WIReDSpace

Welcome to WIReDSpace (Wits Institutional Repository on DSpace)

For queries relating to content and technical issues, please contact IR specialists via this email address : openscholarship.library@wits.ac.za,
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Communities in WIReDSpace

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 19

Recent Submissions

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Bank liquidity and systematic factors in emerging markets
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mphuthing, Katleho; Alovokpinhou, Sedjro
This study investigates the impact of systematic factors on bank liquidity creation in emerging markets. We use the method Bouwman (2009) designed to compute liquidity creation measure, where we examine the effect of systematic factors such as the economic growth rate, inflation, interest rates, and the exchange rate on liquidity creation. The study further provides insights into the divergent impacts of systemic factors across different regions. The regions considered are Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Eastern Europe. Using a ten-year data (2013 -2022) from consolidated balance sheets of listed banks, and selected systematic market factors, the study uses the generalized method of moments (GMM) as the estimation technique. The results show that the US dollar exchange rate is the one important systematic factor significantly driving bank liquidity creation in emerging markets. At the regional level, we found inflation to be a significant factor; however, the relationship between systematic factors and bank liquidity creation differs from one region to another. To this effect, the research concludes that banks and policymakers in emerging markets should consider managing factors such as exchange rates and inflation to enhance their performance.
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The Moderating Influence Of Gender Bias On Factors Determining Choice Of Successor In South African Family-Owned Businesses
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2025) Maphalala, Siyabonga Mthunzi; Venter, Robert
Family businesses play a crucial role in South Africa’s economy, contributing to job creation and growth. However, patriarchal norms often favour male successors over equally qualified female family members, creating challenges in equitable succession planning. This study explores how gender bias moderates the relationships between succession determinants: successor preparation, planning-control activities, cultural-family dynamics and succession outcomes. Guided by Human Capital Theory and Gender Theories, the study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional design. Data was collected via structured online questionnaires from stakeholders in family-owned businesses across South Africa. Stratified random sampling ensured geographic diversity, and regression and moderation analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics. The findings reveal that gender bias weakens the positive effects of succession planning efforts. Patriarchal stereotypes often limit opportunities for female successors, despite their qualifications. However, businesses with inclusive practices like gender-neutral policies, experience smoother leadership transitions and greater sustainability. This study contributes to Human Capital Theory by showing how gender bias limits leadership development and extends Gender Theories by illustrating how cultural norms shape succession outcomes in South African family businesses.
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The impact of Big Data Analytics Capabilities on the performance of South African Financial Sectors
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Molepo, Sinah; Ndlela, Thubelihle
The relationship between big data analytics capabilities and firm performance has garnered a lot of attention from both practitioners and academics recently. Organisations have been investing in technologies like big data analytics to enhance performance, however, not all organisations have proven benefits of its impact to the firm’s performance. The study proposed the big data analytics capabilities conceptual framework, drawing upon the two theories resource-based view and dynamic capability to determine the impact of big data analytics capabilities on the firm performance of the financial sectors in South African, with a mediator of dynamic capabilities. The findings of this study confirm the positive and significant relationship between big data analytics capabilities and the firm performance in South African financial sectors. Moreover, it was found that amongst the three big data analytics capabilities, tangible, intangible and human resources, the human capabilities had the greatest impact to firm performance, followed by tangible capabilities. On the other hand, the intangible capabilities had no significant impact of the firm performance. Furthermore, the study revealed that there is no significant effect of dynamic capabilities mediation on the relationship between big data analytics capabilities and the firm performance.
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Augmented reality applications and consumers’ purchase intentions in the South African e-commerce fashion industry
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2025) Molefe, Kgothatso Mishack; Quaye, Emmanuel
Augmented reality (AR) is increasingly being adopted in e-commerce fashion industry; however, limited studies have explored its direct effect on consumers purchase decisions, mainly in the South African market. AR is seen as a solution to common challenges faced by e-commerce fashion retailers, which include high rate of product returns and a lack of sensory shopping experience. Despite many practical benefits offered by AR technology, the extent to which AR applications shape consumers' online buying decisions remains underexplored. This study investigates the influence of AR applications on consumers purchase intentions in the South African e-commerce fashion industry. The study further explores the factors that influence attitudinal behaviour to use the technology by extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with three predictor variables (inspiration, consumer innovativeness and perceived enjoyment), one moderator (product involvement) and outcome variable (purchase intentions). The data was collected from 324 online shoppers in Gauteng, South Africa, using a survey. To analyse and test the hypothesised relationships, structural equation modelling (SEM) was used. The results reveal that AR applications have significant influence on consumers purchase intentions. Furthermore, consumers attitude toward using AR applications was found to be significantly influenced by perceived enjoyment, perceived usefulness, inspiration and consumer innovativeness. Contrary to the expectations, perceived ease of use was found to have insignificant effect on attitudinal behaviour. Product involvement was also found to be insignificant in moderating attitudes and behavioural intention to use AR applications. The implications of the findings for online retailers, technology developers and marketers were discussed in detail.
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Electricity skills assessment and gap analysis for the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Energy Department
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2025) Mokgosi, Cleopatra Nonhlanhla
The Constitution of South Africa (1996) and the Municipal Structures Act (Act No. 117 of 1998) outline the creation of municipalities and their roles and functions. The CoE is a local government entity responsible for administering services and governance within the Ekurhuleni area. To ensure effective services and governance, the municipality must have skilled personnel resources. The Local Government Municipal Systems Act (Act No. 32 of 2000) provides a comprehensive framework for municipalities, including human resources management and service provision. Municipal managers appoint and train personnel in various departments, focusing on specialized areas like electricity, water, urban planning, finance, and environmental management. The Energy department in a municipality must be skilled to manage complex activities and maintain the municipality's energy infrastructure. The skills of the Energy department's personnel closely correlate with their capacity to embrace technological advancements. This study aims to investigate the skills of the municipality's electricity personnel, assess if the CoE has adequate skills, and provide a skills gap analysis and recommendations.