WIReDSpace

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For queries relating to content and technical issues, please contact IR specialists via this email address : openscholarship.library@wits.ac.za, Tel: 011 717 4652 or 011 717 1954

 

Communities in WIReDSpace

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 19

Recent Submissions

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Determining a Relationship Between Attitude Towards E Learning and Academic Stress Levels in Higher Education Students
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-08) Persello, Byron Franco; Pitman, Michael
E-learning has become more prevalent in higher education institutes, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic that necessitated social distancing as well as the rise in technology application to education. With stress being an important factor in the academic experience, this research report explores the relationship between the experience of stress and attitudes towards e-learning factors in students. The sample was 79 undergraduate students from the University of Witwatersrand who had undergone e-learning during the 2021 academic year. To gather the data, the Student-life Stress Inventory and Scale of Student Attitude towards E-learning was used. The results showed there was no correlation between experienced stress and attitudes towards the e-learning factors, results r = -.178, n = 75, p = .317. Descriptive analysis of the two measure’s items indicates that participants recognised the benefits of e-learning but challenges using the e-learning medium were still relevant to their experience. The overall stress was beyond normal management for 86.11% of the participants, even though social support appeared available.
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Igxathu Likamaskandi Ekulweni Nokucwaswa Kwabantu Abamnyama Ngaphambi Nangemuva Kwenkululeko Eningizimu Afrika: Umfaz’omnyama, Uphuzekhemisi Kanye Nezingane Zoma
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-06) Buthelezi, Xolani Norman; Mhlambi, Innocentia Jabuliseli
IQOQO Kuloku kucubungula kuvezwe lokho okutholakele nokumele ngabe kwenzeka ngesikhathi kwenziwa ukucubungula ngeqhaza lomaskandi ekulweni nokucwaswa kwabantu abamnyama ngaphambi nangemuva kwenkululeko eNingizimu Afrika. Kuyagqama ngaloku cubungula ukuthi bakhona ababhali okuthe ngesikhathi sobandlululo baqoka ukubhala izingoma ezikugxekayo okube yimiphumela nemithelela emibi yokunganyelwa ngenkani ngabamhlophe kwezwe laseNingizimu Afrika nezwekazi lonke lase-Afrika. Kucacile futhi ukuthi uMfaz’Omnyama, uPhuzekhemisi neZingane Zoma babhalile kakhulu bekhala ngayo le miphumela nemithelela yokucwaswa kwabantu abamnyama ngaphambi nangemuva kwenkululeko eNingizimu Afrika. Izingoma zabo ziyahlukaniseka ngokwezindikimba ababekhononda ngazo. Kukhona lezo ezikhononda ngokuthathwa kwezwe laseNingizimu Afrika ngenkani, ukuhamba kobaba emakhaya isikhathi eside abanye bangabe besabuya, ukungabi nabuntu kwabamhlophe nalabo asebengamele izwe okungosopolitiki, ukulahleka kwamasiko nenhlonipho kubantu ngenxa yemfundo yabamhlophe. Ayavela futhi namazinga okukhononda njengoba kuvelile ukuthi kukhona izingoma zabo ezivezayo nje kuphela ukuhlupheka kwabantu boMdabu nabesifazane, kube khona lezo ezigxeka osopolitiki ziphinde zihambisane nabo ngenxa yenkece namandla abanawo ekuthuthukiseni labo abangenalutho, bese kuba khona lezo ezishoshozela ukuba kwenziwe okuthile ukuze kuguqulwe isimo sempilo nenhlalo yabantu eNingizimu Afrika.
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Factors influencing the adoption of big data analytics in the South African financial services industry
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Mthethwa, Siyabonga
The rapid expansion of big data analytics (BDA) presents significant prospects for organizations across industries, including the financial services sector. This research investigated the factors that influence the adoption of BDA within the South African financial services industry, examining their impact on investment decision-making and the evaluation of post-implementation value. A comprehensive research framework is employed to accomplish these objectives, combining the Technological, Organizational, and Environmental (TOE) framework with the BDA Adoption model. The TOE framework provides a contextual understanding of technological, organisational, and environmental factors, while the BDA Adoption model specifically focuses on moderating factors such as paradigm shift and organisation’s complexity tolerance for big data analytics adoption. Data is gathered from diverse stakeholders in the South African financial services industry through a qualitative approach encompassing semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis method was used to analyse the data gathered from the interviews. The findings of this study indicate that organizations characterized by a higher tolerance for complexity are more prone to achieving a seamless transition from the intention of adopting BDA to its successful deployment. This study also found that a combination of factors such as top management support, relative advantage, trialability, human resource, regulatory environment and vendor support did influence investment decision-making collectively. Also, the push from the regulators and the need by financial organisations to improve customer experience led to an acceleration of BDA adoption, which ultimately led to investment decisions being made to meet these objectives. The outcomes of this research will contribute to the growing body of knowledge on BDA adoption by offering unique insights into the factors specific to the South African financial services industry. Furthermore, the findings will assist organizations operating within this sector in making well-informed decisions iii regarding BDA adoption, optimizing their investments, and maximizing the value obtained from the implementation of BDA technologies
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The relationship between sustainability reporting and banks financial performance
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Msimanga, Thokozani; Godspower-Akpomiemie, Euphemia
Sustainability reporting, which involves environment, social, governance (ESG) is about reporting non-financial information regarding a company. It explains how the three sustainability components affect a company. ESG has gained significant popularity in the last ten years as new risk factors for investors are introduced by global sustainability concerns such as climate change, growing regulatory constraints, and social transformations. There is limited ESG-related research in South Africa, hence the aim of this study is to empirically evaluate whether sustainability reporting, improves financial performance and value for investors and other stakeholders. This has created a knowledge gap that may be investigated and used to start a discussion about the relationship sustainability has with financial performance from a South African banking perspective. This study’s data covered a 16-year period being, 2006 – 2021, across the six largest locally controlled banks listed on the JSE; Absa, Capitec, FirstRand, Investec, Nedbank, and Standard Bank. To examine for a statistical association, panel data regression analysis is used in this study.Multiple methods of estimation were considered, ultimately various diagnostic tests conducted concluded the fixed effects model as the most robust. A negative relationship with financial performance was found. Two models, Return on Equity and Tobin’s Q model showed a negative and significant relationship with the performance of banks. The Return on Assets model also indicated a negative relationship, but it was not statisticallysignificant. This indicates that an increase in sustainability reporting, leads to a decline in financialperformance from both an accounting and market perspective
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Gendered perspectives of the enablers and constraints for female energy leaders in South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Msimanga, Xolile; Carmichael, Terri
This exploratory research study provides gendered perspectives on female leadership characteristics and how increased diversity may contribute positively to energy sector performance. This study also explored the enablers and constraints for women in the energy sector in South Africa to progress to senior positions. A qualitative research approach was used for the research method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight female and seven male energy sector leaders. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview data using MAXQDA coding software. The research findings showed that the characteristics are being people-centric – inclusive and collaborative; 'soft traits' like empathy; developing and empowering others; being visionary and performance-driven. Both genders highlighted that although these characteristics were more pronounced in women, they were also observed in good male leaders. The best leaders can balance their gender-related traits with the traits of good leaders. The leaders highlighted that increased diversity results in better problem-solving and superior solutions. Therefore, an increase in diversity leads to better performingorganisations. The research findings showed that the main enablers were transformation processes; networking and exposure; organisational environment; coaching, mentorship, sponsorship; development and training opportunities; mindset and internal beliefs; senior and managerial support; career ownership; and family support. Self-determination was recognised as vital, and autonomous motivation drove the female leaders to succeed. The research findings showed that the main constraints were gender stereotyping; mindset and internal beliefs; male-dominated sector and culture; old boys’ clubs; lack of female pipelines and representation; lack of accommodative structures in operations; and the dual role of women. Male leaders can play a crucial role in male-dominated environments to ally with women and work on changing the systems. Although gender stereotyping was recognised as the biggest challenge, their mindset and perspectives about the sector were also a significant constraint as it could impact their willingness to pursue leadership roles in energy or even consider careers in the sector.