyal customers. A quantitative research approach was used in this study. Data was collected using surveys whereby the respondents gave their responses on a structured-self-completion questionnaire that were distributed via email and WhatsApp. A random sample of n=57 was achieved. The Cronbach’s Alpha test showed there was good internal consistency reliability for the independent variables, but the dependent variable has poor internal consistency. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted and the factor loadings higher than 0.40 indicate that the constructs were valid. Multiple regression was applied to test the four research hypotheses. The results indicate that there is a statistically significant relationship between digital ecosystems and customer loyalty. Regarding individual value proposition items of digital ecosystems, ease of doing business does not have a significant relationship with customer loyalty, nor does digital platforms. Loyalty iv programs has a significant relationship with customer loyalty. The final conclusion of this research is thus that digital ecosystems do provide a value proposition which can increase customer loyalty. When a digital ecosystem consists of different value propositions, in this case, ease of doing business, loyalty programs and digital platforms, loyal customers can be created.Item Financial inclusion through WhatsApp banking in Johannesburg(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Miller, Jade Rowan; Balabanoff,GarthApproximately three billion people will use mobile banking by 2024. Mobile devices and widespread Internet access are helping to boost mobile banking's popularity. Retail banks can now offer their customers even more convenience with mobile banking applications like WhatsApp. Consumers and financial institutions have embraced advanced technologies, including mobile banking, in recent years. Social media, mobile banking and new ideas like WhatsApp banking have made it easier for people to do business. Mobile banking is now possible thanks to high smartphone penetration and technological advancements. The fourth industrial revolution will continue to exponentially transform the modern economy. Globalisation has forced banks to open new channels to remain competitive in today's market. Banks have had to cut costs and improve their financial position by introducing new products and services. Mobile banking has grown rapidly globally due to the rapid development of information technology. Due to multi-channel distribution, most banks now have a global presence with cross-border customers. A quantitative approach was taken to examine factors that may influence behavioural intention to use WhatsApp banking in the context of financial inclusion. A questionnaire was used as the primary data collection instrument. The survey was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed to people living in Johannesburg, South Africa. The study adds to the body of knowledge by identifying factors that influence WhatsApp banking adoption, particularly in developing countries. The Technology Acceptance Model by Davis (1985) was used to investigate behavioural intention to use WhatsApp banking. My findings show that perceived trust, banking inclusion, perceived usefulness and awareness all play a significant role in WhatsApp banking adoption. Managers in financial institutions should focus on increasing consumer trust across all age groups to increase customer comfort with non-traditional banking platforms in general and thus increase financial inclusion. This is crucial because ix WhatsApp banking has the potential to bank the unbanked and underbanked while also increasing financial inclusion.Item The nexus between the World Governance Indicators’ scores on corruption and the financial performance of SOEs in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Mdluli, Mthokozisi XolaniSouth Africa, according to Crompton et al. (2017), is dealing with a triple threat of poverty, inequality, and unemployment. As a result, the government is faced with the task of meeting all of these urgent demands while being hampered by a tight budget and weak economic growth. Procurement is a critical component of the government's service delivery system, and it has been utilised as a policy tool to achieve the government's socioeconomic goals (Badenhorst-Weiss, 2012). Government spending is required to be thoroughly thought out on this basis before any public funds are spent. As a result, government expenditure should be monitored and evaluated as part of the architecture of all government-led projects (Crompton et al., 2017). SOEs (State-owned entities), also known as public entities, are tasked with specific responsibilities by the country's constitution in order to assist the state in fulfilling its mandate (Ovens, 2013). In line with international trends, South Africa has implemented corporatisation, or the transfer of state assets or agencies into state-owned corporations, in a number of areas to encourage more effective and efficient service delivery. Increased public procurement is the result of this. Public procurement involves a large amount of money, which has attracted corruption because of the scale at which it is carried out (Crompton et al., 2017). According to the South African Department of Commerce and Industries, government purchasing power contributed between 15% and 25% of GDP in 2016 (Makube, 2016). Makube (2016) estimates that, between 2013 and 2016, public infrastructure investment in healthcare facilities, schools, water, sanitation, housing, and electrification totalled R827 billion. As a result, the SOEs have been subjected to outside intervention, as well 2 as possible wrongdoing and corruption. According to recent media reports, the country has unacceptably high levels of corruption (Mantzaris, 2016). Understanding how this corruption affects the workings of SOEs is important if the country wants to attempt to start addressing this scourge. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate the relationship that exists between a known measure of governance in a country, namely the World Governance Indicators and the financial performance of SOEs in South AfricaItem The adoption of efficient technology in emerging markets within State Owned Bank in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Malatji , Jaftha Sechube; Dladla, PholileThis study aims to explore the adoption of efficient technologies in a South African state-owned enterprise (SOE) or state-owned bank (SOB), specifically investigating the factors that affect how efficient technologies are adopted, the challenges that come during the adoption phase, and the advantages that result from successfully adopting efficient technologies. The research study applied a qualitative research design and used interviews with open-ended questions to collect data. The findings reveal a complex landscape influenced by various elements such as communication, leadership, organisational culture, and operational efficiency. The study highlights the importance of technology adoption within an SOE or SOB. Based on the findings, recommendations were formulated that can be used to enhance how the South African State-Owned Bank can manage the adoption of new technologies efficiently while reducing the risks connected with technology adoption. Despite certain limitations, the study provides valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of new technology adoption in a traditionally oriented country like South Africa.Item 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, MaiteThis 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, growthItem Proposing the establishment of a tourist-generated-video library for destination marketing by tourism organisations(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Lehutjo, TshepoTourist-generated media content is a phenomenon that has become increasingly popular in recent years on social media platforms; to a point where many travel bloggers have even taken it on as a full-time occupation to meet the growing customer/tourist demand for it. On the other hand, tourism organisations and the industry at large have not been at the ready to take advantage of these technological developments. The prevailing explanation for this contrast is that tourism organisations do not have the know-how nor the time to invest in these technologies as they are typically staffed by small, specialised teams. As a result, entrepreneurs may investigate this identified gap to assist tourism organisations in meeting customer demands for: authentic tourist-generated videos while these customers are in the discovery and decision- making process of before their travel journey. Data was gathered remotely through publicly available platforms on the Internet, using a close-ended questionnaire to capture responses. The responses were then processed to generate descriptive statistics to elaborate on the following: the proportion of South African tourism organisations currently using the Facebook platform was determined to gauge the size of the market. Further, the extent of video use and other factors on the platform was determined, within the attraction and engagement constructs of the Digital Marketing Framework. This was done to understand how and when tourist-generated videos are used, if at all, and what other methods tourism organisations apply to attract or engage customers. Based off the findings, which show that South African tourism organisations have a low social media engagement rate with tourists and make very little use of video (which is proven to be more engaging and better for sales conversion) as a form of media content – be it tourist generated or not. This research thus proposes the use of a tourist-generated-video library that tourism organisations will pay to access so that they may use such videos to market destinations on their social media profiles and websites.