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

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37773

Browse

Subject: search.filters.subject.Government

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Challenges of Entering New Pharmaceutical Markets in Nigeria and Ghana
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Motshoane, Thato Sebabatso
    Background: The pharmaceutical market is renowned for its stringent regulations and continuous production of superior drugs and products intended for human consumption. This study investigates the regulatory landscape of two African countries, namely Nigeria and Ghana, and the challenges of entering these economies as a result of the absence of regulatory harmonisation. The goal is to establish a regulatory framework that will facilitate the introduction of novel medicines and medical supplies into the market. Method: The research methodology employed involved the collection, processing, and evaluation of empirical evidence. The chosen strategy was qualitative research. Results: Entering new or foreign pharmaceutical market requires careful consideration, planning, and abiding by the regulatory requirements of the respective countries. Sustained prosperity will be guaranteed by enhancements in quality control and partnerships with local distributors and manufacturers. Partnering with local consultants who are familiar with the regulatory landscape, as well as local laws and policies is crucial. Lastly, it is important to be familiar with regulatory requirements from NAFDAC and the FDA to ensure ongoing compliance with evolving regulations. Conclusion: Improving the local pharmaceutical market in both countries encourages the entry of foreign international pharmaceutical corporations, thus stimulating the economy of both nations. Local pharmaceutical companies in Ghana and Nigeria can strengthen their competitive edge by increasing barriers to entry. This can be achieved by raising the calibre of goods produced, increasing operational effectiveness, lowering production costs, and engaging in local innovation initiatives. Locals should maximize local government subsidies while utilizing the local context, including the nation's culture and consumer base to their advantage
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Misalignment between government planning and budgeting in Limpopo department of economic development, environment and tourism
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Mahlatji, Elizabeth Sarona; Malindini, Kholiswa
    Prior to 1994 in South Africa, strategic planning and budgeting processes were fragmented. However, in the post-1994 democratic dispensation, the South African government introduced certain strategic planning and budgeting reforms. The aim of these reforms was to ensure alignment between government planning and budgeting processes to enhance service delivery, as well as the effective and efficient utilisation of resources. These reforms included the introduction of various policy frameworks, structures, and systems to guide planning and budgeting. The purpose of this research was to assess the factors contributing to misalignment between strategic planning and budgeting and challenges this presents in the execution of government programs in LEDET. The study employed the organisational alignment theory to guide the development of this empirical journey stressing the integration of various functional areas within an organisation to enhance performance. A qualitative research approach was employed and a total of 13 senior and middle management officials within the chosen case study participated in the study. Participants were purposefully sampled for semi-structured interviews so as to provide rich information relevant to the phenomenon under investigation due to the experience and knowledge they possess relating to the subject. A thematic data analysis method was used to analyse the primary data and formulate the themes. Some of the findings of this study indicate that, despite the government reforms to ensure alignment between planning and budgeting, misalignment still persists. This misalignment impacts negatively on effective and efficient utilisation of government resources in terms of budget and achievement of planned developmental programs and projects for improved organisational performance. The study further discovered that misalignment between government planning and budgeting is due to both internal and external factors. Internally, misalignment between planning and budgeting is as a result of parallel processes by planning and budgeting units with no efforts for synchronisation. There is duplication of functions that existed for a long time between the department and some state owned entities which has a bearing on allocation of limited resources. In addition, the study found that evaluations of departmental programs and projects to determine their impact on the plight of the poor people and also to inform future planning and budgeting are not conducted. Furthermore, a lack of strategic leadership contributes to the misalignment between planning and budget, as sometimes things are done just for compliance, rather than for improving the quality of the processes to ensure synchronisation. It may be necessary to deploy effective planning and budgeting processes to enhance alignment, support the evaluation of departmental programs and projects to inform future planning and budgeting
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Implementation of Knowledge Management to improve performance in national government departments in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Kwadjo, Mittah Lebogang; Stacey, Anthony
    Government Departments are still lagging behind in implementing Knowledge Management. Managing knowledge is critical to the success and longevity of any business. Whilst the private sector is gaining traction in this management practice, government is still behind. The benefits of knowledge management are improved decision making, increased innovation and business efficiency. The unique barriers to implementing Knowledge Management in government departments warrant investigation. The purpose of this research was to identify barriers to implementing knowledge management processes and systems in national government departments in South Africa and to rate the extent of significance to knowledge management implementation. Methodology used to collect data was an online survey questionnaire. The sample was taken from the population of National Department of Transport employees, and results generalised to all national government departments. Thirty-five (35) statements on a 7-point Likert scale were used. Using Principal Component Analysis, 6 components were extracted and analysed. The 6 components were 1) strength of knowledge management leadership 2) departmental support of knowledge management, 3) level of employee interaction, 4) use of technology, 5) accessibility of technology and 6) level of team work. Seventy-five (75) participants, who were managers, senior managers and knowledge experts responded to the questionnaire. The study found that the barriers to knowledge management were strength of knowledge management leadership, level of employee interaction, departmental support, and use of technology. The study also identified the most significant barriers in implementing knowledge management in government departments were the “strength of knowledge management leadership” and the “level of employee interaction”. A further study on leadership in government departments in implementing knowledge management in recommended. Future research examining the level of interaction among government employees related to increased sharing of tacit knowledge is also recommended
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    South Africa's State Capture Architecture: A critique of 'State Capture' and Development in 21st Century Post­ Apartheid South Africa, using the Estina Vrede Dairy Farm Project as a case study
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-07) Mfikili, Khanya Lulibo; Brown, Julian
    State Capture can be described as corruption on a macro-level, reaching unheard and unseen of levels involving the state, state organs and private business. It has been described as the erosion of democratic processes and a 'coup d'etat'1 of some sorts of the state and its functions-functions affected are mainly empowerment, development, fiscal responsibility and transparency-turning the state 'into a shadow state'. The recent uncovering of "state capture" at different levels of government in South Africa required an analysis of the relationship between 'state capture' and development in South Africa. In this paper, this will be achieved by looking at the Free State Estina Dairy Farm Project (EVDF Project) as a unit of analysis. Four research questions around this dairy farm project will be explored, to ultimately answer the overall question: What is the relationship between development and 'state capture' in 21st Century Post-Apartheid South Africa? An extensive literature review will be done in Chapter Two looking at the history of agricultural projects, illegal financial flows (IFFs) and state capture in South Africa, in the African region and internationally. This research is qualitative in nature, utilizing a case study method. Information used was publically available sources of information, with the testimonies and evidence in the Zonda Commission Reports forming a bulk of the data analyzed. The findings and policy implications in the last chapter informed possible future studies, centered on my research. One possible future study would be a look at the role of IFFs in rural development in (South) Africa.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    “Youth Enterprising”: Johannesburg Youth’s Motivation, Perceptions and Experiences Regarding Entrepreneurship and Services Provided by the Government and the Private Sector
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-06) Phofi, Caroline; Pretorius, Edmarie; Dube, Nkosiyazi
    Enterprising and entrepreneurship have become one of the solutions to addressing the challenges of the current economic state in South Africa that seem to have proven to lock some of the youth, especially the disadvantaged youth within Johannesburg, in the cycle of poverty, and unemployment. Although the largest group of youth entering the labour market have shown to be educated and suited for South Africa’s global competitiveness, jobs seem to remain competitive in the formal sector. The study aimed to explore youth enterprising, the motivating factors, perceptions, and experiences of youth towards services that the government and the private sector provides. With the significance of entrepreneurship in the South African economy, there is a need to explore and investigate the contribution of entrepreneurs in the economy of South Africa and how can government and private sector support entrepreneurial activities among the youth to curb unemployment and poverty. A qualitative approach based on the interpretive paradigm was employed to explore the topic of youth enterprising. A case study design was best suited to achieving the objectives of the study, which sought to understand youth enterprise regarding youth’s subjectively constructed reality. The selected case studies were selected from five organisations. These organisations mostly engage in youth development programmes aiming to capacitate youth with psycho-social and entrepreneurial skills, and to provide start-up funding. All the participants for the interviews (n=14), focus group discussion (n=8) and respondents of the questionnaire (16) were selected from Organisation A. The four key informants were from the other four organisations (Organisation B, C, D and E) and were only interviewed. Purposive sampling was adopted to select all the 26 research participants comprising of youth, youth workers, managers and key informants, and the 16 youth participants were selected for the structured questionnaire. The methods of data collection were semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and a structured questionnaire. Four different semi-structured interview guides were used as research instruments with all these different groups of participants. A focus group guide was adopted to facilitate the focus group discussion with eight youths. A total of 16 youths completed the hard copy of a structured questionnaire. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the national restriction, some potential participants did not want to engage in face-to-face interviews, therefore an online questionnaire was offered as an option so that the research could have more participants to validate the data collection. A structured questionnaire was employed to elicit the respondents’ responses to the four aspects related to motivation, ability, entrepreneurial opportunities, and resources associated with basic entrepreneurial success components. Results from the questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics. Data from the different interviews and focus group discussions were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that business and entrepreneurial skills should be integrated not only into economic sciences but also within the education sector's human sciences and social work courses. Participants mentioned that the role of the government and private sector in youth development and entrepreneurial services is vital. The study findings aided with the development of practice principles and guidelines to be used by social workers and other stakeholders in their programmatic interventions with youth entrepreneurs.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Weaknesses in the legislation for tax avoidance and tax evasion in South Africa and suggested improvements
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Naidoo, Katelynne Ann
    ‘Tax avoidance and tax evasion threaten government revenues’ (OECD n.d.). As the globalization of domestic and international trade continually increases, tax evasion remains a hurdle for governments around the globe (OECD 2017a:9). Governments rely on tax collections primarily to finance economic expenditure; however, governments face a huge loss of revenue through tax evasion at different levels (OECD 2014:91). It is submitted that stringent tax collections are imperative for South Africa as a developing country. An examination of the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion will be performed given that the difference is often perceived to be faint (Davidov 2016:1). The main aim of the study is to examine the weaknesses in the legislation for tax avoidance and tax evasion in SA and suggest improvements. An analysis of the role of the government, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and other countries towards adopting a holistic approach to designing policies to prevent tax avoidance and tax evasion will be performed. Tax avoidance, harmful practices and aggressive tax planning must be tackled (African Tax Administration, African Union and OECD 2021:18).