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Communities in DSpace
Select a community to browse its collections.
- This community is for all faculties and schools' research outputs and publications by Wits academics and researchers.
- This community hosts traditional outputs such as published and unpublished research articles, conference papers, book chapters and other research outputs authored by Wits academics and researchers. Items in this collection are also mapped to relevant collections within the Faculties/Schools/Departments communities for more specific browsing and searching.
- This Community hosts a collection of electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) submitted by doctoral and masters' students of Wits University.
- This community is for all faculties and schools' theses and dissertations by masters and doctoral students.
Recent Submissions
An investigation of the Organisational efficiencies required for the progression of City of Mbombela to a Metropolitan Municipality
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Metiso, Skhumbuzo; Venter, Rob
This study aimed to investigate the organisational efficiencies necessary for the City of Mbombela to progress from secondary city to a metropolitan municipality. The City of Mbombela was formed in 2016 after the amalgamation of Mbombela and Umjindi local municipalities. The City is also the capital of Mpumalanga Province. The study followed a generic qualitative research design. Purposive sampling, in the form of stakeholder sampling, was used in order to identify and select participants interviewed through semi-structured interviews, using an interview guide (see Appendix 1).
The primary data was thematically analysed to interpret the findings. The study found that, with organisational efficiencies, political will and desire for political
autonomy and fiscal benefits exclusive to metros, the Metropolitanisation saw significant prospects of success. Being a first metro in the Mpumalanga Province
may improve beneficiation from spill-over effects of higher economic growth of neighbouring countries such as Mozambique, and cities in the Gauteng region.
However, the study also found that the City of Mbombela faces challenge inherent to local government, such as low revenue collection, technical skills
shortage, political infighting, and interference.
The study concluded that, for a viable and sustainable City of Mbombela metro to be realised, a clear tone from the leadership is the starting point; followed by a depoliticised recruitment and procurement processes; followed by an investment drive and capital infrastructure project roll-out to enhance industrialisation; LED and PPP initiatives to promote economic inclusiveness, as well as adherence to performance culture and consequence management to improve institutional capacity
Purchase intention of South African youth and alcohol advertising through social media influencers
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mdlalose, Sikhanyiso; Dorson Anning, Thomas
Purpose: The study aims to investigate the purchase intention of South African youth between ages 18 to 25 and alcohol advertising through social media influencers.
Theoretical approach: The conceptual model of the study draws inspiration and synergies from the elaboration likelihood model theory, source credibility theory, social learning theory and source internalisation and source identification theories, based on previous persuasion and influencer marketing literature.
Design/methodology/analysis: The study employs a quantitative research design, utilising self-administered questionnaires in the form of online survey as primary method of data collection. The study population consists of individuals between the ages of 18 to 25 who have internet access and active on social media. The study analysis is dominated by descriptive tests and multiple linear regression models to test given hypotheses.
Findings: A total of 346 respondents data collected, the study affirmed positive correlation between social media influencers and purchase intent from alcohol advertising. It revealed that when people identify with influencers, they become attracted to them, they trust them more, and are more included to purchase advertised products, particularly alcohol in this study. Additionally, internalisation enhances trust and positive responses to advertisements. However, while influencer match-up affects purchase intention, influencer trustworthiness, attractiveness, and expertise seem to have less impact. Nonetheless, younger demographics tend to trust and identify with influencers, significantly influencing their product purchase decisions.
Practical implications: Authorities must relook the adequacy of alcohol advertising regulations and practices in protecting impressionable youths from SMI advertising. It is also important to educate the youths that SMI advertising may not mirror true life realities and should be emulated with care or not be emulated at all.
Originality/value: The study contributes to SMI marketing literature, within the context of alcohol advertising as well as youth in South Africa. There is lack of literature providing context of social media influencers and alcohol advertising in South Africa and Africa
Adoption of custom artificial intelligence models in South African small and medium-sized enterprises
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Mdingi, Yanga; Lee, Gregory
This study quantitatively investigates the potential adoption of custom AI models in South African SMEs using the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework. The adoption of AI in organizations is influenced by technological, organizational, and environmental elements, which can be examined using the TOE framework to understand the complexities of AI adoption. This research is guided by a post-positivist philosophical perspective to addresses the question: What factors impact the adoption of custom AI models in South African SMEs? The study employed a quantitative research design and survey methodology to collect data from South African SMEs. Participants were selected through a snowball sampling method, and data was gathered using a self-administered online questionnaire based on TOE model constructs, with each item assessed using a five-point Likert scale to capture participant opinions and attitudes. Statistical analysis, including Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression, revealed significant positive relationships between factors such as top management support, technological competence, competitive pressure, and external support, and the adoption of custom AI models. While perceived compatibility does not have a direct significant effect on AI adoption, the study revealed that it moderates the influence of top management support and technological competence on custom AI adoption. Practical recommendations of this study include prioritizing executive education, developing leadership training programs, recruiting and retaining technologically competent individuals, investing in employee training programs, leveraging external support from technology vendors and partners, recognizing the strategic importance of AI in competitive industries, and balancing efforts on perceived compatibility and management support. The findings provide actionable recommendations for enhancing AI adoption in South African SMEs, helping them overcome adoption challenges and improve competitiveness and sustainability in the local and global markets
Construction Professionals’ Awareness of Automation and Robotics in South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mbhalati, Kurisani Luther; Jenika, Gobind
In South Africa, the construction sector, which accounts for approximately 3% of the GDP, is essential for economic growth but struggles with issues such as falling productivity, quality concerns, and safety risks. The adoption of robotics and automation could address these challenges, offering more reliable and precise quality, boosting productivity, cutting costs, and increasing safety by automating dangerous tasks.
This cross-sectional study aimed at assessing the awareness of automation and robotics among South African construction professionals through a quantitative
survey. Additionally, the research sought to capture the professionals' opinions on the benefits these technologies could offer to construction projects and identify the barriers to their wider adoption as perceived by these professionals. Findings indicated a varied level of awareness among construction professionals, with high familiarity in technologies like Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and lower awareness in emerging technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR). Moreover, the professionals acknowledged the benefits of adopting these technologies, notably highlighting increased productivity and safety as key benefits. They also identified significant barriers to adoption, citing high acquisition costs and socio-economic concerns over job displacement as major obstacles, particularly in a context of high unemployment rates.
Considering the construction industry's role in economic growth and recognizing the dip in productivity, alongside the industry's reluctance towards innovation, the study recommends focused educational initiatives and promotional activities for robotics and automation. It further stresses the need for policy changes to ensure the safe and efficient implementation of these technologies. Moreover, from a governmental standpoint, the study suggests providing incentives to businesses to encourage the adoption of robotics and automation in the construction industry
Financial Management Maturity Level assessment of SIOC, in the context of the South African Mining Industry
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mbatha, Segomotso Boitumelo; Cheruiyot, Roselyne
performance and identifying areas that require further maturation. The research was conducted within the specific context of SIOC in the mining industry of South Africa. The organisation launched a strategic initiative focused on four key pillars, namely, achieving zero fatalities, prolonging the lifespan of operations, attaining an additional $10 per ton margin by 2022 to reach a breakeven point at $35 per ton (in 2017 real terms), and becoming the Employer of Choice in South Africa. Three of the four strategic pillars were successfully achieved, except the breakeven objective. The primary objective of this research was to contribute to the current body of literature, and to advance knowledge of financial maturity models, as well as the relationship between financial maturity levels, organisational performance, and profitability. To assess the financial maturity of the organisation and enhance its performance and competitive advantage, a relevant financial maturity model was employed as a guide. Primary data was acquired through face-to-face semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire completed by all interviewees. The research included 20 interviews conducted with four financial management experts and 16 managers from various operational functions. The primary findings of the analysis suggested that the financial maturity level of the organisation is intermediate to good. The study recommends focusing on the simplification and accessibility of financial information, as well as the development of financial management at the junior to middle management levels