A leadership model for South Africa’s infrastructure-related State-owned Enterprises
- Authors: Notununu, Fezile
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Government business enterprises -- South Africa , Construction industry , Leadership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64750 , vital:73885
- Description: The objective of this research was to create a leadership model designed specifically to address the challenges faced by South Africa's infrastructure-related, state-owned enterprises. Both Eskom and Transnet are currently experiencing leadership crises, which might be further exacerbated by the global economic difficulties. Through an initial literature review it became evident that there was a knowledge gap regarding leadership within South Africa's state-owned enterprises. Consequently, it was crucial to conduct an extensive analysis of leadership styles to ensure effective infrastructure management for these state-owned enterprises. The primary aim of this study was to propose a leadership model that would be suitable for South Africa's infrastructure-related, state-owned enterprises. To achieve this objective, the relationship between effective leadership and perceived success in infrastructure development was explored, as well as the relationship between effective planning and perceived success in infrastructure development within these enterprises. Additionally, the connection between leadership training and perceived success in infrastructure development was investigated in the study. Quantitative research methods were employed to address these research objectives. The data for this study were collected through an online survey, with a total of 335 respondents from South Africa. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling (SEM) were used for analysis, using SPSS AMOS 29 Software. The findings of the study indicated a significant positive relationship between effective management and perceived success in infrastructure development for state-owned enterprises. However, the results regarding the relationship between effective planning and perceived success were not statistically significant, as the p-value exceeded 0.05. Based on the outcomes of the study, appropriate and meaningful recommendations have been provided regarding the leadership model necessary for effective infrastructure management in South Africa's infrastructure-related, state-owned enterprises. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Notununu, Fezile
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Government business enterprises -- South Africa , Construction industry , Leadership -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64750 , vital:73885
- Description: The objective of this research was to create a leadership model designed specifically to address the challenges faced by South Africa's infrastructure-related, state-owned enterprises. Both Eskom and Transnet are currently experiencing leadership crises, which might be further exacerbated by the global economic difficulties. Through an initial literature review it became evident that there was a knowledge gap regarding leadership within South Africa's state-owned enterprises. Consequently, it was crucial to conduct an extensive analysis of leadership styles to ensure effective infrastructure management for these state-owned enterprises. The primary aim of this study was to propose a leadership model that would be suitable for South Africa's infrastructure-related, state-owned enterprises. To achieve this objective, the relationship between effective leadership and perceived success in infrastructure development was explored, as well as the relationship between effective planning and perceived success in infrastructure development within these enterprises. Additionally, the connection between leadership training and perceived success in infrastructure development was investigated in the study. Quantitative research methods were employed to address these research objectives. The data for this study were collected through an online survey, with a total of 335 respondents from South Africa. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling (SEM) were used for analysis, using SPSS AMOS 29 Software. The findings of the study indicated a significant positive relationship between effective management and perceived success in infrastructure development for state-owned enterprises. However, the results regarding the relationship between effective planning and perceived success were not statistically significant, as the p-value exceeded 0.05. Based on the outcomes of the study, appropriate and meaningful recommendations have been provided regarding the leadership model necessary for effective infrastructure management in South Africa's infrastructure-related, state-owned enterprises. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Local government support for SMMEs in the construction industry to reduce unemployment: the case of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Authors: Jiba, Mncedikazi Felicelle
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Small business , Construction industry , Unemployment
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:74011
- Description: Despite government intervention, a significant proportion of businesses fail within the first few years of operation, and the unemployment rate remains high. If local government is assisting SMMEs in construction, it is important to look at whether it is addressing the primary issues of preventing SMMESs in construction from failing. Because the construction industry employs many unskilled workers, it is also negatively impacted by the number of businesses that are closing or going out of business. Purposive sampling, thematic analysis, and a qualitative approach were used in this documentary research. A total of 50 documents that addressed the role of local government in supporting and developing the SMMEs in construction at NMBM were reviewed. The findings of the study indicate that 86% of the documents reviewed indicate that SMMEs in construction to participate in Support Programmes as one of the potential complementary strategies for local government to support the growth of SMMEs in the construction industry and help them create jobs. Furthermore, the results of the study also indicate that 86% of the documents reviewed state late payments as one of the major challenges leading to the failure of the SMMEs in the NMBM construction industry. This research has also proposed a sub section in the finance department at NMBM that to deal with the payment of SMMEs including SMMEs in the construction industry, as a potential change to the current support structure and legislation of local government that are meant to boost the performance of SMMEs in the construction industry and help them accomplish their stated objectives of creating jobs. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Jiba, Mncedikazi Felicelle
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Small business , Construction industry , Unemployment
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:74011
- Description: Despite government intervention, a significant proportion of businesses fail within the first few years of operation, and the unemployment rate remains high. If local government is assisting SMMEs in construction, it is important to look at whether it is addressing the primary issues of preventing SMMESs in construction from failing. Because the construction industry employs many unskilled workers, it is also negatively impacted by the number of businesses that are closing or going out of business. Purposive sampling, thematic analysis, and a qualitative approach were used in this documentary research. A total of 50 documents that addressed the role of local government in supporting and developing the SMMEs in construction at NMBM were reviewed. The findings of the study indicate that 86% of the documents reviewed indicate that SMMEs in construction to participate in Support Programmes as one of the potential complementary strategies for local government to support the growth of SMMEs in the construction industry and help them create jobs. Furthermore, the results of the study also indicate that 86% of the documents reviewed state late payments as one of the major challenges leading to the failure of the SMMEs in the NMBM construction industry. This research has also proposed a sub section in the finance department at NMBM that to deal with the payment of SMMEs including SMMEs in the construction industry, as a potential change to the current support structure and legislation of local government that are meant to boost the performance of SMMEs in the construction industry and help them accomplish their stated objectives of creating jobs. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
The performance of small construction firms in South Africa under the cost leadership strategy
- Authors: Karambakuwa, Ngonidzashe
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Construction industry , Construction industry -- Management , Small business -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64577 , vital:73768
- Description: Small construction firms in South Africa have been experiencing poor performance over the years. They have not been cost-efficient, resulting in profitability and viability challenges. These challenges have emanated from the firms’ lack of strategic focus. They have not consciously implemented appropriate strategies to enhance their performance. The cost leadership strategy is therefore a viable option for firms to address their viability challenges because winning contracts depends on submitting the lowest tender bids. This research sought to establish how small construction firms in South Africa could best implement the cost leadership strategy to improve their performance through developing a partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) to implement identified significant financial, human capital, innovation and technology strategies. The research followed a quantitative research approach. Data was collected through questionnaires, which were distributed to a sample of owners and managers of small construction firms in the provinces of South Africa. The population of the study consisted of small construction firms in grades 2 to 4 on the Construction Industry Development Board’s (CIDB) contractors register. The respondents, who were selected through stratified random sampling, were requested to rate the importance of finance, human capital, innovation and technology strategies in supporting the performance of their firms. A total of 155 usable questionnaires were returned. The data was analysed using the software SPSS Statistics - Version 28. Chi-square tests were used to identify the statistically significant financial, human capital, innovation and technology strategies for the performance of the firms. Furthermore, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to determine the statistically significant differences in the respondents’ perceptions of the importance of the strategies due to demographics. Thereafter, a structural model was developed through SEM modelling to determine the relationship between the significant strategies and performance. The results established that increasing the available finance, creating higher incomes compared to costs, increasing contracts per annum and supporting the budget for innovation, significantly contributed to the performance of the construction firms. In addition, prioritising skills development, offering basic salaries with incentives, fostering a strong work ethic, and effective coordination of work were significant strategies. Recognising innovations in technology and human resources cost reductions and carefully promoting innovative ideas through the right support infrastructure were the most significant innovation strategies for performance. It was further established that the acquisition and effective use of computer software and hardware, with the relevant technical knowledge and technical tools, were significant technology strategies for firm performance. The study also established the existence of statistically significant differences in the perception of the importance of innovation and technology strategies due to types of work, and differences in the perception of financial strategies due to age (generation). A PSL-SEM implementation model consisting of statistically significant strategies and demographics was developed and presented graphically. It is recommended that small construction firms should adopt the model to strengthen value chain activities for better performance. The government, the CIDB and other stakeholders should fully support the implementation of the model. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Karambakuwa, Ngonidzashe
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Construction industry , Construction industry -- Management , Small business -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64577 , vital:73768
- Description: Small construction firms in South Africa have been experiencing poor performance over the years. They have not been cost-efficient, resulting in profitability and viability challenges. These challenges have emanated from the firms’ lack of strategic focus. They have not consciously implemented appropriate strategies to enhance their performance. The cost leadership strategy is therefore a viable option for firms to address their viability challenges because winning contracts depends on submitting the lowest tender bids. This research sought to establish how small construction firms in South Africa could best implement the cost leadership strategy to improve their performance through developing a partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) to implement identified significant financial, human capital, innovation and technology strategies. The research followed a quantitative research approach. Data was collected through questionnaires, which were distributed to a sample of owners and managers of small construction firms in the provinces of South Africa. The population of the study consisted of small construction firms in grades 2 to 4 on the Construction Industry Development Board’s (CIDB) contractors register. The respondents, who were selected through stratified random sampling, were requested to rate the importance of finance, human capital, innovation and technology strategies in supporting the performance of their firms. A total of 155 usable questionnaires were returned. The data was analysed using the software SPSS Statistics - Version 28. Chi-square tests were used to identify the statistically significant financial, human capital, innovation and technology strategies for the performance of the firms. Furthermore, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to determine the statistically significant differences in the respondents’ perceptions of the importance of the strategies due to demographics. Thereafter, a structural model was developed through SEM modelling to determine the relationship between the significant strategies and performance. The results established that increasing the available finance, creating higher incomes compared to costs, increasing contracts per annum and supporting the budget for innovation, significantly contributed to the performance of the construction firms. In addition, prioritising skills development, offering basic salaries with incentives, fostering a strong work ethic, and effective coordination of work were significant strategies. Recognising innovations in technology and human resources cost reductions and carefully promoting innovative ideas through the right support infrastructure were the most significant innovation strategies for performance. It was further established that the acquisition and effective use of computer software and hardware, with the relevant technical knowledge and technical tools, were significant technology strategies for firm performance. The study also established the existence of statistically significant differences in the perception of the importance of innovation and technology strategies due to types of work, and differences in the perception of financial strategies due to age (generation). A PSL-SEM implementation model consisting of statistically significant strategies and demographics was developed and presented graphically. It is recommended that small construction firms should adopt the model to strengthen value chain activities for better performance. The government, the CIDB and other stakeholders should fully support the implementation of the model. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
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