The impact of Retail Distribution Review (RDR) on the South African financial planning industry
- Authors: Faul, Charmaine Hester
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Financial planning industry -- South Africa Financial services industry -- South Africa , Financial services industry -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Corporate governance -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15193 , vital:28177
- Description: The Retail Distribution Review (RDR) was introduced by the Financial Services Board (FSB) to change the distribution and remuneration practices in the financial services industry in an attempt to ensure that clients receive fair treatment when purchasing financial products. The FSB aims to ensure that clients are sold products which are suitable for their financial needs and objectives; that clients receive appropriate advice which is not biased and not subject to product supplier influence in particular and that there is full transparency in the sales process. The current distribution of financial products and some financial advisor remuneration models are noted as contributing factors to the poor outcomes of current product selling practices. The impact of RDR on the sustainability of the South African financial services industry and advisor force is expected to be substantial, especially in terms of advisor remuneration, the reduction in qualified experienced advisors and a growing advice gap. This study reviewed the research conducted in the UK and Australia where RDR has been implemented and the impact thereof on the financial planning industry in these countries. This study aimed to determine if the South African advisors have started changing their business models to ensure that they are ready for the implementation of RDR and to reduce the impact of RDR on their practices. An environmental scan was conducted in order to identify and understand other factors specific to the South African context which will impact the financial services industry in the future. Research was conducted via online questionnaires as well as personal interviews to determine the perception of clients pertaining to the trustworthiness and professionalism of financial advisors and what they perceive as value in terms of financial planning, their knowledge of RDR and the changing environment. Industry experts were given the opportunity to share their views regarding the impact of RDR on the industry as well as their proposals in terms of the implementation and roll-out of RDR.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Faul, Charmaine Hester
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Financial planning industry -- South Africa Financial services industry -- South Africa , Financial services industry -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Corporate governance -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15193 , vital:28177
- Description: The Retail Distribution Review (RDR) was introduced by the Financial Services Board (FSB) to change the distribution and remuneration practices in the financial services industry in an attempt to ensure that clients receive fair treatment when purchasing financial products. The FSB aims to ensure that clients are sold products which are suitable for their financial needs and objectives; that clients receive appropriate advice which is not biased and not subject to product supplier influence in particular and that there is full transparency in the sales process. The current distribution of financial products and some financial advisor remuneration models are noted as contributing factors to the poor outcomes of current product selling practices. The impact of RDR on the sustainability of the South African financial services industry and advisor force is expected to be substantial, especially in terms of advisor remuneration, the reduction in qualified experienced advisors and a growing advice gap. This study reviewed the research conducted in the UK and Australia where RDR has been implemented and the impact thereof on the financial planning industry in these countries. This study aimed to determine if the South African advisors have started changing their business models to ensure that they are ready for the implementation of RDR and to reduce the impact of RDR on their practices. An environmental scan was conducted in order to identify and understand other factors specific to the South African context which will impact the financial services industry in the future. Research was conducted via online questionnaires as well as personal interviews to determine the perception of clients pertaining to the trustworthiness and professionalism of financial advisors and what they perceive as value in terms of financial planning, their knowledge of RDR and the changing environment. Industry experts were given the opportunity to share their views regarding the impact of RDR on the industry as well as their proposals in terms of the implementation and roll-out of RDR.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The impact of trade liberalisation on Kenya
- Authors: Simiyu, Edwin Jairus
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Trade regulation -- Kenya Free trade -- Kenya , Foreign trade regulation -- Kenya Developing countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20244 , vital:29163
- Description: This study examined the impact of trade liberalisation on Kenya. It analysed the influence of trade liberalisation on trade creation, trade diversion, exports, imports, revenue effects and welfare effects. The developments in trade liberalisation and free-trade economic arrangements were introduced in Kenya and many developing countries in the early 1980s and strengthened from 1990s onward. The short term effects of the structural-adjustment programs were characterised by poor balance of payment conditions, high levels of unemployment, contraction of the imports from other countries, and government revenue losses, among other social problems. Notwithstanding the dismal performance of the Kenyan Economy after liberalisation, the Kenyan government continued to liberalise its trade under various frameworks such as the Economic Partnership agreements (EPAs) with the European Union, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and various bilateral free-trade agreements (BFTA) with its largest trading partners. This study used the World Integrated Trade Solutions-Software for Market Analysis and Restrictions on Trade (WITS/SMART) using 2008 as the base year. This method was used mainly because of its strengths to analyse the tariff effects of a sole market on disaggregate product lines. In addition the WITS/SMART model is able to analyse the impact of trade liberalisation in scenarios of imperfect substitutes. Hence, this study used the WITS/SMART Model to examine the trade liberalisation framework for Kenya under comprehensive implementation of COMESA customs Union, COMESA FTA, WTOFTA and the EPAs. The comparative valuation of the trade-creation effects reveals that the WTOFTA expected the highest trade-creation effects of US$995.16 million. This was followed by the various bilateral free-trade agreements which had a trade-creation effect of US$333.04 million, then COMESACU which had a trade-creation effect of US$310.50 million followed by the EPAs with a value of US$129.45 million. COMESA FTA was expecting trade-creation effects valued at US$15.51 million. These trade-creation effects are expected to cause unemployment through de-industrialisation. This study has also noted that WTO FTA and COMESA CU had no evidence of trade diversion. However, BFTA, EPAs and COMESA FTA showed evidence of trade diversion of US$134.88 million, US$89.28 million and US$2.61 million respectively. This study also examined the possible revenue effect from the free-trade agreements and customs union. It was noted that most losses emanated from the WTOFTA, which was valued at US$817.15 million. This was followed by the COMESACU protocol, which is expected to register a loss amounting to US$327 million. The third free-trade agreement with the highest losses comprised the various BFTAs amounting to US$304 million. The forth probable losses were anticipated from EPAs amounting to US$142 million. The free-trade agreement with the least losses is COMESA FTA with an expected loss of US$7.88 million. The consumer welfare effect was done to assess if consumers benefitted from trade agreements. This study observed that the WTOFTA expected the highest consumer welfare effect of US$103.98 million. This was followed by the various COMESACU with an expected consumer welfare effect of US$56.27 million. The BFTA were the third with a consumer welfare effect of US$ 41.82 million. This was followed by the EPAs with a consumer welfare value of US$ 17.56 million. The trade protocol with the least-expected consumer-welfare effect was the COMESA FTA valued at US$ 1.60 million. Although welfare gains resulting from the anticipated trade agreements were an indication of potential benefits to Kenyans, they were insignificant. This study also analysed the export performance from five different trade agreements and their impact on Kenya. The BFTA expected an export value US$4.63 billion, followed by the EPAs with an expected export value of US$2.18 billion. The third largest export values was WTOFTA with an export value of US$12.12 billion, the fourth being COMESAFTA having an export value of US$ 434.28 million and finally COMESACU with an expected export value of US$394.14 million. The study showed that major exports were composed of minerals, tobacco and agricultural products dominating the export basket. The export destinations were expected to be the WTO members, which include Uganda, Congo, Egypt, Rwanda, Sudan and Zambia. Kenya expected an increase in imports mainly from the WTO amounting to 8.95 per cent. This was followed by the BFTA rated with an expected 3.2 per cent growth in imports. The third protocol expecting import growth was the COMESACU of 2.8 per cent import growth and the EPA with 1.16 per cent import growth, and finally, 0.07 per cent import growth from the COMESA FTA. The expected increase in imports is anticipated to create balance of payment problems for Kenya. The results of the study show that the welfare gains from trade liberalisation were not able to compensate for the revenue losses. The study also showed that Kenya was not able to make optimal use of trade liberalisation to expand its export destinations; as the COMESACU was expected to reduce exports. In light of these findings, the study recommends that measures aimed at boosting exports like strengthening of the Export Processing Zones, export subsidies, the establishing of supply-side facilities, trade financing plus strengthening of the export-supporting institutions. It is important to note that the findings of this study provide an opportunity for Kenya, and other developing countries, to implement measures to ensure that they achieve optimal benefits from the various regional trade agreements.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Simiyu, Edwin Jairus
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Trade regulation -- Kenya Free trade -- Kenya , Foreign trade regulation -- Kenya Developing countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20244 , vital:29163
- Description: This study examined the impact of trade liberalisation on Kenya. It analysed the influence of trade liberalisation on trade creation, trade diversion, exports, imports, revenue effects and welfare effects. The developments in trade liberalisation and free-trade economic arrangements were introduced in Kenya and many developing countries in the early 1980s and strengthened from 1990s onward. The short term effects of the structural-adjustment programs were characterised by poor balance of payment conditions, high levels of unemployment, contraction of the imports from other countries, and government revenue losses, among other social problems. Notwithstanding the dismal performance of the Kenyan Economy after liberalisation, the Kenyan government continued to liberalise its trade under various frameworks such as the Economic Partnership agreements (EPAs) with the European Union, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and various bilateral free-trade agreements (BFTA) with its largest trading partners. This study used the World Integrated Trade Solutions-Software for Market Analysis and Restrictions on Trade (WITS/SMART) using 2008 as the base year. This method was used mainly because of its strengths to analyse the tariff effects of a sole market on disaggregate product lines. In addition the WITS/SMART model is able to analyse the impact of trade liberalisation in scenarios of imperfect substitutes. Hence, this study used the WITS/SMART Model to examine the trade liberalisation framework for Kenya under comprehensive implementation of COMESA customs Union, COMESA FTA, WTOFTA and the EPAs. The comparative valuation of the trade-creation effects reveals that the WTOFTA expected the highest trade-creation effects of US$995.16 million. This was followed by the various bilateral free-trade agreements which had a trade-creation effect of US$333.04 million, then COMESACU which had a trade-creation effect of US$310.50 million followed by the EPAs with a value of US$129.45 million. COMESA FTA was expecting trade-creation effects valued at US$15.51 million. These trade-creation effects are expected to cause unemployment through de-industrialisation. This study has also noted that WTO FTA and COMESA CU had no evidence of trade diversion. However, BFTA, EPAs and COMESA FTA showed evidence of trade diversion of US$134.88 million, US$89.28 million and US$2.61 million respectively. This study also examined the possible revenue effect from the free-trade agreements and customs union. It was noted that most losses emanated from the WTOFTA, which was valued at US$817.15 million. This was followed by the COMESACU protocol, which is expected to register a loss amounting to US$327 million. The third free-trade agreement with the highest losses comprised the various BFTAs amounting to US$304 million. The forth probable losses were anticipated from EPAs amounting to US$142 million. The free-trade agreement with the least losses is COMESA FTA with an expected loss of US$7.88 million. The consumer welfare effect was done to assess if consumers benefitted from trade agreements. This study observed that the WTOFTA expected the highest consumer welfare effect of US$103.98 million. This was followed by the various COMESACU with an expected consumer welfare effect of US$56.27 million. The BFTA were the third with a consumer welfare effect of US$ 41.82 million. This was followed by the EPAs with a consumer welfare value of US$ 17.56 million. The trade protocol with the least-expected consumer-welfare effect was the COMESA FTA valued at US$ 1.60 million. Although welfare gains resulting from the anticipated trade agreements were an indication of potential benefits to Kenyans, they were insignificant. This study also analysed the export performance from five different trade agreements and their impact on Kenya. The BFTA expected an export value US$4.63 billion, followed by the EPAs with an expected export value of US$2.18 billion. The third largest export values was WTOFTA with an export value of US$12.12 billion, the fourth being COMESAFTA having an export value of US$ 434.28 million and finally COMESACU with an expected export value of US$394.14 million. The study showed that major exports were composed of minerals, tobacco and agricultural products dominating the export basket. The export destinations were expected to be the WTO members, which include Uganda, Congo, Egypt, Rwanda, Sudan and Zambia. Kenya expected an increase in imports mainly from the WTO amounting to 8.95 per cent. This was followed by the BFTA rated with an expected 3.2 per cent growth in imports. The third protocol expecting import growth was the COMESACU of 2.8 per cent import growth and the EPA with 1.16 per cent import growth, and finally, 0.07 per cent import growth from the COMESA FTA. The expected increase in imports is anticipated to create balance of payment problems for Kenya. The results of the study show that the welfare gains from trade liberalisation were not able to compensate for the revenue losses. The study also showed that Kenya was not able to make optimal use of trade liberalisation to expand its export destinations; as the COMESACU was expected to reduce exports. In light of these findings, the study recommends that measures aimed at boosting exports like strengthening of the Export Processing Zones, export subsidies, the establishing of supply-side facilities, trade financing plus strengthening of the export-supporting institutions. It is important to note that the findings of this study provide an opportunity for Kenya, and other developing countries, to implement measures to ensure that they achieve optimal benefits from the various regional trade agreements.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The impact of violence during strike action on protected strikes
- Authors: Mbeleni, Xolani McGlory
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Strikes and lockouts -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Industrial relations -- South Africa , Violence -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45410 , vital:38614
- Description: This research has five important objectives. First, to outline the legal frame work regulating the right to strike. Outlining this legal framework is important in that it will provide an understanding of both the right to strike and the concept of a protected strike. it is crucial to understand what a protected strike is because the concept underlies the entire research. Without understanding it, it will be impossible to answer the main research question. Second, to investigate the causes of violence during protected strikes. An examination of the causes of violence enables the study to suggest possible solutions to end violent strike action in future. After all the LRA envisages in section 1, labour peace and an effective resolution of disputes. Third, to examine how the LRA regulates the use of violence during protected strikes. An understanding of how the LRA regulates violent strike action is important since the LRA is an important piece of legislation which governs South African labour relations. It is important to obtain guidance on how the law regulates such conduct. Fourth, to ascertain the courts’ approach towards violence during strikes The courts’ approach helps us understand how the courts will deal with strike violence during 5 protected strikes. It is also noteworthy that case precedents in this regard will be of importance when faced with similar acts of violence during strike action. Fifth, to examine the legal implications of violence during protected strikes. This objective directly answers the main research question and this will enable the study to offer possible recommendations in the final chapter of this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mbeleni, Xolani McGlory
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Strikes and lockouts -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Industrial relations -- South Africa , Violence -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45410 , vital:38614
- Description: This research has five important objectives. First, to outline the legal frame work regulating the right to strike. Outlining this legal framework is important in that it will provide an understanding of both the right to strike and the concept of a protected strike. it is crucial to understand what a protected strike is because the concept underlies the entire research. Without understanding it, it will be impossible to answer the main research question. Second, to investigate the causes of violence during protected strikes. An examination of the causes of violence enables the study to suggest possible solutions to end violent strike action in future. After all the LRA envisages in section 1, labour peace and an effective resolution of disputes. Third, to examine how the LRA regulates the use of violence during protected strikes. An understanding of how the LRA regulates violent strike action is important since the LRA is an important piece of legislation which governs South African labour relations. It is important to obtain guidance on how the law regulates such conduct. Fourth, to ascertain the courts’ approach towards violence during strikes The courts’ approach helps us understand how the courts will deal with strike violence during 5 protected strikes. It is also noteworthy that case precedents in this regard will be of importance when faced with similar acts of violence during strike action. Fifth, to examine the legal implications of violence during protected strikes. This objective directly answers the main research question and this will enable the study to offer possible recommendations in the final chapter of this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The implementation of the succession policy and staff retention strategy: Joe Gqabi District Municipality
- Authors: Ramarou, Moleboheng
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Employees Employee retention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Personnel management -- South Africa -- Government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19894 , vital:29001
- Description: The aim of this study is to evaluate the implementation of the succession policy and staff retention strategy of the Joe Gqabi District Municipality (JGDM) in the Eastern Cape. Retention and succession are located within a broader understanding of administration and management, and specifically within the New Public Management theory. A qualitative research methodology was used. Semi-structured interviews were primary means of data collection, supplemented by documentary analysis. A non-probability, stratified sample of 12 senior managers, middle managers, supervisors and professionals employed by the district municipality constituted the target group. The findings reveal that both the succession policy and the staff retention strategy were hampered by severe implementation weaknesses, resulting in failure to stem the high rate of turnover and vacancies at the municipality. The study recommends a series of measures to enhance future implementation success.These include, amongst others, implementation action plans with clear deliverables andtimeframes, monitoring and evaluation; employee participation; linking execution to individual performance; and proactively addressing issues of staff satisfaction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ramarou, Moleboheng
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Employees Employee retention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Personnel management -- South Africa -- Government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19894 , vital:29001
- Description: The aim of this study is to evaluate the implementation of the succession policy and staff retention strategy of the Joe Gqabi District Municipality (JGDM) in the Eastern Cape. Retention and succession are located within a broader understanding of administration and management, and specifically within the New Public Management theory. A qualitative research methodology was used. Semi-structured interviews were primary means of data collection, supplemented by documentary analysis. A non-probability, stratified sample of 12 senior managers, middle managers, supervisors and professionals employed by the district municipality constituted the target group. The findings reveal that both the succession policy and the staff retention strategy were hampered by severe implementation weaknesses, resulting in failure to stem the high rate of turnover and vacancies at the municipality. The study recommends a series of measures to enhance future implementation success.These include, amongst others, implementation action plans with clear deliverables andtimeframes, monitoring and evaluation; employee participation; linking execution to individual performance; and proactively addressing issues of staff satisfaction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The implementation of Tshwane Vision 2055 urban development plan
- Authors: Nonqane-Lekoma, Phenyo LB
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- Government policy -- South Africa -- City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality Urbanization -- South Africa -- City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20154 , vital:29147
- Description: The perceived inaction in ensuring that the overall strategic objectives of urban development plans are achieved was the main problem that had to be addressed through this study. The study aimed at contributing towards the enhancement of the implementation of urban development plans like the TV 2055. The relevant literature was reviewed with an emphasis was on urban development, development theory, development policy and development strategies. An analysis of relevant documents was also done. The CTMM’s documents entitled: Tshwane Vision 2055: Remaking South Africa’s Capital City, the Tshwane Integrated Urban Development Plan Review (2014-2015) and the Tshwane Regional Development Plan (2015-2016) were analysed. Through the study, it was found that 93.55% of respondents strongly agreed and agreed with the statement that a high performing CTMM was necessary for the implementation of the TV 2055. Conversely, 88.71% of respondents strongly agreed and agreed with the statement that a people-oriented administration of the city was a prerequisite for the effective implementation of the TV 2055. About 90.32% of respondents agreed and strongly agreed with the statement that continuous research of difficulties faced by residents was needed for successful implementation of the TV 2055. In conclusion, the study culminated in developing a basic urban development implementation model based on the findings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Nonqane-Lekoma, Phenyo LB
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- Government policy -- South Africa -- City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality Urbanization -- South Africa -- City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20154 , vital:29147
- Description: The perceived inaction in ensuring that the overall strategic objectives of urban development plans are achieved was the main problem that had to be addressed through this study. The study aimed at contributing towards the enhancement of the implementation of urban development plans like the TV 2055. The relevant literature was reviewed with an emphasis was on urban development, development theory, development policy and development strategies. An analysis of relevant documents was also done. The CTMM’s documents entitled: Tshwane Vision 2055: Remaking South Africa’s Capital City, the Tshwane Integrated Urban Development Plan Review (2014-2015) and the Tshwane Regional Development Plan (2015-2016) were analysed. Through the study, it was found that 93.55% of respondents strongly agreed and agreed with the statement that a high performing CTMM was necessary for the implementation of the TV 2055. Conversely, 88.71% of respondents strongly agreed and agreed with the statement that a people-oriented administration of the city was a prerequisite for the effective implementation of the TV 2055. About 90.32% of respondents agreed and strongly agreed with the statement that continuous research of difficulties faced by residents was needed for successful implementation of the TV 2055. In conclusion, the study culminated in developing a basic urban development implementation model based on the findings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The influence of a leader’s perceived organisational politics on employee behaviours and the moderating effect of cultural intelligence
- Authors: Pienaar, Stephanus De Wet
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa Business and politics -- South Africa , Organizational behavior Diversity in the workplace
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14488 , vital:27663
- Description: Modern day workforces are governed by political environments which are a precursor to the formation of perceptions that are generated by employees regarding their leader’s political activities. These perceptions include the views that leaders more often than not indulge in self-seeking political behaviour. Employees who are forced to deal with these politically charged environments often find that their perceptions dictate their respective behaviours as their ethical beliefs and values are continuously challenged by leaders who abuse their authority in an attempt to promote personal gain. South Africa is known for its diverse workforce and tense political environments and cultural intelligence is an aspect that could well enhance the employee / employer relationship. It is felt that a leader’s cultural intelligence could be instrumental in moderating employee perceptions of organisational politics and their respective behaviours. It is against this backdrop that an empirical study was formulated by making use of a hypothetical model for the purposes of extrapolating evidential data required to draw conclusions and make recommendations to leadership regarding the impact that perceptions of organisational politics might have on employee behaviours and to test whether or not cultural intelligence has a moderating effect on these relations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Pienaar, Stephanus De Wet
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa Business and politics -- South Africa , Organizational behavior Diversity in the workplace
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14488 , vital:27663
- Description: Modern day workforces are governed by political environments which are a precursor to the formation of perceptions that are generated by employees regarding their leader’s political activities. These perceptions include the views that leaders more often than not indulge in self-seeking political behaviour. Employees who are forced to deal with these politically charged environments often find that their perceptions dictate their respective behaviours as their ethical beliefs and values are continuously challenged by leaders who abuse their authority in an attempt to promote personal gain. South Africa is known for its diverse workforce and tense political environments and cultural intelligence is an aspect that could well enhance the employee / employer relationship. It is felt that a leader’s cultural intelligence could be instrumental in moderating employee perceptions of organisational politics and their respective behaviours. It is against this backdrop that an empirical study was formulated by making use of a hypothetical model for the purposes of extrapolating evidential data required to draw conclusions and make recommendations to leadership regarding the impact that perceptions of organisational politics might have on employee behaviours and to test whether or not cultural intelligence has a moderating effect on these relations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The influence of corporatization on the professional identity of community pharmacists
- Kubashe, Nomachina Theopatra
- Authors: Kubashe, Nomachina Theopatra
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Pharmacy -- Social aspects -- South Africa Pharmacist and patient -- South Africa , Communities of practice
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18189 , vital:28586
- Description: As a potential main player in the primary health care sector and the impending National Health Insurance (NHI), community pharmacists could make a significant contribution to easing the health care burden in South Africa. Recent legislative and organizational changes related to the corporatization of pharmacy in South Africa have impacted significantly on the profession and stand to weaken the already ‘tenuous’ professional identity of pharmacists in the country. Since community pharmacists are viewed as potential main players in the primary health care sector, the influence of corporatization on pharmacists’ identities and their concomitant ability to contribute to easing the health care burden in South Africa need to be considered. In this regard, this study examined the influence that corporatization has had on the professional identity of community pharmacists practicing in the Nelson Mandela Bay area of South Africa. That is, in an effort to understand the influence that corporatization has had on changing professional identities and practices the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours of community pharmacists regarding the philosophy and practice of pharmacy were explored. This included ascertaining community pharmacists’ self-perception of their professional identity and the perception of users of these community pharmacies. The study was conducted from an interpretative epistemological paradigm, based on a philosophy of pragmatism. Data collection was conducted in two phases and a qualitative approach, which included in-depth and semi-structured interviews, was adopted as a design. Phase one investigated the self-perceptions of sixteen community pharmacists, equally distributed between independent and corporate pharmacies in the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB). Phase two examined the perceptions of thirty-two end-users of the pharmacies included in the study. Data from both phases were then analysed and interpreted. Following the identification of seven core professional identities, namely pharmacists as custodian or keeper of medicines; primary health care givers; confidante and carer; jaded; astute and credible; corporate; and independent, it was determined that corporatization has, to various degrees, had an effect on the undermining of Nelson Mandela Bay community pharmacists’ view of themselves as skilled professionals in the health care sector. In short, it was found that corporatization is believed to have blurred the boundaries related to what it means to be a pharmacist and what role pharmacists should play in the provision of public health care. Corporatization does not appear to have influenced the patients’ or pharmacy end-users’ perceptions of the pharmacist, and furthermore does not play a major role in their choice of pharmacy. It is the perception of pharmacists in this study that with the introduction of legislative changes, more so corporatization, they experienced an undermining of their professional skill and disregard for costs involved in becoming a pharmacist. The perceived undermining of the professional skill of pharmacists threatens the valuable contribution that community pharmacists can make to balancing the country’s socio-economic status by appropriately and efficiently assisting in preventing, managing and/or reducing the disease burden in South Africa. Corporatization of the community pharmacy sector seems to have realized the government’s intention of making medication affordable to its citizens, however, the certainty of whether corporatization benefits patients that are in need of access remains to be seen. Community pharmacists could in fact, capitalize on the identification and enactment of their clinical skill (pharmaceutical and social caregiving) as this skill appears to be a tool that will allow pharmacists meaningful transition to being real contributors of primary health care in the imminent introduction of the NHI. At the same time, recognition of the role a pharmacist plays in primary health care will be supporting the government in its endeavours to making medicine accessible and affordable to all South African citizens without compromising their health needs. Ultimately, pharmacists can assist in the balancing and/or improvement of the socio-economic status of our society and the country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Kubashe, Nomachina Theopatra
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Pharmacy -- Social aspects -- South Africa Pharmacist and patient -- South Africa , Communities of practice
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18189 , vital:28586
- Description: As a potential main player in the primary health care sector and the impending National Health Insurance (NHI), community pharmacists could make a significant contribution to easing the health care burden in South Africa. Recent legislative and organizational changes related to the corporatization of pharmacy in South Africa have impacted significantly on the profession and stand to weaken the already ‘tenuous’ professional identity of pharmacists in the country. Since community pharmacists are viewed as potential main players in the primary health care sector, the influence of corporatization on pharmacists’ identities and their concomitant ability to contribute to easing the health care burden in South Africa need to be considered. In this regard, this study examined the influence that corporatization has had on the professional identity of community pharmacists practicing in the Nelson Mandela Bay area of South Africa. That is, in an effort to understand the influence that corporatization has had on changing professional identities and practices the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours of community pharmacists regarding the philosophy and practice of pharmacy were explored. This included ascertaining community pharmacists’ self-perception of their professional identity and the perception of users of these community pharmacies. The study was conducted from an interpretative epistemological paradigm, based on a philosophy of pragmatism. Data collection was conducted in two phases and a qualitative approach, which included in-depth and semi-structured interviews, was adopted as a design. Phase one investigated the self-perceptions of sixteen community pharmacists, equally distributed between independent and corporate pharmacies in the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB). Phase two examined the perceptions of thirty-two end-users of the pharmacies included in the study. Data from both phases were then analysed and interpreted. Following the identification of seven core professional identities, namely pharmacists as custodian or keeper of medicines; primary health care givers; confidante and carer; jaded; astute and credible; corporate; and independent, it was determined that corporatization has, to various degrees, had an effect on the undermining of Nelson Mandela Bay community pharmacists’ view of themselves as skilled professionals in the health care sector. In short, it was found that corporatization is believed to have blurred the boundaries related to what it means to be a pharmacist and what role pharmacists should play in the provision of public health care. Corporatization does not appear to have influenced the patients’ or pharmacy end-users’ perceptions of the pharmacist, and furthermore does not play a major role in their choice of pharmacy. It is the perception of pharmacists in this study that with the introduction of legislative changes, more so corporatization, they experienced an undermining of their professional skill and disregard for costs involved in becoming a pharmacist. The perceived undermining of the professional skill of pharmacists threatens the valuable contribution that community pharmacists can make to balancing the country’s socio-economic status by appropriately and efficiently assisting in preventing, managing and/or reducing the disease burden in South Africa. Corporatization of the community pharmacy sector seems to have realized the government’s intention of making medication affordable to its citizens, however, the certainty of whether corporatization benefits patients that are in need of access remains to be seen. Community pharmacists could in fact, capitalize on the identification and enactment of their clinical skill (pharmaceutical and social caregiving) as this skill appears to be a tool that will allow pharmacists meaningful transition to being real contributors of primary health care in the imminent introduction of the NHI. At the same time, recognition of the role a pharmacist plays in primary health care will be supporting the government in its endeavours to making medicine accessible and affordable to all South African citizens without compromising their health needs. Ultimately, pharmacists can assist in the balancing and/or improvement of the socio-economic status of our society and the country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The influence of fiscal policy on economic growth in South Africa
- Mphinyana, Shonisani Tshinakaho
- Authors: Mphinyana, Shonisani Tshinakaho
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Fiscal policy -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19630 , vital:28917
- Description: This study examines the relationship between fiscal policy and economic growth in South Africa for the period 1994-2014. This study examines the relationship between fiscal policy and economic growth within the context of the endogenous growth theory. Three models are estimated. The variables included in the first model are; real GDP, aggregate government expenditure, total taxes and private investment. The second and third models disaggregate government expenditure into productive and non-productive and taxes into distortionary and non-distortionary. The Vector Autoregressive is used to estimate the relationship between fiscal policy and economic growth. The data is quarterly in frequency. The findings of the study suggest that government investment expenditure has negative impact on growth, while government consumption expenditure has positive impact on growth. Furthermore, the findings of the study are that direct taxes have negative impact on the economy while indirect taxes have positive impact on economic growth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mphinyana, Shonisani Tshinakaho
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Fiscal policy -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19630 , vital:28917
- Description: This study examines the relationship between fiscal policy and economic growth in South Africa for the period 1994-2014. This study examines the relationship between fiscal policy and economic growth within the context of the endogenous growth theory. Three models are estimated. The variables included in the first model are; real GDP, aggregate government expenditure, total taxes and private investment. The second and third models disaggregate government expenditure into productive and non-productive and taxes into distortionary and non-distortionary. The Vector Autoregressive is used to estimate the relationship between fiscal policy and economic growth. The data is quarterly in frequency. The findings of the study suggest that government investment expenditure has negative impact on growth, while government consumption expenditure has positive impact on growth. Furthermore, the findings of the study are that direct taxes have negative impact on the economy while indirect taxes have positive impact on economic growth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The influence of leadership on employee motivation and job performance of staff at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Ntusikazi, Cynthia Nompumelelo
- Authors: Ntusikazi, Cynthia Nompumelelo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Performance standards -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19474 , vital:28883
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of leadership on employee motivation and job performance of staff at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The research is aimed at all NMBM staff from senior management to lower management. The primary objective of this study was to improve job performance in the NMBM by investigating variables that influence job performance. The study investigated the influence of participative leadership style, employee engagement, fringe benefits, pay, growth factors, supervisors and co-workers in the job performance of NMBM staff. Convenience sampling was used to select one hundred (100) participants. The response rate was forty two percent (42%). The sample was structured to include senior management, middle management and lower management in NMBM. These participants were taken from all directorates of NMBM. The empirical results revealed that in order to increase job performance in NMBM there should be an increase in employee engagement and growth factors. The managerial implications of the results are discussed and recommendations are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ntusikazi, Cynthia Nompumelelo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Performance standards -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19474 , vital:28883
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of leadership on employee motivation and job performance of staff at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The research is aimed at all NMBM staff from senior management to lower management. The primary objective of this study was to improve job performance in the NMBM by investigating variables that influence job performance. The study investigated the influence of participative leadership style, employee engagement, fringe benefits, pay, growth factors, supervisors and co-workers in the job performance of NMBM staff. Convenience sampling was used to select one hundred (100) participants. The response rate was forty two percent (42%). The sample was structured to include senior management, middle management and lower management in NMBM. These participants were taken from all directorates of NMBM. The empirical results revealed that in order to increase job performance in NMBM there should be an increase in employee engagement and growth factors. The managerial implications of the results are discussed and recommendations are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The influence of leadership style on the organisational performance of a selected municipality
- Nokwe, Ntabethemba, Giyose, Dorrington
- Authors: Nokwe, Ntabethemba , Giyose, Dorrington
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Corporate culture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20232 , vital:29161
- Description: Africa’s public service faces many challenges for improved service delivery and this necessitates an administration that is committed, strong, people focused, and has the necessary skills and expertise to respond to the challenges and opportunities. Leadership in the work place is becoming a growing challenge for institutions especially in the public service. Good leadership throughout the public and private sector is critical for building effective countries, ensuring stability and promoting economic growth. Leadership is therefore responsible for encouraging certain fundamental values that will encourage trust and reinstate credibility with the public. The aim of the study was to investigate leadership styles that drive service delivery at a selected municipality. This was done by looking at the influence the following have on service delivery: selflessness, individualism, communalism, collectivism, cooperativeness, materialism. During literature review leadership theories were discussed to introduce the concept to the reader as well different styles of leadership together with Ubuntu as an African perspective to leadership. The sample consisted of 103 employees at different organisational levels of a selected municipality in the Eastern Cape. The empirical results showed that only materialism was significantly and positively (r = 0.34, p < 0.01) related to service delivery (SD). It means by satisfying the respondents’ materialistic needs, public sector managers would increase service delivery in the selected municipality. Descriptive statistics were also calculated with regard to the prevailing levels of the targeted leadership styles in the municipality. The managerial implications of the empirical results were discussed in the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Nokwe, Ntabethemba , Giyose, Dorrington
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Corporate culture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20232 , vital:29161
- Description: Africa’s public service faces many challenges for improved service delivery and this necessitates an administration that is committed, strong, people focused, and has the necessary skills and expertise to respond to the challenges and opportunities. Leadership in the work place is becoming a growing challenge for institutions especially in the public service. Good leadership throughout the public and private sector is critical for building effective countries, ensuring stability and promoting economic growth. Leadership is therefore responsible for encouraging certain fundamental values that will encourage trust and reinstate credibility with the public. The aim of the study was to investigate leadership styles that drive service delivery at a selected municipality. This was done by looking at the influence the following have on service delivery: selflessness, individualism, communalism, collectivism, cooperativeness, materialism. During literature review leadership theories were discussed to introduce the concept to the reader as well different styles of leadership together with Ubuntu as an African perspective to leadership. The sample consisted of 103 employees at different organisational levels of a selected municipality in the Eastern Cape. The empirical results showed that only materialism was significantly and positively (r = 0.34, p < 0.01) related to service delivery (SD). It means by satisfying the respondents’ materialistic needs, public sector managers would increase service delivery in the selected municipality. Descriptive statistics were also calculated with regard to the prevailing levels of the targeted leadership styles in the municipality. The managerial implications of the empirical results were discussed in the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The influence of microfinance institutions on small, medium and micro-enterprises in South Africa
- Authors: Baloyi, Norman Tinyiko
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Microfinance -- South Africa Small business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17459 , vital:28342
- Description: South Africa, with its establishment of the National Department of Small Business Development, in 2014, made its intentions known for wanting to create a conducive environment by developing and supporting small businesses and cooperatives through financial and non-financial provisions. Nevertheless, there is still a high failure rate of Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs), many of them failing on their first year due to various challenges and circumstances, one of which is lack of access to finances. Banks have been and still are unwilling to provide SMMEs with loans due to SMMEs’ having high-risk levels of failure rates. This gap gives an opportunity to micro-finance institutions (MFIs) to provide financial support to the SMMEs, which comes with the challenge of properly screening the SMMEs and the possible risk of non-payment. The big question is whether MFIs are willing to support SMMEs and whether SMMEs are interested in obtaining support from MFIs. If so, what are the roles, functions and influence of MFIs towards the SMMEs? This study was undertaken to examine the impact and effectiveness of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in discharging their duties and responsibilities towards SMMEs in South Africa, by first considering the nature, challenges and scope of SMMEs as well as the nature and extent, risks, credit ratings, impact assessment and regulations that affect the products and services of MFIs. Both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were used in this study. It was found that most SMMEs are making use of the products and services of MFIs. MFIs have been found to provide different reasons for supporting SMMEs, which were also measured and assessed against the previous study, and similar trends were found.The study further found the following: 65% of SMMEs needed microfinance assistance/support from MFIs, 54% of SMMEs were satisfied with the services rendered by MFIs, 35% of MFIs reached out to SMMEs, and 67% of SMMEs preferred formal and registered MFIs for financing of their business activities. The types of risks that most MFIs are faced with were found to be loan repayments from SMMEs, providing smaller loans in order to cater for multiple clients, client dropouts, financial regression, switching of clients, clients engaged with multiple competing MFIs, and making use of informal and unregistered MFIs. Natural disasters such as floods was found to be the least type of a risk. Most SMMEs (approximately 82%) have alluded to the use of informal and unregistered MFIs, due to the convenience of getting support, where there is no screening of the applications, in spite of higher loan interest rates. About 61% of MFIs happen to have a formal screening process of the loan application, which comprises mainly credit checks. No thorough vetting process is done on the clients. Some MFIs (approximately 39%) do not have criteria for assessing whether to fund or not to fund microenterprises, and this is a huge risk, as these MFIs are exposing themselves to non-repayment vulnerabilities by the SMMEs. About 63% of the MFIs were not aware of most of the rules and regulations that affect MFIs, which gives an indication that there is a lack of awareness, education and training.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Baloyi, Norman Tinyiko
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Microfinance -- South Africa Small business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17459 , vital:28342
- Description: South Africa, with its establishment of the National Department of Small Business Development, in 2014, made its intentions known for wanting to create a conducive environment by developing and supporting small businesses and cooperatives through financial and non-financial provisions. Nevertheless, there is still a high failure rate of Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs), many of them failing on their first year due to various challenges and circumstances, one of which is lack of access to finances. Banks have been and still are unwilling to provide SMMEs with loans due to SMMEs’ having high-risk levels of failure rates. This gap gives an opportunity to micro-finance institutions (MFIs) to provide financial support to the SMMEs, which comes with the challenge of properly screening the SMMEs and the possible risk of non-payment. The big question is whether MFIs are willing to support SMMEs and whether SMMEs are interested in obtaining support from MFIs. If so, what are the roles, functions and influence of MFIs towards the SMMEs? This study was undertaken to examine the impact and effectiveness of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in discharging their duties and responsibilities towards SMMEs in South Africa, by first considering the nature, challenges and scope of SMMEs as well as the nature and extent, risks, credit ratings, impact assessment and regulations that affect the products and services of MFIs. Both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were used in this study. It was found that most SMMEs are making use of the products and services of MFIs. MFIs have been found to provide different reasons for supporting SMMEs, which were also measured and assessed against the previous study, and similar trends were found.The study further found the following: 65% of SMMEs needed microfinance assistance/support from MFIs, 54% of SMMEs were satisfied with the services rendered by MFIs, 35% of MFIs reached out to SMMEs, and 67% of SMMEs preferred formal and registered MFIs for financing of their business activities. The types of risks that most MFIs are faced with were found to be loan repayments from SMMEs, providing smaller loans in order to cater for multiple clients, client dropouts, financial regression, switching of clients, clients engaged with multiple competing MFIs, and making use of informal and unregistered MFIs. Natural disasters such as floods was found to be the least type of a risk. Most SMMEs (approximately 82%) have alluded to the use of informal and unregistered MFIs, due to the convenience of getting support, where there is no screening of the applications, in spite of higher loan interest rates. About 61% of MFIs happen to have a formal screening process of the loan application, which comprises mainly credit checks. No thorough vetting process is done on the clients. Some MFIs (approximately 39%) do not have criteria for assessing whether to fund or not to fund microenterprises, and this is a huge risk, as these MFIs are exposing themselves to non-repayment vulnerabilities by the SMMEs. About 63% of the MFIs were not aware of most of the rules and regulations that affect MFIs, which gives an indication that there is a lack of awareness, education and training.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The influence of non-financial nation brand image dimensions on foreign direct investment inflows in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Matiza, Tafadzwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- Zimbabwe , Branding (Marketing) -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Foreign economic relations , Political stability -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8902 , vital:26441
- Description: How a country is perceived by foreign investors is becoming increasingly significant to the ability of individual countries to attract foreign direct investment into their economies. In Africa, existing negative perceptions of the continent as an investment destination have been considered as an obstacle for foreign direct investment inflows to the continent in general. Although Zimbabwe offers foreign investors multiple lucrative investment opportunities, attracting foreign direct investment to the country presents a unique challenge due to the image of the country post the 1998-2008 economic crisis. Despite the vast research on the determinants of foreign direct inflows to particular countries, little is known about whether non-financial image-related factors influence the inflow of foreign direct investment to a particular country, especially a country with a unfavourable global image like Zimbabwe. The primary objective of this study was therefore to determine the perceived non-financial nation brand image factors considered to be influential for attracting specific foreign direct investment inflow opportunities in Zimbabwe. A comprehensive literature review resulted in the identification of nine independent variables (tourism, governance, people, culture and heritage, exports, investment and immigration, factor endowments, infrastructure, and legal and regulation frameworks), as well as four dependent variables (market-, resource-, efficiency- and strategic asset-seeking foreign direct investment inflow opportunities in Zimbabwe). A hypothesised model was developed in order to examine whether the independent variables have an influence on the dependent variables, and as a result nine hypotheses were formulated to test the relationships between the nine independent variables and each of the four dependent variables. A cross-sectional, quantitative deductive approach to research was employed in order to generate the data required for hypothesis testing. Purposive sampling techniques were employed to draw the sample frame for the study. A self-administered online survey was conducted, and generated empirical data from a final sample comprised of 305 investors who had applied to invest in Zimbabwe through the Zimbabwe Investment Authority between January 2009 and April 2015. Data was analysed using STATISTICA 12 software. Exploratory factor analysis was utilised to extract the constructs and validate the measuring instrument. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were calculated in order to test the reliability and internal consistency of the measuring instrument. As a result, a total of six valid and reliable independent variables, and four dependent variables were retained for further analysis. The results of the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients revealed mostly moderate correlations. The Multi-Collinearity diagnostics test confirmed the absence of collinearity between the independent variables and dependent variables respectively. Subsequently, the results of the four sets of multiple regression analyses, disclosed thirteen statistically significant relationships between the six independent variables and the four categorical dependent variables. Tourism had significant relationships with market-, efficiency- and strategic asset-seeking FDI inflow opportunities. Government actions had significant relationships with resource- and strategic asset-seeking FDI inflow opportunities. People had significant relationships with resource- and efficiency- seeking FDI inflow opportunities. Export had significant relationships with market-, resource-, efficiency- and strategic asset-seeking FDI inflow opportunities. Regulatory framework had significant relationships with market- and resource-seeking FDI inflow opportunities. The results of the Analysis of Variance revealed that investor status can be used to predict which non-financial nation brand image determinants played a role in the ultimate decision for taking up foreign direct investment opportunities in Zimbabwe. Further analysis of the role that the demographic profiles of the investors played in predicting which non-financial nation brand image determinants are considered influential in taking up foreign direct investment opportunities in Zimbabwe was confirmed in the Multivariate Analysis of Variance with thirty-four statically significant relationships identified. Further analysis by means of post-hoc Scheffé testing and Cohen’s d-values calculations confirm that thirty-nine practically significant mean differences were evident. This study makes a novel contribution to the empirical body of nation branding, foreign direct investment and investment promotion research by developing and testing a hypothetical model that synthesises facets of the three fields of study. This study represents a new discourse in the identification of the determinants of FDI (that being non-financial determinants) and provides an explanatory framework for the non-financial nation brand image determinants influencing each type of FDI inflow opportunity sought in Zimbabwe. It is within this framework that recommendations, based on empirical evidence, are made for the Government of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Investment Authority. Some of these recommendations could be implemented within the short-term, while others may be more strategic in the long term. Recommendations made include that the Government of Zimbabwe undertakes significant policy reviews, continues its engagement with key external stakeholders such as other governments, supra-national financial institutions, and foreign investors, as well as adhering to existing favourable FDI policies. It is also recommended that the Zimbabwe Investment Authority adopt an intermediary role, by linking the Government of Zimbabwe with potential foreign investors through investor targeting, as well as promoting Zimbabwe as an investment destination by engaging in image-building activities such as public diplomacy, investor relations, specialised advertising and hosting investor forums with multiple, distinct investor segments. These image-building activities should be centered on the non-financial nation brand image determinants that foreign investors consider to be influential to foreign direct investment in Zimbabwe, and should be geared towards improving and managing the perceived image of Zimbabwe as an investment destination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Matiza, Tafadzwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- Zimbabwe , Branding (Marketing) -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Foreign economic relations , Political stability -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8902 , vital:26441
- Description: How a country is perceived by foreign investors is becoming increasingly significant to the ability of individual countries to attract foreign direct investment into their economies. In Africa, existing negative perceptions of the continent as an investment destination have been considered as an obstacle for foreign direct investment inflows to the continent in general. Although Zimbabwe offers foreign investors multiple lucrative investment opportunities, attracting foreign direct investment to the country presents a unique challenge due to the image of the country post the 1998-2008 economic crisis. Despite the vast research on the determinants of foreign direct inflows to particular countries, little is known about whether non-financial image-related factors influence the inflow of foreign direct investment to a particular country, especially a country with a unfavourable global image like Zimbabwe. The primary objective of this study was therefore to determine the perceived non-financial nation brand image factors considered to be influential for attracting specific foreign direct investment inflow opportunities in Zimbabwe. A comprehensive literature review resulted in the identification of nine independent variables (tourism, governance, people, culture and heritage, exports, investment and immigration, factor endowments, infrastructure, and legal and regulation frameworks), as well as four dependent variables (market-, resource-, efficiency- and strategic asset-seeking foreign direct investment inflow opportunities in Zimbabwe). A hypothesised model was developed in order to examine whether the independent variables have an influence on the dependent variables, and as a result nine hypotheses were formulated to test the relationships between the nine independent variables and each of the four dependent variables. A cross-sectional, quantitative deductive approach to research was employed in order to generate the data required for hypothesis testing. Purposive sampling techniques were employed to draw the sample frame for the study. A self-administered online survey was conducted, and generated empirical data from a final sample comprised of 305 investors who had applied to invest in Zimbabwe through the Zimbabwe Investment Authority between January 2009 and April 2015. Data was analysed using STATISTICA 12 software. Exploratory factor analysis was utilised to extract the constructs and validate the measuring instrument. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were calculated in order to test the reliability and internal consistency of the measuring instrument. As a result, a total of six valid and reliable independent variables, and four dependent variables were retained for further analysis. The results of the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients revealed mostly moderate correlations. The Multi-Collinearity diagnostics test confirmed the absence of collinearity between the independent variables and dependent variables respectively. Subsequently, the results of the four sets of multiple regression analyses, disclosed thirteen statistically significant relationships between the six independent variables and the four categorical dependent variables. Tourism had significant relationships with market-, efficiency- and strategic asset-seeking FDI inflow opportunities. Government actions had significant relationships with resource- and strategic asset-seeking FDI inflow opportunities. People had significant relationships with resource- and efficiency- seeking FDI inflow opportunities. Export had significant relationships with market-, resource-, efficiency- and strategic asset-seeking FDI inflow opportunities. Regulatory framework had significant relationships with market- and resource-seeking FDI inflow opportunities. The results of the Analysis of Variance revealed that investor status can be used to predict which non-financial nation brand image determinants played a role in the ultimate decision for taking up foreign direct investment opportunities in Zimbabwe. Further analysis of the role that the demographic profiles of the investors played in predicting which non-financial nation brand image determinants are considered influential in taking up foreign direct investment opportunities in Zimbabwe was confirmed in the Multivariate Analysis of Variance with thirty-four statically significant relationships identified. Further analysis by means of post-hoc Scheffé testing and Cohen’s d-values calculations confirm that thirty-nine practically significant mean differences were evident. This study makes a novel contribution to the empirical body of nation branding, foreign direct investment and investment promotion research by developing and testing a hypothetical model that synthesises facets of the three fields of study. This study represents a new discourse in the identification of the determinants of FDI (that being non-financial determinants) and provides an explanatory framework for the non-financial nation brand image determinants influencing each type of FDI inflow opportunity sought in Zimbabwe. It is within this framework that recommendations, based on empirical evidence, are made for the Government of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Investment Authority. Some of these recommendations could be implemented within the short-term, while others may be more strategic in the long term. Recommendations made include that the Government of Zimbabwe undertakes significant policy reviews, continues its engagement with key external stakeholders such as other governments, supra-national financial institutions, and foreign investors, as well as adhering to existing favourable FDI policies. It is also recommended that the Zimbabwe Investment Authority adopt an intermediary role, by linking the Government of Zimbabwe with potential foreign investors through investor targeting, as well as promoting Zimbabwe as an investment destination by engaging in image-building activities such as public diplomacy, investor relations, specialised advertising and hosting investor forums with multiple, distinct investor segments. These image-building activities should be centered on the non-financial nation brand image determinants that foreign investors consider to be influential to foreign direct investment in Zimbabwe, and should be geared towards improving and managing the perceived image of Zimbabwe as an investment destination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The influence of nutritional knowledge on consumer lifestyle behaviour
- Authors: Smit, Marli
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Consumer behavior -- South Africa Consumers -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Lifestyles -- Health aspects -- South Africa Nutrition -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20693 , vital:29372
- Description: The study set out to determine whether nutritional knowledge has an impact on lifestyle behaviour. The sample was based in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan and consisted of approximately 499 participants. The model (nutrition variables) displayed in the introduction was formulated to portray the focus areas on which the literature was based. A self-administrated survey questionnaire was developed in accordance with the nutrition variables model. The instrument consisted of 72 items, measured by applying descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study aim to justify that nutritional knowledge does influence the lifestyle behaviour of consumers. Findings were given regarding the influences of demographics, environmental variables and media variables on what consumers understand regarding nutrition and how this influences, for an example, dietary consumption, general lifestyle decisions and smoking. The implications of this study are outlined in the conclusion, resulting in the possibility of the study variables being further explored. Marketers need to be aware of how and when they provide nutritional information to consumers, in order to manipulate lifestyle behaviour. Recommendations include, nutrition classes implemented at school level to motivate children to follow healthier lifestyles behaviours. Nutritional challenges could b instigated at organisations to encourage employees to follow healthier lifestyles behaviour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Smit, Marli
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Consumer behavior -- South Africa Consumers -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Lifestyles -- Health aspects -- South Africa Nutrition -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20693 , vital:29372
- Description: The study set out to determine whether nutritional knowledge has an impact on lifestyle behaviour. The sample was based in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan and consisted of approximately 499 participants. The model (nutrition variables) displayed in the introduction was formulated to portray the focus areas on which the literature was based. A self-administrated survey questionnaire was developed in accordance with the nutrition variables model. The instrument consisted of 72 items, measured by applying descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study aim to justify that nutritional knowledge does influence the lifestyle behaviour of consumers. Findings were given regarding the influences of demographics, environmental variables and media variables on what consumers understand regarding nutrition and how this influences, for an example, dietary consumption, general lifestyle decisions and smoking. The implications of this study are outlined in the conclusion, resulting in the possibility of the study variables being further explored. Marketers need to be aware of how and when they provide nutritional information to consumers, in order to manipulate lifestyle behaviour. Recommendations include, nutrition classes implemented at school level to motivate children to follow healthier lifestyles behaviours. Nutritional challenges could b instigated at organisations to encourage employees to follow healthier lifestyles behaviour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The influence of peer harassment on the wellbeing of form three learners in Zimbabwean rural day secondary schools
- Authors: Shoko, Nothabo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Harassment in schools -- Zimbabwe Bullying in schools -- Zimbabwe , School discipline -- Zimbabwe Conduct disorders in children -- Education (Secondary) -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20330 , vital:29263
- Description: The aim of this study was to describe occurrences of peer harassment and the influences it has on Form Three learners in Zimbabwean rural day secondary schools. A review of studies conducted internationally indicated that peer harassment is prevalent and is stressful for most learners. Reports indicate that the negative impacts of peer harassment limit the educational achievements of the learners, and that learners need teacher and parental assistance to deal with peer harassment. In particular there appears to be a need for the creation of safe learning environments. This study was informed by an eclectic framework based on Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory, Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological theory and Allardt's social welfare theory. These three theories point to the need for understanding that the social supports available to an individual determine how the individual perceives and responds to all his or her experiences. Investigations of the perceptions which individuals hold of their diverse lived experiences are best understood from a qualitative paradigm. Since the study intended to gain an understanding of the forms of peer harassment experienced by learners and how their individual experiences influenced their wellbeing, a phenomenological design was used. The sample was comprised of fifteen Form Three (grade 10) learners from three rural schools who volunteered to share their experiences of peer harassment. Data generated from semi-structured interviews with the individual participants were analyzed revealing emergent themes to answer the research questions. Findings revealed that the learners experienced various forms of peer harassment with physical peer harassment being the most prevalent. The data also revealed that peer harassment had both psychological and social influences on the well being of the learners which were primarily negative. Most learners felt that they were not getting adequate support from the adults (i.e., their teachers and the parents and guardians. The apparent reason for this lack of support from the adults was related to the community values which adults held about how learners were expected to deal with peer harassment. It was also evident that most learners chose to suffer silently, or hoped that God would intervene to assist them. Teachers were also not doing enough to assist the learners to stop peer harassment. Like the parents and guardians, most of the teachers did not perceive peer harassment as a serious problem in learners' lives so they did very little to assist victims who complained to them. Learners relied primarily on friends for support. The study concluded that peer harassment influenced the learners 'psychological and social well being negatively. It provided recommendations for schools, teachers, parents and the learners themselves. These stakeholders may collaborate to establish anti-harassment policies and to inform the design and implementation of anti-harassment policies in Zimbabwean rural schools. Recommendations are also provided for further studies aimed at identifying effective responses to the phenomenon of peer harassment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Shoko, Nothabo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Harassment in schools -- Zimbabwe Bullying in schools -- Zimbabwe , School discipline -- Zimbabwe Conduct disorders in children -- Education (Secondary) -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20330 , vital:29263
- Description: The aim of this study was to describe occurrences of peer harassment and the influences it has on Form Three learners in Zimbabwean rural day secondary schools. A review of studies conducted internationally indicated that peer harassment is prevalent and is stressful for most learners. Reports indicate that the negative impacts of peer harassment limit the educational achievements of the learners, and that learners need teacher and parental assistance to deal with peer harassment. In particular there appears to be a need for the creation of safe learning environments. This study was informed by an eclectic framework based on Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory, Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological theory and Allardt's social welfare theory. These three theories point to the need for understanding that the social supports available to an individual determine how the individual perceives and responds to all his or her experiences. Investigations of the perceptions which individuals hold of their diverse lived experiences are best understood from a qualitative paradigm. Since the study intended to gain an understanding of the forms of peer harassment experienced by learners and how their individual experiences influenced their wellbeing, a phenomenological design was used. The sample was comprised of fifteen Form Three (grade 10) learners from three rural schools who volunteered to share their experiences of peer harassment. Data generated from semi-structured interviews with the individual participants were analyzed revealing emergent themes to answer the research questions. Findings revealed that the learners experienced various forms of peer harassment with physical peer harassment being the most prevalent. The data also revealed that peer harassment had both psychological and social influences on the well being of the learners which were primarily negative. Most learners felt that they were not getting adequate support from the adults (i.e., their teachers and the parents and guardians. The apparent reason for this lack of support from the adults was related to the community values which adults held about how learners were expected to deal with peer harassment. It was also evident that most learners chose to suffer silently, or hoped that God would intervene to assist them. Teachers were also not doing enough to assist the learners to stop peer harassment. Like the parents and guardians, most of the teachers did not perceive peer harassment as a serious problem in learners' lives so they did very little to assist victims who complained to them. Learners relied primarily on friends for support. The study concluded that peer harassment influenced the learners 'psychological and social well being negatively. It provided recommendations for schools, teachers, parents and the learners themselves. These stakeholders may collaborate to establish anti-harassment policies and to inform the design and implementation of anti-harassment policies in Zimbabwean rural schools. Recommendations are also provided for further studies aimed at identifying effective responses to the phenomenon of peer harassment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The influence of selected marketing mix strategies on business performance of small family and non-family businesses in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: De Lange, Juanré Anton
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- Management Marketing -- Management , Small business -- Management Performance Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15016 , vital:28113
- Description: Despite the fact that small family and non-family businesses in South Africa are important contributors to economic and social development, their failure rates are still high globally. Major contributing factors to this high failure rate are the lack of marketing skills and ineffective marketing practices. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to establish what marketing mix strategies are used by small family and non-family businesses in the Eastern Cape and the influence of these strategies on Perceived business performance. The literature review dealt with the nature and importance of marketing, and the traditional marketing mix strategies were elaborated on from a small family and non-family business perspective. The traditional marketing mix strategies (4Ps) identified as influencing the Perceived business performance of small family and non-family businesses, were classified as Product-, Pricing-, Place-, and Promotion strategies. From the literature review, it was evident that the traditional marketing mix strategies have been criticised by a number of studies as not reflecting the holistic marketing concept within the 21st century. Yet, despite its simplicity various studies still find the traditional 4P framework to be a strong staple of the marketing mix. In this study, a quantitative research design was adopted and an exploratory and descriptive research approach of a cross-sectional nature were undertaken. A convenience sampling technique was used owing to the inaccessibility of a small family and non-family business database. The sample size in this study consisted of 195 small family-owned businesses and 145 small non-family businesses operating within the borders of the Eastern Cape. The primary data in this study was gathered by means of a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The measuring instrument was developed by sourcing items from several existing studies. Small family and non-family businesses were approached by fieldworkers and asked to participate in this study. In total 400 questionnaires were distributed, of which 340 were usable for further statistical analyses. Therefore, an effective response rate of 85% was achieved in this study. The validity and reliability of the measuring instrument were confirmed by means of an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and by the calculation of Cronbach„s alpha (CA) coefficients. The five usable factors that were extracted from the EFA were identified as Pricing strategies, Competitive distribution strategies, Communication process strategies, Low cost promotion strategies and Perceived business performance. The CA coefficient for Pricing strategies indicated that the scale measuring this factor was not reliable due to it falling below the accepted norm of 0.6 and, therefore it was disregarded from further analysis. The CA coefficients returned for the remaining usable factors extracted from the EFA were greater than 0.6, thus indicating the scales measuring these variables provided satisfactory evidence of validity and reliability. The findings of the descriptive statistics showed that the highest mean score reported was for the independent variable Competitive distribution strategies, followed by Communication process strategies and Low cost promotion strategies. Based on the mean, respondents indicated that they often utilise Competitive distribution strategies and Communication process strategies, and seldom utilise Low cost promotion strategies. Pearson‟s product moment correlations revealed that all the marketing mix strategies, for both small family and non-family businesses, investigated were found to be significantly and positively correlated with the dependent variable Perceived business performance, and amongst themselves. The findings of the MRA showed that utilising Competitive distribution strategies have a significant positive influence on the Perceived business performance of small family businesses. The finding implies that the more small family businesses in this study provide high-quality and competitive products through distributions process methods by setting timing objectives, using distributions selection criteria and changing the distribution channel when needed to continuously satisfy customers‟ needs, the more likely the business is to experience growth in profit and sales and having loyal customers who make regular purchases and recommend the business to others. This study found no relationship between Competitive distribution strategies and the Perceived business performance of small non-family businesses, as well as between Communication Process strategies and Low cost promotion strategies and Perceived business performance of small family and non-family businesses. The results of the t-tests revealed that no statistically significant relationship was found between the Type of small business ownership and any of the three independent variables, Competitive distribution-, Communication Process-, and Low cost promotion strategies. Furthermore, the results of the Chi-square test for independence reported no statistically significant difference between using the family name as a marketing or branding tool and the size of the small business in this study. The results, however, indicated that as the business size increases, the more small businesses use their family name as a marketing- or branding tool. From the 18 sets of null hypotheses that were formulated, to explore whether the demographical variables had an influence on the marketing mix strategies utilised by the small family and non-family businesses, only 11 multivariant analysis of variance (MANOVA) relationships could be established as being statistically significant. These include the Gender of the business owner/manager, Age of the business owner/manager, Management qualifications of the business owner/manager, Ethnicity of the business owner/manager, Position in the small business, Years small business is in existence, Working experience of the business owner/manager, Management working experience of the business owner/manager, Form of business ownership, Area of business premises and Target market of the small business. This study has addressed a gap in the current literature regarding the influence of marketing mix strategies on business performance among small family and non-family businesses in a developing economy such as South Africa. This study has furthermore attempted to enlarge the body of knowledge available on marketing, especially concerning Communication Process, Competitive distribution strategies and Low cost promotion strategies. The results of the study differ somewhat from existing literature, and therefore add to the body of knowledge on marketing. Furthermore, the findings of this study show that small family businesses utilising Competitive distribution strategies have a significant positive influence on their Perceived business performance, and in doing so makes a small contribution towards increasing the success rate of these small family businesses and in return positively contribute to the economic growth and development of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: De Lange, Juanré Anton
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- Management Marketing -- Management , Small business -- Management Performance Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15016 , vital:28113
- Description: Despite the fact that small family and non-family businesses in South Africa are important contributors to economic and social development, their failure rates are still high globally. Major contributing factors to this high failure rate are the lack of marketing skills and ineffective marketing practices. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to establish what marketing mix strategies are used by small family and non-family businesses in the Eastern Cape and the influence of these strategies on Perceived business performance. The literature review dealt with the nature and importance of marketing, and the traditional marketing mix strategies were elaborated on from a small family and non-family business perspective. The traditional marketing mix strategies (4Ps) identified as influencing the Perceived business performance of small family and non-family businesses, were classified as Product-, Pricing-, Place-, and Promotion strategies. From the literature review, it was evident that the traditional marketing mix strategies have been criticised by a number of studies as not reflecting the holistic marketing concept within the 21st century. Yet, despite its simplicity various studies still find the traditional 4P framework to be a strong staple of the marketing mix. In this study, a quantitative research design was adopted and an exploratory and descriptive research approach of a cross-sectional nature were undertaken. A convenience sampling technique was used owing to the inaccessibility of a small family and non-family business database. The sample size in this study consisted of 195 small family-owned businesses and 145 small non-family businesses operating within the borders of the Eastern Cape. The primary data in this study was gathered by means of a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The measuring instrument was developed by sourcing items from several existing studies. Small family and non-family businesses were approached by fieldworkers and asked to participate in this study. In total 400 questionnaires were distributed, of which 340 were usable for further statistical analyses. Therefore, an effective response rate of 85% was achieved in this study. The validity and reliability of the measuring instrument were confirmed by means of an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and by the calculation of Cronbach„s alpha (CA) coefficients. The five usable factors that were extracted from the EFA were identified as Pricing strategies, Competitive distribution strategies, Communication process strategies, Low cost promotion strategies and Perceived business performance. The CA coefficient for Pricing strategies indicated that the scale measuring this factor was not reliable due to it falling below the accepted norm of 0.6 and, therefore it was disregarded from further analysis. The CA coefficients returned for the remaining usable factors extracted from the EFA were greater than 0.6, thus indicating the scales measuring these variables provided satisfactory evidence of validity and reliability. The findings of the descriptive statistics showed that the highest mean score reported was for the independent variable Competitive distribution strategies, followed by Communication process strategies and Low cost promotion strategies. Based on the mean, respondents indicated that they often utilise Competitive distribution strategies and Communication process strategies, and seldom utilise Low cost promotion strategies. Pearson‟s product moment correlations revealed that all the marketing mix strategies, for both small family and non-family businesses, investigated were found to be significantly and positively correlated with the dependent variable Perceived business performance, and amongst themselves. The findings of the MRA showed that utilising Competitive distribution strategies have a significant positive influence on the Perceived business performance of small family businesses. The finding implies that the more small family businesses in this study provide high-quality and competitive products through distributions process methods by setting timing objectives, using distributions selection criteria and changing the distribution channel when needed to continuously satisfy customers‟ needs, the more likely the business is to experience growth in profit and sales and having loyal customers who make regular purchases and recommend the business to others. This study found no relationship between Competitive distribution strategies and the Perceived business performance of small non-family businesses, as well as between Communication Process strategies and Low cost promotion strategies and Perceived business performance of small family and non-family businesses. The results of the t-tests revealed that no statistically significant relationship was found between the Type of small business ownership and any of the three independent variables, Competitive distribution-, Communication Process-, and Low cost promotion strategies. Furthermore, the results of the Chi-square test for independence reported no statistically significant difference between using the family name as a marketing or branding tool and the size of the small business in this study. The results, however, indicated that as the business size increases, the more small businesses use their family name as a marketing- or branding tool. From the 18 sets of null hypotheses that were formulated, to explore whether the demographical variables had an influence on the marketing mix strategies utilised by the small family and non-family businesses, only 11 multivariant analysis of variance (MANOVA) relationships could be established as being statistically significant. These include the Gender of the business owner/manager, Age of the business owner/manager, Management qualifications of the business owner/manager, Ethnicity of the business owner/manager, Position in the small business, Years small business is in existence, Working experience of the business owner/manager, Management working experience of the business owner/manager, Form of business ownership, Area of business premises and Target market of the small business. This study has addressed a gap in the current literature regarding the influence of marketing mix strategies on business performance among small family and non-family businesses in a developing economy such as South Africa. This study has furthermore attempted to enlarge the body of knowledge available on marketing, especially concerning Communication Process, Competitive distribution strategies and Low cost promotion strategies. The results of the study differ somewhat from existing literature, and therefore add to the body of knowledge on marketing. Furthermore, the findings of this study show that small family businesses utilising Competitive distribution strategies have a significant positive influence on their Perceived business performance, and in doing so makes a small contribution towards increasing the success rate of these small family businesses and in return positively contribute to the economic growth and development of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The influence of tourist attractions on students' preferences to study at NMMU
- Authors: Bailey, Jade
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Students, Foreign -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18232 , vital:28606
- Description: Despite decades of public action by civil society, tourism education has been neglected by policy makers. This is mainly due to the fact that tourism practitioners have not yet developed strategies based on the needs of the communities. The apartheid system created an environment that continues to marginalise those living in poverty-stricken areas with no basic infrastructure. These areas are characterised by the absence of adequate tourism education, training and awareness of opportunities. In fact, tourism education is offered only at a limited number of public and private institutions even though government acknowledges that tourism education is a key element in growing the economy of a country. This study argues that there are many factors that influence the demand for international education. These are push and pull factors that motivate students to travel and study abroad. Push factors are factors that „push‟ tourists toward a particular destination and pull factors are those that „pull‟ tourists toward a destination. The former factors are the needs of the tourists and the latter determine whether or not the needs of the tourists will be met. The primary objective of the study was to obtain a better understanding of tourism and its connection to international education in an effort to attract more students and as a result cause a growth in the tourism industry. The study was based on three research objectives: The first objective was to determine what influences international students to come to Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in terms of tourism attractions and activities. The second was to identify the different expectations that international students have about Port Elizabeth. The third objective was to determine the role of NMMU in attracting international students to select it as their primary host university. The main finding of the first objective is that there are push and pull factors which influence international students to come to NMMU. Students participate in individual or group activities such as entertainment, cultural activities, sporting events, sightseeing or shopping and study. Their travel is closely associated with their needs and related to the image of a destination. In terms of the second objective the main finding is that the dynamic, changing environment of Port Elizabeth influences their individual needs and aspirations. Their expectations are based on the motivation factor which stems from a need (a semester abroad and working out where it is best to do this). The decision starts with the collection of information on the various options and ends with the assessment of the traveling experience. The economic, political and technological environments all have an influence on the student needs and the decision made. The main finding in terms of the third objective is that the NMMU Office for International Education has to be creative and innovative in its marketing of the university, the city and the country in order to attract international students. In addition, NMMU must uphold and expand new competencies to continue to be a competitive study abroad destination for international students worldwide. The attractiveness of NMMU can be improved by increasing the marketing material that is being sent out to attract international students and by increasing the destination marketing strategies used by the NMMU Office for International Education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bailey, Jade
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Students, Foreign -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18232 , vital:28606
- Description: Despite decades of public action by civil society, tourism education has been neglected by policy makers. This is mainly due to the fact that tourism practitioners have not yet developed strategies based on the needs of the communities. The apartheid system created an environment that continues to marginalise those living in poverty-stricken areas with no basic infrastructure. These areas are characterised by the absence of adequate tourism education, training and awareness of opportunities. In fact, tourism education is offered only at a limited number of public and private institutions even though government acknowledges that tourism education is a key element in growing the economy of a country. This study argues that there are many factors that influence the demand for international education. These are push and pull factors that motivate students to travel and study abroad. Push factors are factors that „push‟ tourists toward a particular destination and pull factors are those that „pull‟ tourists toward a destination. The former factors are the needs of the tourists and the latter determine whether or not the needs of the tourists will be met. The primary objective of the study was to obtain a better understanding of tourism and its connection to international education in an effort to attract more students and as a result cause a growth in the tourism industry. The study was based on three research objectives: The first objective was to determine what influences international students to come to Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in terms of tourism attractions and activities. The second was to identify the different expectations that international students have about Port Elizabeth. The third objective was to determine the role of NMMU in attracting international students to select it as their primary host university. The main finding of the first objective is that there are push and pull factors which influence international students to come to NMMU. Students participate in individual or group activities such as entertainment, cultural activities, sporting events, sightseeing or shopping and study. Their travel is closely associated with their needs and related to the image of a destination. In terms of the second objective the main finding is that the dynamic, changing environment of Port Elizabeth influences their individual needs and aspirations. Their expectations are based on the motivation factor which stems from a need (a semester abroad and working out where it is best to do this). The decision starts with the collection of information on the various options and ends with the assessment of the traveling experience. The economic, political and technological environments all have an influence on the student needs and the decision made. The main finding in terms of the third objective is that the NMMU Office for International Education has to be creative and innovative in its marketing of the university, the city and the country in order to attract international students. In addition, NMMU must uphold and expand new competencies to continue to be a competitive study abroad destination for international students worldwide. The attractiveness of NMMU can be improved by increasing the marketing material that is being sent out to attract international students and by increasing the destination marketing strategies used by the NMMU Office for International Education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The intent by black professionals to leave private sector organisations in the Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Moruri, Thabiso Vincent
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Professional employees -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Employee loyalty -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Employee retention -- South Africa --Port Elizabeth Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19201 , vital:28787
- Description: Since the dispensation of the democracy in 1994, the South African labour market has been inclusive to the race that previously was excluded in certain positions in the private sector. Black professionals, managers and senior managers have since increased in the market and they became in demand due to the introduction of the Equity laws by the government of South Africa. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reason why black professionals do not stay or develop loyalty with the private sector organisation that employ them within the Nelson Mandela Bay region. Factors that could affect the reason to stay or not with these private organisations were identified and researched. These factors are, Employment Equity, Career Development, Diversity Management, Trust, Transformation and Management Style. Literature review on the views of scholars about these factors was done. A questionnaire to investigate these factors was distributed to black professionals that still work for the private organisations in the Nelson Mandela Metro and to the ones that opted not to stay. Interviews were also conducted with the professionals that are specialists in the field of human resources. The following are the main findings of the study. Racial prejudice towards black professionals is evident in these organisations. There is lack of equity and affirmative action is not implemented properly, which assists in the decision not to stay with these organisations. Career development is determined by race, meaning those who are developed are chosen by their race. The lack of career development is also perpetuated by the lack of proper strategies and the respondents feel that these strategies need to be reviewed. The lack of career development also contributes to the decision whether to stay or not. Trust between the black professionals and their superiors is not a problem. The black professionals are happy with how their superiors support them and how they reward them. Racial discrimination plays a role in the superior’s ability to manage diversity and this also contributes in the decisions whether to stay or not with private organisations. The lack of the diversity management influenced by racial prejudice, gives enough reasons to the black professionals to leave the organisations. Lack of transformation is evident. It seems that black professionals are only given manager or senior manager positions only to comply with the laws of the country. The respondents seemed to be happy with the management style of their superiors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Moruri, Thabiso Vincent
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Professional employees -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Employee loyalty -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Employee retention -- South Africa --Port Elizabeth Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19201 , vital:28787
- Description: Since the dispensation of the democracy in 1994, the South African labour market has been inclusive to the race that previously was excluded in certain positions in the private sector. Black professionals, managers and senior managers have since increased in the market and they became in demand due to the introduction of the Equity laws by the government of South Africa. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reason why black professionals do not stay or develop loyalty with the private sector organisation that employ them within the Nelson Mandela Bay region. Factors that could affect the reason to stay or not with these private organisations were identified and researched. These factors are, Employment Equity, Career Development, Diversity Management, Trust, Transformation and Management Style. Literature review on the views of scholars about these factors was done. A questionnaire to investigate these factors was distributed to black professionals that still work for the private organisations in the Nelson Mandela Metro and to the ones that opted not to stay. Interviews were also conducted with the professionals that are specialists in the field of human resources. The following are the main findings of the study. Racial prejudice towards black professionals is evident in these organisations. There is lack of equity and affirmative action is not implemented properly, which assists in the decision not to stay with these organisations. Career development is determined by race, meaning those who are developed are chosen by their race. The lack of career development is also perpetuated by the lack of proper strategies and the respondents feel that these strategies need to be reviewed. The lack of career development also contributes to the decision whether to stay or not. Trust between the black professionals and their superiors is not a problem. The black professionals are happy with how their superiors support them and how they reward them. Racial discrimination plays a role in the superior’s ability to manage diversity and this also contributes in the decisions whether to stay or not with private organisations. The lack of the diversity management influenced by racial prejudice, gives enough reasons to the black professionals to leave the organisations. Lack of transformation is evident. It seems that black professionals are only given manager or senior manager positions only to comply with the laws of the country. The respondents seemed to be happy with the management style of their superiors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The investigation of chemical variation in the stems and rhizomes of cissampelos capensis l. f. (menispermaceae) the Eastern Cape medicinal plant
- Authors: Latolla, Nehemiah Solomon
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Plants -- Composition Medicinal plants Endemic plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13970 , vital:27362
- Description: Cissampelos capensis L. f. (Menispermaceae) commonly known as “Mayisake” (Xhosa) and “Dawidjieswortel” (Afrikaans) is the most commonly used medicinal plant of the Menispermaceae family in South Africa. The rhizomes of Cissampelos capensis are the most used part of the plant to treat illnesses. This poses a threat to the ongoing conservation of this valuable endemic species. Thus, we studied the chemical variation and subsequently the bioactivity in the stems and rhizomes of Cissampelos capensis, the Eastern Cape medicinal plant, to suggest the possible use of the stems for medicinal purposes. We studied the variation in the chemical composition in the stems and the rhizomes by employing four different extraction methods; the methanolic-, non-polar-, alkaloidal- and Total Tertiary Alkaloidal (TTA) to extract compounds from Cissampelos capensis. Employing various chromatographic techniques, HPLC, NMR and LC/MS to investigate the chemical variation and the in vitro assays for the crude materials of the stems and rhizomes of Cissampelos capensis. We successfully documented a library of the phytochemicals content in Cissampelos capensis from three different regions in the Eastern Cape. We could profile different extraction methods, with the TTA extraction delivering the best comparative profile. Employing LC/MS and HPLC we identified eleven known alkaloidal compounds in the stems and rhizomes. We also isolated a known alkaloid, pronuciferine, from the TTA extract and a crystal structure of proto-quericitol from the methanolic extract, which was isolated for the first time from Cissampelos capensis. Preliminary in vitro results suggested anti-inflammatory activity in the methanolic extracts of the stems and rhizomes, while the TTA extracts showed some cytotoxicity. Finally, through analytical HPLC analysis this study found as high as 31% similarity between the chemical variation of the stems and rhizomes, but key alkaloids were not always present, indicating more work is needed before the stems can be recommended as a replacement for the rhizomes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Latolla, Nehemiah Solomon
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Plants -- Composition Medicinal plants Endemic plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13970 , vital:27362
- Description: Cissampelos capensis L. f. (Menispermaceae) commonly known as “Mayisake” (Xhosa) and “Dawidjieswortel” (Afrikaans) is the most commonly used medicinal plant of the Menispermaceae family in South Africa. The rhizomes of Cissampelos capensis are the most used part of the plant to treat illnesses. This poses a threat to the ongoing conservation of this valuable endemic species. Thus, we studied the chemical variation and subsequently the bioactivity in the stems and rhizomes of Cissampelos capensis, the Eastern Cape medicinal plant, to suggest the possible use of the stems for medicinal purposes. We studied the variation in the chemical composition in the stems and the rhizomes by employing four different extraction methods; the methanolic-, non-polar-, alkaloidal- and Total Tertiary Alkaloidal (TTA) to extract compounds from Cissampelos capensis. Employing various chromatographic techniques, HPLC, NMR and LC/MS to investigate the chemical variation and the in vitro assays for the crude materials of the stems and rhizomes of Cissampelos capensis. We successfully documented a library of the phytochemicals content in Cissampelos capensis from three different regions in the Eastern Cape. We could profile different extraction methods, with the TTA extraction delivering the best comparative profile. Employing LC/MS and HPLC we identified eleven known alkaloidal compounds in the stems and rhizomes. We also isolated a known alkaloid, pronuciferine, from the TTA extract and a crystal structure of proto-quericitol from the methanolic extract, which was isolated for the first time from Cissampelos capensis. Preliminary in vitro results suggested anti-inflammatory activity in the methanolic extracts of the stems and rhizomes, while the TTA extracts showed some cytotoxicity. Finally, through analytical HPLC analysis this study found as high as 31% similarity between the chemical variation of the stems and rhizomes, but key alkaloids were not always present, indicating more work is needed before the stems can be recommended as a replacement for the rhizomes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The legitimacy of violence as a political act: an investigation of vandalism surrounding service delivery protests in South Africa
- Authors: Malalepe, Keagile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Protest movements -- South Africa Municipal services -- South Africa , Vandalism -- South Africa Municipal government -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18113 , vital:28577
- Description: This study aimed at investigating the legitimacy of violence as political act, especially the issue of vandalism surrounding service delivery protests in South Africa. The investigation was conducted in a small township around Soweto called Kliptown as a case study. This study was necessitated by the increasing number of violent service delivery protests around all provinces in the country. The statement of the problem provided a foundation within which the aims of the study were explained. The importance of this research cannot be justified enough especially given the mounting daily protests witnessed over service delivery by different communities from different provinces around the country.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Malalepe, Keagile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Protest movements -- South Africa Municipal services -- South Africa , Vandalism -- South Africa Municipal government -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18113 , vital:28577
- Description: This study aimed at investigating the legitimacy of violence as political act, especially the issue of vandalism surrounding service delivery protests in South Africa. The investigation was conducted in a small township around Soweto called Kliptown as a case study. This study was necessitated by the increasing number of violent service delivery protests around all provinces in the country. The statement of the problem provided a foundation within which the aims of the study were explained. The importance of this research cannot be justified enough especially given the mounting daily protests witnessed over service delivery by different communities from different provinces around the country.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2017
The link between effective communication and implementation of corporate strategy in an information and communication technology firm
- Authors: Mashile, Lordwick
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Communication in organizations Communication in management , Business communication Strategic planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18573 , vital:28683
- Description: While many executives and senior managers believe that formulating a unique corporate strategy is critical for sustainability and success of an organisation; that alone is not enough. Making sure that the strategic vision is effectively communicated down to lower-level managers and employees is equally as important as formulating corporate strategy. Not only does employees need to understand and believe that senior managers know where they are taking the company to; employees are unlikely to rally behind managerial efforts to get the organisation moving in the intended direction if they do not understand the strategic plans of the organisation. When senior managers articulate a vivid and compelling case for where the company is headed, employees begin to want to be part of the journey, and involve themselves in the implementation of the corporate plans. By effectively communicating the strategic vision of the organisation down to the lower-level managers and employees, senior managers derive support of employees and their commitment to get the company moving in the intended direction. Many organisations or companies in the business world fail, not because they do not have financial resources, not because they do not have a unique and innovative corporate strategy, but because of enforcing or imposing the corporate plans to the employees without selling the company’s plans to its employees, so as to have buy-in from them. This will not only let them be part of the solution, but also feel part of the organisation and take ownership of the organisation’s strategic plans. Strategic plans plays an important role in preparing business organisations to meet their current and future challenges. Research carried out in to both large, medium, small and micro sized-firms constantly emphasise a positive relationship between successful implementation of corporate strategies and its performance. This is because it is often mentioned that well implanted strategies produce outstanding organisational performance. The primary objective of the study was to look at effective communication of corporate strategy in a business organisation and the impact it has on successful implementation of corporate strategy in an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firm. Various number of studies have been carried out with regard to corporate strategy, but the impact effective communication can have on successful implementation of corporate strategy has never been studied. The study was conducted within an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firm based in Centurion, Gauteng. It was conducted within an enterprise division of the firm rather than the entire organisation, which employs 400 people. Out of the 400 respondents invited to participate in the study, 98 managed to complete the questionnaires. The study followed a positivistic research paradigm which made use of questionnaires. It made use of an on-line survey where the respondents were invited to participate in the study via e-mails. The study established that certain variables are more critical than other when coming to strategy implementation such as strategic leadership and effective communication.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mashile, Lordwick
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Communication in organizations Communication in management , Business communication Strategic planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18573 , vital:28683
- Description: While many executives and senior managers believe that formulating a unique corporate strategy is critical for sustainability and success of an organisation; that alone is not enough. Making sure that the strategic vision is effectively communicated down to lower-level managers and employees is equally as important as formulating corporate strategy. Not only does employees need to understand and believe that senior managers know where they are taking the company to; employees are unlikely to rally behind managerial efforts to get the organisation moving in the intended direction if they do not understand the strategic plans of the organisation. When senior managers articulate a vivid and compelling case for where the company is headed, employees begin to want to be part of the journey, and involve themselves in the implementation of the corporate plans. By effectively communicating the strategic vision of the organisation down to the lower-level managers and employees, senior managers derive support of employees and their commitment to get the company moving in the intended direction. Many organisations or companies in the business world fail, not because they do not have financial resources, not because they do not have a unique and innovative corporate strategy, but because of enforcing or imposing the corporate plans to the employees without selling the company’s plans to its employees, so as to have buy-in from them. This will not only let them be part of the solution, but also feel part of the organisation and take ownership of the organisation’s strategic plans. Strategic plans plays an important role in preparing business organisations to meet their current and future challenges. Research carried out in to both large, medium, small and micro sized-firms constantly emphasise a positive relationship between successful implementation of corporate strategies and its performance. This is because it is often mentioned that well implanted strategies produce outstanding organisational performance. The primary objective of the study was to look at effective communication of corporate strategy in a business organisation and the impact it has on successful implementation of corporate strategy in an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firm. Various number of studies have been carried out with regard to corporate strategy, but the impact effective communication can have on successful implementation of corporate strategy has never been studied. The study was conducted within an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firm based in Centurion, Gauteng. It was conducted within an enterprise division of the firm rather than the entire organisation, which employs 400 people. Out of the 400 respondents invited to participate in the study, 98 managed to complete the questionnaires. The study followed a positivistic research paradigm which made use of questionnaires. It made use of an on-line survey where the respondents were invited to participate in the study via e-mails. The study established that certain variables are more critical than other when coming to strategy implementation such as strategic leadership and effective communication.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017