4. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - Faculties submissions

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    Perspectives on data sharing by Southern African horticultural farmers
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Bailie, Kathleen Ann
    This study examines the perceptions of data sharing among Southern African horticultural farmers utilising a Digital Agricultural Application (DAA). Employing a quantitative methodology, the study collected insights from farmers and agronomists, exploring the roles of digital trust, perceived risks, and perceived benefits in influencing their decisions to share farm data. The findings indicated that, contrary to expectations, perceived risks and digital trust had a lesser impact on data sharing decisions, whereas perceived benefits significantly motivated farmers to share data. Factor and regression analyses challenged the initial assumptions, highlighting the complexity inherent in the decision-making processes of farmers. The research thus suggests that enhancing perceived benefits could be more effective in promoting data sharing than mitigating perceived risks. ii The study's results have been contextualised within the broader academic discourse, explaining deviations from, and nuances of, established research. It discussed the implications of these findings for developers of DAA and agribusiness stakeholders, aiming to enhance technology adoption within agriculture. By integrating theoretical frameworks with practical applications, such as incorporating community feedback mechanisms like testimonial systems and discussion forums into DAA, visibility of benefits was enhanced and trust was established, thereby encouraging adoption through positive peer influence. This analysis sheds light on the factors influencing data sharing among Southern African horticultural farmers and informs future technology and policy efforts to strengthen the digital agricultural ecosystem
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    Predictors of COVID-related Risk and Resilience in South African Young Adults
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-06) Benvenuti, Sabrina Lucia; Cockcroft, Kate
    The Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been a lengthy and stressful event for people worldwide, placing increased strain on vulnerable populations. This prompts interest in the field of risk and resilience research. There are several apparent gaps in resilience research such as in the context of a pandemic, and in adult and non-western populations. This research report aimed to identify socio-demographic variables that predict risk and resilience outcomes in young, emerging South African adults, following the COVID-19 pandemic. This study fell into a post-positivist paradigm and used a quantitative, non-experimental, correlational, ex-post facto design. Descriptive, correlational and regression analyses were conducted to identify possible socio-demographic predictors of risk and resilience outcomes in this given population. Overall, the sample population exhibited low-moderate levels of depression, and on average displayed high levels of resilience, overall and across individual, relational and contextual resilience Several significant correlations and predictors, although weak, were identified for the outcome variables of depression (risk) and resilience (at individual, relational and contextual levels) including age, gender and education, pandemic-related and perceived stress, loneliness, parental involvement and warmth, childhood and community experiences. Depression was significantly predicted by gender, perceived stress, loneliness, satisfaction with life and parental involvement, where being female, having stronger feelings of loneliness, and dissatisfaction with life predicted higher levels of depression. Furthermore, parental involvement significantly predicted all five outcomes, where high parental involvement predicted low depression and high resilience across all levels. Perceived stress significantly predicted all but one outcome, namely relational resilience. High levels of perceived stress predicted high levels of depression and poor overall, individual, and contextual resilience. All three levels of resilience were significantly predicted by both parents’ level of education and parental involvement, where levels of maternal education predicted better resilience across all domains, while paternal education had the opposite effect. Identifying such predictors can help to better the knowledge base around risk and resilience in the South African, context and in low- and middle-income contexts. Furthermore, this allows for the targeted implementation of tools and interventions to address these outcomes, such as promoting parental involvement, the implementation of targeted stress-management tools, and more female-focused depression interventions.
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    Investigating the relationship between integrated reporting quality and its effect on risk of the top 100 JSE listed companies in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-12-13) Jhavary, Musnaa; Cerbone, Dannielle
    This thesis investigates the relationship between the quality of an organization’s integrated report, as defined by the EY Integrated Reporting Awards, and the risk of the organisation. To achieve this the relationship between an entity’s financial ratios and the quality of the integrated report it produces are calculated and explored. A quantitative research approach is used and risk is proxied using debt and equity ratios collected from the IRESS database, as well as integrated reports found on the websites of the top 100 JSE-listed companies over five years from 2017 to 2021. A regression is performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The results suggest a significant relationship between the costs of debt and integrated reporting quality, when compared to the cost of equity and the weighted average cost of capital. In addition, other variables hold a stronger relationship with integrated reporting quality, such as the ability of a firm to produce a standalone CSR report, as well as the firm’s equity market-to-book ratio and a firm’s size
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    Investigating the relationship between integrated reporting quality and its effect on risk of the top 100 JSE listed companies in South Africa
    (University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Jhavary, Husnaa; Cerbone, Dannielle
    This thesis investigates the relationship between the quality of an organization’s integrated report, as defined by the EY Integrated Reporting Awards, and the risk of the organisation. To achieve this the relationship between an entity’s financial ratios and the quality of the integrated report it produces are calculated and explored. A quantitative research approach is used and risk is proxied using debt and equity ratios collected from the IRESS database, as well as integrated reports found on the websites of the top 100 JSE-listed companies over five years from 2017 to 2021. A regression is performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The results suggest a significant relationship between the costs of debt and integrated reporting quality, when compared to the cost of equity and the weighted average cost of capital. In addition, other variables hold a stronger relationship with integrated reporting quality, such as the ability of a firm to produce a standalone CSR report, as well as the firm’s equity market-to-book ratio and a firm’s size
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    Cost and aconomic growth in Eswatini
    (University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Shongwe, Mbongeni Welcome; Kodongo, Otongo
    The sluggish economy and low GDP growth in Eswatini have sparked concerns regarding the efficient allocation of high liquidity towards productive sectors. There is a pressing need to determine if the high cost of credit plays a role in exacerbating this issue. Despite the availability of ample liquidity, it remains unclear if it is effectively channeled into sectors that can fuel economic growth. Therefore, it is intriguing to investigate whether the high cost of credit is a contributing factor to this problem. This study examined the relationship between the cost of credit and economic growth in Eswatini, as well as the impact of banking sector liquidity on cost of credit and the role of excess liquidity in promoting economic growth. The study used the Autoregressive Distributed Lag model (ARDL) to analyse time series data from 1975 to 2021, the study found that factors such as domestic credit, GDP growth, liquid assets to liabilities, and trade significantly influence cost of credit in the short run. In the long run, variables like budget deficit, domestic credit, exchange rate, GDP growth, liquid assets to liabilities, and trade continue to significantly impact cost of credit. The study recommends that policymakers should increase credit availability, diversify credit risk and increase liquid assets relative to liabilities to lower cost of credit. Additionally, promoting financial inclusion and access to credit for SMEs can further stimulate economic growth. A thoughtful and measured approach by policymakers is crucial for creating a stable financial system that supports economic economic growth.