4. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - Faculties submissions
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37773
Browse
4 results
Search Results
Item Perceived barriers to digitalization by small-scale farmers Gauteng Province(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Choguya, DonaldDigitalization in the fourth industrial revolution era has transformed many industries across the board. However, there are some that have been affected more than the others as depicted in the digital vortex. Lagging is the agricultural sector. This study was a quantitative research study that utilized a sample of 40 small-scale farmers to be representative of the Gauteng Province small-scale farmers. The research related the perceived barriers to digitalization and its impact to the agricultural activities of small-scale farmers in Gauteng Province. The data was analysed using the multiple regression analysis and correlation coefficient. Analysis of the results showed a massive gap between small-scale farmers and commercial farmers on the adoption of digitalization. Further analysis indicated that small-scale farmers were less likely to be impacted by digitalization to adopt technological utilization. It was also found that small-scale farmers were contributors to food production. Finally, it was also discovered that small-scale farmers were less established to adapt and adopt to digitalization in their agricultural activities due to various barriers. The recommendations were that there was need to do more research to find ways to bridge the gap to digitalization between small-scale farmers in Gauteng Province and commercial farmers. So that small-scale farmers in Gauteng Province especially the small-scale farmers in rural areas could also be exposed to the digitalization of operations to enable them to improve productionItem The value of large trees and their protection where elephants and trees co-exist(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Cook, Robin Michael; Henley, Michelle; Witkowski, EdwardIncreasing African elephant (Loxodonta africana) numbers in many southern African protected areas have raised concerns about their impact on large tree species and subsequent effects on biodiversity. However, sustainable strategies for managing elephant impact on particular large trees of concern require stakeholder support. Concerned stakeholders in South Africa's Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR), a protected area containing a high density of waterholes and elephants, are implementing tree protection methods to protect large trees from elephant impact, but few studies have assessed these methods’ efficacy. This thesis aimed to understand stakeholder perception of the value of large trees. Thereafter, I investigate elephant impact on the large tree component within the APNR over a 12-year period while also assessing the relationship between the persistence of the nests of large tree nesting birds and that of the trees themselves. Lastly, I assessed the effectiveness of various implemented tree protection methods to mitigate against elephant impact. A combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis was used to measure stakeholders’ values on large tree and elephant population dynamics, as well as management strategies to reduce the impact on large trees. The results show that stakeholders were concerned about the loss of large trees and its impact on other species. However, they disagreed on the most effective management strategy to minimise elephant impact, with varying values across stakeholder generations and professions. The persistence trends of 2,758 large trees comprising three species of concern were analysed between 2008-2020 to understand the impact of elephants and other environmental factors on tree mortality. The annual large tree mortality rate from 2008-2020 was 5.6%, with varying declines among tree species and the most significant declines occurring during dry periods. Furthermore, the long-term impact of elephants on trees nested in by the critically endangered white-backed vulture (WbV, Gyps africanus) was studied in riparian and woodland habitats to investigate both tree and nest persistence. Ten tree species were utilised for nesting sites, with woodland trees more at risk to elephant impact verses those in the riparian habitat. However, there was no direct correlation between WbV nest loss and tree fall. Lastly, when considering tree protection methods, about half of the 2,758 trees surveyed were wire-netted as potential elephant impact mitigation strategy. Trees with a stem diameter >40 cm that were wire-netted had the highest persistence rates, but the wire-netting needed replacing after four years. Overall, wire-netting was the most practical method for larger- scale implementation, particularly on larger trees elephants cannot push over. Of the four tree protection methods evaluated in this study in terms of their effectiveness and practicality as a mitigation strategy, beehives were found to be the most effective at protecting trees but proved to be the most expensive in comparison to wire-netting, concrete pyramids and creosote jarsItem The barriers to digital transformation in the Wits School of Oral Sciences(University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Dandawa, Donald; Ochara, Nixon M.Owing to changes in technology industries are going through digital transformation but in some instances, the digital transformation endeavours fail. This study focused on Wits School of Oral Health Sciences (WSOHS) with a view to understanding the barriers to digital transformation and proposing strategies for circumventing the barriers. The study used a combination of stakeholder theory and the status quo bias theory as the lens. Using quantitative research methods, stratified random sampling was used to select participants who included employees which added up to 245 and 218 student population. A total of 168 participants eventually took part in the research by completing a questionnaire. The responses where then analysed using SPSS, Various statistics which includes frequencies, measures of central tendency and dispersion as well as unadjusted ordinal logistic regression were calculated, and the study found out that lack of connection to strategy and execution and lack of collaboration across departments where the two major reasons why digital transformation was failing. The possible strategies that can be employed to make digital transformation a success include aligning on the why of digital transformation as well as preparing and dealing with culture change. Results of the unadjusted ordinal logistic regression analysis on factors associated with enabling digital transformation were that students, impact of digital transformation, extent of barriers, and intentions impact were significantly associated with digital transformation at the 5% significance level. The conclusion drawn from the study is that there is a multiplicity of factors that impeded digital transformation and that multipronged strategies need to be used to make sure that digital transformation initiatives succeed.Item Examining coordination among stakeholders in implementing the OR Tambo special economic zone(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Masinga, Kgothatso Anamelita; Pillay, PundySouth Africa has adopted the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) programme as a mechanism to attract Foreign Direct Investment and increase job creation. However, despite the country’s implementation of SEZs over the past years, the country continues to experience socioeconomic challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality. In this regard, this study examined coordination among stakeholders in implementing the OR Tambo SEZ, particularly given that the OR Tambo SEZ was designated as an Industrial Development Zone in 2002, and the zone received its operating permit in 2010. This delay in the issuance of the permit signals that there might be coordination challenges among key stakeholders responsible for implementing the zone. The research adopted a case study design to examine the extent of coordination among stakeholders that are responsible for the implementation of the OR Tambo SEZ. A qualitative research method was adopted to collect the data using interviews and document analysis. The study found that key stakeholders such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Gauteng Industrial Development Zone and the Municipality of Ekurhuleni are involved in the implementation process of the zone. However, there is a need to improve on the coordination mechanism by clearly indicating the role and responsibility of each stakeholder and the rules and procedures for coordination. In addition, there is a need to involve other vital stakeholders who can contribute towards the successful implementation of the OR Tambo SEZ.